‘But what?’
‘It was only recently that we really got to know each other. I mean, we started spending time together.’
‘As a couple?’
Veronika Hammar looked down.
‘We were in love. Actually, it was more than that. We were thinking of getting married. He had even proposed.’
‘But Viktor was already married.’
‘He and his wife had split up. They’d already filed for divorce and everything.’
‘Why didn’t you get in contact with the police?’
Veronika nervously ran her fingers over the tabletop.
‘I’m not feeling very well,’ she murmured. ‘Could I have a cigarette?’
Jacobsson got out her pack and handed it across the table. Then she leaned forward and lit the cigarette for Veronika. Smoking was not permitted inside the police station, but the interview room was exempt from the rule.
‘The thing is, I was at the party and late in the evening Viktor finally decided to take a break. He asked me to come with him.’
‘What time was that?’
‘A few minutes after midnight, I think. The show had just started.’
‘Where did the two of you go?’
‘Viktor told me to meet him downstairs. There was supposed to be a lounge area where we wouldn’t be disturbed. It was closed off for the evening.’
‘And?’
‘Well, I agreed to go with him, but I needed to use the loo, so he went first. Then I ended up being delayed because I met some friends. When I went downstairs, the room was empty. He wasn’t there.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. It was dark and there wasn’t a sound. But I didn’t go inside or look around. I called his name, but he didn’t answer, so I thought he must have grown tired of waiting for me. I was very disappointed, as a matter of fact.’
‘Then what did you do?’
‘I went back to the party.’
‘Which route did you take?’
‘Up the main staircase, like everybody else.’
‘And you just glanced inside the room?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where were you standing? You didn’t go in?’
‘No. I stood in the doorway. I could see at once that the room was empty.’
‘Do you remember noticing anything at all inside?’
‘One of the bar stools was lying on the floor, but I didn’t give it much thought.’
Jacobsson cast a quick glance at Knutas. If what Veronika Hammar had just said was true, they had now established an almost exact time for the murder.
‘What did you do next?’
‘Just what I told you. I went back to the party. I looked around for Viktor, but I didn’t see him. Then someone asked me to dance, and the rest of the night just flew by.’
‘And you didn’t see him again?’
‘No. We were supposed to go home together, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. I didn’t want to ask too many people, since we were trying to be discreet until his divorce went through.’
‘And then you went home?’
‘Yes.’
‘What time did you leave the party?’
‘When they closed up the conference centre.’
‘What did you do during the last hour or so of the party?’
‘I sat on the veranda, talking to a doctor.’
‘Who was that?’
‘His name is Gunnar Larsson.’
‘Where can we get hold of him?’
‘At the hospital. I don’t know where he lives, but he works there as an anaesthetist. We sat outside on the veranda and talked for a long time.’
‘Did you leave the conference centre together?’
‘Yes, but then I decided to wait for Viktor outside the front entrance. I still thought he would turn up. I waited maybe half an hour, but he never came.’
Her voice quavered and tears came to her eyes.
‘So you went home alone?’
‘Yes.’
‘What time was that?’
‘Probably close to three.’
Jacobsson gave her a searching glance.
‘Is there anyone who could confirm what you’ve just told us?’
‘Yes. There were a lot of people still there, standing outside the conference centre and talking. I’m sure that some of the staff would have seen me. Why?’
‘Right now I’m the one asking the questions,’ said Jacobsson sternly. Her former friendliness was gone, and she paid no attention to the fact that Veronika Hammar looked as if she might start crying in earnest at any moment. ‘By Sunday evening the media was already reporting that a man had been found dead in the conference centre, and had probably been murdered. You must have suspected that the man could be Viktor. The two of you were on intimate terms, so you’re up to your ears in this case whether you like it or not. Why on earth didn’t you contact the police?’
Veronika stared at Jacobsson in alarm.
‘I didn’t want to get involved.’
‘Involved? Did you seriously think that we wouldn’t find you? That no one had noticed anything? That you’d never been seen together?’
‘Well no, but…’
‘This is a murder case we’re talking about. Don’t you understand the gravity of the situation?’
Veronika bit her lip. Her hands shook as she put out her cigarette and then immediately lit a second one.
‘I… I don’t know. I had no idea what to do. I’m shocked and sad and upset. We were going to get married, you know. Victor and…’
‘What were you thinking?’
‘I was panic-stricken. I couldn’t think clearly. I wanted to pretend that nothing had happened. I sat at home, hoping that he would come in the door.’
‘Do you have any idea who might have done this? Who might have killed him?’
‘I can only think that it might have been his wife. She doesn’t seem right in the head.’
‘What are you basing that on?’
Veronika took a deep drag on her cigarette before answering.
‘She was furious when Viktor told her that he wanted a divorce. She went berserk and starting throwing things around the house. She even hit him. She was rabid, and refused to accept the situation. She did everything she could to stop him from leaving her. She even booked a holiday in Italy for the whole family this summer after he said he wanted a divorce. She tried to force him to stay, the poor man. She acted like a crazy woman, without an ounce of shame.’
Abruptly she fell silent and looked down at her hands. Then she asked faintly: ‘How did he die?’
The question echoed in the small, cold room.
‘He was poisoned.’
