Postcard killers

Chapter 40

"Hang on," the dutchman said, handing Mac his card. "Get in touch if you fancy going out for a meal one evening. We'd enjoy it."

"Sure, we'l do that!" Sylvia cal ed as Mac pul ed her out of the restaurant.

When they were out of sight, Sylvia pul ed herself free of his grip.

"I presume you have a good explanation," she said, stroking his arm.

Mac didn't answer at first. Then he said, "Why did you bring up the murders? We don't make mistakes like that."

"It wasn't a mistake. The city is too hot now. We couldn't kil them.

Though, Christ, I wanted to. I wanted to cut them both."

The Berzeli Park was crawling with people with ice creams and bicycles and buggies.

Sylvia sidled closer to Mac and kissed his neck. "Are you angry with me?" she whispered. "How can I make it up to you?"

"We've got some work to do," he said tersely. "We stil have to get out of Stockholm."

She sighed theatrical y but took hold of his hand, sucking his finger and then kissing him on the lips.

"I'm your slave," she whispered. "I just don't want to end up in prison. I couldn't bear to be without you, Mac."

They walked across the bridge over Strommen back to the Old Town.

Sylvia had both her arms around Mac's waist, which made it hard to walk as she stumbled along the edge of the quay.

Final y Mac cheered up and put his arm around her shoulders. "You're forgiven."

They walked to the 7-Eleven on Vasterlanggatan, tucked in among al the medieval buildings, and Sylvia bought the day's papers while Mac got half an hour on the Internet.

"Is there anything about Oslo?" Sylvia asked.

Mac tapped quickly on the keyboard.

"Nope," he said.

Sylvia turned to pages 6 and 7 of Aftonposten, recognizing the house in the picture.

"You know something?" she said. "We left the Dutch couple with the bil."

Mac laughed. Then he logged in and set to work.