The Double Silence (Andas Knutas 7)

amber along the beach. It’s possible that the victim is Swedish.’
    ‘What makes you think that?’
    ‘We’ve spent the whole day trying to match the description of the dead man with any missing persons in Latvia. Without success. The next step is to contact our neighbouring countries. And when it comes to Sweden, I decided to start with the police in Visby, since it’s most likely that the boat would have drifted across from Gotland. It’s a pretty direct route.’
    Jacobsson felt her interest growing.
    ‘How old is the man?’
    ‘I’d say he’s in his seventies. He looks weatherbeaten, like an old fisherman. He also had a lot of fishing gear in the boat.’
    ‘Did he suffer any injuries?’
    ‘Yes. The ME hasn’t been here yet, but according to our technical officer, the man probably died from a violent blow to the head. He was obviously assaulted and has numerous contusions. He has clearly been in that boat for a while. Our crime tech thinks that he must have been dead at least a week.’
    ‘Can you give me a more detailed description?’
    ‘Five foot ten, dark hair with hardly any grey. A thin, wiry body. No moustache or beard. He was wearing dark trousers, sandals and a blue shirt. He had a key in his pocket. A pair of binoculars and a thermos of coffee were in the boat along with some fishing gear. That’s all.’
    Jacobsson swallowed hard. The description was an exact match.

KNUTAS COULD TELL from the footsteps approaching the door that Lina was on her way. His wrist was now in a cast, he’d slept for a few hours, and he’d had something to eat. He was feeling better.
    When his wife appeared, Knutas felt a warmth spread through his body. He was glad to see her. She was holding a bag and a big bouquet of flowers.
    ‘Hi, sweetheart.’ She smiled and gave him a big hug. Knutas felt tears come to his eyes, but he managed not to cry.
    ‘Hi.’
    She’d brought one of the hospital’s stainless-steel vases, which she filled with water at the sink. She put the flowers in the vase and opened the bag, which contained grapes, a chocolate cake and a stack of newspapers.
    Then she sat down on the edge of the bed and took his hand.
    ‘How are you feeling?’
    She looked worried. All of a sudden he noticed that she seemed thinner. He hadn’t noticed that before.
    ‘Have you lost weight?’
    She laughed.
    ‘What sort of question is that?’
    ‘Have you?’
    ‘I’ve lost a few kilos,’ she admitted. ‘Haven’t you noticed? But it doesn’t matter. How are you?’
    ‘I’m OK. My wrist hurts a little, but that’s all.’
    ‘The doctor told me that you also have a concussion. I was so worriedwhen they called me. It could have been a lot worse. You’re not allowed to go up on the roof ever again. We’ll hire a handyman from now on. And the doctor said you can’t go back to work for at least a week.’
    ‘But we’re in the middle of an investigation.’
    ‘That’s not important. Concussion is a serious matter, and it’s not worth taking any risks. You’ll have to stay at home and take it easy.’
    ‘Does Karin know?’
    ‘I haven’t called her yet. But I’m sure they’ll manage without you.’
    As if on cue, Knutas’s mobile rang, and Jacobsson’s name appeared on the display.
    ‘You need to come over to the office as soon as possible. There’s a lot happening here.’
    ‘Like what?’
    ‘I’ll tell you when you get here,’ said Jacobsson impatiently. ‘Hurry up.’
    Knutas could only sigh.

THE AROMA OF grilled meat hovered over the neighbourhood. Those who hadn’t gone away on holiday were holding the obligatory outdoor barbecues this evening. On nearly every terrace and balcony, in almost every back garden, smoke was rising up from some sort of grill. Children were laughing as they played around the hedges and flowerbeds. The grown-ups were sipping wine as they sat on patio chairs, enjoying the warm summer night.
    Andrea was smoking a cigarette as she sat alone on her veranda, which was shielded from view. The children were again staying with her mother. Beata had just phoned again. She was constantly calling Andrea. Of course it was because she was concerned, but she came over so often that Andrea was starting to get annoyed. Even so, she had accepted the invitation when Beata had suggested that she and John could come over to make her dinner. It wasn’t good for Andrea to be alone, Beata had insisted. As if she had a clue. Håkan would come too. He was a nervous