The National Inspectorate of Strategic Products is a government agency that was established in 1996 to take over responsibility for all matters concerning arms exports and dual-usage items. Its offices are on the sixth floor of a salmon-pink building located at Klarabergs Viaduct 90. After riding up in the elevator, Axel sees that Jorgen Grunlicht is already waiting for him, nodding impatiently. Grunlicht is a tall man with a blotchy face: irregular patterns of white patches contrast with his reddish skin.
Grunlicht slips his identification card in and keys in the code to admit Axel. They walk to Carl Palmcronas office. Its a corner suite with two huge windows overlooking a cityscape of southbound roads behind Central Station and across from Lake Klara and the dark rectangle of city hall.
Despite its exclusive location, theres something austere about the ISP offices. The floors are laid with synthetic carpet and the furniture is simple and neutral in pine and white-its neutrality almost an intentional reminder of the morally dubious nature of arms exports, Axel thinks with a shudder. This is the national agency entrusted with the responsibility of making sure that Swedish weapons do not wind up in war zones and dictatorships. But Axel cant help feeling that under Carl Palmcronas directorship, the ISP began to drift off course. It was less inclined to cooperate with the United Nations, and more likely to behave like the proactive Export Council. Axel is not a pacifist. He is well aware that arms exports are vital for Swedens balance of trade. But he believes that the Swedish neutrality policy must be protected as well.
He looks around Palmcronas office. Being there so soon after his death feels macabre.
A high-pitched whine is being emitted from the light system in the ceiling. It sounds like an inharmonious overtone from a piano. Axel remembers he once heard the same overtone on a recording of John Cages first sonata.
Closing the door behind them, Grunlicht asks Axel to take a seat. He appears tense in spite of his welcoming smile.
Good that you could come so quickly, he says, handing over the folder with the contract.
Of course.
Go ahead and read through it, Grunlicht says as he sweeps his hand over the desk.
Axel sits in a straight-backed chair and puts the folder back down on the desk. He then looks up.
Ill take a look at it and get back to you next week.
Its a very good contract, but this offer wont last forever.
I know youre in a rush.
He looks at Grunlichts pale, expectant face.
Axel knows there is no one in this country with a track record that can equal his own. This is perhaps the greatest argument for him to take the position. If he says yes, it will enable him to prevent some idiot from getting control over arms exports. He can stay committed to limiting the spread of weapons-and stay in Sweden with Beverly.
Grunlicht leans forward and says, with a shadow of guilt in his voice, I know Im pushing you, Axel, and Im sorry for that. But the situation is a bit urgent. Palmcrona left several urgent matters hanging, and the companies are about to lose their deals, and-
Why doesnt the government take over for the time being?
Sure, Grunlicht says with a thin smile. They can certainly take over, but they would still need advice, preferably from you.
Silence fills the room. Its as if feathers were falling all around them.
I hear what youre saying, says Axel slowly. But Im still
Grunlicht slides the folder directly in front of Axel. I just got off the phone with the prime minister. He asked if you were on board. You really should look at the agreement weve produced for you. Its a pretty-
I believe you, says Axel, but you should know that Ive been sick.
Who has not?
I mean, I have-
We know all about it, says Grunlicht.
Axel lowers his eyes. Of course.
But we also know that the problems are a thing of the past. ISP is an authority based on trust. You have worked against the flow of weapons to war zones, and that is precisely what ISP stands for. There is only one name at the top of the governments list-and it is yours.
As Axel reaches for the agreement, he wonders if it is possible that they know everything about him-except for Beverly.
Opening the folder, he tries to push away the gut feeling that this is a gold-plated trap.
He reads through the contract carefully. Its very good, almost too good. Often he feels a slight blush as he reads through it.
Welcome aboard, Grunlicht says, as he hands Axel a pen.
Axel thanks him and signs his name. He stands up, turns his back to Grunlicht, and looks out the window. The three crowns of city hall are erased by the haze.
Not a bad view, is it? Better than mine from the Foreign Office, says Grunlicht over his shoulder.
Axel turns toward him as he continues.
Youve got three cases at the moment. The one with Kenya is under the greatest time pressure. Its a big, important piece of business. I advise you to look at it right away. Carl has already done the preliminary work, so
Grunlicht falls silent and pushes another document toward him. He watches Axel closely with a strange gleam in his eye. Axel has the feeling that if Grunlicht could, hed put the pen in Axels hand and hold it there while he signs.