Page 45 of Nothing Watching

To her surprise, Juliette realized that they were not driving into a poor or run-down part of the city. The area they were in was a high-end residential suburb, with homes that were double story in size, set in tiny yards which, so close to the city center, represented prime property. Everything about this area spoke of comfortable prosperity. The yards looked well maintained and the homes were in good condition and well cared for. Well, almost all of them. She revised her ideas as they approached the house where their suspect lived.

Located near a street corner, this home was the exception to the others. Though grand and well built, the house itself was set in a yard that was so overgrown it was like a jungle.

The lawn was unkempt, the bushes and shrubs had grown wildly and shapelessly, and vines were running riot, covering the walls of the house, their leafy fronds half obscuring the dirty windows. Juliette couldn’t help but think that it was a metaphor for Vogel’s mind, unfettered and out of control.

This was the home of a man who had been dismissed from his job and had fought off assault charges, a man who was now a suspect in a string of murders. It was clear that he had let everything go, which made him all the more dangerous.

Juliette guessed he must have private wealth to be able to afford this home at all, and that meant he didn’t need to answer to an employer. Most likely, he wasn’t in the habit of answering to anyone.

They got out of the car, picking their way carefully through the overgrown garden.Juliette led the team to the front door. Sierra and Wyatt followed close behind.

Juliette paused for a moment, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement or danger. Everything was eerily quiet. There was no sign of movement from behind the dirty window glass, although the overgrowth made it hard to see.

He could be watching them now.

She raised her hand and knocked firmly on the door.

There was a long pause, and Juliette began to wonder if Vogel was inside at all. Just as she was about to knock again, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind the door.

“Who is it?” a gruff voice said in German, speaking loudly to be heard through the thick wooden door.

“It’s Agent Hart,” Juliette said, replying in German, too. She didn’t want to give too much away. She continued, in a level voice, “We’re looking for some information from Mr. Vogel. Is that yourself, sir?”

Discreetly checking her messages, she saw the warrant hadn’t yet come through. Even the most urgent emergency application still took time to authorize. There was no way of getting inside this house unless he opened the door to them. And so far he wasn’t doing that.

“What kind of information?” he shouted, his voice wary. “I’ve been keeping out of trouble more or less. Give or take the odd confrontation with the lesser read, unwashed sector of the population, who will always need to have their thoughts managed.”

Juliette’s eyes widened. Clearly, his arrest and job loss had not affected the stance of this man, whose extreme philosophical ideas strayed far beyond the edge of reason, and were exceeded only by his arrogance.

“We’re not here to ask about that,” Juliette said, keeping her voice even. “We’re investigating a string of murders that have taken place in Berlin, and we believe that you may have some information we need.”

She didn’t know what to expect. Opening the door was what she hoped for. But instead, there was a pause. And then, from behind the door, came a long, maniacal laugh.

“You expect me to comply with your proletarian requests?” he shouted incredulously. “You’re here to arrest me for promoting freedom of thought and breaking the shackles of normality, aren’t you? I knew this day would come. All I want is to be left alone to pursue my quest for pureness of mind through the channeling of my genius. I do not need you on my doorstep, cluttering up the neighborhood with your toxic, narrow-minded presence! You think I’ll stand for this? I will not! Never! I will die free, rather than comply!”

Juliette felt a chill run through her spine as she listened to Vogel’s rambling response. She knew they were dealing with a delusional man who might be capable of anything. They needed to get inside and detain him before he could cause any more harm—to others, or even to himself.

“We are not here to arrest you, Mr. Vogel,” she said. “We just need information.”

“I have already answered!” he thundered.

Juliette stepped back, exchanging a glance with Sierra and Wyatt. This was not going to be an easy exercise. Clearly, Vogel had no intention of opening the door to them.

Time to start ramping up the threats. “Mr. Vogel,” she called out, “we’re not here to arrest you. However, we are obtaining a warrant for entry. I would encourage you to cooperate. As soon as that warrant is authorized, we’re coming in. If you agree to it, there won’t be trouble.”

Well, there would be if he was the killer, which she was becoming more and more sure of, but in his own mind, she guessed he was convinced of his innocence and believed he was the pure thinker who could do no wrong.

She waited. And waited.

There wasn’t a sound from behind the door now. He wasn’t uttering as much as a squeak. What was going on?

“Is he still there?” she mouthed to Wyatt.

“I don’t know,” he responded quietly.

The buzz of his phone sounded loud in the silence. Looking down, Wyatt took a quick breath.

“The warrant has been granted,” he said.

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