The Man on the Balcony

interests us.

'Any previous convictions?' Gunvald Larsson asked.

'No.'

'Have you been at an approved school?'

'No.'

'We're chiefly interested in one or two details,' Martin Beck put in.

'Didn't I damned well say I'd only talk to him there?' Rolf Evert Lundgren said.

Gunvald Larsson looked stonily at Martin Beck and said:

'What's your occupation?'

'Occupation?'

'Yes, you have one, I presume?'

'Well…'

'What do you call yourself?'

'Businessman.'

'And what kind of business do you consider you do?'

Martin Beck and Ronn exchanged a resigned look. This was going to take time.

It took time.

One hour and forty-five minutes later Gunvald Larsson said:

'We're chiefly interested in one or two details.'

'So I gather.'

'You've already admitted having been in Vanadis Park on the evening of the ninth of June, that is, Friday of last week?'

'Yes.'

'And that you committed robbery with violence there at 9.15 P.M.?'

'Yes.'

'Against Hildur Magnusson, shopkeeper?'

'Yes.'

'What time did you get to the park?' Ronn asked.

'Shut up,' Lundgren said.

'No insolence,' Gunvald Larsson said. 'What time did you get to the park?'

'About seven. A little after maybe. I left home when the rain eased off.'

'And you were in Vanadis Park from seven o'clock up to the time when you assaulted and robbed this lady, Hildur Magnusson?'

'Well, I was in the neighborhood. Keeping an eye open.'

'Did you notice any other persons in the park during that time?'

'Yes, a few.'

'How many?'

'Ten maybe. Or twelve. Ten more likely.'

'I presume that you observed these persons closely?'

'Yes, pretty closely.'

'To see if you dared attack them?'

'Rather to see if they were worth the trouble.'

'Can you recollect any of these persons you saw?'

'Well, one or two anyway.'

'Which ones?'

'I saw two cops.'

'Policemen?'

'Yes.'

'In uniform?'

'No.'

'Then how did you know they were policemen?'

'Because I'd already seen them twenty or thirty times. They work at the cop-shop at Surbrunnsgatan and drive a red Volvo Amazon and sometimes a green Saab.'

Now don't say 'The police station, you mean?' thought Martin Beck.

'The police station in ninth district, you mean?' said Larsson.

'Yes, if that's the one in Surbrunnsgatan.'

'What was the time when you saw these policemen?'

'About eight thirty, I should think. I mean, that's when they came.'

'How long did they stay?'

'Ten minutes, maybe fifteen. Then they drove to Lill-Jans Wood.'

'How do you know?'

'They said so.'

'Said so? Do you mean you spoke to them?'

'Like hell I did. I was standing near and heard what they

Gunvald Larsson made a pregnant pause. It was not hard to imagine what he was thinking. At last he said:

'Who else did you see?'

'A guy and a girl. Pretty young. About twenty.'

'What were they doing?'

'Petting.'

'What?'

'Petting. He shoved his fingers up her cunt.'

'Mind your language.'

'What's wrong with it? I'm telling you just how it was.'

Gunvald Larsson was again silent for a moment. Then he said stiffly:

'Are you aware that a murder was committed in the park while you were there?'

Lundgren put his hand to his face. For the first time in many hours he seemed nervous and at a loss for an answer.

'I read about it,' he said at last.

'And?'

'It wasn't me. I swear. I'm not that sort.'

'You have read about this girl. She was nine years old and her name was Eva Carlsson. She was dressed in a blue skirt, striped T-shirt…'

Gunvald Larsson consulted his notes.

'… and black wooden-soled sandals. Did you see her?'

Lundgren did not answer. After about half a minute Larsson repeated the question.

'Did you see this girl?'

After a long hesitation Lundgren said:

'Ye-es, I think so.'

'Where did you see her?'

'In the playground down by Sveavagen. At any rate there was a kid there. A girl.'

'What was she doing?'

'Swinging.'

'Who was she with?'

'No one. She was solo.'

'What time was this?'

'Just after… soon after I got there.'

'And that was?'

'I'd say about ten past seven. Or a bit later.'