“There may be something to that, of course, if you think that’s the way it is, but how did you come into contact with Andreas Falkenborg? Could you explain that in more detail?”
“I’m part of a group on the Internet, an exclusive group you might say, and I wrote around and enquired. Then I was given his name and telephone number.”
“What kind of group is this?”
“People with prestigious positions and major responsibility in their jobs. It’s mostly men, and you have to be recommended by two members to be able to join.”
“What is the group’s purpose?”
“To help each other when we can. It’s a kind of virtual lodge.”
“Okay, I see. Where did you and Falkenborg meet?”
“At a restaurant in Lyngby Centre.”
“How many times?”
“Three in all. An introductory meeting, one where I paid his advance, and a concluding one, where he submitted his results and we settled up.”
“Same place all three times?”
“Yes, same place.”
“What impression did he make on you?”
“A very pleasant impression, perhaps a trifle . . . childish is the word, I guess, but very pleasant. As I’m sure you can imagine I was not particularly pleased about the situation I found myself in, and especially during our first meeting I was somewhat nervous, but he was quickly able to get me to relax. That is, he kept the whole thing very subdued, and while I told him about my wife, it was almost as if we were sitting making small talk. I mean, he didn’t take any notes or anything. He also explained to me that in the majority of cases where a man has suspicions like mine, they are later proved to be correct, and unfortunately he was right about that. Also during our last meeting, which was not fun for me, he was very honest. The assignment only took sixteen days and he wanted to pay me back a good fourteen thousand kroner, but I wouldn’t take it. All in all I was very satisfied with his efforts, and if I were ever to get into a similar situation—heaven forbid—then I would definitely use him again.”
Simonsen thought that he wouldn’t, unless he wanted his wife ending her days in a plastic bag. He briefly considered delving a little into the childish element in Falkenborg’s character, but decided to leave that to Troulsen. He lumbered heavily to his feet and said in farewell, “I’m sincerely happy that you—”
He got no further, as Troulsen said, “There’s something else, Simon, that’s why we came in right away. I think you should sit down again.”
Simonsen did so. The man asked a trifle uncertainly, “It’s that thing about the access card, isn’t it?”
Troulsen nodded.
“Exactly. It would be helpful if you would also talk about that again.”
“Well, at home I had a security system installed, and according to experts it’s supposed to be one of the best on the market. It was very expensive too. Sirens, sensors, video monitoring, super-secure access control and central connection to the security company. It was guaranteed to be as safe as a bank. It’s not that I’m more afraid of burglaries than other people are, but I have a handful of paintings that are worth a bit of money and if I don’t take proper care of them I can’t get them insured. So you mustn’t believe that I’m paranoid or anything.”
“It’s not paranoid to protect your valuables.”
“No, I don’t think so either. Well, at the same time that the security company installed all that hardware, they also changed the locks to my outside doors, so instead of an ordinary key I use a card. You’re familiar with the system, of course.”
Both of his listeners nodded to show that they were so he continued speaking.
“At our first meeting Andreas Falkenborg asked about getting a card, and I brought it to him the next time.”
Simonsen asked, “You barely knew him, but you felt secure giving him free access to your home?”
“Yes. Perhaps that seems na?ve to you. But bear in mind he would destroy his own business if he helped himself to my things. I mean, you don’t easily get people to vouch for you like they did for Falkenborg. It must have taken him years to build up his reputation, and reliability is a necessary prerequisite.”
“Did he say what he was going to do at your place?”
“I didn’t ask, but it wasn’t too hard to guess.”
“No, of course. So you gave him an access card?”
“Yes, or I thought I did, but later I found out that it didn’t work. I happened to give him a card that was cancelled. I only discovered that when the whole thing was over, and he had returned the card besides.”
“Well, that was unfortunate. What did he say about it?”
“Nothing, he didn’t comment on it at all, but I’m quite sure that it didn’t work because I tried it when I got home.”
Simonsen had a hard time seeing the point of this piece of information. He looked at Troulsen, who simply said, “We’re almost there.”
The witness continued talking.