Dead of Winter

33 Winter 1987

Laura, Milla, Tomas and Peter met at Wohlin’s and secured the same table that Laura and Iben had chosen less than a week ago.

‘We’ve got problems,’ Tomas said.

Laura was surprised that he was taking the lead. He usually stayed in the background, avoided eye contact, but in Milla’s company he was different. More self-confident, less anxious. Tougher.

Peter, on the other hand, kept shuffling uncomfortably and looking over at Laura.

‘What kind of problems?’ Milla snapped. ‘As I said, we need stuff for the party. More booze, a tape player, something to eat. You said you could fix it.’

Tomas nodded. ‘I know a place. The owners come to stay from time to time throughout the year, so there should be food in the fridge and freezer, plus plenty of wine and beer.’

‘So what’s the problem?’

‘We don’t know where they hide the key.’

‘And?’

Peter cleared his throat.

‘It was different with the other summer cottages. No one noticed we’d been there – who the fuck remembers how many bottles of booze they left behind last summer? But if we break in, smash a window or something in a place the owners come back to at regular intervals’ – he spread his hands wide – ‘they’re bound to call the police. Then there’s this business with the fires . . .’

His eyes flicked sideways to Tomas for a second.

‘What about the fires?’ Milla said.

‘The police might link them with the break-in.’

‘Why would they do that?’

Peter couldn’t come up with a good answer. He gazed pleadingly at Laura, who came to his rescue.

‘Not much happens around here,’ she said quickly. ‘Two incidents at around the same time . . . If the police make the connection they’ll put in more effort, and the risk of being caught increases – isn’t that what you mean?’

Peter nodded, gave her a grateful smile.

‘OK.’ Milla drummed her fingers on the table. ‘In that case we’ll just have to be more careful. Me and Laura will come with you. I’ll keep a lookout for the owners, and Laura can help you search for the key. She’s good at finding things out about people.’

Peter opened his mouth, but before he could protest she heard a voice say, ‘Fine.’

Only when she saw his surprised reaction did she realise the voice was hers.