Lucifer of The Silent Killer

Chapter 2 : Valkyrie

Heinrich stood up and pushed his chair back. “Give me a name,” he asked, without a hint of pleading.

“I’m sorry, Luc. There is a code of ethics I can’t violate.” Frederick refused Heinrich’s request.

Heinrich leaned forward halfway, placing both hands on the table. His sharp gaze was fixed on Frederick, who was older than him. “My family was killed under mysterious circumstances. Do you really think I care about your damn code of ethics?” His voice was low and controlled, but cold and firm.

“You know I’ve stepped away. No weapons, no targets. My life is completely normal now, Fred,” Heinrich added as he straightened his posture.

Frederick fell silent for a moment, then let out a slow breath. “I don’t know for certain. But you can look for information where you first started all of this.”

The answer sounded light, yet it managed to reopen an old veil Heinrich had sealed tightly. The dirty blond man took a few steps back, then turned and left Frederick, who watched him with an unreadable look.

Heinrich stood outside the workshop for a moment, then quickly got into his car. He did not drive off immediately. Instead, he pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket. In his contacts, there was one name he had obtained earlier that morning, a forensic officer who examined the bodies of Liv and their two daughters.

“Good afternoon. This is Heinrich Aasen.” Brief and direct. That was Heinrich’s way.

“Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Aasen.”

“What are the results?” Heinrich asked flatly, staring straight ahead.

“So far, we found no visible injuries. The strongest assumption is asphyxiation.”

“Asphyxiation?” Heinrich repeated softly, then paused before asking again. “How long will the autopsy take?”

“Everything will be completed within three days.”

Heinrich fell silent again, then ended the call without further courtesy. He started the engine and drove at a moderate speed.

Upon arriving home, Heinrich immediately began organizing his belongings. He stored everything that reminded him of Liv, Lena, and Eva in the warehouse, sealed tightly inside cardboard boxes.

Yet, Heinrich felt it was pointless. Not only the objects, but every detail of the house reminded him of them. No matter what, there was one thing that could not be hidden because it was deeply embedded in memory, memories. Liv’s warmth and the cheerfulness of his twin daughters who used to run around the house.

Heinrich sat down, supporting his head with his hands. It was not that he did not want to cry and mourn the loss of those he loved. But he knew there was no time to grieve too deeply. His instincts were awakened. Heinrich had to find the perpetrator and demand accountability for the suffering inflicted upon him.

“Your deaths will be paid for. That is certain,” Heinrich said in his mind, when three days had passed and the coffins were already before him. However, Heinrich refused to open them and look at the faces of Liv and their daughters, for deeply personal reasons.

After the funeral ceremony ended, Heinrich hurried to retrieve the travel documents he had prepared days earlier. He was going to fly to Russia, specifically to the city of St. Petersburg.

Upon arriving there, Heinrich immediately met someone named Sergei Volkov, a former spotter around sixty years old. They had arranged to meet at an old cafeteria, a place where they used to drink coffee together after missions.

“How are you, Luc? It’s good to see you back here,” Sergei greeted him warmly, though without excessive expression.

“I’ve left that name behind,” Heinrich replied coldly.

“The name may be gone, but your traces remain. They always will,” Sergei said, then gestured for Heinrich to sit. “I already ordered your favorite coffee. Black espresso, no sugar.”

“Thank you,” Heinrich said flatly.

“I know you very well. You were the most comfortable partner in every mission we ran,” Sergei said as he took out a cigarette and lit it.

“Enough. I didn’t come to reminisce about the past. I came for this.” Heinrich reached into his inner jacket pocket and slid a piece of paper toward Sergei.

Sergei took a deep breath. “An old signature, one that hasn’t been seen in a long time. How did you get this?”

“He came and slaughtered my family.”

Sergei fell silent, staring at Heinrich with an intensely serious look. Moments later, the blond man shifted his attention to the paper in front of him. “Someone from the past is following you.”

“I only need a name,” Heinrich said softly, but firmly.

“I have many names.”

“I only need one.”

“I don’t want to act recklessly.”

“You were never reckless, Serg. Weren’t we partners?”

“You said you didn’t want to reminisce with me,” Sergei said half jokingly, though without a smile, let alone laughter.

Heinrich stared intensely. He was irritated by what he saw as Sergei’s unnecessary roundabout talk. “Has age slowed your thinking?”

Sergei smiled faintly. He did not answer right away as a waiter came over to serve their order. “Thank you,” he said briefly.

After the waiter left, Sergei took a sip of his coffee. “I know one name that might be connected to that symbol. But that person has disappeared a long time ago.”

“And?” Heinrich narrowed his eyes.

Sergei paused, as if weighing something. He knew well the risk and the price that came with every piece of important information.

“You’re extremely annoying, Serg!” Heinrich’s patience was nearly gone, though his voice and body language remained controlled. “I don’t have much time.”

“Valkyrie,” Sergei finally said the name. “The death of your family is a warning, or perhaps a call for Lucifer to come to him.”