They continued to Sveg. The countryside vanished beyond the beams of the headlights. As they were driving into the hotel courtyard, Larsson’s cell phone rang.
“It was Rundström,” he said when the call was over. “The car was rented in Ostersund on November 5. By Fernando Hereira, an Argentinean citizen.”
They got out of the car.
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Larsson said. “Hereira used his driver’s license for an ID. It could be a forgery, of course, but, for simplicity’s sake, let’s assume it’s genuine. We could be closer to him now than we ever were on the mountain.” Lindman was exhausted. Larsson left his suitcase with the reception desk.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said. “Are you staying?”
“I’ll stay one more day.”
Larsson put his hand on Lindman’s shoulder. “I must admit it’s been a long time since I’ve had somebody to talk to like you. But tell me, honestly: if you had been in my shoes, what would you have done differently?”
“Not a thing.”
Larsson burst out laughing. “You’re too kind,” he said. “I can handle the occasional hit. Can you?”
He didn’t wait for an answer, but rushed out to his car. Lindman wondered about the question as he got his key. It was a new girl at the reception desk. He went up to his room and lay down on the bed. He thought he should call Elena, but first he needed to get some rest.
When he woke he knew he’d been dreaming. A chaotic dream, but all he could remember was the fear. He looked at his watch: 9:15. He’d better hurry if he were going to get some dinner. Besides, he had an appointment with Veronica Molin.
She was waiting for him in the dining room.
“I knocked on your door,” she said. “When you didn’t answer, I assumed you were asleep.”
“It was a strenuous night and a long day. Have you eaten?”
“I have to eat at regular times. Especially when the food is like it is here.”
The waitress was also new. She seemed hesitant. Lindman had the impression that Veronica Molin must have complained about something. He ordered a steak. Veronica Molin was drinking water. He wanted wine. She watched him with a smile.
“I’ve never met a policeman before. Not as close up as this, at least.”
“What’s it like?”
“I think everybody’s a little frightened of policemen, deep down.” She paused and lit a cigarette.
“My brother’s on his way here from the Caribbean,” she said. “He works on a cruise ship. Maybe I said that already? He’s a steward. When he’s not at sea he lives in Florida. I’ve only visited him once, when I was in Miami to close a business deal. It took us less than an hour to start arguing. I can’t remember what about.”
“When’s the funeral?”
“On Tuesday, eleven o’clock. Are you thinking of coming?”
“I don’t know.”
Lindman’s meal arrived.
“How can you stay as long as this?” he said. “I had the impression that it was difficult for you to get here at all. Now you’re staying forever.”
“Until Wednesday. No longer. Then I’m leaving.”
“Where to?”
“First London, then Madrid.”
“I’m only a simple policeman, but I’m curious about what you do.”
“I’m what the English call a dealmaker. Or ‘broker.’ I bring interested parties together and help them produce a contract. So that a business deal can take place.”
“Do I even dare ask how much you earn from that kind of work?”
“Presumably a lot more than you.”
“Everybody does.”
She turned up a wineglass and slid it towards him.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
Lindman filled her glass. He drank to her health. She seemed to be looking at him in a different way now, not as warily as before.
“I went to see Elsa Berggren today,” she said. “I realized too late that it was not a good time. She told me what happened last night. And about you. Have you caught him?”
“Not yet, no. Besides, it’s not me who’s hunting him. I’m not part of the investigation team.”
“But the police think that the man who attacked you is the person who murdered my father.”
“Yes.”
“I tried to get Giuseppe Larsson on the telephone. I do have a right to know what’s happening, after all. Who is this man?”
“We think he’s called Fernando Hereira. And that he’s from Argentina.”
“I hardly think my father knew anybody from Argentina. What is the motive supposed to be?”