Wolfgang Marquard received them in proper style in front of a flickering fire. He was wearing an oriental dressing gown that looked very expensive.
‘Please excuse my appearance. I had already withdrawn for the evening when Albert informed me of your visit. He said it was important. Please tell me what is on your mind, but first let us have a drink.’ He took a bottle of Armagnac and poured himself a measure. ‘You may retire, Albert,’ he said.
‘Very good, Master.’
Marquard gave Charly a friendly smile and handed her a glass. She gazed at the man, who cut a dash even in a dressing gown. Slim, a little on the small side perhaps, with a nose that was a trifle large, but that only made his face more interesting. A born seducer, she thought. And then that voice! A voice you could listen to forever, so softly did it fill the air. Why would a man like that kill actresses when he could just as well break their hearts?
They raised their glasses and drank.
‘So,’ Marquard said, ‘what brings you to me?’
‘Gereon Rath,’ Paul replied. ‘A friend of ours – he told us we would find him here.’
‘Then he gave you the wrong time. Herr Rath left hours ago.’
‘Do you know where he went?’
Marquard shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’m afraid not. Home, I suppose.’
‘What time was that approximately?’ Charly asked.
Marquard considered. ‘Six, maybe half past six. Not much later, anyway.’
‘What did he want from you? Was he here on official duty or privately?’
‘I don’t know if I’m allowed to say. He was here as a police officer, and police matters are, I think, subject to discretion.’
‘Of course.’
All three gave a start when a dog suddenly and unexpectedly barked. Then a little black ball of wool came charging into the room and started sniffing the chair Charly was sitting in.
The dog issued another agitated bark. She wagged her tail and looked at Charly with an expression that resembled a smile.
‘Kirie?’ she said, disbelievingly.
Paul stood up. ‘Why is this dog in your house?’ he asked, no longer sounding anything like a friendly wine trader.
‘Am I to infer that you know this animal?’
The voice sounded just as warm and friendly, only now Wolfgang Marquard was holding a pistol.