Page 39 of Hidden in Memories
Daniel and Hanna hurry past a long row of cars in the guest parking lot alongside the building. Suddenly Daniel slips on the ice; Hanna’s arm shoots out to catch him before he falls.
“Thanks,” he says with a warm smile.
They are up at the top of Förberget. The afternoon sun is bathing the Åre valley in a golden light, and the mountainsides are shimmering in warm tones.
The air is almost mild, even though it’s only the end of March.
Hanna could stand here with Daniel forever.
“Let’s go,” he says.
As they make their way down the hill, they see a huge gray-painted wooden building on the left.
This is where Henry is staying.
They have reached the Villa.
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The VIP accommodation has an unimpeded view across the valley. Daniel has heard about the place, but until now he hadn’t realized the scale of the magnificent building hidden behind exclusive slate walls.
“Wow,” Hanna says, rolling her eyes. “This makes Lydia’s house look like a dog kennel.”
Daniel visited Hanna several times when she was living in her sister’s home in Sadeln. Lydia’s place outshines many houses in the area, but it can’t hold a candle to the Villa.
They walk up the stone steps and knock on the front door. There is some kind of Japanese flower arrangement outside, a collection of tall white birch twigs in a slim gray vase.
Daniel isn’t easily impressed, but he can’t help being taken aback when they walk in.
The entire ground floor is open plan, dominated by a nine-foot-high slate fireplace. Modern chandeliers are suspended above a generous dark-brown sofa and armchairs, and farther in there is a dining area with space for a dozen people.
“How can I help you?” Henry asks when they have said hello and taken off their coats.
Yesterday’s dark suit has been replaced by faded jeans and a pale cashmere polo shirt. He seems to have been working, because a laptopis open on the exclusive dining table, with piles of papers spread out beside it. Daniel sees the logo of something called Save the Baltic, that must be the foundation Hanna mentioned.
“We have a few more questions,” he explains.
Henry points to the wine refrigerator to one side of the kitchen, which has an industrial look; almost everything is made of glass and stainless steel. It is clearly equipped for a significant number of guests, with double ovens and dishwashers.
“Can I get you anything? There’s an excellent espresso machine, or how about a glass of wine? A Bordeaux, perhaps?”
“Thanks, but we’re on duty.”
It is an unnecessary comment; both Henry and Daniel are well aware of that fact. Daniel interprets the offer of a glass of wine as a demonstration of power, but he tries to suppress his irritation. He can’t allow the conversation to be derailed by his own prejudices.
“Shall we sit down?” Henry suggests, leading the way.
Daniel chooses the nearest sofa, at an angle from Henry. Hanna sits down beside him.
“Can you tell us more about your friend Charlotte?” she begins. “What kind of person was she?”
The financier looks around the room before he answers, his gaze settling on the panorama window with its stunning view of Åre’s snow-covered mountains in the northwest.
“To be honest, I’m not sure how well I knew her,” he replies. “Sometimes I don’t think anyone did.”
“I believe you’re godfather to her son?” Hanna points out.
Henry’s face softens. “I’m very fond of Filip.”
