Harry Hole Oslo Sequence 10 - Police

came here and tried to kill Oleg and Rakel. And it was my fault.’
    ‘That’s a long time ago, Harry.’
    ‘It was yesterday. It will always be yesterday. Nothing has changed. But I’m trying anyway. To change myself .’
    ‘And how’s it going?’
    Harry shrugged. ‘Up and down. Have I told you I never remembered to buy Oleg a birthday present? Even though Rakel reminded me weeks in advance. There was always some case or other supressing my memory. Then I would come up here, find the place all done up for a party and have to leave at once, the old trick as always.’ Harry drew one corner of his mouth into half a smile. ‘I said I had to go and buy some cigarettes, so I jumped in the car, raced to the nearest petrol station, bought a couple of CDs or something. Rakel and I had a deal. When I came in the door Oleg stood there looking at me with those dark, accusatory eyes of his. But before he could search me, Rakel hurried over to give me a hug, as if she hadn’t seen me for years. And while she had her arms round me she tugged the CDs, or whatever the present was, from the back of my trousers, hid it and left the room while Oleg frisked me. Ten minutes later Rakel had wrapped the present, attached a gift tag, the whole caboodle.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘And this year Oleg got a properly wrapped present from me. He said he didn’t recognise the writing on the tag. I said that was because it was mine.’
    A smile flitted across Beate’s face. ‘Sweet story. Happy ending and all that.’
    ‘Listen, Beate. I owe those two people everything, and I still need them. And I’m so lucky that they need me, too. As a mother, you know what a blessing and a curse it is to be needed.’
    ‘Yes. And what I’m trying to say is we need you, too.’
    Harry walked back. Leaned across the table to her. ‘Not like these two do, Beate. And no one is irreplaceable at work, not even . . .’
    ‘No, that’s true, we’ll manage to replace the ones that have been killed. One was retired anyway. And we’ll find enough people to take over after the next officers have been butchered as well.’
    ‘Beate . . .’
    ‘Have you seen these?’
    Harry didn’t look down at the pictures she had taken from her bag and laid on the kitchen table.
    ‘Crushed, Harry. Not a bone left intact. Even I had problems identifying them.’
    Harry stayed standing. Like a party host signalling that it was late. But Beate stayed where she was. Sipped from her cup. Didn’t budge. Harry sighed. She took another sip.
    ‘Oleg’s going to study law when he gets back from the clinic, isn’t he? And afterwards apply to Police College.’
    ‘Where did you get that from?’
    ‘From Rakel. I spoke to her before coming here.’
    Harry’s bright blue eyes darkened. ‘You what ?’
    ‘I rang her in Switzerland and told her what this was about. It was quite improper and I apologise. But, as I said, I will do whatever it takes.’
    Harry’s lips moved, muttering silent imprecations. ‘And what did she answer?’
    ‘That it was up to you.’
    ‘Yes, she probably did.’
    ‘So now I’m asking you, Harry. I’m asking you for Jack Halvorsen’s sake. Ellen Gjelten’s sake. I’m asking you for all the dead officers’ sakes. But above all I’m asking you for those who are still alive. And for those who may become police officers.’
    She watched Harry’s jaw muscles flexing furiously.
    ‘I didn’t ask you to manipulate witnesses for my sake, Beate.’
    ‘You never ask for anything, Harry.’
    ‘Well, it’s late, so I’m asking you to—’
    ‘—leave now.’ She nodded. Harry had a look that made people obey. Then she got up and went into the hall. Put her coat on, buttoned it. Harry stood in the doorway watching her.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I shouldn’t intervene in your life. We do a job. It’s only a job.’ She could hear her voice was about to fail her and hurried to add the rest: ‘And of course you’re right. There must be rules and limits. Goodbye.’
    ‘Beate . . .’
    ‘Sleep well, Harry.’
    ‘Beate Lønn.’
    Beate had already opened the front door, trying to get out, out before he could see the tears in her eyes. But Harry stood right behind her holding a hand against the door. His voice was next to her ear.
    ‘Have you wondered how the murderer got the officers to go voluntarily to their old crime scenes on the same date as the murder was committed?’
    Beate let go of the door handle. ‘What do you