Page 29 of Hunt

“She took a ride with them, then parked outside the gardens. I couldn’t hear what they were discussing, but they’re obviously on her back. She seemed upset when she climbed out and ran off, and I lost track of her,” I clarified.

“Huh, looks shifty as fuck,” he growled. “Anyway, are you at Gotland?”

“Yeah,” I lied. They hated when I cut class, but the private detective that Mikky hired wanted to meet me in Larsson, so I was taking a cab to the airport and should be back tonight.

“Alright, see you tonight,” he exhaled as the burden of the world was weighed down on his shoulders.

“Ah, nah, I’ve got plans,” I told him. “Good luck sorting out the rats.”

“Yeah, thanks,” he groaned, then swiped off.

As soon as I finished the call, I messaged Riley since I hadn’t contacted her in a while as it’s fucking torture to being told that I couldn’t touch her. Fuck, I don’t know how long I could endure it. It’ll be easier not to eat for a week. But Mikky demanded that we kept our distance while watching her closely, which was fucking impossible.

Me: How has your day been?

I pulled up inside the airport parking lot, grabbed my bag, locked my Mustang, and jogged toward check-in to catch my plane. Once seated, I nestled down and closed my eyes until my phone beeped.

Riley: OK. Do u want to go out for dinner or get some takeaway?

I was surprised by this message, as I usually pursue her, not vice versa.

Me: Sorry, I can’t. Going out of town. I’ll see u tomorrow?

Riley: Where?

Her prying nature took me aback, as she wasn’t usually like that. If anything, she was excellent at allowing me to keep secrets from her; however, that went only one way, as I didn’t want her to hold secrets from me.

Me: I have some business to attend to.

Riley: OK. The club is closed, so I’m not working.

Me: I heard.

Riley: Do u know why?

Me: I’d be killed if I said??

Me: I have to go. I’ll contact you tomorrow.

Once the plane landed in Larsson, I kept my wits about me as I hadn’t been here since my dad was murdered, and my mood was dark.

Danny Lam met me at the airport in Larsson as the rain came down while we walked to his car. The cold rain and ominous clouds reflected my temperament. Danny tried to make small talk as we drove to the suburb where Annika and I grew up, and I felt numb. Nothing. No anger. No rage. No sadness. Nothing. Nothingness bore an enormous hole into my stomach, leaving me emotionless and eager to get the job done so that I could return to Gothenburg.

This suburb where I had my first kiss, smoked my first cigarette, won high school awards for my artwork, sipped my first whiskey stolen from my dad’s home office, and had my first crush.

I shared all of my firsts with Annika, who was my first kiss and crush, and it was with her that I had my first whiskey and cigarette. I couldn’t change history, but it’s impossible to carve a future while I had my father’s unsolved murder hanging over me. And Annika had the answer to this mystery, so why didn’t we sit Riley down and give her the third degree?

Maybe Mikky had gone soft and struggled to be cruel to a shy, young girl who cleaned his kitchen floor for a living. Or perhaps it was his sadistic side that wanted to make her suffer for a crime she might not have committed. But whether or not Riley Laws was Annika, it’s curious that the Larsson police were on her back.

Even when Danny turned onto our old street, I could see the white panelboards of the house I once knew and the bay window on the top floor. My old bedroom. The bedroom window that Annika allegedly witnessed Mikael shooting my father.

The house looked different, cold and lonely, or maybe I was projecting my gloom upon the place. Then Danny pulled up outside, and I realized the evergreen tree that grew outside was nothing but a stubby trunk. Strangely, seeing the tree that we used to climb helped my father build a treehouse on its strong limbs with his bare hands.

He pulled up outside, and as the house owner opened the front door, we were expecting him after Danny had organized a tour to take notes and photos for the investigation.

To the best of my knowledge, the woman was in her early sixties and was very accommodating, but I wondered if she felt nervous living here. We sold the house at a low price because real estate prices had dropped, so she got it for a bargain. Pardon the pun, but there must be a cloud of uneasiness there, particularly at night.

We followed her inside. She asked if we wanted a drink, which we declined. Danny assured her, “We’ll be here for no more than ten minutes. "

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