Page 104 of Hidden in Memories
She has heard the term, but doesn’t really understand it.
“If you live with a person who abuses drugs or alcohol, it’s easy to become codependent,” Roger explains. “Some typical consequences are low self-esteem and a negative self-image. You get used to constantlyfitting in with the other person’s behavior. It’s hard to set boundaries within the relationship.” He pauses, as if to let the words sink in. “Does any of that sound familiar?”
Tiina stares into space. What is he trying to say? She has confided all her deepest secrets, and now Roger thinks it’s her fault that Ogge feels bad.
“Tiina?”
She feels so let down. The tears begin to flow.
No one is on her side.
“I have to go,” she mumbles, ending the call.
82
Daniel is tidying up after Alice in the living room, well aware that he should have stayed at the station and carried on working on the investigation. Instead he is picking up one brightly colored toy after another and placing them in a red plastic box.
Ida is sitting on the sofa, chatting to a friend on her iPad while the evening news is on TV.
“And now to the murders in Åre, where another woman was found dead yesterday,” the news anchor announces.
Daniel looks up and sees images of Copperhill and the gray staff-accommodation block. The camera pans over the police cars, the cordon, and the curious onlookers. At least there is no sign of that idiotic reporter he almost punched.
Ida has put down her tablet and is listening to the item.
A male voice informs viewers that the latest victim was strangled, and that the police have not yet released the name of the woman. However, it is clear that this second murder is linked to what happened a few days ago.
Daniel frowns. How can they know that? As far as he is aware, the police have neither confirmed nor denied the connection.
“Who was murdered this time?” Ida wants to know.
“I can’t tell you.”
They have been through this discussion many times. Ida often asks about his work, and Daniel always has to say that he can’t share information about an ongoing investigation. He has already said too much—yesterday he happened to mention that they are probably looking for the same killer.
“Sorry.”
Ida gives a strained smile, and Daniel feels guilty for knocking her back. He gets up and goes to sit beside her on the sofa.
“You know how it is with a case like this ...”
“Yeah, yeah. Confidentiality.”
He puts his arm around her, gently nuzzles her cheek where the scent of her moisturizer lingers. A strand of hair has fallen over her forehead, and he pushes it back with his index finger.
Even though it has been a long and stressful day, he feels the excitement beginning to spread through his body. It seems like forever since they made love. There is always so much that gets in the way; they are both tired after work, and of course Alice takes up so much of their time and energy. She often ends up sleeping in their bed when she wakes up and cries during the night.
He once heard a colleague say that children are an excellent contraceptive, and he was right.
He glances cautiously at Ida to see if she is interested. She is hard to read today; she is barely reacting to his advances. She remains motionless, neither pushing him away nor responding positively.
Only when he tries to kiss her does he realize it’s not happening.
“I’m on my period,” she mumbles, sliding out of his embrace. She disappears into the bathroom, and Daniel hears her lock the door.
The sense of rejection is physically painful.
She doesn’t want him.
