Yassim takes his hand in his own, presses gently. ‘First we give them what they want,’ he says. ‘You do what Myriam asked and install the programme on my computer. We’ll act normal. Who knows if they’re listening to us?’

‘What?’ Jacob says. ‘I don’t understand.’

Yassim shakes his head. ‘If they contacted you, they’ve certainly bugged the apartment as well.’

Jacob just nods. There’s something about Yassim’s competence and calm that makes him feel so safe, that makes him go along without asking questions.

‘The next time Myriam contacts you, you have to tell her that I caught you, but that you pretended to be convinced that I was a photographer. Promise me that. There can’t be any gaps.’

Jacob nods. ‘But if I install the software, won’t she be able to see the information on your computer?’

Something flashes in Yassim’s eyes. A shadow of implacability. ‘Didn’t I tell you I’m better at hiding my secrets than that?’ he says.

23 November

Stockholm

At some point Klara finally gives up any attempt to fall asleep, and she finds Maria already in the kitchen with Dagens Nyheter open in front of her, a cup of coffee on the table beside it.

‘You’re up early,’ she says, standing up. ‘There’s coffee.’ She pours a cup and hands it to Klara. ‘You don’t look like someone who uses milk,’ she says with a smile.

Klara takes the cup and sits down hesitantly by the table. She shakes her head and can feel it pounding weakly from lack of sleep and yesterday’s wine. ‘No, that’s not my thing.’

Maria sits down and looks at Klara with worry in her eyes. ‘What are you going to do now? You don’t look like you slept much.’

‘I’m going to Brussels,’ she says quietly. ‘But it’s probably best if I don’t say more than that.’ She shivers when she says Brussels. It’s going to take an incredible effort to book those tickets.

Maria suddenly stands up again and goes over to the kitchen cupboard. She takes down a small white jar and puts it on the table in front of her.

‘I went through some difficult times a few years ago,’ she says. ‘And sometimes medication is the only thing that works. Especially if you have to keep going.’

She gives Klara a small, gentle smile.

‘You have to get some sleep,’ she says. ‘And I don’t think I can prevail on you to go to a doctor.’

Klara smiles faintly back and shakes her head. ‘I’m going to help Gabriella,’ she says. ‘That’s the only thing I care about right now.’