Cold Hearts by Gunnar Staalesen Read Free Book Online Page B

in for?’
    He hesitated. ‘What’s this about, Varg?’
    ‘I’m really just collecting background information. He’s got a sister who’s gone missing, and … well, some people are worried.’
    ‘Which of the sisters is that?’
    ‘You know them?’
    ‘By repute alone. Through KG.’
    ‘This one’s called Margrethe and she works on C. Sundts gate if you get my drift. Not at one of the offices, though.’
    ‘OK. I’m with you.’
    ‘Well, as I said … what’s he in for?’
    ‘You’ll remember the case if I mention it, but his name was never made public, so … the Gimle case.’
    ‘Gimle as in Gimle School?’
    ‘Yes, there was a teaching assistant who was pawing some of the boys in PE, and one of them – KG – reacted with violence. Over-reacted some would say.’
    ‘He killed him, didn’t he?’
    ‘Yes. Hit him on the head with a dumbbell until … well, he was left lying there. With his head caved in.’
    ‘How old was he?’
    ‘KG? Sixteen and a half.’
    ‘How long ago was that?’
    ‘Eight years.’
    ‘And how long was his sentence?’
    ‘He’s been in therapy for the whole period, and he’s approaching the end of his sentence now. He attends classes in town and his rehab is almost over.’
    ‘I see. Do you know if he has any contact with his sisters?’
    ‘With the elder one, yes. But not much. You know where the other sister has ended up. I would guess we’re dealing with a relatively difficult upbringing here.’
    ‘Do you know any specifics?’
    ‘No, he’s always been quite closed. Hard to get close to. Unless we talked about football.’ He sang the Bergen football song refrain: ‘
Hei-a Bra-ann
!’
    ‘Do you think he would talk to me?’
    ‘What about? I cannot imagine he knows what’s happened to his sister.’
    ‘I suppose not, but could you ask him for me?’
    ‘By all means! I can ask.’
    ‘Thank you. Ring me when you have an answer.’ I gave him my mobile phone number and then, as an afterthought, my email address.
    The last person I rang was Cathrine Leivestad, with whom I worked for the last year at social services. She had changed offices and was now in the Outreach Centre for prostitutes. I asked if she would have any time if I popped round.
    ‘What’s the problem?’
    ‘Maggi Monsen. Margrethe. Does that name mean anything to you?’
    ‘I know who she is, yes.’
    ‘She’s disappeared.’
    ‘Really! But what …?’
    ‘You know the type of milieu she grew up in, and one of her– let’s say colleagues – has initiated a search for her. I thought you might be able to give me some background details, about her and some others …’
    ‘And you were thinking of …?’
    ‘Two guys I bumped into. One called Kjell Malthus, the other Rolf.’
    Her voice took on a bitter edge. ‘Great. We know both of them as well.’
    ‘In a nutshell …?’
    ‘I’m afraid I don’t have any time until tomorrow, Varg. I’ve got meetings until late evening today.’
    ‘When tomorrow then?’
    ‘Can you be here at eight?’
    ‘In the morning?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘If I’m not there my alarm clock will have let me down. As well. See you!’
    Hardly had I put the phone down when it rang. It was Per Helge Brubak. ‘I played it by ear, Varg. Rang the prison to talk to KG. But … it turns out he’s done a runner.’
    ‘A runner!’
    ‘Yes. He had a pass this weekend and should have returned on Sunday night, but he didn’t turn up.’
    ‘Oh yes? How long has he been out?’
    ‘Since Friday after class. He left school at three. Since then no one has seen him.’
    ‘Well, I’m damned. The same day as his sister went missing.’
    ‘Exactly.’
    ‘But … I suppose an alert has been put out?’
    ‘An internal one, that’s all so far. He’s not thought to be dangerous to anyone apart from himself.’
    ‘Himself? You mean he’s suicidal?’
    ‘No, no, no. What I mean is … he’s not dangerous, not to anyone else, that’s what I mean.’
    ‘Anyone got