‘CAN YOU EXPLAIN something to me?’
He could hear music. He couldn’t understand why. Loud, too. The kind of volume that usually meant Theodor. He reluctantly opened his eyes and realized he was in his own living room. Right, he’d put the music on himself. The xx, which was now running on repeat. He must have fallen asleep.
‘Fabian? Can you hear me?’
It was Stubbs’s voice. He knew that much, but he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from.
‘Hello?’ he said eventually, and realized he was still lying on the sofa. ‘Hillevi, is that you?’
‘No, it’s Barbra Streisand. Would you mind explaining to me the point of keeping an extra phone if you never pick up?’
He sat up on the sofa and looked at the Nokia in his hand. ‘I’m sorry, I must have dozed off. What time is it?’
‘What are you talking about, dozed off? It’s ten to nine in the morning. I’ve been up all night, staring at Elvin’s map until my eyes bled.’
Fabian stood up and walked over to the kitchen island, where he’d left his iPhone. It was true. It was ten to nine. He must have slept all night.
‘Hello? Are you still there?’
‘You’ve been studying the map. And? Did you find something?’
There was a loud sigh on the other end. ‘Why else would I be calling? To tell you that Mona-Jill is grumpy as an old rag just because I don’t happen to like—’
‘Hillevi,’ he broke in. ‘What did you find?’
‘I’m sorry, I’m just exhausted from pulling an all-nighter.’ Just as Stubbs heaved another sigh, Fabian spotted a handwritten note on the coffee machine. ‘Anyway, that’s my thing you’re doing now. I’m the impatient one who gets frustrated. Not you.’
Hi Fabian,
I know that you’re busy and in the middle of a big case. But I would never ask you if it wasn’t important, and this time it’s more important than ever. For me and for you. For us. For that reason, I want you to come and see my performance at Dunkers at seven tonight.
Sonja
‘It turns out I was right about the map. I think I know where Molander’s little hideout is. Though it’s anyone’s guess if that’s where he’s stashed the forensic evidence, obviously,’ Stubbs went on while he read the note. ‘Does Rausvägen 28 ring any bells?’
Their marriage depended on this.
‘Hello? Houston calling!’
‘I’m listening,’ he said, dashing upstairs. ‘I know where Rausvägen is. But that’s all I know. What is it? A house?’
‘From the satellite pictures it looks like several small houses or barracks. I honestly can’t make out what kind of place it is.’
‘Is Molander listed as the owner?’ Fabian said, hurtling up the second flight of stairs to the studio.
‘No, it’s a company called Warhammer.’
‘And who owns the company?’
‘My God, what’s with the third degree?’ Stubbs griped, but he could hear her typing in a search on her computer. ‘You’re right. Here he is, in the form of Gertrud Lisbeth Stenson. That must be her maiden name. You’re not as dumb as you look, I guess. When can you be there? I would suggest as soon as possible.’
‘I can’t. I can’t go out there.’ He pressed his ear against the closed studio door. He just wanted to hold Sonja and assure her he would do everything in his power to be there to support her. ‘Molander will know what’s going on immediately and we have no idea what the consequences might be.’ When he didn’t hear anything, he opened the door and peeked into the studio. ‘You should head out there by yourself, and I’ll do what I can to keep him busy.’ Only to discover that both Sonja and the wooden box were gone.