‘Hi, Nils. How are you feeling?’
His son turned around with a start. His eyes were shiny with tears.
‘What are you doing at home?’
Knutas went over to Nils and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. The boy was much too thin. That was something he’d been noticing for a while now.
‘I just wanted to look in on you. Mamma said you had a stomach ache.’
Knutas’s expression turned grim as he looked at the picture on the computer screen. The photo had been taken at Tofta beach in the summertime. Alexander, his face suntanned and his hair wet, was smiling at the camera. Now he lay in a coma.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked gently.
‘Nothing.’ Nils turned off the computer and went over to his bed to lie down. ‘Just leave me alone.’
‘But how are you feeling?’
‘Better. Nothing to worry about.’
He turned over to face the wall. Knutas sat down on the edge of the bed.
‘Are you thinking about Alexander?’
‘Why are you here, anyway? Don’t you have a lot to do because of the murder and everything?’
‘Yes, I do,’ sighed Knutas. ‘We’re on our way down to Sudret. Karin and I. She’s waiting in the car.’
‘So go. I’m fine.’
‘Shall I get you something? Are you thirsty?’
‘No.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yes. I said I’m fine.’
Knutas made his way back to the car, filled with anxiety. He had to find some way to reconnect with Nils.
They drove south, taking the coast road. It was a beautiful day with the springtime sun shining over the fields and meadows. The hides of the cattle gleamed as they grazed in the pastures. On the right-hand side of the road Knutas and Jacobsson occasionally caught glimpses of the sea, which glinted with promise. After the long and dreary winter, it was as if someone had lifted a hazy grey curtain that had been hovering over the island for months and now nature had come back to life. A few fiery red poppies were visible in places along the road, and suddenly summer didn’t seem so far away. The air was already warmer. Knutas rolled down the window.
‘Beautiful day,’ he said, casting an enquiring glance at Karin.
‘It really is.’
‘So how are things going?’
‘Fine, thanks.’
She looked at him and smiled. She had a relatively large mouth for such a narrow face. The big gap between her front teeth was particularly endearing.
‘We haven’t had much time to talk lately.’
‘No.’
‘You’ve seemed a bit down.’
‘You think so?’
Karin’s face seemed to close up. It was obvious that she didn’t want to discuss the topic. They continued driving south in silence.
Knutas looked out of the window again, wondering what could be weighing on her. He’d worked with Karin Jacobsson for more than fifteen years and she was his closest confidante. At least from his point of view. He told her everything, including any problems he experienced with his family. She was a good listener, always willing to offer encouragement and advice. But when it came to Karin’s own personal life, that was a whole different story. As soon as the conversation turned to her, she became guarded and silent.
A year ago Knutas had promoted Jacobsson to Deputy Detective Superintendent and second in command, which had stirred up some bad feelings at the station, even though most people were positive about her new role. Malicious comments were heard from a handful of older male officers who didn’t like being passed over for a much younger colleague who also happened to be a woman. Jacobsson’s petite stature hadn’t made it any easier for her to win their respect. The fact that she didn’t live according to the expected norms had also given rise to speculations. Although she was forty years old, she still lived alone with her cockatoo named Vincent. She devoted most of her free time to football, both as a coach and as a player in the women’s league.
‘Have you heard anything more about Kihlgård?’ Knutas asked, mostly just for something to say.
‘Yes. He was in Karolinska Hospital for a week, and they did a lot of tests, but he’s home now. The doctors don’t know what’s wrong with him.’
‘I didn’t even know that he was in hospital. What sort of symptoms does he have?’
‘He just generally doesn’t feel good. He’s suffering from nausea and dizziness.’
‘How long will it take to get the results of the tests back?’
‘A week or two.’
‘We should send him flowers.’
‘That’s a good idea.’
He glanced at Karin. She looked more tired than usual.
‘You know that you can talk to me if there’s something bothering you,’ he said. ‘I’m always willing to listen.’
‘Thanks, Anders. I know that. Maybe we could talk some other time. Not now.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure.’
Knutas changed the subject in order to break the oppressive mood that had settled over them.
‘What do you think about the case? Any ideas about a motive?’
‘It’s impossible to say. There are several likely motives, but I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Algård was murdered just a couple of weeks after Alexander Almlöv was assaulted. Especially considering all the criticisms that have been hurled at Algård lately.’
‘Who do you think is a likely candidate?’