The Disciple (72 page)

A man answered almost immediately. ‘Yes?’

‘Good morning,’ Ellinor said. ‘I’d like to speak to Trolle Hermansson.’

‘Who’s calling?’ the man wanted to know.

‘My name is Ellinor. I work at the Åhléns department store. The items Trolle ordered have arrived.’

She couldn’t help smiling. This was exciting! Sebastian would be proud of her. She was almost like a real police officer.

There was silence at the other end of the line.

‘Hello? Who am I speaking to?’ Ellinor asked.

‘This is the police.’

‘Is Trolle there?’

Silence. She had a feeling the man was hesitating. Trying to make a decision.

‘He’s dead.’

She hadn’t expected that.

‘I see . . . When did he die?’

‘A few days ago. So I don’t think anyone will be collecting whatever it was he ordered.’

‘No, of course not. Thank you. My condolences,’ she said, ending the call. She didn’t feel in the least bit calmer. Quite the reverse. The man who had put together most of the material in front of her was dead. And Sebastian had told her to destroy it. It seemed that Valdemar Lithner would never be called to answer for his transgressions. Unless of course she helped Sebastian out.

If Valdemar Lithner was threatening her man, she had to act.

That was the least she could do.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Norstedts. To Eva, Linda, Sara and everyone else who works with us and our books in various ways. We always feel so welcome and well taken care of. Particular thanks to Susanna Romanus and Peter Karlsson for your great support and constant encouragement.

Thank you also to Dr Anders Lindberg who happily listens to all our peculiar questions and not only answers them, but also comes up with suggestions and ideas. Everything that is medically accurate in the book is down to you; everything that isn’t is our fault.

We would also like to extend special thanks to Rolf Lassgård for all the help and inspiration he has given us in the creation of Sebastian Bergman. You have been with us all the way, Rolf, and in every way.

And of course we must thank our families, who have had to put up with the fact that sometimes we have spent more time with Sebastian than with them.

Michael would like to thank Caesar, William, Vanessa and his beloved Astrid for all the love and for the words here and now. Thank you – you mean everything to me.

Hans would like to thank Lotta; I’m so lucky to have you. Sixten, Alice and Ebba, you make me proud and happy every single day. You’re the best in every way, and I love you!

NOW READ THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES

DARK SECRETS
Hjorth and Rosenfeldt

‘A thrilling plot with lots of twists and turns . . . the best Swedish crime export of the year.’ —
Die Welt
(Germany)

It all begins with a call to the police. A sixteen-year-old boy, Roger Eriksson, has gone missing. A search is organised and a group of young scouts makes an awful discovery in a marsh: Roger is dead, his heart removed.

At the same time, Sebastian Bergman, psychologist criminal profiler and one of Sweden’s top experts on serial killers, is in Roger’s home town dealing with family matters. Sebastian has become numb to life since the death of his wife and daughter and uses sex to escape the memories of what he’s lost. But CID—which has taken over the case—needs his help.

Sebastian is drawn into the murder investigation, and what he lacks in social skills he makes up for in psychological insights as he exposes numerous betrayals and secrets—including his own.

ISBN 978 1 74336 504 5