Chapter 113
Hanna feels the tiniest spark of hope when Erik calls her back just over an hour later.
This is the first time he has been the one to make contact. She prays with all her heart that this means he is reconsidering his actions.
Daniel is sitting beside her and has just told her that Tiina has brought the dog.
Hanna begins by chatting about the pizza, then says, “Erik, how long are you going to keep Filip there without food or water?”
“Don’t talk to me about Filip!” he yells. “He doesn’t deserve to live.”
So far Hanna hasn’t argued against Erik’s various tirades, but now she decides to make an attempt.
“Is it really Filip’s fault that his grandfather did such terrible things to your mother?” Her heart is in her mouth. “He wasn’t even born back then.”
And then it happens.
Erik’s mood changes; his tone goes from aggressive to emotional. Suddenly he breaks down, sobbing piteously.
“I ought to die as well. It’s too late, it’s all too late!”
Daniel inhales so sharply that Hanna has to shush him.
This is good, she mouths. It’s a way in.
For the first time since she started talking to Erik, she feels that there is a real connection. He is opening up, seeking support, revealing the depths of his despair.
However, this means they are faced with a different scenario. The balance has shifted. It’s no longer only about rescuing the hostage—now there is also a very real suicide risk.
“No one deserves to die,” she says. “Especially not you.”
“I’ve done such terrible things. I’ve murdered two women. How am I going to be able to live with that?”
“I promise we can talk about this,” Hanna assures him.
“You don’t understand. I carry his bloodline too.”
Once again he is talking about Curt Wretlind, the man behind this dreadful tragedy. Hanna can feel his pain, it is raw and genuine.
The space between them is filled with powerlessness and frustration.
“I’m just as dirty as the rest of them,” Erik whispers. “None of us deserves to go on living.”