A series of
bestial murders are committed in Copenhagen and the two detective inspectors on
the case find more and more traces pointing in the direction of ritual
sacrifices and the occult. At the same time the quantities of flies in the town
increase noticeably, and the connection slowly comes to light.
SECOND
PROLOGUE
It's the
last summer of the century. But of course only another in the series. And in no
way special. Certainly it is hot, but that's nothing special any more. Up to
now only one thing has made this summer different: the flies.
For some
reason that science seems to find it hard to understand, Copenhagen and its
surroundings has been specially plagued by flies this summer. Their quantities
increased quickly as the heatwave advanced and look to be still rising. It's
puzzling to see why the rest of the country has not experienced the same
explosion in the fly population.
Flies
belong to the Diptera order of insects, the two-winged one, with mosquitoes,
among others. There are several thusand different species in Denmark alone, but
that appears to be only a small handful whose numbers have risen during recent
weeks. In the case of blowflies these are Sagcophaga Carnaria (the carrion fly)
and Calliphora Vomitora (ordinary flow fly) and among the smaller species Musca
Domestica (the house fly) in particular and Polietes Lardaria (no Danish name).
Flies,
including the species mentioned, vary greatly, and it is not possible against
the background of their habits to reach an understanding of the violent
acceleration in their numbers. Apparently it is merely one of the tricks nature
can play on us.
However,
the refuse containers of the burger chains and abattoirs have been pointed to
as possible places where the larvae or maggots of flies can thrive in decaying
foodstuffs. Others feel that general pollution is to blame, the rotting
sediment along the banks of lakes (the water level has sunk considerably, as we
know) or even the alternative lifestyle of certain elements of the population.
None of these suggestions have been confirmed.
A
suggestion by the city council to use poison to combat the flies was rejected
because of possible damage to the environment.
It can be
difficult to find a shop still offering fly swatters. There is more likelihood
for obtaining flypapers, but you shouldn't wait too long.
The spiders
are fat and well nourished this year.
Rejected draft for
article in Berlingske Tidendes Summer Supplement.
