‘Yes?’

‘You’ll have to cover all expenses.’

Irritation, possibly anger, crossed his face.

‘Within reasonable limits,’ he finally said. ‘Do you take the job?’

‘I accept your bet. With no particular belief that I’ll be able to win. Have you considered at all that she might in fact be guilty?’

‘She’s not. I know that. Anyway, you forgot one point.’

‘What?’

‘In our agreement. Point four. You’ll provide me with written confirmation from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist that you’re receiving treatment.’

Now Selma was the one to freeze.

‘That point will have to be deleted.’

‘Out of the question.’

She hung her jacket back on the hook. The tiny hallway was unlit. Only the open door into the living room made it possible for them to see the contours of each other’s face.

‘I’ll never consult a psychologist, Jan.’

‘Yes, you will. Ask Vanja Vegge for advice. Isn’t she a good friend of yours? If you don’t do that, I’m happy to inform you that the formal complaint is ready and waiting in my safe.’

She stared at him. Was met by a blue gaze, brimming with success, arrogance and wealth. Despite being scarcely five foot eight, Jan Morell was a man at his full height. He usually got his own way.

‘No,’ she said firmly.

‘Your choice,’ he said brusquely, putting his hand on the door chain. ‘The formal complaint will be delivered on Monday.’

The door slammed behind him.

Darius meowed.

Selma Falck hesitated for a few seconds. Grabbed her jacket and dashed out into the stairwell.

‘Jan!’

Fortunately, he had waited for her beside the mailboxes.

THE HIDING PLACE

The first thought that came to Hege, when she no longer felt she had to throw up, was to call her father. The second thought struck her before she located her phone:

What one person knows, nobody knows. What two people know, everybody knows.

It was her father’s mantra. Ever since she, as a tiny, deadly serious bundle, had been collected from China, Jan Morell had instilled in her that she should never trust anyone. No one. Except for him and Katinka, Hege Chin’s Norwegian mother.

You can never trust anyone except the people who put you before themselves. No one other than those who love you. Only Mum and I do. Remember that.

Mum had always smiled indulgently, rolling her eyes slightly, and tried to make him listen to reason. Most people were dependable, Hege should know. On the whole, people wished one another well. That was how she lived, Katinka Morell. That was what she was like, and that was how she died after a hospital blunder her widower pursued at great lengths through the legal system. Eventually receiving three million kroner in compensation. The money was invested in a trust for Hege, who was eleven years old at that time. Not that she would ever need it, as Jan Morell’s only child.