But Lilja had no interest in seeing the kitchen. She wanted to get into his office and therefore walked off in the opposite direction until she spotted his name on a sign next to one of the doors on her left.

‘Or we could head into the conference room on your right!’

Lilja opened the door and looked into Landertz’s office, which faced the street. The walls were white, the office furniture beige, and plastic potted plants were scattered around the room. ‘This will do fine,’ she said as she continued to look around.

The walls were covered in posters of Jimmie Åkesson and Swedish landscape photos with blue-and-yellow flags waving against a clear blue sky; the books were neatly organized by size in the bookcase. Among them were the Law of Sweden, a few books about integration and ten or so historical titles about the First and Second World Wars.

The two Ikea armchairs by the window looked so new she had to wonder whether anyone had ever sat in them. The same was true of the tidy desk. A computer screen in the middle. A desk topper and a leather pen holder, a letter knife and a document folder, also in matching leather.

In other words, not a swastika as far as the eye could see. Not even a few doodled Nazi symbols on the underside of the desk for her to find.

Nor had she expected any, though she had to admit she was a bit disappointed. The Sweden Democrats was a party founded by Nazis, there was no question about it. But Åkesson and his friends had been so effective at rooting out the extremists, only polished populists like Landertz remained. In a way, that was almost worse. At least before, it was clear where they stood. Now, people suddenly thought they were voting for a mainstream party.

‘Okay then, what can I do for you?’ said Landertz, who had entered the room.

‘As I mentioned, it’s about the murder of Moonif Ganem.’

‘Yes, that much I’ve gathered. I hope you’re not insinuating that I or one of my colleagues had anything whatsoever to do with it.’

‘Not at all. Insinuations are not my thing. So just to be clear, no one suspects you of personally shoving him in the washing machine.’

‘Good.’ Landertz glanced at his watch. ‘You see, both I and the party feel it’s fundamentally important to recognize that all people are equal, regardless of their skin colour or ethnic background.’

‘Oh, really? Well, I guess you learn something new every day.’ Lilja emphasized that with an exaggerated smile. ‘That must mean, then, that you are as eager to see the murderer caught as I am.’

‘Of course I’m eager. I just don’t understand what I can—’