‘And when I asked her, she laughed at how ridiculous I was being,’ Karen continues. ‘But sure, deep down inside, I suspected she was lying. Dammit!’

She abruptly falls silent and claps her hand to her mouth.

‘What?’

‘She called me a week ago, asked if she could come by, but I was up on Noorö. I remember being surprised; it’s been years since she wanted to have a coffee or a pint, but then I forgot all about it. Bloody hell, I’m such an idiot! I of all people should have known . . .’

‘You, of all people?’

‘I’m a police officer,’ Karen says. ‘I’ve met both the men who hit and the women who report them and then take it back. “He’s really sorry. He’s a good person deep down inside, when he’s not drinking.” And I’ve met the children who stick their fingers in their ears every night.’

‘The problem with that is that it’s impossible to fall asleep with your fingers in your ears,’ Leo says and stands up. ‘And it’s impossible to fall asleep if you take them out. It’s a catch-22.’

Karen watches him walk over to the sink and fill up a glass of water. He knows exactly what he’s talking about, she realises.

‘Your dad?’

Leo shrugs.

‘Stepfather. And not just when he was drunk, either. I hated him.’

*

When Karen climbs into her bed a few hours later, she knows what she has to do. She had planned to get an early start tomorrow. Get to Noorö well before the morning meeting with Thorstein Byle and his team, but they’re going to have to wait for her.

Enough is enough.

Chapter 58

58

She waits outside in her car, watches the stream of tired men and women in suits stream by. Sees some of them stop in front of the entrance to Idungatan 72 in central Dunker, sees them punch in the code, push open the glass door and disappear toward lifts and stairs that will take them up to marketing firms, import companies and law firms.

When she spots Bo in the distance, it’s already half past eight and she decides to give it another fifteen minutes. Tells herself she should drive away, that it would be the wiser choice. Then she unbuckles, opens the door and climbs out of the car.

*

The law firm Ramnes & Ek has its offices on the fifth floor, according to the board by the entryphone. She rings the bell and waits until a high-pitched voice answers, thinking that being able to introduce yourself as a detective inspector has its advantages. The door opens with a soft buzz without any further questions about who she wants to see or why.

The young woman at reception smiles with a mix of aloof politeness and curiosity when Karen pushes open the frosted glass door and enters.

‘How may I help you?’ she says.