Missing

this?’
    ‘Whenever you people came round here.’
    ‘No, I mean the operation.’
    ‘Thirteen months ago.’
    ‘I see. Can you remember the date?’
    ‘The fifteenth of March. I’ll never forget that date. Why do you ask?’
    ‘No problem. Thank you for your help.’
    She handed Patrik the phone. He pressed a button to switch it off and sighed.
    ‘Why don’t you try the straight question approach next time?’
    ‘You can phone yourself if you’re so smart. When was Sören Strömberg operated on?’
    Patrik was leafing through his papers looking for the hospital notes.
    ‘Many times.’
    ‘Any entry on the fifteenth of March?’
    ‘Got it. 98 03 15. Liver transplant.’
    She nodded. He pushed his fist in the air.
    ‘ Yees! We fucking did it!’
    Sibylla felt pleased, too, but was already thinking ahead. What had they proved, exactly? It seemed likely that all four victims were ex-transplant patients. What did this mean? Why should anyone go to the trouble of murdering four severely ill individuals?
    Patrik’s eyes were glowing behind his specs.
    ‘I’ll pop downstairs and tell Mum!’
    ‘What? Have you gone off your …’
    ‘Why not? We’ve got a motive!’
    ‘Is that so? What motive?’
    Patrik fell silent and a small vertical fold between his eyebrows replaced his smile.
    ‘Oh. Fuck.’
    ‘See what I mean?’
    He sat down beside her. The attic was chilly and Sibylla wrapped the sleeping bag round their shoulders.
    ‘Is your Mum back then?’
    She was reaching for the beer and sandwich.
    ‘I thought you said she wouldn’t be back until this evening.’
    Patrik stared at the floor. He was muttering.
    ‘She didn’t feel well and came back early.’

T he minutes were crawling along. He had asked her to come with him but she’d refused. She had no intention of entering his home again, especially not with his mother in bed next door to his room.
    Finally he returned, bringing a new stack of papers. He sat down beside her.
    ‘I printed out lots, but ran out of paper. Fancy a banana?’
    Starting to peel it at once, she thought she was becoming spoiled by this life of luxury. Then she got hold of the first sheet of paper.
    DONATIONS. ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .

    Deep in concentration, they read through all the information in the pile, hoping to find new leads. Patrik was lying on her mat, while she was sitting in an old armchair pulled out from an unlocked box-room.

    CAN SOMEONE ELSE USE YOUR KIDNEYS AFTER YOUR DEATH ?

    Reading on from this initial question, she realised that much had happened while she was out of touch with the whole social system. She definitely had not filled in any Donor Card, but maybe that didn’t affect non-people like herself. What would happen to her after an accident? Would anyone want her remains? She had never considered such questions before, not even the matter of her final burial. Were there funeral services held for lost souls like her, homeless beings, whom no one really cared for? Maybe they were easy meat, with organs anyone could have, if in need of some replacement or other. Well, it was quite a thought that one day she might be regarded as a useful resource.

    LAW ON TRANSPLANTATION, THIRD PARAGRAPH, SECTION ONE :

    Biological material intended for transplantation or other medical procedures may be removed from a deceased person, on condition that the person has declared his or her informed consent or if the deceased’s wishes in the matter can be ascertained in any other manner .
    Biological material, as simple as that. That’s what they all were, when everything was said and done. She wondered what conclusions they would draw about Sibylla Forsenström’s wishes in the matter of her biological material, when her day finally came.

    IBID. THIRD PARAGRAPH, SECTION TWO :

    In cases other than those indicated in section one, biological material may be removed if the deceased has not in writing declared him- or herself explicitly opposed to such use or made declarations, which unequivocally show that such interventions would be contrary to the deceased’s beliefs or value-systems .
    She looked up from her bundle of paper and stared at the wooden planks in the wall opposite. So that was it – it was open season to use her and her mates. One man’s meat is another man’s poison, only the other way round. What would it feel like to have another’s heart, especially if it was kept alive and beating only when you took