The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

Rafto didn’t answer. His brain had started processing again.
‘You thought you knew me,’ the voice said. ‘But it was just me who knew you. That was how I
guessed you would try to do this alone.’
Rafto stared.
‘It’s a game,’ the voice said.
Rafto cleared his throat. ‘A game?’
‘Yes. You like playing games.’
Rafto closed his hand around the stock of the revolver, held it in such a way he could be sure it
would not snag on his pocket if he had to draw quickly.
‘Why me particularly?’ he asked.
‘Because you were the best. I only play against the best.’
‘You’re crazy,’ Rafto whispered, regretting it immediately.
‘Of that,’ the other said with a tiny smile, ‘there is little doubt. But you’re also crazy, my man.
We’re all crazy. We’re restless spirits that cannot find their way home. It’s always been like that.
Do you know why the Indians made these?’
The person in front of Rafto banged the knuckle of a begloved index finger against the tree; the
carved figures perched on top of each other stared across the fjord with large, blind, black eyes.
‘To watch over the souls,’ the person continued. ‘So that they don’t get lost. But a totem pole rots.
And it should rot, that’s part of the point. And when it’s gone, the soul has to find a new home.
Perhaps in a mask. Perhaps in a mirror. Or perhaps in a newborn child.’
The sound of hoarse cries came from the penguin run at the Aquarium.
‘Will you tell me why you killed her?’ Rafto said and noticed that he too had gone hoarse.
‘Shame the game’s over, Rafto. It’s been fun.’
‘And how did you find out that I was on your trail?’
The other person raised a hand, and Rafto automatically stepped back a pace. There was something
hanging from it. A necklace. At the end there was a green, tear-shaped stone with a black crack.
Rafto felt his heart pounding.
‘In fact, Onny Hetland wouldn’t say anything at first. But she allowed herself what shall we
say? to be persuaded.’
‘You’re lying.’ Rafto said it without breathing and without conviction.
‘She said you instructed her not to tell your colleagues. That was when I knew you would accept
my offer and come here alone. Because you thought this would be the new home for your soul, your