Sander’s vision was starting to go black. When Killian finally let go and lowered his knife hand, Sander felt the urge to cough and hadto double over to stifle it, gasping for air. His fingertips were prickly, full of pins and needles. He slowly straightened up, feeling increasingly dizzy.
“I had to,” Killian rasped in a hollow tone, his voice vibrating with something Sander didn’t recognize.
They stared at each other in the darkness.
97
As Vidar and Siri stepped into the yard after their visit to Felicia Grenberg, the clouds were forming towers and the day’s heat gave way to a pale evening chill.
“I told you,” Vidar said as they returned to the car, “to do as I said.”
“I did.”
“Did you go down in the basement?”
“No, the door was locked.”
“Good.”
“Someone’s down there. All the doors in the house were open or unlocked, except that one. I’m pretty sure I heard something down there, like whispers. What brand were the empty cans in the SUV?”
“Spendrups Premium Gold.”
“There were some of those on top of the trash in the kitchen.”
“It’s Sander’s car. The SUV.” Vidar rested a hand on the wheel and gazed at the house. They had a good view from here. “I don’t believe her. She’s a good actor, but not good enough.”
The darkness was coming their way; the wind intensified and trees began to sway.
Vidar took out his phone. Markus picked up on the second ring.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Moving forward,” Vidar said. “I think this might end tonight.”
“End?”
“I think we’re going to solve it. I’m outside Felicia Grenberg’s house. She’s inside, and I suspect Sander Eriksson and Killian Persson are too.”
“Killian Persson? Isn’t he dead?”
“Seems he isn’t.”
Markus was always quick to rally in the most urgent situations. It was a skill he’d had since Vidar got to know him years and years ago.
“Have you seen him, were you able to identify him?”
“Not yet.”
A momentary silence. “What do you need from me?”
“More people. A lot more. In case this all goes to hell.”
Markus was already up; Vidar could hear him moving around.
“Now?”
“If possible.”
