Chapter 96
Slowly, slowly Anton edges into the dark garage.
When he stepped inside he felt around in vain for a light switch, but maybe it’s over by the main entrance, and not the side door he has used.
He moves cautiously in the gloom, with the help of the small amount of daylight seeping in through the partly open door.
“Pontus?” he calls out. “My name is Anton, and I’m a police officer. Come into the light with both hands in the air.”
Silence.
“Pontus? I know you’re in here. There’s no point in hiding.”
He crouches down and peers under the Jeep to see if Pontus might be on the other side. It’s hard to tell, could someone be lurking behind the red car? He has a strong feeling that he is not alone.
Someone else is breathing in here.
“Pontus. Come out with your hands raised above your head.”
He doesn’t move, listens hard. He thinks he hears a faint scraping sound, right by the main door.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a moving shadow.
Then the garage door squeaks loudly and Anton realizes it is being opened. As he stands up, an object comes flying through the air. He just manages to turn his head so that it strikes him above one eyebrow rather than full in the face.
His head is burning, the pain is intense. There is a loud crash as whatever was thrown at him lands on the floor.
Somehow his gun drops from his hand and slides across the floor, beneath the Jeep’s engine. Meanwhile the roller door has continued to open, leaving a gap of about three feet.
As Anton scrabbles for his weapon he sees a figure hurl itself forward and roll beneath the door.
Something warm is trickling down his face, only now does he realize it’s blood. At long last his fingers find the butt of his gun. He grabs it, stumbles to the entrance, and follows Pontus.
He can see the boy running down the hill, heading toward the main road. He has a start of around twenty yards.
Anton goes after him, but the blood running over his eyes makes it hard to see. He is beginning to feel dizzy and nauseous. The distance between him and Pontus is increasing; there is nothing he can do about it.
He is running out of steam.
At that moment the front door of the Lowengrens’ house opens, and Daniel and Hanna emerge with two of the other boys.
“Daniel!” Anton yells with the last of his strength. “Stop him! Stop Pontus!”