How could Peder have confirmed that Ross was related to the woman he alleged he was trying to protect? They didn’t even know each other. Alex took out his mobile, hoping there would be a missed call from Peder. Nothing.

‘It seems as if the Community puts a great deal of trust in Peder Rydh,’ Fredrika remarked.

‘We do indeed, and I can’t see any problem with that. He was an outstanding head of security, and we miss him.’

I can’t see any problem with that.

Strange. And Peder’s continued absence and lack of contact were even stranger.

He’s got himself into some kind of trouble again. Same old same old. And now he’s ashamed of himself, trying to hide away.

‘The man I pulled out of the lake,’ Ed continued. ‘I assume he was living in The Sanctuary too?’

‘Yes, his name was Dan Johansson. He was married to Malin.’

‘Ross’s daughter.’

‘Ross doesn’t have a daughter,’ Fredrika said.

Ed frowned and his face lost some of its colour.

‘You never met the family?’ Alex asked.

‘No.’

‘We’ll need to speak to you again.’

‘Hang on a minute – so who were the people Ross lent the house to if they weren’t his daughter’s family?’

‘He didn’t lend the house to anyone. The family were not there of their own volition. They were being held captive by Ross for reasons I can’t go into right now.’

Ed’s face froze, his expression betraying a mixture of shock and anger.

‘Just tell me if Rydh’s mixed up in this too,’ he said.

‘We have no reason to suspect his involvement at this stage,’ Fredrika reassured him.

However, Alex could see what she was thinking. Peder was the kind of person who made mistakes, then refused to take responsibility. The fact that he wasn’t a suspect needn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t partly to blame for what had happened.

Alex’s mobile rang: Berlin. She didn’t bother with any small talk.

‘I’ve had to have Ross arrested. He’s admitted kidnapping the Johansson family.’

Time stood still. Alex took several deep breaths. Once upon a time he had hung out with Ross, gone fishing with him. Now he was in custody, having confessed to a terrible crime.

‘Jesus.’

Fredrika caught his eye. Alex got up and left Ed’s office, mouthing ‘back in a minute’. Out in the corridor he continued the conversation with Berlin.

‘What about the rest? Has he owned up to the whole lot?’

Berlin didn’t answer right away.

‘You should have seen him, Alex.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He was completely floored when I listed all the crimes he was suspected of. He denies everything except the kidnapping.’

Alex tried to understand. He failed and shook his head.

‘Surely he’s not denying the murder of Dan Johansson?’