‘Yes. And he passed on some information that Noah had forgotten to mention.’

‘Noah had been threatened?’

‘Possibly, but according to Peder he’d overreacted, exaggerated. If the threat existed in the first place.’

‘I don’t . . .’

‘According to Peder, Noah was kind of volatile, “talked a load of crap”, as he put it. I think maybe we should bear that in mind when we’re assessing his allegation that his brother is missing.’

‘Well, it can’t all have been in his imagination,’ Fredrika said. ‘He’s dead.’

‘I know, it’s a complete mess. Anyway, Noah didn’t say a word to me about any personal intimidation. However, he did think his brother might have been targeted by a former client. A father suffering from mental-health issues had sought his help, but ended up killing his entire family, then taking his own life.’

‘So who’s left to seek revenge?’

Alex looked up. ‘I’ve no idea.’

‘Do the Johansson brothers have any other living relatives?’ Fredrika asked. ‘Why was it only Noah who contacted the police about Dan’s disappearance?’

‘The parents are dead, but Noah did mention a close friend of his sister-in-law who’s also concerned. I made a note of her name: Tina Antonsson.’

‘Sounds like someone we need to speak to.’

‘Mmm. If we think that’s our job . . . ?’

Fredrika could see chaos looming as she and Alex started asking questions, treading on goodness knows how many toes along the way. Although the biggest issue was whether they had time. It seemed unlikely.

‘How was he?’ she said. ‘Peder – was he okay?’

Alex hesitated before answering.

‘I don’t know. There was something . . . not quite right about him.’

Fredrika rolled her eyes. ‘Another marital crisis?’

Alex laughed. ‘Maybe. He certainly seems to have had problems holding down a job. I don’t know why he can’t just grow up and get a grip.’

There was a knock on the door, and Ivan’s blond head appeared.

‘Have you got your phones switched off?’ he said. ‘God knows how many people are trying to reach you.’

Both Alex and Fredrika glanced at their mobiles. Both were on silent, both had missed calls.

‘Israel,’ Fredrika said.

‘Renata Rashid,’ Alex said. ‘She’s texted as well.’ He read the message with his head down, face closed.

‘What does she say?’

Alex swallowed, unable to take his eyes off the screen.

‘Alex?’

Fear swept through Fredrika’s body like a forest fire.

No more surprises, please.

‘I need to call her right away,’ he said, heading for the door. Fredrika stood up, desperate to find out what had happened.

‘What’s it about?’ she asked.

Alex looked down at his hands, stared at the hardened scar tissue.

‘I don’t know.’

Just before he left the room he turned back.

‘What do you think we should do about Peder?’

Fredrika shrugged. ‘I’m sure he’ll call again soon.’