SHE HAD JUST FINISHED cleaning the apartment and was holding a summer dress against her in front of the mirror imagining how it would look on her. She shook her head in displeasure, folded the dress up and put it into a black rubbish bag destined for Myrorna. Sanna stretched her arms up into the air and took a few deep breaths. She was about to lie down on the bed to rest when her mobile rang.
“Hi Kalle,” she said cheerfully.
“We need you here!” said Kalle. “How long are you going to be off work? It’s been two months now.”
She sighed. Kalle was certainly persistent. He had kept on calling her, particularly during the first few weeks of her sabbatical when he had rung at least twice a week. Since then his calls had been more sporadic.
“I don’t know. You’re coping fine without me.”
“You’re kidding!” he replied, with a touch of irritation.
As soon as it was decided that another team would handle the investigation into Börge Svenson’s murder, she decided to take some time off. She was owed holiday time that she had been forced to save because of work commitments. Blom understood why Sanna had refused to continue with the case. They were all exhausted from weeks of working overtime and were more than willing to pass the case on to another team.
Kalle had kept her informed about the progress of the murder inquiry or rather the lack of progress. Every week that went by meant it was more likely the investigators of the Svenson murder was destined to fail. They had a murder weapon without fingerprints. Many witnesses had come in with photographs taken with iPhones but they all showed a person on the run whose head was completely covered by a motor cycle helmet and the rest of the body by the customary leather outfit that didn’t reveal anything of the assailant.
Eventually they called in Interpol but achieved no noticeable results. Kalle had heard that there was a risk that the case would be closed.
Sanna had shown little interest in the outcome. She couldn’t care less how it ended.
“Are you still there?” asked Kalle.
“I have to think about it. I promise you’ll be the first to know if I’m coming back or not…”
Kalle drew a deep breath. “I hope you don’t throw away the knowledge and experience you have gained after so many years in the profession. Next time I hear from you I want to know WHEN you are coming back!” He paused. “By the way, the Svenson investigation has been closed,” he added and hung up the phone.