The final speaker is the county governor, a scrawny woman in her late fifties who quickly reads her audience and keeps her speech admirably short. She too praises Morell, gives a nod to Eva-Britt who will now have to put up with him being at home all day, then finally expresses the hope that officers like Morell are not a dying breed, and that others will follow. Then she leads everyone in three cheers.

Now it is Morell’s turn. He is clearly moved. He thanks everyone for their gifts and good wishes, then speaks warmly of his colleagues and his wife before unexpectedly turning to Anna. He wishes her every success, and raises his glass in a toast.

‘Here’s to you, Anna. I hope you will be very happy here in Nedanås.’ His tone is relaxed, his expression warm. But when his eyes meet hers, Anna sees a hardness behind the warmth.

Chapter 43

43

Autumn 2017

On Monday morning, Anna wakes feeling rested. She reads the online edition of the local paper, then gives Agnes a lift to the train station with plenty of time to spare. In the car they listen to the radio and chat politely. Their relationship continues to improve gradually, as it has done over the weekend. Even Milo seems to be aware of the change and occasionally acknowledges Anna’s presence instead of simply ignoring her as he usually does.

At the police station she says a cheerful ‘Good morning’ to Henry Morell and makes small talk in the doorway of his office for a little while. He looks happy; the plaque he received on Friday is already on display among the photographs and diplomas covering the walls.

‘How’s it going with Rylander? Have you found out any more?’

She shakes her head. ‘We’re still waiting for the autopsy report and forensics.’

*

Jens Friberg calls into her office half an hour later. His uniform is perfectly pressed as always, and there isn’t a hair out of place in his little side fringe. Anna is about to make a comment to Håkan, then she remembers that he isn’t speaking to her. Slightly ironic, given that she and Agnes are now on speaking terms at long last.

Her relationship with Jens also seems to be getting better. He asks about the case, and she tells him exactly what she told Morell.

‘And when you get the reports, what’s the next step?’ he asks.

The question is justified, and she’s had plenty of time to prepare a response.

‘If there isn’t an obvious lead, then we need to question Alex, Bruno, Marie, and Caia Bianca.’