Hidden in Snow (The ?re Murders, #1)(56)

“You know how long things take in this organization,”

Daniel says gloomily.

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get,” Anton replies, leaning back and patting his belly contentedly. “What’s the worst that can happen if you suggest it to Grip? Give her a call, ask her to speak to Hanna’s boss in Stockholm. Those guys in HR must be able to find a shortcut, arrange a quick placement with us. It can’t be the first time they’ve had to be inventive.”

“I’ll think about it.” Daniel changes the subject. They are going to visit Amanda’s school in J?rpen this afternoon, talk to the staff. “We need to speak to Amanda’s boyfriend again,” he says. “In light of the information Hanna gave us.”

“Absolutely. He should be in school at this time of day.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

The teachers might have something to say about Viktor’s relationship with Amanda, Daniel thinks on the way to the car. Viktor definitely has some explaining to do.

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57

The national flag is flying at half-mast when Daniel and Anton arrive at the school.

The atmosphere is subdued as they walk in through the main doors. The foyer leads to a cafeteria, where the walls are decorated with diplomas and prizes the students have won. Small groups of children are talking quietly. One girl is sitting in a corner, crying, her face buried in her hands.

There is a photograph of Amanda on a small podium with a candle burning beside it.

A receptionist shows them to an interview room with green velvet curtains, then goes to fetch Lasse Sandahl, Amanda’s adviser.

The door opens, and a man of about thirty-five in jeans and a V-neck sweater comes in. He makes a boyish impression in spite of his thinning hair.

He greets them with a firm handshake, and all three men sit down.

“We understand you were Amanda Halvorssen’s adviser,” Daniel begins.

“Yes.” Lasse sighs loudly. “It’s such a tragedy— impossible to take in. I keep expecting her to show up in the corridor.”

“How long had you been her adviser?” Daniel takes out his notebook, clicks his ballpoint pen several times before it decides to cooperate.

“Since she started here.”

“How well would you say you knew her?”

“Pretty well, given how many students we have to advise. I work with everyone studying economics—eighteen in total.”

“How would you describe Amanda?” Anton asks.

Lasse thinks for a moment. “Amanda was a lovely girl, and a loyal friend. She was clever, with a good head on her shoulders. She also had a well-developed sense of right and wrong; she often argued in class, and wasn’t afraid of a heated discussion. She was into sociology.” He falls silent.

He seems genuinely moved by Amanda’s fate, and his voice is subdued when he continues. “I can’t believe she’s gone.

She was a person you noticed, and she had a mind of her own. A lot of girls her age don’t want to stand out, but Amanda spoke up for what she believed in.”

“Did she have any problems in school that you’re aware of?” Anton asks. “Any enemies?”

Lasse shakes his head. “I’ve always regarded Amanda as a popular girl. She had plenty of friends, she and Ebba used to hang out with a bigger group, and the class as a whole got along well. I hear they had a Lucia party at Ebba’s on Thursday.”

There is a noise from the corridor as a group of students passes by. Even from a distance the sorrowful tone of their conversation is unmistakable.

“What about Viktor, her boyfriend?” Daniel says. “Are you his adviser too?”

“No, he’s in the automotive technology program.”

“But you know who he is?”

“Yes.”

“What’s he like as a person?”

“What do you mean?”

“He seems to have a bad reputation,” Anton clarifies.

Lasse hesitates. “I can’t comment on that.”

“But you must have an opinion?”

Lasse changes position on his chair, his gaze slides away toward the window. “He can be a little . . . volatile,” he admits.

“Go on,” Daniel prompts.

“I don’t know if I should speak about a student if I’m not his adviser . . .”

Daniel gives him a reassuring smile. “This will stay between us.”

Lasse nods, moistens his lips. “There was an incident last year. Viktor got into a fight with another student. He lost his temper and kicked in the door of a toilet stall. It should have been reported, of course, but his parents paid for the damage and persuaded the principal to let it go.” Lasse Sandahl doesn’t sound as if he shares his boss’s view on that topic.

“It appears that Viktor was the last person to see Amanda before she disappeared,” Daniel says.

“So I heard.”

“Any thoughts?”

“It’s difficult. I mean . . . I don’t want to suspect one of our students of a serious crime . . .” Lasse runs a hand through his hair, breaks off as if he’s already said too much.

“I guess I’m kind of in shock, like everyone else in the school. What’s happened is incomprehensible.” He closes his eyes, inhales deeply through his nose. “I can’t get my head around the fact that Amanda has been murdered.”