She gave them a stern look.
‘According to Peter Bovide’s partner, the victim had recently felt that he was being watched. Johnny Ekwall couldn’t say exactly what was going on, but Peter had mentioned several times that he thought somebody was tailing him. He had also received anonymous phone calls at the office. Apparently there was nobody on the line, but from what I understand, the calls gave Bovide the jitters.’
‘When did all this start?’ asked Kihlgard.
‘Several weeks ago.’
‘And he’d never received any threats before?’
‘Not as far as I know.’
‘If the phone calls and the feeling that he was being shadowed began at the same time, there must be something to it,’ Kihlgard went on. ‘And of course it reinforces the theory that the perpetrator had specifically targeted Bovide. We need to find out if anybody else can confirm this information. I’d be happy to follow up on the lead.’
‘Fine,’ said Jacobsson. ‘The strange thing is that his wife denies knowing anything about it, and yet they seem to have had a good relationship.’
‘Maybe he didn’t want to worry her,’ Wittberg interjected. ‘Maybe he was mixed up in something shady and wanted to keep her out of it.’
‘That’s possible, of course,’ said Jacobsson. ‘Or maybe we should be focusing our efforts on the wife. She works in a casino in Stockholm. And in the gambling business there are plenty of sleazy characters, as you well know.’
‘So you think it could be some sort of revenge directed against her?’ said Kihlgard.
‘Maybe, maybe not. Or the wife could be the next victim. How do I know? We need to ask Stockholm to help us by interviewing Vendela’s co-workers at the casino.’
‘Wasn’t Peter Bovide found guilty of assault and battery?’ Wittberg tossed out. ‘Of course it was a long time ago and it happened only once, but you never know. I’ll check up on it.’
Jacobsson nodded pensively and scribbled a note on her pad of paper.
‘How long had he been at the campsite? A few days?’ Wittberg went on. ‘And he went out at approximately the same time every morning to run practically the same route?’
‘Yes,’ said Jacobsson. ‘His wife confirmed that when I interviewed her earlier today.’
‘So it seems very likely that the perp was keeping an eye on him and took note of his usual routines. That would also confirm what his partner said about Bovide feeling he was being watched. The murderer then chose the most advantageous time and place to kill him, meaning down near the end of the beach and at six in the morning when everybody was in bed asleep.’
‘In other words, the killer was presumably at the campsite, at least during the weekend, and he may have even been staying there,’ said Kihlgard.
‘Naturally we’ll need to keep that possibility open,’ said Jacobsson. ‘If you look at the layout of the area, you can see that you have to walk downhill a bit to reach the beach.’
Erik Sohlman stood up and pointed to the map.
‘Evidently the perp was on foot. We’re continuing to interview witnesses, and it seems likely that somebody will have noticed him, even though it was so early. At this time of year, there are people out at all hours of the day and night.’
Jacobsson turned to Sohlman.
‘Do we know anything about the weapon?’
‘Only that it was probably a handgun, judging by the bullet wounds and the empty casings that we found. We’ll have to see what SCL comes up with.’
‘This afternoon we’ll be conducting several more important interviews,’ Jacobsson went on. ‘Thomas?’
Wittberg reported on the observations that had been made by the captain of the first ferry. While he was talking, Jacobsson noticed that Kihlgard was getting restless.
‘Interesting,’ he said when Wittberg was finished with his report. ‘Is it lunchtime yet?’
FOR A CHANGE, head office reacted swiftly to Johan’s demands. On Tuesday afternoon, as he and Pia were on their way back to their office, his mobile rang. Johan was startled when he recognized the voice. It was Madeleine Haga, a reporter for the national TV news. She and cameraman Peter Bylund had just arrived on Gotland and were staying at the Strand Hotel.
They agreed to meet at the editorial office.
Johan had known Madeleine for several years. Once, long ago, it had seemed as if something might develop between then, but the spark had fizzled out before any sort of relationship got started. Then he was sent to Gotland, and he met Emma. Since then, there had been no other woman in his life.
When Madeleine came into the Regional News office on Ostra Hansegatan in Visby, he couldn’t help taking notice. She had just returned from a holiday trip to Spain and was deeply tanned. A petite brunette wearing a denim skirt and a blouse, and with a cleavage that should have been considered too risque for a reporter. Her big brown eyes were shining.
‘Hi,’ she said cheerfully.
He got up from his computer to give her a hug. She smelled faintly of lemon.
‘Hi.’
The cameraman, Peter Bylund, appeared right behind her. Johan gave him a hug too.
‘What a surprise to see you here again,’ said Johan. ‘How was Russia?’
Peter Bylund had worked with Johan for a summer several years earlier. The summer he’d met Emma. Peter had also been a bit infatuated with her.
‘Good, thanks. Of course, Moscow is totally changed compared to ten years ago, when I was there last. It’s a completely different city.’
‘How long were you there this time?’
‘It’s been almost two years now. I can’t believe it myself, but it’s true.’
‘You’ll have to tell me more later, but it’s damn good you’re here, at any rate.’
‘What about yourself? You and Emma? I heard that the two of you had a baby and everything.’
‘Yes, we have a daughter, Elin. She’s just turned one. She’s the most amazing child in the world.’
‘Jeez, that’s something – you a father. I wouldn’t have believed it.’ Peter slapped him on the back.
Johan’s face clouded over.
‘Things aren’t going very well, as a matter of fact; it’s been pretty rocky, you might say.’
‘OK, well, we don’t need to talk about it now.’
Madeleine was looking at Johan with interest, though she didn’t say a word. Peter patted his shoulder.
‘So what’s next on the agenda?’
Pia came back from the bathroom. She said hello to the two from Stockholm and sat down in front of her computer.
‘We’re in the process of uploading the material. Do you want to check it out?’
‘Absolutely,’ said Peter, whose face had lit up at the sight of Pia. He sat down next to her. Johan and Madeleine sat down on the other side.
‘We won’t have time to put together anything for today, but just let me know if you want me to do a short piece for the national news,’ Madeleine offered.
Johan hesitated. It would actually be a big help; he was feeling super-stressed and would like nothing more than to get the report done as soon as possible. At the same time, he didn’t like just turning over his material to another reporter. But he trusted Madeleine.
‘Sure, go ahead.’
Grenfors would be pleased. Johan cast a glance at his newly arrived colleagues – he really liked both of them.
He was glad they were here.
HAMBURG, 15 JULY 1985
