The Fire Witness

41

Commissioner Gunnarsson has a fresh cigarette in his mouth as he leaves the elevator. He’s headed for Ward 52A in the psychiatric unit at Västernorrland provincial hospital.

A young man in a buttoned-up lab coat walks over to greet him. They shake hands and Gunnarsson follows him down a hall painted light gray.

“As I said on the phone, I don’t believe that questioning him will be useful at this time, so soon after-”

“You’re right, but I want to have a little chat with him anyway.”

The doctor stops and turns to look at Gunnarsson. “Daniel Grim is in a traumatic state of stress that we call arousal. It is activated by the hypothalamus and the limbic system-”

“I don’t give a shit,” said Gunnarsson. “Just tell me if he’s been stuffed with so many drugs he’s on Mars.”

“He’s able to talk, but I won’t let you near him if you-”

“We’re dealing with a double murder-”

“You know very well who has the last word in this building,” the doctor says calmly. “If I believe that the patient’s recovery will be hindered by a talk with the police, I will forbid it.”

“I understand.” Gunnarsson sighs.

“However, the patient himself has said that he would like to help the police, so I will allow you to ask a few questions in my presence.”

“Thank you.” They start along the hall again, turn a corner, and pass a row of dormer windows that overlook a courtyard. A few moments later, the doctor opens a door to a single-patient room. There’s a sheet and a blanket on the small sofa, but Daniel Grim is sitting on the floor with his back to the radiator. He looks serene and he doesn’t even glance at them when they come in.

Gunnarsson moves a chair near Daniel and sits down. Then he swears, gets off the chair, and squats in front of him.

“I have to talk to you,” Gunnarsson starts. “We are searching for Vicky Bennet. She’s a suspect in the murders at Birgittagården, and I-”

“But I…” Daniel murmurs.

Gunnarsson stops talking as Daniel keeps whispering. Finally he says, “Sorry, I can’t hear you.”

The doctor stands by the door listening to them.

“I don’t believe she did it,” says Daniel. “She’s much too nice.”

He wipes the tears from his cheeks and from beneath his eyeglasses.

“I know that you are bound by patient confidentiality,” Gunnarsson says. “But is there any way you can help us find Vicky Bennet?”

“I’ll try,” Daniel says, but then presses his lips firmly together.

“Does she know anyone who lives near Birgittagården?”

“Maybe. I’m having trouble collecting my thoughts right now.”

Gunnarsson groans and decides to change tactics. “You were Vicky’s counselor,” he says. “Where do you think she went? We don’t give a shit whether she’s guilty. We don’t know anything yet. But there’s one thing we do know-she’s kidnapped a child.”

“No,” Daniel whispers.

“Who is she trying to find? Where is she going?”

“She’s afraid,” Daniel says. His voice is shaking. “She crawls beneath a bush and tries to hide… it… it… What did you ask, again?”

“Is there a hiding place you know about?”

Daniel starts mumbling about Elisabet’s heart and how he thought she’d died from her heart problems.

“Daniel,” the doctor says, “you don’t have to do this unless you want to. I can ask the police to come back later after you’ve had a chance to rest.”

Daniel shakes his head and tries to breathe calmly.

“Just give me a place,” Gunnarsson says.

“Stockholm.”

“Where in Stockholm?”

“I… I don’t know anything.”

“What the hell!” barks Gunnarsson.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Daniel’s chin is quivering. He turns his face away and starts sobbing.

“She killed your wife with a hammer and-”

Daniel throws his head back against the radiator so hard his glasses fall off into his lap.

“It’s time for you to go,” says the doctor. “Not another word. Bringing you here was a mistake, and I will not allow any further questioning.”