Three Seconds: Paula/Piet

[Vermontcozy]

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Peppermill wrote:

It seemed as if Piet set up the recording with the Swedish officials out of the same motivations that led him to save the murderer's shirt -- evidence of what really happened that could serve as CYA.

It is interesting that he took that risk in Sweden; he did not in Poland.  Almost as if he knew that in Poland, to have been caught would have been certain death.

My curiosity is what will he do with the recording?  With whom can he entrust it? 

(Having just read The Magician's Assistant, I particularly smiled at Piet's tactic of raising his finger to divert attention from the lower part of his body and the trailing cord.)

Pepper

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Yes Pepper  A good point who will he entrust with the recording..None of the "Officials",maybe a 'Safety Deposit Box"..    Zofia will be either in complete shock when he leaves..To think of her and the children as sitting ducks is disturbing.,,I can also visualize her going into hiding in some remote part of Sweden with Family. Piet loves them so much he will do that I hope.I think of Grens having a part in their protection,but I am just projecting........Ah the finger diversion.. Now I am once again curious about "The Magicans Assistant"..I know how much you liked it and Its been in my house for a while..Looking forward to "3" Seconds part 2..

[pen21]

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lisapt wrote:
Piet is by far the most interesting character in this novel for me. He seems so competent and is so on top of everything, yet has no one he can be honest with. He lives more of a triiple life than a double one. He is a police informant, he is a drug dealer, and he is a family man. Who he is must change depending on who he is with. I have to wonder what his motives are. I also wonder why he got married and had kids given the danger of his life. I wonder if he has some safeguards in place to protect his family if something should happen to him. I'm really scared for what is going to go on in prison when he has so many potential enemies.

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I wonder about Piet is prison. That doesn't sound like a good situation. Of course Zofia would have to be told more information, which would put her and the kids in more danger.

[Sanderson1216]

We know that Piet is a former criminal who is now working deep cover in the Polish mafia.  He leads a double life as a police informer vs. a family man.  His love for his family is so strong that he is willing to take such a great risk in order to "save" his family and start a new life at some point.  I admit too that I was confused by his code name and thought "Paula" was another character for a brief time.  

Wilson and Hoffman trust each other as much as it serves them both.  At this point in the novel, I don't trust Wilson and feel he may end up betraying Hoffman.  I think the fact Hoffman wired himself to tape the meeting at the justice ministry illustrates, that in the end, he doesn't trust anyone but himself.  He knows he must ultimately look out for himself and his families' future.  

Zofia seems to know more than she lets on, but lives in a state of denial.  Who wouldn't want to deny this other world a spouse in living in and risking the fate of the family each day?  

I'm bothered by the fact that Piet doesn't seem to be appreciated for the work he is doing.  Ultimately, he is doing very dirty work for the "good guys" in order to take down the "bad guys".  Maybe this is the reason I feel such pity for him.
 

[Dotcat]

I was confused about Paula at first but having gotten more into the story, I find myself wanting to finish and find out what happens! I have learned more about the illegal drug industry than I ever knew- or need to know!

Piet does think over and over to "trust no one but yourself" and "always on your own" so he knows he has to cover all the bases to protect himself, if that is possible. In this type of situation you would never know who to trust although I think he trusts Erik Wilson as much as his instincts will allow.

I don’t understand why he would have a family due to his involvement with all of this. I don't know how he could live a lie like that. Zofia very well may suspect some things about his work but I don't think she has any idea the scope of the situation. It does seem very selfish on his part to put them at this kind of risk. They are already in danger but what choices will Zofia really have to protect herself and her children when everything blows wide open, either way?

[dhaupt]

I've read all your thoughts on Zofia and what you think she knows and doesn't and I'm not convinced that she knows what's going on. I think about how many times I read in the paper or see an on-line article about a man living two lives, having two families and neither of them know anything.

Now when and if he goes to prison that will have to change, I mean how is he going to explain that.

[pen21]

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dhaupt wrote:

I've read all your thoughts on Zofia and what you think she knows and doesn't and I'm not convinced that she knows what's going on. I think about how many times I read in the paper or see an on-line article about a man living two lives, having two families and neither of them know anything.

Now when and if he goes to prison that will have to change, I mean how is he going to explain that.

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I think Zofia must have an inkling of something going on. But she will have to know more if Piet goes to prison. Piet can't explain prison away.

[deana99]

What do we know so far about Hoffmann?. .  We really only know Piet's present right now... ex-con/police informer...now married and trying to protect his family.  But I really have so many question about him.  What is his criminal history?  What did he do before, and in prison, to get recruited by the police?  What made him take on this job and risk his life?  How and when did he meet Zofia?  Would he have not made this deal with the police if he knew that he would find happiness with her ...and now have to risk losing it all?

How much do Hoffmann and Wilson trust and respect each other?. .  Piet and Erik seem to have a "learned" trust for each other. They have worked together for nine years and trust each other as a means of neccesity.  I do not trust Erik at this point yet, because his whole history and role are not quiet clear.  He seems to have an unknown agenda.  I believe Piet wore the wire to the meeting because he knows that he cannot completely trust anyone.

Why does this particular murder have such an effect on Hoffmann? It could have easily been him.  He is constantly at risk of exposure.  He also feels guilty that he was involved in the death of another informant and wishes he could have prevented it.

How much does Hoffmann's wife, Zofia, know about what he does for a living?  She must suspect that he has lied to her and kept details of his life from her.  I am sure she does not suspect how bad those lies really are.... I fear for her and the children when he is arrested.

Why do you think he does this dangerous undercover work for the Swedish Police?

That really does baffle me!!  He seems to so desperately want to protect his life with his wife and children... I just really wonder how he got in to this mess so deep.

[nfam]

Piet is a very complex character. From the first part of the book, he seems to achieving his goals, but because of the lies is coming apart. He says several times that he doesn't know who he is. In fact, he seems to be several people: the loving father and husband, the hardened criminal, and the stooge. It will be interesting to see how his conflict plays out.I suspect he will have some sort of breakdown before the book is over. 

His wife seems to be clueless as to what his real occupation is. I will be interested to see how his plan to go to jail on a major criminal charge affects the family. It seems very sad because the two little boys appear to love and look up to their father. 

[MSaff]

  Hello Again,

  So far as I can tell, Hoffmann, may be a deep cover Police Officer, that has gone so deep, he may never be able to surface again.  After he actually witnessed the execution first hand, it devastated him.  At least of the surface.  Also Hoffmann is a family man who is in my humble opinion jeopardizing his family.  If anyone were to find out exactly who he is, I believe that his family would be murdered.  The Polish mafia will not take kindly to someone infiltrating their ranks. 

  I don't think that Hoffmann's wife really knows what he does for a living.  Something of a spy or in the United States, some time of deep undercover operative, who divulges nothing to no one. She may have her suspicions, but I don't believe that she really knows what he's up to.

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Rachel-K wrote:

What do we know so far about Hoffmann?

How much do Hoffmann and Wilson trust and respect each other?

Why does this particular murder have such an effect on Hoffmann?

How much does Hoffmann's wife, Zofia, know about what he does for a living? 

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[mommybooknerd]

It also took me quite a while to figure out that Paula and Piet were the same person...I am sure that added to some of my confusion early on in the book...

[mommybooknerd]

How much does Hoffmann's wife, Zofia, know about what he does for a living?

Not sure she knows anything at all about what he does which could make things interesting and could pose the question...

What would you do if you found out that your spouse was involved in something like Piet is????

[literature]

Hoffman is a very interesting and intriguing character but don't know yet quite what to make of him and at times can visualize his body just cracking under tension into tiny pieces.  He's under a lot of pressure all the time and has to keep reminding himself to be in control and by saying "I'm in control", recharges his pysche back on track.

I hate to say this, but I think it all stems back to his childhood where he was stripped of his self-esteem.  He never understood why his parents departed so quickly from their home.  Neither one would tell him the real reason and finally his mother said something about being on a boat, being pregnant and convinced that she was going to die so they went ashore in Sweden.  He thought if he could have been born in Warsaw and grown up there, his life would have been different.  He thought of himself as a nobody.  Had family in Warsaw.  Looked and talked like them but forever didn't belong there.  I don't know when his parents died, but I think he felt deserted by them and lost.  He was all alone, never kept in touch with other family members, and this is why he feels so needy with Zofia.  We also don't know when he went astray

Piet and Zofia are married but I don't get the impression that there is mutual love.  It just seems so one sided.  She says she loves him but I think it just serves her purpose.  And what is it with the kisses?  She likes it in two's and he in three's.  Their paths never seem to cross at home; contact is mainly by phone. When stressed, he thinks of her, of stroking her face, her skin, and he relaxes.

Piet is very good at what he does, knows what has to be done and does it, as long as he is not distracted.  Once his mind starts wandering, he panics, he sweats, and has to remind himself that he is in control.  He keeps repeating this to himself and to Erik after the murder.  He is a "lie", doesn't know what is truth any more.  Zofia doesn't know the part of his life that is the "lie", only knows him as husband and father.  We don't know yet the circumstances of their meeting and getting married and, not trusting anyone in this story, where exactly does she fit in.

Piet/Paula has one purpose and that is to work with Erik Wilson in stopping the mafia.  WIlson has figured out every possible scenario that could possibly happen and has a cover for it.  It has invested nine years in nuturing Paula and I keep wondering what his ultimate goal is in this.

I keep thinking of Piet forgetting to burn his shoes after the murder.  He wonders if the black shininess might be a film of death, with trace of skin and blood and brain tissue.  He knew he had to burn them as soon as he got home but did he track these traces of death into his house and how will it work against him?

[literature]

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Vermontcozy wrote:

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Peppermill wrote:

It seemed as if Piet set up the recording with the Swedish officials out of the same motivations that led him to save the murderer's shirt -- evidence of what really happened that could serve as CYA.

It is interesting that he took that risk in Sweden; he did not in Poland.  Almost as if he knew that in Poland, to have been caught would have been certain death.

My curiosity is what will he do with the recording?  With whom can he entrust it? 

(Having just read The Magician's Assistant, I particularly smiled at Piet's tactic of raising his finger to divert attention from the lower part of his body and the trailing cord.)

Pepper

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Yes Pepper  A good point who will he entrust with the recording..None of the "Officials",maybe a 'Safety Deposit Box"..    Zofia will be either in complete shock when he leaves..To think of her and the children as sitting ducks is disturbing.,,I can also visualize her going into hiding in some remote part of Sweden with Family. Piet loves them so much he will do that I hope.I think of Grens having a part in their protection,but I am just projecting........Ah the finger diversion.. Now I am once again curious about "The Magicans Assistant"..I know how much you liked it and Its been in my house for a while..Looking forward to "3" Seconds part 2..

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I agree with you.  I think that Gren will be a major player.  He is an old timer, different scrupples, more methodical, and someone who won't give up.

[Bonnie824]

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Rachel-K wrote:

What do we know so far about Hoffmann?

How much do Hoffmann and Wilson trust and respect each other?

Why does this particular murder have such an effect on Hoffmann?

How much does Hoffmann's wife, Zofia, know about what he does for a living? 

Why do you think he does this dangerous undercover work for the Swedish Police?

Why do you think Hoffmann wears the recorder to his meeting with government and police officials?

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He wears the recorder because he knows he cannot trust them. They will leave him in danger or dead if he stops being an asset to them.

[Bonnie824]

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dhaupt wrote:

Rachel, this is an interesting novel and not one to be read lightly as there's too much information that could be lost if you do.

Now for those questions

From the first part of the novel we know that Hoffmann goes by the code name Paula for his Police contact, he is a criminal harvested on his way out of prison by his contact Wilson and has so far reached higher in the criminal hierarchy than any other of his kind.

I think that Wilson and Hoffmann trust each other as much as their covert selves can allow.

I'm not sure at this point what Zofia knows

My first impression of why he does this work for the police is when he started self gratification, but now that he has a family who means more to him and anything it's to make the world a better place.

I think he wore the wire because he knew the score going in that if he wasn't arrested he would be on his own when this new phase of the job started and he would be left hanging if something happened. It was insurance

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I totally agree about the wire and that he will/would be left hanging if he does not look out for himself.

[msh11]

I totally agree,, Hoffmann wore the wire for "insurance" and as for Zofia, time will tell if she is the quiet trusting wife... or not.

[SandyS]

I wonder if there was a better (faster) way to tie together Piet & Paula.  I needed to reread several portions to try to figure things out.  Once I did figure it out I started the book over to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Did anyone get as confused as I did?

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Lis49 wrote:

It took me a while to figure out that Paula and Piet were the same person. 

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[Peppermill]

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SandyS wrote:

I wonder if there was a better (faster) way to tie together Piet & Paula.  I needed to reread several portions to try to figure things out.  Once I did figure it out I started the book over to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Did anyone get as confused as I did?   Yes, but isn't that part of the point of aliases in this context?  'Tis rather amazing that they can work, but we are vulnerable and gullible, expecting things to be rational and straightforward?  Fascinating that the Swedish confused gender as well, whereas the Danish did not, at least according to the story here. Fascinating, too, that the authors have given this simple demonstration of the ability to obfuscate.

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Lis49 wrote:

It took me a while to figure out that Paula and Piet were the same person. 

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[thewanderingjew]

Rachel-K wrote:

Why does this particular murder have such an effect on Hoffmann?

I think Hoffman recognizes that there but for the grace of G-d, goes he! If he slipped up, he too would be executed. If he didn't expose the buyer and was suspected of covering up, the two men there to collect the drugs would just as easily have murdered him. He felt forced to sacrifice one of his own, another man working in a clandestine operation. That has to weigh heavily on one's mind. Yet his cruelty toward the mule, kicking him several times, made me wonder if he didn't pretend to enjoy his job a bit too much. Which job was the one he preferred, the villain or the hero? I am only up to page 65. I imagine I might have a different opinion when I finish the assigned portion of the reading.

[Vermontcozy]

I do have a theory about Zofia,,She is either The Daughter,Niece  of someone in the The Polish Mafia,,or Swedish Mafia,..Or even with The Swedish Intelligence,She was introduced to Piet.They 'Fell in Love,and she knows everything..Piet of course is not aware of this.. ..She has kept him focused,happy..with their "Family Life"..But all could change..she might want out and will be on the run..Sounds a bit far fetched....,and the stakes are high......I still believe Grens plays a larger role in this...He is a protector..One of the last Good Guys..so far..Of course as I will read on over the weekend..all will change...Susan