He Who Fears The Wolf

'There's a place up there where you often go, isn't that right?'

The boy tugged on the hem of his T-shirt to cover up his stomach. 'There's a flat area up above Halldis's farm, with several paths that cross it, so I can choose whatever way I want to go. I know the place like the back of my hand.'

His voice rose and fell. He was sitting on the edge of the bed with his thighs wide apart. It was impossible for him to sit with his legs together.

'So you went up to that spot, up to the ridge, and you stopped twice along the way?'

'Yes.'

'Can you estimate how long it took? Maybe if you compare it to something else that you do?'

'About the same time as an episode of The X-Files.'

'The X-Files? Do they allow you to watch that programme here?'

'Jesus, yes.'

'It takes about 45 minutes, right?'

'Uh-huh.'

'So.' Sejer crossed his legs and smiled encouragingly. 'So, you're up on the ridge and it's about 7.45 a.m.?'

'I suppose that's right, yes.'

Kannick glanced over at the bag of sweets. It was a large bag. He made a swift calculation. He knew that the large size held 52 pieces, which meant five for each of them, and two for Margunn. If he decided to share, as the policeman had said he should.

'And then you decided on one of the paths?'

'There are four of them. One goes over the ridge. One goes down to the place with the view. One goes to the old homestead sites, and one goes down to Halldis's farm.'

'And that was the one you chose?'

'Yes. I didn't want to miss breakfast.'

'And from the spot where you stood, is it far to her farm?'

'No. But I shot a crow along the way. And lost two arrows. I searched for them for a while, but couldn't find them. That took time. They're very expensive,' he explained. 'Carbon arrows, 120 kroner each.'

Sejer nodded and looked at his watch. 'So you searched for a while, but gave up. Then you headed for the farm. Did that take you longer than when you went up?'

'Less long, I think.'

'Let's say that it was 8.15 a.m. by the time you reached her farm.'

'That's probably a fair guess.'

'Tell me what you saw.'

He blinked, looking frightened. 'I saw Halldis.'

'When did you first catch sight of her?'

'When?'

'Where were you standing when you noticed her body?'

'At the well.'

'You stopped near the well, did you, and that's when you saw her?'

'Yes.'

Kannick's voice sounded more subdued now. He didn't want to think about what he was being asked to recall.

'Can you tell me how far it is from the well to the steps? Since you're good at archery, you must be able to judge distance, right?'

'I'd say 30 to 40 metres.'

'That sounds about right. Did you go over to her?'

'No.'

'But you were sure that she was dead?'

'It wasn't hard to see that.'

'No,' Sejer admitted. 'Let's stop there, with you standing near the well, looking at Halldis. You were scared, weren't you?'

'Yes, I was.'

'How did you happen to notice Errki?'

'I looked around,' he said in a low voice. 'I was frightened, so I looked all around. In every direction.'

'I would have done the same thing. Was he far away?

'A little way up in the woods.'

'Did you see him clearly?'

'Very clearly. I recognised his hair. He parts his hair in the middle. Long black hair, like a curtain. He was staring at me.'

'What did he do when you noticed him?'

'Nothing. He stood there like a statue. I started running.'

'And you took the road straight down?'

'Yes. I ran as fast as I could, carrying the case.'

'So by then you had packed up your bow and put it in the case?'

'Yes. I ran the whole way, all the way from the farm.'

'Do you know Errki well?'

'I don't know him at all. But he trudges along the roads around here, all year long. A while back he was put in the hospital. He always wears the same clothes, no matter whether it's summer or winter. Whenever I have seen him, he's been wearing black. The only thing that wasn't black was his belt buckle. It was big and shiny.'

Sejer nodded. 'Does Errki know you?'

'He's seen me a few times.'

'Did he look scared?'

'He never looks scared.'

'And he didn't say anything?'

'No. He just slipped behind the trees. I could hear the branches. There was a rustling in the leaves.'

'What were you going to see Halldis about?'

'I wanted something to drink. I was thirsty. I've been there before. She knows us.'

'Did you like her?'

'She was very stern.'

'Sterner than Margunn?'

'Margunn isn't stern at all.'

'But you were sure she would give you something to drink. She must have been nice?'

'Both nice and stern. She always gave us what we asked for, but she would scold us as well.'

'Grown-ups are strange, aren't they?' Sejer smiled. 'Did all the boys here know her?'

'Everybody except Simon. He hasn't been here long.'

'And occasionally you boys would go up there to talk to her?'

'We'd ask her for juice or a slice of bread.'

'Did any of you ever go into her kitchen?' Sejer gave the boy a searching look.

'Oh no. We had to wait by the front door. She was always washing the floor. That's what she said. I've just washed the floor.''

'I see. So you ran to Officer Gurvin to tell him what had happened?'

'Yes. He thought I was making it up.'

'He did?'

'I had to tell him my address,' he said, resigned. 'You know how it is.'

'Right. I understand,' Sejer said. 'I hear that you're good at archery, Kannick.'

'Very good,' he said proudly.

'Who gave you that bow? It must be expensive, isn't it?'

'The social welfare office paid for it so that I would spend my free time in a meaningful way. It cost 2,000