The Fire Witness

87

The door to Daniel’s room swings open and the assistant nurse enters with his medication for the evening. She stops abruptly when she sees Elin.

“What is this?” she says. “You were only supposed to be here for five minutes.”

“I know,” Elin says. “But there was something important we had to-”

“It is six thirty,” she interrupts.

“I’m sorry,” Elin says, and she turns to Daniel. “Where should I start my search?”

“Get out,” the nurse orders.

“Please,” Elin says, and folds her hands as if in prayer. “I do need to talk to Daniel.”

“Are you deaf?” the nurse says. “I told you to get out!”

The nurse swears and leaves the room. Elin touches Daniel’s arm.

“Vicky must have talked about places or friends.”

“Yes, that’s true. I can’t think of anything, however. I’m really having trouble-”

“Please try.”

“I know I’m completely useless, but…” He rubs his forehead hard.

“The other girls, they must know something about Vicky.”

“Yes, they should. Caroline maybe.”

A man in a white shirt and pants strides into the room. The nurse is right behind him.

“Please follow me,” the man says.

“One more minute,” Elin pleads.

“Right now,” he barks.

“Please,” Elin says, her eyes pleading. “It’s about my daughter.”

“Come with me now,” he says, but his tone is milder.

Elin’s mouth is trembling as she sinks to her knees in front of them.

“Just a few more minutes,” she begs.

“If we have to, we’ll drag you out.”

“Now that’s enough of this,” Daniel says, and he helps Elin up from the floor.

The nurse protests. “She is not supposed to be here after six o’clock!”

“Shut up!” Daniel roars. He takes Elin by the arm and leads her from the room. “We’ll talk in the foyer or the parking lot.”

They walk down the hallway and keep going even as they hear steps behind them.

“I plan to go to Birgittagården to talk to the girls,” Elin says.

“They’re not there. They’ve been evacuated.”

“Where to?”

He holds the glass door for her and follows her to the landing by the elevator.

“To an old fishing village north of Hudiksvall.”

Elin presses the elevator call button. “Will they let me in?”

“If I go there with you, they will,” he says.