‘He was very sad. He goes sometimes. He broke our kitchen table.’

I stand there nodding. Feeling unqualified to comment.

‘Things will get better at home soon, Dan. It’s Halloween next week. Will you get a party at school or something?’

‘Can I watch Captain ’Merica now?’

‘You want dinner? Pizza okay?’

He nods. ‘I like pizza.’

We watch Aladdin for a second time while the frozen pizza heats up in my hardly used oven. By the time it’s ready, the Robin Williams genie character is in full-swing and I’m enjoying it again as much as Dan is.

‘This is a funny one,’ he says, ketchup on his chin.

My phone rings and I pick it up immediately hoping it’s Dan’s mum.

‘Tuva, it’s me,’ says Sebastian. ‘I’ve just been chatting with Benny Björnmossen outside Ronnie’s Bar. He says the hunt-team leaders are calling a meet. He says the elk they shot and butchered in Visberg forest over the past weeks…’

‘Yeah?’

‘Benny Björnmossen says the hunters left all the inedible parts in the forest. One big pile, just like they always do. And now all the heads have been taken from the pile. They’re missing seven elk skulls.’

25

I end the call and look at the skinny kid on my sofa.

‘Dan.’

He turns to face me.

‘What’s your mamma’s phone number?’

He looks puzzled and then says, ‘Seven.’

I type 07 into my phone.

‘And?’

‘Eight.’

I type 8.

‘Nine, ten?’ he says.

‘Do you know her number, Dan?’

‘No.’

Shit. I can’t leave this kid here on his own but I need to get to the forest, take photos of the hunt team, get quotes, work out if the missing elk skulls are connected to the Persson case. I need to piece this whole thing together.

Still nobody home next door.

I’m about to call Sebastian to ask him to drive to Visberg when someone knocks on the door. I pass Dan to his mum and run out to my Hilux.