Page 197 of The Sleepwalker

‘That’s logical, though we can never really be sure.’

‘I don’t know .?.?. It’s as though his brain shies away from it, as though it’s frightened of the fear in his dream world,’ says Joona.

Erik explains that research has shown that the interaction between different parts of the brain is markedly reduced following psychological trauma. The right temporal lobe, responsible for non-verbal communication and intuition, is more active in traumatic memories than the left, which controls language and logical thought.

‘It’s a case of non-verbal fear,’ says Erik. ‘He’s not receptive to reason. He’s reliving the fear, nothing else. Like an animal.’

An ambulance races by, sirens blaring. Snowflakes begin to patter against the windscreen.

‘This is probably our last chance,’ says Joona.

‘I’ll do my best, but the fact that Hugo’s dreams are so intense makes him quite unpredictable. There’s always a risk they’ll drag him up out of the hypnosis.’

‘Focus on concrete things, ideally something we can use – a description, a tattoo, an unusual watch or a piece of jewellery .?.?. And the car’s registration number.’

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Hugo is lying back on the neatly made bed in his suite. The curtains are drawn, and Erik, Joona, Agneta and Lars Grind are standing around him in the dimly lit room.

He checks his phone as Erik goes over the process for the third time, explaining how hypnosis works and that it is really just a matter of relaxation and focus.

Joona has noticed that the teenager seems more subdued than normal. He isn’t his usual defiant, sarcastic self, and seems to have resigned himself to what is happening with an air of melancholy. He answers any questions directed at him, but otherwise he has been sitting quietly, and he also seems oddly curt with Dr Grind.

Erik thanks Hugo for putting his faith in him, then pulls a chair over to the head of the bed and sits down.

‘I promised Bernard that Hugo wouldn’t suffer as a result of this session,’ says Agneta.

‘Of course.’

‘Because he’s had terrible anxiety after both previous attempts.’

‘It was fine,’ Hugo mutters, putting his phone down on the bedside table.

Erik has dark circles beneath his eyes, but his deep laughter lines mean that his face still looks relatively happy.

‘Hypnosis certainly isn’t meant to leave any lasting unease – the opposite, in fact .?.?. But with that said, wewillbe focusing on some particularly difficult memories, at least for a few minutes.’

‘I just don’t want to think about it beforehand,’ says Hugo.

‘Which is fine. All I want to say is that I’ll be here with you every step of the way, to minimise the risk of any additional trauma. And before I lift you out of the hypnosis, I’ll also leave you with some positive suggestions.’

‘I’ll be here as a kind of referee, too,’ says Lars Grind. ‘I’ll put a stop to things if I think it’s having even the slightest negative impact on you. You can trust me, Hugo.’

The teenager avoids the doctor’s eye.

‘OK, then we’re agreed?’ asks Agneta.

‘Yes. But I also need you all to let me do my job,’ Erik replies.

‘You’re very good at what you do, no doubt about that,’ Agneta adds. ‘And as I say, Bernard and I are both glad that Hugo wants to help the police stop a killer, but that can’t come at any price.’

‘Stop. It’s fine,’ Hugo mumbles, straightening his necklace.

As the conversation peters out and a sense of calm settles over the room, Erik begins the process of helping Hugo to become relaxed and receptive. He takes his time, working through each of the muscle groups in turn, getting the teenager to focus on his breathing and repeating that he is safe, that the bed is comfortable and that his eyelids are growing heavier.

There is a strange smell in the room, Joona notices, like rancid aftershave.

Agneta has wrapped her arms around herself, and is standing with her head bowed, a deep frown between her brows.