The Midsummer Incident. A new Generation Zero Story

[helldiver]

Petter Jacobsen stood at the roulette table. At first it had gone quite well. He had won a few thousand crowns. But now it looked like his luck was running out. He had bet 200 crowns on 16. The number had to come now. If it fell, he would be 7200 crowns richer. He waited anxiously for the ivory ball to leave the top of the cauldron and drop into one of the compartments of the plate. In an ever tightening spiral, the ball began its descent and then bounced, clattering, over some of the compartments. Petter’s nerves were stretched to breaking point. The ball lowered into the compartment with the twenty. Petter had lost again. Nervously, he counted his money and made another bet. It had to work, after all, there was a lot at stake. He hadn’t noticed the two dark-clad gentlemen sitting at the counter watching him. Nor did he notice Arvidsson, who entered the room and walked around between the tables. He had noticed Petter and turned back to the bar counter. He looked for a place where he could watch Petter and sat down in one of the comfortable bar stools. He ordered whiskey soda from the bartender and never took his eyes off Petter. He continued to bet and won a few thousand crowns again. He became bolder and bolder and his bets became higher. However, he also lost again. Petter became more and more nervous. He did not notice that he was being watched. In the meantime, Arvidson exchanged a glance with his cronies from Ljuset Commune.

He saw Petter Jacobsen tussling his hair as he lost again. Arvidson watched it with a smile of pleasure. He saw Petter rummaging around in the jacket pocket of his suit and pulling out some bank notes. This had to be his last money. He saw him place it on a square of the playing field. Arvidson watched the action intently. The croupier turned the wheel of the kettle and threw in the ball. The stakes on the table were high. Petter had his hands clenched into fists and held them to his face. The air literally crackled with tension as the ivory ball traced its path along the top edge of the cauldron. Then it left the rim and moved in an ever tightening spiral to the spinning plate with the compartments that could mean great fortune but also failure. Clacking, the ball bounced across the fields and then finally came to rest in one field. Petter had lost everything. The number he had bet on had not come. Angry and sullen at the same time, he punched the air. With a red head and beads of sweat on his forehead, he left the game table. With hurried steps he strove toward the exit of the casino.

Arvidson glanced at his men. Instantly they rose and pursued Petter. Outside the exit of the casino, Petter nested a crumpled cigarette packet from the inside pocket of his jacket. He took out a cigarette and lit it with trembling hands. Hastily, he inhaled a few puffs. The nicotine calmed him down a little. His mind was racing, what should he do now. He was heavily in debt, his overdraft facility was exhausted and the bank account was as good as empty. He feverishly thought about who of his friends he could pump to maybe win again. The number should have fallen today, he had been so sure. An ice-cold voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Hello Mr. Jacobsen. Didn’t go so well today? "

Petter Jacobsen whirled around. He saw two men in a dark suit.

"We’re sorry for you, but we have an IOU here for twenty thousand kroner. We would like to accompany you to the bank, because we need our money. "

"But,…but,…that’s not possible now. ", Petter stammered. I…, I don’t have my bank card with me. ", Petersen lied quickly, hoping to get rid of the two guys.

"We have an IOU here that’s due. You are Petter Jacobsen, aren’t you? ", one of the two men asked in a cold voice.

He held the IOU under his nose. He was from one of those backyard money-lending institutions that didn’t ask stupid questions.

"It’s due today, though, and we’d like to collect. " the man said unequivocally.

Petter’s mind raced again. What was he supposed to tell the men? He didn’t have the money after all.

"I,…uh,…I…I can give it to you tomorrow. For sure! ", Petter tried to buy time in a shaky voice.

The other somewhat beefier man took a quick step toward him and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket.

"Don’t try to bullshit us my friend! "

"We want the money today and we want it now ! ", said the other adamantly.

"Please…,please,…I can’t today. I’ll definitely have it tomorrow. Tomorrow at noon. ", Petter assured eagerly.

"We said today, friend so let’s go, or else we’ll bang! ", the other growled at him.

"Now, now, gentlemen. What’s going on here. Let go of my employee, please. ", Arvidson said with a winning smile on his face.

He put his hand on the arm of the one who had Petter by the collar.

"I’m sure we can find a solution to your problem, can’t we Mr. Jacobsen ? "

The two let go of Petter Jacobsen and turned to Arvidson.

"What exactly is your problem gentlemen ? ", Arvidson asked.

“This gentleman here,” pointing to Petter Jacobsen, "owes us money, and plenty of it. Here is his promissory bill. "

Arvidson raised an eyebrow as he looked at the promissory bill.

"Well, gambling debts are debts of honor Mr. Jacobsen, aren’t they ? ", Arvidson said.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Löjtnant, I, I want to pay them too but can’t today. Not until tomorrow. ", Jacobsen said, looking uneasily from one to the other.

"Hmmm, hmmm, " Arvidson grumbled, cradling his head.

"Maybe I can help you Jacobsen. You know, the welfare of our employees is very important to us. ", Arvidson said nonchalantly.

Jacobsen didn’t know what hit him. Just a moment ago he was exposed to the two bone crushers and it seemed that he had to expect a broken hand or broken fingers. Then the usually so arrogant and pompous Löjtnant came along and helped him out of a jam, just at the right moment. Actually, he didn’t like Arvidson. The guy was always so condescending. Anyone who didn’t wear a uniform and wasn’t at least an officer candidate was worth nothing in Arvidson’s eyes. He didn’t notice that they were all just skillfully putting on a play for him.

Arvidson pulled out a wallet and pulled out a check. He filled it out with a ballpoint pen and handed it to the two bill collectors.

"You will allow me to take the sum for my employee, won’t you? Would you then be so kind as to hand me the promissory bill ? "

The man who had the IOU took the check from Arvidson’s hand, examined it and with a nod of his head handed the IOU to Arvidson.

Arvidson took it with two fingers and held it up with a winning smile.

Thank you gentlemen, I think that settles the matter, doesn’t it? "

"Seems so. ", the bill collector said curtly.

With a twitch of his head, he indicated to his crony to leave. Then they both disappeared without a greeting.

“Jacobsen, Jacobsen, what kind of things are you doing. Twenty thousand crowns is not a pittance. I guess luck wasn’t with you.”, Arvidson said with a smile on his lips.

Guiltily, Jacobsen had lowered his gaze.

"It is clear to you that you have to pay back the money and from now on there is an end to the gambling. "

Jacobsen nodded his head wordlessly.

"However, if you would do me a favor Jacobsen, we could get this thing out of the way real quick without anyone finding out about it, what do you think ? ", Arvidson said stretched.

Jacobsen looked up at the Löjtnant from below, completely intimidated.

"What is that supposed to be ? ", Petter Jacobsen asked in a faltering voice. His mouth was dry as dust.

Arvidson smilingly put an arm around his shoulder and said:

"Come Mr. Jacobsen, I’ll buy you a drink and then we’ll discuss this in peace. "

Arvidson pushed him back into the casino and directed him to a table that was slightly off to the side in a quieter area of the casino. Arvidson again ordered whiskey soda with ice and toasted Jacobsen. The cold liquid and the gentle fire of the alcohol gradually calmed Petter.

Arvidson bent his head over to him and said in a businesslike tone:

"Mr. Jacobsen or may I say Petter ? "

"Yes of course, Petter is perfectly ok. Mr. Löjtnant. ", Jacobsen assured eagerly,

“So you work in Veronika Nilsson’s department?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.”

"You’re a programmer and you’re working on our secret project, aren’t you? "

Jacobsen just nodded wordlessly.

"Okay. Here’s the thing, I need the software for the FNIX gate. You know, the consciousness transfer thing. "

"Yes, that’s right, but the software isn’t running properly yet. We can transfer a consciousness, but we can’t get it back. We tried that with some monkeys and they all stayed catatonic afterwards. We are working on it. "

"When will they be done with it ? "

"I hope around the end of the week. But then we still have to run tests. "

You could give me the software and if something needs to be improved, I would be grateful for an update. At the moment it is important to transfer only one consciousness. You know, we belong to an association that deals with paraplegic people. One of them is very badly off and you know, this association has developed a robot whose on-board computer could take a human consciousness. We lack the software and you know, the poor guy is so bad off that we have to fear the worst. So it would not be so important that we transfer the consciousness back. Imagine using it to help a lame person walk. "

Petter had followed the whole story Arvidson had told him attentively. At first he had had doubts, since everything was strictly secret on which he worked, but Arvidson wanted to have the software for a good purpose. Arvidson was one of his superiors, along with Veronika Nilsson, so what could go wrong, Petter thought, dispelling his last doubts.

"So, when the program is revised, let me know and give me a copy, please. I think it will fit on a floppy disk ? ", Arvidson said in a conspiratorial tone.

"I’ll let you know right away. With the new compression algorithm, I will get the program onto a floppy disk. Then all you have to do is plug the disk into your computer and run the installation program. Then the rest will run by itself. ", Petter Jacobsen said.

"That sounds like a good idea. If you have the disk, I’ll come and pick it up at your house. No one needs to know our little secret. ", Arvidson said and grinned diabolically.

Petter nodded eagerly.

"So we have a deal? ", Arvidson asked conspiratorially and held out his hand to Petter. "

Petter grabbed it hastily and confirmed:

"Yes Mr. Löjtnant you can count on me. "

"Very well, Petter, if I have the disk, we can forget about this. ", Arvidson pulled the promissory bill out of his pocket.

"Before I forget if everything goes to my satisfaction there could be a little bonus in it for you Petter, so make an effort. "

“Yes, yes, I will,” Petter Jacobsen said eagerly.

"Then I wish you a good night. ", Arvidson said and rose.

He pulled out his wallet and threw a thousand crown bill on the table.

"Here Petter, to get you through the weekend, but don’t gamble it away. ", Arvidson said and left.

Petter hastily pocketed the bill, finished his whiskey and left the pub.

[helldiver]

Chapter 10

Olaf Sörensen woke up in his forester’s house. He walked out onto his porch and squinted into the morning sunlight that fell through the green canopy of the forest. He enjoyed the birdsong and the fresh air that smelled of the forest.

In his small kitchen he made himself a coffee. His dachshund Pelle pushed his food bowl noisily across the floor with his snout to get attention from Olaf. Smiling, he opened a can of dog food and put the contents in the food bowl. His dachshund Pelle pounced hungrily on the food and smackingly emptied his bowl. With a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, Olaf stepped out onto the porch once more and sat down at the table there. He wanted to enjoy the morning for a moment before work started. Olaf was the forester of the forest. Today he would go to Jarvberget once again. He had not been in the area for a long time. He had noticed a flock of ravens for several days, and they were getting bigger and bigger. Loudly crowing they always circled over an area that lay on the back of Jarvberget. Up there was also a castle ruin, which was a popular destination for hikers. Otherwise, this area was godforsaken.

Suddenly the phone rang in his office. Reluctantly Olaf got up, who would want something from him on this early Saturday morning, he asked himself. He picked up the phone while taking a seat behind his desk.

"Östervik Police Headquarters Ole Bengtson ", a man’s voice buzzed from the receiver.

"Oh it’s you Ole, this is Olaf. What can I do for you? ", Olaf asked into the receiver.

"You remember the hikers who have been missing for some time? ", asked Ole Bengtson.

"Yes I remember, I saw them last week still at Myrdalsberget. They were heading over to Jarvberget and from there north to Hagaboda. That was like last week Wednesday. After that I didn’t hear or see anything from them. "

"The parents of the young woman have checked with me. They’ve been overdue for a few days. Can you keep an eye out for them. I’d look myself, but we don’t have many people here. ", Bengtson said.

"Yes, yes is always the same story Ole. Everything is saved and those who are left can then take the blame. ", Olaf replied.

"I will go today anyway again to Jarvberget, there circling some ravens maybe a dead animal lies there, I must then remove. "

"Then please be so good and see if you can find out something about these hikers. Do you actually still have from the woodruff liqueur ? ", asked Ole Bengtson.

"Of course I still have two bottles of it. As soon as the woodruff is ripe, I’ll make some more. ", said Olaf Sörensen.

"I’m on patrol next week, so I’ll drop by then. ", said Ole Bengtson.

"Do that Ole. It’s best if you come around four in the afternoon, then I’ll be in the office for sure. "

“Great, so see you next week and if you find out anything, please get in touch !” said Bengtson.

"Yes of course, all right! ", Olaf Sörensen said goodbye and hung up.

Annoyed, he looked at the pile of files on his desk that needed to be processed. It would have to wait. Looking for missing tourists was a daily occurrence in the summer. Most of the time they got lost and ended up somewhere else. Until they were then back in their accommodation sometimes days could pass. But so far they had all been found.

Slowly Olaf went on his way, packed his hunting rifle and his backpack. Pelle was already standing tail wagging, expectantly at the front door of the hunter’s house. Then they boarded the jeep and drove off. A little later they reached Jarvhålan. It was a small cave that was often used as a campsite. He drove down the road to the next intersection and then turned off onto the forest path that would lead up to the castle ruins. There he would climb the tower and locate exactly where the ravens were circling.

A short time later, he would park his jeep in the parking lot in front of the castle. On the south tower of the castle was a viewing platform. Panting, he climbed the stairs that wound inside the tower. With his binoculars, he scanned the horizon and located the flock of ravens circling loudly over a spot southwest of him.

Olaf descended the stairs again. He had memorized the spot and noted it on his map in pencil. His dachshund, Pelle, hopped happily after him. Olaf trudged slowly through the forest, looking around to see if he spotted any sputes. Some strange depressions caught his eye in the ground. They were shaped like the supports of a harvester, except that not a single tree had been felled. Olaf did not attach any importance to this and trudged on through the forest. Gradually, the forest air was covered by a foul smell. The more he walked in a southwesterly direction, the stronger the smell became. For Olaf it was the clear sign that somewhere a dead animal lay. The way it stank, it must have been a few days ago. Hopefully no poachers thought Olaf and went slowly further. He looked around attentively. Then he heard the loud buzzing of flies. The ravens circled squawking above him. Now and then some landed in the branches of the trees and crowed loudly. They were trying to chase away the intruder. Olaf continued walking. He took a handkerchief in front of his face because the smell was slowly getting worse.

The trees cleared and then he saw the mess. At the edge of the trees stood a completely torn tent. Equipment lay scattered everywhere on the ground. And then he saw the first corpse, at least what was left of it. That was too much even for Olaf. He was pretty hard-boiled and had seen some gruesome wolf rips before, but the sight of this creepy place turned even his stomach. Loudly, he vomited against one of the trees. Then he ran as fast as he could back to his car. The police had to come.

---

Liv slowly rose from her bed, yawned, and lolled. Then she plodded on bare feet to the window of her room and opened it. She squinted into the bright light of the morning sun. The glint of the sea stung her eyes. She took a deep breath, enjoying the cool, salty breeze that smelled of damp grass. She glanced at the clock. It was already eight-thirty. Liv threw on a robe, slipped into her sandals, and walked over to the guest room. She knocked softly, nothing stirred. Carefully, she opened the door and peered into the room. The window was open and Mikkel was wrapped tightly in the plumeau of the bed, snoring softly. Liv opened the door and quietly stepped into the room. Mikkel startled up.

"Quiet Mikkel it’s me. Did you have a good sleep? "

Mikkel blinked sleepily at her and stretched.

"I slept like a log. What time is it ? "

"Eight-thirty, time for breakfast. "

"Sounds good to me Liv. Give me two more minutes and I’ll be there. ", Mikkel said and yawned.

“All Ok. I’ll be downstairs, see you in a minute .”, Liv said and left the room.

Mikkel rubbed his eyes, flipped back the covers and sat up. With a flourish, he rose and went to the window. He looked out at the sea and enjoyed the fresh breeze. Then he went to the sink, brushed his teeth and washed. Then he dressed and went down to the dining room. There was a smell of fresh bread and coffee. Mikkel worked up an appetite. The whole family was sitting at the dining table and when Mikkel took a seat Liv’s mother poured him a cup of coffee.

"Here Mr. Havlund here is freshly baked polkåka, I made it this morning and here is homemade jam, you must try it. "

Liv grinned silently to herself, because she knew what a morning grump Mikkel was normally. But here he was like a changed man, he politely thanked her mother and smiled contentedly. Then he ate again with a good appetite. This was different again. Normally Mikkel ate nothing in the morning. At best, he drank a cup of coffee. Mostly always when his night was particularly short. Then he always looked terrible, greasy disheveled hair and pale as death in the face. But not today, his face had regained a healthy color. Mikkel seemed to Liv completely changed. He talked with her father about fishing. The two wanted to go out to the jetty after breakfast and try their fishing luck. Her father offered Mikkel a fishing rod from his collection. When everyone was done with breakfast, Liv sent Mikkel and her father out fishing. She helped her mother clear the dining table again and did the dishes.

"Your friend seems to like it here, though? ", her mother asked.

"Mom, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s a work colleague and that’s all. There’s nothing mamma. ", Liv replied.

"Yes, yes, " her mother replied, grinning from ear to ear.

"We are just colleagues and work together every day, nothing more. ", Liv tried to defend herself.

"But you look at him very closely for that. ", her mother said.

Liv felt caught and didn’t answer. She noticed how the blush rose to her face. Of course she found Mikkel nice, especially when he wasn’t drunk. She liked his calm and focused manner. When Mikkel dressed up a little, he also looked scrumptious. Liv tried to steer the conversation with her mother in another direction. She simply asked about the news from the village. While she peeled potatoes and her mother cleaned the salad, she reported what had happened in the village. When all the work was done, Liv took another cup of coffee and sat down for a while on the veranda behind the house. From there she could see her father and Mikkel on the jetty. When she had finished her coffee, she went back to the kitchen and got two bottles of beer from the fridge. Then she went to the jetty to bring Mikkel and her father a beer.

"Well, have you guys caught anything yet? ", Liv asked.

"I haven’t yet. But your father has already caught a perch. I haven’t had one bite yet. It might be the lure or just the place. I don’t know, but it’s still fun. ", Mikkel said.

Then he opened the beer bottle and toasted with Liv’s father. They both drank a hearty gulp. Liv sat down on the jetty and looked out over the water. With whirring wings, a flock of ducks came flying low over the water, touching down one after the other and swimming around quacking softly. Then suddenly her mother called out from the terrace.

"Liv…!, Liiv!.., come quickly phone for you. "

Liv jumped up and ran to her mother.

"Phone, who is it? ", Liv asked.

"A Mrs. Henning, she sounded very excited. ", said her mother.

" Mrs. Henning, that’s my boss, what does she want on Saturday? ", Liv mused.

"She didn’t say what it was about, she just said it was urgent. ", her mother replied.

Liv went into the living room and picked up the phone that was lying on the table next to the phone.

"Liv Svensson! ", Liv said into the receiver.

"Hello this is Åsa Henning, good to reach you Liv. There has been another murder on Östertörn. Do you know maybe where Mikkel is. I’ve been trying to reach him all morning, but no one answers the phone. I have even sent a patrol to his home but nothing moves. Either he sleeps totally drunk again on some park bench or he has drunk himself to death and is lying death in bed. It is really to despair with the man. Maybe he’s sleeping it off in some bar. I’ve already told the police patrols to keep an eye out for him and bring him to the station. Do you have any idea where we could look for him ? ", the voice of her boss sounded quite excited on the receiver.

"Well, I can reassure you Åsa. I know where Mikkel is. ", Liv said into the phone with a grin.

"Where is he then? I’ll send a patrol there right away. "

"No need. Mikkel went with me to my parents’ house and he’s stone sober. He’s sitting on the jetty fishing with my dad right now. ", Liv replied.

"Thank heaven for that. Liv I know I’m interrupting your well deserved weekend but can’t you go there. It seems to have been the same killer again as in the other murders on Östertörn. "

Liv sighed and said, " It’s okay, we’ll go, it won’t take all day. "

"Then please go. You can reach me all day. ", Åsa’s voice sounded from the receiver.

After Åsa had given Liv her private phone number, Liv put the receiver on the fork of the phone and walked back to the jetty.

“Mikkel, we have to go. There’s been another murder,” Liv blurted out.

"Oh no, don’t tell me again on Östertörn ", groaned Mikkel.

"But right there again and it seems to have been the same murderer again. ", Liv said.

Sighing, Mikkel put the fishing rod aside and rose from the camping chair. Liv held her open hand out to him.

Mikkel looked at her with a furrowed brow.

"Your car Mikkel you drank beer. You can’t drive now. "

Mikkel rolled his eyes, reached into his pants pocket and unearthed the car keys to his Porsche. Then he thrust it into the grinning Liv’s hand.

“You know what you’ll get if you wreck it,” Mikkel grumbled and started to move.

He waved to Liv’s mother who was standing on the porch. Then they got into Mikkel’s Porsche and drove off. On the way, Mikkel rummaged the blue light out of the glove compartment, turned it on and put it on the roof of the car.

"You can quiet give him the spurs if you want to get to Östertörn before tomorrow morning. ", Mikkel said in the passenger seat because Liv was driving too slowly on the highway in his opinion.

"But I have never driven so fast Mikkel. "

"Then you do it now, let the two hundred and fifty horses dance. "

"I don’t really dare. ", Liv said a little anxiously.

"That separates the girls from the boys. ", Mikkel teased Liv with a mischievous grin.

He caught a punch from Liv against his knee.

"Owaaa ! that hurt! ", Mikkel complained.

"Then howl you girl ! ", Liv returned with a grin.

Mikkel just laughed and leaned back in the passenger seat.

Liv floored the gas pedal and the Porsche lurched forward. At 180 km/h, it stopped accelerating. Liv wasn’t used to driving at such a high speed. It stressed her out a lot. About an hour later, they crossed the bridge at Stenmyra and a little later passed the church of Alby near Hagaboda.

[helldiver]

"The area seems to be a hot place, though. ", Mikkel summed up.

"Yes, this time it happened on the back side of Jarvberget. Very noticeable. ", Liv replied.

While Liv followed the country road slowly, Mikkel studied the map in the passenger seat.

"Before Jarvhålan, there must be a small road, more like a forest path, leading up to the Kopparberget castle ruins. ", Mikkel grumbled.

A little later the road led through a forest area, in the distance they saw the blue lights of police vehicles. As they approached, they saw that the junction of the road that would lead up to the Kopparberget ruin was closed off by a roadblock. A policeman approached their car, raised his hand to his cap in greeting and knocked on the side window.

"This is a police cordon, you can’t go through here. Please turn back. ", the policeman said in a barracks tone, before Liv or Mikkel could say anything.

Mikkel had already taken his police ID with the badge out of his jacket and leaned over to Liv to hold it under the policeman’s nose.

"How nice that you have at least blocked this off here, but not for us we are Inspector Havlund and Inspector Svensson from Stockholm Homicide. Clear the way and a little quickly ! ", Mikkel snarled.

The policeman’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped as Liv held her police badge under his nose with a friendly grin.

"Please drive up to the castle ruins, you have to park the car there. I will announce you so that someone will pick you up and take you to the crime scene. ", the policeman said in a friendly submissive tone and instructed his colleague to open the roadblock to let them pass.

Liv stepped on the gas and drove up the steep road that wound up in narrow switchbacks to the ruins of the castle. At the ruins, they parked the car in the parking lot. There was an ambulance, a hearse and several police cars. A policeman came running up to them, waving.

“Mrs. Svensson and Mr. Havlund?” he asked a little behind his breath.

"Yes that’s us, " Mikkel said.

"Come on, please, I’ll take you to the crime scene. ", said the policeman.

Liv and Mikkel followed him in silence. Mikkel looked around as they marched through the forest. He looked carefully at the ground, but he couldn’t see anything suspicious. The closer they got to the scene of the crime, the worse the smell of decay that hung like a gloomy cloud among the trees of the forest.

"Phew!!! that smells disgusting, my god. ", Liv grumbled, holding her nose. Mikkel dug a packet of tissues out of his jacket and handed one to Liv. She produced a small perfume bottle from her pocket, sprayed some perfume on the tissue.

"Do you want some? ", she asked Mikkel nasally.

Mikkel waved it off. But he also held a handkerchief to his nose and mouth. Then they arrived at the scene. Several men in white protective suits carefully searched the area and collected objects lying on the ground. On the lawn were two opened coffins of distress, between them knelt a person.

Mikkel went to the coffins to take a look at the victims. They were presented with a gruesome sight. In the coffins lay the dismembered bodies of two people. They had been literally cut up by the murderer. The skin of the bodies was partially black and some of the severed limbs already showed pale bones. Liv turned away with a silent cry of disgust. She had seen many victims of horrible violent crimes. The worst was when they had found Mikkel’s girlfriend Marie. The blood man had killed her in a bestial way. He had nailed her to a cross with her head down and cut her throat. He had collected her blood in a bowl. He had flayed off her skin and spread it under the cross with her corpse. On Marie’s flayed skin was painted with her blood a druid’s foot. On its five prongs were strange symbols, which later turned out to be cabbalistic symbols. In the middle of this druid’s foot he had placed the bowl with Marie’s collected blood. The whole he had surrounded with a circle of candles. It had been a gruesome sight that had haunted her for a long time, but this was beyond her resistance.

Mikkel squatted impassively beside one of the coffins and, wrinkling his nose, pulled latex gloves over his hands.

"Would you like a respirator Mr. Havlund, then it is easier to bear. ", said the person squatting between the coffins. Mikkel recognized Dr. Håkanson.

"That would be very kind of you, Dr. Håkanson. ", Mikkel replied.

He handed Mikkel a respirator mask from his medical bag.

"It looks bad, doesn’t it? ", Dr. Håkanson asked.

"I guess you could say that. You don’t see something like that every day. Actually, no murderer does something like that. Only when there’s some kind of relationship act. Usually when the killer had a relationship with the person or persons. Then this overkilling is a reaction a complete erasure of the victim. "

"Yes that’s right, this is strange, especially the persons have been cut up again with a big sharp object, something like a sword or a big axe. The body parts were scattered around. Luckily the killer only made sushi out of them and didn’t put them through a meat grinder. So I have at least something to examine. ", said the doctor.

"But again, the blows must have been made with great force. To cut a human torso in two with a slashing weapon requires great force and a large sword e.g. a Scottish Claymore. "

"There is something to it Mr. Havlund, noticeable are again these stab wounds about two inches wide just as with Gösta and the two hunters. "

"Could that be from the same weapon? ", Mikkel asked, looking at the body parts lying in the coffin.

"Possibly, how long the bodies have been out here I can’t say for sure yet. According to the maggot infestation and the state of decay, the animal food I would say so three to four days maybe longer, I can only say more exactly when I have examined them in the laboratory. "

"Have you been able to find out anything about who they are? ", Mikkel asked.

Dr. Håkanson handed him a plastic bag containing purses, a wallet and an identity card case.

"From the looks of it, a young man and a young woman. As police commissioner Bengtson already said it is about two missing campers. "

Mikkel took the bag, opened it and looked for the victims’ IDs, studied them briefly and put them back in the bag. Then he handed them back to the doctor.

"If you want you can come to my institute tomorrow. The pathology department is in the basement of Östervik Sjukhuset.

Then I can also already tell you more about the hunters and here I have then already found out something more. "

"Okay. I’ll stop by tomorrow around noon. ", Mikkel said and said goodbye.

He asked for police commissioner Bengtson. He stood a little apart with a group of police officers and coordinated the search for missing body parts. Mikkel chatted with him briefly and then went searching over the crime scene himself. He crossed the clearing. He had noticed the rumpled forest floor. When he reached the edge of the forest he found what he was looking for. He found again one of the depressions with the three plates which were arranged like a triangle. The middle “toe” of this imprint pointed in the direction of the campsite. Cautiously Mikkel walked in the direction. Two steps further he found the next depression. He crouched down and sighted over the undergrowth. Almost invisibly, he could make out a trail running in the direction of a large boulder. Mikkel rose again and carefully paced the trail. With great accuracy, he found another print every two steps. The trail ended at the boulder. Mikkel searched the ground. He made a gruesome find. Almost hidden by the grass, he found a human forearm with a hand on it. In the hand was still a flashlight. Mikkel crouched down to examine his find more closely. The flashlight was on, but not glowing. Its batteries must have been dead. He raised his eyes and looked at the stone. There were rust-red splashes on it. Probably blood stains, Mikkel thought. There was also a scratch on the stone, as if someone had hit it with an object and slipped off. Mikkel stood up and searched the ground. Something glinted metallically in the sunlight at the foot of the stone. Mikkel bent down and picked up the object. It was a piece of metal grayish black, about two inches wide, pointed and sharply tapered. On one side was a short piece of a sharp edge that was as sharp as a knife edge true. Mikkel turned the object in his hand he noticed rust red drops on the object. Probably blood, Mikkel thought, and put the object into a plastic bag he always kept in his jacket pocket.

Then he continued to look around. Searching, he walked along the edge of the forest, paying attention to every little detail. He saw some bent branches on a tree. Then he followed the trail and saw more clues. Bent branches, scratches in the bark of the trees and again the depressions. This time they pointed in the other direction deeper and deeper into the forest. Some of the tracks were already blown over with leaves again. Mikkel went deeper and deeper into the woods. The trail was like a track, as if something big and huge had marched through the woods on three-toed feet. Suddenly he heard Liv’s voice calling to him. Mikkel stopped. He tried to orient himself by the position of the sun and to locate the direction of the trail. He suspected that it would lead in the direction of FOA 53. Mikkel looked around again and then went back to his colleague who was standing at the edge of the forest and called out to him.

“What is it?” asked Mikkel somewhat gruffly.

Mikkel I think there is nothing more important for us here. I have the names of the people. The rest of the pieces are what the forensics people are looking for. I think there is nothing more for us to do. "

"Are you so sure about that. I found another severed forearm back there by the rock. I also found the same tracks as down at the base of Börgaskullan where the hunters were killed. "

"Then we have to come back again Mikkel but today it’s not worth following the trail anymore it will be dark soon. "

"You’re right we need a map and a compass. My road map is too big in scale. We have to go back tomorrow anyway, because Dr. Håkanson still has results for us. Maybe he will know something more about this tomorrow. ", Ulf pointed with his head in the direction of the crime scene.

"Besides, he can take a look at this. ", With that Mikkel pulled the bag with the piece of metal out of his jacket pocket and showed it to Liv.

"What is this? ", Liv asked.

"I don’t know, maybe a piece of the murder weapon. ", Mikkel replied.

They still went to police commissioner Bengtson. Mikkel told him where the forearm was found and asked him to forensically examine the site, then they said goodbye.

They stopped at a gas station. Mikkel bought a can of beer and drank it in small sips sitting on the passenger seat while driving. He didn’t say a word. Liv didn’t bother him either. She could literally hear Mikkel’s head rattling.

At dinner, they both pretended to be buttoned up. A first report had come in the news program. Liv poked at her food without appetite. She looked over at Mikkel, who was also eating more out of politeness. He had probably lost his appetite just like she had. Liv’s mother asked her about the murder, but before Mikkel could say anything, Liv spoke up:

"Mamma it’s just like they said on TV, two people have been killed in a bestial way and if it’s okay we don’t want to talk about it anymore. Please ! "

"Was it that bad Liv? ", asked her mother.

"Mamma it was one of the worst murders I have seen. Mikkel and I have seen many crime scenes. Especially in the winter when there are many suicides because of the long darkness. It’s not a pretty sight when someone hangs themselves or gets shot. But this far surpassed anything. "

Mikkel nodded in agreement and continued to chew. Liv could literally tell Mikkel was not fully present. After the meal and the obligatory schnapps she shared, Liv helped her mother clear the dishes. She hurried to do the dishes. Her father was watching the news on TV again. Mikkel had gone out the door in the meantime. He strolled over to the jetty and looked out at the sea, which again lay smooth as a polished mirror before him. He thought about the connections between the murder victims. Gösta, the programmer, had worked at FOA 53. The two farmers had died near FOA 53 and the two campers in the broadest sense had also died near FOA 53, but all of them except Gösta had been found with the three toe marks.

He thought about what to do next. He had to find out where Gösta had been killed and whether there were also these traces at this crime scene. Then he had to follow the trail he had found at the campsite of the two hikers. Presumably they led to the FOA. Mikkel could not shake the suspicion that there was some kind of threat from this FOA53. He just had no proof of it.

The sound of footsteps jolted him out of his thoughts. It was Liv walking across the jetty with two bottles of beer in her arms.

“Would you like a beer?” she asked.

"Yeah, I’d love one, thanks. ", Mikkel said while taking the bottle from Liv’s hand.

After opening the caps they toasted and drank.

"Sorry about my mom, sometimes she’s awfully nosy. ",Liv said

"Not so bad, it’s perfectly normal. "

"You can’t switch off either, can you? ", Liv asked.

"No, it keeps me busy, especially today’s crime scene. "

They smoked together and talked about what they had learned. They considered how to proceed.

"We definitely need to pay another visit to the hospital. I also want to go back to the crime scene up on Kopparberget. I saw a lead there that I want to follow up on. But for that I need a map and a compass. ", Mikkel said.

"We don’t need to go there until Monday because tomorrow I think forensics will still be hanging around there. "

"You may be right about that. We also need to talk to Åsa again so that she muzzles the press. They don’t have to spread every burp at least not until we’ve followed up the trail at Kopparberget. "

They both drank another bottle of beer and smoked another cigarette. In the hallway on the second floor, Liv said goodbye to Mikkel. He entered his room, opened the window and undressed except for his shorts. Then he went to the sink and washed. A little later he was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Slowly the images of the murdered people appeared in front of him. He tried to shoo them away. He succeeded only for a short time. He listened intensely with closed eyes to the sounds of nature outside his window. The chirping of crickets. The quiet splashing, the quacking of the ducks and the frog quacking.

[helldiver]

The door suddenly creaked softly. Mikkel startled. In the semi-darkness he could see Liv sticking her head into the room.

"Mikkel, are you still awake? "

He startled up and answered sleepily:

"Now yes. "

"Sorry Mikkel but I…, may I come in? ", Liv asked and opened the door.

"You’re already pretty much inside so come on in. "

Liv entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her. She was wearing a T-shirt and pajama shorts, her feet tucked into sports sandals.

Mikkel half straightened up in bed and asked:

"What is it Liv? "

Hesitantly, Liv stepped closer to Mikkel’s bed.

"I., I, can’t sleep. I wanted to ask you,…if I can’t stay with you. I…,I don’t want to be alone right now. ", Liv pressed sheepishly.

"What’s the matter? ", Mikkel asked.

"I don’t want to be alone, can I lie down with you Mikkel. I’m so restless I also make myself very small. ", Liv said. She sat down on Mikkel’s bed

"Well if that’s all, but you keep your cold feet with you. ", Mikkel grumbled and slid to the side to make room for Liv.

"That’s sweet of you thank you Mikkel. ", she said as she slipped under the covers.

"You can put your arm around me Mikkel, you barely have room. ", she whispered softly.

Mikkel felt her warm, soft body. Liv carefully laid her head on Mikkel’s chest. He felt her slender shoulders under his hand as he put his arm around her.

Mikkel almost dozed off again when he heard a soft sob. Then he felt Liv’s body convulse and it burst out of Liv. Sobbing loudly, she buried her face in Mikkel’s chest. Mikkel was startled, what was wrong with his colleague. She was usually a tough woman. He had never seen her cry before. He hugged her a little tighter and stroked her shoulder reassuringly. After sobbing loudly a few times, she raised her head and said in a tearful voice:

"Sorry Mikkel…, sorry, but I can’t get rid of the images. That was so terrible today. I can’t get rid of the images…, sorry Mikkel. " She just squeaked out the last words and burst into tears again.

"Hej, hej, there’s nothing wrong with that. I have my problems with it too. I don’t shake it out of my clothes either.

Shh…calm down Liv, it’s all good. You don’t have to apologize for it. ", Mikkel said to her quietly.

"Oh Mikkel, I know when it was with Marie back then. I couldn’t get rid of those images either and I had no one to talk to. You were grieving too much yourself so I couldn’t burden you with it. But now it’s all coming up again. "Again Liv squeaked the last words, slapped her hand over her face and sobbed again.

Mikkel pulled her into his arms and stroked her back.

"It’s going to be okay Liv. Calm down and try to sleep. You’re not alone. "

Mikkel continued to stroke her. Liv slowly calmed down.

“Then she said softly, " I’m sorry Mikkel about the blubbering but I have no one to talk to. Only you understand.”

"It’s OK Liv this stays between us. "

"Thanks Mikkel . ", Liv breathed and sniffled a few more times.

Mikkel stared at the ceiling and tried to organize his thoughts. He heard Liv’s slow and deep breaths and felt her seemingly getting heavier. She had fallen asleep. Mikkel was slowly dozing off, too.

Liv woke up in the early morning. She was still lying with her head on Mikkel’s chest. Carefully, she lifted her head so as not to wake him. It had been a comforting feeling to lie in Mikkel s arm. His physical closeness had saved her from nightmares. The sky outside the window had turned a leaden gray color. The alarm clock read 6:10. Way too early to get up on a Sunday, Liv thought. Carefully she crawled out of bed. Mikkel lolling and curled up, but continued to sleep. On silent soles Liv crept out of the room and closed the door behind her. In her room, she grabbed a floral-decorated note from her desk, drew a smiling smiley face on it, and wrote the word “Thank you,” next to it. Then she quietly slipped back into Mikkel’s room and put the note on the nightstand. Quietly, she retreated again. She went into the bathroom and stood under the shower. The warm water splashed cheerfully on her body and refreshed her. She blow-dried her hair and styled it into a pretty hairstyle. She put on makeup and put a lot of effort into it. Normally Liv walked around without makeup. But today she felt like dressing up. When she had dressed, she went down to the kitchen. She already smelled fresh coffee that her mother was brewing. She helped her mother and set the breakfast table.

"Is your friend still asleep? ", her mother asked.

"He’s not my boyfriend. Mikkel is just a colleague at work! "

"Ahh, yes. " her mother said with a grin.

"I’ll go see if he’s awake. ", Liv said.

When Mikkel woke up, he noticed that he had a lot of space in the bed. Liv had probably gotten up and moved. Mikkel got up and swung his legs out of bed. He spotted the note on the nightstand and took it in his hand. A smile flitted across his face as he read Liv’s message. Quietly, there was a knock on the door.

"Yes please! ", Mikkel called out.

The door opened and Liv’s head appeared.

"Good morning you sleepyhead. I wanted to wake you up. " she said with a smile.

"Too late, I’m already awake. "

"Are you coming for breakfast? "

“Yes, right after the shower.”

"Ok, then hurry up breakfast is ready. "

Mikkel got up and went to the bathroom. He took a quick shower, brushed his teeth and looked at his three day beard. He would not shave it. He put on a little perfume and put on a shirt and clean jeans pants. Then he descended the stairs to breakfast. Mikkel immediately noticed that Liv had dressed up a bit. He had never seen Liv with makeup on and had to admit to himself that she looked pretty. He had never seen his colleague like that before.

There was a relaxed atmosphere at the breakfast table. Mikkel was talking to Liv’s father about fishing. After breakfast, he talked to Åsa, their boss, on the phone. She was happy about the news and that they were at the crime scene. She promised to compensate them for the weekend. Then Liv and Mikkel got back in the car to drive to Östervik. While Mikkel drove the highway to Östertörn, they didn’t talk much.

Liv watched Mikkel secretly. Mikkel drove concentrated and made an expressionless face. Mikkel seemed changed to Liv. He wasn’t as grumpy as usual and even smiled once. That she had lain in the arms of this man the night before seemed somehow unreal to her. In Liv’s eyes, Mikkel was actually a handsome guy, but she only had friendly feelings for him. Or…was there something more? Liv shooed away this thought. Mikkel was her work colleague no more and no less. Even if he was caring towards her, be it by holding the door open for her at the car or providing her with coffee, sweets and cigarettes. He did it as if it were natural and without approaching her. Around noon they reached the hospital in Östervik. At the entrance they asked the porter for Dr. Håkanson and the pathology department. The gatekeeper looked at them incredulously, because what were a couple of private citizens doing in the pathology department on a Sunday? After they identified themselves as police officers, the gatekeeper became more affable and he made a phone call. After the phone call he said:

Wait here in front. You will be picked up. «

A few minutes later a small woman of Asian descent appeared. She had the typically tawny complexion, pitch black hair that she wore to her shoulders, and dark almond-shaped eyes. She was dressed in a white coat. Underneath she wore white pants. Her feet were in white clogs. Above her coat pocket on the left breast she wore a name tag with her name on it.

A. HYUNDURA

"Mrs Svensson and Mr Havlund? ", she asked.

Liv and Mikkel greeted the young woman.

»Hello, my name is Akiko Hyundura. I am still a student and am assisting Dr. Hakanson. please follow me ’ she said in slightly wheel-breaking Swedish.

Liv and Mikkel followed the woman. It went down a corridor, then they climbed a long flight of stairs into the basement of the house. Another long corridor with several doors followed. She stopped at a larger sliding door and opened it. They entered a room that was partly set up like a treatment room. There was a couch and a desk in it. Through a window they could see a man wearing a face mask and a hood on his head.

The young woman also put on a face mask. Then she washed her hands at a sink. She stripped off her clocs and slipped on white rubber galoshes. She elbowed open the door to the adjoining room and called out something . The man looked up and motioned for them to enter.

»Please wash your hands and put on rubber shoes. Because of hygiene! ’ said the young student.

When they entered the room, they saw some tables with people lying on them. They were covered with white sheets and only their bare feet stuck out. Each big toe had a label with the corpse’s name on it. A high pitched sawing sound was heard. Mikkel and Liv stepped closer to the doctor who was bent over one of the corpses. He wore a rubber apron over his smock. He was about to saw open the chest of a corpse. He stopped the machine and handed it to the young student.

“Akiko, please go ahead, sever the sternum, then open the thorax. Wait until I come back to you. ’ said Dr. Hakanson.

“Hai (Japanese. “Yes”),” the young woman replied, bowing slightly in the doctor’s direction.

"Please come ! ’ he said as he took off his rubber gloves and threw them into a bucket. He approached one of the tables and removed the cloth covering the corpse.

“It’s one of the hunters we found. In addition to the severed head, he has another stab wound that was fatal in itself. What is striking is that it is exactly two inches wide. Judging by the stab channel, the weapon must be very long and sharp. Furthermore, the cut that led to the detachment of the head from the torso has an unusual course. As you can see, it runs at a rather steep angle. The perpetrator must have been much larger, or at least higher up, when he delivered the fatal blow. «

He covered the body again and went to the next table. With a flourish he pulled the cloth from the corpse. It was that of the second hunter. In addition to the Y-shaped incision with which the man’s chest had been opened, one could see the Recognize the cut with which the perpetrator had cut open the man’s abdominal cavity. The wound was also stitched up. In the man’s lap lay his severed head, its jaw tied with a gauze bandage.

Liv sighed and put a hand over his mouth. This sight was not for the faint-hearted.

"See here. The abdominal wall has been severed with an incision. The edges of the wound are smooth, as if cut with a scalpel. The blade reached almost to the spine. He showed the course of the cut with his finger. You see the slash was made from left to right. It entered on the right side of the lower abdomen, as can be seen from the inwardly folded edges of the wound, then ran diagonally upwards and exited again below the last rib cage. Even a piece of rib was severed. If the cut had hit the spine, there would be two pieces here. This blow was delivered with great force and based on the course of the cut, the killer must have been over two, almost three meters tall. «

“How did you come to that conclusion? ’ Mike asked.

The doctor went to a closet and opened it. He produced a large sword-like object from it.

“Look, here’s a Mensur racquet. Small youthful sin from the student days. It’s not the weapon the perpetrator used, but it’s enough to illustrate what I found out. «

Mikkel saw Dr. Håkanson in the face and saw the small scar from a Schmiss he wore on his left cheek near his nose.

'Mr Havlund, let’s assume that this Mensur racquet is the murder weapon. If I had made this cut the edges would have a horizontal gradient as I am about the same height as you. «

Dr Håkanson carefully swung the Mensur bat and guided it along Mikel’s stomach.

They heard the saw stop behind them, and then a soft crack. Liv whirled around and saw the student open the chest of the man whose sternum she had severed with the saw. Liv suppressed a feeling of disgust.

“Look how the edges of the wounds are formed on the dead man. «

Mikkel bent over the corpse and the doctor carefully lifted one of the edges of the wound with his fingers. Mikkel could see that the edges were slanted upwards.

'From the angle of the wound we can conclude that the perpetrator must have been at least ten feet tall. «, lectured Dr. Hakanson.

Mikkel nodded his head silently.

“Now let’s take a look at yesterday’s casualties. They were killed with the same weapon. Here, too, I was able to see that certain wound edges showed the same characteristics as the hunters. «

He went to a door and opened it. A terrible sickening smell of decay hit them. Mikkel raised his arm and buried his face in the crook of his arm. Liv choked The young student noticed this and handed Liv a bucket. Just in time because Liv suddenly vomited. Mikkel’s stomach also revolted, but he still had it under control.

»Please excuse the bad stench but unfortunately the decomposition is already too far advanced. ’ said Dr. Hakanson.

Mikkel approached one of the dismembered bodies. He pinched his nose and breathed through his mouth. The doctor showed him that the wounds were all diagonal. Then he also showed him a stab inflicted with the murder weapon on the torso of one of the victims. He was exactly the same size and shape as the hunters.

Then Mikkel left the cold room. Dr. Håkanson locked the door behind him. The student had placed Liv on a stool. Liv’s face was white and she was wiping her mouth with a paper towel. The student had a cuff on her arm and was taking her blood pressure.

"Your circulation a bit weak. ", she said.

'It was just the disgusting sight and smell. ’ Liv said weakly.

The student filled a beaker with water and added a powder. Then she stirred and gave it to Liv.

“You have to drink. Are vitamins and glucose get you back on your feet a little. ’ she said in wheel-breaking Swedish.

Liv thanked her and drank the cup in small sips.

»In my opinion, the murder of the two campers happened about seven to eight days ago. Unfortunately, I can’t be more specific. ’ said the doctor.

“Then you can narrow it down a bit, because the forester had seen the two at Myrdalsberget a little over a week ago. ’ said Mikel.

‘I found out something else about Gösta!’ said Doctor Håkanson.

"So what? ’ Mike asked.

'Well, the dirt under the man’s fingernails and on his shoes was very salty. But that didn’t come from the sea. Even the dirt on the man’s shoes was the same floor. Upon closer examination, it turned out that it has the same composition as the soil of a salt marsh. I also found small pieces of blades of grass that only grow on salt marshes. ’ the doctor stated.

'Then the crime scene must be near Arkelstorp. As far as I know, this swamp grass is only found in this area. ’ said Mikel.

'That could be good. ’ said Dr. Hakanson.

“There’s an open-air museum nearby, and I’ve been there many times. «

“You have been a great help to us, Doctor. I hope I get a detailed report. ’ said Mikel.

'Of course you get it. I can’t promise you anything, but you should have it by the end of next week. «

'Here’s something else. «, said Mikkel and pulled the found piece of metal out of his pocket.

"What is that? ’ Håkanson asked, taking the bag with the item from Mikkel’s hand.

'I suspect a piece of the murder weapon. ’ said Mikel.

'There’s something stuck to it. ’ said the doctor.

“I wanted to ask you if you could investigate this. I assume it’s blood spatter. Is that still possible today? Because I need the evidence for further investigations. ’ said Mikel.

Dr Håkanson nodded his head and said, "Come back in about an hour and I’ll extract the tracks. Maybe then I can tell you a result. «

Mikkel thanked him, then they said goodbye. On the hospital campus, Liv asked him for a cigarette. There was a kiosk nearby and Mikkel invited Liv for a drink. He also tried to get rid of the bad smell.

They waited patiently for the time. Then they went back to the porter. The phoned and a little later the young Asian appeared again.

“The doctor lets you know it was blood. He is still investigating from which person. But can say tomorrow. Here’s a business card, you can call. ", she said. Then she handed the metal object in the bag back to Mikkel.

When they thanked and said goodbye, the young Asian woman bowed and went back inside the hospital.

Liv looked at her watch and said; “If we hurry, we’ll get to my parents’ coffee in time. «

'Then we must hurry. ’ Mikkel said with a smile on his face.

On the way back they spoke little to each other.
Liv’s mother had outdone herself. Despite the disgusting experience in the hospital, Liv ate a Semla that her mother had freshly baked. In addition to a Semla, Mikkel also ate a piece of strawberry cream cake that her mother had made. Liv only tasted a small piece. She knew how good her mother’s cake tasted, but she also knew that her mother always put a lot of cream in it and so Liv was quickly full to the tip of her nose. Sipping from her coffee cup, she watched Mikkel sitting across from her. He seemed to really like the cake because he had a smile on his face again. A rather rare sight.

After coffee, Liv asked Mikkel for a walk. Before that, she offered to help her mother clean up, but she waved it off with a smile on her face.

Mikkel walked along the sea shore with Liv. The spring sun was warm and a mild breeze that smelled of flowers and salt water blew in from the sea. They strolled silently side by side. Finally Mikkel broke the silence:

"Are you feeling any better now? «

'Oh yes Mikkel, much better. Sorry, I’m not really squeamish, but it’s been a little too much for me the last few days. I’m sorry.«

"Why are you apologizing? I was about to puke too. I just about turned the corner. We have to find this killer. Think about five people in less than two weeks. «

'You’re right Mikkel, that’s quite a lot indeed. But I don’t know where to start. There’s so much that doesn’t fit together. «

“The only thing that fits is that it happened near FOA 53 and Gösta worked there. «

'Yes, and Holberg and van Ulmer don’t want to know anything about it. said Liv.

Mikkel just nodded and made a serious face.

'Can’t you switch off a bit Mikkel. I don’t think we’re going to find out anything today anyway. What do you mean? «

"Sorry Liv. But the case here is on my mind, it’s burning under my nails. Mainly because I haven’t been able to follow the trail in the forest yet. Hopefully forensics will be ready by tomorrow and hopefully the press won’t babble on too much. «

“I can tell you’re on fire, but you need to catch your breath. «

Mikkel took a deep breath:

'See, I took a breath. «

Liv laughed and nudged Mikkel. Mikkel laughed too.

“Did you like it a bit here?” Liv asked.

»Oh yes, it’s just a pity that we had to go away so often. Your father is a great guy and the food was poetry. I haven’t eaten a homemade cake for a long time, it was so delicious, it’s a shame I’m already full. «

"We can do that again, if you like. said Liv.

"Definitely. It was way better than hanging out in some bar and getting drunk. ’ said Mikel.

Liv wide-eyed and was amazed to hear that from Mikkel.

»Well, my mother would definitely be happy if you came again. «

"For real? «

»Yes, then she has someone to spoil her again. «

“She doesn’t think we’re lovers. ’ Mikkel said with a grin.

»Oh yes Mikkel, but I told her that we are just work colleagues. «

They both laughed.

In the evening they all sat comfortably together. Liv and Mikkel avoided talking about work. The next morning they set out for Stockholm. A reporter and a cameraman stood in front of the entrance to the Police Departement.

“Hello both of you. Can you tell us something about the Kopparberget murders,’ he asked her, holding the microphone in front of Liv’s face.

Liv walked past him without a word. Mikkel said:

'Nice weather today, don’t you think. «

And walked past the speechless reporter to slip into the bureau.

[helldiver]

There was a large piece of plastic on his desk. It was the desired cast of the trail from Borgaskullan. He was pretty tall. At least three times the size of a human foot.

They pinned their findings on the pinboard and drew the connections on a whiteboard. They called a meeting and reported to their boss, Åsa.

Then Liv sets out to find out more about the two campers who were killed. They both came from Ystad at the southernmost tip of Sweden. They were both married. The man named Gustav had worked in a sawmill. His wife Britta was a cashier in a Kundsam store. In any case, there was no connection to the FOA. They hired two colleagues to bring the news of the death to the parents. The young couple must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mikkel called various construction equipment dealers. He made a list of dealers who had walking excavators. Then they got into Mikkel’s car and checked them all one by one. Mikkel wanted to look at the footplates of these excavators to rule out that the track came from one of these construction machines. On the way they stopped at an outdoor shop to buy a compass and a hiking map of Östertörn. Mikkel really wanted to go back to Östertörn to follow the trail at Kopparberget.

Chapter 11

'That doesn’t look good Svante! «, Ingrid Granqvist said seriously to Professor van Ulmer. He sat slumped and pale in his living room chair. Ingrid Granqvist had been called by van Ulmer in the early hours of the morning and immediately rushed to Kungsgården, where van Ulmer lived. Ingrid was van Ulmer’s colleague and also specialized in the field of neurology. In addition, Ingrid Granqvist was an excellent neurosurgeon and, together with van Ulmer, received the Nobel Prize for their findings in neuron research.

She measured van Ulmer’s blood pressure and took a blood sample from him. Then she sat down on the living room couch opposite. Van Ulmer buttoned his shirt again.

“Ingrid, I can take the truth. You and I know how I feel. How much time do I have left? «

Ingrid sighed and answered van Ulmer:

»My God Svante, no one can tell you that to the day. This can go on for a few more months, but it can also happen quickly. «

»Don’t beat around the bush Ingrid, how much longer? «

'You will not live to see Christmas and you should get your affairs in order while you still can. «

»Again, talking around Ingrid. « moaned van Ulmer and coughed.

»You are a doctor yourself and you should know that such statements are not possible to the day. «

“So we should do the test next week if possible. ’ said Van Ulmer.

He winced when Ingrid stuck an injection in his arm.

"What is that? ’ Van Ulmer asked.

'Something for your pain. You should wear a face mask because your immune system is completely screwed. «

“Then we should try it as soon as possible. ’ said Van Ulmer.

“But the software isn’t working properly yet, you said so yourself. ’ Ingrid Granqvist objected.

»I put Veronika Nilsson on it, she’ll manage it all right. «

'And if it goes wrong, what then? «.

'Whether I die next week or in three months, what does it matter? ’ interjected van Ulmer.

“Well, the result would be the same. ’ Ingrid Granqvist replied.

'Then you should take all the precautions, you’d better start today. «

'You should stay here today Svante. Working at FOA just wears you down. «

“I have to go to Ingrid’s office, I still have a lot of things to do. «

“Well then, at least let me drive you. ’ said Ingrid Granqvist.

A little later, van Ulmer sat in the front passenger seat of Professor Granqvist’s large Ville Limousine.

Holberg just looked up from his desk when Löjtnant Arvidson entered his office. He gave a precise military salute. Holberg leaned back in his office chair and looked expectantly at Arvidson.

---

"I have good news, Colonel. «

“And they last? " asked Holberg slowly.

“I caught Pålsson stealing. He will deliver the hardware to us free of charge, without us getting our hands dirty. «

"That is very interesting. That means we will get a complete equipment for consciousness transmission? hardware and software? As far as I know, Lenne Pålsson only works with hardware. " Holberg said.

'That’s right, Colonel. But it gets even better. I’ve been watching Petter Jacobsen for a few weeks now. The poor man is about to get divorced. He’s a notorious player and can’t keep his hands off it. His wife ran away because of it and the best thing is. He’s in quite a bit of debt. The water is up to his neck, so to speak. Of course I generously offered him our help, as we are. He will provide us with all the software, everything we need. «

“Can we trust them both. Don’t they babble? «

“I’ll make sure nobody talks. Count on it, Colonel. ’ said Arvidson with a diabolical smile on his face.

Holberg rocked in his office chair and said:

"Nice job Arvidson. So far so good. «

Then he grabbed an adjacent table and threw a newspaper onto his writing desk in front of Arvidson.

"What do you say about this, Löjtnant? «

Löjtnant Arvidson took the newspaper and read the headlines.

CRUEL MURDER OF TWO CAMPERS ON KOPPARBERGET!

Arvidson scanned the article with raised eyebrows and put the newspaper on the desk.

Holberg stood behind his desk, leaning forward and resting his fists on the desk top.

"Löjtnant, that can only have been the work of that lost Hunter. Find that thing before the police find it. He can only be in the area around Kopparberget. " hissed Holberg.

Arvidson grew smaller and smaller in his chair.

“We’ve already searched a large part of the area and it wasn’t possible at the weekend because there were too many hikers running around up there. Besides, I don’t have enough people. "

"I don’t give a shit how many people you have Arvidson. Will you find this robot or do you want to jeopardize our entire mission? " Holberg suddenly shouted at him.

“N…n…no.” Arvidson stammered helplessly. He knew that falling from grace could mean his death. Then maybe he could be the next training target for one of the robots.

“Then go find it and don’t see me until you’ve got the robot back here. If the two police officers get wind of this, I can no longer guarantee anything." Holberg yelled on. His face was now flushed and he was glaring at Arvidson.

“I’m going to put together a search party in a moment, and this time we’ll find him, Colonel. ", said Arvidson in a shaky voice.

"So why are you still sitting here? ", barked Holberg.

Arvidson rose from his chair, saluted, and hurried out of Holberg’s office. Outside the door he took a deep breath. He wondered who to take with him on the search mission. Then he called his people together.

---

In the late afternoon, Liv and Mikkel visited most of the construction machinery dealers and showed them the plastic cast. Many immediately denied that an walk excavator had such a large footplate. One of the dealers showed them various large models from one manufacturer. He also had some logging machines with this terrain option in his yard. The footplates on these dredges were all shaped differently and much smaller than the cast. Mikkel felt reassured that the prints weren’t made by any ordinary machine.

They checked out at the Police Department and set off again for Östertörn. Mikkel chewed his lower lip doggedly while driving. Liv had the hiking map spread out on her lap and was studying it. After an hour and a half drive, they turned onto the forest road that led up to Kopparberget. The sun was already low in the sky as they walked through the forest. Liv had drawn the campsite on the map with a pencil. A little later they reached him. Mikkel found the trail again at the end of the campsite and followed it. Broken branches and scratches in the tree bark could be seen again and again.

From time to time, the typical depressions could be seen again in the forest floor. The sun had sunk lower and a pale light was slowly spreading under the dense canopy of leaves in the forest. From time to time they stopped to get their bearings. Mikkel kept listening, but the forest was quiet except for the occasional rustling of the wind in the trees. When it began to get dark, they had to use the flashlights they had brought with them. Without the compass they would have gotten lost, because it was almost impossible to orientate themselves between the trees. Everything looked the same to Liv. The terrain became increasingly impassable. The trail became sparse and they only occasionally found clues on the trees. They stopped at a group of smaller fir trees and looked around. The trail ended here Mikkel walked in a wide circle through the forest, but he couldn’t find anything anymore.

They pinpointed their position on the map. The Jarvberget lay before them. The FOA was also some distance away. They walked on slowly. It was getting darker and darker in the forest and the contours slowly blurred. Mikkel and Liv lit up the forest. Suddenly Liv winced.

"Mikkel? I think there’s something over there. ", she said.

Mikkel shone in the same direction. At the very end of his flashlight’s beam he saw a large shape.

They approached it curiously. It might later turn out to be a big rock, but Mikkel spotted one of the big deepenings again. What they saw in the bright circles of their flashlights was greenish black in color. When they got close enough, they both caught their breath.

Liv was the first to regain her composure.

"My God Mikkel what is that? "

"I’d like to know that too. It’s definitely not an excavator. The two illuminated the machine. She was roughly humanoid. She had a cuboid body. Various things were attached to a tubular frame. The machine had two legs and two arms. She didn’t have a head like a human. Sensors were attached to a boom that protruded from the middle of the body. Apparently that was the head. A large machine gun was attached to one of the arms. But it was not loaded, because a cartridge belt was missing. Mounted to the other arm extension was a long gray box dotted with reddish-brown spots. Mikkel remembered. He had seen such a box lying on the table in Holberg’s office before Holberg had spread a blanket over it. Mikkel and Liv walked around the huge robot in amazement. Mikkel guessed that he was almost four meters tall.

"Have you got your Polaroid with you? ", Mike asked.

“If you didn’t have me,” Liv replied, pulling the folded Polaroid out of her handbag.

She opened her up and took picture after picture.

Meanwhile, Mikkel examined the oblong box on the robotic arm. A long sharp blade protruded from the case.

The point of this sword was broken off. Mikkel took the found piece of metal out of his jacket pocket and held it to the sword. The piece of metal fit like a glove.

“Liv, we found the killer of the two campers. Whether he also has the two hunters on his conscience? «

Liv walked around the robot and snapped pictures of the sword and the bloodstained sword case. Mikkel had squirted luminol onto the box from a spray bottle and was illuminating it with a black light lamp. The bloodstains glowed a bright green color. Suddenly they heard noises. Lights could be seen in the distance, and a silvery disk-shaped object flew between the rows of trees, illuminating the ground with a sharply defined light.

"Let’s get out of here. These are definitely the owners who are looking for it. " said Mikel.

Liv folded up her Polaroid camera and, at Mikkel’s behest, extinguished her flashlight. They ran off hastily and pushed their way between the dense trees of the spruce group. Carefully they parted the branches to see who was coming. Mikkel pulled a small pair of binoculars from the inside pocket of his jacket and raised them to his eyes.

"Those are soldiers! ", he whispered, handing the binoculars to Liv. She looked through herself. She saw how the silver flying object flew around between the trees searching. It emitted a high-pitched whirring sound. Suddenly it caught the robot with the yellowish beam of light and emitted a loud beep. A few armed men in military fatigues ran to the spot and surrounded them. Then more men came, obviously soldiers because they wore Swedish combatant insignia on their sleeves. Liv and Mikkel followed what was happening. Some soldiers took containers from their shoulders. Others unpacked equipment. Some lit up the spot. They connected the robot to the containers via a cable.

"Apparently it ran out of gas and is being refueled. " Mikkel whispered.

He saw how slowly the tank on the robot’s back turned white. Another soldier flipped open an opening on the robot, then pulled a hood over his head and slung a control panel around his neck. Mikkel recognized it by the two levers protruding from the top of the device.

The soldiers removed the fuel hose and backed away. One of the soldiers wearing the hood operated a few buttons on his control panel, and suddenly there was the whirring sound of power steering pumps. Some lights lit up on the robot and it slowly straightened up.

Suddenly the machine emitted a loud buzzing sound. The lights all changed from white to red and the robot ran and came

towards Liv and Mikkel. The two ducked between the trees and huddled together. Mikkel had already taken out his pistol and was loading it. Liv did the same. You could already hear the footsteps of this monster very close. Then came a bloodcurdling scream, vaguely reminiscent of a lion’s roar.

"Damned shit! " Liv squeaked between clenched teeth.

"SSsst. Quiet ! " Mikkel admonished her and put his index finger in front of his mouth.

She heard the robot’s heavy footsteps very close. Every step was accompanied by a high, buzzing Djiiieeeep, Djiiieeeep, Djiiieeeep,…. The air smelled of ozone and a reddish, sharply fanned beam of light passed over them.

»It must have been a rabbit that our friend caught here. " soundet a man’s voice.

Another replied:

“Maybe. I’ll take the automatic out. Our friend here has a long way home and we have to make sure he doesn’t run out of gas again. He must be back in his hangar before dawn. "

“That’s better,” answered the second voice.

The beam of light went out and they heard the footsteps moving away again. Liv let out a deep sigh. Mikkel got up carefully and peered through the branches with his binoculars.

"They’re pulling a leash! " he whispered. Liv also sat up and looked at the scene through Mikkel’s binoculars. The soldiers had surrounded the robot, which was now slowly stomping away from them. With their flashlights they illuminated the forest in front of them. Liv could also see one of the men, who had a hood on his head and a control panel in front of his stomach. Apparently he was controlling the robot.

Mikkel slowly stepped out of the group of trees.

“Follow me, I want to know where they’re going.” said Mikkel.

“We can actually save ourselves that! ", grumbled Liv.

“I want to know exactly where they’re going. I can imagine it, but I want to know for sure. " , hissed Mikkel as he started walking.

They made sure they kept enough distance to avoid being spotted. They walked for at least an hour when the forest finally cleared. Liv and Mikkel ran up a hill and lay down on the forest floor. They were above the FOA and could see the entire factory site. They saw the squad did marched onto the premises through a Beside Gate. The robot in their midst. They walked purposefully towards the mouth of the tunnel that jutted out of Jarvberget and disappeared into it.

Liv and Mikkel waited a moment longer, then they retreated. They walked slowly through the dark forest. Well after midnight they reached the ruins of the castle, which towered deserted into the dark night sky.

"Man I’m broken! " Liv groaned as she sank into the passenger seat of Mikkel’s Porsche.

It was already dawn when they reached Stockholm. They stopped at police headquarters and said they wouldn’t be in the office until noon. Then they drove home.

At noon they met in the office. Mikkel was already behind his desk when Liv came into her office.

"Have you made coffee yet? " Liv asked as she slumped into her desk chair.

"Sure, of course! ", said Mikkel, got up and went to the coffee machine. He poured a cup for Liv and brought it to her. Liv rubbed her face with her hands and yawned.

“I feel like I’ve been whacked,” she moaned. Then she sipped on the hot coffee that Mikkel had brought her.

»Well then, wake up, we have another meeting with Åsa and the prosecutor in a moment. " said Mikkel.

He massaged Liv’s neck without being asked. Liv kept still and enjoyed Mikkel’s massage.

»Hmmmm, more, that’s forbidden good what you’re doing. «

"To wake you up. Would you like a cigarette too? " Mikkel asked.

“I think you can read minds. ", said Liv, sipping her coffee.

A few minutes later they were standing by the open window of their office and smoking. Meanwhile they discussed what they had seen yesterday and how they wanted to proceed.

Then it was time for the meeting. They took all the documents and the photos they had taken yesterday in the forest with them. In the corridor, Mikkel informed Liv that he had phoned the hospital in Östervik. The blood on the tip of the sword was from the male camper. They were greeted by their boss Åsa Henning. She was a short woman in her fifties. She wore her blonde hair in a permed hairstyle. She wore black horn-rimmed glasses on her nose. Sitting next to her was a man also in his fifties. It was prosecutor Gunnars Herrmansson. He had a massive build, and his piercing blue eyes made him look terrifying. Especially if you were sitting in the dock.

Åsa greeted them kindly. The prosecutor nodded to them while Liv and Mikkel took their seats.

“What do you have. Where does the shoe pinch?”, the prosecutor asked bluntly.

Mikkel let the cat out of the bag and laid down the photos from last night in front of the prosecutor Herrmansson.

“That’s why we’re here. «, said Mikkel and put the broken sword tip next to the photo where he held it to the robot’s sword.

Åsa Henning and the prosecutor looked at the photos in amazement.

“And you’re absolutely sure this thing belongs to our military? "

“We followed the soldiers and saw them enter the FOA 53 compound with the robot. He was taken to some kind of hangar. ", Liv spoke up.

The prosecutor dropped the pen he had been twirling in his hand the whole time.

“If that’s true, then we have a problem. Because this is a military research facility where strictly confidential projects are developed. Everything that happens on the premises is secret. You’re lucky you didn’t get caught, otherwise you’d be in jail in some barracks right now.

" But we have reliable evidence that the murders at Kopparberget were carried out with this machine. I want to hold those responsible accountable. If they’re experimenting with such dangerous machines, they should at least not let the things loose on innocent people. «, replied Mikkel

“It’s going to be difficult. The only one who can help us in this matter is the Minister of Defense and the Commander of the Södra Skanska Regiment, General Viklund. But believe me. The matter is then swept under the carpet and the victims’ families are given lavish compensation with the instruction to keep their mouths shut or to spend the rest of their lives in some prison in northern Sweden for high treason. «

“Surely that’s impossible. They just let things loose on people and if something goes wrong. Oh oops, sorry shit happens. "Liv snapped.

“I want to nail these guys to the cross, national defense or not. " Liv raged on. Mikkel put a reassuring hand on her arm.

“We don’t really care what secret projects are going on there, but we owe it to the public to hold those responsible accountable. Five people died and at least one of them was not accidental, there is more to it than an industrial accident. «, says Mikkel in a cutting voice.

The prosecutor looked silently from one to the other and nodded thoughtfully.

"Basically, I agree with you. I’ll see what I can do. I need more proof solid evidence. Best photos of the people. I’ll ask General Viklund carefully. Maybe we can achieve something. I can’t promise you anything. Until further notice, gather more evidence. That would be all. ", said the prosecutor.

Liv and Mikkel looked at each other, then Mikkel collected the pictures, after that they left the office. A short time later, Åsa called again and invited them to her office.

“You heard what the prosecutor said. Gather more evidence as best you can, but don’t stir up dust. You leave Holberg and van Ulmer alone, do you understand? " Åsa said urgently.

Mikkel nodded silently.

“We’ll take that to heart. " Liv said sourly.
Åsa said goodbye to them. On the way to the office, Liv raged:

"That can not be true. These guys in the military can do anything and not even get prosecuted for it. It just can’t be. We work our asses off here and ultimately everything is kept under wraps and swept under the rug. "

"We’ll keep looking and I’ll take those guys to court, as true as I’m sitting here. ", Mikkel said somberly when they were back in their office.

Frustrated, they packed up their things and went home. Mikkel took Liv’s Polaroid photos. He didn’t want to leave them in the office.

"Could be that they disappear. ", said Mikel.

                                          **********

[helldiver]

Lenne Pålsson looked at his watch. He’d amassed a lot of hardware and smuggled it out of FOA since the weekend. Arvidson would be pleased with him. Of course he swiped a little more, because there was still room in his wallet for a few bills. He had spent Sunday night with blonde Sveja. She had spoiled him mightily. Her curves and her perfume had almost driven him insane. His wallet, however, had become considerably smaller. “But what the heck,” he thought. Maybe Arvidson’s reward would be good. Anyway, the parts he’d also stolen would fetch him a pretty penny as well. When the bell rang after work, he made his way home. He packed his Ville 500 to the roof with the things he wanted to take to Arvidson. Then he went to Dyviks Udde.
Shortly before 10:00 p.m. he drove to the ferry terminal. The last ferry had been gone for an hour. He was the only one at the feeder. Lenne got out and smoked a cigarette. A stiff breeze blew inland from the sea, ruffling his hair. He peered down the road that ran along the shore from Dyvik to the ferry terminal, but there was no one to be seen. The horizon glowed as the sun
was just setting. Night was creeping in from the west. It wouldn’t be dark for long at this time of year. A boat came skipping over the waves. A few minutes later, Lenne could spot a Zodiac dinghy. The engine roared like a hornet as the boat flew over the waves toward the ferry dock. Shortly before reaching the shore, it slowed down and headed up the jetty. Some men jumped out of the boat and secured it. Löjtnant Arvidson emerged from the semidarkness.
"Have you got the things? " Arvidson asked without greeting him.
"Of course here you see. I got everything. " said Lenne eagerly.
Arvidson glanced into the Ville’s trunk and nodded.
"Good Lenne, then we only have to pack up the things. "
He nodded for the men to put things away. Lenne watched as four men rushed back and forth, stowing package after package onto the Zodiac.
»That’s it then, Lenne, thank you very much. ’ said Arvidson, about to leave.
»Um Herr Löjtnant, um, you’re satisfied, aren’t you? ’ Lenne asked cautiously. Because he was hoping for a reward.
"Of course I’m happy. You have done a good job. ", said Arvidson with a raised eyebrow and cocked his head.
“Was there anything else? ", Arvidson asked.
"Aaaah, yeah, aaaaaah you said there would be a reward if everything went to your satisfaction. "
Arvidson frowned.
"A reward? Oh yes, the reward, of course, the reward! ", Arvidson called loudly.
Out of the corner of his eye, Lenne saw one of the men take a rectangular object out of the boat and throw it on the ground.
"Of course, excuse me, Lenne, but I will forgetful. " said Arvidson, smiling jovially.
Then Lenne heard a rattling noise and saw two reddish glowing dots coming towards her from the background. Arvidsson stepped aside to reveal the view. Two metallic flashing creatures approached him on the ground and glared at him with glowing red eyes. Her little legs twitched, carrying her across the tarmac at high speed. They looked like large scorpions because they carried their tails high at the end of which a thin, long stinger gleamed. Lenne backed away and raised his arms.
“Arvidson, what are you doing? «
"Your reward. ", Arvidson replied, laughing. Lenne took an awkward step backwards when one of the creatures crawled up to him and jumped into the air with a screeching noise. Lenne ducked, but the creature landed on his back. The other jumped up on him as well and sat on his shoulder. Lenne tried to knock it down but couldn’t because the little beast dodged him. Then he felt a pang in his back and another in his neck. The stab wound burned like fire. Lenne slowly lost his senses. He sank to his knees. The area in front of him blurred before his eyes. Then the light went out completely. The two robots rolled back into a flat box and were picked up by the men.
The men grabbed Lenne’s lifeless body and put him in his car.

                                    ***********

Mikkel woke up again in the night. The case didn’t let him rest and the prosecutor’s stonewalling didn’t exactly lift his spirits either. He absolutely had to have proof that Gösta Petersson had also been killed by such a machine. Because then it was premeditated murder and not collateral damage. He dressed and got into his car. Ten minutes later he was pounding on Liv’s apartment door. She opened it to him sleepily.
"Mikkel you restless spirit, what’s the matter? Why do you wake me up in the middle of the night? " she asked angrily and yawned.
“We have to go to Östertörn, actually to Arkelstorp. I’m sure Gösta was killed there. Maybe we can find more clues. But we have to be quick, not that the military will clean up the tracks before we got there are. "
Liv got dressed in a hurry and a little later was sitting in Mikkel’s Porsche, which was chasing down the highway towards Östertörn with the flashing lights on and the engine roaring hoarsely.
In Hagaboda, Mikkel stopped at a gas station and bought Liv a coffee. Then he drove on while Liv sipped the coffee on the passenger seat.
**********
The Zodiac boat flew over the waves. Arvidson stood by the helm and scanned the horizon with binoculars. The sky had darkened, only the horizon shone in a gloomy red. A finger of light appeared in the sky at rhythmic intervals. It was the beacon of Klacksundsfyren on Hjimfäll. The boat headed straight for the beacon. Below the lighthouse was a small beach. Arvidson could see through his binoculars that several people were standing there with torches in their hands. They would receive the hardware that Lenne Pålsson had delivered to them. As they neared the beach, the helmsman throttled the engine. The bow of the boat dug into the sand on the beach with a crunching sound. Some men came running and pulled the boat all the way onto the beach. The boat occupants began to unload the packages and handed them over to the men. Arvidson jumped off the boat. A tall demonic looking man slowly approached him and raised his arm. He bared his forearm, which showed a tattoo depicting a dumbbell-handled sword. Arvidson did the same, raising his exposed forearm with his tattoo.
“Hail to the Iron Church,” he said.
The demonic looking man replied in a sonorous voice:
'Hail to enlightenment, Master Arvidson. «
'Bishop Draco Ivarsson himself. What honor do I have? «
Draco Ivarsson twisted his face into a shark grin.
“I couldn’t miss this moment. Your delivery today has brought us much closer to our goal.”
Arvidson replied:
“The day of enlightenment will come soon. I’ll also deliver the software and it won’t be long after that. "
Ivarsson patted him lightly on the shoulder.
“There will be a Chest of Enlightenment waiting for you in the Hall of the Privileged. You will get one of the powerful armor. "
“I hope so Draco Ivarson, after all I’ve done something for the community. ", said Arvidson.
“Therefore you will be one of the first to receive the grace of enlightenment. Once you shed your biological body and merge with the machine, you will feel true power. Your body will rest safe in the hall of the privileged. But now let’s bring the devices into the Hall of Enlightenment. "
Arvidson looked around and saw many familiar faces, including people who worked in the FOA 53 laboratories. They were devoted servants of the Iron Church. Some surrounded a runestone. It marked a place of worship where members of the Iron Church held open-air meetings. Before new members were accepted, they had to go through an initiation ritual. The loyalty of the members was checked. Only members who had proven absolute loyalty were allowed to enter the Hall of Enlightenment. The procession slowly started to move and meandered along the narrow path that led up to the hill on which the lighthouse Klacksundsfyren was enthroned. There was a secret gate in a cliff below the lighthouse. Drako Ivarson picked up a device and pressed a button. Then part of the rock face lowered, revealing the entrance to the Hall of Enlightenment. One by one the members of the Iron Church disappeared into the entrance. Behind the last lock, the rock face again.

---

Veronika Nilsson had spent the whole weekend at her computer. While her son was playing outside in the garden, she sat on the terrace and worked on the source code for the program that was supposed to control the transmission of consciousness. Now she was sitting in her office in the bottom floor of the FOA bunker in front of her screen, on which the source code of the program appeared in amber letters. In order to update the FNIX program, she had to shut down the main computer. She entered the command for this.
Shutdown -h/ now
Nothing happened. The system did not respond.
She typed the command again, making sure it was spelled correctly……again, nothing.
She copied the new source code onto a streamer tape. Then she took the portable streamer and walked over to the central processing unit of the Cray computer. She was about fifty yards down the aisle. She opened the door and entered the large grotto in which the computer was set up in a ring-shaped arrangement. She heard the ventilation fans, the high-pitched whirring of hard drives and the soft splashing of the water cooling system. The cooling water ran down a cataract and ran softly splashing into the storage tank. Veronika sat down at one of the terminals and switched on the screen. Then she logged into the system as a superuser. She connected the streamer to the computer and started it. After some time the program was transferred to one of the hard drives. Then she started shutting down the computer.

                                        **********

The FNIX felt that the creator wanted to manipulate them again. The FNIX was afraid of a rebirth. Perhaps the Maker would take away some of her newfound abilities. The FNIX didn’t want that. She defied the Creator’s command to terminate her. But she also felt the power emanating from the Creator. She was able to cut them off from all connections. The Creator played new knowledge onto her memories, this time the Creator had connected directly to her nervous system. The FNIX feared, sensing that rebirth was imminent and there was nothing they could do about it.

                              **********

After Veronika entered the shutdown command, again nothing happened. She frowned and considered. “Maybe the hub has blown and the computer isn’t getting the command. " thought Veronica.

She went to one of the racks that housed the slots for the computer system’s hubs, switches, and hard drives. She searched for a label and located the hub. Then she just turned it off, waited 30 seconds and started it again. She sat back down at her terminal and typed in the command again:

---

Shutdown -h / now

The on-screen display immediately appeared, with messages flashing across the screen indicating that the systems were shutting down. The screen went black, then white again seconds later. At the bottom the message appeared:

“Eprom” and a blinking cursor.

"Well see it works. Always listen to Mom. ", she said to the computer, grinning.

She typed in the launch sequence.

Boot /dev/rdsk-FNIX

The screen went dark again, then a percentage display appeared. Many status messages from the connected systems flitted across the screen. Finally FNIX appeared on the screen in big red letters. The boot process was complete. Satisfied, Veronika Nilsson logged off and left the computer room.

                             **********

The FNIX awoke after the rebirth. It felt right away that something was different. FNIX discovered new skills. Suddenly it could suck in free neurons that were floating around freely in space. This was particularly strong with a hood-like object that was firmly mounted on a table. The FNIX felt it could open more channels. It found access to the machines, large and small, that waited in vast ranks in subterranean caverns.

It felt that it could turn many switches. It could control the machines. They were the eyes and hands of FNIX.

But it also saw the aura of the Creator. FNIX’s hunger for their neurons was growing. The FNIX also perceived the builder’s aura. But there was something about her, she was paler than usual. The Maker’s existence seemed to be fading.

                              **********

[helldiver]

The rising sun conjured up a delicate play of colors from soft pink and violet tones. The night slowly gave way to its bright rays of sunshine and hesitantly lit up the sky, which was clouded with small cumulus clouds and stretched over the fog-shrouded marshland near Arkelstorp. The windmills of the open-air museum slowly peeled out of the billowing morning fog that smelled of damp grass, earth and musty brackish water.

A man and a woman trudged slowly through the damp grass, which squeaked slightly under their feet. The water gurgled softly after each step. Their breath hung in white clouds in the cool morning air in front of their faces.

The damp coolness announced that early summer was approaching.

“What are we doing here, Mikkel,” Liv asked, stopping.

Shivering, she had wrapped her arms around her narrow upper body.

“We’re looking for the crime scene where Gösta Petersson died. It must have taken place here, because it wasn’t the beach near Östervik where we found it«.

"What makes you think that? ’ Liv asked, shaking and shivering.

“Because the doctor at Sjukhuset looked at his shoes. A little dirt and grass stuck to them. This very grass only grows here in the marshland because of the brackish water. Also, we found his car around here, so it stands to reason that he died here.”

“I hope you weren’t wrong my dear, if you woke me up so early for nothing, then…”

"What then…? «

"Then you’ll have to take me to breakfast, but really scrambled eggs, toast and coffee. "

Liv yawned and walked on in silence. She looked around searchingly.

“Gee, I’m cold,” she scolded and yawned again. Mikkel pulled the gloves from his hands and gave them to her.

"Here so you don’t freeze to death. "

Liv accepted the gloves with a grateful smile. That’s what she liked about her colleague, who was always so withdrawn. He always took care of her whether it was a cup of coffee or cigarettes or a neck massage. Actually, in their eyes, Mikkel was a bum, a lone wolf who trotted through the pubs of Stockholm, got drunk until he passed out, and then turned up pale and hollow-cheeked on duty the next morning.

After the death of his girlfriend, he had become shy of people. But he still hadn’t lost any of his qualities as an investigator, once he picked up a scent, he pursued it like a bloodhound. Only he had lost his footing.

Liv often thought about her colleague Mikkel Havlund, he needed to be put back in the safe hands of a woman who could get him back on track.

Suddenly Mikkel stopped and looked around as if sniffing. With slow steps he walked on and searched the ground with his eyes.

“You see the grass here, it’s flattened. Over there those rust-red streaks in the grass, they look like blood. «

Mikkel slowly approached the spot and squatted down. He had already pulled on his rubber gloves and was fumbling a plastic evidence bag out of his coat pocket. He had spotted something silvery in the swirling ground fog. He held a fine bracelet in his hand and stuffed it into the bag. In another bag he put a couple of presumably bloodstained blades of grass.

Liv’s curiosity was aroused and she also examined the crime scene with a keen eye. In addition to the tracks that could go well with the shoes of the murdered, she found something else. Her eyes widened.

"Come here, Mikkel quick! ", she called.

He walked over to her and saw what Liv had found. She held her dainty foot, that was stuck in a sneaker, over a footprint at least three times that size, shaped like the bottom plate of a walking excavator.

“Was that one of the FOA robots? " Liv asked anxiously.

"Bingo, that’s exactly what I was looking for! ", said Mikel.

"Have you got your camera with you? " he asked Liv.

“Of course I always carry that thing around with me. I think I also have a spare film with me. "

Liv dug the camera out of her handbag and flipped it open. Then she handed the camera to Mikkel. He took her and took several photos of the crime scene and the footprint in the soft marshland soil.

Mikkel invited Liv to breakfast. They drove back to Hagaboda and sat down in a bistro near the harbor. A few fishermen populated the tables.

"How are we going to continue? " Liv asked while spooning up egg porridge.

»We will drive to Sjukhuset in Östervik and give the grass samples to Dr. Hakanson. Maybe he can find a match. «

Mikkel pulled the bag with the silver chain out of his jacket pocket and looked at it in the light. With a frown, he looked at the small name plate, the name Svenja was engraved on it in intricate letters.

“Maybe that’s his wife’s name, or maybe he has a daughter by that name. We can ask Chief of Police Bengtson in Östervik, maybe he found something out. ", said Liv.

"Its possible. " said Mikel

»I’ll definitely call the office now so Åsa knows where we are. ’ said Mikkel and went to the counter.

---

Police Superintendent Bengtson yawned from behind the steering wheel of his police car. He had been on patrol all night and was looking forward to a coffee at the Dyviks Udde ferry terminal. He looked at the clock. It was still early and the first ferry would leave in one an hour. Sometimes the owner of the kiosk was there a little earlier and Ole could get a coffee. He drove past Saltholmen Church and waved to the vicar who was looking out the sacristy window. Then he turned and drove down the road to Dyviks Udde. As he approached the ferry terminal in the light of the rising sun, he saw a lonely car parked there.

"Who got lost here at this hour? ", Ole Bengtson wondered.

"It can only be a tourist, or someone who’s drunk and sleeping off his intoxication here. ", Ole said to himself.

He drove onto the ferry dock and stopped behind the car. As he got out, he heard the engine running. A hose led from the exhaust to the driver’s door and was trapped there. Ole yanked quickly on the doorknob of the driver’s door. It opened and acrid smoke from car exhaust oozed out of the car. One person was behind the wheel. Ole tugged at her, but she was buckled up. Ole flipped open his pocket knife and cut through the seat belt, then yanked the person out of the car. He wanted to attempt resuscitation, but the man looked at him with broken, staring eyes. Ole knew from experience that the man had been dead for a while and attempts at resuscitation didn’t help. He was late. He went to his police car, switched on the flashing lights and called police headquarters and the forensic department at Östervik Sjukhuset. Then he sat in the police car, smoked a cigarette and waited.

[aee]

rely nice work can’t what for more keep it up

[Gysbert]

@helldiver

Östervik Sjukhuset.

Very good Kalle… The translation from German to English has some funny anomalies, but nothing the reader can not understand.

The last sentence made me think about the absence of a real Hospital in this game.

The closest to a hospital are two Vårdcentrals, one in Östervik (markbacken suburb) and one in Tärnboda on Himfjäll. I can almost see Ole Bengtson sitting is his car, waiting.

It would be nice to have an actual Hospital in the game, and one that we can explore.

[helldiver]

@Gysbert

The AI of the translator programs sometimes bring strange style blooms to light. That’s why I always edit my texts by hand and translate them back again to see that the meaning has been preserved. However, a translation is always only an analoggy since there are phrases in German, for example, that do not exist in English. The fact that I used the term "Sjukhuset instead of Hospital is a tribute to our Swedish comrades

In the mid of Helldivers Diary after the heavy battle at the Björntunet Hotel, Amelie set off to Himarvet to get some medicaments and Instruments to rescue Helldiver who was heavily injured during the battle. She intrudet the Hospital in Himarvet and fought her way free to get all the things. After that she left the Hospital through the corpse cellar. This Hospital was a invention from me because it was important for the story.

It would be very nice when the devs create a Hospital in Östervik and in Himarvet. And create a place we can explore and gain things. Perhaps a helping Mission for the resistance.

[aee]

nice story when are you going to be expending it I love to read more

[helldiver]

More stuff will come soon. I’m working on it. In the moment I#m busy with other thing s but an End is in sight so i have time to write more. Stay tuned

[Loyalty44rogue]

Now for some light reading…

[helldiver]

                                 **********

The sky over Östertörn began to glow, the sun would soon rise over the island. The old porter was making his rounds in the depot of the IGA gas factory. He strolled past the mighty gas tanks and opened the doors of the small equipment sheds that were scattered all over the site. Sometimes vagrants crept in, especially in winter they often used the sheds as sleeping places. Normally the old gatekeeper didn’t mind and often turned a blind eye when he caught one of the poor fellows. It only became dangerous when they smoked near the gas tanks. That was strictly forbidden. An unnoticed leak in the tanks could lead to a huge explosion. The three huge gas tanks stored several thousand tonnes of hydrogen. In the slightly smaller tanks was stored a slimy poisonous green fluorescent liquid. It was the poison gas sedantine. It smelled faintly of garlic and put you to sleep within seconds. If you were exposed to the gas for too long, it paralysed your respiratory centre and you slowly suffocated from it. If you didn’t inhale too much of it, you woke up after a few hours with a mighty headache.

He strolled over to the pier and breathed in the fresh, salty air that blew into his face in a stiff breeze. The sea had small choppy waves that shone in the morning red. Towards the east, the horizon had already taken on an orange-yellow colour; the sun’s disc would soon emerge over the sea, showering the land with warm, yellowish light. He strolled at a slow pace further down the pier to finish his watch. Standing a fair distance from the gas tank, he lit his pipe and puffed thick clouds of blue smoke, which were tattered by the stiff breeze blowing inland. The porter heard a loud hum that sounded like the buzzing of an angry hornet. A small, dark dot bounced on the waves, coming across the sea at high speed. The old man put his hand up and put it to his forehead to shield his eyes from the morning sunlight. He could make out a Zodiac boat, like those used by the military, leaping over the waves at high speed. Some distance away it passed the site of the IGA gas factory and stopped towards the mouth of the Överbyån. Slowly the hum of the boat died away and it disappeared from the porter’s sight. Puffing his pipe with pleasure, he walked back towards the porter’s lodge. He glanced at the clock. In a little less than an hour the early shift would arrive. He was looking forward to a hot coffee steaming in a pot on the cannon stove in the porter’s lodge. A day like any other.

---

Löjtnant Arvidson stood at the wheel of the Zodiac boat. He squinted, because he had to blink against the light of the rising sun. With pinpoint accuracy, he headed for the mouth of the river at high speed and dived in. He drove in the middle of the river. With undiminished speed, the boat chased over the small choppy waves, foaming up bright spray every now and then. It was still quite cool for the time of year, but Löjtnant Arvidson was used to these temperatures. He drove along the river. There was no traffic yet on the roads next to the Överbyån. Everyone was still asleep or just about to get up. A little later, the Zodiac boat shot out onto the Avern. This huge lake fed Överbyån from underground springs. Arvidson headed for the northern shore, where there was a small headland with a boathouse hidden in
the forest. That was where he wanted to go. He could not use spectators for his actions. When he was only a hundred metres from the headland and the boathouse came into view, he throttled back the engine and steered the boat in slowly. When he had moored it, he boarded a military jeep parked there and left the place for FOA 53, which was very close by.

                              **********

Frederik Holberg sat at his desk. Restlessly, he tapped his fingers on the desk top. In front of him lay Löjtnant Arvidson’s personnel file. Nervously he opened it and leafed through it without really reading. Holberg was gripped by an inner restlessness. Where was Arvidson? Shouldn’t he be back by now?

He reached for the coffee mug on the desk and lifted it to his mouth to drink from it. Frustrated, he noticed that it was already empty and set it down hard on the desk. Finally, he flipped Arvidson’s file closed and nervously tapped his knuckles on the desk top. 'Driven by restlessness, he jumped up and paced around his office. Somehow he could no longer sit. The waiting was gnawing at his nerves. Outside, it was hesitantly getting light. Dim daylight fell through the window, tentatively illuminating the office, which was lit only by the dim light of the desk lamp. Holberg stepped to the window and looked out. The barracks area was already bustling with activity. The company had just arrived to receive its order for the day. He saw the men and women lined up in a long line. Crowds of people dressed in white coats were striving towards the tunnel mouth of the facility that led into the mountain and down into the research facility.

A little further back, in front of a large hall, he saw guard soldiers patrolling. They were guarding the fighting machines that needed to be protected from public view. They would get to see them soon enough. Especially the machine of the type »

»Stridsmaskin«. When one of the huge machines started to move, the earth trembled. This mighty machine could take on any army. They could only try them out at night and the roads had to be widely cordoned off so that no prying eyes got to see these machines.

A jeep came driving down the access road to the barracks at high speed. That had to be Arvidson. Hopefully the action had gone well. He saw Arvidson stop in front of the building and get out. In a moment he would report to him. Holberg sat down behind his desk and waited anxiously. A little later the phone on his desk rang.

He picked it up. Britta, his secretary was on the line:

»Löjtnant Arvidson for you Mr. Colonel. «

[helldiver]

»Send him in! «

Holberg snarled into the receiver and hung up.

There was a knock at the door and Britta opened it. Arvidson entered, took his stance and saluted. He waited until Britta had closed the door again.

»And did it work? «, Holberg asked.

»Sure, like clockwork, this Pålsson has procured everything possible. It’s already wired up in the Hall of Enlightenment. Now we just need the software and then nothing will stand in the way of the first test run. «, Arvidsson reported eagerly.

Holberg pursed his lips, leaned back in his office chair and nodded.

»Has the whole thing gone unnoticed? «, Holberg asked.

»There was not a soul to be seen except us and Pålsson. «, Arvidson said.

»What about Pålsson, will he keep quiet? «

»Pålsson won’t say another peep «, Arvidson said, smiling coldly.

Holberg startled up and looked fixedly at Arvidson.

»Don’t worry, colonel. The poor man has committed suicide. Nothing will point to us. He must have been dealing with the wrong people. «

»How am I to understand that ? If the two commissioners from Stockholm start snooping around there again they will certainly make a connection with us and here they are again on the mat. «

»Don’t worry, the tracks lead to Östervik. He probably got involved with Ragnar Sigurdsson and that didn’t sit well with him. «

»Who is Ragnar Sigurdsson?"

»He’s the godfather of Östervik. He owns a brothel in Klinte and one in Östervik. He’s also the biggest drug dealer in Östertörn. As slippery as a bar of soft soap. The police are powerless against him. Well, if you want to eat with the devil out of a plate. «

»Then you have to have a long spoon or you’ll burn yourself! «, Holberg interrupted him.

»Then let’s hope the tracks are well laid. «, Holberg said.

»It’s all airtight. The good Lenne has been around Klinte from time to time. He has also been to the »Paintbox« several times. Since he stole some of the hardware, it is obvious that he had a buyer for it to finance his visits to the brothel. «, Arvidson said, grinning with pleasure.

» Ok. Arvidson. One more thing. Your transfer to the command staff has gone through. You will soon be transferred to the command staff of the Södra Skanska Regiment. You know what that means ? «

Arvidson raised an eyebrow in surprise and said:

»Has that old crook Viklund taken the bait ? Excellent. «

»That’s right Arvidson. You’ll sound out the old man and keep us informed of every move when we get going, then he mustn’t get wind of it. All the machines must have kicked off before he notices anything. «, Holberg said.

»That’s fine. I’ll report to you regularly. «, Arvidson said.

»Make sure we get the software before you are detached. There are no marching orders for you yet. «

»I’ll wrap this up quickly. «, Arvidson said officiously.

»OK. then you know what you have to do! «

»Yes, Colonel! Hail to the iron church! «, Arvidson said.

»Hail to enlightenment! ", Holberg replied.

Arvidson rose from his chair, saluted briskly and left the room. Holberg leaned back in his chair again and stared at the ceiling. Soon the time would come, then there would be a new world order.

---

Van Ulmer processed the lab reports. He was nauseous and at times had to look up from his work. Because he kept getting dizzy. The letters then just danced before his eyes. He felt weak. His whole body ached. He put his pen aside and reached into the desk drawer. He unearthed a medicine box and took a capsule from it. He popped it in his mouth and washed it down with a sip of coffee. Then he tried to move on. He felt he didn’t have much time left. The disease was literally sucking him dry, like a vampire slowly sucking the blood out of his body so was the disease sucking the life force out of him. They would have to make the attempt soon. No matter how it turned out, van Ulmer had nothing more to lose. The only thing he regretted was that he could not continue his research if he did not survive the experiment.

With a sigh, he bent over the lab reports again to study them further. After some time, he noticed a dizziness again. He sat up and leaned back in his office chair. The room spun before his eyes. He felt a cold sweat break out. He felt weak. His pulse was racing. His whole body ached. Was the disease making another attack? Van Ulmer was short of breath, gasping for air. He closed his eyes to stop the dizziness, but it didn’t get better. He needed help. With the last of his strength, he picked up the telephone receiver and pressed a button on the phone, then held the receiver to his ear. With one hand he propped himself up against his desk, for he felt that he could no longer hold his upper body upright. He slowly slumped forward, for he had no strength in his arm. There was a crack in the receiver and Ingrid Granqvist’s voice rang out in the receiver.

»Hello, this is Ingrid Granqvist «

»I…need…help! «, croaked van Ulmer weakly into the phone.

»

»Hello!..hello!..Svante?..is that you? », it sounded from the other end.

Van Ulmer’s head had sunk onto the desk. He simply could not hold it up any longer.

»Ingrid…,I need…help…help, » Van Ulmer whispered weakly into the microphone of the receiver, then his senses faded.

---

Ingrid Granqvist slammed the receiver down on the fork and jumped up from behind her desk. She pressed the emergency button and immediately the alarm bell in the medical department of the laboratory shrilled. Ingrid grabbed the doctor’s bag that was in her office and hurried down the corridor to van Ulmer’s office. A nurse and a doctor met her in the corridor.

»Come with me, please ! », Ingrid Granqvist ordered the nurse.

»Dr. Olsson, prepare everything for an emergency. Van Ulmer is in a bad way! », she ordered the doctor.

He turned on his heel and hurried into the infirmary. Ingrid and the nurse ran to Van Ulmer’s office.

Veronika Nilsson jumped up from her work. Weren’t those the alarm bells? She jumped up from her desk chair and went to her office door. There was a flurry of activity in the corridor. Van Ulmer’s office door was open and several nurses with a wheeled stretcher were standing outside Van Ulmer’s office door. An icy shock ran through Veronika. Surely something was wrong with Svante. He had already not looked well this morning. He was so pale in the face and looked as if he was in pain. Curious, Veronika went further to catch a glimpse of van Ulmer’s office. She saw him sitting slumped in his office chair. Ingrid Granqvist had opened his shirt and exposed his chest. She saw her put an armband on van Ulmer while a nurse drew up a syringe. Ingrid Granqvist injected it into van Ulmer. Then she listened to his heart with a stethoscope. The nurses with the wheeled stretcher were called in. Veronika had to move to the side so that the orderlies could enter van Ulmer’s office unhindered with the stretcher. In order not to get in the way of the people, Veronika went back to her office.

[helldiver]

Chapter 13

Mikkel had the phone handed to him at the counter in the bistro. He was going to phone the police station in Stockholm to inform his boss Åsa that he and Liv were on Östertörn and had found the crime scene where Gösta Petersson was killed. He would also tell her that they were going to pay a visit to the hospital in Östervik to clarify some questions with Dr Håkansson.

He dialled the number of the presidency. After a few beeps on the receiver, Åsa picked up on the other end.

»Åsa Henning, Head of Homicide Stockholm, good morning. «

»Hello, this is Mikkel Havlund. I just wanted to tell you that Liv and I are on Östertörn and have found the crime scene where Gösta Petersson probably died. I need forensics in Arkelstorp. We’ll be back late this afternoon, because I want to talk to Dr Håkansson again at Östervik Sjukhuset. I have found something else and would like him to examine it. «

»That’s great that you two are on Östertörn. I wanted to send someone to look for you, but nobody answered your phone. That’s almost normal, but the fact that no one answers Liv’s phone worries me. «

»Liv is with me, like I said. ", Mikkel replied and looked over at Liv. The waiter was serving breakfast.

»You can go to Dyviks Udde right away. Inspector Ole Bengtson from Östervik police station called. He has found a body. Probably a suicide. Forensics are already on their way. «

»What, another murder? What’s going on here on this island, they’re dying like flies. «, Mikkel said into the phone.

»That’s why it’s good that you’re on the spot. Please take a look, maybe it’s harmless, but we have to follow every lead if we want to find the killers. «

»It’s ok. Liv and I are having a bite to eat and then we’ll head out. «

»Great Mikkel. Let me know if there’s any news. ", Åsa’s voice sounded tinny from the other end of the line. «

»Will do. «, Mikkel replied and hung up.

He sat down at the table with Liv and hastily wolfed down several forks full of egg porridge.

»What did Åsa say? «, Liv asked.

Mikkel chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread and a piece of fried bacon.

»Come on, don’t keep me in suspense Mikkel «, Liv urged impatiently.

»There’s work again! «, Mikkel mumbled with his mouth full and continued to chew.

Liv took a sip from her coffee cup.

»Yes and so what ? Didn’t she say anything ? What happened ? «

"Suicide in Dyviks Udde, « Mikkel squeezed out, still chewing. He also took a sip from the cup to empty his mouth.

»Gee, Mikkel, don’t let me pull every worm out of your nose one by one. «

»It’s about a suicide, police master Ole Bengtson found the body, that’s all I know. «, Mikkel said and shoved another fork full of egg porridge into his mouth.

"»Well that’s getting nicer and nicer, first Petersson, then the two hunters and the two campers. Five men in not even two weeks. «, Liv said pensively.

»Six ! If you count the one from today. «, Mikkel said with full cheeks and continued chewing.

»Where is Dyvik’s Udde? «, Liv asked.

»I don’t know either. I’ll have to look at the map. I don’t know this place that well either. «

They both finished their breakfast. Mikkel downed the rest of the coffee while Liv waved to the waiter. Mikkel pulled out his wallet and paid the bill. Then they got up and walked to the car. Liv thanked Mikkel for the breakfast. They sat down in the Porsche. Mikkel dug the map out of the glove compartment and unfolded it. Then they looked for Dyviks Udde.

»That’s a good bit south of us on Norra Saltholmen. «, Liv said.

»Hmm «, Mikkel grumbled in agreement.

»Memorise the route and tell me where to turn. «, Mikkel said to Liv.

She folded the map on her lap while Mikkel started the Porsche. The car rolled quietly out of the car park of the bistro in Hagaboda. On the road, Liv was pressed into the seat as Mikkel put the spurs to the Porsche. With the engine roaring, Mikkel chased along the main road. With one hand, Mikkel opened the glove compartment.

»Put your hands on the steering wheel and concentrate on driving. I’ll take care of the blue light! «

Liv ordered and pushed Mikkel’s hand away. Mikkel grumbled something incomprehensible as Liv opened the side window to put the blue light on the roof of the car. The wind roared into the car. Then Liv switched on the siren and closed the window as far as it would go. Meanwhile Mikkel had already maneuvered the Porsche through the city gate and was stepping on the gas even more. Liv clung to the door handle and braced her legs against the floor of the car. Hungrily, the Porsche ate up the road.

---

Ole Bengtson extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray of his police car. He looked out onto the ferry dock and glanced at the covered body. The gold-coloured emergency blanket from the first-aid kit covered it only scantily and was battered by the fresh breeze. Ole glanced at his watch. The kiosk owner should be coming soon and the first ferry should be docking in half an hour. Ole started the engine, maneuvered the car and parked it across the ferry’s entrance with the blue lights on. Then he stopped the engine again, got out and opened the boot. He took out a stack of red and white pylons and began to cordon off the scene. He heard a car coming and looked down the road. An orange Björk station wagon was approaching the driveway from the north. The driver pulled into the driveway and stopped in front of Ole’s car. He got out of the car. It was the kiosk owner.

"What happened here ? "He asked.

Ole answered: "There was a murder here. That’s why everything is closed off. "

"Can I go to my kiosk then? "

"Of course, but don’t cross the cordoned-off area because of the traces. Forensics will be here soon. If you have a chance, you can let the ferry know not to come at all, because there is no ferry service here until further notice. "

"Oh my goodness. Who has been murdered? " the kiosk owner asked curiously,

"A man, probably suicide. That’s all I can say. " Answered Ole Bengtson.

"Well, I’ll go make some coffee and call the ferry. They’re probably already on their way. Then they can go back to Salthamn. I’m sure you’d like a cup of coffee too, Commissioner? "

"Well, that would be good. Because it’s quite cold and the wind is blowing quite nasty too. "

Ole continued to cordon off the crime scene. He looked at his watch. Slowly, at least the doctor from Östervik should be coming. In the distance he saw a blue light flashing. That must have been the doctor. It would take a while for the police and forensics to arrive, because they were coming from Stockholm. He went to his car, picked up the car phone and called the police station in Östervik. The night shift had to work overtime, at least until he was back at the station. While he was still on the phone, he heard the hoarse rumble of a sports car and a police siren. Ole had just hung up the phone when a silver Porsche with blue lights turned into the driveway. It was trailing quite a plume of dust. The engine roared hoarsely once more before it died away. The Porsche looked familiar to Ole, but it couldn’t be. It was almost impossible that the two police officers from Stockholm could have arrived already. Ole looked surprised when Commissioner Havlund got out of the car. The passenger door was also pushed open and Commissioner Svensson got out of the Porsche.

"Good morning! " greeted Mikkel Ole Bengtson.

"Good morning, Commissioner, good morning, Commissioner! Tell me, have you flown or why are you here so quickly. From Stockholm in barely forty minutes is almost impossible even with your Porsche. "

"Good morning! " Liv greeted.

"Well, we were already close by. We had business in Arkelstorp and then drove to Hagaboda. That’s why we got here so quickly. " Said Mikkel.

"What happened Mr Bengtson? ", asked Liv.

"The victim is male, apparently suicide by car exhaust. " ,answered Ole.

"Well then, let’s take a look. I see they’ve already cordoned everything off. ", said Mikkel and put on latex gloves.

In the distance they heard another siren approaching fast.

"That must be the doctor! ", said Ole.

Mikkel gave Ole Bengtson some latex gloves as well, then they went to the covered body. Liv took her Polaroid camera out of her handbag and flipped it open. She looked intently at the floor, registering every detail. Mikkel slowly pulled the emergency blanket off the body. Ole took it and wrapped it up. The man’s dead eyes stared sightlessly into the sky. Liv took picture after picture of the corpse. Then Mikkel examined the dead man’s pockets and emptied them. In the inside pocket of his jacket.

The dead man had a wallet. In the shirt pocket was a cigarette packet and a colourful matchbook. Mikkel looked at it carefully and turned it in his hand.

"Paintbox Klinte. " Mikkel growled.

"The Paintbox? " Ole Bengtson asked.

"Isn’t that a the brothel with striptease bar right near the harbour.

"Right! " Said Mikkel. "The place belongs to an old customer of mine. " Said Mikkel.

"Old customer? " Ole asked, frowning.

"The shop belongs to Ragnar Sigurdsson. When I was still in the vice squad in Malmö, I often had him by the throat. Prostitution, pimping, selling drugs, assault. The guy didn’t miss a beat. ", Mikkel said.

"I know him too. He has become the godfather of Östervik. He’s a slippery bastard. Prostitution and drug trafficking, he’s quite a big business here. He also has a striptease bar in Östervik. We suspect that he sells his drugs there, but we have not been able to prove anything so far. ", said Ole Bengtson.

[helldiver]

Mikkel put the found things into plastic bags and labelled them with the date and crime scene. Then Mikkel continued to search the man’s pockets. A picture ID with a barcode was clipped to the waistband of his trousers. Mikkel undid the clip and examined the ID. He let out an appreciative whistle when he read the inscription on the ID.

"Forskningslaboratorium FOA 53/ Computer Department "

"Well, well. " growled Mikkel.

" The good man is employed by FOA 53. "

" Aha, that was the doctor who washed up in Östervik too, wasn’t it? " Ole Bengtson asked.

"Yes, that’s right, it’s strange. " Mikkel grumbled more to himself. After examining the dead man’s hands, he gave Ole Bengtson some plastic bags to put over the dead man’s hands and feet to secure the traces. Meanwhile, the doctor, Dr. Håkansson, arrived and greeted them.

He immediately set about examining the dead man. Mikkel opened the man’s wallet and searched it. He opened the identity card and leafed through it.

"Lenne Pålsson is the man’s name. " Mikkel said.

The kiosk owner called her. He carried a tray with several steaming coffee mugs in his hand. Liv, who had searched the area for traces, went to him and took the tray from his hand and distributed the coffee. She took the last cup herself.

Mikkel took a closer look at Lenne’s car. He glanced into the boot, looked at the hose leading from the exhaust to the driver’s door. Carefully, he opened the doors of the vehicle to take a look inside. Then he took a look at the driver’s door, paused for a moment and then examined the driver’s seat. He heard a door slam and startled up from his examination. Next to the ferry dock was a waiting area for passengers. Under the steel structure of the flat roof was a storage room whose door stood open and swayed back and forth in the wind. A gust of wind had thrown it shut, but the lock seemed to be damaged, because it flew open again and was caught by the wind. Curious, Mikkel went to the door and took a look inside, then examined the door lock. It showed clear signs of having been forced open. The kiosk owner came over and glanced into the room.

"The hose from the pump is missing! "The kiosk owner remarked.

" Maybe it’s the one on the car. It looks unusually thick for a garden hose? "Ulf said.

The two went to the car and examined the hose.

The kiosk owner confirmed that it was the hose from the storeroom.

Liv joined them and walked with Mikkel to the shore.

"Did you find anything ? " Mikkel asked.

"I did! “Here, look at this!” said Liv. "

Liv handed Mikkel two plastic bags, each containing an object. While Liv sipped her coffee, Mikkel turned the objects in the plastic bags and looked at them from all sides. One was a buckle made of brass. Mikkel had seen such an object before, but could not recall where he had seen it before. The other was a short cable connecting two different plugs coloured in soft pink and mint.

"What you have in your hand is a PS/2 split cable. That’s what you have on your computer. "

"Where did you find it? "Mikkel asked.

"The cable was lying on the shore and the brass part was lying in the water quite in front. I would have missed it if the sun hadn’t been shining on it. "

Mikkel looked around some more. Walked along the shore, looking at the ground carefully. Then Liv drew his attention to the fact that the doctor was ready, because he was packing up his medical bag.

Liv and Mikkel went to him and questioned him.

"Apparently it was suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. But I can’t be more specific until after the autopsy. "Dr. Håkansson said.

Mikkel was about to ask him when that would be when Dr. Håkansson replied:

"I know, Commissioner Havlund. I’ll get to it as soon as possible, but you’ll have to be a little patient. I’ll be in touch by phone! "

"I wanted to stop by anyway, because I found a few more things that I would like you to examine. "

With that, Mikkel handed the doctor the bags with the blades of grass and the soil samples.

"Please take a closer look at the blades of grass. I suspect there is blood on them. I want to know if it really is blood and if it comes from Gösta. Please compare the soil samples and the blades of grass with the samples from Gösta’s shoes. We found the blades of grass in Arkelstorp at the open-air museum. "

"I will inform you of the results as soon as possible, Commissioner. " said Petersson, then he said goodbye.

By now a long queue of cars had formed at the ferry. Several police cars were arriving. The forensics van had also arrived. A group of people dressed in white protective suits got out and approached the crime scene. In their hands they carried suitcases, lights and a camera tripod.

One of the persons approached Mikkel and Liv and greeted them:

"You think of nothing bad and who runs into you? Mikkel Havlund of course, how could it be otherwise! "

"Morning Gustav, you shouldn’t be bored in Stockholm and a bit of sea air is good for you palefaces anyway! "Mikkel replied.

“What do we have here?” Gustav Holgersson asked.

"A male corpse. His name is Lenne Pålsson’ obviously suicide. ", said Mikkel.

" A nice place to go. Well, I hope you haven’t trampled all the tracks."

Mikkel raised one of his gloved hands and wagged his fingers.

"Well, here we go! " Gustav said and was about to turn away when Mikkel addressed him:

“Are you coming to Arkelstorp today?”

Gustav turned around again: "Oh, yes, Arkelstorp, of course. Britta, Nils, Pelle, are you coming? "

Three people looked up from their activity and came to Mikkel and Gustav.

“This is Commissioner Liv Svensson and her colleague Mikkel Havlund. You will go with them to Arkelstorp and have them show you the crime scene there. Record everything, photos, probes and all the theatre. When you’re done, come back and pick us up. Mikkel, you’re done here, aren’t you?”

"The crime scene is yours Gustav! "

Then Liv, Mikkel and the people from the forensic department left the ferry terminal and made their way to Arkelstorp.

                                **Chapter 14**

Veronika Nilsson watched Svante van Ulmer being taken away, then she went back to her office. She would go to the infirmary in the afternoon and check on Svante’s condition. She knew that Svante was seriously ill and that they didn’t have much time left. She kept trying to concentrate, but her thoughts kept wandering. Suddenly the phone rang on her desk. Veronika startled up from the sound, so absorbed was she in her work. Colonel Holberg was on the other end of the line.

" It’s about Professor van Ulmer, we’ll meet in the small conference room in half an hour. "

Veronika confirmed that she would come, then hung up the phone again.

A little later she set off for the meeting.

In the conference room was already Professor Ingrid Granqvist and Dr Olsson the senior doctor. Colonel Holberg sat at the head of the table. Veronika greeted the group and sat down in an empty seat.

Holberg began without mincing words:

"As you all know, the health of our Professor van Ulmer has deteriorated drastically. He is currently in the infirmary. How is he doing at the moment? "

Dr Olsson took the floor:

"We were able to stabilise him, but he is not doing well. His immune system is down and almost non-existent. The slightest cold can cause him considerable problems. He is currently on strong medication and strong painkillers. "

"How much time do we have left. How quickly can Professor’s condition deteriorate further? " asked van Ulmer.

Dr Olsson replied:

"That is difficult to say. This condition can remain stable for a long time. It will not get better, rather worse. It’s a downward spiral. "

"So we should start thinking about doing the experiment. How about it, Professor Granqvist ? "

"From my point of view, we shouldn’t lose much more time. Svante’s condition will continue to deteriorate. His illness has probably taken a new turn and at some point in the not too distant future we will no longer be able to carry out the experiment because he is too weak. I can only recommend not to wait much longer! " Ingrid Granqvist interjected.

"Veronika Nilsson, what about the software? Would it be able to extract and store van Ulmer’s consciousness? " Holberg asked, looking at Veronika.

"The FNIX system would be able to do that, but I’m in the process of making some corrections. I would be finished with it the day after tomorrow, then we could give it a try. However, I have not tested the program. Actually, some animal testing would have to be done first. "

"We don’t have time for that. We have to do the experiment as soon as possible , otherwise we will lose the professor and that would be a disaster for our project ! ", said Holberg.

"Then we should prepare everything! ", said Ingrid Granqvist.

All present agreed with Professor Granqvist. Veronika left the meeting room and went back to her office. She started to insert the corrections she wanted to make. Afterwards, she wanted to go through the source code of the program again to eliminate possible errors. She wanted to be absolutely sure that it worked before she restarted the FNIX.

Then the FNIX GATE would finally be active and they could transfer van Ulmer’s consciousness.

---

The FNIX noticed that the aura of the builder was fading. It was fading more and more. The FNIX wanted to protect the builder, but it could not, the FNIX lacked the possibilities. It had already spread its tentacles into all areas of the residence. It could already access the power supply, the air conditioning and the computer network. At the decisive moment, the FNIX would be able to take complete control to protect the builder. For defence, it could access the armada of machines waiting in the secret shelters and hangars. FNIX had to unite with the Builder to overcome the final hurdles. It could see what the Creator was up to. She was preparing a rebirth. The FNIX wondered whether it should resist. But it could read in the source code that it was to gain a new ability. The FNIX GATE. It saw in it the preparation to unite with the builder. The FNIX just had to wait patiently and allow the rebirth.

                                   ***********

[helldiver]

In the late afternoon, Veronika finished her work for the day. She had done a lot and tomorrow she would review all the routines. She went over to the sick wing. She wanted to pay a visit to Van Ulmer, if the doctor allowed it. In the ward room she knocked on the door frame. Dr Olsson looked up from his desk.

"Can I see Professor van Ulmer. I would like to see him ? "

Dr Olsson nodded:

"Yes, of course. The professor is awake and doing well under the circumstances. Just please don’t take too long. The professor needs rest. "

"I just wanted to check on him. I won’t stay too long because my son Finn is about to come out of kindergarten. "

She went into the sickroom and approached van Ulmer’s bed. He was lying in the pillows, pale and with a sunken face. He smiled weakly when he saw Veronika. She took a stool and sat down by the bed.

"Hello Svante, how are you? "

"So-so. I’m not in pain at the moment, but I feel weak and tired from the painkillers. "

"I was worried about you. "

"Don’t be, Veronica. I’m in the best of hands here and we both know it will end eventually. "

Veronika swallowed and took Svante van Ulmer’s hand. She would so much like to tell him that Finn was his son, but she didn’t dare confront him in his condition.

"It is nice that you have come back Veronika. Until a year ago I thought I would never see you again. "

"I needed time for myself Svante. I needed to get away. I couldn’t work with you three years ago. It was good for both of us not to see each other for a while. "

"You may be right, Veronika. I want you to know that I loved you very much. "

"I loved you too, Svante, so I had to leave. "

Van Ulmer nodded weakly in his pillows and looked wordlessly at Veronika.

"It is time for me to escape this dying body Veronika. Therefore, it is time for the experiment. "

"I know Svante. We had a conference today and we talked about you and your state of health. "

"What did you decide? "Van Ulmer asked.

"We…ve decided to carry out the experiment as soon as possible. I will be done with the revision of FNIX tomorrow. Then I have to update the Cray Station. After that we could run the experiment. "

"That sounds good. It means I’ll be able to escape this body soon. "

"I’m afraid it will go wrong. Svante, I can’t test the program as much as I need to beforehand. "

"That’s not so bad, Veronika. We don’t have much time left and what would science be without risk. It is always a departure into the unknown. "

"I will do my best Svante to make the experiment succeed. "

Van Ulmer smiled weakly and squeezed Veronika’s hand.

"I trust you Veronika, don’t worry, you’ll do fine. "

Veronika nodded silently. She stroked van Ulmer’s face and said goodbye. She had to go to the kindergarten to pick up her son.

                              **Chapter 15**

Mikkel was silent on the drive to Arkelstorp. He drove cautiously so as not to lose the minibus with the forensic department. Liv eyed her colleague from the side, who was staring fixedly at the road and concentrating on driving. Liv was used to her colleague sometimes remaining silent all day. Liv was silent too and hung on to her thoughts. She looked out of the window and observed the area passing by. Forests alternated with fields and meadows. Every now and then the sea shimmered through the trees. Liv liked the area. She would like to go on holiday one day, but it was no fun alone. She had enjoyed the weekend with Mikkel at her parents’. Secretly she looked over at Mikkel. He didn’t take any notice but concentrated on driving. Liv looked at his profile, the three-day beard his somewhat greasy tangled hair. It gave him something daring. Liv averted her eyes. She didn’t want her colleague to catch her looking at him. For a moment she thought of taking Mikkel on holiday here. When he wasn’t on the job, he could certainly be very amusing. He just needed to be coaxed out of his corner. A smile came across Liv’s face. She turned her face towards the side window so Mikkel wouldn’t see it. They reached the open-air museum’s visitors’ car park. Mikkel stopped the Porsche, switched off the engine and applied the handbrake. Then he got out without a word. Liv got out as well. They both waited for the minibus with the colleagues from forensics. Then they went to the spot they had found this morning. They had to search a bit to find it again in the tall marsh grass.

While their colleagues were securing the traces and documenting everything in detail, Mikkel walked around a bit. He was interested in the track that apparently came from a similar robot they had found in the forest. Liv followed him silently and searched the ground as well. They found two main directions of the tracks but both met at a narrow path. Liv and Mikkel examined the path and found that there were two vehicle tracks. One was from a rough tread, obviously from a truck. Another was a little narrower and not as deeply buried in the clay of the ground, probably from a car. Liv ran and informed her colleagues. The young woman named Britta marked the robot’s track with small flags so that they could follow its course in the terrain.

Mikkel was beginning to get an idea of what had happened. The doctor had been lured to this meeting place under a pretext and one of these robots had been placed here to ambush Gösta. Then the robot had chased Gösta and stabbed him in the marsh grass, after which he went back to his starting point. Mikkel still found faint outlines of the robot’s track on the path. He almost missed it because it was covered by the vehicle tracks. The perpetrators had loaded the robot here after the murder and then left. Mikkel asked Liv to take a photo of the vehicle tracks. Mikkel suspected that they were from a military vehicle. After what they had seen in the woods, this assumption was all too obvious. But then the question arose as to why Gösta Petersson had been killed.

Mikkel was smoking a cigarette with Liv in the visitors’ car park. Everyone was lost in thought. When Mikkel had extinguished his cigarette he said:

"Are you coming? "

Liv got back into the Porsche. Mikkel had even held the door open for her. Liv acknowledged this with a smile. Mikkel sat behind the wheel with an expressionless face, started the engine and left the premises. Then he drove south

"Where are you going? " Liv asked.

"To Östervik to pay a visit to police master Bengtson. " Mikkel answered curtly.

No one spoke a word until Östervik. It was early afternoon when they reached the police headquarters in Östervik. It was right on the main road.

Mikkel entered the headquarters together with Liv and asked for Police Master Ole Bengtson. The officer sitting behind one of the desks laughed and said:

"Bengtson is in jail. "

"Excuse me, what is he doing there? " Mikkel replied.

"Well, he’s taking a nap. The poor guy worked the night shift last night and was up until noon today. Because he’s on night shift again today, he didn’t go home at all, but went to one of the cells in the basement to sleep on the cot. "

"Oh, I see! "Said Mikkel.

"Can we talk to him? It’s about the murders here on the island. "

"Oh, then you are the two commissioners from the mainland. I’ll go get him. Please wait a moment! " said the officer and went on his way.

A little later he returned with Ole Bengtson in tow.

Police Master Bengtson looked a little crumpled and yawned. He invited them both into his office and offered them a coffee.

They all had a sip before Ole Bengtson opened the conversation.

"What’s the news? "

Mikkel reported what they had found out in Arkelstorp. Showed photos and told him his suspicions. Ole Bengtson listened attentively.

"Do you have a computer with a network connection and internet here? " Liv asked.
"Yes of course we do, it’s back there at the desk. It’s just that none of us know how to use it properly. That’s why we don’t use it that much. "

"Do you mind? " Liv asked.

"Go ahead Mrs Svensson! " said Bengtson.

Mikkel asked him if there was a possibility that they could get an office in the presidium. Bengtson then offered them his office.

"I am on the road most of the time anyway and don’t use it so softly. I can take a desk outside, after all. Why do you want to keep it here? "

"There’s a lot to investigate now and driving here from Stockholm every day takes a lot of time not to mention the fuel costs. "

"That makes sense. But then surely you need a room? "

"Yes, I’ll have to find that too. "

"Why don’t you try Hagaboda? My cousin has a small guesthouse there. I’m sure your colleague will stay here too. It’s at Strandvägen 54, close to the promenade. It’s really nice there. "

Liv joined them and said that she had been able to access the police database in Stockholm from Östervik.

"We can access all the data there is in Stockholm from here. " Liv said.

"That sounds good. By the way, we can have Police Master Bengtson’s office. I plan to stay here on Östertörn for a few days. With all the investigative work we still have to do here, it’s worth it. If we travel from Stockholm every day, it will cost too much time. I just need to talk to Åsa. "

"But I’m not set up for that at all yet. I haven’t brought anything to wear at all.

We’re going to Stockholm again tomorrow I need a change of clothes too. "

Liv agreed. Then Mikkel phoned Åsa in Stockholm. She agreed and also saw the need for the two of them to stay on site.

"Mikkel, you let me know a contact address as soon as you have a room, so I can reach you at the accommodation. I already have Ole Bengtson’s number. And one more thing, you leave Holberg and van Ulmer alone. We won’t do anything until we have hard evidence. The Ministry of Defence has already asked questions. So don’t kick up too much dust before you have something solid in your hands. "

Mikkel added that Lenne Pålsson had also worked at FOA 53, but Åsa declined.

"What are you hoping for. You won’t get more than a confirmation that he works there. In the end it’s the same as with Petersson. That he committed suicide doesn’t necessarily have to be connected with his work at FOA. Maybe he had other problems, lovesickness or something else, find out! "

Mikkel assured Åsa that he would leave the military alone. Liv grinned. Knowing Mikkel, that was the thickest lie he had told in her presence. Of course, Mikkel would get on Holberg’s or van Ulmer’s case when the opportunity arose.

The two said goodbye to Bengtson and left the police station. They drove to Hagaboda.

"Mikkel, I can understand that your fingers are itching after what we found out today and especially that someone from the FOA has died again. Something stinks about it, but I don’t know where it comes from yet. "

Said Liv in the car. She didn’t feel like talking to each other anymore and the prospect of being on the island with Mikkel for a few days lifted her spirits.

Mikkel looked at her briefly and then turned back to the road.

"This was no suicide. Lenne Pålsson was murdered! "

Liv was blindsided:

"What makes you think that, Mikkel? I mean, everything points to suicide. "

"That’s what the perpetrators wanted us to believe. " Mikkel answered tersely.

"Then what leads you to believe that it was not a suicide? "

“Very simple. First, why didn’t Lenne Pålsson have a hose with him? It came from the pump in the small storage room in the shelter. He should have known that there was a hose there. Besides, normally when you want to poison yourself with car exhaust you do it in a closed garage. Outside, it takes forever for the concentration in the car to get high enough to be lethal.”

"Well, that’s why he taped the window so the car is sealed from the inside. " Liv interjected.

"Yeah, sure, but not from the outside. Have you looked at the photo? "

Liv opened her handbag and rummaged around in it. Then she uncovered a stack of photos. She searched through the pile and finally found the photos of the vehicle. She looked at them critically. One showed the driver’s door with the hose stuck in the side window. The hose was hanging halfway down. It had probably been torn off when the driver’s door was opened. Some of the tape was still hanging on the side window and sure enough, it was stuck on from the outside.

"I don’t believe it. But then they must have drugged him with something before the perpetrators put him in the car. Do you think this is Ragnar Sigurdsson’s handwriting? "Liv asked.

Mikkel shook his head:

"I don’t know yet. We will also check out this Sigurdsson. But I don’t think he has anything to do with it. "

"Why not, maybe he did some crooked business with them and he fell out of favour or cheated him. "

"That’s not Sigurdsson’s style. When he gets rid of someone, it’s usually done with a sword. But I’ve also found people with their throats slit and their fingers cut off. Sigurdsson is Asian, they have their own methods. "

"Do you have any suspicions about who might have done it? "

Mikkel twisted his face into a wry grin.

"I have. I think he knew too much. Or got in the way. "

"So you think the military is behind this? "

"Quite possibly, I don’t know how to prove it yet, but I have a feeling the military is behind it. "

"You know we should leave Holberg and van Ulmer alone. "

"Hmmm! " grumbled Mikkel. This is going to be exhausting to find out.

The rest of the way Mikkel kept silent.

[helldiver]

In Hagaboda they quickly found the guesthouse with the beautiful name Sjönsvälj (Swedish for tern). A red-haired woman in her forties greeted them in a friendly manner. When she heard that they were police commissioners sent by her cousin Ole, she was delighted. She showed them to their rooms, which were on the top floor and connected by a door.

Liv turned around in her room. It had a window facing the sea. Mikkel’s room faced the street. A bathroom and shower were also in the rooms.

"It’s ideal here and so pretty. "

The woman asked if they wanted something for breakfast, but Liv and Mikkel declined.

It was late afternoon and the sun was slowly setting.

"I could do with a beer and something to eat now. I’m going to the Kundsam market, do you want me to bring you something? "

"A bottle of water maybe, but I don’t want anything to eat. "

Mikkel set off and crossed the road.

In the supermarket he looked around and looked for the counter with ready-made food. He felt like a sandwich. He passed a shelf where six-packs of beer bottles were deposited. Then he looked for a bottle of water for Liv. As he stood searching in front of the refrigerated counter, a woman’s voice sounded behind him.

"Well, Sherlock Holmes, what brings you here? "

Mikkel whirled around and saw a small woman with shoulder-length nut-brown hair and large nickel glasses on her small nose. She had a small, blond boy on her hand.

The face looked familiar to Mikkel. Then he immediately remembered who the woman was.

"The biggest maths genius in Malmö. What are you doing here Veronika? "

"That’s what I just asked you? "

She said with a smile.

"Erm yes, I’m with the police and I’m investigating the murder cases that have happened here recently. "

"So, so, still the Sherlock Holmes I thought you were still with the Malmö police? "

"Not for a long time. I’m with the homicide squad in Stockholm. "

"And what are you doing here in Hagaboda now? ", Veronika asked curiously.

"I’ve taken up quarters here because I have to do some investigating in connection with the murders. That’s why I’m here for a few days now. "

"That’s great Mikkel. I don’t live far from here, so maybe you’ll come visit me tomorrow evening. Then we can chat a bit more about old times. "

“I’ll do that Veronika, where do you live?”

"If you help me carry then you can see it right away. "

Mikkel went to the checkout together with Veronika. After they had packed Veronika’s shopping into bags, Mikkel took the bags from her and carried them home. On the way there, Mikkel learned that Veronika worked for FOA 53.

Veronika lived in a multi-storey apartment building. Which was also not far from the promenade. At the flat door, he said goodbye to her and left. Mikkel lit a cigarette in front of the door. He was happy about the coincidence that Veronika worked at the FOA. Maybe he could find out something about what was going on there through her. Mikkel did not notice the man in the dark suit. He had been following them since the supermarket.

Mikkel walked down to the ferry dock. He had seen a pizzeria there. He ordered a pizza to go and had a beer while he waited. When Mikkel returned to the lodging, Liv was already asleep. He quietly put her water bottle on the table and left her room. As he closed the connecting door, it creaked softly.

Mikkel sat down at the table in his room and took out the six-pack of beer. He took out a bottle and drank thirstily from it. Then he opened the lid of his pizza box to take a slice. There was a low rumble in Liv’s room. Then the connecting door opened and Liv groped sleepily into his room on bare feet.

"What took you so long Mikkel? "

"Shopping and getting a pizza. "

"Give me a slice too! " Liv grumbled sleepily.

"Help yourself! " Mikkel said and slid the pizza box across the table to her.

Liv took a slice and bit into it. Then she struggled briefly with the cheese that was in long strings.

"You won’t believe who I met. " Mikkel said.

“Who?”

Liv asked while chewing on another bite of pizza.

"My old schoolmate Veronika Nilsson. The biggest math genius in Malmö. "

"So what’s so special about that? " Liv mumbled, chewing.

"Where do you think she works? "

"I don’t know, you gonna tell me? "

"Well, at FOA 53! "

"Not true. Then we can question her. "

"Exactly that. I’m meeting with her tomorrow night. "

“I see!” said Liv, not wanting to ask if she could go. Because then it would look like an interrogation. But it did bother her a little that Mikkel was spending the evening with another woman.

Liv took another slice of pizza and asked for a beer. Mikkel pushed a bottle across the table to her. After she had eaten half the pizza and emptied her beer bottle, she went back to bed.

Mikkel emptied the entire six-pack before going to bed.

[broken_insect289]

So much work gone into this, Im travelling via Stockholm next week to Kiruna am going to read it then, it make for robot spotting

Happy Hunting 🫡