She’d heard of his agency before. It was famous for representing dark Swedish thrillers featuring feisty tattooed heroines, and also for losing Essie as a client. She’d found out the beginning of Essie’s story from Ted, but how did it pan out from there? Could Sven tell her anything about the night Essie disappeared? Was he possibly her mystery love?

She waited until Sven’s colleague left.

Liv had met many people at the book festival and couldn’t remember all their faces and names. She assumed it would be the same for Sven, too.

She ordered a coffee and carried the cup over, setting it down on his table. “Sven, isn’t it? I’m Liv Green. I saw you at the festival, yesterday.” She extended her hand, congratulating herself on her acting.

His eyes flickered, with no idea who she was. “Oh, yes,” he said, in his lyrical accent. “How are you?”

“Good,” she said. She sat down opposite him, without waiting for an invitation. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you I work with Essie Starling. I’m passing on my regards.”

“Oh,” he said, followed by a long pause. His rings clinked against his coffee cup. “That is good. I heard that she’s here in Dubrovnik. I hoped I might see her.”

“Unfortunately, she’s been otherwise engaged.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

Liv paused a beat. “You wanted to see her?” she said. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

He smiled and stirred his coffee. “That is kind of you, but no. It was something between Essie and me.”

“Something...from the past?” Liv said.

Sven eyed her. “Why do you say that?”

“Marlon mentioned something happened between you and Essie.” She wondered if she’d moved on their conversation too speedily.

His eyes flashed before calming just as quickly. “Ha, Marlon. He has nothing to worry about. Essie chose him instead of me. All is good.”

Liv waited to see if he’d add anything else. When he didn’t, she jumped in. “Actually, may I ask you a few things about Essie?” she said. “I’m doing a little writing for her and would like to understand her better.”

He laughed. “This sounds like you want to interview me.”

“Oh, no, I’m not a journalist.” She rolled her eyes for effect.

“Good. I heard from one only last week, asking me questions about Essie.”

Liv controlled her breathing. “Was her name Chloe Anderton, from Sheen magazine?” she said nonchalantly.

“Yes, you know of her?”

“She’s writing an article about Essie.”

“So, I learned. I told her I was not interested in talking about my ex-client. What is it you want to know?”

“I believe Essie bases her characters on real people. Did you inspire any of her heroes?”

“This question!” He tipped his head back and laughed. “Me? I doubt that very much.”