Hidden Depths (ebook)

Argumento de Hidden Depths (ebook)

A fast-paced psychological thriller that explores the explosive consequences of child abuse.

On New Year's Eve, 2004, a woman awakens from a coma. She has been unconscious for 12 years since being viciously attacked by a lake. Nobody knows who or why she was assaulted but as the plot unravels it transpires the events of that night are linked to things that happened before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

In East Germany in the spring of 1989, 14-year-old Felix Waltz had escaped from a life of abuse at the notorious Stasi youth prison, Torgau. He found a safe haven and went into hiding, leaving a tormented past behind. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, Felix had the chance to live a normal life with his uncle and aunt - until one of Torgaus abusive wardens turned up, threatening his new-found security and happiness. Felix turned vigilante to confront his past, resorting to murder, and his crimes remain hidden for 12 years.

In 2005, Hanne Drais, a criminal psychologist working within a Berlin police team, is one of those involved in reopening the case of Felixs victims. Hanne discovers the truth behind the lies and finds her destiny with Felix is interwoven with the past, their paths indelibly linked and fated again to collide.

The law of the land versus the law of revenge? The answer is often subjective and unclear, but it is never an easy choice....

Lotte Holler looked around her small room. Her vision was a bit blurry but it soon cleared enough for her to see white clinical walls, the bunch of fresh flowers by her bedside and a photo of herself and Julia. A rhythmic beat from a heart monitor was audible despite the volume of the music coming from the corridor. Looking down, tubes were attached from her chest to the monitor. What was going on, what was she doing here?

Panic set in as she started to remember. The last time she heard this music was when a masked man had taken her at gunpoint to a lake outside Berlin, made her strip to her underwear in the cold night air and dance to this song. Where was this man now? Was he keeping her captive in this room and coming back any second?

She tried to get out of bed but her muscles felt heavy and slow. Lotte began to shiver, recalling the icy night. She had the feeling she knew the man behind the balaclava mask, whose cold eyes had gazed down on her. Was her memory playing tricks, hadnt she asked for his mercy and forgiveness? He knew her and he was taking revenge The fog in her mind began to clear.

The music grew louder. Toreador, en garde! Toreador, Toreador!

Her attacker had ordered her to dance to this exact song, stripping her of her dignity, so she had danced. Biting her lip, she had tried not to cry as the dancing warmed the chill in her bones. The last thing she recalled before being hit on the head and falling unconscious to the freezing ground was worrying for the safety of the unborn baby she was carrying.

The music transported Lotte back to that horrific night.

Toreador, lamour, lamour tattend

NO! Turn off that song! Lotte screamed. Help! Julia, help me, she yelled, her voice surprisingly strong after such a long period without use.

Martin and Lena stopped dancing in the corridor and raced to Lottes room.

Shes awake! Martin gasped.

Lotte! Its OK, youre safe, youre in hospital, Lena told her. Martin. Call the night doctor, Jonas, anyone and turn off that bloody music.

Martin quickly disappeared down the corridor.

Turn it off! Lotte cried.

Instinctively she began caressing her lower abdomen.

My baby my baby, she cried.

In another part of Berlin, Julia and her sons were just arriving home around midnight to a backdrop of fireworks ushering in the New Year. A plethora of colours lit up the night sky as her mobile vibrated in her pocket. It was Lena calling with the amazing news that Lotte had woken up and was asking for her. Julia burst into tears, throwing her arms into the air in the middle of the snow-covered street and sinking to her knees.

Mutti! Frank and Tomas helped their mother to her feet and she hugged them tightly.

Its a miracle! she proclaimed. Your Aunt Lotte has come out of her coma. We need to go to her right away.

Mutti Tante Lotte doesnt know us and it might freak her out if she meets us now. Frank spoke with a wisdom and thoughtfulness beyond his 11 years. Well go to papas, eh Tomas?

Julia smiled at Frank. She could discuss most things with her eldest son even though he was at an awkward age, his hormones showing signs of puberty and a few spots appearing on his forehead. In contrast, Tomas was a young nine-year-old and still her baby. Frank nudged his brother to respond to his question but Tomas just shrugged his shoulders and played with the snow.

The miracle Julia had hoped for for so long had finally happened. She couldnt wait to see her sister and wanted to drive like a tornado but she thought of her sons and stayed impatiently within the speed limit, detouring back to their father Jurgens flat, where less than an hour ago shed collected the boys. Jurgen and Julia had divorced a few years ago after growing apart during 10 years of marriage. He had felt the burden of Lottes coma hanging over the family like the sword of Damocles but tonight he was truly glad for Julia, who looked visibly lighter than she had in a long time. Lottes subsequent recovery would be pivotal in lifting the weight of responsibility from her shoulders.0