Closed Circles (Sandhamn Murders Book 2) by Viveca Sten Read Free Book Online

committee, I believe—and I moved up from there. We all have our cross to bear.”
    The last words he said with a disrespectful tone, as if trying to get a rise out of them.
    “And now you’re the secretary and second vice chairman , ” Margit said.
    “Oscar was the first vice chairman.”
    “So perhaps now you’ll be Hans Rosensjöö’s successor?” Thomas asked.
    Ingmar von Hahne shrugged.
    “Our annual meeting happens soon. Hans cannot be reelected as chairman since he’s been on the board for as long as they allow. I’m not jockeying for the position, but I won’t say no if I’m asked. In this situation, everyone has to pull his weight, right?”
    He brushed an invisible piece of fluff from his shirt and leaned back in the chair.

    Isabelle von Hahne smiled as she entered the conference room. A pair of black sunglasses held her blond hair back from her face, and a few gold bracelets dangled from her right arm.
    She likes expensive things, Thomas thought.
    “How can I help you?” Isabelle asked. She sat in the chair across from them.
    “Would you like something to drink?” Margit asked.
    Isabelle von Hahne nodded, and Margit poured her a glass of water.
    “Can you tell us about yesterday? You were a spectator on one of the boats closest to Juliander’s when the shot was fired,” Margit said.
    “Yes, what a terrible day. Because Oscar was killed, of course. My husband and I—he’s the RSYC secretary—accompanied the Bjärring family on their boat. We’ve done this for so many years that it’s tradition. We eat well, drink some wine, and watch the start of the race.”
    She shut her eyes as she realized her description was disrespectful under the circumstances. She’d made a tragic day sound like a charming outing.
    “And then that horrible thing happened,” she added.
    “What do you remember about the actual start?” Margit asked.
    Isabelle von Hahne took a sip from her glass and paused to think.
    “What I remember from the start? Everyone was focused on the sailboats as they jockeyed for position. I know we hadn’t eaten yet, since we planned to begin once the large-class vessels had started. Some of our company used binoculars to see better, and Lena brought out a good Italian wine that we barely had a chance to taste.”
    She fell silent and twisted her wedding ring.
    “We were excited to see if Oscar would be the first across the starting line. That new Swan is a fine boat,” she continued. “He’s—he was—an extremely competitive person. This year he believed he’d bring home the trophy. It was all he talked about these past few months.”
    She smiled at the thought of Oscar winning.
    “Where were you when the starting gun went off?”
    “With all the others on the flybridge. There’s a lot of room, enough for a table in the middle. Even though there were quite a few of us, we all fit comfortably and enjoyed the wonderful view. We were having so much fun. Everyone was in a good mood, telling jokes and laughing.”
    “You were there the whole time?” Thomas asked.
    “Yes, of course. Except when I went to the bathroom.”
    “Could you see Juliander’s boat from where you sat?”
    “Absolutely. We could see the whole starting lineup.”
    “How far were you from Juliander’s boat?”
    She studied her manicured nails.
    “Maybe seventy, eighty yards. Maybe one hundred. It’s hard for me to say for sure.”
    “Do you remember anything else?” Margit asked.
    “Oscar was placed well. I remember that. I was admiring the entire starting line, however. That’s what we were there to see, after all. Those big racing yachts are so beautiful.”
    “When did you realize what had happened?” asked Margit.
    Isabelle von Hahne took another sip of water. Her brow tightened with concern.
    “It was probably when the Emerald Gin rounded off and stopped sailing.”
    “What did you do then?” asked Margit.
    “Axel turned the boat around so we could get closer and see what was