The killer's art

26

Between interviews, Johan and Pia stopped by the Regional News office to pick up some batteries for the camera and check on the latest news. Just as Johan was about to switch on his computer he received a text message on his mobile. It said: ‘Yes, I will. Soon.’

He sat in his chair, staring at the message with a silly smile on his face.

‘What is it?’ asked Pia, noticing that he had stopped what he was doing. Without saying a word, he handed her his mobile.

Pia read the words but merely looked puzzled. ‘What does it mean?’

‘That Emma said she will.’ He turned to face Pia. ‘She said she will!’ he shouted happily. ‘Don’t you understand? She’s ready — at last!’ He pulled an astonished Pia out of her chair, gave her a big hug, and then danced her around the room.

She laughed. ‘But “will” what? What’s this all about?’

Then it finally dawned on her.

‘Wow. Do you mean it? She wants you to move in with her? Get hitched for real?’

‘Yes!’ shouted Johan. ‘YES!’

A few colleagues from the radio division stuck their heads in the door to see what was going on. Johan’s joyous outburst had been heard in half the offices.

Pia grabbed his mobile again. ‘And it says “soon”. How soon? What does that mean?’

‘No idea, but I’d marry her tomorrow if I could. This is fucking fantastic!’

In his mind Johan saw images flit past at breakneck speed. Standing next to Emma in a church, with all of their relatives and friends; the big wedding party afterwards with Emma in a romantic white gown, cutting the wedding cake; Emma in overalls with a kerchief on her head and a big belly, expecting their second child; peacefully baking a cake in the kitchen while Elin played on the floor; with Emma and the children on a sun-filled holiday somewhere; parent meetings at the school; and buying a summerhouse so they could sit on the porch in their old age, each holding a cup of coffee while their grandchildren ran around on the lawn. Johan rushed over to his colleagues from the local radio station and gave each of them a hug before he picked up his phone to ring Emma.

She sounded out of breath, and he could hear Elin gurgling and babbling in the background.

‘Is it really true? You will?’ he cried, his face radiant.

Emma laughed. ‘Yes, I will. I’m sure about that.’

‘That’s crazy. I mean, it’s wonderful, sweetheart! I’ll go and get my things and move in today — is that OK with you?’

‘Sure, do that,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Then we can start living together right away.’

‘I’ll be there as soon as I can tonight.’

‘Ring when you’re on your way.’

‘Hugs and kisses.’

‘Kisses. Bye.’

‘Bye…’

Slowly he put down the phone, hardly daring to believe what he’d just heard. Had she really said yes after all the vacillating back and forth? He stared at Pia with tears in his eyes. ‘You think she means it?’ he asked.

‘Yes, of course she does,’ said Pia, smiling. ‘She really means it, Johan.’