The Snowman ( PDFDrive )

‘Up here, boss.’
Gunnar Hagen straightened up behind the vehicle as a patrol car swung up in front of the house with
the blue light swirling.
‘Should we storm the house?’ Hagen shouted.
‘No!’ screamed Harry. ‘He’s got her strung up. Just ’
‘Just?’
Harry raised his eyes, stared. Not down to the city, but up to the illuminated Holmenkollen ski jump
further up the ridge.
‘Just what, Harry?’
‘Just wait.’
‘Wait?’
‘I have to think.’
Harry rested his forehead against the cold bars. His arms were aching and he bent his knees to put
most of his body weight on his legs. The cutting loop must have an off switch. On the plastic
handle, probably. They could smash the window and poke a long pole in with a mirror attached so
that they could perhaps But how the hell would they be able to press the off switch without
everything moving and and ? Harry tried not to think about the ludicrously thin layer of skin and
soft tissue that protected the carotid artery. Tried to think constructively and ignore the panic that
was roaring in his ears telling him to get in and take control.
They could enter through the door. Without opening it. Just saw away the panel. They needed a
chainsaw. But who would have one? Only the whole of bloody Holmenkollen. After all, they’ve
each got a spruce forest in their garden.
‘Get hold of a chainsaw from the neighbour’s house,’ Harry yelled.
Down below he heard the sound of running. And a splash inside the bedroom. Harry’s heart stopped
and he stared in. The whole of the snowman’s left side was gone. It had sheered off and landed in
the water. The snowman was collapsing. He saw Rakel’s whole body tremble as she fought to
maintain her balance to keep away from the white, tear-shaped gallows noose. They would never
get back with the chainsaw in time, let alone cut through the door.
‘Hagen!’ Harry heard the shrill hysteria in his own voice. ‘The patrol cars have got a tow rope.
Sling it up here and reverse the Land Rover to the wall.’
Harry heard a buzz of voices, the Land Rover’s engine revving in reverse and a car boot being
opened.
‘Catch!’
Harry let go of the bar with one hand and turned to see the coiled rope coming towards him. He