No, its nothing, he muttered.
Muscles gave HP an irritated glance before going on.
Weve concluded that the only way in is through the underground tunnel. It used to carry the cables linking the base to the artillery installations along the coast, but now theyve extended it out into the Baltic Sea …
The Fortress uses the tunnel to bring in cold water … Hasselqvist went on eagerly, digging out some documents from the bottom of the heap.
Here are the pictures …
All that could be seen were some steep black cliffs and a whole lot of churning seawater.
The opening is under there, about five metres below the surface. Its probably covered by a grille, but Jeff can get that open …
I did my military service as a diver, ordnance clearance, Muscles said in a self-satisfied tone of voice that lowered HPs already lousy mood to new depths.
I can cut through the grille, then we can swim through the tunnel into a small cold-water reservoir here.
He pointed at the map.
From there we probably need to climb four or five metres up the side, and then we blow open a door so we can …
Hang on a minute … !
He had promised himself that he was going to keep his mouth shut, but it was impossible to hold out any longer.
Im mean, Im sorry to interrupt Batman and Robin here, but underwater welding, diving, a bit of climbing and then blowing a door open – seriously?
He leaned back in his chair, folded his arms and shook his head very pointedly.
Someone here has been watching far too many of a certain sort of film …
He grinned at Jeff, and was rewarded with an angry glare.
HP … Manga began.
No, no, hang on. Id love to hear how Jason Bourne the Ordnance-Clearing Diver here is going to explain how were all going to get past those cliffs and then swim how far? Two, two and a half kilometres through that fucking tunnel?
Two point three, Hasselqvist sighed, earning him another glare from Jeff.
Thanks, Kent. So, two thousand, three hundred metres of underwater swimming, in total darkness, Im guessing. Apart from Jason here, is there anyone else whos got so much as a Open Water certificate from a diving holiday in Thailand?
No response.
No? Thought as much. So, if – against all expectation – we dont end up as drowned cats inside the tunnel, we round off our little swim with a bit of free-climbing followed by blasting open a door?
He grinned and shook his head.
Youre all fucking mad, thats insane …
Jeff opened his mouth as he began to rise from his chair.
But Nora pre-empted him.
So what would you do, then, HP? I presume you have a brilliant suggestion …
Sure, just give me a minute to think. Anything would have to be better than that.
Good, well you carry on thinking, HP. It wouldnt hurt to have a backup plan. And I have to say I agree with you, at least in part. Underwater swimming doesnt really make sense. Are we sure the tunnels full of water?
She turned to Jeff.
Well, er, its an underwater tunnel. It says so on the plans …
Yes, I can see that, but if you look at the elevation here … she pointed at one side of the plans, … then at least the roof of the tunnel is above water level the whole way. Or am I reading it wrong?
She glanced at Hasselqvist, who leaned over the plans.
No, youre right, Nora. The inflow is below sea level, but at least half the tunnel is above. Which ought to mean that we can swim instead of diving.
Inflatable dinghy, Jeff muttered. We take an inflatable dinghy with us, dive in through the end of the pipe, then blow it up inside the tunnel. Then we wouldnt have to swim …
Good, Nora said. That sounds much more manageable. Have you got anything to add, HP?
HP slowly shook his head.
Okay, lets say that, then. Well pick you up here the day after tomorrow …
Okay, okay.
HP practically had to shove Hasselqvist out of the flat. The other two had already left, a couple of minutes apart. Jeff had hardly said a word after HP complained about his lunatic plan. But it had actually been for everyones benefit. Him excepted, the gang was made up of cheery little amateurs. If they were going to stand the slightest chance of success, the plan would have to be as simple as possible.
HP couldnt help admiring Nora, and not only because shed had the good taste to agree with him. It had only taken her a quick look at the plans to discover something that the other two idiots hadnt noticed. It was a bit odd that she and Jeff hadnt discussed the matter before the meeting, but perhaps they hadnt had time.
The way shed managed to turn his protests into a task was also bloody smart. That way she didnt trample on Jeffs toes too much, at least not right now. But things would be very different once she saw the alternative plan that he was already starting to piece together. All it would take was a couple of little excursions and a visit to the Fensters basement. He had two days. That ought to be enough.
He locked the door carefully and put the safety chain on.
A sudden noise from inside the flat made him jump. Two little notes, like a text message arriving. He went out into the kitchen. Noras smartphone was still sitting on the windowsill. The little icon for a received message was flashing on the screen.
He picked up the phone, holding it in his hand for a few moments while he considered what to do. Nora had obviously forgotten it, which probably meant shed be back shortly. For some reason the idea appealed to him. But on the other hand there was always the risk that shed show up with her boyfriend, Jeff. If they really were an item …
There was one easy way to find out. He touched the screen with his finger and opened the inbox. The message was short, just four words.
You must be careful!! / A.F.
Okay, that wasnt exactly what he had been expecting.
No little where are you? or see you at Medborgarplatsen.
A.F. – who the hell was that? He didnt know Jeffs surname, but his first name didnt fit either of the initials. But maybe they used different names for lovey-dovey stuff …
The phone buzzed again and for a brief moment he almost dropped it.
Are you there?
He thought for a few seconds, then pressed the reply icon. An empty text box opened up. He paused again.
Im here, he typed, then pressed send.
The reply came almost immediately.
Im starting to think one of them is playing a double game …
He noticed he was holding his breath and forced himself to put the phone down. This wasnt good. Why the hell had he replied … ? But the message fascinated him.
The sender had to mean their little group, nothing else made sense. So which of them had he meant? Hasselqvist, Manga, or himself … ?
Another message appeared in Noras inbox.
Promise me youll be careful. Theres a lot riding on all of you, as Im sure you appreciate!
Shit, what was he supposed to do now? If he didnt answer, A.F. – whoever that was – would get suspicious.
He hesitated a few more seconds before replying:
I promise!
The answer came by return.
Good!
He breathed out. In the distance he heard the outside door of the building slam. Probably Nora on her way back up. Menu button, erase conversation. Perfect!
Hed made it out into the hall when the phone buzzed again. At that moment the doorbell rang.
Best not to look, just open the door and hand the phone over to Nora as if nothing had happened.
Pretend everythings fine, play it cool.
But, on the other hand, reading the message could hardly hurt …
As soon as he saw the text he regretted it.
Good luck, HP!
His heart suddenly began to beat so fast he could feel it against his ribs.
Whatthefuck …
Who are you? he wrote, without thinking.
The doorbell rang again, followed by a careful knock.
Its me, open up, he heard Nora say.
Who are you!!??? he wrote again, pressing so hard that his thumb went white.
But he didnt get an answer.
21
Time bubbles
Hello, Rebecca here …
Good morning, Rebecca, this is Uncle Tage.
Oh, hello … She tried to hide her disappointment.
I was expecting to hear from you yesterday, but you never got in touch. Did everything go as planned at the bank?
I daresay you can tell me, Uncle Tage …
There was a short silence on the line.
I dont understand, Rebecca … The surprise in his voice sounded completely genuine, and suddenly she felt unsure. Anyway, hadnt he said that they should avoid direct contact? In which case, what was he doing, taking the risk of phoning her?
Unless …
So you havent got it, then … ? The revolver, I mean?
Im sorry?! His surprise still seemed quite real.
Bloody hell!
She took a deep breath before going on.
I went to the bank yesterday morning, just as we agreed, but someone had got there before me. The box was empty, all that was in it was a glass ball with a bubble inside it … I thought it might have been you … ?
Another short silence.
My dear Rebecca, I think you might be overestimating my powers, he said in a sombre tone of voice. Besides, I would never do anything of that sort to you.
She shook her head.
No, I see that now. Sorry, Uncle Tage.
So the gun is missing, and we have no idea who has it … ?
Yes, but an idea occurred to me just after I left, she said. The box could only have been emptied within the past few days. Stigssons team were there recently and seized all the recordings from the cameras. Do you think that you might be able to … ?