Anna nods. But first I’m going to tell you about your dad. How he died. That’s how she was intending to go on. She promised Håkan. She knows he is eagerly waiting for her to say those words, but at the last second her courage fails her.

Instead, she goes into Elisabet Vidje’s bitter conflict with Henry Morell and Bengt Andersson after Simon’s death. She explains about the letter, and how Joakim Rylander’s death seems to have stirred everything up.

She knows she shouldn’t be doing this; much of what she has told Agnes is covered by the rules regarding confidentiality. And yet she draws out the story for as long as possible, partly because it seems to fascinate Agnes, and partly because she wants to avoid silence. She is desperate to shut out Håkan’s reproachful words.

I’m sorry, she thinks when she finally gets to the end of her story. I couldn’t do it. It’s too hard. I need more time. Please don’t be angry.

Håkan doesn’t answer.

Chapter 40

40

Autumn 2017

Internal Affairs does not fall under the jurisdiction of the police authority, and is therefore housed in a separate building rather than the main police HQ in Kungsholmen. The last time Anna was here was in June. Her solicitor had more or less promised that that interview would be the last. It is clear from his slightly embarrassed expression when he turns up at five to nine that he remembers exactly what he said. His shirt is freshly ironed, his teeth are dazzlingly white and his suit is ridiculously expensive, which is hardly surprising given how much he charges. However, Anna has no desire whatsoever to be represented by some spotty novice, and she can afford his fees. She doesn’t care if that makes it look as if she has something to hide.

At precisely nine o’clock the door opens and one of the investigators she met the last time emerges. He is a short man with an underbite that makes him look like a bulldog, and she has chosen not to remember his name. The bulldog shakes hands with both of them, then leads the way through the security doors and shows them into the same windowless interview room they used on her previous visits. There are cameras in two corners, so she avoids talking to her solicitor. Instead, they merely nod grimly to each other.