Page 36 of Spymaster

Harvath carried his Sig Sauer in a neoprene Sticky brand holster, tucked inside his waistband at the small of his back. It was uncomfortable, and he wanted to adjust it. He didn’t dare to, though, for fear of tipping off Nyström that he was armed. Instead, he tried to focus on the sights and sounds of Visby by night.

It was a medieval city that functioned as the island’s capital. A UNESCO world heritage site, it was the best-preserved fortified commercial city in Northern Europe. Its Old Town looked like something out of a movie.

Strung with painted cottages, cobblestone lanes, and the ruins of Romanesque and Gothic churches, its most dramatic features were the largely intact thirteenth-century ramparts surrounding it. Harvath could only imagine what a draw it was at the height of summer.

Right now, on a Friday night off-season, it was still doing very well. Bars, restaurants, and cafés conducted a brisk business. People walked up and down the sidewalks and there was plenty of car and bus traffic.

As the Chief Inspector slowed down to allow a group of pedestrians to cross up ahead, Harvath asked, “What more can you tell me about the accident?”

“Not much. It happened in the countryside about thirty kilometers outside of town. Based on the tire marks, we believe Mr. Lund was traveling in excess of 120 kilometers an hour. The speed limit in that area is only 70.

“Mr. Lund appeared to have lost control of his vehicle, whereupon the vehicle left the roadway, rolled, and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”

“Who reported the accident?” Harvath asked.

“A passing motorist saw taillights in the brush, stopped to investigate, and then called police.”

“Do you see a lot of vehicular fatalities on Gotland?”

Nyström shook his head. “They are very rare. But when they do happen, the victims are usually holiday-makers and alcohol is involved. Was Mr. Lund a drinker?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” replied Harvath.

“Any medications?”

“I have no idea.”

“That’s okay,” said the Chief Inspector. “They will do a toxicology screen at the hospital.”

“Any evidence that Lund may have been forced off the road?”

The Swede thought about it for a moment. “Forced?Why do you ask? Are you aware of someone who wished him harm?”

Harvath shook his head. “Just wondering.”

“Perhaps he swerved to avoid an animal. Gotland is predominantly rural and roe deer are a real hazard throughout the island.”

“Was there any unusual damage to Lund’s vehicle? Anything that would suggest he came in contact with a deer, or anything else?”

“The car was very badly damaged. If there was such evidence, it would be incredibly difficult to ascertain. Have you much experience with automobile accidents, Mr. Harvath?”

“Some,” he replied. “Where is Lund’s car now?”

Nyström looked at the clock on his dashboard. “A wrecker was dispatched to retrieve it. It will be kept at the wrecking company’s lot while we finish the paperwork and file our initial findings. Sometimes, if a claim is filed, an insurance representative will come out from Stockholm. They may conduct their own investigation. When that’s complete, the car will be released.”

“And then?”

“In a case like this, where the vehicle is unsalvageable, it is sold for scrap. It will be loaded on the car ferry back to the mainland and disposed of there.”

“I’d like to see the vehicle myself. Would that be possible?” Harvath inquired.

“I suppose something could be arranged,” said Nyström. “But I must ask. What is your interest in viewing it? Are you looking for something? Something you think my team may have missed?”

“I’m sure your team did an excellent job. I only ask because my superior was quite fond of Mr. Lund. They were friends, as well as colleagues. He will be glad to know that I took an additional look.”

“You said you hadsomeexperience with automobile accidents. Were you a police officer previously?”

“In a prior career, I was a federal law enforcement officer.”