“I needed someone I could trust. So I contacted a German colleague I’ve worked with. He has an extensive network and better judgment than my own. He gave me Latifi. One of the very few in that area that can’t be bribed—which is usually a requirement to be on the force down there. Besides, he’s nice. We spoke on the phone for almost an hour, and I’m sure he can help you with what you need.”

“And what exactly is that?”

“You’re looking for two individuals. The perp we’re informally investigating from this kitchen table, who is threatening you and your family, whose goal is to take over the Swedish illegal arms trade by selling the world’s most powerful machine gun. And a perp who recently ordered the murders of three hit men, which we are officially investigating from the police station. These two individuals I am quite convinced are one and the same—and it will connect both of these investigations to the tower room of a white house. I want to know who it is. And who he’s working with in Sweden. Who’s running around on his behalf shooting people on my watch.”

Piet Hoffmann closed the black leather case, his temporary identity, put it in a pocket on his shoulder holster, and stood up—ready to go.

“Wait a second. That’s only half of your mission.”

“Okay. What’s the other half?”

“I want you to find a young woman who went by the name Hannah Ohlsson, but these days she could be calling herself anything—if she’s still alive.”

“Who is she?”

“Someone I’m worried about.”

“From the other investigation—the one you won’t talk about?”

“Yes.”

Ewert Grens produced a third envelope.

“It’s essential you find the man responsible for those murders. That’s your top priority. But for me, personally, it would mean even more if you could take a look at the Jane Does contained in this envelope. If you could gather information and compare that with what I’m sending with you—characteristics of appearance that don’t change. Her height, eye color, shoe size, dental records, scar from an appendix surgery, and a few other things.”

Hoffmann started to stand up again. But Grens stopped him, again.

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Zofia. Your kids. I want to know where you’re hiding them.”

“Why?”

“So I can protect them. While you’re gone.”

Always alone. Trust only yourself. That’s what Hoffmann believed for a very long time, thought it was the only way to survive. Until one day he learned he could choose to rely on a detective superintendent named Ewert Grens, and a few years later he was forced to trust him.

That wasn’t enough right now.

“No.”

“No?”

“I know I should trust you, Grens. Unconditionally. But it’s impossible.”