A lie, a very obvious one; the signs are there in Marie’s voice and body language. Just like her friends, Marie definitely recognised the song, so why lie about it? Anna knows the answer; she has come across the phenomenon before. Unnecessary small fibs are a defence mechanism, a way of distancing yourself from something unpleasant that you really don’t want to be associated with.

‘You and Simon were cousins, weren’t you?’

Marie looks uncomfortable. ‘That’s right. Elisabet Vidje is my maternal aunt.’

‘So, you and Simon knew each other well?’

One of the dogs whines, as if it has picked up on its mistress’s unease.

‘We were like brother and sister,’ Marie says quietly.

The rain begins to fall again, pattering into the puddles around them. Somewhere far away a bird croaks, a harsh monotone that echoes faintly across the treetops.

‘Well, I must get on.’ Marie rediscovers her politician’s face and straightens her shoulders. Both dogs immediately get to their feet. ‘As I said, Anna, both Dad and I are very grateful for the discreet way you handled things on Saturday. We’re really looking forward to working with you in the future.’

Chapter 34

34

Autumn 2017

Back home at Tabor, Anna lets Milo out and has a quick shower. She really wanted a nap, but there are too many thoughts whirling around inside her head. She makes herself a sandwich, sits down on the kitchen sofa and goes through the events of Saturday night again, tries to recreate exactly what happened. She remembers yelling at Alex to let go of the DJ, and that Bruno said something when he positioned himself in front of her. Something about admitting it. She closes her eyes, pictures Bruno. The bright red face, the fury in his eyes, his lips moving. Not until he admits it – was that it? Admits what? That he played the track? There was no doubt about that, so what did Bruno mean? His wife gave no clues at all; it was very obvious that she didn’t want to go anywhere near the subject of Simon Vidje.

Sooner or later Anna is going to have to speak to Alex and Bruno. At the moment only she and Jens Friberg know that the dead man in the tree is the same person who caused the fight at the party, and she’d like to keep it that way for a while longer – at least until she knows his identity, which might make his motives a little clearer. Best to hold off on the interviews until then. It also gives her time to think about how best to handle Henry Morell.

Exhaustion hits her like a sledgehammer. She leans back and closes her eyes – just for a couple of minutes, she tells herself.

Her phone wakes her, buzzing around on the table like an oversized angry insect before she manages to catch it.

‘Hello?’