“I want to help you, Harry. When you find him, I want to help you.”
“Help me how?”
Bohr held up his cigarette. “Killing someone is like smoking. You cough, you don’t want to, you don’t think you’ll ever be able to do it. And deep down I never believed the guys in Special Forces who said that killing an enemy is the ultimate kick. If Rakel’s murderer is killed after he’s been arrested, you need to be beyond all suspicion.”
“I pass the death sentence, and you’re offering to be the executioner?”
“Oh, we’ve already passed judgement, Harry. Hatred is burning us to our foundations. We’re aware of it, but we’re already alight, and it’s too late to stop it.” Bohr tossed the cigarette butt on the ground. “Shall I drive you home?”
“I’ll walk,” Harry said. “I need to air out the chloroform. Just two questions. When your wife and I were sitting by Smestaddammen, you aimed at us with a laser sight. Why, and how did you know that’s where we would go?”
Bohr smiled. “I didn’t know. I often sit in the basement keeping watch. I make sure the mink don’t take any more cygnets from the two swans who live there. Then the pair of you showed up.”
“Mm.”
“The second question?”
“How did you get me out of the car and up all those stairs this evening?”
“The way we carry anyone who’s fallen. Like a rucksack. That’s the easiest way.”
Harry nodded. “I suppose it is.”
Bohr stood up. “You know how to get hold of me, Harry.”
—
Harry walked past City Hall, crossed Stortingsgata and stopped in front of the National Theatre. He noted that he had walked past three open, lively bars without much difficulty. He got his phone out. A message from Oleg.
Anything new? Head above water?
Harry decided to call after he’d spoken to Kaja. She answered on the first ring.
“Harry?” He could hear the concern in her voice.
“I’ve been speaking to Bohr,” he said.
“Iknewsomething was going on!”
“He’s innocent.”
“Really?” He heard the sound of a duvet scraping the phone as she rolled over. “What does that mean?”
“That means we’re back at square one. I can give you a full report first thing tomorrow, OK?”
“Harry?”
“Yes.”
“I was worried.”
“I noticed.”
“And now I feel a bit lonely.”
A pause.
“Harry?”
