ELLEN

2.15 P.M.

Ellen sank down in one of the chairs in the editing room and stared at the screens in front of her, all of which were in sleep mode with a revolving graphic screensaver, reminding her how she herself was walking in circles.

There was a buzz in her pocket, and Ellen took out the phone.

Carola’s voice sounded cold and hard when Ellen answered. ‘I would like you to urge the residents of Stentuna and the surrounding area to take special precautions.’

‘A warning?’ Ellen was sceptical, and at the same time was wondering whether Carola thought it was that simple — that she could simply phone in any information that she wanted to get out.

‘We want to encourage women in the area to be careful before we know more.’

‘Wait a minute,’ said Ellen. ‘Why should women be afraid that you guys haven’t been doing your job? Do they have to stay home because Liv Lind was murdered? Doesn’t violence win then? That’s the wrong focus.’

Carola was silent.

It surprised Ellen that Carola wanted them to release that kind of out-of-date message. She seemed more modern than that, though of course they had their employers to consider. And Ellen actually didn’t have much more to go on for tonight’s broadcast. Sometimes, she wondered if she ought to apply for a job at the police media centre instead. They had no idea how to put words together correctly, and often blurred the message. And journalists like her were never slow to catch the slip — actually, she didn’t know which was worse.

‘You know what, actually, I can see what you mean. Sorry I flared up like that. I just don’t think that women should have to go around being afraid. Should we really be preventing women from living a normal life?’

Carola snorted. ‘And what’s a normal life, according to you? It’s violence that hinders women, not us. The world isn’t a sweet little island, where everyone is nice and if only you’re nice yourself everything will be fine. Spare me your naivety, please. The murder of Liv Lind unfortunately confirms that feeling fear is justified.’

‘Have you released the same warning concerning the fatal assault of the soccer supporter? Have you asked men to stay home?’

‘That I don’t know, because I don’t work with that investigation, but I’d assume so. We are constantly working at ways that we can get the better of these kinds of violence. However much we work to change norms and influence gender education, it nevertheless feels like it’s taking everyone far too long, I agree. Violence exists in all relationships, regardless of gender. But because Liv Lind was also raped, we are limiting the warning to women this time.’

Ellen stared at the screens in front of her. ‘Does that mean this isn’t a case of domestic violence?’

‘It’s not exactly strange for us to ask people to be careful until we at the police know more. You know what? Email me if you have any more questions concerning our encouragement for caution.’

Ellen figured that Carola had run out of arguments.

‘You’ll forgive me for saying this, but you’re a journalist and for natural reasons can’t have full insight into the investigation,’ Carola continued. ‘During this afternoon, a new possible lead has crystallised for the investigators. I don’t want you to talk about it, as it could disturb the investigation.’

‘What kind of lead is it?’ Ellen picked up a pen on the table and turned over a sheet of paper with a list of handwritten time codes that someone had left behind.

‘We’ve discovered that several assaults have occurred in the surrounding area earlier this year. I can’t say more than that.’

Ellen sighed. ‘You know what …’

‘I’ve spoken to Liv Lind’s sister, and she’s agreed to meet you tomorrow.’