‘Don’t think so,’ I say. ‘I’m sure they’re working hard on it. Thord tells me Karlstad homicide are in charge, but that hill, that strange little town, seems like there’s no real police up there. And I used to think this place was cut-off.’

‘They got money up that hill,’ says Tam. ‘That’s the difference.’

‘Some of them do. I need to develop sources. I must apply the same work ethic and the same enthusiasm as I would starting a new beat in LA or Sydney.’

‘You’ll do amazing.’

I punch her shoulder gently in thanks.

‘Do you get counselling or whatever because you saw the corpse up close? Because of the state of it, I mean. Otherwise the trauma can catch up with you later on. You should check that with Thord.’

‘No, I don’t…’

‘Don’t dismiss it, Tuva Moody. I had sessions after Midsommar and it helped me, it really did. For weeks I couldn’t go in confined spaces – lifts, even small bathrooms – or I’d have panic attacks. You go through something and you think you’re fine, but sometimes you’re not. Helps to talk to someone trained. Doc Stina can hook you up.’

I remember those first few weeks. Tam was not herself, she was subdued, didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to leave her apartment. I’m so happy she got through all that and came out the other side.

‘I’ll never unsee it,’ I say. ‘The gaping neck wound. The way his orange cap was there and then there was a space and then his severed neck. But I’m more haunted by the woman who found him. Her voice through the fog. The look in her eyes when she saw me. She’s the one who needs counselling.’

‘Where is she?’

‘Police can’t locate her. She’s not a suspect but they want to talk to her again.’

‘You want takeout for the team later?’

Tam knows. She remembers how Thursday is print night and Lena, Sebastian and I will be in the office till nine or ten. How Lena usually treats us all to takeout.

‘Affirmative,’ I say.

‘I’ll make sure I don’t sell out of the good stuff. I’ll keep some aside.’

‘And crackers,’ I say. ‘The spicy ones, not the white ones.’

‘Have I ever let you down?’

My phone rings.

I sync it and gesture an apology to Tam and answer.

‘Tuva Moodyson.’

‘Hej, Tuva. This is Hans Wimmer speaking. Hans Wimmer of Visberg Clocks and Watches.’

‘Hello, Hans.’

‘I noticed you approach the shop earlier when I was downstairs with a museum visitor.’

How did he know that? He wasn’t in the shop? Was I on camera?

‘Oh, I was just…’

‘I have a proposal for you, Ms Moodyson. A bargain.’

I frown. ‘I’m listening.’

‘Here it is: I’ll let you in if you let me out.’