ELLEN

12.30 P.M.

Unlike most of the women who passed through the doors to the women’s clinic, Ellen was not welcome. Finally, they let her in anyway, after she explained her business in detail and convinced them that she wasn’t going to film, that her visit was in line with their operation, and that the interview would only take a few minutes. She had asked to speak to someone who could serve as spokesperson for the clinic and knew that the director had made statements in the media before. It was not by chance, either, that Ellen was visiting the clinic that was closest to Liv’s residence, even though she knew they could neither confirm nor deny that Liv had been there.

The visit might at least give Ellen a sense of whether Liv really had been living in a violent relationship, which had been the police’s first theory. Now, the police were apparently looking for a man who had attacked multiple women in Stentuna. Ellen hadn’t been able to find anyone to confirm that lead, but had asked Agatha to keep digging. She herself chose to pursue the lead that she felt was most probable, and she couldn’t credit that the fatal blow had been the first.

Ellen was directed to the dental clinic one floor down. The women’s clinic didn’t want her in their offices, which made perfect sense.

The dental receptionist understood immediately what it was about and automatically showed her into a cold, silent room with two armchairs and a small table in the middle.

It was stuffy, and Ellen took the liberty of opening the little window before she took a seat in one of the red armchairs. You could almost touch the dejection that emanated through the room, and she thought of the women who’d sat here before her. On the table lay some brochures and information flyers about violence and the support that was available. She picked one up, but had only just started browsing when the director of the women’s clinic came into the room. Ellen stood up, and they shook hands. The woman, who was in her fifties and introduced herself as Joulin Bergfelt, had long black hair and olive skin.

As she sat down on the chair opposite and folded her hands, Ellen was struck by how beautiful the woman was. Joulin told her briefly about the operation and what they did. It was admirable work that must often have felt hopeless.

Ellen couldn’t stop herself wondering about whether Joulin herself had experienced anything like that and whether that could be why she was so engaged, but she suppressed her curiosity and explained instead that she was working on the murder of Liv Lind, but that she wanted to talk about violence against women in more general terms.

‘Is it okay if I record this?’ she asked, taking her phone out of her pocket.

Joulin nodded, and Ellen put the phone on the table.

She started by asking what Joulin thought about the police sending women a general warning the way they had the day before.

‘Because I’m not familiar with the case, I can only give a general response to your question, and the most common thing when the victim is a woman is that the perpetrator is known to her.’

‘But the murder of Liv Lind has led to a lot of anxiety and fear in the community.’

‘Yes, and I don’t know if the police have good reason to send out that kind of warning. I just hope that it doesn’t lead to women’s freedom of movement being limited. It’s a major problem that we often talk about how women should protect themselves, for example by not walking home alone or running with earphones. But we ought to be directing the warnings at men, as they’re the ones who are responsible for the greatest share of violence in the world by far. If you want to reduce this type of violent crime, you have to work with men and boys.’

‘In what way?’ Joulin was well-spoken, good-looking, and credible. She has an on-screen presence, Ellen thought, and made a mental note to tip off News Morning about her.

She was met by a look of exhaustion.

‘Through crime prevention efforts. I can email you a summary of what we think society can do to stop this violence. The men hit, and the women hide here. That’s the awful development we’re seeing.’

‘Thanks, please do email me. Can you tell me anything about how violence in intimate relationships most often expresses itself?’ Perhaps she should get some new input. After the conversation with Sara, it appeared that Liv’s relationships had not been wholly uncomplicated, and Ellen had had the feeling that her sister had probably responded a little too quickly when asked whether there were signs that Liv had been subjected to physical violence previously.

‘It can be physical, mental, or sexual.’

‘Can you give me some concrete examples?’

‘When we talk about physical violence, for example, she can be shaken, shoved, dragged, or someone can take a stranglehold, or threaten her with a knife. And it still counts as physical violence, even if no bruises or wounds are visible after the attack.’ Joulin took a deep breath. ‘Control and isolation are examples of psychological violence. Maybe someone controls the other person’s email or phone. Perhaps they intrude on them without permission or follow them. Threatening to injure children or pets, or to commit suicide, or reveal someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity against their will are further examples. It can also express itself in extreme jealousy or the desire to shame your partner in front of others and humiliate her or him, likewise to make someone financially dependent. The violent person can hit, threaten, and offend one moment, and then be warm and regretful. The happy, intimate times together mean that the subjected partner continues to hope that it can be good again.’

‘What would you say are the clearest warning signs for a family member? How can we tell if it’s happening to a sister or friend?’

‘It’s hard to generalise, but we usually say that the victims withdraw from family and friends.’

Ellen nodded and tried to process all the heavy information, which was actually only confirming things she already knew, but which bore repeating again and again. Besides which she needed the facts on which to hang her argument.

‘And what signs can you see in the man who commits abuse?’

‘I just want to point out that violence occurs in all types of relationships, it can be the man who is abused, and it can happen in same-sex relationships. But the signs are usually the same. The one who abuses is perceived as charming and verbal. Often, they may criticise their partner in front of others, or disparage them. It usually starts with mental abuse, which is hard for a family member to notice.’

Ellen ended the interview and praised Joulin for the amazing work she and her colleagues were doing. They exchanged business cards, and Joulin said that Ellen should feel free to be in touch again, should she have more questions.

The sun was shining on Ellen as she stepped out onto the street. She squinted up at the sky and took a few deep breaths before walking over to her car.

It was broiling hot, and it was barely possible to sit on the car seat without burning your thighs. She rolled down the windows and tried to get a little air circulating, but there was no breeze.

Liv’s previous relationships had also been secretive. She needed to speak to Carola and find out if they knew anything else about the person in question.

But Carola wasn’t answering her phone. While waiting for her to call back, Ellen scrolled through her inbox and saw that Agatha had sent her an email. According to her sources, no reports could be found from women who had been attacked in Stentuna in the past year.

Ellen was feeling more and more confused and decided to call the police in Nyköping. She needed someone who could confirm her information. According to Agatha, the reports from Stentuna from the past few months were only connected to bullying and vandalism. She was transferred to Börje.

‘Now what do you want? Will you please leave us alone so we can do our work? Haven’t you got your own contact?’

‘Yes, but she’s not answering. According to my source, you’re working on a new lead. Can you confirm that earlier this year, several assaults on women were reported in the surrounding area?’

He sighed. ‘What are you talking about? You’ll have to check your sources and not waste our time on your speculations.’

‘So you’re saying it’s not true?’

‘No comment.’

‘Why, then, have you asked women to be extra cautious?’

‘I’m not the one who handles the press questions in this media circus, Stockholm is responsible for external communication. Thanks to you,’ he said and hung up.

Thanks, yourself. Ellen stared, crestfallen, at the phone and wondered why Börje wouldn’t want to confirm that several women had been attacked, and why it seemed like he wasn’t behind the warning at all.