Page 81 of Hidden in Memories
“I do.” The question seems to bother him. “Why?”
“We’ll need to see it,” Hanna replies.
Paul opens his mouth as if to protest, then closes it again. Hanna makes a note before looking up at him.
“How well did you know Aada Kuus?”
“Who?”
“The cleaner who was found murdered this morning outside the staff-accommodation block.”
“There’s been another murder?” Paul exclaims.
Daniel tries to read his expression. He seems surprised, but it’s hard to tell whether it’s genuine, or whether he’s simply a talented actor. Daniel has conducted countless interviews, but this guy is unusually difficult to read.
“You don’t know who she is?”
Paul shakes his head. The sound of someone vacuuming the corridor can be heard outside the door. “No idea.”
“Are you sure?”
“I swear.”
His tone is eager, as if he wants to convince everyone in the room, himself included, that he is telling the truth.
“Where were you yesterday evening?” Daniel asks.
“I was at home. In Krok.”
“With your wife?”
“Yes—ask her if you don’t believe me.”
“You were there all evening? You didn’t go out at all?”
“I took the dog for a walk—I was gone for maybe half an hour.”
Paul brushes away what might be a bead of sweat from his forehead. Daniel would have liked to hand him a napkin, then keep it in order to compare his DNA with the fragmentary traces Carina has collected.
“Do you suspect me of something?” he says hoarsely.
Daniel glances at Hanna. They are reaching the limit of how far they can push him. There is a risk that Paul will call a halt to the interview and demand a lawyer.
“We’d like to take a DNA sample if that’s okay.” Daniel is careful to keep his tone neutral.
“Why?”
“It’s just routine,” Hanna explains. “It will help us to rule out your presence in the Silver Suite, where Charlotte Wretlind was found on Monday morning.”
Or at the place where Aada’s body was discovered today,Daniel thinks.
There is a sudden flash of steel in Paul’s eyes. He might be stressed, but he is no fool. He gets to his feet.
“No. I want to speak to a lawyer before I agree to anything.”
Then
December 28, 1973
