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

by Viveca Sten

  Jonas was in the kitchen when Nora opened the door; as soon as he heard them, he came into the hallway. Nora saw the look on his face when he registered the presence of Thomas and Margit; the same fear that had flooded her body when Thomas told her about the boy’s death was there in his eyes.

  She quickly reassured him. “This has nothing to do with Wilma. Thomas and Margit are here to talk to the girls about something completely unrelated.”

  Thomas shook Jonas’s hand and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. They had met on a few occasions during the winter, but since Elin was born, they hadn’t had the chance to get together. In fact, Nora and Thomas had only spoken on the phone in recent months. There’ll be plenty of time during the summer, Nora had thought, when the baby’s a little older, and they’ve established their routines.

  She couldn’t have imagined that they’d meet under these circumstances. Unaware of what was going through Nora’s mind, Thomas turned to Jonas.

  “I just told Nora that Wilma’s probably fallen asleep somewhere. There are hungover teenagers everywhere today.”

  Jonas seemed to relax just a fraction, much to Nora’s relief.

  “She was supposed to be home by one,” Jonas said. “Goddamn kid! But I hope you’re right, and she’ll soon come slinking back. She won’t be getting an allowance for the next few years after this!”

  A wan smile, but it was a start.

  An eager voice from the veranda made them all turn around. “Mom, where are you? Can I go and get ice cream with Fabian?”

  Simon. Thomas took it upon himself to answer.

  “I thought the police had decided boys couldn’t have ice cream anymore? I’m sure that’s what I heard!”

  “Thomas?”

  Simon shot in and ran over to his godfather, who gave him a big hug. Thomas took his wallet out of his back pocket. “Allow me,” he said, handing over a hundred-kronor note.

  “Can I buy ice cream for everybody?” Simon asked, beside himself with delight.

  “Yes. Treat your brother, too.”

  “Thanks, Thomas!”

  Simon glanced at Nora just to check that he was allowed to accept the money, and she gave him a thumbs-up. He grinned and ran back outside.

  “You spoil that boy,” Nora said.

  Thomas shrugged apologetically but didn’t look the least bit sorry.

  Margit cleared her throat. “Shall we talk to the girls? Maybe we can sit on the veranda, if that’s all right with you, Nora?”

  “No problem, but they’re still asleep. Shall I go and wake them?”

  “Please.”

  Thomas is going to have to tell the girls what’s happened, Nora thought as she went upstairs. The next few hours were going to be difficult for them.

  She paused on the top step as something struck her: unless they already know.

  CHAPTER 34

  When Nora opened the door of the spare room, Ebba was already awake. She was lying on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Felicia was asleep with the duvet pulled over her; all Nora could see was a small amount of her hair and the white-and-yellow daisies on the cover.

  The sun was shining in through the thin white roller blind, which did little to keep out the light. Nora heard the Vaxholm ferry give a warning blast on its horn before passing through the Sound.

  Ebba gave a start when she saw Nora.

  “How are you feeling?” Nora asked, perching on the edge of the bed beside her. The girl still seemed lost, and Nora wished she could make her feel better. The news she was about to hear would shake her up even more.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  “A bit.” Ebba sat up.

  “Would you like something to eat?”

  “Yes, please.” There was an attempt at a smile. “What time is it?”

  Nora glanced at her watch. “Almost one thirty.”

  “So late?”

  “Yes. Your mom will be here in around three quarters of an hour. Felicia’s parents are also on their way.”

  Ebba looked down at the covers. “Are they mad at us?” she said quietly.

  Nora reached out and gently patted the girl on the arm. “I should think they’re relieved that you’re both OK, more than anything. I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you.”

  Ebba shifted uncomfortably.

  “We need to wake Felicia,” Nora said quietly. “There are two police officers here; they need to talk to both of you.”

  “Police? But why?” Ebba looked horrified.

  “It’s best if they explain, and it would be great if you could get dressed and come downstairs as soon as possible.”

  Nora stood up and pointed to the fresh towels she’d brought with her.

  “There’s a bathroom opposite if you want to get cleaned up. I’ve put out a new toothbrush for each of you.” She turned to go, but a whisper behind her back made her stop.

  “Thank you for being so kind.”

  Nora went downstairs and set out a tray with mugs and a plate of buns, plus two cheese sandwiches for Ebba. The everyday task calmed her; it was a relief to be making coffee instead of worrying about Wilma.

  Nora felt as if she was at the breaking point. The house was full of people who needed taking care of in one way or another, and her concern for Wilma was constantly in the back of her mind. She needed to focus on one thing at a time; otherwise she would lose the plot.

  Adam had been sent out into the village to search for Wilma, and Jonas was in the bedroom, calling her friends. The last time Nora peeped in, his expression was so grim that she went away without disturbing him.

  She knew there was no point in mentioning it to Thomas again; he had his hands full trying to find out what had happened to the dead boy.

  But Nora felt as if she was living in a madhouse. She could hardly believe she’d managed to sound so calm when she was talking to Ebba.

  With mechanical movements, she wiped the drainboard. One thing at a time, she thought, wringing out the dishcloth and draping it over the faucet. Then she dried her hands on a red-and-white tea towel that had been there since Signe’s time. It was embroidered with her initials: SB.

  Thomas and Margit had decided to start with Ebba. Meanwhile, Nora would try to rouse Felicia. The girl needed to have a shower and get dressed; her parents would be here soon. Nora had promised to meet them at the jetty.

  She had to hold it together for a little while longer.

  CHAPTER 35

  Felicia was throwing up in the bathroom. Nora could hear her through the door and didn’t quite know what to do. Should she leave the girl in peace or go in and try to help her?

  One last retch, then the sound of the toilet being flushed.

  “Are you OK?” she called out.

  “I’ll be out in a minute,” came the faint reply.

  “Fine. Just let me know if you need anything.”

  Nora stayed where she was for a couple of minutes, but when the shower started running, she went back down to the kitchen.

  There was a low murmur of conversation coming from the veranda, but she couldn’t make out what was being said. She thought she heard a sob from Ebba.

  How could this have happened? How could a sixteen-year-old boy lie dead on the shore, while his girlfriend was found so drunk she was virtually unconscious?

  Nora remembered the feeling when Adam was placed in her arms for the first time. His little face, all red and crumpled. The features gradually smoothing out as he found her breast and began to suck. I’ll take care of you, she had promised him there and then. You’re safe with me.

  Had Victor Ekengreen’s mother made the same promise to her son?

  When did we create a society in which our children can fare so badly? she wondered. We want to protect them from all the bad stuff, but we still fail. They are drawn to danger like moths to a flame. How do we guide those who don’t want our guidance?

  Nora’s eyes grew damp, and she rested her forehead on the cool refrigerator door.

&n
bsp; She heard footsteps on the stairs, and she quickly opened the fridge and pretended to be looking for something as she blinked away the tears.

  Felicia came into the kitchen.

  “Let’s find you something to eat,” Nora said, swallowing hard. She turned around to pass Felicia the plate of sandwiches she had made, and in her haste almost knocked over the little vase of yellow-and-white flowers Simon had picked for her on Midsummer’s Eve. That was only two days ago, but it felt like an eternity.

  “Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked Felicia. “Or would you prefer hot chocolate?”

  “Tea, please.”

  Felicia perched on the very edge of a chair. Nora had lent her a top, but the bright turquoise merely served to emphasize her pallor.

  The girl contemplated the sandwiches without enthusiasm. “I’m not sure if I can eat anything. I don’t feel too good.”

  “That’s fine, but you really ought to try; everything seems better when you’ve got some food in your stomach.”

  I sound like my mother, Nora thought.

  Felicia took a tiny bite, then put down the sandwich. “Mom and Dad must be so mad.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I told them I was going to celebrate Midsummer with Ebba at her family’s place in the country. She said the same.”

  “I’m sure it’ll all work out,” Nora said, wondering how many times she had repeated a version of that clichéd sentiment during the past twelve hours.

  She poured a little milk into a dark-brown mug, then added a tea bag and hot water. “There you go. A hot drink will help.”

  “Thanks.”

  A hint of dimples could be seen in Felicia’s cheeks, but she looked far from happy. She pushed the sandwich around her plate but didn’t eat anything. After a little while, she said shyly, “I was wondering if you knew where our friends are—Victor and Tobbe? Do they know we stayed here last night?”

  Nora was saved by Jonas calling to her. She quickly got to her feet, grateful for being spared the need to answer. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She took the stairs two at a time. Jonas was standing in the bedroom with his cell phone in his hand, holding it out so she could see the display.

  “This just arrived from Wilma.”

  Nora read the message: one word.

  Sorry.

  “Thank God.”

  Nora realized she’d been fearing the worst, without daring to admit it to herself. The tension was still etched on Jonas’s face, but he took a deep breath.

  “Yes, thank God.”

  He sank down on the unmade bed with his back to the wall. Nora sat down beside him and cuddled up.

  After a moment, Jonas whispered, almost to himself, “But where the hell is she?”

  CHAPTER 36

  Ebba had said hello to Thomas and Margit, then sat down on one of the wicker chairs. Thomas pointed to the plate of sandwiches.

  “Help yourself. Those are for you.”

  Ebba glanced at the plate; without saying anything, she picked up one of the sandwiches and took a bite, then reached for the mug of tea Nora had made her. She drank a few sips, then put it down and kept eating.

  Thomas and Margit had no intention of rushing her. When she’d finished and had a little more color in her face, Thomas said gently, “We’d like you to tell us what happened yesterday evening, before you went to the police.”

  The top Ebba had borrowed from Nora was slightly too big; the sleeves came down over her knuckles, but she still seemed chilled to the bone.

  “I already told the other man everything,” she said. “The one who found Felicia by the harbor.”

  “It would be really helpful if you could tell us, too,” Thomas said. “So that we can build our own picture.”

  Ebba didn’t raise any more objections, but she held the mug in front of her as if she were trying to hide behind it. Outside the wide veranda window, leisure craft were passing by in a steady stream on their way back to the mainland.

  “Start from the beginning,” Margit said calmly. “Try to give as much detail as you can. It’s important that you don’t leave anything out.”

  The girl sucked in her lower lip as if she was afraid to ask a question, then she took courage. “I was wondering if you’d found our friends yet?” She hesitated, then added: “Tobbe, he’s the one with red hair—do you know where he is?”

  There were a thousand hopes contained in those words. Thomas and Margit exchanged a glance.

  “Yes,” Thomas said. “But we’d like to hear what you have to say first.”

  Ebba’s smile disappeared.

  “So what happened yesterday evening?” Margit prompted her.

  EBBA

  Ebba hadn’t known anything could hurt as much as when Tessan sat on Tobbe’s lap. It was worse than when she was ten years old and her parents told her about the divorce, when her dad said he was moving out. It had felt as if she no longer existed, as if she were a drawing that had been balled up and thrown away because it hadn’t turned out quite right.

  Her dad had lifted her onto his lap and assured her that she and her little sister would always be as important to him as they’d always been; it was just that he and Mom didn’t love each other anymore. He had hugged her, and in the end, she had dared to believe that he was telling the truth.

  He had kept his promise, but right now there was no one to console her.

  Ebba recognized herself only too well in Tobbe; they both had divorced parents, and both their fathers had remarried and started new families. However, at least she and her sister spent every other week with Dad; he hadn’t abandoned them, like Tobbe’s dad had.

  Tobbe never talked about the split, apart from the odd comment here and there. He would sometimes say that as the child of a broken marriage who also happened to have red hair, he was doomed to fuck things up. He would grin, half joking and half serious, but she knew the bitterness lay just beneath the surface.

  The two of them had started hanging out during the spring of eighth grade, but she’d had her eye on him for a long time.

  She hadn’t had a serious boyfriend before Tobbe, only some random flings at parties, but there was something special about him that aroused her interest. He was so funny; it was impossible to be miserable in his company.

  They’d officially gotten together after the summer vacation.

  Ninth grade was tough going in many ways, but Ebba woke up every morning with a tingling sense of anticipation in her tummy. Even if Tobbe was crazy, she loved his jokes and being swept along by his carefree attitude. When he looked at her, she felt warm all over; he was her first real boyfriend.

  Then came the evening when Victor and Felicia hooked up. They’d been checking each other out for a while; Felicia could hardly talk about anything but Tobbe’s best friend, how fit he was, how hot.

  Victor’s parents were in Paris, so he had the place to himself. They were all in a party mood; Tobbe’s backpack was clinking, and as soon as they walked in through the door at Victor’s, Tobbe jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

  “I’ve fixed up some cool stuff!”

  The red hair had been tamed with gel. He grinned, kissed Ebba on the lips, and shrugged off his jacket. They went into the living room and sat down on the white leather sofa.

  “We need glasses,” Tobbe said to Victor.

  Felicia jumped to her feet. “I’ll help you,” she said.

  Tobbe winked at Ebba as Victor headed for the kitchen with Felicia right behind him. It was over half an hour before they came back with glasses and two bowls of chips.

  A while later, music was pulsating through the ground floor, and there were people everywhere. That was the first time Ebba saw Victor really going for it, but not the last. He was like a different person that night, laughing like a madman and making out with Felicia. The words came spewing out of his mouth, and he danced until his shirt was drenched in sweat.

  Someone bumped into him, and he spilled his drink on Felicia. She screamed as the liquid splas
hed her top, which showed a glimpse of her lacy bra.

  “Sorry,” Victor said.

  “It’s fine.” Felicia giggled. “Ooh look, I’m all wet.”

  “You can borrow a top from me if you want. Come on.”

  Victor grabbed Felicia by the hand, and Ebba got a brief smile from her friend before they disappeared up the stairs to Victor’s room.

  After that weekend, the four of them hung out together all the time.

  During the winter, Victor and Tobbe partied more and more. Victor was usually pretty steady, almost shy, but when he was under the influence, he changed completely, just like Tobbe.

  Tobbe lost all his inhibitions, while Victor became aggressive and argumentative.

  On a couple of occasions, Tobbe did something really dumb. He walked along the train tracks even when the barriers had come down, and one night he simply sat down in the middle of the road. A car almost hit him, but he jumped out of the way at the last minute, then laughed and put his arm around Ebba’s shoulders. As if the whole thing was a joke.

  She tried to talk to him more than once, but he wouldn’t listen. Victor was also putting pressure on Tobbe. His parents didn’t seem to care what he was up to, and the four of them often hung out at Victor’s house. During the spring semester, Victor started partying during the week as well, not only on the weekends, and he persuaded Tobbe to join in. Ebba tried to tell him he was being dumb, that they were in high school and their grades were important.

  When nothing worked, when Tobbe wouldn’t listen, Ebba began to pull away. She thought he’d get it if he saw that she didn’t want to be with him anymore, that it would hit home. Instead he just kept telling her she was a downer.

  The gap between them grew.

  A couple of times, when she wasn’t at a party, Tobbe made out with other girls. Ebba heard about it through the grapevine; she was both hurt and angry, but when she brought it up, he made excuses, saying he’d been so drunk that he couldn’t remember anything, so it didn’t really matter, did it? He was extra sweet to her for a while, and she dropped the subject. However, it was obvious they had a problem; she didn’t know if she could trust him anymore.