‘Caia Bianca says that she was at a concert, but we haven’t checked her alibi. From a purely theoretical point of view, she’s the one who has the most to lose if the circumstances surrounding Simon’s death are made public. A dead nineteen-year-old bullied to death by his friends would be a disaster for her brand. Plus, she already has a suspicious death in her past.’

She pauses, frowns, then holds up her little finger.

‘Then we have the fifth option. Someone else took care of Rylander. Someone who will do anything to keep the lid on the truth about Simon Vidje’s death.’

‘Like who?’

Before she can answer, the phone rings. The call is from a Malmö number; Anna has a good idea of who it is before she hears the commissioner’s rasping voice.

‘I’ve just had Henry Morell on the phone, and judging by his state of mind I’m assuming I’m not the only one he’s contacted.’ He sounds tired rather than angry.

‘Could you please explain to me, Anna, how my order to make your peace with Morell resulted in your throwing him out of the police station where he’s served for more than thirty years, then having his son arrested?’

‘Alexander hasn’t been arrested. He’s been brought in for questioning.’

The commissioner sighs. ‘Morell’s friends will be calling me all afternoon, and you’re not exactly making it easy for me to defend you, Anna.’

She takes a deep breath, then summarises Alexander Morell’s confession. She explains that she thinks there’s a connection with Joe Rylander’s death. The commissioner listens without interrupting.

‘Undeniably interesting, and definitely a possible motive for murder,’ he says when she’s finished. ‘I can see only one problem.’

‘Which is?’ The question is unnecessary; she already knows what he’s going to say.

‘I’ve gone through the case file, and there is still no irrefutable evidence that Rylander was actually murdered. In spite of a number of possible anomalies, his death could have been suicide or an accident.’

She can hear his fingers drumming on the desk as he considers his next move.

‘In light of Alexander Morell’s confession, I’m prepared to let you continue for a while longer. Bring the other three in for questioning on Monday.’

‘We have to keep going now,’ she says. ‘Before Henry Morell has time to call the others and tell them what Alex has said. We have to seize the opportunity and surprise them.’