‘One of the very best?’

He nodded. ‘It’s his judgement that’s changed, become skewed. In terms of pure skill he’s still got it.’

‘In that case maybe you’re right. Maybe he really is our perpetrator.’

‘I think we have to accept that,’ Alex said. ‘And we just forget about the man who bought the books, unless of course he was buying them on behalf of Ross. We’ll probably never know.’

Fredrika managed a wan smile.

Alex took a deep breath.

‘I know, Fredrika. I know that you know Spencer wrote the letter we found in Noah’s office, I know you’re worried that he might be involved. Listen to me: Spencer might have done foolish things in the past, but he has nothing to do with any of this. Okay?’

Tears sprang to Fredrika’s eyes.

‘Okay.’

It’s always the same. We always excuse those we love the most, yet at the same time that unconditional love opens us up to a doubt we would not allow ourselves in a different context. Because we can’t possibly be wrong, not when it comes to our nearest and dearest. Where they’re concerned, we have to be absolutely certain. We cannot let evil creep into our closest circle.

Alex leaned back.

‘How is he?’

‘Fine.’

Alex wondered if she’d understood the question. ‘So he’s not ill?’

‘He’s dying. He has a brain tumour.’

Time stood still.

Of all the things she could have said.

Of all the things he’d expected to hear.

He wasn’t ready for this, wasn’t ready for the realisation that Fredrika was going to have to watch the man she loved deeply die.

You have no idea of the hell that’s waiting for you. But I do, I’ve been there.

‘I’m so very sorry.’

‘Me too. Me too. And you have to believe me, Alex, if I’d had the strength . . . you would have been the first person I confided in.’

He couldn’t say a word, he merely nodded. He didn’t want her to feel for one second that she owed him an explanation for her silence.

‘You’ve got a lot to tell me,’ she said in a broken voice.

‘Whenever you’re ready,’ Alex assured her. ‘Any time, day or night. I’m always here for you.’

Chapter 14

As soon as Peder Rydh missed Ylva, he would go and visit her. Sometimes he took the boys with him, sometimes he didn’t. Today he was alone.

‘I did the right thing,’ he said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. ‘I went to see Berlin, had a chat with her. Told her what I needed to tell her. But I missed out the stuff about Spencer – too messy. He’s going to die soon anyway.’