by Hanna Allen
I sank back into the upholstery. If Harry was the thief, he must have been desperate to take such a chance. What would Wilson have done if he’d woken to find Harry looming over him? Yelled for Marcellus. The scenario didn’t bear thinking about. No, I couldn’t see Harry taking the risk, research funding or not.
Unless, of course, Harry had known that Wilson was already dead.
Chapter 16
Leo Tullis was waiting for me as I entered the Icehotel.
‘You got a moment, Maggie?’ He sounded anxious.
‘Of course,’ I said, squeezing his arm. ‘Shall we go into the lounge?’
‘We need somewhere private. The manager lets me use his office.’
I followed him down the corridor, wondering what could have happened now.
‘Have you been to see the Inspector?’ I said, after we’d sat down.
‘I went straight after breakfast.’
‘And you told him about the brakes?’
‘He already knew, Sven had reported it. But he had a few questions for me.’ He pushed his hands through his hair. ‘He asked if I knew who’d been near the machines.’
‘What did you tell him?’ I said slowly.
‘I’d been inside when the snowmobiles toppled, and I didn’t go down to the path till I heard the noise and everyone ran out of the chalet.’ He stared hard at the floor. ‘Then I remembered I’d seen Mike and Jonas standing at the edge. I assumed they’d been there the whole time, so I gave him their names.’ His eyes came up to mine. ‘Did I do the right thing?’
The directness of the question surprised me. ‘What was the Inspector’s reaction?’
‘He seemed cool. I asked him what he thought was going on. He said he didn’t know, and that it could have been a prank. Or an accident.’
‘But you told him what Sven said about the brakes?’
‘The way the Inspector talked, he sounded as much of an expert on snowmobile brakes as Sven. I don’t know who to believe now.’
I’d believe Sven, I was tempted to say. But I kept quiet. Leo seemed a man at the end of his resources, grateful for a mandate to carry on with his job. I wondered what Hallengren would do with this new knowledge about Mike and Jonas. If he believed it was an accident, he’d do nothing.
Leo looked at me searchingly. ‘The Inspector said that the excursions could continue, which is why we were at the Sami village today. That’s something, I suppose. Perhaps now everything’ll be okay.’ He said it as though he didn’t believe it.
‘Yes,’ I said, taking his hand. ‘Perhaps now everything’ll be okay.’ But I didn’t believe it either.
With the arrival of the reporters, the restaurant was crowded.
Jane was sitting with the Danes, who seemed to have taken her under their wing. The Ellises were wedged between Denny Hinckley and another reporter, who were talking across them. I wondered how long it would be before Robyn lost it and smacked one of them. Marcellus and Aaron were missing.
Liz and Mike were so absorbed in one another that they hardly noticed my conversation with Harry.
‘So how was the trip to the Sami village?’ I said.
‘My dear, it’s such a shame you didn’t come. It was a scream. We met the village head honcho. And he was dressed the part, leather trousers and striped tunic, and a funny cap. He described how the Sami live, tending their deer the way they have for generations. I must say they were splendid specimens.’
‘The deer?’
He peered at me over his soup spoon. ‘The Sami.’
‘And where did this big chief live?’
‘In a huge tent with rugs and skins over the ground. In the centre, there was a log fire which was smoking so badly I thought we’d all suffocate. He had to open a flap in the top to let the smoke out. Then he became serious, and started to tell us about his ancestors, and how this way of living and these old traditions are so important.’ His eyes were gleaming. ‘And do you know what happened?’
When Harry was in comic mode, he could hardly contain himself. ‘Tell me, Harry,’ I said, laughing in anticipation.
‘His mobile phone went off. I nearly burst myself trying not to laugh. Maggie, I wish you’d been there.’ He sat up straight, staring over my shoulder. ‘My goodness. An Inspector calls.’
I turned round. Hallengren had entered with the hotel manager, who hovered nervously at his side.
The manager raised his voice. ‘Could I have everyone’s attention, please?’
The conversations tailed off into silence.
‘Inspector Hallengren has something to say.’ He looked up expectantly at the detective.
‘I am sorry to disturb you at dinner, but I have come on police business.’ Hallengren spoke with his customary slowness. ‘My men are here to search the Excelsior. That includes your rooms. Please be assured that we will do this rapidly and efficiently, with the minimum of inconvenience.’
Harry broke the stunned silence. ‘And what are you looking for, Inspector? Perhaps if you told us, we might be able to help.’
‘I am not at liberty to say, Professor Auchinleck.’
Jonas shouted something in what could have been Danish or Swedish and which, from the tone, sounded like a question. Hallengren was unfazed. He replied quickly and firmly, and Jonas turned his attention back to his food.
Robyn stood up, ignoring her husband who was trying to pull her back down. ‘This is preposterous.’ She raised her voice so the room could hear. ‘I know the law. You can’t do this without a warrant. I intend to file a complaint with the embassy.’
Hallengren smiled. ‘Be assured, madam, that I have all the documents I need.’ He scanned the room. ‘Please continue with your dinner, ladies and gentlemen. By the time you have finished, we will be gone. My men are under strict instructions not to disturb your rooms more than is necessary.’ Ignoring the sudden commotion, he left, the manager following gratefully.
The reporters had pulled out their notebooks, and were conferring with each other. Denny Hinckley was watching Liz, his eyes crawling over her as though this must somehow be her doing.
‘What’s that all about then, Maggie?’ said Mike. ‘You reckon it has something to do with this diary?’
My mind was in a whirl. Why had Hallengren chosen this moment to turn the Excelsior upside down? He’d known about the missing pages since yesterday.
‘I’ve no idea,’ I said slowly.
Harry pushed his chair back, his expression grim. ‘I can’t have them disturbing my papers. No, I can’t have that.’ He rose and made for the door.
‘Oh Harry, do come and finish your dinner,’ Liz called after him. ‘You heard what he said, sweetheart, they’re not going to mess up your papers.’
But Harry had disappeared.
‘They won’t let him into his room, Liz,’ I said.
‘You don’t think they’ll arrest him, do you?’ she said, alarm in her voice.
‘Only if he misbehaves.’
‘That’s lovely now,’ said Mike, looking up. ‘And is he likely to?’
I exchanged a glance with Liz. Harry’s attitude to his papers was like that of a bear towards her cubs. I sighed. ‘He is.’
‘Then hadn’t someone better go after him?’ Mike said angrily.
‘I’ll go,’ I said. ‘But I’m not promising I can bring him back.’
I made for the stairs, but Harry had disappeared. I reached the foyer, and was passing the lounge, when I felt a strong grip on my arm.
‘And where do you think you are going, Miss Stewart?’ The voice was cold.
I swung round. Hallengren raised an eyebrow, waiting for my response.
‘I was running after Harry. He’s gone back to his room.’
‘I see.’ He released my arm. ‘May I suggest you return to the restaurant?’
‘But Harry – ’
‘My men will deal with Professor Auchinleck.’
‘That’s what I’m afraid of.’ I looked at him pleadingly. ‘Harry’s writing a b
ook, Inspector. He spreads hundreds of papers over the room in what is a cleverly calculated system. He’s afraid your officers will muddle them up.’
‘My men will be careful.’
‘Then promise me you won’t arrest him.’
He inclined his head. ‘I will do my best, Miss Stewart, but I cannot promise.’
‘What if Harry brings a book down on an officer’s head?’ I said, seeing the scene unfold.
The corners of his lips lifted. ‘My officer will have to restrain him.’
He didn’t believe Harry would do it. I imagined the mayhem that would be taking place upstairs.
‘None of my officers will use unnecessary force,’ he added.
I found myself smiling. ‘You’re not taking me seriously.’
He moved his face closer to mine, returning the smile. ‘On the contrary, I am taking you very seriously. And now, Miss Stewart, shall I escort you to the restaurant?’
‘There’s no need, Inspector. I know the way.’
‘I will bid you goodnight then.’ He gave an exaggerated bow.
I walked up the stairs, resisting the urge to look back at him.
The restaurant was still buzzing.
‘Where’s Harry?’ said Liz, as I took my seat.
‘I didn’t get past the lounge. The police were there. Harry must have slipped past.’
She beckoned to a waiter, who brought a tray of venison.
‘What do you think he’s doing?’ she said, watching me eat.
‘Probably decking one of Hallengren’s men. Can you pass me the vegetables?’
Minutes later, Harry returned, his face flushed. He resumed his seat without a word.
Mike handed him a glass of wine. ‘So you’ve not been clapped in irons, then.’
‘They wouldn’t let me into my room,’ he said, his voice a child’s.
‘Could you see what they were doing?’ I said.
‘It’s strange. I had books and papers everywhere but they didn’t touch them. One policeman was searching the pockets of my waistcoat, while another was examining the soap dish.’
‘Well, what does it mean?’ said Mike.
I knew, even before Liz told him.
‘Whatever they’re looking for,’ she said gloomily, ‘it isn’t Wilson’s diary.’
We left the restaurant. From the top of the stairs, we saw Hallengren’s men milling around the foyer. Their voices carried through the building.
Liz leant over the bannister. ‘Golly, who’d have thought tiny Kiruna had so many police?’
‘I suspect they’ve been drafted in,’ I said.
Hallengren arrived, and spoke in low tones to the manager. Then he turned to the men and jerked his thumb at the door. They filed out in silence. He glanced up, and his eyes met mine. He nodded briefly, then left.
‘The bar?’ said Mike.
Liz glanced at her watch. ‘I can’t. I’ve arranged to talk to the twins.’
‘And I need to look through my papers,’ Harry said sombrely. ‘I’ll see you children later.’
In the lounge, Mike left me to fetch our drinks.
Denny Hinckley peeled away from his friends and ambled over. He lowered himself into a chair. ‘What’s this about, Maggie?’ His licked his lips. ‘What was Sherlock looking for?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said quietly.
‘I saw you talking to him in the foyer,’ he said in a provocative tone.
I wondered where he’d been when I was with Hallengren, and what he’d overheard. Nothing, I decided, or he wouldn’t be needling me now.
‘I take it he wasn’t asking you out on a date, lovely girl.’
‘What do you think he was looking for, Denny?’
‘Must be something to do with Wilson Bibby. Question is, what?’
‘I’m sure the Inspector will be giving the press a statement in the morning.’ I glanced across at the bar. Mike had our drinks in his hands. Remembering his earlier treatment of Denny, I thought I should warn him. I kept my tone friendly. ‘I’d scarper if I were you, Denny, before my weight-lifting friend returns and finds you here.’
‘Point taken. By the way, I need to thank you for that hot tip. The hotel murders.’ He smiled, his eyes lazy. ‘I’ve made some enquiries of my pals in Stockholm.’
‘And what did you discover?’
‘That death you spoke about? The American? It wasn’t natural causes.’ He paused for effect. ‘Very unnatural, if you catch my drift.’
I felt a cold hand touch my heart. ‘What do you mean?’
He leant forward, and his breath came to me, stinking of beer. ‘His neck was broken. Whoever did it, didn’t need much force. From the marks on the victim’s neck, the killer used only one hand to snap the spinal column.’
I stared at him, unable to speak.
He was on his feet. ‘Must have been strong, eh? With big hands.’ He dropped his parting words onto the table. ‘Maybe even a weight-lifter.’
Chapter 17
After breakfast on Friday, I decided to join the walking tour. I needed exercise to clear my head. I hadn’t slept after Denny’s bombshell, specifically his comment about the weight-lifter. I was doing my best to be civil to him, and couldn’t understand whether it had been his intention to rattle me. What had he been implying with that comment? Every male in the Excelsior seemed to be into weight-lifting.
Aaron Vandenberg was pacing the foyer, smoking furiously.
‘I don’t think you’re allowed to do that in here,’ I said.
‘Can you tell me what the hell’s going on?’ He was boiling with anger. ‘Is it true the cops have turned this place over?’
‘They searched our rooms at dinner time.’
‘They should have checked with us first, let us oversee what they were doing.’
I was tempted to say that Hallengren had picked that time precisely to avoid any overseeing of what they were doing. ‘They were very considerate, Mr Vandenberg. They did me a favour, in fact. After they’d searched it, my room was tidier than it had ever been before. And, in fairness to the Inspector, he did tell us what he was going to do.’
‘I don’t give a rat’s ass about that. Marcellus and I weren’t at dinner.’ He spoke with more control. ‘He should have waited till we were there.’
‘The police work to their own timetable, Mr Vandenberg.’ I couldn’t resist adding, ‘As a lawyer, you’ll know that.’
His expression was glacial. ‘I’m not an attorney. My dealings with the police are non-existent.’
I bet they’re not, I thought. He’d have had to deal with the police over his sister’s death. And Aaron Vandenberg looked like a man who’d had more than one brush with the law. For the first time, I wondered how many of Wilson’s dealings had been above board. Whatever scam Aaron and Marcellus were involved in, may have included him.
I looked around the foyer. ‘Is Marcellus here, Mr Vandenberg?’
‘Why do you want to know?’ he said, suspicion in his voice.
I was getting used to his sudden changes of mood. ‘I’m concerned, that’s all. I haven’t spoken to him since his father’s death.’
‘I’m sorry, ma’am,’ he said, waving a placatory hand. ‘That was impolite of me. He’s keeping to his room. He doesn’t want to be disturbed.’
‘Perhaps you could pass on my best wishes?’
He threw me a veiled glance, nodding, but saying nothing.
The front door opened and Engqvist entered with another policeman. He spoke hurriedly with the receptionist. Alarm registered on the man’s face, and he stared in our direction.
Engqvist swung round. ‘Are you Mr Aaron Vandenberg?’ he said politely.
Aaron dropped his cigarette butt and ground it into the carpet. ‘I am. What of it?’
‘I must ask you to come with me.’
‘May I know why?’
‘Inspector Hallengren wishes to speak with you. That’s all I can tell you.’ He smiled. ‘We have a car outside.’
Aaron’s voice was hard. ‘Very well.’ He let the officers escort him out of the building.
‘What do you think’s going on?’ I said to the receptionist.
He polished his glasses. ‘I have no idea. The other American went to Kiruna this morning.’
‘Marcellus?’
‘He is still there.’
‘At the coroner’s office?’
He lowered his voice. ‘He was taken also to the police station, personally by Inspector Hallengren. The Inspector arrived at seven o’clock. It’s a bad business. First a death, then the hotel is searched.’
He seemed willing to talk, so I seized the opportunity. ‘Do you know what they were looking for?’ I played with the desk bell, not looking at him. ‘Did the Inspector tell you?’
‘He said nothing. But they searched everywhere. Even the kitchens. I should say, specially the kitchens. They spent more time there than anywhere else. And they took things away.’
‘What sort of things?’
‘Food, drink.’ He straightened, seeing the hotel manager.
They spoke in Swedish, not bothering to keep their voices down, and I had the impression the receptionist was being reprimanded. The manager glanced briefly in my direction. I stole away before he turned his attention to me.
I sat in the Activities Room, my chin cupped in my hands. So Hallengren had finally hauled in Marcellus and Aaron. It could only be about the diary. I wondered how much he was prepared to reveal to them. If he told them about the missing last page he’d be showing his hand, which would signal to them he had no other cards to play.
What was more intriguing was what the receptionist had just told me about the search. Hallengren hadn’t been looking for the diary last night, that much was obvious. But what could possibly interest him in the Excelsior’s kitchens?
After lunch, I found Harry outside, examining the circus statues.
‘Where is everyone?’ I said.
‘Mike’s on the trip. He thought you’d like to come but he couldn’t find you. Liz cried off.’ He scrutinised the ballerina’s flowers. ‘You know, Maggie, these are extraordinary.’
