Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, Mandal (no) really knows how to throw a curveball. Woke up this mornin’ thinkin’ it’d be just another boring Tuesday. Boy, was I wrong.
First off, I hit the streets of Mandal around 8 AM. The sun was barely up, but the smell of fresh pastries from that little bakery on Storgata was already waftin’ through the air. You know the one? Best croissants in town. I grabbed one, stuffed it in my pocket for later. Priorities, right?
So, I’m cruisin’ down to the police station on Rådhusgata, feelin’ pretty good. But then, BAM! I get a call. Some dude’s been found face down in the fjord. Like, seriously? Who takes a swim in October? I mean, it’s cold as ice!
I rush over to the docks. The water’s choppy, and the wind’s howlin’ like a banshee. I see the team already there, lookin’ grim. They pull the guy out, and I’m thinkin’, “Great, just what I needed.” Turns out, he’s a local fisherman. Name’s Lars. Kinda sad, ya know?
But then, I spot something shiny in his pocket. A keychain. Not just any keychain, but one from that fancy hotel on Strandgata. I’m like, “What’s a fisherman doin’ with a hotel key?” My detective senses are tinglin’.
I head over to the hotel, and the receptionist is givin’ me the side-eye. I flash my badge, and she goes pale. “Oh, uh, he checked in last night.” I’m thinkin’, “Checked in? For what? A fish fry?”
I ask her about his last known whereabouts. She says he was with some lady. A mystery woman! Now I’m intrigued. I mean, who wouldn’t be?
I start diggin’ around, talkin’ to the staff. Turns out, this lady was seen leavin’ with him. They were headed to that bar on Torgata. You know the one, right? The one with the neon sign that looks like it’s from the ‘80s?
I rush over there, heart racin’. The place is packed, and I’m tryin’ to spot this mystery woman. I order a drink, just to blend in. I’m sippin’ on a beer, and then I see her. Long hair, red dress, lookin’ like trouble.
I approach her, and she’s all flirty. “You lookin’ for someone?” she asks. I’m like, “Yeah, a fisherman. You seen him?” She goes all wide-eyed. “Oh, Lars! We had a little fun, but he got weird.”
Weird? What does that even mean? I’m tryin’ to keep my cool, but inside, I’m fumin’. I mean, come on!
She spills the beans. Turns out, Lars was mixed up with some shady business. Smugglin’ fish or somethin’. I’m thinkin’, “This guy’s life was a mess.”
I leave the bar, head back to the docks. The sun’s settin’, and the sky’s lookin’ all dramatic. I’m feelin’ a mix of anger and sadness. Why’d he have to end up like this?
As I’m walkin’, I bump into an old buddy, Erik. He’s a local artist, always paintin’ the fjord. He’s got this wild look in his eyes. “You won’t believe what I saw!” he says. I’m like, “Dude, I’ve had a day.”
He tells me he saw a boat speedin’ away from the docks right after Lars went under. Now I’m thinkin’ this is gettin’ crazier by the minute.
I rush back to the station, piecin’ it all together. I’m on fire! I’m ready to crack this case wide open.
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted but pumped. Mandal (no) is a wild place, full of surprises. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. But for now, I’m just gonna crash.
What a day, huh?