‘I’m not. If I hadn’t heard about the arrest I would have been on my way.’

‘Good. Then I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. Early! And say hi to Ingrid from me, my respect for that woman grows with every passing day . . .’

*

I should get going, she thinks to herself after they hang up. She checks her watch and then glances up at the TV again. Even without sound, the message is clear; she has seen the weather map enough times to recognise the symbols for low pressure, storm and heavy snowfall. Karen squints at the screen. Does it really say minus seventeen?

Reluctantly, she runs through all the reasons why she can’t stay just a little while longer, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the warmth. Might as well get it over with. Tryste might even have something useful to say and then I really do have to talk to Odd. Surely he’ll understand that I simply can’t keep him out of this. What Gabriel told him will be crucial in tomorrow’s interview.

After that, I should stop by the distillery and talk to the technicians about the warrant, she reminds herself and feels her heart race in response to her stress level. Then her phone buzzes.

Jounas Smeed is calling.

I didn’t send him a report last night, she realises as her boss’s name lights up the screen. I can’t believe I bloody forgot. Suddenly dizzy, she grabs hold of the counter with both hands. Not now, she thinks and declines the call. I’ll call him back later, just not right now. With a sigh, she pulls on her hideous hat and stands up. And is struck by another unwelcome thought.

I should call Ingeborg and tell her I won’t be able to make it tonight. I don’t actually need to explain, I can just tell her I have to work. Or maybe I don’t call at all. I never promised to go.

Then a memory of warm hands, rough like fish scales, and a voice saying, ‘If you fetch four eggs from the henhouse, Kay-Kay, I’ll get the flour.’

Goddammit, she curses inwardly and pulls out her phone.

Chapter 70

70

The headlights are barely able to cut through the swirling snow and point the way up the tree-lined drive, and Karen can’t make out the lit windows of The Complex until she’s almost on top of it. The memory of her aunt’s voice on the phone is still ringing in her ears. Her disappointment when Karen told her she couldn’t make it, the hard edge in her voice when she asked if Karen was planning on making trouble.

‘Why would I do that?’ she’d replied, wondering how much her aunt knew about her meeting with Odd.

‘You know what I mean. Let sleeping dogs lie.’