Rosa

“Another. .?” Hoffner remembered his first lie. “No. Not another aunt.”

Taubma

“Unusual?” said Hoffner.

Taubma

“I see,” said Hoffner.

Gazing at the drawings again, Taubma

Hoffner found it oddly charming how everything for Herr Taubma

“Once again,” said Hoffner, “you’ve guessed correctly.”

Taubma

“Yes.”

“Not that I’m not keen on the sale,” Taubma

“Of course,” said Hoffner, easing himself back into character. “It’s just that I came across it-this. . point tude, as you say-quite by accident, and I’m simply fascinated by it.” Hoffner decided to lead the man. “Much the way you are, I suspect?” He saw Taubma

Taubma

“Wonderful,” said Hoffner. “Is it some kind of blueprint for different meshes?”

“Some kind of-oh, I see what you mean. Well, yes and no. I suppose one could call them blueprints, but they’re more variations on each design.”

“Variations?” Hoffner had figured that out for himself back at the Alex. “But each row looks identical. I thought it might be some sort of exercise?”

Taubma

Hoffner had been right. It was the way in which Wouters had drawn them that differentiated each sketch. “I don’t understand,” he said.

Taubma

Hoffner nodded. He had been listening with only half an ear since Taubma

More than that, the design itself told the “artist” where to go, which meant that the design, in some way, knew where its next crucial change in direction would be. In other words, all Hoffner needed to do was to find the point of origin for the diameter-cut design, and he would be able to follow its flow to Wouters’s next dumping site. At least that was the theory.

“So, if you have the point of origin,” said Hoffner, “you know which direction the needle will always move, and which major knots along the way it will hit.”

“Precisely,” said Taubma

An ideal mesh, thought Hoffner. Living and breathing. Of course. He remembered van Acker’s first interview with Wouters: It took time to find the ideal. It was perfect. In Wouters’s twisted mind, the diameter-cut-originated at its optimal point-was actually breathing life into his victims.

Taubma

“Yes,” said Hoffner, not really looking. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out another single sheet. He held it out to Taubma

Taubma

“Please, Herr Taubma

Taubma

“That’s what I’m asking you, Herr Taubma

Taubma

Taubma

Taubma

“You’re being modest.”

“No,” said Taubma

Hoffner saw the uneasiness in Taubma

The answer came without hesitation. “Emil Kepner. He’s the best in the city. In fact, I’m studying with him.” Taubma

“Where can I find this Kepner?”

Fichte answered: “Kleiststrasse.” Both men turned to him. Fichte explained: “He owns one of the places I tried last week. Very high-end.”

Hoffner turned to Taubma

“Absolutely,” said Taubma

“You have the address?”

“He’ll be home, by now, mein Herr.” Again, Taubma

Hoffner was growing impatient. “Then his address there. You have that?”