‘Well, I certainly can’t see what the OP would stand to gain from doing away with old man Stuub, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘I never said they did. I was just asking when Odd joined.’

‘If you’re here on police business, I think you should talk to my brother.’

‘I was asking as your cousin.’

‘No, Karen. You weren’t.’

*

When she climbed into her car not long after, after much protest and a promise to come back soon, everyone had come out to see her off. And as Finn raised one arm to wave, he had put the other around Odd’s shoulders.

Chapter 19

19

The buzzing of her phone wakes her. A glance at the screen tells her two things: it’s twenty-two minutes past five in the morning and it’s her boss calling. It only takes Karen a moment to realise both those things were predictable. She briefly considers not picking up. Then she slowly pushes herself up into sitting position, clears her throat and says as clearly as she is able.

‘Hi, Jounas.’

‘Did I wake you?’

‘No, why would you ask that? You wouldn’t have called if you thought I might be asleep, would you?’

The sarcasm is wasted on him. Jounas Smeed’s irritation is palpable just from the way he inhales through his nostrils.

‘Why haven’t I heard from you?’ he asks bluntly. ‘Didn’t we agree you were going to keep me informed?’

Karen rubs her eyes and peers over at the tray on the desk. With a resigned sigh she gets out of bed, picks up the kettle and walks over to the bathroom.

‘We did, and I was planning to call you later today.’

With the phone wedged between her ear and her shoulder, she turns on the tap, splashes some cold water on her face and fills the kettle.

‘What the fuck is that noise? Are you peeing?’

‘I was going to make myself a cup of tea, unless you mind. Because you were right, you see, you did wake me up. It may be well after lunch where you are, but it’s twenty past five in the morning here.’

As you are well aware, she adds to herself.

‘You only have yourself to blame. If you’d been in touch like we—’

‘OK,’ she cuts in. ‘I don’t have much to tell you yet, so I was going to hold off until tonight. But I can go over what little there is if you want.’

‘Go.’

She turns on the kettle and sits down on the edge of the bed. Then she reaches for her notepad on the bedside table.