The Catalyst Killing - [49]

I gave a quick nod.

‘So it seems increasingly likely that my guess is correct – that the woman behind Marie Morgenstierne who called out to her was Kristine Larsen?’

Patricia shook her head, looking pensive and rather disapproving.

‘Yes, that would seem to be a reasonable assumption. But: one, we still do not know for sure. And two, even if Kristine Larsen was the woman behind Marie Morgenstierne on the road to Smestad station, that does not prove in any way that it was she who shot Marie Morgenstierne. And there is nothing here to rule out that any of the others is the murderer. Trond Ibsen could easy have driven around in his car and been waiting on one of the side roads. Anders Pettersen could have done the same on his bike. Miriam Filtvedt Bentsen, who clearly knew about Falko’s infidelity, could, for all we know, have been anywhere around there. And the same is true of Falko himself.’

Patricia continued.

‘Now that we can confirm that Falko’s disappearance from the cabin was voluntary and well planned, there is much to indicate that he is still out there somewhere. But unfortunately I lack the information to say any more.’

I voiced my understanding and concluded that my next visit should be to Kristine Larsen.

Patricia nodded, as she pointed at the stereo player.

‘By all means, but the security police question should also be followed up. I do not trust them at all, and I am curious as to how they got such a good recording from the meeting so fast. I have a theory about how it might all link up. But there is a danger that Asle Bryne will not answer if you ask how he got the tape.’

I could only too well imagine that Asle Bryne would not answer that, and said so.

Patricia let out a heavy sigh.

‘My theory is therefore far too weak to be used as the basis for any confrontation. So we will have to test the security police procedures and send the tape to be fingerprinted. And otherwise hope that new information will crop up that can help to explain this side of the case.’

I looked at Patricia. Her eyes met mine without turning away – or blinking.

‘I do not leave any stone unturned in the hunt for a murderer. And you should not either. I think that one of the four who were at the meeting made the recording at some point. And I would dearly like to know which one of them it was. It could be of crucial importance to the motives in this case.’

I concurred, and promised to have the tape checked. Then, in conclusion, I asked about the strange story from Valdres. Patricia grew pensive and sighed again.

‘Let’s wait and see what young Miriam Filtvedt Bentsen finds out about the date. But if she is right, it is too incredible to be a coincidence. Henry Alfred Lien also said several very interesting things that are starting to make me think there is a link with Falko Reinhardt’s disappearance. But I can’t be sure yet, and any connection to the murder of Marie Morgenstierne is still unclear. Send the tape to be checked for fingerprints, and in the meantime, pay Kristine Larsen another visit; and then talk, if necessary, to the rest of the group. Contact me immediately when you have anything new to tell, whether late this evening or early tomorrow morning. I will in the meantime ruminate on both things and any possible connections between the two.’

I noted with some surprise that Patricia was happy to talk about possible links between Falko Reinhardt’s disappearance and the murder of his fiancée. Then I retired in order to continue the investigation.

X

I made a pit stop at the police station and sent the tape off for a forensic check. I reminded the laboratory of the strict confidentiality clause and that they should report directly to me. There was fortunately no kind of marking on the tape that might link it to the police security service.

It was half past eight by the time I got back into the car. But I was increasingly keen to get on with the case, so having started in the direction of Hegdehaugen, I then turned off and headed towards Smestad.

The theory that the relationship between Marie Morgenstierne and Kristine Larsen was tainted by jealousy was of increasing interest, especially now that there was more to indicate that Falko was still alive. It was not hard to imagine that Kristine Larsen might have been behind both the written threat and the murder, particularly if she had been the woman following behind Marie Morgenstierne. Whatever the case, I wanted to hear what possible explanation Kristine Larsen would give of her relationship with Falko Reinhardt as soon as possible.

I arrived at Smestad at just the right moment, at five to nine. There was no response when I rang on Kristine Larsen’s doorbell. But when I turned my head I saw her on the other side of the road, apparently ambling along.

‘Kristine!’ I called over to her.

I immediately thought that I should perhaps not have shouted. But her reaction made me forget everything else.

Kristine Larsen froze.

For a brief moment she stood like a statue on the pavement.

Then she turned on her heel and ran off in the opposite direction, at ridiculous speed. It crossed my mind that she was running in the same direction that Marie Morgenstierne had run. She was running towards the station.