“Yes, please.” She leaned against the railing. “What island is that?”

“Off the starboard side? That’s Fort Middelgrund, one of Copenhagen Harbor’s old sea forts. It was built around the turn of the century—well, the previous century, that is—to protect the city from a maritime attack. It’s huge, three or four stories tall. When it was built it was the biggest fort in the world.”

She went to join him in the wheelhouse so they didn’t have to shout over the wind.

“What’s it used for today?” she asked.

“Well, it’s been basically abandoned for many years, but a fund bought it recently, and they’re going to fix it up and turn it into a place for young people, Youth Island.”

“Youth Island? What in the world is that?”

“The plan is to use it for scouting events and vacation camps. But renovations have ground to a halt because they’ve run out of money.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, causing their shoulders to touch. Anette pulled away discreetly.

“I wonder if the search and rescue teams have searched out there.”

“I’m sure they have. Plus there are surveillance cameras in the fort’s harbor, just like on Trekroner. If Oscar were there, they’d have found him on the footage. And the boat would be moored in the harbor.”

“Oh, right. Of course.”

Anette fell quiet. She had so hoped that the boy on Hven would be Oscar. He should have been standing next to her right now with a blanket around his shoulders and a look of relief in his eyes. Ahead of them Copenhagen Harbor opened up and she watched the city’s spires and domes with a thorn in her heart. And empty hands.

CHAPTER 10

When Henrik Dreyer-Hoff showed up on the dock at three o’clock sharp, he was noticeably burdened. His posture was slumped, and his firm handshake had been replaced by a vague nod of greeting.

“Malin took Vic and Essie out to her mother’s place. We can’t have them at home right now with things the way they are. It’s better for them that way.”

The father looked tormented. But something lay behind his expression that was deeper than shock or worry, Jeppe thought. Guilt has a very particular smell, and it hung heavily around Henrik Dreyer-Hoff.

“Did the keys to the boat turn up?”

“No.” Henrik stuck his hands into his jacket pockets and shivered, even though the breeze was positively mild. “I’m pretty sure they were in the bowl in the front hall, but they’re gone now. Just like the boat.” He nodded over at the empty slip.

And Oscar, Jeppe thought.

“Is that your slip?”

“Yes, number B-thirteen. That’s our spot. I used to joke that the thirteen would bring bad luck, that someday we would sink.”

“When was the last time you took her out?”