‘At the moment, not even DTV have that little detail. But needless to say, it’s only a matter of time. Our phones are already ringing off the hook, and Stolt has called in every last member of the communications team, both here and in Ravenby. We’re also going to be backed up by a communications consultancy firm the Provincial Board has used in various difficult situations. We’re not set up for the kind of media onslaught we’re about to face.’

‘Wouldn’t it be for the best if this broad left the country?’ Evald Johannisen throws out. ‘Stick her on a plane back home to the US – problem solved.’

‘“Stick her on a plane”? Seriously?’

Karl Björken turns to his colleague with his eyebrows raised.

‘Come on, you know what I mean,’ Johannisen retorts dismissively. ‘Fine, so what’s next? The perpetrator has been identified and the victim is safe. Can we go home and sleep now?’

‘I thought you already had a nap,’ Karen says. ‘Don’t forget that we have another big case, too. Have we heard from Sören? When do we get Freske’s results?’ she adds in Jounas Smeed’s direction.

‘He says later today, or tomorrow morning at the latest.’

‘I want to be there when we bring him in.’

‘Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?’ Smeed asks pointedly. ‘If and when there’s a match, we’ll bring him in as quickly as possible. But hopefully you’ll be at home, sleeping, when that happens. You look like you need it,’ he adds when Karen tries to hide another yawn and protest at the same time.

‘And it’s not just you,’ Smeed continues. ‘A lot of us are in dire need of some good rest. So even if we’re able to bring in Gundar Freske tonight, we’re going to hold off on interviewing him until tomorrow morning. And that pleasure will be all yours,’ he says, addressing Karl Björken and Karen Eiken Hornby.

Reassured, she lets her mind wander. Imagines the feeling of a quick shower followed by crawling in between cool sheets with her phone turned off.

But first she has to get home. Three hours of sleep in over forty-eight hours and a forty-minute drive is hardly a safe combination.

I’ll have to ask someone to drive me, she thinks. Leave the car in town for Leo so he can get home. If he ever plans to come home again, she adds gloomily while she fires off a text under the table.

Getting a ride home. The car is outside City Hall if you need it

Her thoughts are interrupted by Jounas Smeed. She only catches the last few words of whatever it is he’s telling her.

‘Stolt just texted to say that they’re here now. But the minute you’re done, I want you to go home and get some sleep.’

‘What? Who?’

‘Aren’t you listening?’