It works. Fender and Kate sit down beside each other, with Lucas opposite, and Claus at the head of the table. He still has his stun gun in his hand. It’s a weird yellow thing that looks like a pistol, but with two pins at the end of the barrel instead of a hole. I saw what it did to Fender. Claus said it’s not lethal, but I’m not so sure about that. If you held it to a body for long enough…

Claus nods at the champagne cooler. “Time for a little drink.”

When no one reacts, Claus continues.

“How did you like my invitation? Was it a bit like last year’s?”

So that was what he slipped under the door when Fender was here. This is what it’s been about all along: Kate’s birthday. Does he want to relive last year? I look at all the candles around us. In another situation, this setting would have been beautiful, but now it’s just terrifying.

“I thought it might be a fun start to the party if we tell Linnea what happened last year.”

I’m startled by the sound of my name. Is he serious?

“She knows nothing about it,” says Claus, feigning shock. “That’s a bit sad, isn’t it?”

No one says anything; everyone stares ahead, as if paralyzed.

“Well, then I guess I’ll just tell her myself.”

“No.” Kate interrupts him. “I’ll tell her.”

She glances at me. I can see she regrets everything, but there’s no time now to forgive her.

“Everything went wrong on my birthday last year.” Kate’s voice trembles a bit. “Isolde got hurt and…”

“No, no.” Claus raises his hand. “You will start at the beginning, won’t you?”

Kate looks at Lucas and Fender for help. “But this is what matters to you, isn’t it?”

“The whole story, please.” Claus taps the first silver dome with his finger. “Start with this one.”

Does he have more messages for us? I hold my breath as Kate lifts the first dome.

There is a gold envelope under it, which Kate opens. It has the same paper inside as before, with ragged edges and a picture of a mouse on it.

Another excerpt from Isolde’s diary.

I clench my right hand around the rope. When the moment comes, I’ll have to be quick. Very quick.

I have to get out of here alive.

Kate’s eyes shoot along the lines. “Do I really have to read this out loud?”

Claus nods. “We’re listening.”