Burned

Chapter 39

Bjarne Brogeland sighs. He is reading a document on his screen, but having to squint for so long is giving him a headache. I need a break, he says to himself. A long one. Perhaps I should ask Sandland if she fancies a late lunch somewhere, talk a little shop, discuss the case, a little sex. Bloody little prick teaser. I’ll have to tie a knot in it soon, if I don’t get to…

Brogeland’s thoughts are interrupted by a window popping open on his screen. The face of Ann-Mari Sara, a forensic scientist, fills the screen via a webcam. Brogeland leans forward and turns up the volume.

‘We’ve made some progress with the laptop,’ she says.

‘Marhoni’s laptop?’

‘No. Mahatma Gandhi’s. Who else?’

‘Have you found anything?’

‘Oh, I think we can safely say that.’

‘Okay, hold on. I just want to get Sandland.’

‘No need. I’ll e-mail my findings to you. I just wanted to check if you were around.’

‘Okay.’

Brogeland gets up and goes out into the corridor. Any excuse for knocking on Sandland’s door must be exploited. He opens it. She is on the telephone. All the same, Brogeland whispers with exaggerated diction:

‘Marhoni’s laptop.’

He gestures towards his own office, even though there is no need. She will get her own copy of the e-mail. Sandland mimes that she will come down to his office shortly.

Oh, how I want you to come, Brogeland thinks as he closes the door behind him. He returns to his own office and lets himself fall into his chair. He opens his inbox and sees that an e-mail has arrived from Ann-Mari Sara. He clicks on it and downloads the attachment.

At that very moment, Sandland enters the room.

‘Perfect timing,’ Brogeland says. Sandland stands right behind him and leans over his shoulder. Brogeland can barely control himself. She has never been this close to him. He can smell her, her -

No. Don’t even think about it.

He reads the message from Ann-Mari Sara aloud:

The hard disk was severely damaged and there is a lot of information, we have yet to retrieve. However, I think we may already have got the most important stuff. Click on the attachment and you will know what I mean.

Brogeland clicks on the attachment and watches the screen with excitement. When the image appears, he turns and looks up at Sandland. They both smile. Brogeland turns his attention back on the computer, clicks ‘reply’ and writes:

Good job, AMS. But carry on working on the hard drive. There may be more information which we might need.

Brogeland rubs his hands and thinks he is moving into the final lap.

The lap of honour.