Out in the corridor she almost canons into Bengt Andersson. He is carrying a large, beautifully wrapped bouquet of flowers in one hand, and when he sees her his face lights up – at least two notches too much.

‘Anna, how wonderful to see you on your feet! We were all so worried!’

He hands over the flowers and she mumbles her thanks. Wonders who he means by ‘all’.

‘Do you have time for a little chat in private?’ he goes on, lowering his voice.

She glances at her watch. She’d prefer to go and sit with Agnes, but she has a few minutes to spare, plus she’s interested in what he has to say. She leads the way into her room and pops the flowers into a vase on the shelf while he settles down in the armchair.

‘Such a terrible thing, that car accident. I’ve spoken to intensive care. Göransson, the senior consultant, and I know each other from Rotary.’

‘I see,’ she says tersely. She almost asks whether membership of that particular club overrides the requirement for confidentiality, but he pre-empts her by holding up his hands defensively.

‘He didn’t give me any details, of course. I just wanted to be sure that Agnes was receiving the best possible care, and I can tell you that she’s in the very best hands.’

‘Good.’

His smile broadens. ‘As you know, I’m the chairman of the board at Glarea. That business of the jumper – Rydell or whatever his name was . . .’

He waves a nonchalant hand to show that he barely remembers Joe Rylander’s name or anything else about him. He is obviously lying. ‘A sad business, both for Glarea and Nedanås.’

‘Not to mention Rylander’s family,’ Anna says acidly.

‘Of course, of course. But I believe he didn’t have any close relatives. He didn’t pay any maintenance for his children, and his eldest daughter barely knew him – isn’t that correct?’

‘He meant something to someone.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Rylander. He meant something to someone. Everyone does.’

Andersson shrugs, as if he has no real interest in what she’s saying. ‘Anyway, you’ve been investigating the matter for almost two weeks, and as I understand it there’s nothing to suggest that we’re looking at anything other than a tragic suicide.’

She doesn’t contradict him, she merely registers the fact that Andersson is extremely well-informed for someone who pretended not to recall Rylander’s name less than a minute ago.

‘It’s your case, of course, and it wouldn’t be right for a layman like me to try and influence it in any way.’ He holds up his hands again.

But, Anna thinks. There’s definitely a but on the way.