In the Heat of the Moment (Sandhamn Murders Book 5)

by Viveca Sten

  “He’s not here?”

  “You’re in a better position than I am to answer that question.”

  Reluctantly Tobbe dragged himself to his feet and stuck his head into the other cabin, where a bag and a jacket had been tossed on the bunk.

  “There’s no one there,” Adrian pointed out, though the comment was superfluous.

  Tobbe sank back down on the sofa, looking as if he was about to fall asleep again. “In that case, I guess he’s with Felicia.”

  Adrian had had enough. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Felicia has been picked up by the police.”

  This time, his words hit home, and a glimmer of surprise was visible in Tobbe’s eyes.

  Adrian went on: “She’s with Ebba now, and I’m wondering where Victor’s gone. Was he with you on the other boat?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “When did you last see him?”

  Tobbe looked lost. He ran a hand through his hair and looked uncertainly at Adrian. “I don’t know.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Anna fiddled with her police radio as if she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Nora could feel her anxiety level rising. Then Anna made a decision; she brought the small microphone attached to her jacket up to her mouth and murmured something that Nora couldn’t hear.

  Her expression grew pensive as she listened to the answer. She ended the conversation and turned to Nora.

  “According to my colleague, one of the girls’ friends is still missing.”

  Nora’s stomach tied itself in a knot.

  “It’s probably nothing to worry about,” Anna went on. “It happens all the time. You’ve no idea how many kids come to us saying they’ve lost their friends. But since your partner’s daughter is also missing, we’d just like to check out a few things. Can you wait here for a little while?”

  “Sure.” Nora nodded, not feeling very much calmer. “Shall I ask her father to come in?”

  “If you wouldn’t mind.”

  “Do you think something serious has happened?” Nora asked.

  Without replying, Anna started speaking into the microphone again.

  Adrian closed the cabin door and stepped ashore. Tobbe Hökström had already gone back to sleep.

  “Excuse me, hang on a minute!”

  When Adrian turned to see who was shouting, he saw a man in his midthirties running toward him without looking where he was putting his feet, in spite of the fact that the wooden pontoon was treacherously slippery with morning dew.

  “Hang on!” he called out again, waving his arms in the air. By the time he reached Adrian, he was so out of breath that he could barely speak, but still the words came pouring out.

  “Excuse me, can I talk to you? My name is Jonas, Jonas Sköld. My daughter’s missing, and I’ve been looking for her for hours.”

  It was obvious how worried he was; his eyes were constantly darting from side to side.

  “I’ve searched everywhere.”

  Adrian realized who the man was. “Is it your partner who’s agreed to take care of the two girls we picked up?” he asked.

  “Yes.” The man seemed surprised. “How do you know that?”

  “I’ve just spoken to my colleague about your daughter. If you’d like to come with me, we’ll try and sort this out.”

  Nora was sitting at the table in the outreach center when the door opened. Her eyelids were heavy, and she was finding it difficult to stay awake. The table was littered with dirty coffee cups that nobody had the energy to clear away.

  The girls were still upstairs. Nora had explained that they’d be coming to her house very soon, but first she had to sort something out. They hadn’t protested. Ebba had lain down beside Felicia once more, and now they were dozing under the blanket.

  A tall police officer came in; he was about thirty, with light-brown hair and a pleasant face. Jonas was behind him; his complexion was gray, and his hair was a mess. His brown deck shoes were covered in dust from the gravel tracks. Nora immediately got to her feet and gave him a hug. He managed a little smile but said nothing.

  Anna came down the stairs. Just as she was about to shake hands with Jonas, the two officers’ earpieces crackled.

  Nora noticed that they both stiffened. The tall guy turned away and said something into the microphone; he listened, then started talking again. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but her anxiety increased when he glanced at her and Jonas during the conversation.

  “Excuse us for a moment,” he said suddenly, beckoning Anna over to the kitchen, where they spoke very quietly.

  “What’s going on?” Jonas whispered to Nora.

  “I have no idea.”

  She felt the tears spring to her eyes, although she couldn’t tell whether that was due to fear or exhaustion.

  The officers came back.

  “We’re going to have to leave you for a while. I think it’s best if you take the girls home; we’ll contact you later.”

  Jonas stepped forward and said, in a tone that Nora had never heard before, “You need to tell us what’s going on. It’s my daughter who’s missing.”

  He stared at the male officer. Anna was already on her way out the door but stopped when she heard his raised voice.

  “Unfortunately I can’t give you any information right now. I’m sorry.”

  Anna turned around. “It really is best if you take the girls home for the time being,” she said to Nora. “We’ll be in touch.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Adrian got into the driver’s seat of the police jeep and started the engine. Anna got in beside him.

  “The person who called in is waiting for you by the tennis courts,” Jens Sturup shouted from behind them. “His name is Pelle Forsberg.”

  The jeep set off with a jolt, and Adrian swung it around, then took the steep hill behind the Sailors Hotel, heading for Skärkarlshamn.

  When they reached the high fence surrounding the island’s two tennis courts, they saw a lanky man waiting by the gate. Adrian braked and pulled up next to him.

  “Are you the person who called in?”

  “Yes,” the man said, extending a slightly shaky hand. “Pelle Forsberg.”

  “Can you show us where you found the body?” Adrian said.

  “Of course.”

  “Jump in.”

  Adrian pointed to the dog, who was running around, barking excitedly.

  “It’s probably best if you bring the dog with you; I don’t want to run over her.”

  Molly whimpered when her freedom was curtailed, but she settled happily when her master lifted her onto his lap and held her in a firm grip.

  “Turn off by that yellow building up ahead,” Pelle said, pointing with his free hand. It took them only a few minutes to reach the alder tree on the shore. Adrian parked and they jumped out.

  “It’s here,” Pelle said, indicating a heap of carelessly piled greenery. Something was protruding from among the leaves.

  Adrian moved closer to take a look; that was all he needed. He brought the radio mic to his mouth.

  Jonas stared at the door, which the two officers had closed behind them. He was leaning forward as if he had wanted to run after them but had stopped himself at the last minute.

  Nora wanted to reach out and touch him, but hesitated. She realized she had no idea how he might react in a crisis.

  He’s a pilot, she thought. He’s spent hundreds of hours training to deal with difficult situations. It’s his job to remain calm under pressure.

  But this was about his daughter. This was about Wilma. What use was all that training now?

  Anna had said it wasn’t uncommon for people to lose their friends on a weekend like this, Nora reminded herself. She and Jonas must cling to that thought. But the knot in her stomach just wouldn’t go away. Why had the two officers left in such a hurry?

  Outside the window, the birds greeted the day with nonstop singing. Someone had picked a bunch of wildflowers and placed them on the table next to a little Mi
dsummer pole in the colors of the Swedish flag.

  “Don’t you think we should do as the police suggest and take the girls home?” Nora said. “I don’t see the point in staying here. There’s nothing we can do, and Felicia and Ebba need to get to bed; they’re both exhausted.”

  The steel clock on the wall was showing twenty to five. Lack of sleep was making Nora shaky, and she could feel the tension at her temples. Adam and Simon were still home alone. She didn’t want to mention it, but she’d been away for far longer than she’d intended. Simon would be worried if she wasn’t around when he woke up.

  Jonas perched on the edge of the table and linked his hands behind his head as if he were trying to think. His face was gray; Nora hated seeing him like this.

  He sighed and bent his head forward. “You go home with the girls. I’m going to keep searching for Wilma.”

  When the phone rang, Thomas sat bolt upright. Since Elin came along, he woke more easily than ever. He blinked, grabbed the phone, and switched it to silent.

  It was light outside. Through the window, he could see the pale-green leaves of the weeping birch next to the house; they had unfurled only a few weeks ago. Everything came later in the archipelago; the lilacs had just finished flowering.

  Pernilla was sleeping on her stomach beside him. Her fair hair had grown down past her shoulders, and it was spread across the blue pillowcase, which was adorned with an irregular pattern of small anchors. Thomas liked the fact that she was letting it grow; she’d had long hair when they first met.

  She didn’t move; the shrill sound of the phone hadn’t disturbed her sleep. Instead she turned on her side and buried her face deeper in the pillow. Elin was still lying on her back, but she must have reached out for her teddy at some point because the white cuddly toy was facedown on the mattress. She, too, remained fast asleep.

  Thomas went out onto the veranda, closing the door behind him. He had been on call all weekend and was ready to deal with whatever had come up.

  He listened for a minute or two and realized there would be no more sleep for him.

  CHAPTER 19

  With heavy steps, Nora headed for the veranda, put the tray down on the table, and sank into the wicker chair. She closed her eyes. Every movement was an effort, but there was no point in trying to sleep now; she was far too agitated. Instead she’d made herself a mug of tea and a sandwich. She took a bite of the sourdough bread; maybe the snack would make her feel better.

  The girls had fallen asleep in the guest room, sharing the bed where Wilma should have been lying hours ago. The two had dropped off immediately, curled up together, before Nora had even had time to pull down the blind and shut the door.

  Felicia’s father had called almost immediately, followed by Ebba’s mother, Lena Halvorsen. She, too, was several hours from Sandhamn but would be there as soon as possible.

  Both parents had sounded strained, as if they were relieved that both girls were OK but embarrassed at the same time.

  “I’m so sorry you’ve been put to so much trouble,” Lena had said over and over again. “I was sure Ebba was staying over with Felicia’s family. I had no idea she was out in the archipelago.”

  Nora had assured her it was no problem and that she was happy to help.

  “I have two boys. I know how it feels. The girls will be absolutely fine until you get here. They’re both sleeping. See you in a few hours.”

  With a sigh, Nora tucked her legs underneath her body. Jonas wasn’t back yet. She didn’t want to think about how worried he must be. She felt chilled and out of sorts, and she wrapped her hands around her mug to warm them.

  Through the morning mist, she saw a boat approaching from the northwest. It seemed to be heading straight for her jetty. She put down her tea and stood up to get a better view. It looked like Thomas’s outboard, a sixteen-foot Buster with a shimmering gray aluminum hull.

  Her chest suddenly felt as heavy as lead. Something serious must have happened if the presence of her childhood friend was required. She couldn’t think of a single reason why he would be coming over to Sandhamn at this hour if it didn’t have something to do with his work.

  It had to be about Wilma. Once again, Nora thought back to the way the two officers had left her and Jonas so abruptly. Oh God.

  She grabbed her shoes and jacket and ran down to meet Thomas. She reached the jetty just as he cut the engine. The boat slid smoothly alongside, and Thomas looked up and saw her. He was clearly surprised but raised a hand and waved at her.

  “Catch!” he called out, throwing the bow rope to Nora, who quickly made it fast around a bollard, then automatically checked that it was secure.

  Thomas stepped ashore and fastened the stern rope.

  “Have you found Wilma?” Nora asked immediately. “Is she hurt?”

  She gazed searchingly at him. Was that sympathy she could see in his eyes? Or something worse?

  A wave of panic unexpectedly flooded her body, and she yelled, “Why hasn’t anybody contacted us? Thomas, you have to be straight with me!”

  He took a step back. The stubble on his chin revealed that he had left home on short notice.

  Nora seized him by the shoulders. “You have to tell me why you’re here! Please, Thomas!”

  Without saying a word, he pulled her close, and the panic drained away just as quickly as it had come. Nora relaxed against his chest, forcing herself to breathe more slowly.

  “What’s happened?” Thomas said once he was sure she’d calmed down.

  She mumbled into his jacket. “Wilma’s been gone all night, and we can’t find her. I’m so scared that she’s hurt, or worse.”

  Thomas gently pushed her away so that she could see his face. “Wilma’s missing? I didn’t know.”

  He sounded as if he was telling the truth.

  “Jonas isn’t here, he’s still out looking,” Nora said. “He’s been searching for her all night, and when I saw you, I was so frightened . . .”

  Her voice broke and she swallowed hard. After a few seconds, she regained control. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I’m just so stressed, it’s been one hell of a night. You have no idea.”

  Thomas put his arm around her shoulders, and they set off toward the house while Nora told him about the phone call from Monica and the fact that she’d collected Felicia and Ebba from the police outreach center.

  Thomas stopped. “Listen,” he said. “I don’t know any more about Wilma than you do at the moment, and I really have to go now. But I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”

  Lack of sleep, Nora thought, that’s why I’m overreacting like this. I just need to lie down for a few hours, and I’ll be fine.

  “Will you be OK?” Thomas asked.

  Nora nodded, although her legs were still a little shaky.

  “Is it all right if I leave the Buster there for a few hours?” Thomas went on. “It’s so difficult to squeeze it into the harbor at this time of day.”

  Nora managed to summon a smile. “No problem. You don’t even have to ask.” She walked as far as the gate with Thomas; he looked down at her with concern.

  “Have you had any sleep at all?”

  “Not really.”

  “Try and get some rest, and I’ll call you later—promise.”

  He strode away, and only then did Nora realize he hadn’t told her why he was on the island.

  CHAPTER 20

  The quickest route from the Brand villa to Skärkarlshamn led past the old school. The gravel crunched beneath Thomas’s feet as he walked by the Mission House and then cut across the hill above. His cell phone rang, and the display told him it was the police communications center.

  “Andreasson.”

  A male voice with a faint Gotland accent replied. “Malmqvist here. I thought you’d like to know that the tech team is on their way. The helicopter took off twenty minutes ago. They should be there soon.”

  “Me too. Who’s coming over?”

  “Let me check . . . Staffan Nilsson and Po
ul Anderberg.”

  Thomas had worked with Nilsson before; he was an experienced forensic technician who knew Sandhamn pretty well. He had been called in on a nasty case involving a dismemberment the previous year, and the two of them had spent many frozen hours together in the forest.

  “Good,” Thomas said. “Tell the pilot to head straight for Skärkarlshamn. There’s no point in landing on the helipad.”

  Sandhamn’s official helipad was by the customs post, right next to the restaurant. If Nilsson and his kit were dropped off there, it would take them at least fifteen minutes to reach the scene of the crime. It made more sense to land on the shore. Admittedly it meant that everyone in the area would be woken up and would realize that something had happened, but they’d soon find out anyway.

  It was impossible to keep anything secret on a small island like Sandhamn.

  “OK, no problem.”

  “Thanks.”

  Soon Thomas heard the familiar sound of an approaching helicopter. When the din was so close that his ears were throbbing, he saw the chopper fly over his head and on toward the scene. He increased his pace.

  The open landscape of the sandy plain had given way to pine forest; the ground was covered with low-growing blueberry bushes; soft, green moss; and heather studded with tiny pink flowers.

  Thomas knew that a hundred years ago, it had been possible to see right across the island, but it was hard to believe that these days. He might as well have been in the deep forests of Småland, the pine trees were so densely packed.

  When he reached the tennis courts, he noticed a jeep, and a dark-haired police officer waved to him.

  He was expected.

  He made his way over to his colleague and realized they’d met before.

  “Jens Sturup, task force team leader for Sandhamn and Möja over the weekend,” the younger man said, holding out his hand. “They said you were on your way, so I came up to meet you. I’ll show you where the body is.”

  Thomas looked around.

  They were standing by a fence surrounding a large and beautiful merchant’s villa. Down below them lay Skärkarlshamn, the island’s northeastern shore, with Korsö directly opposite. Many residents came here to avoid the more famous Trouville beach, where the tourists hung out. The place was also popular with windsurfers; Thomas could see several boards drawn up a short distance from the water’s edge.