She had just finished with the 7.16 train from Åstorp and was now focusing on the passengers disembarking from the 7.33 from Helsingborg.

‘Because it’s getting late.’

‘Yes, I know how to tell the time, in case you were wondering.’ Clearly, he wasn’t going to go away.

‘There’s no need to be so prickly. Whether you like it or not, I’m in charge. And I think it’s time for you to start focusing on some other things, too.’

‘What do you mean, other things?’ Damn it, now she actually had to hit pause and turn to him. ‘I happen to be looking for him and not “some other things”. Why don’t you do that yourself?’

‘What do you think I’m doing? And Ingvar.’ Klippan nodded to Molander, who was also watching a screen showing CCTV footage. ‘But given how much video there is, I need you to help out too.’

Tuvesson had only been gone a few hours, and she already missed her. And Fabian, why couldn’t he be here? At least that would have given Klippan someone else to pick on. ‘Klippan,’ she said, feeling frustration undermining her attempt at a smile. ‘I’m going to help you as soon as I’ve found him, found the train he arrived on, requested the CCTV footage from that particular train, established where he got on, found out what the surveillance situation is at that station and, if it all works out, homed in on him sufficiently to make an arrest. When that’s done, I promise I’ll help you look for “some other things”.’

Klippan sighed so heavily she could smell the coffee he’d just drunk and the egg he’d probably had for breakfast. ‘Irene, I’m sure that’s all fine and good. But he’s not our only lead.’

‘As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what he is. Right now, he’s by far our most solid lead.’

‘Maybe. But that doesn’t mean he’s guilty.’

‘I’m sorry, who are you saying is guilty of both the carjacking and the attempted murder of Ralf Hjos?’

‘Okay, fine. But I was talking about—’

‘Secondly,’ Lilja cut him off. ‘His behaviour reeks of guilt. Consider his running away. If he’s so innocent, why take off at all?’

‘I don’t know.’ Klippan shrugged. ‘A lot of people do weird things when the police are around. Take my neighbours, for instance. If they’re chatting out on the street and I come out to get the paper or whatever, they—’

‘They what? They make a break for it and stab people up and steal their cars?’

‘No, but—’

‘Exactly. Thirdly, there’s his sickeningly smug smile.’

‘And since when do we equate a smug smile with a solid lead?’ Klippan looked over at Molander. ‘Ingvar, help me out here, will you?’