The Return of the Dancing Master(128)

Lindman went back to the office. Larsson was poring over an open file. Lindman poured himself a cup of lukewarm coffee. Larsson pushed the file to one side. His hair was in a mess, his eyes bloodshot.

“Berggren,” he said. “I’ll have another talk with her tomorrow. I intend to take Erik along with me, but I’ll be asking the questions. Erik is too nice with her. I even think he’s a little scared of her.”

“What are you hoping to achieve?”

“Clarity. There’s something she’s not telling us.”

Larsson stood up and stretched.

“Bowling,” he said. “I’ll ask Erik to have a word with the local authority and see if they can’t establish a little bowling alley. Strictly for visiting policemen.” Then he was serious again. “What would you ask Berggren? You’ll soon be as familiar with this investigation as I am.”

Lindman said nothing for almost a minute before replying.

“I’d try to find out if she knew that Erik kept guns in the house.”

“That’s a good idea, of course,” Larsson said. “We’ll keep on trying to fit the old girl into the picture. With a little luck, we’ll find a place for her in the end.”

The telephone on his desk rang. Larsson answered. He listened, sat down, and pulled a notepad towards him. Lindman handed him a pencil that had fallen to the floor. Larsson checked his watch.

“We’re on our way,” he said, and hung up.

Lindman could see from his face that something serious had happened.

“That was Rundström. Twenty minutes ago a car drove right through one of the roadblocks. The officers there were very lucky to escape uninjured.”

He marked the spot on the map with his finger. It was a crossroads southeast of Funasdalen. Lindman estimated the distance between there and Frostengren’s chalet at about 20 kilometers.

“A dark blue sedan, possibly a Golf,” Larsson said. “The driver was a man. His appearance could be in line with the descriptions we’ve had previously. The officers didn’t have time to see much. But this could mean that our man has broken through the cordon, and that he’s on his way here.”

Larsson looked at his watch again. “If he really leans on the accelerator he could be here in two hours.”

Lindman looked at the map and pointed to a side road. “He could turn off there.”

“All the roadblocks in Funasdalen are being moved right now. They’ll build a wall behind him. It’s here that has no checkpoint at the moment.”

He picked up the telephone. “Let’s hope that Erik’s sleeping pill hasn’t knocked him out yet.”

Lindman waited while Larsson spoke to Johansson about the roadblock they needed to set up. He put the phone down and shook his head.

“Erik’s a good man,” he said. “He’d just taken his sleeping pill, but he’s going to stick his finger down his throat and throw it up. He’s really determined to catch that bastard. Not just because Hereira’s most probably the one who stole his guns.”

“It doesn’t add up,” Lindman said. “The more I think about it, the more impossible it gets. Why on earth would he break into Johansson’s place and then go back to the mountain?”

“Nothing adds up. But we can hardly start thinking about a third person being mixed up in all this.” Larsson interrupted himself. “Maybe that is what happened,” he said, “but if so, what does that mean?”

“I’ve no idea.”

“Whoever is in that car could be the one with the guns. And he might start using them. We’ll put a stinger out to puncture his tires. If he starts shooting, we’ll stay out of the way.” Then he turned serious. “You’re a police officer,” he said. “We’re very shorthanded just now. Will you come with us?”

“Yes.”

“Erik’s bringing a gun for you.”

“I thought they’d been stolen?”

Larsson made a face.

“He had an extra pistol that he presumably hasn’t registered either. Hidden away in the cellar. Plus his police-issue weapon.”

The telephone rang again. Rundström. Larsson listened without saying anything.

“The car is stolen,” he said when the call was over. “It was in fact a Golf. Stolen from a gas station in Funasdalen. A truck driver saw it happen. According to Rundström, it was one of the guys Erik plays cards with.”

He was in a hurry now. He shoved several files lying on his jacket into a heap.

“Erik will bring in the two police officers in Sveg. Not exactly an impressive squad, but I expect that will be enough to stop a Golf.”