The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

such as the Chief Constable – he knew, others he had seen in newspaper photographs but he had no
idea who most of them were. The Chief Superintendent brought them up to date with events. The
Snowman was a policewoman from Bergen who had been operating for a while from her post in
Crime Squad in Grønland. She had pulled the wool over their eyes, and now that she was caught,
they would soon have to go public with the scandal.
When he had finished, the silence lay as thick as the cigar smoke.
The smoke was filtering upwards from the end of the table where a white-haired man leaned back in
his chair, his face hidden in shadow. For the first time, he made a sound. Just a tiny sigh. And
Gunnar Hagen realised that everyone who had spoken so far had turned to this man.
‘Damned tedious, Torleif,’ said the white-haired man in a surprisingly high-pitched, effeminate
voice. ‘Extremely damaging. Confidence in the system. We are at the top. And that means ’ the
whole room seemed to be holding its breath as the man puffed on his cigar, ‘heads will have to roll.
The question is whose.’
The Chief Constable cleared his throat. ‘Have you any suggestions?’
‘Not yet,’ said the white hair. ‘But I believe you and Torleif have. Fire away.’
‘In our view, specific mistakes have been made in the appointment and follow-up phases. Human
blunders and not systemic flaws. Hence this is not directly a management problem. We propose
therefore that we make a distinction between responsibility and guilt. Management takes the
responsibility, is humble and –’
‘Skip the basics,’ said the white hair. ‘Who’s your scapegoat?’
The Chief Superintendent adjusted his collar. Gunnar Hagen could see that he was extremely ill at
ease.
‘Inspector Harry Hole,’ said the Chief Superintendent.
Again there was silence as the white-haired man lit his cigar anew. The lighter clicked and clicked.
Then sucking noises issued from the shadows and the smoke rose again.
‘Not a bad idea,’ said the high-pitched voice. ‘Had it been anyone other than Hole I’d have said you
would have to find your scapegoat higher up in the system. An inspector is not fat enough as a
sacrificial lamb. Indeed, I might have asked you to consider yourself, Torleif. But Hole is an officer
with a profile; he’s been on that talk show. A popular figure with a certain reputation as a detective.
Yes, that would be perceived as fair game. But would he be cooperative?’
‘Leave that to us,’ said the Chief Superintendent. ‘Eh, Gunnar?’
Gunnar Hagen gulped. His mind turned – of all things – to his wife. To the sacrifices she had made
so that he could have a career. When they’d got married she had broken off her studies and moved
with him to wherever the Special Forces, and later the police force, had sent him. She was a wise,
intelligent woman, an equal in most areas, his superior in some. It was to her he went with both
career and moral issues. And she always imparted good advice. Nevertheless, he had perhaps not
succeeded in achieving the illustrious career for which they had both hoped. But now things were
looking rosier. It was on the cards that his position as Crime Squad supremo would lead onwards
and upwards. It was just a question of not putting a foot wrong. That needn’t be so difficult.