The Sandman

107

Joona Linna is driving north up the E4 motorway. A gentle Max Bruch violin sonata is playing on the radio. The shadows and falling snow in front of the cars merge with the music. As he’s passing Norrviken, Corinne Meilleroux calls.

She quickly informs him that out of all the doctors that have been added to the payroll of Löwenströmska Hospital over the past two years, only one of them works in the field of psychiatry.

‘His name’s Anders Rönn, fairly recently qualified, although he had a temporary post at a psychiatric unit in Växjö.’

‘Anders Rönn,’ Joona repeats.

‘Married to Petra Rönn, works in recreational administration for the council... they’ve got a daughter, mildly autistic, apparently. I’m not sure if that’s at all useful, but you might as well know,’ she laughs.

‘Thanks, Corinne,’ Joona says, turning off the motorway at Upplands Väsby. He drives past Solhagen, where his dad used to go for lunch when he was still alive.

The old road to Uppsala is lined on one side by black oaks. The snow-covered fields beyond the trees slope down towards a lake.

Joona parks the car outside the main entrance to the hospital and walks in, turning left and hurrying past the unmanned reception desk towards the department for general psychiatry.

Joona passes the secretary and heads straight for the Senior Consultant’s closed door. He opens it and walks in. Roland Brolin looks up from his computer and takes off his bifocal glasses. Joona lowers his head slightly, but still manages to nudge the low ceiling lamp. He takes his time pulling out his police ID, holds it in front of Brolin for a minute or two, then starts to ask the same questions as before.

‘How is the patient?’

‘I’m afraid I’m busy right now, but—’

‘Has Jurek Walter done anything unusual recently?’ Joona interrupts in a harsh tone of voice.

‘I’ve already answered that,’ Brolin says, turning back towards his computer.

‘And the security routines haven’t changed?’

The thickset doctor sighs through his nose and looks at him wearily.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Is he still getting intramuscular Risperdal?’ Joona asks.

‘Yes,’ Brolin sighs.

‘And the staffing in the secure unit remains unchanged?’

‘Yes, but I’ve already told—’

‘Is the staff in the secure unit unchanged?’ Joona interrupts.

‘Yes,’ Brolin says with a hesitant smile.

‘Is there a new doctor called Anders Rönn working in the secure unit?’ Joona asks in a voice hoarse with persistence.

‘Well, yes—’

‘So why are you saying the staff is unchanged?’

A slight blush appears below the doctor’s tired eyes.

‘He’s only a temp,’ Brolin explains slowly. ‘Surely you understand that we have to bring in temps sometimes?’

‘Who is he standing in for?’

‘Susanne Hjälm, she’s on leave of absence.’

‘How long has she been gone?’

Brolin answers as he breathes out:

‘Three months.’

‘What’s she doing?’

‘I don’t actually know – staff don’t have to give reasons for leave of absence.’

‘Is Anders Rönn working today?’

Brolin looks at his watch and says coldly:

‘I’m afraid he’s finished for the day.’

Joona gets his phone out and leaves the room. Anja Larsson answers just as he’s walking past the secretary.

‘I needs addresses and phone numbers for both Anders Rönn and Susanne Hjälm,’ he says curtly.