The Ice Child

by Camilla Lackberg

  ‘Shit,’ said Mellberg when he made the connection. ‘Have we taken a close look at that veterinarian, Jonas?’

  ‘Of course. Victoria disappeared after leaving their stable. But he has a solid alibi. At the time he was out on an emergency call. The owners of the sick horse confirmed that he arrived only fifteen minutes after Victoria was last seen at the stable, and he stayed for several hours. We didn’t find any link between him and the other missing girls.’

  ‘But in light of what we’ve just learned, don’t you think we ought to put him under the microscope?’

  ‘Definitely. When I told the others, Gösta recalled that there had been a break-in at Jonas’s office some time ago. He’s checking the incident report to see if ketamine is mentioned. But the question is whether Jonas might have reported the theft as a cover in case he was asked to account for the missing ketamine. No matter what, we need to have another talk with him.’

  Patrik paused for a moment before continuing.

  ‘There’s one more thing. I thought Martin and I should take a little trip today.’

  ‘Oh?’ said Mellberg. He looked up sharply, on the alert at the prospect of additional expenses being incurred.

  ‘I want to drive to Göteborg to have a talk with Minna Wahlberg’s mother. And while we’re there …’

  ‘Yes?’ Mellberg sounded suspicious.

  ‘Well, since we’ll be there already, we can take the opportunity to talk to a man who might be able to help us by analysing the perpetrator’s behaviour.’

  ‘You mean one of those psychology guys?’ Mellberg’s expression betrayed exactly what he thought of that particular profession.

  ‘I know it’s a long shot, but it won’t entail any extra expense since we’re going to Göteborg for another purpose.’

  ‘Okay, okay. Just don’t try and drag in some fortune teller too,’ muttered Mellberg, which reminded Patrik how much he and Gösta had in common. ‘And for God’s sake don’t step on any toes at the Göteborg police station. You know as well as I do how territorial they are. So be careful.’

  ‘I’ll handle them with kid gloves,’ replied Patrik as he left the room, closing the door behind him. Before long Mellberg’s loud snoring would be echoing down the corridor.

  Erica knew full well that she could be impulsive. Occasionally too impulsive. At least, that was Patrik’s opinion. According to him, she had a tendency to get mixed up in things that were none of her business. Yet she had frequently helped him with his investigations, so he really shouldn’t complain.

  This was one of those instances when he would probably say she shouldn’t get involved. And for that reason, she wasn’t planning to tell him in advance. Instead, she would wait and see if her expedition turned out to be productive. If not, she could just offer the same excuse she’d given to her mother-in-law, Kristina, who had been summoned on short notice to babysit for the kids. Erica had told her that she needed to meet with her agent in Göteborg to discuss a contract with a German publisher.

  She put on her jacket, grimacing as she glanced around. It looked as if a bomb had exploded inside the house. Kristina would have a few things to say about the mess, and Erica would no doubt receive a long lecture about the importance of keeping her home neat and tidy. Strangely enough, Kristina never lectured her son on that topic. She seemed to think that he, as the man of the house, was above such chores. And Patrik seemed to have no objections to his mother’s way of thinking.

  No, now I’m being unfair, thought Erica. Patrik was amazing in so many ways. He did his share of the housework without complaint, and he took on an equal amount of responsibility for the children. Yet she still couldn’t say that they were a hundred per cent equal. She was the one who acted as team leader, the one who noticed when the children had outgrown their clothes and needed new things. She was the one who knew when they were supposed to take a packed lunch to the day-care centre, and when it was time for them to have their vaccinations. And she kept track of thousands of other things. She noticed when the laundry detergent was nearly gone, and when it was time to buy more nappies. She knew which lotion worked best when the twins had a rash, and she always knew where Maja had left her current favourite stuffed animal. Such concerns came naturally to her, while Patrik found it impossible to keep track of such things. She wasn’t sure he even tried. In the back of her mind Erica always had a suspicion that he was more than happy to leave everything to her, but she had chosen not to dwell on that thought. Instead, she had accepted the role of team leader, grateful that her husband was willing to take on whatever tasks she assigned to him. Many of her women friends were not as lucky.

  When she opened the front door, the cold air almost made her step back. What a freezing winter they were having. She hoped the roads wouldn’t be too slippery. She was not especially fond of driving, and she got behind the wheel only when it was absolutely necessary.

  Erica turned to lock the door behind her. Kristina had a key, which was both good and bad, but she willingly gave a hand with the children if she was needed. Erica frowned as she walked to the car. Kristina had asked if it was all right to bring along a friend, since Erica had asked for help without giving her much notice. Her mother-in-law had a busy social life and many female friends who sometimes came with her to babysit, so her request wasn’t all that strange. But there had been something odd about the way Kristina had said the word ‘friend’. Was it possible that for the first time since her divorce from Patrik’s father, Kristina had met a new man?

  The thought amused Erica, and she smiled as she turned the key in the ignition. Patrik would go through the roof. He had no problem with the fact that his father had remarried long ago, but it was a different story when it came to his mother. Whenever Erica had teased him by saying she was going to sign up Kristina for an online dating service, Patrik looked worried. But it was time for him to accept that his mother had her own life. Erica giggled as she started driving towards Göteborg.

  Jonas wore an exasperated expression as he briskly tidied the veterinary clinic. He was still annoyed that Marta had said no to the jump racing competition. Molly should have been allowed to compete. He knew how important it was to his daughter, and her disappointment cut him to the quick.

  When she was younger, it had been extremely convenient to have his office in their home. He hadn’t trusted Marta to take care of Molly properly, so when he was working he used to take a break between patients to check that his daughter was all right.

  Unlike Marta, he had wanted a child, someone to carry on the family. He wanted to see himself in the child, and for that reason he’d always imagined having a son. But then Molly had arrived. Even right after her birth he was amazed by the emotions that had overwhelmed him. Emotions he didn’t know were possible.

  Marta, on the other hand, had placed the infant in his arms with an impassive expression. The hint of envy in her eyes had quickly disappeared. He had expected her to feel that way. Marta was his, and he was hers. But with time she would realize that the child wouldn’t change anything; on the contrary, having a daughter would bring them closer.

  The first time he saw Marta, he knew that she was perfect for him. She was his twin, his soul mate. Such words were used far too often, to the point of being clichés, but in their case the words were true. Their only difference of opinion was regarding Molly. Yet for his sake, Marta had tried her best. She had raised their daughter according to his wishes, and she had allowed Jonas and Molly to have their relationship in peace. She, in turn, devoted all her energy to her relationship with her husband.

  He hoped that Marta realized how much he loved her, and how important she was to him. He was constantly trying to show her this. He was forbearing, and allowed her to take part in everything. On only one occasion had he harboured any doubts. For a moment he had sensed a chasm open up between them, a threat to the symbiosis that had marked their life together for so long. But that doubt was now gone.

  Jonas smiled as he straightened a
box containing latex gloves. He knew there were so many reasons he should be grateful. And he was.

  When Mellberg attached the lead to Ernst’s collar, the dog eagerly dashed for the front door of the police station. Annika glanced up from her desk in the reception area, and Mellberg explained that he was going home to have lunch. Then with a great sense of relief he stepped outside. As soon as the door fell shut, he took in a deep breath. After what Hedström had told him, his office had suddenly felt cramped and stifling.

  By the time he reached the building where he lived, he was feeling better. The fresh air had cleared his mind. He’d come round to thinking that this new case could turn out to be a positive development, offering him an opportunity to show off his detecting skills.

  ‘Hello?’ he called as he stepped inside the flat. Paula’s shoes were in the hall, which meant she and Lisa were visiting.

  ‘We’re in the kitchen,’ replied Rita. Mellberg removed the dog’s lead so Ernst could run in and say hello to Señorita. Then he stomped the snow from his shoes, hung up his jacket, and followed the dog inside.

  Rita was setting the kitchen table for lunch while Paula was rummaging through a cupboard. Lisa was snuggled in a baby carrier on her mother’s stomach.

  ‘We ran out of coffee downstairs,’ Paula explained.

  ‘In the back on the right,’ Rita told her, pointing. ‘I’ll set a place for you too. You might as well have some lunch, now that you’re here.’

  ‘Thanks. That would be nice. So how’s it going at the station?’ said Paula, holding a packet of coffee in her hand as she turned to face Mellberg. The coffee was exactly where Rita had said it would be. Her kitchen was organized with military precision.

  Mellberg wondered whether he should relay the autopsy results to a woman who was both exhausted and a nursing mother. But he knew that Paula would be furious if she later found out that he had withheld information. So he briefly told her what Patrik had reported. Standing at the worktop, Rita froze for a moment but then continued to take cutlery from the drawer.

  ‘My God, that’s awful,’ said Paula, sitting down at the kitchen table. She absentmindedly rubbed Lisa’s back. ‘Did you say her tongue had been cut off?’

  Mellberg pricked up his ears. He had to admit that Paula had on occasion shown an aptitude for police work, and she also had a phenomenal memory.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ He sat down on a chair next to her with an eager expression.

  Paula shook her head.

  ‘I’m not sure. But it reminds me of something. Hmm … This damn brain of mine. All this nursing is making my mind fuzzy! It’s driving me crazy!’

  ‘It’ll pass,’ said Rita. She was putting together a big salad.

  ‘I know, but it’s so annoying,’ said Paula. ‘Anyway, there’s something familiar about the fact that her tongue was cut off.’

  ‘I’m sure it will come to you if you just let it go for a while,’ Rita told her.

  ‘Hmm, maybe,’ replied Paula. Mellberg could see that she was wracking her brain. ‘I wonder if it’s something I read in an old police report. Is it okay if I drop by the station later on?’

  ‘You can’t be planning on taking Lisa over there when it’s so cold outside!’ Rita objected. ‘Besides, you’re not supposed to be working. Not when you’re so tired.’

  ‘I can just as well be tired over there as here,’ said Paula. ‘And do you think Lisa could stay here with you? I won’t be gone long. I just want to have a look in the archives.’

  Rita muttered something inaudible, but Mellberg knew she would be more than happy to babysit Lisa, even though there was a risk the baby might have one of her crying spells. He thought Paula was actually looking a bit more alert at the mere thought of going over to the station.

  ‘I’d also like to have access to the autopsy report while I’m there,’ she said. ‘Hope that’s okay, even though I’m officially on maternity leave.’

  Mellberg snorted. It made no difference whether she was on leave or not. He had no idea what the rules were, but if he paid attention to all the rules and regulations regarding work places in general and the police force in particular, he’d never get anything done.

  ‘Annika has the report, along with all the other case materials. Just ask her to show it to you.’

  ‘Great. I think I’ll take a shower before going over there, for my sake and for everyone else’s.’

  ‘But first you need to eat lunch,’ said Rita.

  ‘Sure, Mamma.’

  Enticing aromas were filling the kitchen, making Mellberg’s stomach growl. Rita was a phenomenal cook. Her only fault was that she rarely served dessert. In his mind’s eye he pictured the pastry case in the local bakery. He’d already stopped by once today, but maybe he could nip in on his way back to the station. No meal was complete without something sweet to finish it off.

  Gösta no longer expected much from life. His uncle always used to say that if you can keep your feet and head warm, then you should be content. These days Gösta was starting to understand what his uncle meant. It was important not to make too many demands. And ever since Ebba had come back into his life after the strange events of the past summer, he had been much more content. She had moved back to Göteborg, and for a while he’d worried that she might disappear again, reluctant to stay in contact with an old codger she’d known for a brief period when she was a child. But she got in touch with him every so often, and whenever she came to see her mother in Fjällbacka, she would always stop by to see him too. Of course Ebba was feeling fragile after what she’d been through, but each time he saw her, she seemed stronger. He sincerely hoped that her wounds would heal and that one day her faith in love would be restored. Maybe sometime in the future she would meet a new man and become a mother again. And maybe, with a little luck, he’d be a stand-in grandfather and once again have a chance to pamper a child. That was his greatest dream: to walk among the raspberry bushes in his garden at home, with a child at his side, a child who, with tottering steps and holding his hand, would help him pick the sweet berries.

  But for now that had to remain a daydream. In the meantime he needed to concentrate on the investigation. He shivered at the thought of what Patrik had told him about Victoria’s injuries, but forced himself to set aside his feelings of revulsion. He couldn’t afford to let emotion cloud his judgement. He’d seen plenty of misery during his years as a police officer, and even though the ugliness of this case surpassed any other he’d encountered, the principle remained the same: he needed to do his job.

  Gösta skimmed over the report, digesting the contents. Then he went next door to Patrik’s office.

  ‘Jonas reported the break-in only a few days before Victoria disappeared. And ketamine was one of the substances purportedly stolen. I’d like to drive over to have a talk with him while you and Martin go to Göteborg.’

  He saw Patrik’s look of surprise, and even though he felt rather insulted, he could understand it. He hadn’t always been the most industrious member of the team, and to be honest he still wasn’t. But he was a capable officer, and lately he’d had a renewed sense of determination. He wanted to make Ebba proud. Besides, he sympathized with the anguish of the Hallberg family after several months as their police liaison.

  ‘It sounds as though there’s a strong possibility the two events are connected. Good job,’ said Patrik. ‘But do you want to go there alone? If not, I could go with you tomorrow.’

  Gösta waved a hand in dismissal. ‘It’s okay. I can handle it. It’s no big deal, and I was the one who filed the original report. Good luck in Göteborg.’ He gave Patrik a curt nod and left to go out to his car.

  It took only five minutes to drive to the farm. He turned in to the yard and parked near the house belonging to Marta and Jonas.

  ‘Knock, knock,’ he said as he opened the door at the back of the house.

  The veterinary clinic wasn’t large. A minuscule waiting room, not much bigger than an entryway, in addition to a ki
tchenette and treatment room.

  ‘No boa constrictors, spiders, or other creepy animals, I hope,’ he joked when he caught sight of Jonas.

  ‘Hi, Gösta. No, don’t worry. There aren’t many creatures like that in Fjällbacka, thank goodness.’

  ‘Could I come in for a minute?’ Gösta stepped inside, wiping his shoes on the mat.

  ‘Of course. I don’t have another patient for an hour. Doesn’t look as though it’s going to be one of my busier days. Take off your coat. Would you like some coffee?’

  ‘That would be great. Thanks. Unless it’s too much bother?’

  Jonas shook his head and went to the kitchenette. Gösta could see an expensive-looking coffeemaker on the worktop.

  ‘I invested in this luxury for the sake of my own sanity. Strong or weak? Milk? Sugar?’

  ‘Strong, with milk and sugar. Thanks.’ Gösta took off his jacket and sat down in one of the two visitor’s chairs.

  ‘Here you are.’ Jonas handed Gösta a cup and sat down across from him. ‘I assume this is about Victoria.’

  ‘Not exactly. I wanted to ask you about the break-in you had here.’

  Jonas raised his eyebrows. ‘I thought you wrote up a report about that. I have to admit I’ve been a little disappointed that the police haven’t made any progress with that matter, even though I realize that Victoria’s case has to be your top priority. Can you tell me why you’re suddenly so interested in the break-in?’

  ‘I’m afraid not,’ said Gösta. ‘How did you discover that someone had broken in? I know we’ve already gone over this, but I’d like to hear it again, if you don’t mind.’ He waved his hand apologetically and almost knocked over his coffee cup. He caught it as it started to tip and then picked it up, just to be on the safe side.

  ‘Well, as I already said, when I came over here in the morning, I found the door had been forced. That was about nine o’clock. That’s my usual starting time, because people rarely want to come any earlier. At any rate, I could tell immediately that the place had been burgled.’