One of the lighting fixtures in the ceiling is blinking on and off and the cold light bounces off the walls of shining white tiles.
I have to change the starter, The Needle says softly.
You sure do, Frippe says.
Petter Naslund mutters something inaudible from where hes standing, pressed against the wall. The strong angles of his wide face seem to move with the flickering light. Next to him, Jens Svanehjalm is waiting. His boyish face reveals his irritation. He appears to be weighing the risk of placing his leather briefcase on the floor or leaning against the wall in his well-tailored suit.
The strong stench of disinfectant permeates the room. Strong lamps with directable beams are mounted to the ceiling above a bench made from stainless steel, which has two faucets and a deep sink. The floor is covered with a light gray plastic mat. A zinc tub just like the one on the boat sits in the middle of the bench and is already half filled with water, but again and again, Joona Linna carries more water to it from the faucet on the wall.
Its not a criminal offense to be found drowned on a boat, Svanehjalm says sarcastically.
Exactly, says Petter.
This could just be an unreported drowning incident, Svanehjalm continues.
The seawater in her lungs is the same the boat was in, says The Needle. But theres no water on her clothes or on the rest of her body.
That is odd, Svanehjalm agrees.
There must be a rational explanation, Petter says with a wry smile.
Joona empties a last bucket of water into the tub, sets the bucket down, looks up at the other four men, and thanks them for taking the time to come.
I know its the weekend and everyone wants to be home, he begins. Yet, I believe Ive noticed something important.
Of course, we always come when you tell us that, Svanehjalm says as he finally decides to put his leather briefcase on the floor between his feet.
The suspect gets on the boat, Joona begins. He goes down the stairs to the forecabin and sees Penelope sleeping. He returns to the afterdeck and begins to fill the tub using a bucket with a long rope attached.
Five or six buckets at least, says Petter.
And only when the tub is filled does he wake Penelope. He leads her up the stairs and across the deck and then he drowns her in the tub.
Why? And who would do something like that? asks Svanehjalm.
I dont know yet. Perhaps it was to torture her with fake drowning, waterboarding-
Revenge? Jealousy?
Joona cocks his head and says thoughtfully, This person doesnt feel like your average killer. Perhaps the suspect wanted information from her or to force her to tell or confess to something until he finally held her under enough that she could no longer resist the urge to draw a breath.
What does the chief pathologist say? asks Svanehjalm.
The Needle shakes his head.
If shed been drowned, he says, I would have found signs of force on her body, bruises and the like-
Can we all wait with the objections for a moment? Joona says. First I would like to show you how it happened. As I see it. How the events play out in my head. And then, once Im finished, I would like us all to go and look at the body to prove my theory.
Why cant you do things like everyone else? Just tell us, demands Petter.
The chief prosecutor warns, I have to be home soon.
Joona looks at him with an ice-cold glint in his eyes-and a trace of a smile.
Penelope Fernandez, he begins. At first she was sitting on deck and smoking some pot. It was a warm day and she became tired and decided to take a nap. She goes to bed and falls asleep still wearing her denim jacket.
He gestures to Frippe, The Needles young assistant who is waiting in the open door.
Frippe here will help.
Frippe steps into the room with a big smile. His dyed black hair hangs in locks down his back. His worn leather pants are full of rivets, and he is carefully buttoning his jacket over his black T-shirt with its picture of the hard-rock group Europe.
Watch me, Joona says softly. Behind Frippes back he quickly grips both sleeves of Frippes jacket in one hand while with the other he grabs his long hair.
Now I have complete control, Joona says grimly. And I guarantee there wont be a single bruise on him.
Joona levers the young mans arms higher behind his back. Frippe moans and leans forward.
Take it easy! he laughs.
Youre much larger than the girl, of course, says Joona. Still, I believe I can dunk your head into the tub.
Dont hurt him, says The Needle.
Ill only ruin his hairstyle, says Joona.
Not a chance, grunts Frippe.
Its a silent struggle. The Needle looks nervous and Svanehjalm appears troubled. Without too much effort, Joona forces Frippes head underwater and holds him there for a slight moment, then lets him go and steps back. Frippe gets up, staggering, and The Needle hurries to him with a towel.
You could have just told us how it went, The Needle says with irritation.
As Frippe towels off his hair, they troop together into the next room, into the strong smell of decay. One of the walls is covered with three rows of stainless-steel refrigerated boxes. The Needle opens box 16 and pulls out a drawer. The body of the young woman is lying on the narrow gurney. Shes naked and has no color. A brown network of arteries can be seen on the pale skin of her neck. Joona points at the thin, curved line over her breastbone.