The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

‘Shall we go and have a beer while you tell me what you’ve unearthed?’
Harry told him while Espen Lepsvik drove them to the centre and Kafé Justisen, which was on the
way home for both men. They sat at the table at the back of the busy licensed café frequented by
everyone from beer-thirsty students to even thirstier solicitors and policemen.
‘I’m considering taking Katrine Bratt instead of Skarre to Bergen,’ Harry said, sipping from the
bottle of carbonated water. ‘I checked her employment record before coming here. She’s pretty
green, but her file says that she worked on two murder inquiries in Bergen that I seem to remember
you were sent over to lead.’
‘Bratt, yes, I remember her.’ Espen Lepsvik, grinned and raised his index finger for another beer.’
‘Happy with her?’
‘Extremely happy. She’s extremely competent.’ Lepsvik winked at Harry, who saw that the
other man already had that glassy look of a tired detective with three beers inside him. ‘And if both
of us hadn’t been married, I think I’d have had a bloody crack at her.’
He drained his glass.
‘I was wondering more if you thought she was stable,’ Harry said.
‘Stable?’
‘Yes, there’s something about her I don’t know quite how to explain it. Something intense.’
‘I know what you mean.’ Espen Lepsvik nodded slowly as his eyes tried to focus on Harry’s face.
‘Her record’s unblemished. But between you and me I heard one of the lads over there say
something about her and her husband.’
Lepsvik searched for some encouragement in Harry’s face, found none, but continued anyway.
‘Something you know likes leather and rubber. S&M. Apparently went to that kind of club. Bit
pervy.’
‘That’s not my concern,’ Harry said.
‘No, no, no, mine neither!’ Lepsvik exclaimed, raising his hands in defence. ‘It’s just a rumour. And
do you know what?’ Lepsvik sniggered, leaning forward across the table so that Harry could smell
his beery breath. ‘She can dominate me any day.’
Harry realised that there must have been something in his eyes because Lepsvik immediately
seemed to regret his openness and beat a quick retreat to his side of the table. And carried on in a
more businesslike tone.
‘She’s a professional. Clever. Intense and committed. Insisted with a bit too much vehemence that I
should help her with a couple of cold cases, I remember. But not at all unstable, more the opposite.
She’s more the closed, sullen type. But there are lots like that. Yes, in fact I think you two could be
a perfect team.’
Harry smiled at the sarcasm and stood up. ‘Thanks for the tip, Lepsvik.’