Lennart sat in silence for a moment.

‘If we could get that human,’ he said. ‘The one with the website. What was her name, Myrén? If we give him her and we can get him to understand who she is and what she’s done, I think that might do him good.’

‘That’s easier said than done,’ Grete retorted.

‘Just go get her.’

‘She’s protected,’ Ingvill said.

‘Is it that bastard fox?’

‘A squirrel,’ Grete replied.

‘A squirrel?’

She nodded.

‘What fucking squirrel?’

‘We don’t know.’

He stared at the plastic container she was eating out of. A winged child with golden curls holding an ice cream cone in each hand was depicted on it.

‘Have you seen it?’

‘Abraham has,’ Grete said softly. ‘When he went down there, when was it, a year ago? And he took it hard. That’s why he looks the way he does.’ She ran her fingers along her cheek. ‘Food sticks in the corner of his mouth. And he’s almost blind in one eye.’

‘What’s the situation at Torsten’s?’

‘Well now,’ Grete said and dabbed her lips with a sheet of kitchen roll. ‘Last time we were there, he threatened us with a gun. Elna has moved out, the children too, I think. There’s nothing for us there.’

‘What about Carola? Carola Fjellborg?’

‘All the lemmings are gone. Since the fire at Öbrells’.’

‘Isn’t that just something she’s saying?’

‘She’s shaken, there’s no doubt about it; she just sits at home, smoking cigarettes. Besides, I don’t think the lemmings are equal to the task anyway.’

‘They’re not to be trifled with.’

‘We need something bigger.’

‘What about the hare?’

‘That one?’ She snorted out a laugh. ‘He’s blind. And not always to be trusted either.’

Lennart quietly turned the problem over in his mind for a while.

‘Remember Frans?’ he said. ‘Frans Fagervall. We were there after the war, after Urho died? His, what would that be, nephew, Rune – we could ask him. He’s a bit tricky, but it might be worth asking. Because he has a wolf.’

‘A wolf?’ Ingvill said.

Lennart nodded.

‘I thought all the wolves were with Erasmus and Stava,’ she said with an inquiring glance at Grete, who had started rubbing and scratching the fingers of her gloved hand.

‘Sure, because that’s what Rune wants you to think. He wants nothing to do with Erasmus and Stava.’

‘Does it turn?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘If it doesn’t turn—’

‘It does. Last time I was there it was wearing clothes.’

‘Clothes? That’s promising.’

The old lady took off her headscarf and patted down her

‘And do you think he would help us?’