something that he already knew.
‘Have you heard that Peder Rydh has just been appointed as their new head of security?’
‘I found out when they called and asked me for a reference earlier this evening.’
‘What did you say to them?’
‘The same as I always say. That he was a very talented police officer with certain issues regarding his temperament, and one or two problems when it came to his attitude towards women
in the past.’
His boss was coughing again.
‘Issues regarding his temperament? I suppose you could put it that way.’
Alex had no interest in discussing the matter any further. A lot of things would have to change before he stopped supporting Peder Rydh.
‘It’s most unfortunate that he’s been appointed to the post at this particular moment. Don’t you agree?’
‘Perhaps.’
‘I mean, you’re going to have to work with him – have you thought about that?’
‘I’ve worked with Peder before, and we’ve never had any problems.’
Untrue. And he knew it. His boss wasn’t slow to pick him up on his mistake.
‘I’m sorry – you’ve never had any problems?’
Alex couldn’t listen to this; he didn’t have the energy to get involved in a discussion. His current boss had never actually worked with Peder, but knew his history like everyone
else.
‘I know, I know.’
He thought back to the beginning of their conversation.
‘So did the Solomon Community call to ask you for a reference too?’
‘No, they just happened to mention Rydh in connection with the real reason for their call.’
‘Which was?’
‘Two boys who belong to the community didn’t arrive at their tennis coaching session. The parents have reported them missing to the police, and the case should end up on your desk.
You’re the person who’s most familiar with this kind of thing.’
Of course.
Shit.
‘There’s absolutely no way that Fredrika and I can deal with two major investigations – the fatal shooting and two missing kids. Forget it.’
‘I realise that; we’ll sort it out tomorrow. Unless of course there’s a connection, in which case it would probably be better to expand your team. Fast.’
Why would there be a connection? Because all three were Jews? Because the boys had gone missing on the day the teacher was shot? Were they actually missing? Kids got the most peculiar ideas;
they could be back home in a couple of hours.
‘Have the parents been interviewed?’ he asked, sincerely hoping that he wouldn’t have to speak to them as well.
‘Yes, you don’t need to think about that for the time being. And the Stockholm City Police and the National Crime Unit are helping to search for the boys. You won’t have to
deal with any of this until tomorrow.’
Good. Tomorrow was another day.
A busy day, by the sound of it.
‘The Solomon Community is also organising a search. They’ve gathered in the centre in Östermalm and they’re ringing everyone in the boys’ classes to see if anyone
has heard from them. You could drop in on your way home, if you feel like it.’
Why would he want to do that? They’d be in touch if the boys turned up.
It was eight o’clock. Alex wanted to go home. Listen to Diana telling him about her day. Have something to eat. Ring his children. If necessary he could come back in later, leave his
mobile switched on all night.
But to his surprise he heard himself say:
‘I’ll drop by and call you afterwards.’
‘Good. And Fredrika Bergman? Is she still playing the violin?’
‘She’s with her family.’
Alex’s response was curt and angry. To protect Fredrika. He thought about her frown, how pensive she had been. He hoped she wasn’t having problems at home. The way she had looked
today, she wouldn’t have the energy to fight a war on two fronts.
The weather was atrocious, and it seemed to be getting worse all the time. Stockholm looked deserted as he drove towards the Solomon Community for the second time today. Cars covered in
‘Have you heard that Peder Rydh has just been appointed as their new head of security?’
‘I found out when they called and asked me for a reference earlier this evening.’
‘What did you say to them?’
‘The same as I always say. That he was a very talented police officer with certain issues regarding his temperament, and one or two problems when it came to his attitude towards women
in the past.’
His boss was coughing again.
‘Issues regarding his temperament? I suppose you could put it that way.’
Alex had no interest in discussing the matter any further. A lot of things would have to change before he stopped supporting Peder Rydh.
‘It’s most unfortunate that he’s been appointed to the post at this particular moment. Don’t you agree?’
‘Perhaps.’
‘I mean, you’re going to have to work with him – have you thought about that?’
‘I’ve worked with Peder before, and we’ve never had any problems.’
Untrue. And he knew it. His boss wasn’t slow to pick him up on his mistake.
‘I’m sorry – you’ve never had any problems?’
Alex couldn’t listen to this; he didn’t have the energy to get involved in a discussion. His current boss had never actually worked with Peder, but knew his history like everyone
else.
‘I know, I know.’
He thought back to the beginning of their conversation.
‘So did the Solomon Community call to ask you for a reference too?’
‘No, they just happened to mention Rydh in connection with the real reason for their call.’
‘Which was?’
‘Two boys who belong to the community didn’t arrive at their tennis coaching session. The parents have reported them missing to the police, and the case should end up on your desk.
You’re the person who’s most familiar with this kind of thing.’
Of course.
Shit.
‘There’s absolutely no way that Fredrika and I can deal with two major investigations – the fatal shooting and two missing kids. Forget it.’
‘I realise that; we’ll sort it out tomorrow. Unless of course there’s a connection, in which case it would probably be better to expand your team. Fast.’
Why would there be a connection? Because all three were Jews? Because the boys had gone missing on the day the teacher was shot? Were they actually missing? Kids got the most peculiar ideas;
they could be back home in a couple of hours.
‘Have the parents been interviewed?’ he asked, sincerely hoping that he wouldn’t have to speak to them as well.
‘Yes, you don’t need to think about that for the time being. And the Stockholm City Police and the National Crime Unit are helping to search for the boys. You won’t have to
deal with any of this until tomorrow.’
Good. Tomorrow was another day.
A busy day, by the sound of it.
‘The Solomon Community is also organising a search. They’ve gathered in the centre in Östermalm and they’re ringing everyone in the boys’ classes to see if anyone
has heard from them. You could drop in on your way home, if you feel like it.’
Why would he want to do that? They’d be in touch if the boys turned up.
It was eight o’clock. Alex wanted to go home. Listen to Diana telling him about her day. Have something to eat. Ring his children. If necessary he could come back in later, leave his
mobile switched on all night.
But to his surprise he heard himself say:
‘I’ll drop by and call you afterwards.’
‘Good. And Fredrika Bergman? Is she still playing the violin?’
‘She’s with her family.’
Alex’s response was curt and angry. To protect Fredrika. He thought about her frown, how pensive she had been. He hoped she wasn’t having problems at home. The way she had looked
today, she wouldn’t have the energy to fight a war on two fronts.
The weather was atrocious, and it seemed to be getting worse all the time. Stockholm looked deserted as he drove towards the Solomon Community for the second time today. Cars covered in
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