Chapter 36
From her seat at the kitchen table, Hanna can see that the thermometer on the window is showing minus seventeen.
It is time to go to work. She hasn’t collected Morris yet; it was too late to disturb the neighbors when she got back to ?re last night.
They had promised to look after him until Tuesday anyway, so he might as well stay there today, even though she longs to cuddle her big, fluffy cat.
She has just finished breakfast when her phone buzzes. It is seven fifteen, and she needs to leave soon in order to get to the morning briefing. It is a message from Lydia, her older sister.
Have you seen the online edition of Expressen?
Hanna frowns. The newspaper is one of Sweden’s biggest dailies, and has written a great deal about the death in ?re, but it isn’t like Lydia to concern herself with the tabloid press.
She is a successful lawyer who is well aware of the media’s tendency to wallow in murder inquiries.
She rarely bothers with that kind of publicity, unless it specifically involves one of her clients.
Hanna doesn’t really have time right now, so she sends a quick reply.
Is it urgent?
Lydia comes straight back to her.
Take a look for yourself.
The phone buzzes again after only a few seconds.
Why didn’t you say anything?
Hanna is completely bewildered. Surely this must be about the young woman who died in Sadeln?
So far the media haven’t gone to town like they did with the murder at Copperhill last Easter, but as long as her death might still be an accident and hasn’t been confirmed as a crime, it probably isn’t as tasty to write about.
She opens the app and brings up the newspaper’s website. The first headlines cover another gang shooting and a major road accident in Gothenburg. Then there are a few shorter articles, one of which is about the death in ?re, but that’s it.
Why did Lydia want her to see this?
She scrolls down, just to be on the safe side. And physically recoils, as if someone has pushed her hard.
Shit.
Billionaire’s new love! yells the headline. The bold letters are positively glowing at her. They are followed by a picture of her and Henry, walking toward the helicopter that was waiting for them in Kiruna. Hanna looks happy and excited; Henry has a protective arm around her shoulders.
There is no mistaking the warmth in his expression.
The article is unbearably detailed, and is all about the exclusive romantic break the well-known financier arranged for his new, significantly younger lover.
The reporter also makes much of the fact that Hanna is a detective with the police in ?re, so their relationship means two different worlds have come together.
Hanna feels a cold sweat break out on the back of her neck. The whole of Sweden has just found out about her relationship with Henry.
And who she is.
She buries her face in her hands and lets out a groan.
This is the last thing she wanted.