The Water's Edge

CHAPTER 43

Brein was transformed as if by a stroke of magic.

Gone was the bitterness, and the excuses, gone was the sullen look. He folded his arms and he straightened his back. He looked Sejer directly in the eye.

'I never laid a finger on Edwin Åsalid. I obviously know who he was; we can agree that he stood out, can't we? I used to see him walking along the road, poor lad, waddling along with all his excess weight, but we can stay here all night or till next spring for that matter, I'm not going to change my story. You've got to look elsewhere. He clearly got into someone's car, but it wasn't mine.'

'Brein is adamant,' Sejer said. 'And I'm inclined to believe him.'

'There must be two of them,' Skarre said. 'It is possible.'

'Or,' Sejer said, 'Brein is a first-rate actor. He confesses to one killing because he thinks it might be classed as an accident, hoping meanwhile that Edwin will never be found. And that consequently we'll never have a case against him.'

'Let's hope the prosecutor can find an expert witness who can prove that Brein's assault led directly to Jonas August's asthma attack and death,' Skarre said. 'Do you realise that the worst case scenario means he's convicted of manslaughter. He'll only get six years.'

'Yes,' Sejer said, 'but I don't concern myself with sentencing. And neither should you.'

'How many rounds are you going to go with him?'

'I don't know. I'm uncomfortable sitting in there with him. It feels like I'm wasting precious time and I can't afford to do that.'

He went over to the window and stared down at the traffic in the street. 'It's snowing,' he said despondently.

'A lot?' Skarre looked towards the inspector.

'Very heavily. I'm worried.'

'About what.'

'Time passing. We're bound to find Edwin sooner or later. But how much will be left of his body when we do?'

'I see your point,' Skarre said. 'We were handed Brein on a plate. We won't be that lucky a second time.'