Margareta Berlin was well known for two things: she was tough on those who were tough, and she was tough on those who were vulnerable. She wasn’t proud of the latter, but it was undeniably true. Sometimes she had gone in way too hard, which was indefensible. That aspect of her character had cost her a great deal. She wasn’t stupid – she knew she wasn’t popular with her colleagues. For a long time she’d told herself it was because she’d risen through the ranks too quickly, that she hadn’t served her time as a foot soldier. However, as the years went by she had to accept that there must be other reasons why people didn’t like her, why she was never included in social gatherings.

‘You don’t listen, you don’t want to hear what others have to say. Which means you end up alone and lonely.’

It was Torbjörn Ross who’d come straight out with it, told her that the fault didn’t lie with others, but largely with herself.

She had hated him – and respected him in equal measure, because he’d had the strength and courage to voice what everyone else was thinking but didn’t dare say. For that reason he had secured himself a special place in Berlin’s heart forever. Not that she ever gave him the slightest hint, but it had influenced her decision-making on key issues. She had become his protector, without the slightest hesitation.

Until now.

She couldn’t understand what had gone wrong, how he could have gone off the rails like this. The thought that Ross had kidnapped an entire family was beyond ridiculous. She still didn’t quite believe it. Ross had revealed few details, and the interview with Malin Johansson had had to be postponed. She was shocked and traumatised, as were the children. All three were in hospital, with the press lurking outside like predators, desperate for a glimpse of The Missing Family, as the headlines were calling them. Which didn’t really make sense – they weren’t missing now, they’d been found. In spite of the fact that only Noah and Tina had been looking for them.

Berlin was still in her office. She didn’t want to go home, but she didn’t want to carry on working either.

It wasn’t meant to be like this.

Alex Recht and Fredrika Bergman had done a good job, she had to give them that. However, Fredrika had overstepped the mark earlier with her fantasies and her total lack of respect for experienced police officers.

Ross wasn’t smart enough, that was what she’d implied.

Sorrow burned in Berlin’s breast. Torbjörn Ross was most definitely smart enough to murder without leaving a trace of himself behind. Everyone who’d known him for a long time would agree – and that didn’t include Fredrika.