‘I . . . I . . .’ The stammer refuses to give up, her constricted vocal cords leave her gasping for breath. She tries focusing on one of the photographs on the wall behind Morell. It’s a trick designed to make the brain engage a new, more effective connection between thought and speech.

The photograph shows three men in suits and one in uniform. The man in the middle is Morell. Next to him is a familiar figure, almost bald, handing over a plaque – presumably the one displayed beside the photo. FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE SERVICE OF THE LAW, it says in gold letters beneath the logo of the Prosecution Service. The familiar figure is Chief Prosecutor Tord Santesson.

Suddenly everything falls into place. The renewed interest in the case against her, the newspaper article, the call from the commissioner. Not bad luck, not an unfortunate coincidence, but three co-ordinated attacks planned by someone who wants to get to her. The throbbing at her temple spreads through her skull and becomes a dull roar.

‘What is it you want to say to me, Anna?’ Morell says, with a quick glance through the glass wall. The corners of his mouth turn up in a triumphant smile, which freezes the second her meets her gaze.

‘You have exactly ten minutes to pack up your shit and get out of my police station, Henry,’ she says as calmly as she can. ‘If you’re not gone by then, I will personally drag you down the stairs.’

She doesn’t wait for an answer, but turns and leaves the room. Stops in the doorway and glares at the officers on the stairs, who are standing there open-mouthed.

‘You there – Frida, isn’t it?’ She gestures to the woman who made fun of her stammer. ‘You and your little gang of vultures have thirty seconds to get back to work, unless you want to be fired right now. Is that clear?’

The woman mumbles something unintelligible.

‘Is that clear?’ Anna repeats. She is surprised at how firm she sounds.

‘Yes,’ Frida mutters a little louder, eyes fixed on the floor.

Fifteen seconds later the staircase is empty.

Chapter 47

47

Autumn 2017

She would like nothing more than to get in the car and go and find Agnes, but the incident with Morell means she has to stay in the station until the working day is over. She makes a point of walking the corridors at regular intervals to ensure that there is no doubt about who’s in charge.

She has spoken to the colleague responsible for the station’s security system and had Morell’s pass card barred. She then ordered the considerably less disrespectful women on reception to empty Morell’s office, and have anything he hasn’t taken with him packed up and sent to his house. The last she saw of Morell was his back view as he angrily marched towards his car carrying a box full of papers.