Page 92 of Hidden in Memories
Ida nods, although she knows it’s never going to happen. Gustav’s enthusiasm is infectious, and she is impressed both by his visit to the Himalayas and his tattoo.
She can’t imagine Daniel having anything written on his body. He is way too wholesome for that.
“I had to choose between that and ‘addicted to snow,’” Gustav explains. “But this feels more authentic.”
“It’s really cool,” Ida says, resisting the urge to reach out and stroke his skin.
“Great minds think alike,” he replies with a grin.
They both burst out laughing, and Ida remembers how much fun they used to have. He is almost always in a good mood, doesn’t take life too seriously. She was the same when they worked together.
He is the direct opposite of Daniel.
She pushes away thoughts of her partner, ashamed at comparing Gustav to him.
“Fantastic skiing the other day,” Gustav adds. “Amazing snow—and you’re an amazing skier.”
“Seriously—with your skills?”
Ida tries to keep her tone light, even though the tension between them is so strong she can almost touch it. She can’t help wondering what it would be like to kiss him. It would be so easy, it would only take a second. They’ve already done it, long before she met Daniel—back when she could be a little bit drunk, a little bit crazy, and life was a game.
Gustav might have been interested in something more all those years ago, but Ida didn’t have time for a relationship.
What would her life look like now if she’d taken that chance?
Alice wouldn’t exist.
The thought is almost physically painful. Ida can’t imagine life without her. She takes a bite of her sandwich to hide her confusion. They’re just chatting over a coffee, she tells herself yet again. Gustav will be leaving in half an hour, and she will go back to the apartment and give Alice her lunch.
This evening Daniel will come home and they will have dinner together.
Then everything will be back to normal.
71
The core team has gathered in the conference room: Daniel, Hanna, Raffe, and Anton. Daniel only just managed to grab a coffee this morning, but for the first time in an eternity he didn’t have any bad dreams.
Thanks to Jovanka, no doubt.
The first topic of the day is Paul Lehto. Hanna has just passed on the information about when he used the staff entrance on Sunday.
“Okay, so let’s start with checking his alibi,” Daniel says. “Then dig into his background to give us a clearer picture. I’ve nothing against questioning him again—he can bring the lawyer he insisted on.”
Hanna nods. “We also need to speak to his wife. I tried to call her both yesterday and this morning, but she didn’t pick up.”
“Have we heard anything about the autopsy on Aada Kuus?” Raffe asks.
“It’s Good Friday,” Anton points out.
“I don’t think they’ll get around to it until next week at the earliest—the Easter break is slowing everything down,” Daniel agrees.
Hanna is clearly frustrated. “I don’t get why everybody else can have time off while we’re sitting here working.”
Daniel sighs. “You know how it is.”
He shares her view, but it is what it is. Most of their colleagues, those who are not part of the investigating team or are on call, work office hoursor a strictly laid-out roster. It’s difficult to demand overtime from other units, even when it feels as if the four of them are working round the clock.
Anton raps his knuckles on the desk. “Moving on ... I’ve gone through the interviews with the employees who have rooms in the staff-accommodation block.”
