Chapter 99
The activity in the neighborhood this afternoon has not escaped ?ke Carlsson. He followed the whole drama from the kitchen window, watched the dramatic chase after one of the young people from next door, noted the number of police cars that gathered immediately afterward.
It looked as if one officer was badly hurt. His face was covered in blood; he could barely stand as the female detective who was around the other day helped him to a car.
So they’ve caught a suspected perpetrator.
?ke smiles contentedly.
When the front door opens and he hears Karin stamping the snow off her boots, he calls her into the kitchen. She has been in Storlien all day, buying the week’s groceries at the new mall that has become a magnet for everyone.
“What’s going on?” she asks. “I only just managed to get the car through.”
She is carrying two enormous bags, and presumably there are twice as many in the hallway. The prices in Storlien are unbeatable, so it’s no surprise that eager Norwegians make regular pilgrimages over the border.
“It looks as if the police have solved the murder of that girl,” ?ke explains. “They’ve arrested one of the boys; I saw them take him away in handcuffs.”
Karin puts down the bags so abruptly that one falls over, and several apples and oranges roll across the floor. Her hand flies to her mouth.
“But that’s terrible! They’re only children! They’ve got their whole lives ahead of them!”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” ?ke is pleased with the outcome, pleased that the police have discovered that one of the group is the guilty party.
“If you commit a crime like that, you have to take the consequences,” he goes on. “They’ve definitely reached the age of criminal responsibility.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but the thought of one of them being locked up is terrible.” Karin sounds upset. She sinks down onto the nearest chair. “Do you know which one the police arrested?”
?ke shakes his head. He can’t tell the difference between those young boys.
“It wasn’t the Lowengren boy—he’s the only one I recognize.”
He finds it impossible to feel sorry for anyone in that family. He turns to the window and looks out at the hated neighboring property. He still wishes that the flames had swallowed up the main building as well, not just the cabin.
But maybe things will turn out for the best? This might make the Lowengrens decide to sell up. In which case he would love to buy the eyesore and pull it down, or at least paint the facade a decent color before selling it on.
He folds his arms and smiles. He doesn’t feel the slightest pang of conscience.
Karin has started to gather up the fruit from the floor.
“I still think it’s terrible that they’ve arrested one of the boys,” she says quietly. “But I’m sure you’re right—we all have to take the consequences of our actions.”
?ke knows exactly what he thinks. “The main thing is for the crime to be cleared up quickly, so we can sleep easy in our beds again.”
Karin sighs. “I just want it to be over. The whole thing is so awful.”