Henri Spalter, head of the FBI’s Science and Technology Branch, professor of science and Mitchell Parker’s stepdad during his teen years after Mitch’s father disappeared, hadn’t seen much of Mitch himself since he moved out of Henri’s guest wing last month. Henri’s wife, Ann, was missing having Mitch to fuss over, but it was only ever a short stop for Mitch between moving out from his ex-girlfriend Charlotte’s house and finding somewhere new to live.
Henri had already heard from Ann; last night’s date with Mitch and Melissa was a disaster. Henri had warned her, but she thought they would be perfectly suited; the daughter of a work colleague and Mitch, who clearly needed a new love distraction—according to the women who know best in these matters. Still, Henri thought as he printed out some test results, Mitch could have turned the phone off during dinner.
“Lads, I’m going upstairs to drop off some results and get a briefing,” Henri said to his two young lab assistants.
“Want me to take them up?” Jared asked.
“Thanks Jared, but it’s good to keep the circulation going. Now listen up lads, Mitch is coming down sometime in the next half hour to pick up that envelope on the desk.” Henri pointed to a large envelope that included some of Mitch’s personal mail. “If he asks, let him know I’m very cranky about last night.” Henri smiled.
“What happened last night?” Tom asked.
“The wife set him up on a blind date and Mitch spent more time on the phone than on the date.”
“Poor guy.” Jared shook his head. “My mother is always setting me up with daughters of her friends. I had to invent a girlfriend to get her off my case.”
“Should have told her you were gay,” Tom said.
“No, then she’d try and convert me.”
Henri laughed and departed with a wave of the papers in his hands.
Mitch paced around his office.
“Adam and I met with Benjamin late yesterday.” Ellen gave Mitch an overview of what little they had learnt as she sat perched on the corner of the office couch. “And of course we had no luck last night … the film showed but no one was there to show it.”
“That drives me crazy,” Mitch said.
“Perhaps there is a ghost,” Adam said.
Mitch looked at him. “Well you’ve just volunteered for the next shift there, Casper. But before you do that, Adam, can you start working on the ancient history? I’d like you to look into the backgrounds of everyone connected with Benjamin Hoefer and his father, Eli, dead or alive.”
“On it,” Adam said.
“We’ve got a legat in Berlin if you need help,” Mitch said referring to the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office, “but with your German language skills you should be okay to do a bit by phone initially.”
“Ja,” Adam agreed in German.
Mitch turned to Nick. “Nick can you cover modern history? Take the guest list from the book launch at the museum and work your way through them. Can you also find out who was the benefactor of Eli’s will—I’m guessing it’s Benjamin—and what he was worth?”
“Got it,” Nick agreed.
“Ellie, follow up on the prints on the film, check out the projectionist’s background and get to Benjamin’s speaking engagement this afternoon … he’s talking at the Jewish Community Centre at two p.m.”
Mitch continued. “I’m going to investigate the neo-Nazi and Holocaust denial groups and see if they have any interest in Benjamin and his book.”
“You can’t do that alone,” Nick said. “I’m coming with you.”
“Thanks, but it’s okay,” Mitch said. “I’m only sussing them out at this stage. I’m starting with the Anti-Defamation League and Human Rights Law Center—they report upon local neo-Nazi activities. But I’ll partner up once I know who to visit. Check in regularly.”
Mitch watched his team leave, then, with a quick glance at the clock, grabbed his car keys and decided to drop in to catch Henri on his way out. He took the stairs down, flashing his pass on the security scans to push open the glass doors. He could see Tom and Jared at work but no sign of Henri.
“Hey Mitch,” Jared greeted him with a glance to Tom.
“Hi Jared, Tom.” Mitch glanced past them into Henri’s office. “Henri not around?”
Tom grimaced. “No, I think he wanted to be out when you arrived.”
Mitch turned to look at Tom.
Jared continued. “He left an envelope on his desk for you; said it was mail you were expecting.”
Mitch walked past them into Henri’s office and grabbed the envelope with his name on it. When he came back out Tom and Jared were watching him.
“Did he say anything else?” Mitch asked, looking from one to the other.
“Not really.” Jared rose and came around the desk to grab a document from the printer. “He’s been cranky today though, don’t you think, Tom?”
“Yeah,” Tom nodded, “didn’t even improve after his coffee. Said the wife was giving him a hard time about a date last night or something.”
Mitch sighed. “Great. Well, tell him … no it’s cool, I’ll catch him later. Thanks guys.” Mitch left feeling that they weren’t quite telling him everything. Damn, Ann’s cheesed off and Henri’s getting the roll-on effects. Why set it up in the first place? I didn’t want it, he stewed on his way to the car. I’ll get some flowers and take them to Ann. Women!