The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

‘Rafto was violent. And we know he was in Onny Hetland’s flat just before she disappeared, and
that Hetland might have had information that would have revealed the identity of Laila Aasen’s
killer. Furthermore, he disappeared immediately afterwards. It’s not improbable that he drowned
himself. Any road, we saw no reason to implement a large-scale investigation.’
‘He couldn’t have fled abroad?’
Müller-Nilsen smiled and shook his head.
‘Why not?’
‘Let me say that in this case we had the advantage of knowing the suspect very well. Even though,
in theory, he could well have left Bergen, he was not the type. Simple as that.’
‘And no relatives or friends have reported any signs of life?’
Müller-Nilsen shook his head. ‘His parents are no longer with us, and he didn’t have many friends,
Rafto. He had a strained relationship with his ex-wife, so he would hardly have contacted her
anyway.’
‘What about his daughter?’
‘They were close. Nice girl, clever. Turned out well considering the upbringing she had, of course.’
Harry noticed the implied common knowledge. ‘Turned out well, of course’, a phrase typical of
small police stations where you were expected to know most things about most things.
‘Rafto had a cabin on Finnøy, didn’t he?’ Harry asked.
‘Yes, and that could of course be a natural place to take refuge. To mull things over and then ’
Müller-Nilsen made a gesture with one of his huge hands across his larynx. ‘We went through the
cabin, searched the island with dogs and dragged the waters. Nothing.’
‘Thought I would have a peep out there.’
‘Not a lot to see. We have a cabin just opposite Iron Rafto’s, and unfortunately it’s in total disrepair.
It’s a disgrace his wife doesn’t give it up. She’s never there.’ Müller-Nilsen cast an eye at the clock.
‘I have a meeting, but one of the senior officers on the case will go through the reports with you.’
‘No need,’ Harry said, looking at the photo on his lap. All of a sudden the face seemed strangely
familiar, as if he had seen it not long ago. Someone in disguise? Someone he had passed in the
street? Someone in a minor role he wouldn’t have noticed, one of the traffic wardens sneaking
around in Sofies gate or an assistant at the Vinmonopol? Harry gave up.
‘Not Gert then?’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Müller-Nilsen said.
‘You said Iron Rafto. You didn’t call him just Gert then?’
Müller-Nilsen sent Harry a dubious look, ventured a chuckle, but signed off with a wry smile. ‘No,