Bernard carefully arranged the breakfast table on the patio. The sun was still low, its rays not yet reaching the surface of the pool. The complex lay wrapped in peaceful silence; its residents were in no hurry to start the day. Only Perla dashed around the yard, as if she were enjoying having the whole kingdom to herself. The little white fluff trotted happily in circles, panting with excitement—sometimes across the stone path, sometimes over the soft, green grass. No one scolded her. Ted was still in bed, and Ludmilla only dared to hiss at her when she was sure María José wasn’t watching—which was rare.
When Bernard finished with the preparations, he carried out the breakfast tray. For Noud there was strawberry chia pudding, fresh fruit, and red tea; for himself, a buttered croissant and café con leche. Every now and then, he glanced up toward their bedroom window—he knew Noud was watching him from there. He wanted to make up for the tension of the past few weeks. He knew that sometimes a small gesture could be the shortest road to forgiveness.
But every now and then—despite his best efforts—he got himself tangled up in assignments he couldn’t talk about. Not even with Noud. Not even though they had moved to the Canary Islands for a joint operation. The already complicated and delicate case had been completely scrambled by Viktoria’s sudden appearance.
“Let me guess,” Noud’s voice came unexpectedly from behind him. “It wasn’t Ted who took down the cameras in his house—it was you.”
“Ssshh,” Bernard hissed, startled. “What’s gotten into you?” he whispered.
“You told me a few weeks ago,” Noud continued in a quiet, icy tone, “that one night, while checking the footage, you saw the screens go dark. But that wasn’t true, was it? It was you. Since then, you’ve been disappearing for half-hours at a time—and ever since then, Viktoria’s become Ted’s ‘helpful nurse.’ Am I right?”
Bernard’s head dropped forward helplessly.
“I can’t talk about this…” he muttered. “Please, let’s just have breakfast. Let’s forget all this for a few hours.”
“Until it’s time for you to run off again?” Noud asked coldly.
Bernard looked at him with pleading eyes.
“Noud,” he breathed. “Not now. Not here.”
“Okay,” Noud shrugged.
With a sudden movement, he stepped around Bernard and walked to the edge of the terrace, facing the far end of the courtyard.
“Hey!” he shouted. “Günter!”
He waved his arms vigorously. A few upstairs windows opened, but Noud didn’t care. He stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled sharply.
Bernard stood frozen, horrified. He wanted to stop him, but no sound came out. By the time he collected himself, Günter had appeared, bare-chested, holding a small basket covered with a kitchen towel.
“I brought you some fresh pretzels,” Günter said proudly, showing the basket.
“You’re something else, my friend,” Noud said, stretching his arms toward him. “I swear, you people have endless energy.”
Günter handed over the fragrant, neatly wrapped baked goods with a boyish smile. Bernard quickly pulled out a chair for him.
“I’ll get you a plate right away.”
“Oh, don’t bother…”
“It’s no bother,” Noud cut in quickly. “It’s the least you deserve after everything you’ve done.”
Günter waved a hand dismissively.
“It’s just a few pretzels…”
“Oh, that’s not what I meant,” Noud said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I meant the way you and your wife so selflessly took it upon yourselves to care for Ted. He’s a relative of yours, isn’t he?”