‘Of the entrance to Freske’s building, yes. Of every exit on the whole block, no. We would have needed at least ten more cars. The blocks are enormous up there, almost half a mile long. And we’re talking about at least twenty doors in either direction, plus side entrances. We simply don’t have those kind of resources, as you know.’

Smeed notes with a flicker of concern that Viggo Haugen’s face has grown a dark shade of purple and quickly presses on.

‘Every building has two exits, a main one and one that opens onto Moerbeck Park, and those were the ones we set a watch on.’

‘But now you’re telling me that a person can get to anywhere they want within the block via the basement? And we didn’t think of that? We didn’t even check the most basic facts when we . . . ?’

He runs out of breath.

‘We did, actually. Klaask checked with New Builds and was told tenants only have access to the laundry facilities and basement storage areas associated with their particular building. The doors between the sections are locked and a person would need a whole clutch of keys to get from one end of the basement to the other. Or a skeleton key,’ he adds.

Apparently, Viggo Haugen has reached and passed peak indignation. In an almost resigned tone, he says on an exhalation:

‘And I take it Freske had one?’

‘No, but his mother did, as it turns out. Tenants with special needs can be given access to all sections and entrances. Because she was disabled and in a wheelchair, she had been issued a skeleton key. According to the woman I just spoke to at New Builds, that key has not been returned.’

‘And they couldn’t have told Klaak that? And you couldn’t have found this out earlier?’

‘As you’re aware, I’ve had some other things deal with in the past twenty-four hours. But you’re obviously right. That oversight is on me.’

Viggo Haugen emits a sound somewhere between a snort of derision and a bitter laugh.

‘“On you” . . . What good does that do anyone? The question is, what do we do now?’

‘We’ve put out an APB, of course. He can’t move about freely or leave the country. This time, I’ve spoken personally with the owner of the ferry company and threatened dire consequences if the ferries don’t check every last passenger. And I would suggest giving the media his name and picture, too.’

‘Absolutely. Immediately. What are you waiting for?’

And with a sinking feeling this day is going to be almost as trying as the one before it, Jounas Smeed pulls out his phone and dials the press secretary’s number.

Chapter 68

68