The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

Gerda furrowed her brow. ‘But before that there were a lot, I can see.’
She hesitated. Harry waited for her to say it. And then she said: ‘An unusually high number for a
medical centre, I would say.’
Harry had a feeling. This was the path they should take, this one led out of the labyrinth. Or to be
more precise: into the labyrinth. Into the heart of darkness.
‘Have you got any names or personal details of those tested?’
Gerda shook her head. ‘Usually we do, but in this case the centre wanted them to be anonymous,
evidently.’
Fuck! Harry closed his eyes and deliberated.
‘But you still have the test results? About whether individuals are fathers or not, I mean.’
‘Yes, indeed,’ Gerda said.
‘And what do they tell you?’
‘I can’t give you an answer off the cuff. I’ll have to go into each one and that’ll take more time.’
‘OK. But have you saved the DNA profiles of those you have tested?’
‘Yes.’
‘And the test is as comprehensive as in criminal cases?’
‘More comprehensive. To establish paternity beyond doubt we require more markers since half of
the genes are from the mother.’
‘So what you’re saying is that I can collect a swab from a specific person, send it here and have you
check it for any similarities with those you’ve checked from Marienlyst Clinic?’
‘The answer is yes,’ Gerda said with an intonation that suggested she would appreciate an
explanation.
‘Good,’ Harry said. ‘My colleagues will send you some swabs from a number of people who are
husbands and children of women who have gone missing in recent years. To check whether they’ve
been submitted before. I’ll make sure this is authorised to receive top priority.’
A light seemed to be switched on in Gerda’s eyes. ‘Now I know where I’ve seen you! On Bosse. Is
this about ?’
Even though there were only two of them there, she lowered her voice as if the name they had given
the monster was a curse, an obscenity, an incantation that was not to be uttered aloud.
Harry called Katrine and asked her to meet him at Java café in St Hanshaugen. He parked in front of
an old block of flats with a sign on the entrance threatening that parked cars would be towed away,
although the entrance was barely the width of a lawnmower. Ullevålsveien was full of people