‘For God’s sake, don’t say anything you’ll regret,’ he says, drumming his fingernails against the table. ‘And don’t forget that it’s going out live.’

Karen turns to Johan Stolt.

‘It’s live? Right now?’

‘Yes, their morning show’s going to cut to you as soon as we’re done here.’

The last part is a discreet plea not to cause unnecessary delay, addressed to the Head of Police. A plea that seems completely lost on him.

‘Do you get what an opportunity this is for us to bolster the public’s confidence in the police? I just don’t understand why it’s not up to us to choose who we send to . . .’

Half numbed by exhaustion, Karen studies the reflected rays of the morning sun, bouncing off the pinkie ring on her boss’s hairy finger onto the wall next to him. Watches the light dance and thinks to herself that at least in half an hour it will hopefully all be over.

If you ever stop talking.

‘It’s just a short interview,’ Johan Stolt says, sounding stressed. ‘There will be more later, of course, and no doubt you will be the one to handle those, Viggo, but right now, Karen’s who they want. It was part of the deal, as you know. Apparently, they’re aware of her role in this investigation.’

A wince reveals that he wishes he could take that last sentence back.

‘You still have no idea who leaked?’ Haugen says with a mix of disappointment and irritation and turns to Stolt.

‘No, and like I said, I think you’re going to have to drop that now. As you know, we’re not allowed to investigate journalistic sources. Leaks are something we have to both count on and live with, I’m afraid.’

Still polite, but Karen detects an edge to the press secretary’s voice that wasn’t there before. He has probably been forced to repeat the same thing innumerable times in the past few hours alone. And he will likely have to repeat it many more times before the day is over. Not because the Head of Police is ignorant of the law, but because the highest rank apparently comes with the privilege of airing your feelings out loud and shooting the messenger.

‘I’m not talking about investigating them,’ Haugen snaps. ‘I’m talking about discipline and trust within the force.’

Oh, will you please just shut up for once.

‘Maybe I should go out there now,’ Karen says and stands up. ‘They’ve been waiting for quite a while, from what I’m told.’

‘DTV want outdoor footage,’ Johan Stolt says, shooting her a grateful look. ‘The lobby’s already swarming with journalists from other outlets, so you’ll have to take Bergman with you and exit through the garage. I don’t have time to go with you, so you’re on your own.’