Page 48 of Hidden in Memories
“Are you suggesting that Charlotte’s plans constituted some kind of threat to us?”
He lets out a small snort. Hanna chooses to interpret this as supercilious rather than scornful.
“Have you been to Storlien?” he continues.
“Not yet.”
Daniel sits down on a chair with his back to the window. “We haven’t had time.”
“When you get around to it, you’ll understand why Charlotte chose to hold her press conference here. The state of the place is off-putting to say the least; in her shoes I would have done exactly the same. Better to bring the media here to show them what a fantastic establishment you can build with quality and care, rather than inviting them to somewhere that looks as if it should be in a horror movie.”
Espen is clearly proud of his own hotel.
“So you didn’t mind Charlotte using your facilities to spread the message about her plans?” Daniel asks.
For the first time Espen gives a small smile. “I chose to regard it as pure marketing. Even if the journalists left here with her words ringing in their ears, I thought it was the impression made byourhotel that would last.” He sounds almost calculating as he continues. “No one can beat us when it comes to offering a world-class mountain experience.”
It’s convincing, but Hanna can’t help wondering if he really is so unconcerned. If Charlotte had realized her plans, then surely it would have involved a considerable risk to Copperhill’s income stream. The manager must have been worried about the increased competition, whatever he says.
Then again, maybe they shouldn’t be putting their energy into him. Espen has a solid alibi, confirmed by their colleagues in Östersund yesterday. He is not a suspect, even if he sometimes comes across as not particularly likable.
Their focus must be on Paul Lehto right now—the receptionist who had access to all the key cards, and who also seems to have had an altercation with the dead woman.
36
Filip is five minutes late and distinctly ill at ease as he goes downstairs to meet the reporter who requested an interview. She was so keen when they spoke on the phone yesterday; she said so many nice things about his mom that it was impossible to say no.
And yet his stomach is churning as he looks around the foyer. He has never met a journalist before; he really wants this to turn out well.
He is doing it for his mother’s sake.
It might have been a good idea to ask Henry what he thought, but Filip didn’t want to bother him. His godfather has such a lot to do now that Mom is gone; he has his hands full sorting out business matters and the plans for the hotel.
He would probably think that Filip can make up his own mind whether or not he wants to be interviewed. And Henry has already taken care of so much—surely Filip can do some things for himself.
A blond woman is approaching him.
“Hi, I’m Bella. Thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me.”
Filip gives a faint smile, and the journalist keeps chatting as she steers him toward a table on the glass veranda beyond reception. Two cups of coffee and a carafe of water are waiting. She sits down and places her phone on the table.
“I assume it’s okay if I record our conversation?” she says in passing, as if it is self-evident.
It makes Filip uncomfortable, but he assumes this is how things are done in the newspaper industry. “Of course,” he mumbles.
Right now he is most worried about losing control when they discuss Mom and how she died. He only has to think about it and he gets a lump in his throat.
He hopes he won’t cry in front of the reporter.
All he wants is to do his mom proud; that’s why he’s here. She might not be around anymore, but at least he’ll be able to tell everyone about the wonderful things she did, despite the fact that people saw her as a hardheaded businesswoman.
She loved him, he has never doubted that, even when they argued.
“I want to hear all about your mom,” Bella says gently, leaning forward and placing a hand on Filip’s knee. Her long pink nails glisten in the glow of the overhead light. “Don’t worry. All I want is to write a fantastic article about you and her. You can trust me.”
37
After twenty minutes in the spacious conference room, Espen Lund has described in detail how the key cards in the hotel are used by the staff.
