‘Why don’t you play them, and we’ll see.’

‘We know the police are looking for a woman who is being held against her will by an unknown perpetrator. You have, among other things, searched a house down on Frisel. No signs of blackmail or ransom. Motive unclear.’

Jon Bergman seems to be reading from his notes. An unknown perpetrator. At least that means the leak didn’t come from the CID, she thinks to herself. Or any of the officers dispatched to search Billy Formby’s flat. Must be one of the woodentops sent to Frisel.

‘And we know who the woman is,’ Jon Bergman says, his solemn tone unable to completely hide his delight.

Fuck.

‘OK, and who do you think it is?’

‘Luna Johns. Stolt certainly didn’t deny it. Can you confirm it?’

Brief hesitation. Deal or no deal, this doesn’t feel right.

‘That’s correct,’ she says at length.

‘And how did you find out she had been kidnapped?’

‘I can’t tell you that.’

‘Can’t, or won’t?’

‘Neither. For now, you’re going to have to make do with the fact that we have indications that she has been taken against her will and is being held at an unknown location.’

‘But she’s alive?’

‘We have no reason to think otherwise.’

‘And why was she in the country in the first place? Visiting family, holiday . . . ?’

Good, at least you don’t know that.

‘We’re not sure, and at present, finding out is not a priority.’

‘But you must have spoken to her parents. Are they alive, by the way?’

‘No, unfortunately, they are both deceased.’

Karl grins and gives her a thumbs up. There is a pause while Jon Bergman types furiously on the other end.

‘And what can you tell me about the kidnapper?’

‘Forget it. But we know who he is and that he . . . no longer constitutes a threat.’

‘Doesn’t constitute a threat? What is that supposed to mean?’

‘Just that he is not with Luna, and that he can’t be questioned at the moment. That’s all you get for now. We’re focused on finding her.’

‘So you have no idea where she might be . . . ?’

She hesitates again.

‘We’re following up on leads. Among other things, we are analysing a number of photographs we believe may be linked to the kidnapping. And no, you will not be given access to that material.’

Another sigh on the other end. And two faint beeps signalling a call waiting.

‘Look, I can tell you’re not going to do what Stolt promised . . .’

‘Which was?’

‘That you were going to keep us in the loop. And that we were going to be there when you go in.’

Karen almost chokes and out of the corner of her eye, she sees Karl punch the steering wheel.

Had Stolt really promised something like that?