The Sandman

106

In the attic flat, the members of Athena Promacho are eavesdropping on the conversation in the dayroom as it happens.

Joona is standing next to the large speaker listening once again to Jurek Walter’s voice, his choice of words, phrasing, the nuances in his voice, his breathing.

Corinne Meilleroux is sitting at the desk, transcribing the conversation onto her laptop so they can all see the words on the big screen. The regular clicking sound of her long fingernails is soothing.

Nathan Pollock’s silver-streaked ponytail is hanging down over the waistcoat of his suit. He’s making notes as Johan Jönson monitors the audio quality on his own computer.

The group is completely silent while the conversation in the dayroom is going on. The sun is pouring through the balcony doors that look out onto glistening, snow-topped roofs.

They hear Jurek Walter tell Saga she’s a real siren, then he leaves the room.

After a few seconds of silence, Nathan leans back in his chair and claps his hands. Corinne is just shaking her head, impressed.

‘Saga’s brilliant,’ Pollock mutters.

‘Even if we haven’t found out anything that could lead us closer to Felicia,’ Joona says, turning to face the others, ‘contact has been established, which is seriously good work... and I think she’s made him curious.’

‘I have to admit, I was a bit worried when she let herself be provoked by the other patient,’ Corinne says, squeezing some lime into a glass of water and passing it to Pollock.

‘But Jurek deliberately assumed responsibility for the attack,’ Joona says slowly.

‘Yes, why did he do that? He must have heard her yesterday, when she told the guard she wanted to see a lawyer,’ Pollock says. ‘That’s why Jurek can’t allow the doctor to become scared of her, because then she wouldn’t be allowed any visits from—’

‘He’s new,’ Joona interrupts. ‘Jurek says the doctor’s new.’

‘So what?’ Johan Jönson asks, open-mouthed.

‘When I spoke to Brolin, the Senior Consultant... on Monday, he said there hadn’t been any changes in the secure unit.’

‘That’s right,’ Pollock says.

‘It might be nothing,’ Joona says. ‘But why did Brolin tell me they had the same staff they’d always had?’