Die Davidswache, stood since 1914. Its bricks spoke of a different time, one of car exhausts and rubber, that had grayed and blackened its original red lustre, of beer and piss, that part was mostly true still, of drunkards sobering up in its hospitable embrace. It had survived WW2 and the allied bombing, it witnessed WW3, it stood through the atomic fallout of the last war, and was still here to dutifully incarcerate the overzealous party goers.

The big blue neon sign: POLIZEI was not yet lit. Die Reeperbahn, quiet, except for the occasional beggar trying to hustle the passer bys. Cold and sobering white light escaped through the top of the two brick arches that made up the entrance.

Dirk stepped inside without hesitation, walked up to the front desk, and waited for someone to show up. Nothing happened for a minute, then he decided to bang his fist onto the table.

A portly policeman clattered down the stairs in a hurry, displeased having to interrupt his lunch.

“What?” he asked.

“I am here to see the body of Ruth Teuling.”

The officer took a good look at Dirk.

“Identification, please.”

Dirk pulled out his ID-card. The officer scrutinized Dirk's ID-card before nodding and disappearing back up the stairs. Dirk could hear muffled voices and the sound of footsteps before the officer returned, accompanied by a somber-looking detective in his mid-forties.

“My name is Detective Brandt. Follow me please”

The Detective led Dirk to a side room on the second floor.

“Please.” The Detective offered Dirk a chair and sat opposite him at his desk.

“The coroner has not yet finished his report, but once that is done, I’m sure we can arrange for you to inspect the body.” Dirk nodded.

“However, would you mind answering me a few questions first? I’m sure you understand.”

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“Of course, detective.”

“Right, Mr. Vandergast. What is your relationship with the deceased?”

“We grew up together. I am her emergency contact.”

Brandt checked his notes.

“Yes, I can confirm that. What can you tell me about the…” he hesitated for a moment… “Ruth, Mr Vandergast?”

Dirk thought for a moment. Ruth had not lived quite the life of a law-abiding citizen, but so far Dirk was not under the impression that he needed to hinder Brandt’s investigation, Ruth was dead after all. In fact, he was rather hoping for Brandt to drop him some clues.

“Could you be more specific, please?” Dirk didn’t have all day.

“You see, Mr. Vandergast, I have a dead hooker, pardon my language, an invisible Killer, all my sources have come up empty-handed so far and my district is on the verge of going violent. The streets are quiet and confused, the mobsters are clueless, the city has been blind sided by this atrocious crime, and the city doesn’t like that. Not one bit. I know who you are, and what you do. I know who you were to the victim, and I am very thankful that you have come here on your own, but I need more. And soon. Before this whole thing turns violent.”

“Well, I will be sure to contact you when I find out something of note. Will you let me see the body now?”

Dirk nodded toward the door, then turned back to face Detective Brandt again.

“Oh, and one more thing, Detective.”

“After we are done here, I will be checking out Ruth’s flat. Just thought I would let you know beforehand.”

Detective Brandt didn’t look happy at all.

“I have a key Detective. Is that a problem?”

Detective Brandt looked even less happy for a moment.

“Keep me in the loop, Mr. Vandergast.” He sighed. “The coroner should still be in the basement, finishing his report. An Officer will see to you soon.”

Brandt shook his hand and bade him farewell. Dirk waited outside his office for a couple of minutes, then he was escorted downstairs.

Ruth’s lifeless body lay on the examination table when Dirk was ushered in. The room was cold, and reeked subtly of death, despite being well ventilated.

Dirk tried to swallow a lump in his throat, but couldn’t. There she lay, clean, cold, her hair shaven, a rough gash crossing her neck from one side to the other, most certainly dead.