An Elegant Death: A Short Story by Camilla Läckberg Page B

crazy!’
    Tina’s voice had risen to a falsetto.
    ‘So what?’ Linnea repeated. ‘The money belonged to her.’
    Tina shook her head and abruptly stood up. ‘I refuse to sit here and listen to any more of this idiocy. Besides, we have important practical matters to attend to.’
    Erica looked at Linnea’s sad expression and saw that she was undoubtedly thinking the same thing. That it was too soon – their mother’s body was hardly even cold.
    ‘Probably one of the local drug addicts who thought there’d be cash in the till,’ said Mellberg, scratching his scalp.
    ‘Well, er, I’m not so sure about that,’ said Patrik. He leaned down to pet Ernst. The dog was sitting next to his chair in the station’s break room, begging with his head cocked to one side.
    ‘No buns for you, my boy. Your mummy says you’re getting too fat,’ Mellberg said to the dog, who replied with a pitiful whine. ‘Oh, what the hell. A few little buns aren’t going to make anybody fat. Just look at me. I’m in great shape, and I eat at least two or three a day.’
    Mellberg patted his huge paunch with satisfaction and then tossed a bun to Ernst. Patrik and Annika couldn’t help exchanging an amused glance. If self-indulgence had been an Olympic sport, Mellberg would have won every gold medal going.
    ‘I have a hard time imagining one of our local boys carrying out such a vicious assault. It seemed more … personal,’ said Patrik.
    ‘What do we know about the murder weapon?’ asked Martin as he gave Ernst another bun.
    None of them could resist Ernst’s pleading brown eyes, and that was why the dog would soon be dragging his big belly along the ground.
    ‘It’s only been two days, so I haven’t heard anything conclusive from the crime lab yet. It always takes a while, you know. But I asked if they could give me some idea, however vague, and unofficially of course. So they told me she’d been killed with something heavy that had sharp edges,’ Patrik reported.
    ‘Heavy with sharp edges. That could be lots of things,’ said Mellberg gloomily. ‘Any concrete evidence from the techs’ examination of the shop?’
    ‘No, nothing,’ said Patrik. ‘Any footprints were obliterated by the customers who came in and found her.’
    ‘And nobody saw anyone coming out of the place? Seems strange. The perp must have had a car parked outside. And there’s nothing missing from Lisbeth’s private flat in the building?’
    Martin reached for another bun and nodded when Annika asked if he’d like more coffee.
    ‘The door to the flat upstairs was locked, so no one could have gone in. And the daughters report that nothing had been moved or taken. But …’ And here Patrik hesitated. ‘I’d still like to carry out a forensic examination of the flat.’
    ‘Why?’ asked Mellberg, looking cross. ‘Why should we waste resources on that if no one got inside? As you must be aware, we’re on a tight budget here.’
    ‘Yes, I know. But I have a hunch … I’d also like to take a closer look at Lisbeth’s finances, both her personal accounts and the shop’s books.’
    ‘This is going to be expensive. Especially given that it was probably a customer who broke in, and then things got out of control. But okay, go ahead – only this once, mind.’
    Mellberg glared at Patrik, who heaved a sigh of relief. Apparently the chief was in a good mood today. Patrik got up and signalled with a nod for Martin to come with him. They had a lot to do.
    ‘What are we going to do with all these things?’ Linnea ran her hand lightly over the clothes displayed on hangers.
    ‘I’ve already talked to the Once More shop in Göteborg. They’ve promised to buy everything,’ said Tina. ‘I just want to see if there are any goodies that I might want to have for myself.’
    Her eyes sparkling, she reached for a long, sleek gown with a deep décolletage. It looked as if it belonged on the red carpet in Cannes.
    ‘Dolce. How fabulous!’
    She laid the