‘Simon was one of my best friends.’

‘Why didn’t you jump in the water when you found him?’

Another sigh. ‘I’ve been asking myself that for twenty-seven years. If only I had, then maybe he wouldn’t . . .’ He spreads his hands wide, but Anna isn’t quite sure why.

‘Henry says you were at home a week ago last Sunday – all morning and most of the day. Is that true?’

He nods, looks embarrassed again. ‘It was mostly because of the hangover. Although it was partly your fault too.’

‘My fault?’

He points at his crotch. ‘I couldn’t walk properly for two days after you kneed me in the balls. I had to sleep with an ice pack. But after what I did to you and that poor DJ, I definitely deserved it.’

He gives her that wry, slightly sorrowful smile that she finds so hard to resist.

‘To be honest, I don’t think Mum and Dad would have let me out even if I’d wanted to go somewhere. Grounded at the age of forty-six . . .’

This time she can’t help smiling.

‘Alex?’ Marie is marching across the yard, a German shepherd on either side of her. ‘We need a meeting,’ she says, without so much as a glance in Anna’s direction. ‘Bruno has a few changes he’d like to discuss.’

‘No problem!’ Alex shrugs as if to let Anna know that he would be happy to talk further but has no choice.

Jens steps forward to stand beside her. They watch in silence as Marie and Alex disappear into the house. The front door closes with a slam.

Chapter 45

45

Autumn 2017

Carina Pedersen, now known as Caia Bianca, lives to the north of Helsingborg in an area that Jens refers to as the Gold Coast. The residential development is situated on a steep ridge that runs alongside the sea, and consists mainly of large houses surrounded by high walls or fences. Only the roofs are visible from the street.

They haven’t talked much during the drive, except to agree that Jens will ask most of the questions while Anna listens and observes.

He presses the entry phone, and after they’ve shown their police ID to the camera and explained the purpose of their visit, the tall wrought-iron gates open smoothly. They follow the steep drive through the grounds, which resemble a park rather than an ordinary garden, until they reach the house. Although ‘house’ isn’t really the right word. The main building, a glass-and-concrete box designed by an architect, must measure well over five hundred square metres. There is also a garage with space for at least four cars, and a large pool house. Anna thinks back to what Call-me said about the build, and the neighbours’ complaints.