Sounds good, Joona says hesitantly.
The weather is now gray and hazy and extremely humid as Joona parks his car in front of Claudia Fernandezs house. Joona steps out and smells the bitter scent of currant bushes and elf-cap moss. He stands still for a moment, lost in a memory. The face hes conjured up fades as he rings the doorbell. The nameplate looks like it came from a woodshop class. Fernandez is in letters childishly burned into the wood.
The doorbells melodic ring echoes inside the house. He waits. After a few moments, he hears approaching footsteps.
Claudia has a worried expression as she opens the door. Seeing Joona, she steps back into the hallway knocking a coat loose from its hanger.
No, she whispers. Not Penny-
Claudia, please, I dont have bad news, Joona says quickly.
Claudia cant stay upright and collapses to the floor among the shoes, underneath the coats. She breathes like a frightened animal.
Whats happened? she asks in a fearful voice. Joona bends forward, down to her.
We dont know much yet, but yesterday, Penelope tried to call you.
Shes alive, Claudia whispers.
So far, Joona answers.
Thank you, dear Lord. Thank you, thank you! Claudia whispers again.
We dont know much yet, but yesterday, Penelope tried to call you.
Shes alive, Claudia whispers.
So far, Joona answers.
Thank you, dear Lord. Thank you, thank you! Claudia whispers again.
We caught a message on your answering machine.
On my no, thats not possible, she says as she gets up with his help.
There was a lot of static. We needed an expert to recover her voice, Joona explains.
The only thing I heard, there was a man who told me to get a job!
Thats the one, Joona says. Penelope is speaking first, but its barely audible.
What does she say?
She says she needs help. The maritime police want to organize a search-group chain.
But to trace the phone-
Claudia, Joona says soothingly. I must ask you a few questions.
What kinds of questions?
Why dont we sit down?
They walk through the hallway and into the kitchen.
Joona Linna, may I ask you something? she says timidly.
You can ask, but I might not be able to answer.
Claudia puts coffee cups on the table for them both. Her hand shakes slightly. She sits across from him and stares at him for a long time.
You have a family, dont you? she asks.
Its dead quiet in the light-filled, yellow-painted kitchen.
Joona finally fills the silence. Do you remember the last time you were at Penelopes apartment?
Last week. A Tuesday. She helped me hem a pair of pants for Viola.
Claudias mouth trembles.
Think carefully, Claudia, he says, leaning forward. Did you see a photograph taped up on her glass door?
Yes.
What did the photo show? Joona asks, trying to keep his voice calm.
I dont know. I didnt pay attention.
But youre sure you saw a photograph?
Yes. Claudia nods.
Perhaps there were people in the picture?
I dont know. I thought it had something to do with her job.
Was the picture taken inside or outside?
No idea.
Try and picture it in your mind.
Claudia shuts her eyes. She shakes her head. Sorry, I cant.
She looks down, thinks, and shakes her head again. The only thing I remember thinking is that it was odd that shed hung that photo on her door because thats not particularly attractive.
Why do you think it had something to do with her job?
I dont know, Claudia whispers.
Joonas cell phone rings inside his jacket. He picks it up, sees that its Carlos, and answers, Im here.
I just talked to Lance at the maritime police on Dalaro. He says theyve arranged an organized search starting tomorrow. Three hundred people and almost fifty boats have agreed to join.
Thats good, Joona says. He watches Claudia get up and walk into the hall.
And then I called Erixson to see how he was doing, Carlos says.
He seems to be doing okay, Joona says neutrally.
Joona, I have no idea what youre up to, but Erixson warned me that youre about to be right again.
Once the call is finished, Joona follows Claudia out into the hall. Shes put on her coat and is pulling on rubber boots.
I heard what that man said on the phone, Claudia says. I can help look. I can look all night if-
She opens the door.
Claudia, you must let the police handle this.
My daughter called me and needs my help.
I know its hard to sit and wait-
But, please, cant I go with you? I wont be in the way! I can make food and answer the phone so you wont have to worry about that.
Is there anyone who can stay here with you? A relative or a friend?
I dont want anyone else here! I just want my Penny!
34
Erixson holds a map on his lap as well as a large folder he acquired by getting a messenger to deliver it to his hospital room. Hes cooling himself with a whirring face fan while Joona pushes him in his wheelchair through the hospital corridors.
His Achilles tendon has been sutured, and instead of a cast, his foot is fixed inside a special boot with toes pointing down. He mutters that all he needs is a ballet shoe on the other foot and hell be ready to perform Swan Lake.
Joona nods in a friendly way toward two elderly ladies sitting on a sofa and holding hands. They giggle, whisper to each other, and then wave at him as if they were schoolgirls.