Dead of Winter

41 Winter 1987

Laura was sitting on one of Milla’s kitchen chairs. The table in front of them was littered with makeup and hair products. Milla had made her put on something that resembled a bathing cap, and was busy teasing strands of hairs through holes in the rubber with a crochet hook.

‘Hedda was here this morning,’ she said.

‘Oh yes?’

Milla studied her closely. Their faces were only inches apart.

‘She said I have to move.’

‘What? Where to?’

‘She’s sorted out a place for me in Värmland.’

Milla was still watching Laura’s expression as her fingers worked with the hook.

‘But why?’

‘She didn’t say. She was pretty short with me. Said I had two days to pack – a car will come and pick me up the day after tomorrow, for fuck’s sake!’

The hook dug into Laura’s scalp and she winced in pain.

‘Someone must have ratted on me,’ Milla went on. ‘That’s the only possible explanation.’

She pushed the hook through the next hole, even harder this time. Laura bit her lip.

‘I’m sure you know who it was,’ Milla said.

Laura tried to shake her head, but Milla seized her face between both hands and leaned forward so that the tips of their noses were almost touching.

‘No,’ Laura managed to say. ‘Hedda hasn’t said anything to me, I swear.’

‘Who’s she seen? Who’s she spoken to?’

‘I don’t know – let go of me!’

Milla turned away and started fiddling with a bottle, then she smeared something cold and chemical-smelling over the cap.

‘Who do you think she’d listen to?’

Her voice was gentler now, but the anger was still there beneath the surface.

‘I don’t know,’ Laura said again.

Milla’s eyes narrowed.

‘Maybe Iben told her about the break-ins.’ She didn’t wait for a response. ‘If so, how did she find out about them?’

Laura swallowed. The chemicals brought tears to her eyes.

‘Tomas?’ she suggested. She had no idea why.

‘Tomas would never talk.’

‘No . . .’ Laura tried to stay calm. ‘But he’s changed a lot. He and Iben have known each other since they were little. If she noticed something and asked him straight out, he wouldn’t be able to lie. He always owns up, even to things he hasn’t done.’

Milla nodded slowly, her expression softening.

‘Well done, my little master detective. No wonder I like you.’

She spread more of the chemicals over the cap; this time the movement felt more like a caress.

‘As soon as Jack sees you tonight, he’s going to forget all about Iben. And then I’m going to make sure that pious little bitch gets exactly what she deserves.’