The Dinosaur Feather(38)

Johannes looked upset.

“I don’t know what to think,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “It’s unreal. Besides, I only got two hours’ sleep last night, which makes it difficult to think clearly. How about you?”

“I don’t care,” she said.

Johannes was shocked.

“I don’t believe you.”

“But that’s how I feel,” she mumbled. She turned halfway in her chair and gave Johannes a lost look. “I feel completely indifferent about his death.” She turned her attention to her screen and started checking her e-mails. Johannes carried on looking at her as though he wanted to say something. An e-mail had arrived from Cecilie, attaching a new photo of Lily. Had Cecilie already picked her up from nursery school? The message had been sent at 2 p.m., which could only mean Cecilie had collected Lily after lunch, even though Anna had asked her several times not to pick up Lily until after three so she wouldn’t miss out on the nap. Anna stared at the photo. Lily was wearing a new dress, and her hair looked somewhat different. Had Cecilie given her a haircut? Anna tried to figure out if the photo was misleading her or whether Cecilie really had snipped off Lily’s baby curls. Johannes was still looking at her.

“Why didn’t you get any sleep last night?” she asked, without taking her eyes off the screen. Lily’s eyes shone as if she couldn’t be happier anywhere but where she was right now. In Granny’s bed with all the picture books Granny had borrowed for her from the library.

Johannes was exhausted; he buried his face in his hands again. The movement made Anna turn around.

“It’s a long story. I met someone at the Red Mask a few weeks ago,” he said, “and we hit it off. No, not in that way or, at least, not as far as I was concerned. And now I’m dealing with a stalker. I haven’t experienced anything like this, ever. E-mails, phone calls in the middle of the night . . .” He smiled, embarrassed. “Anna,” he added, interrupting himself. He swallowed. “I feel really bad . . .”

“But if you’re not attracted to the person, then that’s it. You’ll just have to be honest and—”

“No,” Johannes stopped her. “I feel really bad because I . . .” he looked anguished. “I accidentally told the detective that . . . I don’t know why, but I accidentally told him—”

At that moment Anna’s cell phone rang. She rummaged through her bag, but by the time she found it, it had gone to voice mail. It was Tybjerg’s number, but he left no message. Anna briefly wondered whether he was calling because he had just heard the news. She tossed her cell on the desk and turned her attention back to Johannes.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Johannes looked remorseful.

“I told the detective what you said last spring,” he said, at last. Anna was puzzled.

“What did I say last spring?”

“That you wanted to play pranks on Helland. I told the police that you didn’t like Helland all that much,” Johannes sighed.

Anna stared at him.

“But why?” she said.

Johannes shrugged.

“Because I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I know you’re not involved.” Johannes looked shattered.

“I really—” Anna began. Then her cell rang for the second time. “Damn it,” she fumed and checked the display. It was Dr. Tybjerg again.

“Dr. Tybjerg?” she answered.

“Anna,” Tybjerg whispered. “Have you heard what’s happened?”

Anna gulped.

“Yes,” she replied.

“I have to cancel our meeting today. I can’t . . .” The signal was bad. “You’ll have to come some other time. Next week.”

“Next week?” Anna pushed her chair away from the desk. “You’re not serious? We have to meet, Dr. Tybjerg. I have my dissertation defense, and I want . . .” She took a deep breath and braced herself. “I have to have that defense, please,” she insisted. “It’s terrible what’s happened. But my defense has to go ahead, do you understand?”

“I can’t,” he said, and hung up.

Anna turned to Johannes. Her eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t worry,” she said in a thick voice. “You’re not the only who’s let me down.”

“Anna . . .” Johannes pleaded. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I said it. And that’s what I told the detective, Marhauge. I told him that you definitely had nothing to do with Helland’s death. I was beside myself.”

Anna got up.

“Where are you going?” Johannes whispered, as she headed for the door.