When Elena eagerly meets Mila and Henk to discuss their next move, she encounters an unexpected intervention. With her friends stepping back, Elena chooses to continue the investigation alone, leading her to a personal revelation that deepens the mystery.
A Rotterdam Story | Spoilers Podcast | S1E8
If you're a fan of spoilers, listen to the latest podcast episode, in which our hosts discuss and analyse the events of this chapter.
Intervention at Café Loos
Elena entered Café Loos near Veerhaven, the comforting aroma of coffee and baked goods wrapping around her like a familiar embrace. She spotted Mila and Henk already seated at a corner table, both looking solemn, deep in quiet conversation. She approached with a smile, sliding into the booth.
“So, what's our next step?” Elena asked eagerly, pulling out her phone to share her latest thoughts. But her enthusiasm faded at their expressions.
Mila hesitated, exchanging a glance with Henk before speaking gently. “Elena, we need to talk."
"Is everything okay?" Elena asked slowly, suddenly cautious.
Henk cleared his throat softly, eyes serious behind his glasses. “We've been discussing this a lot. The investigation—it’s becoming too dangerous.”
Mila nodded, concern etched across her features. “We've crossed lines, Elena. The symbols, the people following us—it’s no longer just curiosity. It's a risk.”
Elena felt a tightening in her chest. “Are you suggesting we just stop?”
Mila reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Elena's arm. “We're saying it's time to step back. At least pause.”
"I can't," Elena replied instinctively, pulling away gently. "We’re so close. We can't just walk away now."
Henk sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Elena, I admire your determination, but this feels bigger than any of us anticipated. I can't continue knowing I'm endangering myself or either of you."
The silence hung heavily between them, broken only by the faint clinking of cups around the café.
"I understand," Elena finally murmured, voice steady despite the heaviness in her heart. "But I can't stop now. This has become personal."
Mila gave a gentle nod, her eyes understanding yet filled with worry. "Then please be careful. You know we’re here for you, even if we can't continue alongside you."
Reflections on Erasmusbrug
Leaving Café Loos, Elena made her way slowly to the Erasmusbrug, the crisp wind biting at her cheeks as she walked across the iconic bridge. Alone, she reflected on Mila and Henk’s words. Was she truly prepared to face whatever awaited her?
As she gazed out over the Maas, Elena questioned herself and her decisions. Why had she come to Rotterdam in the first place? She’d arrived with hopes of a fresh start, yet still felt stuck in a cycle of uncertainty. Her career at the gallery was enjoyable but offered little financial security, and her personal life felt equally unfulfilled.
She thought of her grandmother, whose stories had fascinated her as a child. Her grandmother had spoken fondly of Rotterdam, hinting at adventures Elena had never fully understood. Those tales were one reason Elena had chosen Rotterdam—perhaps a subconscious desire to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps, to rediscover something lost.
Elena recalled that her grandmother had spent time in Rotterdam after the war, working alongside sailors and dockworkers. Her grandmother had been a trailblazer, fiercely independent and brave—qualities Elena admired deeply. It was possible that her grandmother's experiences held clues about De Verborgenen.
Inspired by this thought, Elena decided to visit the Maritime Museum near Leuvehaven, hoping to find something that would connect her grandmother's past to her current investigation.
Discovery at the Maritime Museum
Determined, Elena headed toward the Maritime Museum near Leuvehaven, its modern façade reflecting the setting sun's golden glow. The museum is renowned for its extensive collections, showcasing Rotterdam's rich maritime history through interactive exhibits, detailed scale models of ships, and historical photographs that vividly brought the past to life.
Elena stepped inside just before closing time, moving swiftly through galleries filled with artifacts and memories from centuries of maritime heritage. She quickly found a section dedicated to maritime workers from various nationalities, particularly focusing on the post-WWII era. The photographs depicted groups of sailors and dockworkers, each labeled with their respective countries.
Her heart pounded as she examined the images, searching for a familiar face. Just as she was about to move on, her eyes locked onto a black-and-white photograph labeled "Spanish Crew Members, 1950s." There, among the group, stood a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to her grandmother.
Elena's breath caught in her throat. Around the woman's neck was a necklace bearing the same enigmatic 'R' symbol they had been tracking.
Shock pulsed through her. This was no mere coincidence. Her grandmother had been connected to De Verborgenen all along.
The museum's lights flickered, signaling closing time. Elena quickly snapped a photo of the photograph, hands trembling. As she rushed outside into the night, questions swirled fiercely within her mind.
The mystery had just become deeply, irrevocably personal.
