Page 30 of The Sleepwalker
‘Or neither.’
‘But you don’t think so?’
‘No.’
‘So what’s the next step?’
‘I’m going to pay Hugo a visit, apologise on behalf of the justice system and interview him as a potential witness.’
‘Even though you think he could be guilty?’
11
Bernard had been waiting in Agneta’s freshly washed Lexus for almost an hour when Hugo finally emerged from Kronoberg Remand Prison.
The teenager was carrying his possessions in a plastic bag, and he paused on the pavement with his shoulders hunched. Bernard got out of the car, waved to his son and then walked around to the passenger side to open the door like some sort of chauffeur.
Two hours have now passed, and Agneta is busy frying three thick pieces of sirloin steak while Bernard sets the table and prepares a salad.
The beta blocker she took earlier has her heart wrapped in its calming embrace.
It could be hormonal, but over the past year everyday situations have started to make her feel anxious and uncomfortable, and open conflicts have become downright unbearable.
Hugo comes into the kitchen and saunters over to the stove. He is barefoot, wearing jeans and a shiny black shirt, with a black beret on his head. He smells like Bernard’s shower gel.
On the white sideboard, there is a box full of books, the Portuguese translation of the latest novel in Bernard’s series.
‘So, how does it feel to be home?’ Agneta asks as she grindspepper onto the meat.
‘One prison gives way to another,’ Hugo replies without looking at her.
‘Is that so?’
He shrugs and tucks his necklace inside his shirt, then checks his phone.
‘What do you mean?’ Bernard asks as he puts the steak knives down beside their plates.
‘I’ve got a chemistry test tomorrow, a biology test next week .?.?.’
Agneta lifts the melted butter from the stove and slowly pours it into the vinegar and egg yolks.
‘Are you hungry?’ she asks with a smile as she mixes the béarnaise.
‘Yeah,’ he replies without any enthusiasm.
‘That reminds me,’ says Bernard, glancing down at a scrap of paper. ‘A detective called while you were in the shower, the one who interviewed you in custody .?.?. Joona Linna. He said he wanted to talk to you. Sounded very friendly, and—’
‘OK.’ Hugo sits down at the table.
‘Here’s his number.’
‘Just share the contact with me.’
The others take their usual seats.
‘Hat off, please,’ says Bernard.
Hugo doesn’t seem to register his request, just sips his water and starts eating.
