Cold Hearts (18 page)

‘If not …’

‘… she threatened to tell someone. To go to the police.’

‘How old was she when she moved out?’

‘Eighteen. Autumn, 1988.’

‘1988? Why then?’

‘Why not? She couldn’t stand it any longer, either.’

‘But she never told the authorities that she’d moved.’

‘Oh? Well, I suppose she didn’t take that very seriously. She didn’t get much more than her tax code in the post, and I’m sure she could manage without that.’

‘Not an easy childhood for any of you, I can see.’

She slapped the dashboard. ‘Do you know who I blame most? Not my father. He was just a pathetic bastard. Not my mother. She was a zero. But the sodding committee. These
self-righteous
neighbours who were so proud of all the things they were going to do – and then they weren’t any better! I can never forgive them. Once I went to him, Rødberg, and asked for help. But all he did was hush it up. He said that I shouldn’t, that it was a one-off, that I had to forgive. And then he wanted us to pray together. Pray to God for forgiveness of all our sins.
I could have spewed. I ran out, out of his house and back home to … hell!’

‘A one-off?’

‘Yes.’

‘But surely you told him …?’

‘Yes!’ she interrupted. Then she held her head. ‘Ohhh! This is driving me mad!’ When she turned to me again it was with a sombre, distressed expression. ‘What’s happened to them, Veum? Where are they?’

‘Margrethe and Karl Gunnar?’

She nodded. ‘They were here …’ She gazed up at the
star-shaped
building. ‘Friday night.’

A second or two passed before what she had said sank in. ‘What! Here?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’

She shrugged. ‘Kalle was going to spend the night with me, as usual, but this time he had Margrethe with him as well. Something had happened. I don’t know what. She was very, very upset. The next day they said they were moving on, they had a plan. But I didn’t believe them. I thought they were dreaming. But they did anyway. All of a sudden they were gone, and you and the police came to the door asking after them. Could … could they be safe somewhere … abroad?’

‘Do you think so?’

She slowly shook her head.

‘They would have contacted you, wouldn’t they?’

‘Yes, they would.’

I brooded. ‘Listen, Siv … there’s something I have to tell you that very few people know. About what happened to Carsten Mobekk. The police have found Margrethe’s prints at
the crime scene. On a wine glass. And in one of the streets up there, in a stolen car, both of their prints.’

She looked at me, with such vacant eyes that for an instant I feared she had not understood what I had said.

‘You said yourself that the people you blamed most were those on the committee. Perhaps Margrethe and your brother felt the same?’

‘But … No, I refuse to believe that. Margrethe?’

‘Or both of them?’

‘And so?’

I splayed my palms. ‘It might have happened in a moment of passion. They could have been so frightened by what they had done that they just fled – as far as they could.’

‘Where then? They didn’t have anywhere to hide!’

‘Nowhere?’

‘No!’

For a while we sat in silence. At length I vaguely indicated her arm. ‘When did you start self-harming?’

Again her face darkened. ‘Don’t remember.’

‘Was it … to punish yourself?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. It was something I did. There was no one else I could … be bad to.’

‘But you know it’s unfounded. There’s no reason whatsoever to punish yourself for the abuse others have committed.’

‘I know that, yes. But it’s not so easy to … Sometimes I just have to do it! It’s like a kind of … high. Something has
poisoned
me, for ever.’

‘Yes, I know. Have you tried to get any treatment for it? Talked to a psychologist? What about the company doctor?’

‘He’s taken an oath of confidentiality!’

‘But perhaps he recommended you to have treatment, as well?’

‘Yes, he did. But … I thought I could cope without. I’m used to … coping alone. The last six months have been better after I …’

‘After you …?’

‘Got a … boyfriend.’

‘Not … Nils Åkre?’

She shook her head. ‘No, no, no. My goodness, he’s a
colleague.’
She looked up at the apartment block. ‘But now I think I have to …’

‘Perhaps that was who you were expecting the other evening when first I, then Nils came … and disturbed you.’

She tossed her head. ‘Maybe. I have to go, I said!’

‘One last question, Siv. After you moved out … did you see … did you ever meet your father again?’

Her lips tightened into a fierce grimace. ‘I went to his funeral, and I would have liked to dance on his grave! No, Veum. I never saw him again, and I would … If I had been able to, I would have killed him myself!’

‘Do you think someone else … did precisely that?’

‘Did … what? Killed him?’

‘Yes.’

‘Who could have done it?’

‘I suppose your mother was the closest.’

‘She could never have done it.’

‘Your brother or sister?’

‘Kalle was inside. And Margrethe? She’d also moved out before his death. None of us was at home even!’

‘Who did he go to, do you think, when his needs were too great? Back to your mother? Could it have been too much for her?’

‘I don’t know! I know nothing about this. The day I moved
out I drew a line under the life I had lived to that point. Since then I’ve tried to start afresh, live a new life … without such occurrences. Since the funeral I haven’t even seen her, my own mother!’ She opened the door and set a foot on the tarmac. ‘But now I have to go.’

She got out of the car. I leaned over and tried to catch her eye. ‘Thank you for telling me all this, Siv. I don’t know if it will help me to trace Margrethe, but at least it gives me a better background for understanding her. Understanding all three of you.’
Your mother as well,
I might have added. But I didn’t. I don’t think she would have understood that. I barely did myself.

She gave a brief nod, closed the door behind her and walked towards the entrance of the star-shaped building.

I sat watching her.

A shooting star … Why did I always think about shooting stars? A streak of light in a dark sky. Then it’s gone for ever, and the sky is as black as before.

BEFORE STARTING THE CAR
I rang Helleve and asked whether they had made contact with Lars Mikalsen.

He sounded irritable. ‘No, Varg. Have you got anything to offer?’

My stomach knotted. ‘Did you get inside?’

‘Yes, Varg. We got into the flat. And, no, Varg. He wasn’t there. Another disappearance?’

‘I certainly hope not.’

‘Was there anything else?’ He sounded more unfriendly than usual.

‘No. I assume …’

‘Yes, Varg. We’ve got a full-scale search for him under way. We’ll pick him up inside a couple of hours. Was there anything else? No? Have a nice evening, Varg, and please … no more bodies. Deal?’

‘Deal,’ I said, and we rang off. But I was not at all sure that I could keep my end of the bargain. I had a feeling that danger was afoot for several people in this case. One and a half million in street value was not what one might call small change. And I was beginning to have an ever clearer idea of who had robbed Lars Mikalsen for that sum of money.

From Kristofer Jansons vei I drove home to make myself something to eat. I took the fish from the freezer box, opened a can of chopped tomatoes and sliced the leeks. While I was waiting for the potatoes to boil I dialled Hege Jensen’s number again. This time she answered.

‘Yes. Hege here.’ Her enunciation was unclear, her voice reedy and trembling.

I felt my throat constrict. ‘Veum here. How are you?’

‘… Fine.’

‘Where are you?’

She mumbled something I didn’t catch.

‘What was that? I didn’t hear.’

‘… in a safe place. They’re looking after me.’

‘What? Where? Who’s looking after you?’

I heard a voice in the background. She turned away from the telephone and said something. I heard some indefinable sounds from the mobile until a new voice answered. ‘Hello? Veum? Weren’t you told to keep away?’ It was Rolf Terje Dalby.

‘Several times. But now the situation …’

‘Shut up. We know it was Hege who gave you the job. We’re not very happy, neither with you nor her. One of our girls has disappeared, another’s dead.’

‘Our girls? Can I quote you on that next time I talk to the police?’

‘You, Veum, should keep a very low profile. Otherwise it’ll be you they find floating in the sea next time!’

‘I’m inundated with good quotes here. To hell with it, I think I’ll contact them right now.’

‘Don’t do anything hasty now, Veum! I’m warning you … for the last time.’

I heard Hege say something in the background.

‘By the way, Hege says hello and the job’s off. You’ll get what she owes you, and you can stop the search.’

‘Is that so? Could I have that from her own mouth?’

Again there was an exchange of views in the background, more fumbling with the mobile, and then Hege was back. ‘He’s
right. There’s nothing else to concern yourself with. There’ll only be … a lot of trouble.’

‘Hege … I understand that you’re under pressure now. Where are you? At his house?’

‘Yes, I … but I’m not under any pressure.’

‘You’re stoned. They’ve pumped you full of drugs, and now you’re saying what you have to, aren’t you.’

‘I am not … stoned.’

‘No, I’ve seldom heard anyone admit it. But I can hear it in your voice. I know where he lives. I’ll be there within a quarter of an hour.’

‘No! Don’t …’

I rang off, switched off all the rings on the stove, covered the fish with a plate and hurried out. I took the car, even though I could have got there almost as fast with a quick walk. But if I wanted to bring her back – which was my intention – it sounded as if we would need a means of transport.

In Rosenbergsgaten I parked by the kerb, went to the front of the block and straight to his door. There was no bell outside. I pounded on the door. ‘Dalby! If you don’t open I’ll ring the police! … Do you hear me?’

I stood listening. I couldn’t hear anything inside.

‘Dalby! I know you’re in there. Come on! Open up!’

Now I could hear something. Her faint voice reached the door. ‘Don’t! You’re breaking my arm!’

I cast around. Then with the space there was I took a run-up and kicked the lock hard. The door quivered, and I felt the recoil as a dull pain in my calf. But the door held firm.

From upstairs I heard a woman’s voice, accompanied by a child’s screaming: ‘What’s going on down there? We’ll ring the police if it doesn’t stop!’

I put my mouth to the door crack. ‘Dalby! Last chance! I’ve got my mobile in my hand. Now I’m ringing the police …’

Hege screamed – a long piercing shriek.

‘Dalby! I’m ringing now!’

I put my hand in my inside pocket. Then the door opened. Without waiting I placed my foot against it, kicked it inwards and barged my way through.

Within seconds I had an overview of the situation.

Rolf Terje Dalby had lost his balance when I kicked the door in, but now he was spoiling for a fight. In his right hand he held the same knife as when I last saw him, and he stood with legs akimbo, arms out from his body and the knife pointing upwards. His alert eyes watched me.

Hege lay on the ground, her arm bent to the side in an unnatural position. She was whimpering and moaning, and her eyes roamed the room, unseeing. ‘You broke my arm!’ she groaned. ‘You broke my arm!’

Fury rose in me like a tidal wave, but I stood where I was. I didn’t like the knife.

‘Dalby … Wise up now. Don’t add to the crimes you’ll already have to answer for. Greetings to you by the way.’

‘Greetings? Who from? Father Christmas?’

‘From KG Monsen.’

‘From KG? He’s escaped from prison for fuck’s sake! The whole town’s after him. When we get hold of him …’

‘Yes, what then? You grew up together.’

‘So? Get the hell out of here! We haven’t got anything to talk about.’

I made a gesture towards Hege. ‘Not without her. She has to go to A&E, surely you can see that, can’t you?’

‘She’s not going any-fucking-where! She has to work!’

‘To work? With her arm in a sling?’

He brandished the knife. ‘I’m warning you!’

I moved a couple of steps forward, without taking my eyes off him. ‘Hege? Can you stand up?’

She whimpered. ‘Don’t know …’ She struggled to her knees, grabbed the edge of a chair, managed to stand up.

Dalby hissed at her. ‘Hege! Don’t you dare! We’ll break every bone in your body!’

I sidled round in an arc to her, bent down and grabbed her under the arm, not taking my eyes off him for a second. ‘Don’t listen to him. Come on …’

She was heavier to lift than I had expected. For a moment I looked down to see how she was doing. That was when he made his bid.

The attack was swift and brutal. I saw the blade coming, but utter fear gave me unexpected strength. I dragged Hege up from the floor, at such speed that she growled with pain, pushed her to the side, twisted round and avoided the knife by a whisker.

For an instant, Dalby was off balance. Without mercy I brought my knee up into his groin, snatched his arm and smacked his wrist against the table so hard that he dropped the knife, then I forced him into a half nelson, pushed him down onto the floor and buried my knee in his spine.

I could hear my own breathing, as heavy as a two-stroke uphill. Dalby gasped for air with a whistling, bronchitic wheeze. He pressed his free hand down to his groin as he writhed in pain. Hege stood leaning against the table staring at us with narrow eyes and tiny pupils.

I looked at her. ‘Can you walk unaided?’

A shudder went through her and her eyes wandered. ‘I can try.’

‘Ohhh!’ Dalby groaned aloud and fought to get free.

I pushed his arm even further up. ‘One broken arm’s enough, don’t you think?’

He mumbled something into the floor.

‘What did you say? I didn’t hear.’

He turned his face to the side. ‘You’re finished, Veum. Your days are numbered in this town.’

‘And who’s counting them? Kjell Boy?’

‘Witless man lies awake all night, thinking hither and thither.’

‘Which means?’

‘You sound as stupid as you look, you prick!’

‘But I know all about what you and Malthus are up to. I know exactly what you were waiting for last Saturday, and what you’re so desperate to get your hands on now. I think I even know where it is.’

‘What!’ He tried to turn his head right round.

‘Give my regards to Malthus and tell him if he wants his package back, ring me.’

‘You’re bluffing!’

‘Try me!’

‘You’re bluffing!’ he repeated.

Hege had at last plucked up the courage. She staggered from the table to the door, grabbing the inside handle and stood swaying. ‘Shall we … go?’

‘Hege!’ Dalby yelled. ‘Kjell’s gonna kill you! I can promise you that!’

I forced his head hard against the floor. ‘Shut up, you blockhead.’

‘
Witless man,
’ he started, driven by an inner demon.

‘Shut up, I said!’

‘…
safest silent,
’ his mouth chafed against the filthy wooden floor.

‘Perhaps you should listen to Odin’s words of wisdom
yourself
, Rolfy son. Now you just listen to me. From today onwards Hege is under my protection. Do you hear me? Tell Malthus too, and take note, both of you.’

‘Varg,’ Hege whined. ‘My arm.’

‘Yes, I’m coming.’

I stretched to the side and grasped Dalby’s knife. ‘I’ll look after this.’ Once again I pushed down the back of his head. ‘And you stay here! Got that!’

‘
One is never recompensed by evil men for the good one does.
’

‘Your father would be proud of you.’

In one rapid leap I was on my feet and over by the door. I opened it and ushered Hege into the corridor. In the doorway I turned round.

He had got to his feet. With eyes like hot coals, he stood glowering at me.

Neither of us had any further words of wisdom to impart. I slammed the door between us and led Hege quickly and firmly to the car.

‘Next stop A&E,’ I said, getting behind the wheel and inserting the key.