“Yeah. I happened to meet a new man, Peter,” Sussie said. “Or, well, we met even before Jesper died. Robin wasn’t too happy about that, as you can guess. But what the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn’t just sit there and rot while I waited for Jesper to die. I had to think about myself a little bit, too.”

“When did he die?” Mia asked.

“Six months ago. Peter and I got married right after. Jesper said that he wanted me to be happy, so...”

“Did Peter get along with Robin?” Henrik asked.

“They didn’t see each other often,” Sussie said, putting her cigarette out and wrapping her arms around her body. “Honestly, I don’t really think men are my thing,” she added.

“Why not?”

“Peter’s not in the picture anymore, if you get what I mean. He doesn’t like conflict, so he left, the idiot. We’re getting divorced now.”

Sussie’s eyes filled with tears.

“But it’s okay, it’s okay...” she said to herself.

“I’ve been sitting here and listening to you,” Henrik said. “You’ve been through a lot in such a short time...”

“Yeah...” she said.

“And I think you need some help. Do you want me to help you with that? Find someone you can talk to?”

Sussie sighed.

“No, but I thought I would call my mom.”

“Call her now, and we’ll make sure someone waits here with you until she comes.”

Sussie nodded and went out into the hall. Henrik heard her talking on the phone.

“‘Shed a little light,’” Mia said, chuckling.

“What?”

“You said that to Sussie, that you hoped she could help shed a little light on this horrible situation.”

“Yes, and? Don’t people say that?”

“No, Henrik, they don’t.”

“Yes they do.”

“In the fifties, maybe, but not anymore. They just don’t. Trust me.”

Henrik didn’t want to think about what had been said during their conversation, but instead was thinking more about what hadn’t been said. He thought about Sussie, that not once had she asked that awful question. And Henrik knew he shouldn’t feel this way, but he was glad—almost grateful—that he didn’t have to give the equally awful answer: I don’t know.

* * *