“But drug mules, or rather those who employ the mules, are constantly learning better ways to smuggle. It’s not common to use cutoff rubber gloves or condoms anymore. Now, the capsules are machine-made, wrapped in multiple layers and coated with beeswax. Generally the mules are carrying between fifty and seventy capsules in their stomachs, and every capsule contains about ten grams of narcotics. The capsules are then divided into ‘balls’ of two-to three-tenths of a gram. One ball of heroin could cost one hundred fifty kronor on the street—a third of what it cost a few years ago.”

“But experienced drug mules can smuggle more than seventy capsules, can’t they?” Gunnar asked.

“Yes. Some mules swallow over a hundred capsules. Last year an Eastern European man was arrested at Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport. He had 1.2 kilograms of heroin and cocaine in his stomach. The street value was hundreds of thousands of kronor,” said Ola.

“Denmark is also a common stop. They fly into Kastrup and then take the train over the Öresund Bridge into Sweden. I would dare to guess that this is what happened here,” said Gunnar.

“I think so, too,” said Ola. “The dead woman wasn’t traveling alone. It’s common that the leader of the operation will send a number of mules, because they figure that a few of them will get stopped by customs. If he sends twenty, for example, maybe eighteen will get through and he’s made his money.”

“Fifty percent, then,” Mia said.

“No, not exactly. Eighteen of twenty isn’t half. It’s ninety percent,” Jana corrected, fixing her gaze on Mia without moving a muscle in her face.

Mia clenched her jaw.

“I was talking about our girls! Two girls were sent, and one of them died, so only one got through. Half. Fifty percent. Exactly.”

“There could have been more mules on the train,” Henrik said, clasping his hands around one knee.

Mia sighed.

“But we’re focusing all of our energy on the female friend who disappeared. And we assume that she is also a mule,” Gunnar said. “Otherwise she probably would not have run.”

Jana nodded at Henrik.

“Were there witnesses?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Henrik. “We have a number of passengers who have provided information.”

“And the train attendant? Where is he?”

Henrik opened his mouth to answer, but Mia spoke up quickly.

“He’s in shock.”

“I didn’t ask about his condition. I asked where he was,” Jana said without looking at Mia.

“He’s at Vrinnevi Hospital,” she said curtly.

“Have you talked to him?”

“Only briefly. I’ll question him after we’re done here,” Henrik said.

“If you’re lucky,” Mia said. “He’s being treated. He might have to go to therapy, delaying the investigation even further.”

Gunnar pretended not to hear her, walking instead to the whiteboard.