Harry Hole Oslo Sequence 10 - Police

tell. He had put the breasts on a shelf in the glass cabinet there. The only evidence we found was a broken jigsaw blade. And . . . yes, those of you who are interested can read the rest in this report.’ Beate patted her shoulder bag.
    ‘Oh, thank you,’ Katrine said with a smile she must have felt was too sweet, as she quickly replaced it with her serious expression.
    ‘The victim was a young girl at home on her own,’ Beate said. ‘And we were also aware then that the methods used bore similarities to those in the Tryvann murder. But what is crucial for us is that it’s an unsolved murder. And it was committed on the seventeenth of March.’
    It was so quiet in the room that they could hear joyful shouts from the school playground on the other side of the trees.
    Bjørn was the first to break the silence. ‘That’s in three days’ time.’
    ‘Yes,’ Katrine said. ‘And Harry, the sicko, has suggested we set a trap, hasn’t he?’
    Beate nodded.
    Katrine slowly shook her head. ‘Why did none of us think of that?’
    ‘Because none of us knew exactly how the murderer lured the victims to the crime scene,’ Ståle answered.
    ‘Harry could still be wrong,’ Beate said. ‘Both with regard to how the murderer operates and that this is the next crime scene. Since the first officer died we’ve passed several dates for unsolved murders in Østland and nothing has happened.’
    ‘But,’ Ståle said, ‘Harry’s seen a similarity between the Saw Man and the other murders. Disciplined planning combined with apparently unbridled brutality.’
    ‘He called it gut instinct,’ Beate said. ‘But by that he meant—’
    ‘Analysis based on non-systematised facts,’ Katrine said. ‘Also known as Harry’s method.’
    ‘So he says it will happen in three days,’ Bjørn said.
    ‘Yes,’ Beate said. ‘And he had another prediction. He pointed out, like Ståle, that the last murder was even more like the original with him putting the victim in a car and rolling him over a cliff. That the murderer was continuing to perfect the killings. The next logical step would be for him to choose the identical murder weapon.’
    ‘A jigsaw,’ Katrine gasped.
    ‘That would be typical of a narcissistic serial killer,’ Ståle said.
    ‘And Harry was sure it would take place here?’ Bjørn asked, looking around him with a grimace.
    ‘In fact, that was where he was least sure of himself,’ Beate said. ‘The murderer had easy access to all the other crime scenes. This house has stood vacant for many years as no one has wanted to live where the Saw Man had been. But nevertheless it is locked. It’s true the Tryvann hut was broken into, but this house has neighbours. Luring a policeman here would involve much greater risk. So Harry thinks he might change the pattern and entice the victim somewhere else. But we’ll set the trap for the cop killer here, and see if he rings.’
    There was a tiny pause as they all appeared to be chewing on the fact that Beate had used the name the press had adopted, the cop killer.
    ‘And the victim . . .?’ Katrine asked.
    ‘I have here,’ Beate said, patting her shoulder bag again, ‘everyone who worked on the Saw Man case. They’ll be told to stay at home with the phone switched on. Whoever is called will act cool and just confirm they’re on their way. Then he will ring the Ops Room, say where he’s going and then we’ll swing into action. If it’s not Berg but somewhere else, Delta will be moved there.’
    ‘So we have to act cool when a serial killer calls?’ Bjørn queried. ‘I dunno if my acting’s up to that.’
    ‘They don’t need to conceal their trepidation,’ Ståle said. ‘Quite the contrary, it would be suspicious if a policeman’s voice didn’t quiver when he got a call about the murder of a colleague.’
    ‘I’m more concerned about Delta and the Ops Room,’ Katrine said.
    ‘Yes, I know,’ Beate said. ‘Too much going on to avoid Bellman’s attention. Hagen is informing him as we speak.’
    ‘And what happens to our group when he finds out?’
    ‘If this has a chance of succeeding, that’s a minor matter, Katrine.’ Beate impatiently rubbed the button dangling from her ear. ‘Let’s make a move. No point hanging around here and being seen. And don’t leave anything behind.’
    Katrine had taken a step towards the door when she froze.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ Ståle asked.
    ‘Didn’t you hear it?’ she whispered.
    ‘Hear