‘Short update before we carry on,’ he announces. ‘I talked to both Loots and Johannisen. Billy’s flat and the house on Frisel have both been thoroughly searched, with nothing to show for it. Wherever she is, it’s not there.’

‘Well, that narrows it down to just about anywhere,’ Björken mutters.

‘It’ll be a while before Loots gets here,’ Smeed continues as though he hadn’t heard the comment, ‘but Johannisen should be back any minute now. We’re not going to wait for him, though, so let’s get that final video started before we—’

He’s cut short by the door opening to admit Evald Johannisen.

‘Speak of the devil,’ Björken says.

‘I can tell you’ve missed me. I hear you’ve been enjoying coffee and a film while some of us were out in the real world, working. So, where’s the popcorn?’

‘Have a seat, Evald,’ Jounas Smeed says in an unusually curt tone.

Apparently, even Jounas Smeed has limits when it comes to inappropriate jokes, Karen muses, hiding half a smile while Johannisen collapses onto the nearest chair with an offended look on his face and his arms crossed.

Karen leans over.

‘Did you find anything of interest in Billy’s flat?’ she asks in an attempt to delay the inevitable.

We were fourteen, fifteen years old . . .

‘How the fuck should I know? I was told to find out if that lady was there, and she wasn’t. Not in the basement storage area either, in case you were wondering.’

‘OK, you and Loots will have to catch up later,’ she says. ‘Would you mind starting the next video, Sören?’

And with a feeling that her world is about to fall apart, she turns her eyes to the screen.

*

Once again, Billy Formby’s affected voice fills the conference room.

‘Interview with Lena Johanson, 6 May, 9.15 p.m. How do you plead to the charges? Guilty or not guilty?’

Luna is sitting in the same position as in the other videos, on the edge of the bed with her hands behind her back. But something about her posture seems more deflated than before and then she suddenly leans forward and to the side.

She’s going to throw up, Karen thinks. Thank God she’s not gagged.

‘I see,’ Billy says. ‘Then let’s discuss the second matter first. Do you remember what I asked you?’

A barely perceptible nod.

‘Then maybe you wouldn’t mind opening your trap. There should really be two of you on the defendant’s bench today, but since not even my adoptive parents could answer that question, there’s only you. So? Who is he? What kind of swine managed to breed someone like me?’

Luna’s upper body looks like it’s convulsing and for a moment Karen thinks she’s going to topple over and fall to the floor.

Don’t say it.