Postcard killers

Chapter 84

Dessie could see the satellite dishes on the television crews' vans, some of which had come al the way from Gotgatan. What a waste of time, money, and gas.

The media storm had settled right outside her door, blocking the whole of Urvadersgrand. She stopped, her bicycle beside her, and stared at the crowd.

Jacob caught up with her and let out a quiet whistle.

There were unfamiliar figures with huge microphones and col eagues she had met at the Association of Professional Newspapermen, photographers with long lenses, and radio reporters who looked like giant beetles with their broadcast antennas mounted on their backs.

"Impressive," Jacob said drily. "You must be the hottest date in town."

"I can't go in there," she said.

"They'l go home when they get hungry," Jacob said. "Come on, let's go and get something to eat in the meantime."

They headed toward Mariatorget. The sky was ful of dark clouds; there was rain in the air.

They stopped at a steak house on Sankt Paulsgatan, where Jacob ordered barbecue ribs and Dessie corn on the cob.

"Is that al you're having?" Jacob said when the food arrived.

"I don't think I can even get this down," she said in a quiet voice.

He looked at her with something in his eyes she hadn't seen before. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was actual y worried about her. 113 "I know you're finding this unpleasant and unfair," he said, "but you should know that you did the right thing. You've probably already prevented some murders."

She finished her glass of wine and poured some more.

He put his hand on hers.

"Dessie," he said, "listen to me, please. Kimmy was kil ed by these monsters, and you're one of the reasons they've been caught. I thank you for that. I owe you my life."