ALEXANDRA

9.00 A.M.

The basil was the first plant she ripped out. After that, one herb after the other went, and she hurled them into the sink so that dirt sprayed up in her face and onto the counter and window. Fury was gushing up inside her.

Patrik hadn’t been working the day that Liv was murdered. Why had he lied to her? After the interview, he’d gone straight to work — just sent a text message, and then turned off the phone.

Bea hadn’t come home either, and as usual, she had no idea where her daughter was.

‘Do you want some help?’

Alexandra turned around sharply and glowered at her mother-in-law’s wrinkled face. ‘Get out of here before …’

‘Before what? Before you hit me? Stop that!’ Her mother-in-law grabbed her hand and restrained her from tossing the last plant. ‘You have to learn to manage your anger. Don’t you see what it does to you? Do you think I don’t see the bruises on my son?’

How did she have the gall to say something like that? ‘I want you to leave our house. You are no longer welcome here.’ The words just burst out of her, and it felt so good. Now it was enough. All respect for family, but she wasn’t going to swallow any more of the nasty comments that her mother-in-law threw in her face. Why hadn’t she said this earlier? ‘Did you hear what I said, go and pack your bag!’

But Eva stood there, close enough that she could notice the smell of Bosängen.

‘If you don’t get control of your anger soon, it’s going to destroy your life and your children’s. Anger breeds anger. I’ve seen it lose control. I know how hard it is to share your husband with other women, and what stress that entails, but don’t take it out on your children.’

‘How can you speak to me that way! I’ve had enough of your judgemental comments.’

‘I know exactly what it’s like to feel that you’re about to cross the line. Especially when you’re living in such a pressured environment, as I know you are. I’ve experienced exactly the same stress. But you have to seek help.’

‘Listen.’ Alexandra turned around. ‘Will you please just leave my house at once. You’ve never liked me or where I come from. It doesn’t matter how hard I strive for you to accept me. It’s catch-22 all the time — it’s not possible to satisfy you. When I cook, it’s either too much or too little; when I set the table, it’s never good enough, and you’re there adjusting and grumbling. You hate me because I’m not fine enough and don’t fit into your wonderful family. It’s never good enough, never! You’re a fucking horrible old hag, you know that? I feel sorry for you. You hate that your son loves me and would rather be with me than with you.’

Eva stared at her without changing expression. ‘Is that what you think?’ She smiled haughtily.

Alexandra was completely out of breath.

‘It’s true, I don’t like you, but it’s not because you’re from Poland, or because you always show off in front of me. Ever since I met you for the first time, I’ve seen that you have an unnatural anger inside you. Why do you think Bea is the way she is? You carry on and polish your home and water your flowers, while your children rot away inside.’

‘How dare you talk to me like this!’

‘Who are you trying to impress? Me? Ha. I think you’ve misunderstood the situation, or else it’s a way to defend yourself. You’re living in a state of denial. It’s your own inferiority complex that has made you what you are. Don’t blame it on me. I know you weren’t at home the night Liv was murdered. When I came home, the car was gone. Märtha was sitting on the stairs absolutely scared out of her wits when I came home. You left her alone.’

Alexandra closed her eyes.