Dark Angel (Anders Knutas 6)

refused to see that there were any problems. His only concern was the money he expected to make.’
    ‘So what was his reaction to the problems?’
    ‘There was trouble right from the start. There’s no use trying to hide that fact. Lots of kids were stewed to the gills even before they got here. They also smuggled in booze and drank outside the club. The bouncers did the best they could, but it was impossible for us to control everything that was going on. So of course there was a lot of drinking and fighting. We had to deal with plenty of violent incidents even before Alexander Almlöv got beaten up. But Viktor just brushed it all aside. He thought things would calm down after a while.’
    ‘What sort of violent incidents?’
    ‘Fights between pumped-up boys who’d had too much to drink. Brawls. One time a chick claimed that she’d been raped in the ladies’ room, but no one took her seriously. I wasn’t on duty that night, but I heard about it afterwards,’ Rolf hastened to add, giving the detective an apologetic look.
    Knutas frowned.
    ‘And it was never reported to the police? The rape, I mean?’
    Rolf shook his head.
    ‘I know this sounds strange, but nobody knew who she was. Not even her name or where she was from. She just came outside crying and talked to the bouncers. Her clothes were a mess and she had several cuts on her face, but she was really loaded, and then she left with a friend who was trying to comfort her. The bouncers thought the kids were just going around the corner and would come back, so they’d have another chance to talk to the girl. But she never returned.’
    ‘And they just let her go, even though she said she’d been raped?’
    ‘Afraid so. But like I said, there’s been so much trouble here during these club nights for teenagers that we just can’t control everything that goes on. It’s too much. I tried to explain the problem to Viktor, but as I mentioned, he didn’t want to hear it. We have three more of those kind of club events that were booked ages ago, but after that, it bloody well has to stop.’
    ‘Are you the one who’s in charge now that Algård is dead?’
    ‘For the time being, yes.’
    ‘And you’ve always been against holding these parties for teenagers?’
    ‘Not at first, but I quickly realized that they were getting out of hand. Even though they brought in a lot of money, it wasn’t worth the trouble. We’ve got to think of the kids too. We’ve got a responsibility, damn it.’
    ‘So you and Viktor didn’t agree about this?’
    ‘That’s putting it mildly.’
    ‘When did this rape incident occur?’
    ‘It was on Lucia evening, December the thirteenth. Almost four months ago.’
    ‘And you still have no idea who the girl was?’
    ‘No, I haven’t got a clue.’
    ‘You were working at the bar during the dedication festivities at the conference centre, isn’t that right?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘They needed help, and I have nothing against making a little extra money.’
    ‘Did you notice anything out of the ordinary during the evening? Anyone who seemed suspicious?’
    ‘No, I don’t think so.’
    ‘We now know that Viktor was having an affair with Veronika Hammar. Did you happen to notice them together? She was at the party too.’
    Rolf Lewin’s face lit up.
    ‘Actually, yes. They were standing at the bar, talking. Just briefly. I even served them drinks.’
    ‘Is that right?’
    ‘Well, to be precise, I mixed a drink for Veronika Hammar. I remember because it was at the request of a secret admirer.’ He rolled his eyes.
    ‘What do you mean?’ asked Knutas.
    ‘Well, there was this guy who came over and ordered an alcohol-free strawberry daiquiri, which he wanted to give her.’
    ‘And you gave the drink to Veronika?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘This man who ordered it – what did he look like?’
    ‘Hmm. I don’t really recall. There wasn’t anything remarkable about him. Tall, in his forties, wearing a grey suit, I think. Blond hair, a bit straggly. He wore glasses with black frames. They looked like Armani.’
    ‘But you didn’t recognize him?’
    ‘No. I’d never seen him before. I don’t think he was from around here.’
    ‘Why do you say that?’
    ‘I’m not sure. Just a feeling I had.’
    Considering Rolf claims not to have remembered anything about the guy, his powers of observation are certainly impressive, thought Knutas. Then another thought occurred to him.
    ‘What time was this?’
    ‘The