Chapter 27
“Good morning,” says Mrs. Lindgren.
She seems nervous. She keeps tucking her hair behind her ear and fiddling with all her rings. I try not to stare at the two police officers next to her. It’s been at least ten minutes since the bell rang, but she has only just arrived in the classroom.
Officer Henriksson doesn’t look at me.
“I’m sorry we’re running a little late,” says Mrs. Lindgren. “Let’s get started.”
She clears her throat. Today she’s wearing a thick Icelandic sweater with the sleeves rolled up.
“Remember on Friday I said the police were coming to talk with some of you again?”
A few people nod. I look around for Rasmus, trying my best to be subtle, but I can’t see him. He wasn’t on the school boat either. Where can he be? I wonder if his absence is because of what happened on Saturday. Maybe his parents won’t let him come to school anymore?
Last week, a few people stayed home from school in the days following Axel’s disappearance.
“This is Officer Henriksson and Officer Berggren,” Mrs. Lindgren continues. “They’re from Nacka Police Station. They’re trying to find your classmate Axel.”
As if she needs to remind us who Axel is.
Mrs. Lindgren takes a step back, and Officer Henriksson raises one hand by way of greeting.
“Hello,” he says. “I’m Officer Henriksson, and this is my colleague Officer Berggren.”
Officer Henriksson sounds different now that he’s talking to the whole class. More impersonal, but also reassuring.
“We’re doing everything we can to find your classmate,” he says.
“Which is why we need to talk with some of you today. Your parents have been informed and given their permission, but if you would prefer them to be present for these conversations, that’s fine too.
We can call and ask them to come to the school. ”
He looks around as if expecting questions.
“There’s no reason to be frightened,” he adds, trying to console everyone and no one in particular.
On the lid of my desk, someone has carved Anna was here in tiny letters.
The door opens behind the policemen’s backs, and Rasmus slips in.
“Sorry,” he mumbles to Mrs. Lindgren before taking his seat. “I missed the school boat, so my dad had to bring me in.”
“Does anyone have any questions?” asks Officer Henriksson, and I know almost without looking that Isabelle sticks her hand up.
“Yes?”
“Do you know who did it?” she says.
Her voice is soft, almost trembling.
“We still don’t know for sure whether anyone has actually done anything,” says Officer Berggren. “We don’t know what’s happened to Axel—if he’s been kidnapped or fallen in the water or run away.”
He also sounds calm and trustworthy, as a police officer should. There’s no trace of the sharpness and sarcasm I heard in his voice last time.
“But we still want you all to be careful,” he continues. “Don’t go into the woods without an adult. Always keep your phones on you. I’m assuming you all have cell phones?”
He chuckles softly when everybody nods.
“Any other questions?” says Officer Henriksson.
Hanna’s hand shoots up.
“Say someone knew who did it . . .” she says, and the accusatory tone in her voice gives me goose bumps. “What should they do?”
Everyone goes silent.
“In that case,” Officer Henriksson says slowly, “they would need to tell the police. As soon as possible.”
I don’t want to look at Hanna and Isabelle, but I can’t help myself.
Both of them have turned around in their seats and are staring at me with burning eyes.