ICEHOTEL

by Hanna Allen

We were leaving the Excelsior when I saw the notice.

  ‘Liz, there’s another aurora tonight.’ I scanned the text. ‘It’s supposed to be magnificent. The best yet.’

  ‘You really can’t be serious, Mags. After your escapade last night, do you think anyone will let you back onto that river?’

  ‘Pity there’s nowhere else.’

  ‘Can’t you watch it from your window?’

  ‘The trees get in the way.’ I gazed at the photograph of the ice-cream colours swirling into the velvet sky.

  ‘There’s the church tower,’ she said hesitantly. ‘It’s awfully high. Gosh, but think of the view.’ She shook her head firmly. ‘It’s out of the question, though.’

  ‘Too right. Only a lunatic would go up there when there’s an axe murderer running loose.’ I took her arm. ‘Come on. Let’s get to Kiruna.’

  A queue had formed at the bus stop; the cancelled excursions, and the realisation this might be the last opportunity for shopping, must have accounted for Kiruna’s sudden popularity. Jonas and his friends were there, dressed in black, larking about and shoving each other. They wore ski masks, but there was no mistaking their voices. I pulled my hood up and turned away, not wanting them to see me.

  The bus dropped us at the park on the outskirts of town. I studied the map; the quickest way to the centre was through the park itself.

  Kiruna had been built on several hills, a strange decision for a town snowbound for most of the year. The trees had been brushed clean, and strings of fat lanterns, like miniature Cinderella carriages, hung from the branches. We made for the exit, clinging to each other, losing our footing despite the tread in our snowboots.

  After a while, we came to a residential area.

  ‘We’ve gone wrong somewhere,’ I said, scrutinising the map. ‘We should be in town by now.’

  I swung round to get my bearings, and saw a figure in a black snowsuit step smartly out of sight.

  Liz took the map from me. ‘We turned too soon, Mags,’ she said. ‘It should have been the third left, not the second.’

  I decided to say nothing. As we retraced our steps, I glanced down the side road. It was empty.

  We reached the town centre, and strolled down the high street, taking in the shops. But the black figure had given me a shock, and I couldn’t rid myself of the feeling we were being stalked. Every so often, I glanced over my shoulder. After a while, I saw him again, sauntering a respectable distance behind us, looking into shop windows.

  I told myself I was being ridiculous. Many people wore black snowsuits. It might be Mike, having changed his mind, coming to join us. Except Mike wouldn’t be dawdling. He’d have caught us up by now.

  We were outside a café. ‘I could do with something hot, Liz,’ I said. ‘My knee’s throbbing.’

  ‘Of course,’ she said quickly.

  I pulled open the door. The thick warm air, scented with vanilla and cinnamon, wrapped itself around me like a blanket.

  I steered Liz to a window. ‘That was some news about Denny doing a runner,’ I said, gazing out. ‘I thought journalists are on expenses.’

  ‘Only if they’re with a paper, I think.’

  ‘He worked for the Express, didn’t he?’

  ‘Really? I didn’t know.’

  I dragged my eyes from the window. ‘Yes, you did. Mike told us.’

  ‘Anyway, Denny Hinckley never talked to me,’ she said, running a fingernail over the yellow tablecloth.

  ‘You’re lucky,’ I smiled. ‘He talked to everyone else.’ I sipped my chocolate. ‘I just don’t get it, though. Why would he do a bunk if the Express are paying his expenses? There must have been some other reason.’

  ‘You’re not saying now that he killed Harry, are you?’ There was a trace of irritation in her voice.

  ‘Of course not. I just find it strange, that’s all.’ Denny’s words came back to me: I have to find a big story. I can’t afford to let the grass grow under my feet. ‘A journalist leaves before the case of a murdered millionaire is solved? It doesn’t wash.’

  ‘Just leave it, Mags,’ she said with an urgency which surprised me.

  I studied her, seeing how much she’d changed this last week. There were dark smudges under her eyes which no amount of expensive foundation could conceal, and her hair, released from its hood, reeked of cigarette smoke. I guessed what she was thinking: Denny had left, and she was stuck here indefinitely, away from her children. I took her hand and squeezed it.

  She let it lie in mine, not looking at me. When she spoke, it was with weariness in her voice. ‘Something’s wrong, Mags, isn’t it?’

  ‘To do with Denny?’

  ‘You’ve not been yourself since we stepped off the bus.’

  For a second, I considered not telling her. But she had a right to know: her life might also be in danger. ‘We’re being followed,’ I said. ‘He’s wearing a black snowsuit and a ski mask.’

  On cue, a black-suited figure strolled past the window. A moment later, we saw another, moving more quickly. Then two figures in black snowsuits wandered along, deep in conversation.

  Liz relaxed visibly. ‘Everyone seems to be wearing black, Mags.’

  I felt foolish. ‘Maybe I imagined it.’ I finished my chocolate. ‘Come on, let’s go.’ We pulled up our ski masks and left.

  But, as we picked our way down the crowded street, I continued to search for the figure, hoping his actions would give him away.

  ‘You’re driving me bananas,’ Liz said suddenly. ‘I can see what you’re doing.’ She stopped and scanned the street. ‘There are people in black suits, there are people in red suits, blue suits, and white suits. I’ve even seen a pink suit.’

  ‘Okay, Liz,’ I said sheepishly. ‘You’re right. I’ll stop.’

  We wandered into the main square. Despite the cold, the whole of Kiruna seemed to have turned out, and a market was in full swing.

  We trailed around, ignoring the sharp eyes and brittle smiles of the stall keepers. They were stamping their feet to keep warm, calling raucously to each other. The shoppers searched in packs, eyes roaming hungrily for gifts, jostling each other with an easy indifference.

  I stopped at a candle stall, attracted by the warm waxy smell. The girl was lighting the candles with a taper, and wiping her dripping nose on her sleeve. The expression in her moist eyes, mournful and hopeful as a spaniel’s, decided me. I bent over the scented candles and inhaled deeply. More for her benefit than mine, I took my time making up my mind, and settled on a miniature Christmas tree which smelt of pine needles.

  The stall keeper opposite was winking at me, inviting me to buy the decorations hanging from the lintel. The wind had strengthened, and a sudden gust swung them alarmingly. One fell to the ground, tinkling as it smashed. The man scowled, muttering in Swedish, and kicked the glass away. Unable to clear the shards, he ground the remains under his boot. He saw me watching then, and shouted something guttural at me.

  I felt a sudden grip on my arm. Liz was staring at a point behind me.

  I turned to look.

  He was tall and well-built, in a black ski mask and suit, leaning over a stall that sold tablecloths. He fingered the merchandise, deliberately not looking in our direction.

  Liz’s voice was almost a whisper. ‘You were right, he’s been following us. He’s been stopping whenever we have so that he’s always a couple of stalls behind. And he’s been looking us over.’

  I pulled her away. ‘For heaven’s sake, don’t let him see that we know.’

  ‘I owe you an apology, Mags. I should have believed you.’

  I was anxious to distance myself from him. ‘He won’t try anything in a crowd. It shouldn’t be difficult to lose him.’

  ‘Oh no, we’re not losing him. We’re going to challenge him,’ she said in a tone of voice that brooked no argument.

  ‘You can’t be serious. If he knows we’re on to him, it’s a whole new situation.’ I looked at the figure, still at the stall. ‘He could be
someone unconnected with the Icehotel, who’s doing this for a joke.’

  ‘A pervert, you mean?’

  ‘They exist, Liz, even this far north. Let’s just leave it.’

  But Liz wouldn’t leave it. ‘Hey, you,’ she shouted, walking towards the black-suited figure.

  He looked up, dropped what he was holding, and walked briskly away.

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing, hmm? Hey, I’m talking to you.’ She broke into a run.

  The figure glanced over his shoulder, then took off like a rocket. I dashed after them, trying to keep up despite the pain in my knee.

  For a brief moment, I thought he’d lose us but he slipped, knocked into a stall, and fell crashing to the ground. Liz reached him in seconds. He tried to haul himself up, but she delivered a vicious kick to his groin.

  ‘Right, who the hell are you?’ she hissed.

  He howled, curling into a ball, and lay on his side, rocking. She struck out savagely at his ribs.

  I dragged her off him. ‘Liz, for God’s sake, that’s enough.’

  She broke free of my grip. ‘Why were you following us?’ she shouted at the man.

  When he didn’t reply, she reached down and tore off his mask.

  I stared at his face.

  ‘Do you speak English?’ she said roughly.

  A crowd had gathered and was watching silently.

  Sweat was running into the man’s eyes, and he was having difficulty breathing. ‘A little.’ His accent was French.

  ‘You’ve been following us since we left the park,’ I said quietly. I glanced at Liz, afraid she’d have another go at him.

  ‘I was not following you.’ He managed to get the words out. ‘When you ran at me, I thought – ’ He motioned to Liz’s face. ‘I thought you were a man.’

  She removed her ski mask and pulled down her hood, shaking out her hair. He made an attempt at a smile but it was more of a grimace. ‘A misunderstanding on both sides,’ he gasped.

  He tried to haul himself up, but fell back, wincing. I reached down and took his arm, signalling to Liz to do the same. She stepped away. I threw her an angry look. What on earth was she playing at? The man was obviously a tourist. One of the crowd came forward and supported him under the shoulders, lifting him to his feet.

  I hooked a hand under Liz’s elbow. ‘Let’s get out of here, before we’re arrested for GBH.’

  She was frowning at the Frenchman. ‘Have you been anywhere near the Icehotel?’ she said rudely.

  ‘Madame, I am in Kiruna only for today.’ He was breathless from the effort of standing upright. He inclined his head. ‘Please accept my apology for anything I have done to offend you.’

  He limped towards the road, the crowd parting to let him pass.

  I stared at Liz as though seeing her for the first time.

  ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she said sullenly.

  ‘Unbelievable, Liz. You could have broken his ribs, to say nothing of what you’ve done to his ability to procreate. That was totally uncalled for.’

  Her eyes blazed. ‘Oh, that’s rich, coming from you. You’ve been bleating on about being followed by an axe murderer and, when I take action, this is your response. Yes, of course, now I see he’s a tourist, but, for all I know, he could have been the man who killed Harry.’

  ‘Hold on, Liz, press the Pause button.’ I tried to keep my voice level. ‘Okay, but when you saw he wasn’t the murderer, you could at least have apologised. I had no idea you can be so vicious. If you wanted to immobilise him, why didn’t you use a judo hold, instead of whacking at his ribs?’

  Her anger dissolved. ‘I’m sorry, Mags,’ she breathed. ‘I’m so sorry. I really don’t know why I’m behaving like this. I know it was awful. I’ve never done, I’ve . . .’ Her voice shook. ‘I just want to get home to Annie and Lucy.’

  I put my arms around her, and held her shaking body against mine, unable to bear her tears. ‘It’s not your fault, Liz.’

  I took her to the next stall that sold drinks, and bought her a glass of hot spiced wine, making sure she drank it all.

  She wiped her eyes. ‘Thanks, Mags.’ She drew up her ski mask, smiling bravely. ‘So, shall we go shopping?’

  In a large department store, I watched her spend money on things she didn’t want. My mind was still at the scene with the Frenchman, and her uncharacteristic behaviour. But it would be a nervous reaction to the strain she was under, the strain we were all under.

  We were playing with the testers at the perfume counter. ‘Whoops, I’m going to be late,’ she said, looking at her watch. ‘I need to get to the coroner’s.’

  ‘Already? I’ll come with you.’

  ‘It’s miles away at the other end of town. You should get back, Mags, you look absolutely frozen. Go and warm yourself up with a sauna.’

  I frowned at her. ‘You sure you don’t want me along?’

  ‘There’s no need to worry, I’m fine now, really I am.’ She glanced at the bottle in my hand. ‘I’d buy that, if I were you. According to the label, it’s supposed to drive men wild with desire. I’ll see you at dinner,’ she said over her shoulder.

  I sat in the bus, and soon forgot the black-clad Frenchman. My thoughts turned to the reason for our trip into Kiruna. Would Harry’s body be released? I closed my eyes, seeing his flaccid corpse, the Y-shaped scar livid on his chest.

  In the far distance, the Excelsior was a tiny red pillar box in an expanse of white.

  Chapter 24

  I was removing my ski mask in the foyer, when Leo Tullis came running out of the lounge.

  ‘Maggie? Thank goodness we’ve found you.’ He ran a trembling hand through his hair. ‘They’ve got them. Marcellus and Aaron. Marcellus is already at the station. Aaron is being arrested now.’ He looked past me. ‘There he is,’ he murmured.

  Aaron, his wrists handcuffed, was being frogmarched down the corridor by two policemen. Hallengren was with them.

  Hallengren ignored the crowd gathering in the foyer and pushed his way to the door. As Aaron passed me, his eyes fixed on mine. He hesitated, opening his mouth to speak, but the officers pulled him away. The front door closed behind them. A minute later, I heard the whine of a car engine.

  ‘They’re being charged with murder,’ Leo said, his voice sounding strange. ‘They hatched a plan in Stockholm to kill Wilson. I don’t have the details.’ He nodded at the receptionist. ‘Mr Karlsson had a few words with one of the officers. They’re being charged with the murder of Harry, too.’

  ‘Oh Harry,’ I whispered, closing my eyes.

  ‘We’ll get the press release in the morning. But it’s official.’ He clasped my fingers and squeezed hard. ‘It’s over, Maggie.’

  ‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel,’ I said weakly.

  ‘Well, I feel like a drink, a stiff one. Join me?’

  ‘So why did they murder Harry?’ I said, my mind a whirl.

  ‘We’ll get the details soon enough.’ He sounded greatly relieved. ‘Mr Karlsson said they’re not looking for anyone else. We can rest easy. The killers are under lock and key.’ Seeing my tears, he put an arm around my shoulders. ‘Come on, Maggie, chin up.’

  I let him lead me away. I wondered why I was crying. Harry’s killers had been caught.

  There was time for a drink before the play. We pushed our way into the lounge, and took the last free table. Everyone was in high spirits, especially the reporters.

  ‘I can’t believe it,’ Mike was saying.

  ‘That Marcellus and Aaron are guilty?’ I said.

  ‘That it took your ace detective this long to bring them in.’

  ‘What do you mean, this long?’ I said, resenting the implication.

  Mike said nothing, but a smile flickered on his lips.

  ‘Can we talk about something else?’ I said into my glass.

  He turned to Liz. ‘So how are the twins? You were ages at the computer.’

  Liz was pale. ‘Lucy’s not fee
ling terribly well. She’s been throwing up all day. Siobhan thinks it’s something she ate. I’m sure it’s not really serious, but I’ve given her the manager’s number just in case. My phone gets no reception here, I’m afraid.’

  ‘We should make our flight tomorrow,’ he said reassuringly. ‘Leo sounded hopeful we’ll be getting our passports back.’

  ‘Oh, thank goodness,’ she said with feeling.

  He raised his glass. ‘Well then, here’s to the Bard.’

  ‘Listen, how about a last peek at the aurora?’ I said, looking from one to the other.

  ‘Are you serious?’ His voice became hard. ‘You’re not going on that river, Maggie.’

  ‘No, not the river. The light from the Ice Theatre will wash everything out.’

  He lowered his glass. ‘Where, then?’

  ‘The only place far enough away from illumination is the church. The bell-tower. The view will be to die for.’ I looked pointedly at Liz. ‘So, who’s coming?’

  She laughed. ‘I give in, Mags. You win. You’ve been drooling over this aurora all week. I absolutely have to see what the fuss is all about. You can count me in.’

  Mike was looking at me strangely. ‘You can count me out.’

  Liz leant into him. ‘Oh, come on, Mike. Please.’

  ‘I’m going to see Macbeth.’

  ‘You mean the Scottish play?’ I said, teasing. ‘Now you’ve brought us bad luck.’

  ‘There’ll be time for both, you know,’ Liz said pleadingly. ‘We’ll only stay out half an hour. Then we’ll go straight to the theatre. If we leave now, we won’t miss much.’

  ‘It’s not that.’ He hesitated. ‘I’m no good up towers. I get vertigo.’

  It was a strange remark from someone who’d been ice-climbing. But I let it go.

  He looked into his beer. ‘You girls have fun. But mind yourself climbing.’

  I glanced at my watch. It was 8.50pm.

  ‘We’ll need hot showers first, Mags,’ Liz said, getting to her feet. ‘It’ll be perishing up there. I’ll meet you in the foyer, shall I?’ She sounded excited.

  I pushed back my chair, gulping my drink.

  Mike laid a hand on my arm. ‘It’s not the height, Maggie.’ He seemed anxious I hear him out. ‘It’s the tower, the enclosed space.’