The Redbreast

61

Police HQ. 27 April 2000.

Harry stood in the doorway of his old office, looking at a blond-haired young man sitting in Ellen's chair. He was concentrating so hard on the computer screen he didn't notice Harry until he coughed.

'So you're Halvorsen then, are you?'

'Yes,' the young man said with an inquisitive expression on his face.

'From the police station in Steinkjer?'

'Correct.'

'Harry Hole. I used to sit where you're sitting now, but in the other chair.'

'It's knackered.'

Harry smiled. 'It's always been knackered. Bjarne Moller asked you to check a couple of details with regard to the Ellen Gjelten case?'

'A couple of details?' Halvorsen exclaimed in protest. 'I've been working non-stop for three days.'

Harry sat down on his old chair, which had been shifted to Ellen's table. It was the first time he had seen what the office looked like from her position.

'What have you found out, Halvorsen?'

Halvorsen frowned.

'Don't worry,' Harry said. I was the one who asked for this information. Check it out with Moller, if you like.' Halvorsen's face suddenly lit up.

'Of course! You're Hole from POT! Sorry, I was a bit slow on the uptake.' A big smile spread across his boyish face. 'I remember the case in Australia. How long ago is that now?'

'A while. As I said…'

'Oh yes, the list!' He tapped a pile of computer print-outs with his knuckles. 'These are all the guys who have been brought in, charged with or convicted of GBH over the last ten years. There are over a thousand names. That part was easy; the problem is finding out which ones are skinheads. The info says nothing about that. This could take weeks…'

Harry leaned back in his chair.

'I know. But criminal records have codes for the weapons used. Run searches for the codes for firearms and see how many you're left with.'

'In fact, I was going to suggest that to Moller when I saw how many names there were. Most of them used knives, guns or fists. I should have a new list ready in a few hours.'

Harry stood up.

'Fine,' he said. 'I don't remember my internal number, but you'll find it on the telephone list. And next time you have a good suggestion, don't hesitate to make it. We aren't that smart down here in Oslo.'

Halvorsen, a little unsure of himself, sniggered.