by Viveca Sten
The sound of a child crying reached him. If Lukas was alone with Kovač, anything could happen. Should he go in, or wait for reinforcements?
Mina might still be alive; he had no choice.
He crept forward and positioned himself against the wall.
“Police!” he roared. “Drop your gun and come out with your hands up!”
Endless seconds ticked by.
“Police!” he yelled again.
“Don’t shoot,” said a faint male voice.
Thomas edged closer, crouching by the dark entrance to the veranda. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust, then he was able to make out the figure of a man on the floor. A large pool of blood was spreading from beneath the body, and the smell of blood and gunpowder filled the air.
Then he saw Mina, sitting by one of the cupboards, with Lukas in her arms. She was rocking him back and forth, not making a sound.
Another person was sitting with his back to the wall in the living room, staring blankly into space. There was a rifle beside him. That was where the smell of gunpowder was coming from.
Mina’s father looked up as Thomas approached. “I had to kill him,” he said hoarsely. “He was going to shoot my daughter.”
Bosnia, May 1993
Selma could hardly breathe as the soldier read through Zlatko’s papers. It was impossible to determine which army he belonged to. There were so many factions and paramilitary groups these days; she couldn’t tell one from the other.
“Please, God, don’t let them shoot him,” she murmured to herself.
She’d often been afraid of Zlatko over the past year, but he represented the last vestige of security to her. His loyalty kept her going; she was overwhelmed by the fact that he’d chosen to come with her and the boys, to keep their family together.
The screams from the grove of trees were tearing her apart. She wished the poor girl would shut up. Every shriek heightened the atmosphere even more, reminding her of the fate that might well await her and Blanka.
“Give me all your money and jewelry!” the soldier demanded.
Zlatko and Dario handed over everything they had. The soldier turned his attention to the women in the car. Blanka held out her rings, and Selma quickly removed her wedding and engagement rings, along with the small gold chain she always wore around her neck.
The important thing was to save the children. Nothing else mattered. Her sons must be given the chance to create a new life in a land without war. Andreis and Emir must have a future.
A shot made Selma jump. The screams stopped.
Oh God.
The soldier looked Zlatko up and down. “Is that all?” he said.
“Yes, yes, I swear.”
Suddenly the blade of a knife flashed in the soldier’s hand. He pressed it against Zlatko’s throat. “Don’t lie to me.”
Zlatko dropped to his knees. “We have nothing else. I swear on my mother’s grave—I’ve given you everything we own.”
The soldier ran the knife down Zlatko’s cheek, then he jabbed the point into Zlatko’s right eye. Zlatko yelled out in pain.
Selma bit her lip so hard that she pierced the skin in order to suppress her own scream.
“Have you given us everything?” the soldier shouted at Dario, without removing the knife.
“Daddy!” Andreis sobbed beside Selma.
Dario nodded in a state of shock.
The sky was illuminated by exploding shells, and the two-way radio on the soldier’s belt crackled to life as one of his colleagues shouted that they had to leave. He pulled out the knife, altered the angle a fraction, and slid it deep into Zlatko’s jugular vein. Blood spurted across the dusty road in a wide arc, and he smoothly withdrew the knife as Zlatko’s lifeless body fell to the ground.
“You can go,” he said to Dario, wiping the blade on his pants.
Selma stared openmouthed at the bloody stripes on the fabric. Andreis was screaming, trying to get out of the car to run to his father, but Selma grabbed him and held on to him as tightly as she could, digging her nails into his arms. He wriggled and kicked, desperate to get away from her.
Dario staggered back to the car and managed to start the engine.
Andreis bit Selma to try and make her let go, but the car was already moving. He twisted around and pressed his face to the rear window as they drove away.
They left Bosnia to the sound of Andreis’s despairing cries:
“Daddy! Daddy! Dadddeee . . .”
Monday
CHAPTER 135
Ulrika nodded to the practice’s receptionist and hurried into her office. It had taken every scrap of self-control to behave normally. She had no intention of letting anyone see how shaken she was by the events of the weekend.
By what Andreis Kovač had done.
All her worst fears had been confirmed.
She’d spent the previous day feverishly going over everything she’d said and done over the past few weeks, in an effort to reassure herself that nobody could point the finger at her in her role as his defense attorney. The last thing she needed right now was for the Bar Association to open a disciplinary inquiry against her. It was bad enough that the practice’s managing partner had called her to a meeting at ten o’clock this morning.
There was a knock on the door, and Nico came in.
“What a mess!” he exclaimed.
Ulrika raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Kovač, of course! Haven’t you seen the headlines? SHOOTING DRAMA IN THE ARCHIPELAGO. It’s all over the press. We ought to post something on social media,” he said with a grin.
“Andreis Kovač is dead,” Ulrika pointed out.
Nico didn’t seem particularly bothered. He sat down in one of the visitor’s chairs. “Mina’s father’s going to need a good defense lawyer—maybe we should offer him our services?”
Ulrika gave him a sharp glance. “Show a little respect, for God’s sake!”
“Do you think he’ll go to jail? The father?”
Ulrika hadn’t given the matter any thought, but the case wasn’t complicated. “I imagine he’ll be acquitted on the grounds of self-defense,” she said. “If worst comes to worst, he might get a short sentence.”
She rubbed her temples with her fingertips; she already had a headache, even though she’d only been in the office for ten minutes. She needed two strong painkillers, and wished Nico would disappear.
She should have stayed at home.
“He took a hunting rifle to Sandhamn with him,” Nico said. “It could be said that he intended to murder his son-in-law all along.”
Ulrika sighed wearily.
There were many mitigating circumstances that could be brought up: Stefan Talevski had taken the rifle because he had wanted to protect his daughter and grandson. And if he hadn’t intervened, Kovač would have shot Mina. A skilled lawyer would have no difficulty in convincing the jury that Stefan should walk free, or at least get a lenient sentence.
“There’s no shortage of witnesses to testify that Kovač had threatened both Mina and her parents,” she said.
“Yes, but the court might want to make an example of him.”
Ulrika couldn’t bear to listen to Nico’s speculation. “I’ve got a lot to do,” she said, rummaging in her briefcase. Nico left, and Ulrika dug out her painkillers.
Andreis Kovač’s actions were incomprehensible and unforgivable. Herman Wibom had passed away as a consequence of Kovač’s attack, as had Katrin Talevski, Mina’s mother. The manager of Freya’s Haven was badly injured and presumably traumatized.
Ulrika’s client had left behind a bloody trail of death and destruction.
Her eyes were drawn to the photograph of Fiona on her desk. Stefan’s bitter words came back to her, in spite of her efforts to shut them out:
How can you defend such a piece of shit? How can you live with yourself?
CHAPTER 136
The door of Anna-Maria’s room was closed. Nora tapped gently befor
e opening it.
Anna-Maria was lying in bed. Her right hand was bandaged, and a large dressing covered half her cheek. She was on a drip.
“Nora?” she said, clearly surprised.
“Am I disturbing you?”
“Not at all—come on in.” Anna-Maria beckoned Nora in with her left hand. She looked surprisingly bright, considering everything she’d been through. Nora pulled up a chair and sat down. She was on leave from work for a week and still felt shaken, but she’d wanted to speak to Anna-Maria as soon as possible.
“How are you feeling?” she asked gently.
“I don’t really know.” Anna-Maria pulled up the covers a fraction. “I’m glad he’s dead. That’s a terrible thing to say, but it’s true.”
Nora didn’t contradict her.
“The doctors say my fingers should heal well, and that’s the most important thing. I’ve picked up an infection, so I’m on intravenous antibiotics.” She touched the dressing on her cheek. “We’ll see what happens with this . . .”
“You were so brave.” Anna-Maria hadn’t told Kovač where Freya’s Haven was, even though he’d cut her until she fainted.
“I couldn’t let him find her.”
“Will you go back to your job as manager?”
“Absolutely.” Anna-Maria sat up a little straighter. “I’m going to fight for our survival as long as I can.”
That was why Nora had come. Anna-Maria’s account of the local authority’s actions had upset her deeply. “I’ve spoken to a good friend who works for one of Stockholm’s top legal practices,” she said.
“Oh?”
“She’s an expert in public sector tenders. Her practice has a pro bono program.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means they take on especially sensitive issues for free. For the good of the cause.” Nora saw this as a kind of atonement for failing to keep Kovač in custody. She owed Anna-Maria. “My friend is prepared to take your case. She can help you fight the local authority, if you’d like to use her services.”
Anna-Maria’s left hand flew to her mouth. “And it won’t cost anything?”
“Correct.”
“You don’t know how much this means to me. To us.”
Nora managed a smile. “In that case I’ll let her know she has a new client. She’ll be in touch with you.” She got to her feet and said good-bye. The nurse had warned her not to stay too long; the patient was still a long way from recovery. She took the elevator down to the entrance and continued to the parking lot, where Jonas was waiting for her.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“She was pleased.”
Nora expected him to start the car, but instead he leaned over and gently stroked her cheek. “It could have been you who was attacked and ended up in a hospital bed,” he said quietly. “Don’t ever put yourself in danger like that again.”
Nora leaned back against the headrest. The visit had taken its toll on her. Jonas was right; she’d acted with the best of intentions, but without thinking about the possible consequences.
And she still couldn’t shake off the guilt.
When she saw Anna-Maria lying there, she’d felt even worse. Kovač might be dead, but life had changed forever for the people he’d hurt so much.
It was still her fault that he’d been released too early, and she was going to have to live with that for the rest of her life.
She just wanted to go home and curl up on the sofa with enough red wine to slow her racing heart and stop her thinking.
She had no idea how she was going to go back to work in only a week.
“Can we go now?” she said, fighting to hold back the tears.
CHAPTER 137
Thomas was waiting for Pernilla on Götgatan. They were due to meet at ten o’clock, and he was a little early.
The door opened and a man and a woman came out. They set off in the same direction, but a short distance apart. Not really together.
Thomas couldn’t help wondering if they’d been to the therapist he and Pernilla were due to see. If so, they didn’t seem very happy.
He wasn’t looking forward to this. The idea of exposing his innermost thoughts and feelings to a total stranger was unbearable. He’d rejected the suggestion at first, but Nora had persuaded him.
“Think about Elin,” she’d said. “Even if you and Pernilla can’t find your way back to each other, you have to be able to talk. You’ll never be able to cut the tie between you—not when you have a child together.”
Thomas still hadn’t been convinced.
“See it as a chance to be better parents to your daughter,” Nora had pleaded, and in the end he’d agreed to at least try. Much to his surprise, Pernilla had said yes right away. Maybe that was a sign that he ought to give this therapist a chance? Not remain stuck in old patterns of behavior? For once he and Pernilla would be working toward a common goal.
The sun was warm, the air pleasant. Thomas saw Pernilla coming toward him without a coat. She had a slight tan, and new blond highlights in her hair.
From a distance she looked like the woman he’d fallen in love with one night when he was out with Nora and Henrik. He’d felt like the fifth wheel, and Pernilla had been in the same position.
He’d fallen like a pine tree in the forest.
Pernilla waved, and soon she was by his side. “Hi,” she said. She hesitated for a moment, then gave him a cautious hug.
He inhaled her scent, the pure freshness she carried without any apparent effort. She was still just as beautiful as that first time they met.
“Shall we go up?” she said, opening the door.
Thomas nodded and followed her.
EPILOGUE
Mina opened the gate and pushed the stroller into the churchyard. The lilacs were in full bloom; it was only a few weeks to midsummer.
Lukas was fast asleep.
Slowly Mina walked over to her mother’s grave. There was no headstone yet, and the earth was covered with wilted funeral tributes. They’d chosen a beautiful spot in the shade of a weeping willow.
She sank to her knees, brushed aside some leaves, and added fresh flowers. A few blades of grass had begun to appear.
“Forgive me, Mom,” she whispered.
She had to be strong for Lukas’s sake. And for her father; he was going to need her support during the upcoming trial. He was in custody at the moment. He’d looked so tired the last time she went to see him, his face gaunt and gray. The green standard-issue shirt and pants hung loosely on his body.
Mina ran her fingertips over the black soil.
It wasn’t her father’s fault that Andreis had followed him to Sandhamn and found her new hiding place. She would never blame him for that. He had sacrificed everything to protect his daughter and grandson.
He had saved her more than once.
He had finally admitted that he was the one who had anonymously tipped off the authorities about Andreis’s business affairs. As an accountant he knew what the consequences would be if Andreis were convicted for tax evasion. He had understood the significance of the information Mina had sent him late one night in desperation. Andreis had been drunk and left out his black notebook, and Mina had photographed the pages.
Her father had done everything in his power to help her, and he had paid a terrible price.
His trial would soon be over, and he would be released, just as his defense attorney had promised. Then they would make a fresh start. Learn to live without Mom, and without threats and violence and constant fear.
It would be a different kind of life.
Her cell phone buzzed in her purse. Mina gave a start, even though she didn’t need to be afraid of messages from Andreis anymore. It wasn’t easy to forget.
She blinked away the tears and took out the phone.
It was a few seconds before she recognized the number.
The message came from Emir, Andreis’s younger brother. He’d been arrested for the murder of Dino Herco, but he�
��d blamed everything on Andreis, and there wasn’t enough evidence to convict him. Andreis was a convenient scapegoat.
Mina stared at the screen. The letters flowed together.
Lukas belongs to our family.
SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE WOMEN
You can turn to any of the organizations listed below if you or someone you know needs support.
In the US
Numerous resources also exist at the city, county, and state level. The organizations listed below can direct you to them for help.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY
thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Loveisrespect
1-866-331-9474 (call or text) or 1-866-331-8453 for TTY
www.loveisrespect.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
www.rainn.org
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
1-312-726-7020
www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
1-510-465-1984
www.nnirr.org
In the UK
National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid
womensaid.org.uk
Victim Support
victimsupport.org.uk
0808 506 6380
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
In Bad Company began with the image of a mother with a stroller running for her life. Over time the narrative was expanded with the background story set in Bosnia. Writing these two strands, which are woven together throughout the novel, was an exciting, educational, and sometimes deeply upsetting journey.
As always I have taken certain liberties. Specially trained police officers are usually brought in to deal with crimes involving domestic violence, but I have allowed Nora and Leila to handle this case. I have also conflated certain police procedures, and given the Economic Crimes Authority greater responsibility than it would normally have with regard to violent crime. The local authority’s approach to public sector tendering is entirely fictional in this instance.
