Talk to me! Saga says angrily.
Joona always pushes the direct cause of his illness as far from his consciousness as possible. There was an incident many years ago it keeps giving him this pulsing pain, this pain so severe that he almost passes out. But he refuses to think about the incident.
What the doctor says is that this is an extreme form of migraine with a physical cause. The antiepileptic drug Topiramate is the only medicine that seems to help. Joona is supposed to take it daily, but when hes working and needs a clear head, he stops. Not only does it make him tired, it dulls his mind. He knows hes playing a game of roulette. Without the medication, he might manage for weeks without a migraine, yet another time hell be hit by one after only a few days.
They were torturing a guy a neo-Nazi, I think, but-
Torturing?
With a cigar, he answers as he turns around and heads back into the hallway.
What happened?
I couldnt
But Joona, Saga says tentatively. Maybe if youve got a physical problem, you shouldnt be working operatively, that is
She puts her hand to her face.
What a shitty situation, she whispers.
Joona walks toward the room with the clown lamp and hears Sagas footsteps behind him.
And why in the hell are you even here? she asks to his back. Sapos SWAT team is going to raid this place any moment. If they see that weapon in your hand, theyll shoot first and ask questions later itll be dark, therell be tear gas-
I have to speak to Daniel Marklund, Joona says stubbornly.
Youre not supposed to even know about him! she exclaims as she follows him up the spiral staircase. Who told you about him?
Joona starts down another hallway, but stops when he sees Saga gesture a different way. He follows her, but pulls out his gun when she starts to run. They both turn a corner, and Joona hears her yell something.
Saga has come to a halt in a room with five computers. In one corner stands a man with dirty hair and a beard. He matches the picture of Daniel Marklund in Joonas mind. His lips look dry. Hes licking them. He holds out a Russian bayonet knife in one of his fists.
Police, Saga says, flashing her ID. Put down the knife.
The young man shakes his head and waves the knife in the air in front of him, flashing the blade in different directions.
We just need to speak with you, Joona says as he holsters his gun.
So speak.
Joona walks closer, looking into the young mans frightened eyes, totally ignoring the knife being waved directly at him. He ignores its sharpened point.
Daniel, youre really not good at this, he says with a smile.
Joona can smell the scent of gun grease on the blade.
Daniel is waving the bayonet knife in faster circles and wears a look of concentration. He growls, Dont think only Finns are good at-
Lightning fast, Joona grabs the young mans wrist, twists it, and takes away the knife. He gently puts it down on the table.
The room is silent. The men look at each other, and then Daniel Marklund shrugs.
Usually I only deal with the computers, he says apologetically.
Theyre going to raid us any moment, Joona says urgently. Tell us why you went to Penelope Fernandezs place.
Just dropping by to say hi.
Daniel, Joona says darkly. This knife business could lead you to a prison term. But right now I have more important things on my plate. Dont waste my time.
Does Penelope belong to the Brigade? Saga asks quickly.
Penelope Fernandez? Daniel Marklund smiles. Shes against us. Shes made that perfectly clear.
So whats the connection? Joona asks.
What do you mean, shes against you? Saga puts in. Is there a power struggle going on?
Does Penelope belong to the Brigade? Saga asks quickly.
Penelope Fernandez? Daniel Marklund smiles. Shes against us. Shes made that perfectly clear.
So whats the connection? Joona asks.
What do you mean, shes against you? Saga puts in. Is there a power struggle going on?
Doesnt Sapo know anything? asks Daniel with a tired smile. Penelope Fernandez is a complete pacifist. Shes a firm believer in democracy. So she doesnt like our methods-but we like her.
He sits down on a chair in front of two computers.
Like her?
We respect her.
Why? asks Saga. Why should you-
You guys really dont know how much some people hate her, do you? Why dont you just Google her name? People have said some really brutal things about her, and there are always people who go too far.
What do you mean, go too far?
Daniel gives them a testing look. You do know shes disappeared, dont you?
Yes, Saga replies.
Thats good, he says. Though I really dont expect the police to make much effort to find her. Thats why I went over to her place. I wanted to check her computer to see who might be behind this. I mean, there was a group, the Swedish Resistance, who sent a message to their members this past April telling them to kidnap the communist whore Penelope Fernandez and make her into a sex slave for the movement. But take a look at this.
Daniel Marklund clicks a few keys on one of his computers and turns the screen to Joona.
This one is connected to the Aryan Brotherhood.
Joona takes a quick glance through a vulgar chat page about Aryan penises and how they are supposed to execute Penelope.