Page 124 of The Living and the Dead

Vidar looked at him in surprise again. “We don’t know what’s going to happen next. Are more people going to die, in an hour, in aday? We need to know more. Siri saved Felicia’s life once, and anyway, it was her idea to come along. Do you have a better suggestion?”

“So your only concern is the investigation?”

“Yes,” Vidar said.

“And you’re prepared to risk Siri’s safety for it? That’s not okay either.”

This time, Vidar didn’t respond.

93

It was a sultry evening, but heavy, dark clouds were closing in from the sea. The newscasters on the radio in Vidar’s car warned of downpours. Nothing yet, in these parts. The village had settled in for the night. Livestock dozed out in the pastures, and insects chirped and buzzed loudly.

They almost missed it, an SUV half-hidden in a small grove of trees. Vidar stopped at the edge of the road and eyed the oversized vehicle as though it were a crime scene.

“Wait here,” he told Siri, and stepped into the humid, hot air.

Vidar approached with caution. He recognized the license plate. He rested a tentative hand on the hood. Still warm. He peered into the side window. Empty black beer cans on the passenger-side floor.

The car looked clean, although the roads got very dusty in this summer heat. He studied the door handle on the driver’s side, then walked around the car to do the same with the passenger side.

He took out his phone and snapped a picture, then returned to his own car.

“You know who that belongs to, don’t you?” Siri said.

“Yes. It’s empty, aside from a few cans of Spendrups Premium Gold on the floor. Prints on both door handles too. Hard to say if they were fresh, but they looked it.”

They drove on, taking their time. Siri was quiet, looking out the window.

“You didn’t even want to touch my binder at first,” Vidar said. “Now you want to come along. Talk about changing courses midstream.”

“Horses,” Siri said.

“Huh?”

“The expression is ‘changing horses midstream.’ ” She turned her head slowly. “Your colleague didn’t want me to come, did he?”

“No. But he’s young and idealistic, still.”

“More like he’s a stickler for the rules.”

Vidar glanced her way.

“I know this is important to you, and it’ll be great if you can get her to talk. But you have to follow my instructions.” He turned off the road, drove in among the trees, and parked in a small grove nearby, with a view of the house. “Better if we approach on foot, I think.”

They looked around as they walked toward the house. Through the windows they caught glimpses of lamps, dim lighting, and movement. She was home.

A doorbell sounded loud and clear through the white wooden door. They took a step back and stood very still, listening for sounds.

A woman opened the door with an uncertain smile.

“Goodness,” she said when she saw Siri. “It’s been ages.”

Siri smiled in response. “It’s nice to see you, Felicia.”

They stepped into the front hall. Vidar introduced himself.

“If you think it’s too quiet in here, that makes three of us. It’s not the same when the kids aren’t home. I always think it feels strange without them.”