‘You and Malcolm divorced in the year Beata died,’ she ventured.

Karin looked up. ‘Yes.’

‘Forgive the intrusion, but can I ask why?’

Karin got up and went over to the sink. She filled a glass with water and drank it without asking if anyone else would like one.

‘Because grief doesn’t necessarily bring people together,’ she said eventually. ‘That’s how it was for us, and I know it’s the same for many others.’

The honesty in her voice was clear, but the fact that she was keeping something from them was equally clear.

What is it you don’t want to tell us? Fredrika thought.

Alex took over. ‘How were things before Beata’s death? Did you and Malcolm agree about your son-in-law?’

‘Definitely,’ Karin said firmly. ‘We both disliked him equally.’

There. Another statement that wasn’t a lie, but didn’t reveal the whole truth. Fredrika’s frustration was growing by the minute.

‘But?’ she said.

‘But what?’

‘You were in agreement, but not about everything. Tell us how your views differed.’

Karin shook her head. ‘We both felt exactly the same.’

Fredrika believed her – so what had been left unsaid?

Alex had draped his jacket over the back of the chair; he turned, reached into the inside pocket, and brought out a copy of the Polaroid they’d found on the drinks trolley in Malcolm Benke’s living room. The one that showed Eden Lundell’s husband, Mikael, among others.

‘Who are these men?’ Alex asked, handing Karin the photo. Her face relaxed; someone or something in the picture had cheered her up.

She pointed to the men on Benke’s left. ‘These two were Malcolm’s childhood friends, Eskil and Sten. Eskil died a few years ago, but Sten’s still alive. He’s a really good person – Sten Aber.’

‘And who’s this?’ Alex pointed to Mikael.

‘I don’t actually know. Talk to Sten – he’ll be able to tell you when the photo was taken.’

‘You weren’t there?’

‘No – I don’t remember ever having seen it before. It must be pretty old though, mainly because Eskil’s there.’

Alex didn’t seem entirely happy with Karin’s answer. It was the same old story; they had to speak to a hundred people to find out what they needed to know, a time-consuming task that would try the patience of a saint. It was enough to make a sane person start climbing the walls.

They thanked Karin for making the time to see them, and got ready to leave. Fredrika made a careful note of Sten Aber’s contact details, then Karin asked to see the photo again. Alex passed it over.

‘The wallpaper,’ she said. ‘I should have noticed it right away.’

Fredrika took a closer look. The snap had been taken indoors, and behind the four men she could just make out wallpaper with a colourful pattern.