Ill be there in twenty-five minutes, Joona says, and disconnects the phone before The Needle can protest again that its too soon.
After Joona has showered, dressed, and come out of the changing room, he can hear the laughter from the childrens swimming class.
He wonders whats behind the death of a man as important as the general director for the National Inspectorate of Strategic Products. When it came to the export of military equipment in Sweden, this was the one person who made all the final decisions regarding Swedens export of arms, and now hes found hanged.
What if Im wrong? What if he really was murdered? Joona says to himself. I have to talk to Pollock before I go see The Needle. Maybe Pollock and Kofoed have had a chance to look at the material evidence by now.
Joona strides through the hallway, runs down a staircase, and calls his assistant, Anja Larsson, to see if Nathan Pollock is still at the station.
9
Joonas thick hair is still wet as he opens the door to Lecture Hall 11 where Nathan Pollock is lecturing a special training group on handling hostage situations and rescue operations. Projected on the wall behind Pollock is the anatomy of a human body, and seven weapons are lined up on a table. They range from a small silver SIG Sauer P238 to a matte-black automatic carbine from Heckler amp; Koch equipped with a 40 millimeter grenade thrower. Pollock is demonstrating an attack technique on a young police officer. He holds a knife close to his body, then suddenly rushes the officer and marks his throat. He turns back to the group.
The problem with a cut like this is that the enemy can still scream. He can still move, and since only one artery is cut, itll take some time for him to bleed to death, Pollock tells them.
He walks up to the young officer again and puts his arm around the officers face so that his elbow covers the officers mouth.
If I do this instead, I can cover the scream, control his head, and slice open both arteries with one cut.
Pollock lets the young officer go just as Joona Linna enters the room. The young officer wipes his mouth and returns to his seat. With a big grin, Pollock tries to wave Joona over, but Joona shakes his head.
I just need a word with you, Joona says quietly.
A few of the police officers swivel their heads as Pollock walks over to Joona and shakes hands. The shoulders of Joonas jacket are dark from the water dripping from his hair.
Tommy Kofoed took shoe prints from the Palmcrona scene, Joona says. I must know-did he find anything else unusual?
I didnt realize there was a rush on it, Nathan says. He also keeps his voice low. Of course we photographed all the impressions on the foil, but we havent had time to analyze the results. I absolutely have no overview yet-
But you saw something, Joona states.
It seems that maybe when I entered the photos into the computer there could have been a pattern its too early-
Just tell me what you think-I have to run.
It looked like two different sets of shoe prints in two circles around the body, Nathan tells him.
Im going to see The Needle. Why dont you come with me? Joona asks.
Right now?
I have to be there in twenty minutes.
Damn, I cant. Nathan gestures to the class. Ill keep my phone on in case you have to get back about something.
Thanks, Joona says, and turns toward the door.
Hey could you just say hi to this gang for a second? Nathan asks.
The entire class has already turned to look at them. Joona waves.
Nathan raises his voice. May I introduce Joona Linna? Hes the one I was telling you about. Im trying to talk him into giving you some insight into hand-to-hand combat.
The room is silent and everyone is staring at Joona.
Most of you know more about hand-to-hand combat than I do, Joona says with a small smile. But one thing I do know is when youre in a fight for your life, no rules apply. Its not a game-its a real fight.
Listen up, Nathan says, his voice hard.
In a real fight, youll only win if you keep thinking. Be flexible. Take advantage of anything and everything that comes your way, Joona continues calmly. Maybe youre in a car or on a balcony. Maybe in a room filled with tear gas. Maybe theres broken glass covering the floor. There could be weapons all around. Is it a short fight? Or will you have to conserve your strength? Dont waste time with fancy jump kicks or be cool with round kicks.
A few laugh.
And accept the idea of pain. When youre in close combat without a weapon, you may have to take a real pounding to win as quickly as you can. Joona finishes. Thats about it I really dont know much more than that about this stuff.
He bows his head faintly and turns to leave the lecture hall. Two of the officers clap. The door closes and the room falls silent. Nathan Pollock is smiling to himself as he comes back to the table.
I originally meant to save this for another class, he says as he taps on the computer. This film is a classic-its the hostage drama from Nordea Bank headquarters on Hamngatan nine years ago. There are two robbers. Joona Linna has already gotten the hostages out. Hes also already taken down one of the robbers, the one who had an Uzi. Thered been a violent firefight. The other robber is hiding and still has a knife. They had spray-painted all of the security cameras, but missed one. Anyway, Ill play it in slow motion because the whole thing happens in just a few seconds.