Chapters (14)
‘Yes, well, I’d rather not say anything more about that, thanks. At the risk of seeming disloyal to a colleague.’
‘That was when Sølve Bang spoke up.’
‘Typical of him. Without any real authority, he rushes to the defence of …’
‘Exactly. To the defence of the Federation. Saved the situation to some extent as well. But what has persuaded him to change his mind?’
‘What?’
‘He’s obviously changed his mind. Or maybe I should call it his strategy.’
‘Now I don’t really understand what you mean.’
‘On Saturday he reacted almost as a reflex, as he usually does. Springing to the defence of the Federation. Since then he has first of all leaked the information about Haakon’s test to you.’
Lars stared blankly at her. This time his eyelid didn’t flicker.
But he didn’t protest either.
‘Which was information the Federation would obviously benefit from taking charge of making public themselves,’ Selma went on. ‘And secondly …’
She took a deep breath and swallowed, clearly searching for the right words.
‘Secondly, he has taken yet another opportunity to maximize this crisis.’
‘How?’
‘I can’t tell you. Not yet. But he has done a 180-degree-turn since Saturday. From wanting to protect the Federation and the skiers to wanting to damage them all. What would be the reason for that?’
‘Tell me what he’s done! Then it would be easier for me to …’
‘No. But what could have happened?’
‘No idea. What do you think?’
Selma was lost in thought. Einar had said something last night. When she had immodestly claimed to be a good lawyer, he had stated that this would not help her to make progress in the case of Hege Morell’s drugs test.
He could well be right. But right now, with regard to Sølve Bang’s curious turnabout, he was definitely wrong.
‘When was that book to be completed?’ she asked when Lars began to show some impatience.
‘Sølve Bang’s book project?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t know for sure, but it has at least been postponed several times.’
‘Do you know how much he gets for the job?’
‘No. The contract is top secret. Statoil, of course, do whatever they like with such things, after all it’s small change for them. For that matter, though, they’re known to be generous when they first decide on something.’
‘I have to go,’ Selma said, standing up.
‘Eh …’
The journalist, taken aback, got to his feet. Selma grabbed her coat and gave a quick wave. She was already on her way to the door and had entirely forgotten that she needed the toilet.
Einar’s advice was not as useless as she had despondently decided over muesli and yogurt on the cheese puff settee an hour and a half ago.
Selma Falck should start to rely on her own talents again.
It was high time.