Ivan wasn’t prepared to give up. ‘Was there anyone else in the shop at the same time? Anyone who might be able to give a description of the customer?’

‘No, but I do remember his aftershave. It’s the same one my son-in-law uses – Boss.’

Boss?

It wasn’t a fragrance Fredrika associated with either Spencer or Ross. She shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, unable to shake off the feeling that they were heading in the wrong direction.

Then Ivan had an idea.

‘If I play you a voice, do you think you might be able to tell us if it belongs to the man who was here?’

‘Absolutely.’

Ivan took out his phone and searched for a TV interview Ross had given a year or so ago in connection with another investigation.

‘Okay, here we go.’

Ross’s voice was loud and clear.

‘As I’ve already said, I’m afraid the police are unable to confirm that . . .’

Jan pursed his lips and shook his head.

‘No, he definitely wasn’t the one who bought the books. Not a shadow of a doubt.’

Fredrika shook her head. Shit.

‘Are you certain?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

Ivan and Fredrika thanked Jan and left. It wasn’t Ross who’d bought the books. It was a different man.

Chapter 5

Sometimes things happened unbelievably fast. Therese, a member of the Solomon Community, expressed an interest in The Sanctuary, wanted to use it as a writer’s retreat during the winter months. Ed, the head of security who was responsible for the house, said that was fine as long as no one who was in need of protection contacted them in the meantime. He was always pleased when problems solved themselves. Therese was the daughter of one of Ed’s colleagues; that was how she had become part of the small circle who knew about The Sanctuary and its prerequisites.

He arranged a meeting with her to underline the importance of not inviting any visitors to the property.

‘We regard The Sanctuary as our ultimate secure bastion,’ he said with deadly seriousness. ‘It’s a place where those in dire need of a safe haven can go. If such a situation arises you will have to move out immediately. On rare occasions we allow people outside the family to use it.’

The family was his name for the Jewish people. The man currently leasing The Sanctuary was not a member of the family, but he was trusted because Peder Rydh had recommended him so highly. He was a middle-aged detective inspector with many years’ experience in keeping quiet about things that must not be said out loud. Ed had immediately seen the advantages of signing a contract with this particular individual.

‘I understand,’ Therese said. ‘As I said, I’m planning to write a horror novel, and I think the isolated spot will be just perfect.’

She smiled. Ed smiled back.

‘You’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement.’