“We have to trust each other. Even though neither of us trusts a goddamn thing.”

“On everything else. But not this.”

“That’s the only way this collaboration is going to work.”

“Sorry—not until you find out who that dirty cop is.”

Hoffmann looked at the detective, and it was clear from his face that he had no intention of discussing it any further. An experienced interrogator knew when a question tore down more than the expected answer built up. So while Ewert Grens finished his last coffee of the evening, Piet Hoffmann hurried out of the apartment, down the stairs, and out to hail a taxi. Twelve minutes later he was in western Södermalm, stepping into the studio of a makeup artist who was waiting for him with a smile he could have got lost in.

“Thank you. For seeing me on such short notice.”

“You’re in a hurry. As usual.”

“As usual.”

The full-length mirror was rolled out into the middle of the studio. It was easier to meet himself this time—the pudgy accountant was more familiar.

“Where are you going, Piet? Or, let me rephrase that, what kind of weather are you headed for. Temperature, humidity, etc.”

“Same as here. Hot. But the heat is more normal there, I guess.”

“And we’re sticking with this look? Flaps above your eyes, crooked nose with largish wings, slightly puffy cheeks and chin and stomach?”

“That’s me. For a little longer.”

He sat down in the chair, and thought how nice it was that this time he wasn’t going to have any goop smeared over his face or the cement that held the plaster strips while they hardened. With the help of the cast from his last visit, there were more pieces of this disguise waiting for him. The makeup remover released the old pieces so new ones could be glued on, and then she tested the hanging eyelids and the cheeks and chin to make sure they were all firmly attached.

“This will last a while longer. There are two new shirts in the plastic bag, which fit your larger stomach—and an extra bottle of glue, just in case. Check as often as you can. Shouldn’t be a problem, but you never know with the heat and physical exertion, it could loosen.”