‘But of course, we don’t hear about that on the news or read about it in the papers, which makes me wonder if it isn’t time to call the media by their real name too, which is to say “Lügenpresse”.’ Several people in the audience laughed. ‘But the “terrible” fire at the refugee centre outside Kvidinge, that they report on. What a sob story. I have no idea who was behind it, but whoever they are, I think they deserve a round of applause!’ People whistled and clapped and those right arms shot up again in unison. ‘We got rid of three rats! Three disgusting black cockroaches who can no longer breed and multiply. If we’re lucky, we’ll get rid of some more parasites before this is over!’ Applause erupted once more.

It was hardly unthinkable that one or several of the arsonists were present. But there were too many of them for her to consider trying to take down everyone’s details. Nor could she call for backup and surround the place, since the gathering, no matter how repellent, was not illegal in itself.

On the other hand, they had all arrived by car or motorcycle, and even if they weren’t the registered owners, there should be enough connections.

She had paused her filming to write a message to Klippan, asking him to walk around and take pictures of all the licence plates, when suddenly the chair disappeared from under her. It happened so quickly she hit the floor without being able to catch herself. The phone slipped from her hand and slid out of her reach.

‘And what do we have here?’ A man dressed in leather with a denim waistcoat took a few steps closer, squatted down next to her and leaned in so close she could see every last detail of the Terminator tattoo that covered his neck and parts of his face.

‘Is this yours?’ said another voice, and her phone was held out to her by a hand that was missing its middle finger.

She nodded and watched her phone hit the ground and get crushed by a heavy boot.

The room was completely still now, apart from the groans she emitted as she defied the pain in her hip and got back on her feet. Her insides were in uproar and her heart was beating so fast and hard her chest hurt.

To conceal how she was really feeling, however, she made a show of brushing the dirt off her jacket, slowly and calmly, with one hand. Only when she was done did she turn to the man in the scout uniform who had stepped forward along with the bouncer.