Then, she systematically goes through all the other flats in Sandrine Broe and Loa Marklund’s buildings. Expands her search to neighbouring properties. The system doesn’t support free searches, she concludes after trying a few different search terms.

It may be a simple and remarkably efficient program for a landlord, but for a police detective it’s not a very handy tool. Going through all 1,449 residents would be impossible. At least, right here and now.

Probably pointless, too, she thinks. At least until I have a better idea of what I’m looking for.

A few hours later, when Renate Hall pops in to see how she’s getting along, she confirms what Anita Kollbar told her. A turbulent neighbourhood with a heavy caseload, but no direct threats against the staff at New Builds.

‘Sure, we get quite a lot of complaints from tenants who have a hard time understanding why we can’t always get to everything straight away. Also, the walls are very thin in these buildings, so a lot of people complain about their neighbours. And there’s delinquent rents on top of that, so we’re kept pretty busy.’

‘And evictions?’

‘Yes, and sure, people get desperate and angry when we can’t give any more extensions, though really, these are usually people who have neither the strength nor the resources to fight that kind of decision.’

‘But no threats or aggressive behaviour? Nothing to worry you or Anita?’

‘Well, one time, someone smeared dog poo all over the front door and the building has seen its fair share of graffiti. But we’re relatively safe in here. It’s worse for the guys out in the field. The cleaners and janitors take the brunt of it.’

*

Thirty minutes later Karen climbs back into her car and drops a fat envelope full of printouts on the passenger seat.

I’ll have to ask someone to help me go through it all, she thinks to herself. And check the alibis of the people in there. On the other hand, most of them have probably been questioned and swabbed already; the door-knocking operation has entered its second round and every one of Sandrine Broe and Loa Marklund’s neighbours has had their doorbell rung by the police at least once. And the janitors and cleaners, too.

Unless Anita Kollbar remembers something, I think I’m going to have to drop this theory, she thinks gloomily and puts the key in the ignition.

Long shot seems like an understatement. More like hitting the woodwork, Karl Björken had said. He was probably right.

Either way, she needs to talk to Karl. Explain why she hasn’t been in touch. Say something about oversleeping, possibly, and then going straight to Thysted to talk to Anita Kollbar and to New Builds from there. Tell him she simply forgot to call.

He won’t believe a word of that.