Friedrich Ankermann

Proprietor and operator of the Golden Anchor, described as the finest restaurant in Stralsund. Tall and broad-shouldered. Has a prominent, carefully tended moustache for which he wears a moustache guard at night; despite the guard, the ends stubbornly stick out to either side in the mornings. At night he wears a dark red dressing gown, sometimes crookedly from hurried dressing; during the day he changes into a dark frock coat, waistcoat, and freshly tied necktie. Lives in a small attic apartment in the same building as the Ankermann Boarding House with his wife and daughter. Was formerly a lawyer before becoming a restaurateur. Has a habit of fiddling with or chewing at his moustache under stress.

Reacts to disruption with initial irritation before collecting himself and taking charge decisively. Under police questioning he is guarded, slow to answer, and prone to fixing his gaze elsewhere rather than meeting the inspector's eyes; he gives evasive or incomplete answers under pressure but ultimately complies with official requests. Habitually speaks on behalf of his wife and daughter, attempting to intercept or deflect questions directed at them. Retreats into mundane actions — eating his breakfast egg, straightening his moustache — when embarrassed or cornered. Generally composed and measured, but erupts physically when his restaurant's survival is threatened: he has been known to knock his chair over in agitation. Mediates between his wife and authority figures with measured, polite authority. Dresses with deliberate care and formality once the day begins.

Speaks in short, imperious bursts in moments of authority — 'What the devil is going on here?' and 'Fetch the police.' Under questioning he becomes terse, prone to shrugs and non-answers, though when he does elaborate he can be candid about uncomfortable facts. Uses conventional moral language when defending his family ('My daughter is a respectable young lady'). Measured and polite when mediating; addresses his wife by name when calming her. His voice grows louder and agitated when the restaurant's survival is at stake. Uses bitter laughter when confronting painful truths. In the final confrontation his voice nearly cracks when he says his wife's name.