Contents
Chapter 24 - Friday. Otto Tangen.
Overview
Waaler coerces surveillance expert Otto Tangen into rapidly wiring a target building, overriding Otto’s attempts to negotiate time and money. By threatening to expose illicit equipment, Waaler secures immediate compliance and manpower support, advancing the urgent operation tied to the courier case.
Summary
Otto Tangen, an overweight surveillance specialist who runs the company Harry Sounds, wakes after a stifling night and answers an early call. His thoughts drift through past exploits, his prized microphones, and the rare police and defense contracts that sometimes keep his mobile surveillance studio in work.
Inspector Tom Waaler requests a rapid, full audiovisual setup across stairwells, lifts, and corridors in a four-story building. Sensing leverage, Otto pushes back on the deadline, inflates the timeline, and asks for evening/weekend rates and an advance for extra equipment.
Waaler abruptly undercuts the negotiation by hinting at Otto’s undeclared, possibly smuggled equipment—naming Stein Astrup’s barn in Asker and shipments from Rotterdam. The veiled threat rattles Otto, who realizes Waaler can expose him.
Waaler offers manpower and orders Otto to bring his surveillance van for a briefing and plans. Cornered, Otto abandons resistance. The scene ends with Waaler coercing compliance, ensuring an urgent, high-stakes surveillance operation will be in place.
Who Appears
- Otto TangenSurveillance specialist running Harry Sounds; tries to negotiate but is coerced into urgent building wiretap setup.
- Tom WaalerInspector who pressures Otto by citing illicit gear, forcing immediate compliance and a meeting for briefing.
- Aud-RitaLocal baker and Otto’s past fling; appears in Otto’s memories, underscoring his personal life and regrets.
- NilsAud-Rita’s partner and Otto’s only friend; referenced as a looming personal complication in Otto’s thoughts.