‘They bought a bag so they’d have a reason for being there in case someone asked what they were up to. And then I reckon they planted the potatoes mostly as a fun thing to do. Minerva. Extremely hardy, according to Harr.’

I was about to make a sign for the table runners but instead I just stood there with the marker in my hand and I was so confused I wrote ‘Minerva’ on the sign.

‘And I tipped the police off. About Lennart Brösth. About him being seen in that village. I asked a mate up in Karesuando to put the call in. Figured it was better than doing it anonymously. More credible that way.’

‘But we don’t even know if he’s there!’

‘Surely the main thing is to get them to head out there and look around. What you have to do, and you have to do it right now, is to report Susso missing, and to mention that you think Lennart Brösth might have taken her. Then we have to hope the police put two and two together.’

‘You might have asked me first. Before you called the police. And before you asked your friends for help. I really don’t like that.’

‘What were you going to say? You would have said no. And Susso doesn’t have time for that. I imagine.’

‘Do I have to call the police? I don’t want to.’

‘All you have to do is tell them Susso’s missing. And maybe remind them about Lennart Brösth’s jailbreak.’

‘I don’t want to!’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I don’t want to.’

‘You don’t think they’ll believe you.’

I shook my head. Then I nodded.

‘Then I’ll do it,’ he said and shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘Or should we ask her friend, the doctor?’

‘No, you do it.’

‘They’re going to ask what my relationship is with her.’

‘So you’ll tell them the truth.’

‘And they will obviously send someone around her house. But you know that.’

‘I don’t like it. Even though he’s not there any more.’

‘You don’t have to worry.’

‘So they’ve moved him?’

Roland gave me a mischievous look.

‘Maybe we should do something to thank them then,’ I sighed.

‘You’ll have a chance tonight. Because they’re coming here.’

‘They’re coming here? Why?’

‘Well, Harr said they had some questions. We’re meeting them at eight. At Momma’s.’

‘What kind of questions?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘They want money, how hard is that to figure out? They’re going to blackmail us! Or me, rather. They’re going to blackmail me! Oh God, Roland, what have you got me into?’

My outburst baffled him; he even raised his eyebrows, making them pop up above the rims of his glasses.