The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

‘Disarmed?’ said Müller-Nilsen. ‘It’s our understanding that she surrendered without any fuss.’
‘She says the injury to her mouth was caused by Harry Hole catching her off guard,’ said Kjersti
Rødsmoen.
‘Should we believe a psychotic?’ Lepsvik asked.
‘She’s no longer psychotic,’ Rødsmoen stated with emphasis. ‘We ought to keep her under
observation for a couple more days, but after that you should be prepared to take her back. If you
still consider her a suspect, that is.’
The last remark was left hanging in the air until Espen Lepsvik leaned across the table.
‘Does that mean you think that Katrine Bratt is telling the truth?’
‘That doesn’t fall within my special field and I cannot comment,’ Rødsmoen said, closing her
notebook.
‘And if I were to ask you as a non-specialist?’
A brief smile played on Rødsmoen’s lips. ‘I think you should continue to believe what you already
believe, Inspector.’
Bjørn Holm had walked the short distance from the Institute of Forensic Medicine to its neighbour,
the Anatomy Department, and was waiting in the garage when Harry arrived by car from Tryvann.
Beside Holm was the green-overalled technician with earrings, the one who had been trundling a
body away the last time Harry had been here.
‘Lund-Helgesen’s not here today,’ Holm informed him.
‘Perhaps you can show us around then,’ Harry said to the technician.
‘We aren’t allowed to show –’ green overalls began, but was interrupted by Harry.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Kai Robøle.’
‘OK, Robøle,’ Harry said, presenting his police ID. ‘I give you permission.’
Robøle shrugged and unlocked the door. ‘You were lucky to find anyone in. It’s always empty after
five o’clock.’
‘I had the impression you people did a lot of overtime,’ Harry said.
Robøle shook his head. ‘Not in the cellar with all the stiffs, man. Here we like to work in daylight.’
He smiled, although he didn’t seem to be amused. ‘What is it you’d like to see?’
‘The most recent bodies,’ Harry said.
The technician unlocked and led them through two doors to a tiled room with eight sunken tanks,
four on each side with a narrow aisle between. Each tank was covered with a metal lid.