Page 56 of Hidden in Memories
All he wants is to be with Carl. Cook together, fall asleep together, wake up with a foolish, happy smile.
“How are you?” Carl says in a friendly tone of voice.
The question brings Anton back to the moment. Carl unzips his padded jacket, as if he is feeling warm after his walk in the cold.
Anton has a sudden flashback. It’s the same dark-blue jacket that Carl wore when they went home together after an evening at Bygget. That was when they met for the first time, late one February night just over a year ago.
Carl was an important witness in an ongoing investigation into the murder of his best friend. The case was later cleared up—with a tragic outcome—but it was impossible for Anton to go on seeing Carl back then.
The whole thing was so complicated.
“Er, fine,” Anton stammers. “Really good.”
Carl’s phone rings, and he glances at the screen. Anton notices that it is a man’s name.
His boyfriend?
Carl has moved on, of course he has.
“Sorry, I have to take this.” Carl gives Anton an apologetic smile and walks past him into the building.
The glass door closes behind him.
Anton watches him go with a heavy heart.
45
Hanna is leaning against the highly polished reception desk at Copperhill. Two scented candles in dark glass holders are spreading a pleasing blend of musk and linen, and nearby, Daniel is speaking to Iris, the female receptionist, about Paul Lehto.
They still haven’t managed to get a hold of him. Admittedly he has called in sick, but he isn’t answering his phone and seems to be unreachable. His mysterious absence doesn’t exactly allay Hanna’s suspicions.
“I believe you saw your colleague arguing with Charlotte Wretlind on Sunday,” Daniel says. “Can you tell me more about that?”
Iris explains what happened, and Hanna recognizes the description from the account given to her by Erik, the concierge.
Iris purses her lips. “Paul was furious. He tore off his mask and yelled at the poor woman. The other guests were shocked—it was incredibly unprofessional.”
“Did you report his behavior?”
“I didn’t.” Iris gives an apologetic shrug. “Maybe I should have done.” She tugs at her sleeve; the question seems to bother her. “I felt uncomfortable,” she adds. “Paul has such a temper—I didn’t want to make an enemy of him. Although I don’t know how he’s kept his job.”
Daniel thanks her, and he and Hanna sit down in armchairs opposite the open fire to discuss their next move.
“It sounds as if there was a real set-to on Sunday,” Hanna begins. “What now? Should we bring in Lehto?”
“I think so.”
Hanna takes out her phone and calls the station, asking for a patrol car to go to Lehto’s home and bring him in for questioning. She has just finished when a message comes through.
“A dog handler is on the way,” she tells Daniel. “It’s Jarmo—he’ll be here in an hour.”
Jarmo Mäkinen lives in Järpen, not very far from Åre, which is a distinct advantage. Most of his colleagues are either in Östersund, or even farther away in Strömsund, or even Sveg. Hopefully he will be able to help them secure the escape route.
The fire crackles merrily, its orange-and-violet flames dancing. It is almost two o’clock in the afternoon.
“How about some lunch while we’re waiting?” Hanna suggests. She glances around and points to the library, which is also a restaurant. There is an empty table by the window, with a stunning view over the valley. The sun is shining on the dark surface of the table, and the snow outside is sparkling.
“Good idea,” Daniel agrees, getting to his feet.
