The Indian Bride by Karin Fossum Read Free Book Online Page A

last minute had never crossed his mind. But it had just crossed hers. He had given her money and bought her a ticket, which she might have been able to cash in. A fortune for a poor woman. Besides it was absolutely impossible to imagine an Indian woman in a turquoise sari in Gunder's kitchen. She didn't say this. She told her brother to drive carefully the long way up the E6.
    "Traffic's terrible," she said. "Tomorrow's not a good day for you to have an accident. That would be bad timing."
    "It would indeed," Gunder said.

CHAPTER 4
    August 20. He had taken the day off work. He got up at 7:00 and drew the curtains. The weather had been fine for a long time, but today the sky was heavy and black and it annoyed him. However, there was some wind, too; perhaps it would brighten up later. Gunder was optimistic. He took a long and thorough shower and made himself a hearty breakfast. Puttered about the house. Studied the photograph of Poona and himself on the wall above his desk. Checked the sky to see if anything was happening. At about 2 P.M. he saw a blue crack. Soon afterward the sun broke through with twinkling rays. Gunder took this as a sign. The rays were for Poona. In his mind he saw her all the time even as he assumed that she saw him, meeting her gaze in rapid glimpses. Then he could not see her anymore. So he had to find something to do with himself—such as get the mail. Look through the paper. Another hour and a half, he thought, and then I'll be on my way. But why not now? There will be less traffic if I go now. He folded the newspaper carefully and got swiftly to his feet. Left a window ajar and was just about to get the keys from the hook on the wall when the telephone rang. Ominously. No doubt someone from work. They never could manage on their own. That was why he was irritated when he answered. It was a woman's voice, not a voice he knew, but he heard the words clearly on the phone. The Central Hospital.
Marie Jomann Dahl, was she a relative of his? Gunder's breath caught in his throat.
    "Yes, my sister. What's happened?"
    "A road accident," the woman replied.
    He looked at the clock, confused. What had she got up to now?
    "Is it serious?" he said.
    "I have only been asked to contact the nearest relatives," she said, avoiding his question. "Are you able to come to the hospital?"
    "Of course," Gunder said. "I'll leave right away. I should be there in half an hour."
    He felt a nasty tightening in his chest. Not that he thought it was something life-threatening, she didn't drive fast enough to seriously hurt herself, but he had to go and meet Poona. Of course he would still make it; Marie would understand that it was important. He grabbed the keys and ran from the house. Drove without concentrating toward the town, checking his watch every few minutes. He imagined an arm in a cast and perhaps some stitches. There goes the venison you promised, he thought. There could be something wrong with her car and she might need a lift home. And
she
had told
him
to drive safely! He breathed through his nose to calm himself. Made his way to the hospital. Searched frantically for a parking space.
    "Tenth floor. Neurology," said the woman in reception.
    "Neurology?" he said, short of breath again. And went into the elevator. Stood in it with his heart pounding. Poona's on the plane, he thought; she knows I am coming to get her. This won't take long. A sense of guilt consumed him; that bloody Karsten, who was never there when you needed him! He started to sweat. The elevator stopped. A doctor was waiting outside.
    "Jomann?"
    "Yes! How is she?"
    The doctor was finding this difficult. Gunder could see that instantly.
    "At the moment we're not exactly sure," he said. The words came in cautious fragments.
    Gunder was amazed. Surely they knew what her condition was?
    "I'm afraid she has been seriously injured," he went on, looking at Gunder sadly. "She has suffered severe head injuries. For the present she's in a coma."
    Gunder leaned