Lifetime by Liza Marklund Read Free Book Online Page A

Bertil Strand, or anyone at all, just to escape from her former associate. Pia Lakkinen noticed the dismissal without accepting it.
    ‘I guess this kind of stuff happens all the time in Stockholm,’ she said.
    ‘Actually, the most brutal murders tend to be committed in rural areas, in small towns and communities,’ Annika countered coolly.
    Her statement had the desired effect. Pia suddenly looked shocked and worried.
    ‘Do you think they’ll catch the killer soon?’
    ‘Hard to say,’ Annika replied. ‘Twelve people are being interviewed up at the castle as we speak.’
    Pia Lakkinen’s eyes opened wide.
    ‘Really?’
    Despite the pouring rain, Annika stood up straighter: she was the one in the know. And KK wouldn’t hit the shelves until Monday, so she could afford to be generous.
    ‘Nearly all of them belong to the TV team involved with the show,’ she continued. ‘A few are guests or reporters on the job. I know who all of them are but one.’
    The small-town reporter looked defeated.
    ‘It’s hard to get information when you don’t know the police officers,’ Pia said. ‘I don’t know what the Crime Squad from Stockholm is doing here.’
    ‘It’s an old tradition that Stockholm is prepared to assist police forces all over the country,’ Annika explained. ‘But these guys are from the Homicide Division. They’re pros.’
    Pia Lakkinen glanced over at the castle.
    ‘As far as I can see, they just seem to be milling around.’
    ‘They always start by searching the grounds,’ Annika said, ‘for shoeprints and stuff like that. They work from the outside in, you could say. Do you know what time the police were called in?’
    The reporter shook her head.
    ‘The news flash was sent at 9:41 a.m.’
    ‘Yeah, but someone was already on the scene by then, probably regular beat cops from Katrineholm or Eskilstuna. They established the fact that there was a dead body in an OB bus parked behind the New Wing. By the time the news flash was dispatched they probably had sealed off the crime scene and isolated the witnesses already. I don’t think Forensics or any detectives had made it here by then, but they were on their way.’
    Pia Lakkinen looked impressed.
    ‘Is she still in there?’
    ‘Probably. They were working inside the bus a little while ago when I was over there. I don’t think they’ll move her before the rain eases up. It would destroy too much evidence.’
    ‘Have you been inside the bus?’
    Her ex-colleague sounded sceptical.
    Annika could hear the critical edge to her voice when she continued: ‘A struggle would complicate matters. They have to investigate the bus and the body. They examine her clothing and see if the body has been moved to the bus or if the crime was committed there. When they’re done and it’s stopped raining, they’ll move her.’
    ‘Move her? Where to?’
    ‘Someplace where there’s a medical examiner. My guess is Karolinska: it’s the closest hospital with facilities like that. A forensics team and a pathologist will remove her clothing. You know, to check for matter under her nails and stuff like that . . .’
    ‘Yuck,’ Pia said with a shudder, followed by an attempt at a laugh. ‘Well, how’s life treating you?’
    Annika took a deep breath.
    ‘I’m just fine. It’s nice to be back on the beat. I’ve been away on maternity leave twice, so I’m getting back into the swing of things.’
    ‘So, I guess the kids are spending Midsummer with their daddy.’
    Annika smiled.
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘How are the kids taking it?’
    Pia Lakkinen looked sympathetic, Annika kept smiling.
    ‘They’re fine. They’re out at Gällnö Island visiting their grandparents. We were supposed to stay in a tent, but in this weather I hope they won’t have to.’
    The reporter regarded Annika searchingly for a few seconds.
    ‘We? Were you supposed to be there too?’
    ‘That’s right,’ Annika said, laughing briefly. ‘But since it’s pouring down, it