Hidden in Snow (The ?re Murders, #1)(75)



As soon as the discussion is underway, Hanna feels at home. She notices that Daniel sets the tone, and the others listen attentively when he speaks. There is no doubt who is leading the investigation.

He reports back on the current situation and the latest information that has come in. The IT technicians are still working on Amanda’s computer. A number of property owners in Ull?dalen have been contacted, but a long list still remains. Nothing useful has emerged so far. Amanda’s clothing and the skin particles found beneath her nails have been sent to the National Forensic Center for analysis.

Hanna isn’t surprised to hear that it will take weeks before they have the results; the waiting time at the NFC is hopelessly long.

Daniel changes the subject. “Hanna told me there are rumors that Amanda had an affair with her adviser, Lasse Sandahl—the teacher we met Monday.”

Anton strokes his chin. “We need to follow that up. Well done, Hanna.”

Hanna is embarrassed by his praise—it’s his sister who should get the credit. However, she is glad that the others are taking it seriously.

“Speaking of affairs,” Daniel continues, “we received an interesting message last night: an anonymous tip-off suggesting that we should check out Harald Halvorssen’s PA, Mira Bergfors. Or rather her husband, Fredrik. It seems that Mira and Harald have been involved in a relationship.”

Daniel gathers up his papers. “I was thinking of going to have a chat with Bergfors.” He looks at Hanna. “Want to come along? We could drop in on Lasse Sandahl too.”

Hanna glances uncertainly from Daniel to Anton. If the two of them usually work together, she doesn’t want to push in. Fortunately Anton seems perfectly happy with the suggestion.

“Great—Raffe and I can carry on with the list of property owners in Ull?dalen.”

The meeting is over. Hanna grabs her jacket and follows Daniel to the underground garage. She is buzzing with anticipation but promises herself that she will keep a low profile during the interviews.

This time she is not going to tread on anyone’s toes.

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78

Should he call the police, tell them about Ludde?

Harald is sitting in the dark kitchen with his elbows on the table. It is an hour before sunrise. He got up unusually early, after tossing and turning all night. Sleep came in short bursts; he woke repeatedly to find his throat thick with tears, his grief over Amanda like a stone on his chest.

He has been brooding over Ludde’s death ever since his conversation with the vet. Was he really poisoned? And if so, what could the police do? They asked if Harald had any enemies, if he could think of anyone who had a grudge against him or his family.

The only person who comes to mind is Fredrik Bergfors.

Harald considers the idea yet again.

He already fears that Fredrik was responsible for Amanda’s death. Could he also have poisoned their dog, to punish Harald for his affair with Mira?

She was terrified that he would find out about their relationship; Harald heard the fear in her voice yesterday.

He gets up, paces back and forth. Crumbs from the children’s sandwich-making crunch beneath his feet.

There is no one he can talk to. Lena is still hiding in bed; he has hardly seen her for days. He slept in the spare room last night, couldn’t face going into their bedroom, where the stuffy air is thick with despair.

The red poinsettias on the windowsills are wilting, but Harald can’t be bothered to water them. Instead he leans over the sink and tries to think, his forehead resting on the cool cupboard door.

Fredrik is strong and fit. If Harald remembers correctly, he is a former mountain ranger. That means he was an elite soldier, trained to use violence.

Harald takes out a glass, lets the cold faucet run. Fills the glass with ice-cold water and drinks slowly. He remembers Mira saying that Fredrik loves his family more than anything, that he would do whatever was necessary for their sake.

Does that also mean that he is ready to take his revenge, at any price?

Harald doesn’t want to believe that, but Amanda has been murdered, Ludde poisoned. It takes a special kind of rage to carry out actions like that.

Who else could it be?

However many times Harald turns it all over in his mind, he keeps coming back to the same conclusion. There is no one else who would want to harm him, not in that way.

The trust Harald has had in his fellow human beings throughout his life lies in ruins. He has read about people who have done terrible things. He just never imagined he would be a victim himself.

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79

Shortly after nine Hanna and Daniel arrive in Sadeln, where Fredrik Bergfors is visiting one of his construction sites.

The sky is turning red in the east as they park by a house nearing completion on Bj?rnhyllan. It is in a prime location, with an unimpeded view over the lake. It is no more than a stone’s throw from the slope known as Hermelinbacken and has a genuine ski-in/ski-out facility.

The road is lined with vans and trucks. When Hanna and Daniel step inside, they can see why. The place is buzzing with feverish activity as a swarm of tradesmen carry out planks of wood and throw rubbish into a huge dumpster in the yard. It still looks like a construction site, but presumably not for much longer.

Fredrik Bergfors is standing by the balcony doors, having a discussion in English with a guy who appears to be the foreman.

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