Twelve point eight million. Kronor. Almost thirteen million kronor. Thirteen. Million. In six months. Was anyone likely to claim the money? Could anyone? Who could describe the bag it was found in, the place it was found?
Ragnwald and her. No one else.
And who was going to stick their hand up and say: the serial killer’s money is mine?
Thirteen million kronor.
She rang Anne Snapphane.
‘What was the flat on Artillerigatan like, then?’
Anne sighed, only just awake. ‘What time is it?’
‘Quarter past something. Was it stylish?’
‘Pure pornography; I had an orgasm the moment I entered the building.’
‘Put in an offer. You can borrow four million from me. I’ve found a load of money.’
‘Hang on, I need a pee…’
Annika heard the receiver hit Anne’s bedside table, as she watched the inner city rear up with its brick buildings and traffic-packed streets, swirling traffic fumes and crowds of commuters.
‘This train will reach Stockholm Central in three minutes,’ a metallic voice announced.
Annika pulled the polar jacket up over her shoulders.
‘What did you say?’ Anne said, back on the line. ‘You found a load of money?’
‘Well, I’m not exactly going to broadcast the fact, but round about Midsummer I’m going to get a reward of several million for handing it in. You can have four of them to help you move to Ostermalm.’
She bit her lip and waited. No one needed to know exactly how much she was going to get.
There was a clattering sound on the line.
‘You’re mad; you do know that, right?’
The train slowed down, the rails fanning out as it approached the station.
‘Okay,’ Annika said. ‘Then I’ll buy it and you can rent it from me.’
‘Look,’ Anne Snapphane said, ‘I can’t let you do this.’
Annika stood up, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder.
‘You haven’t read the papers, then?’
‘You woke me up.’
‘It says in the
‘What are you talking about?’
‘That’s wrong,’ Annika said, bracing herself for the jolt as the train stopped. ‘She’ll resign tomorrow.’
‘What? Why?’
‘I’ve got to go-’ She ended the call, jumped down onto the platform and walked back towards the exit. The air was cold, but still milder and softer than in Lulea and she filled her lungs greedily. The bag slapped against her back, the ground was solid and even.
She would do some shopping, write up the article, email it to Schyman and pick up the children early. They would have time to bake something and rent a film and watch it together as they waited for Daddy. Maybe some crisps, just this once, and a big bottle of cola. Have a meal with a starter and dessert, with homemade Bearnaise sauce.
She emerged onto Kungsbron, and walked off towards Fleminggatan. The angels in her head were completely quiet. The space they had occupied was now available for real thoughts, but right now she was taking a break from thinking.
Maybe the angels were gone for good.
Maybe they were only hiding for a while.
52
Thomas stepped off the bus outside their door and looked up at the facade. There were lights on in all their windows, he could see an Advent star and a Christmas candlestick in the living-room window, and felt a warm, soft glow in his chest.
It was good to have her home again.
He flew lightly up the stairs, rang the bell cheerily before opening the door, and was met with the children’s happy cries; he could hear them before he even stepped into the flat.
‘Daddy!’
They leaped into his arms and showed him drawings and told him about outings and the film they had watched was really good, they asked about the computer, and Mummy had given them crisps, and cola, and Ellen had made the salad and Kalle had made a Swiss roll with buttercream that they were going to have for dessert.
He hung up his coat, put his briefcase to one side, loosened his tie and went into the kitchen. Annika was frying steak, and had opened the window a little to let out the smell.
‘Oh good, you’re here,’ she said. ‘We’re ready to eat.’
He went over and put his hands on her shoulders, kissed her neck and pressed his crotch hard against her buttocks, wrapping his arms round her.
‘You need to be careful,’ he whispered. ‘Don’t you realize how precious you are to us?’
She turned round, looked up into his eyes, kissed him gently.
‘I’ve got something good to tell you,’ she said. ‘Sit down.’
He sat down at the table, already laid for dinner, poured some mineral water and looked round for the morning paper.
‘I’ve found a house,’ she said, putting the sizzling frying pan on the designer trivet. ‘In Djursholm. Newly built, only six point nine million.’
He looked up at her, at her blushing cheeks. ‘What?’
‘Sea view,’ she said, ‘so you’ll be able to see the sea again. Vinterviksvagen, do you know where that is? Big garden with fruit trees, oak floors throughout, open-plan kitchen and dining room. Mediterranean mosaic in both bathrooms, four bedrooms.’
Her eyes were excited and glowing, but there was something dark and mysterious swimming about in there, and he felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
‘How can we afford that?’ he said, staring at the basket of bread, then picked up a slice and took a bite from it.
‘Ellen and Kalle, it’s ready!’ she called out into the hall, and sat down opposite him. ‘I found a load of money. I’m going to get a huge reward.’
He took the slice of bread out of his mouth and looked up at her. ‘What do you mean, found?’
She smiled into his eyes without blinking. ‘Seven million.’
He stopped chewing and frowned. ‘Found?’
‘A sack of money.’
‘Money?’
She smiled and nodded.
‘That’s crazy,’ he said, putting the bread down. ‘Really?’
‘I have to head over to the paper for a while after dinner,’ she said, and helped herself to a baked potato.
‘That doesn’t matter,’ he said. ‘I’ll sit up and wait.’
She leaned over and stroked his hair and cheek.
‘Don’t,’ she said.
‘Seven million,’ he said. ‘Where did you find it?’
The children rushed into the kitchen, fighting over who was going to sit next to Annika.
‘I’ll tell you later,’ she mouthed.
