Camilla Lackberg Crime Thrillers 4-6: The Stranger, The Hidden Child, The Drowning. Camilla Lackberg

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      The springtime sun shone in through the windows at the Tanumshede police station, mercilessly exposing the dirt on the windowpanes. The winter grime lay like a film over the glass, and Patrik felt as though the same film were covering him. It had been a hard winter. Life with a child in the house was infinitely more fun but also infinitely more work than he ever could have imagined. And even though things were going much more smoothly with Maja than they had in the beginning, Erica was still not used to the life of a stay-at-home mum. This knowledge tormented Patrik every second and every minute he spent at work. And everything that had happened with Anna had placed an extra burden on their shoulders.

      A knock on the door-jamb interrupted his gloomy thoughts.

      ‘Patrik? We just got a call about a traffic accident. A single car on the road to Sannäs.’

      ‘Okay,’ said Patrik, getting up. ‘By the way, isn’t this the day that Ernst’s replacement is arriving?’

      ‘Yes,’ said Annika. ‘But it’s not quite eight yet.’

      ‘Then I’ll take Martin with me. Otherwise I thought I’d have her ride with me for a while until she gets the hang of things.’

      ‘Well, I do feel a bit sorry for the poor woman,’ said Annika.

      ‘Because she has to ride with me?’ said Patrik, pretending to take offence.

      ‘Naturally. I know the way you drive … But seriously, it’s not going to be easy for her with Mellberg.’

      ‘After reading her CV I’d say that if anyone can handle him, it would be Hanna Kruse. Seems to be a tough cookie, judging by her service record and the great references.’

      ‘The only thing that seems fishy to me is why she would want to apply to Tanumshede.’

      ‘Yes, you may have a point there,’ said Patrik, pulling on his jacket. ‘I’ll have to ask her why she wants to sink so low as to work in this career blind alley with us law-enforcement amateurs.’ He winked at Annika, who slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

      ‘You know that wasn’t what I meant.’

      ‘Sure, I was just giving you a hard time. By the way, have you got any more information about the accident site? Any injuries? Fatalities?’

      ‘According to the person who called it in, there seems to be only one person in the car. Dead.’

      ‘Damn. I’ll get Martin and we’ll ride out there to have a look. We’ll be back soon. You can show Hanna around in the meantime, can’t you?’

      At that moment they heard a woman’s voice from the reception area. ‘Hello?’

      ‘That must be her now,’ said Annika, hurrying off towards the door. Curious about the new female addition to the force, Patrik followed her.

      He was surprised when he saw the woman standing in reception waiting for them. He wasn’t sure just what he’d expected, but someone … larger, perhaps. And not quite so good-looking … and blonde.

      She held out her hand first to Patrik and then to Annika and said, ‘Hello, I’m Hanna Kruse. I’m starting here today.’

      Her voice more СКАЧАТЬ