May we come inside?
No.
Joona glances past her into the dark interior of the house. The hall is littered with pots and pans, plates, a gray vacuum-cleaner hose, clothes, shoes, and a rusty crayfish pot.
We can stay outside, Saga says reassuringly.
Joona glances at his notes. Its routine to go over details from an interrogation to catch any discrepancies or even catch someone out in a downright lie they no longer remember correctly. What did Palmcrona have for dinner on Wednesday?
Ground-veal patties in cream sauce, she says.
With rice? asks Joona.
With potatoes, she replies. Always boiled potatoes.
At what time did Palmcrona return to his apartment on Thursday?
At six in the evening.
What were your duties when you left Palmcronas apartment on Thursday?
He gave me the evening off.
Joona looks directly into her eyes and decides theres no point in beating around the bush. He goes straight to the point.
Did Palmcrona fix the noose already by Wednesday evening?
No, says Edith.
Thats what you told our colleague, John Bengtsson, Saga said.
Thats incorrect.
Your interview was recorded, Saga wants to say, but she finds herself so irritated, she decides to keep quiet.
Did you ask Palmcrona any questions about the noose? Joona asks.
We never discussed private matters.
But isnt it odd to just leave a man with a noose hanging from his ceiling? asks Saga.
Well, what could I do? Stay around and watch him? Edith replies with a small smile.
Thats true, Saga agrees calmly.
For the first time, Edith inspects Saga. Without embarrassment, she runs her eyes from Sagas fairy-tale hair caught back in a colorful headband to her clear face and down to her jeans and running shoes.
Well, I must say, I find this a bit confusing, Saga says. You told our colleague that you saw the noose on Wednesday, but just now, you said the opposite.
Joona checks his notebook for Sagas earlier question.
Edith, Joona says, I believe I understand what youve said.
Thats good, she replies.
Concerning the question of whether Palmcrona hung up the noose on Wednesday, you said no-because Palmcrona wasnt the one who put it up.
The old woman gives Joona a hard look. Then she says firmly, He tried, but he couldnt do it. His back was too stiff from his operation last winter so he asked me to.
Silence falls again. The trees surrounding them are completely still in the heat of the day.
So you were the one who tied a laundry line into a noose and hung it from the ceiling? Joona asks.
He tied the knot and held the ladder when I climbed up, she says.
Then you put the ladder away, went back to your normal duties, and went on home after washing up the dishes from Wednesdays dinner, Joona says.
Thats right.
You came in the following morning, he continues. You began the day as usual by making his breakfast.
Did you know that he wasnt already hanging from the noose yet? Saga asks.
Well, I took a peek into the small salon, Edith answers.
The shade of a sarcastic smile appears for a split second on her closed face.
Youve already told us that hed eaten breakfast as he usually did, but that he didnt go to work Thursday morning either.
He was in the music room for at least an hour.
Was he listening to music?
Yes, he was.
Right before lunch, he placed a call, Saga says.
Well, that I dont know. He went into his office and closed the door, but before he came to eat his lunch of boiled salmon, he asked me to order a taxi for two oclock.
Was he planning to go to Arlanda Airport?
Was he planning to go to Arlanda Airport?
Yes, he was.
And at ten minutes to two, someone called him?
Yes, hed already put on his coat and he answered the hall phone.
Did you hear what he said? Saga asks.
Its not a nightmare to die, replies Edith.
Ive asked you what he said, Saga repeats.
Now youll have to excuse me, Edith says shortly and begins to close the door.
Just a second, Joona says.
The movement of the door stops and Edith frowns at him through the gap without reopening it.
Did you sort Palmcronas mail today? Do you have it here? Joona asks.
Of course.
Please bring us everything thats not an advertisement, Joona requests.
She nods, walking into the house, leaving the door ajar, and returns with a blue bowl filled with mail.
Thank you, Joona says as he takes the bowl.
Edith closes the door completely and they hear her locking it behind her. A few seconds later, they hear the whirring of the dogs tether again. They hear his aggressive barking behind them as they walk to the car and climb in.
Saga starts the engine, then puts the car into gear and turns it around. Joona puts on protective gloves to sort through the letters in the bowl and then pulls out a manila envelope with a handwritten address. He opens it carefully and just as carefully slides out the photograph for which at least two people have died.
47
Saga Bauer pulls onto the shoulder of the road and parks. The grass in the ditch is so tall it brushes the passenger-side window. Joona Linna remains absolutely still as he contemplates the photograph.
Theres something fuzzy on the upper edge of the picture, but in general, it is perfectly sharp. Probably the camera was hidden and the photograph taken secretly.