Postcard killers

Chapter 32

"Come on," Forsberg said. "Let's go through what you're doing today. In the other room."

Alexander Andersson took a step toward her.

"If you know so bloody much, why aren't you writing anything?"

She pul ed loose from Forsberg and stared daggers at the reporter.

"I know you might have trouble understanding this," she said, "but my goal in life real y isn't to get a big-picture byline. I could care less."

She went back to her desk then, fol owed by Forsberg. 46 "You've got to be careful with Alexander," she said to the editor. "He's faking it."

"Dessie," Forsberg said, "listen to me. I've got a job for you. Have you read Hugo Bergman's article on public prosecutor workloads?"

Dessie looked at the news editor and blinked.

The one we published on Friday?"

"It's caused a real stink," Forsberg said, handing her a bundle of printouts.

"Cal Bergman and get an interview, and check with the different regional prosecutors to see how many cases they've actual y got at the moment. Can you do that?"

Dessie made no move to take the printouts. She could see Hugo Bergman in her mind's eye, swaying like a tree outside the Opera Cel ar, where she'd left him the night before.

"You're trying to get me off the murders," she said. "That's what this is, right?"

The news chief sat on her desk and lowered his voice.

"Dessie," he said, "there are people asking why you were sent that postcard. They're wondering what sort of contacts you've got with the underworld."

She swal owed, couldn't believe her ears.

"I'm here today only because the police told me to be here," she said.

"I'm supposed to be off Monday and Tuesday. I'm not claiming any kind of copyright on these murders, but if -"

She was interrupted by a shout and then a loud commotion in the lobby. It sounded like something breaking, something large and solid.

Forsberg stood up.

"What the hel is that?"

A furious male voice could be heard through the office wal s. The words weren't clear, but they didn't need to be.

"Wait here," Dessie said and ran toward the door as fast as she could.