A Fear of Dark Water by Craig Russell Page B

these settlements were first created, our ancestors were connected to Nature and to the landscape. They could read the signs and learn from experience of changing weather patterns. And that meant they knew where to build their homes. Do you know something? These geests have provided the perfect protection against storm surges for a millennium of settlement. The marshes around them work like huge sponges and the geests themselves are natural flood barriers. Giant natural sandbags. And you see all the Knicks that run alongside the canals and rivers here?’ Müller-Voigt referred to the turf embankments, topped by trees and bushes, that criss-crossed the Altes Land and much of the rest of the Northern German landscape. ‘Some of those Knicks are older than the pyramids of Giza, built by our ancestors more than five thousand years ago. And do you know something, they remain the best protection against aeolian and fluvial erosion this landscape has.’ Müller-Voigt gave a small laugh. ‘Look at the millions and millions of euros spent on flood defences for Hamburg. Don’t get me wrong, they’re needed to protect people and property – but if you look at the historical flooding patterns of Hamburg over the last century or so, you’ll see all of the areas that have remained immune. And guess what? They’re all the oldest settled parts of the city, on the Hamburg geest slopes. That’s what we’ve lost, Fabel. Connection .’
    ‘I understand, Herr Senator, but I assume that’s not why you called me out here.’
    ‘Isn’t it?’ I want you to remember what I have said because, believe it or not, it is relevant to what I have to talk to you about. There is a lot of discussion in the media about the environment, and it has slowly climbed the ladder of political priority, but it’s still not high enough. There is a disaster waiting for us, Herr Fabel, and it’s just around the corner. There are a lot of people who believe that extreme action has to be taken now. Very extreme action. Drink?’ Müller-Voigt asked, making his way to the cabinet.
    ‘No, thanks,’ said Fabel.
    ‘Of course. Never on duty …’ Müller-Voigt smiled a half-hearted smile.
    ‘Never when I’ve got the car. Anyway, I’m not on duty. This is, so far, unofficial.’
    ‘I appreciate that, Herr Fabel. You don’t mind if I do?’
    ‘Go ahead,’ said Fabel. It occurred to him that Müller-Voigt was not the kind of man who would normally need fortification to face anything.
    Ice tinkled against expensive crystal as Müller-Voigt brought his malt whisky over and sat opposite Fabel. ‘I really am grateful that you came to see me at such short notice.’
    ‘Well, it was pretty clear that it’s something urgent.’
    ‘Urgent, but, as you said, at the moment unofficial,’ said Müller-Voigt. He leaned back in the sofa and contemplated his whisky glass for a moment. ‘Obviously, I am kept fully up to date on all developments when something as major as the recent storm hits Hamburg. Storms and related damage lie within my purview, as you probably can imagine.’
    ‘I suppose so …’
    ‘So you’ll understand that any consequential fatalities and injuries are reported to me as a matter of urgency. Such as the body that was washed up at the Fischmarkt. The one I asked you about earlier today.’
    ‘As we already discussed, Senator, the woman washed up at the Fischmarkt wasn’t a consequential fatality. She wasn’t killed by the storm or flood.’
    ‘I see. How do you know she didn’t die as a result of the storm? And what makes you think she wasn’t a victim of this Network Killer?’
    ‘Listen, Herr Senator, I understand your interest, but all I can tell you is that the victim did not die as a result of the storm. The rest is a police matter at the moment.’
    ‘A Murder Commission matter, you mean …’
    ‘Herr Senator …’ Fabel infused a warning in his tone.
    Müller-Voigt put his whisky glass down. ‘I want to see the body,’