Wonderful beautiful Copenhagen

Wonderful Copenhagen

As I sit here, the words of Danny Kaye fill my head,  ‘Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen’  I originally heard this on a video with Hans Christian Anderson.   This is my first visit to Denmark and Copenhagen certainly does not disappoint.  I look at Christine next to me and know that she is feeling the same. Her smile as she stares ahead at the beautiful landscape, the city is like something you will see on a picture postcard.

The boats on the Copenhagen canal sway on the water as the tourist’s clamber on board to enjoy the local sites.  The distinct smells of the city and sounds of people busy about their day.  If it hadn’t been for the fact that adventure is my job, I might not have noticed the boat that was sat across from us loading boxes.  What was in the boxes? Other boats were all about tourism, this one had two strange looking men, who kept looking around them.  Should I ignore them, or do I look further?

Distraction

I want to enjoy the beauty and relax, but these men had my attention. I want food but the prices made me wince.  The smell of cinnamon from the table next to me made my mouth water, should I?

As Christine cut into my thoughts the decision was made, a walk to the park and grab a famous red hot dog was her plan.  I looked at the men, still loading the boat, what was going on? Watching her get up I knew I was not going to win, plus I am hungry, I hope the hot dog stand is cheaper than the small café.

As I push out my chair I hear a very loud cry. The men are no longer shifting boxes and are rapidly untying their boat as some people are running, screaming towards them. Should I do something now? Looking at Christine I can see her disapproving frown, once a detective, always a detective even when I am supposed to be relaxing on holiday. As the screech of police sirens filled the air, Christine grabbed my arm, dragging me away from the situation. As usual my gut was right something was going on.

A walk

Reluctantly I allowed myself to be dragged away, away from the screams and the cries. However, this was about to get much worse.   We had come for peace, Christine needed a break after a bad divorce and me, I needed time out from my stressful job in the police.  Trouble seems to follow me around. Maybe those men were smugglers or had stolen money from the restaurants, but now on entering the pretty park is another commotion.  A man stood there with a shot gun as a woman is desperately trying to avoid being shot. I hear a voice in my head,

“No Catherine, you are on holiday, you are not a negotiator now, that’s next week, not now.”

Ignoring the voice and ignoring Christine, I know I must do something,

“Chris, phone 112.”

People were stood around panicking; I was the only calm person. Crazy really as I was not wearing a vest and here was a crazy man with a gun.  Approaching the man, all I could think of was saving the situation and talking him down.

The Copenhagen port

Jack had been given a job to do, and when he gives his word, he follows through. Being asked by Red to import coke was a major responsibility and Copenhagen with all its boats served as a good a place as any to supply and distribute. Failure is not an option; Red has a fiery temper and is not a man to be messed with. Jack needed the money, with a heavy addiction to the casino and a baby on the way, he had to get the gear out of Copenhagen.  Working with an older man, Tim, all muscle, and all fight they were making good time.

Sam had been placed in the park; they needed the time to get the ‘Flying Kipper’ loaded and out of the port. The police appearing had not been part of their plan. Hastily loading the last box and untying the boat Jack and Tim left, they now just needed to get to the other end safely, and they would get their pay day.

The park

Approaching the shooter, I kept calm and talked. The man was resistant at first but then sat down and pushed the woman away. I sat down next to him. He was a young lad, maybe early 20s, and was shaking. Listening to his story I learnt about the drug running and Red, I learnt that he is terrified and had been placed in the park to distract from Jack and Tim at the port loading boxes.

As the police arrived, I found out that the drugs were headed for the border between Germany and Denmark. I had heard of Copenhagen’s famous ‘Pusher Street’. Now I was really learning about it.

Sam disclosed all the information that was needed to catch Red and the dealers. He was offered immunity for his help especially as the local police had been wanting to catch them in action for a while. It also evolved that the woman was in on it and so was not in any danger at all. Sam never had any intention of harming her, he had just done as he was asked, and she had been dragged into the mess with him.

Pusher Street

Famous for its sales of Cannabis, freely being sold on market stalls, I was surprised at the roaring trade happening. Such a pretty City but the authorities seemed to be turning a blind eye to the tourists and locals happily smoking Hashish.

Our holiday had only just begun. So far, I had helped apprehend some drug runners and now was stood surrounded by stoners. It was my turn to drag Christine away. It was now time to sight see, properly. I’m not at work for a week and I want to see this wonderful city.

Pulling Christine’s arm she starts laughing,

“Oh Cath, why so serious”

“You know why.  We are going”. Copenhagen here we come.

Note: Pusher Street (Freetown Christiania) was finally closed for good in 2024. It was shut down by the police and locals with the street being physically removed. As for drug smuggling there appear to be many recorded incidences in Copenhagen.

Written for Write the story, on Writers Unite  

For more see The cold truth behind the shoes on the line, written for Writers Unite

Note story is written around the prompt photo  – for Write the Story.