Burned

Chapter 43

He fights the urge to call Anette. It’s too soon. She made it clear that he mustn’t try to help her, and besides, he wants more control over the story before he contacts her again.

Instead he calls Bjarne Brogeland. Henning got his mobile number after his interview at the police station. Brogeland replies almost instantly.

‘Hi, Bjarne, it’s Henning.’

‘Hi, Henning. How are you?’

‘Eh, all right. Listen — can we meet?’

A few seconds of silence follow.

‘Now?’

‘Yes. Straight away, if you can, and some place neutral, preferably. There’s something I need to talk to you about.’

‘In your capacity as a journalist?’

‘Of that I’m not entirely sure.’

‘Does this have anything to do with Tariq Marhoni?’

‘No. His brother. And Henriette Hagerup. In the light of that, it might have something to do with Tariq. Like I said, I’m not sure.’

‘You’re not sure?’

‘No. But I guarantee that you’ll want to hear what I’ve got to say and see what I’ve found. I just don’t want to do it over the telephone.’

A thinking pause follows.

‘Okay. Where do you want to meet?’

‘Lompa.’

‘Good. I can be there in fifteen minutes.’

‘Great. See you there.’

*

He decides to take a cab from the Gode Cafe, no matter how risky it might be. He waits in Fredensborgvei until he sees a free taxi, which isn’t silver. It isn’t made in Germany and doesn’t have the number ‘A2052’ on its roof, either. The driver is an older man with grey hair, steel spectacles and he smells of Old Spice. He doesn’t say much during the trip.

This suits Henning fine. It means he can think in peace while they drive past buildings, people and cars. He always feels a sense of calm when he is on his way somewhere and he isn’t responsible for the transport. It’s like pressing the pause button on yourself while the rest of the world carries on moving.

He wonders what must have gone through Henriette Hagerup’s head when it dawned on her that her own script was about to be played out for real and she had the starring role. Perhaps you never saw it coming, he thinks. Perhaps she didn’t have time to react before she was stunned by the gun, and the stoning began before she regained consciousness.

He hopes so. And he hopes that Anette lies low. If Henriette was killed because of the script, Anette is likely to be the next victim.