Pursued by Death by Don Bartlett and Gunnar Staalesen

Author:Don Bartlett and Gunnar Staalesen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orenda Books
Published: 2024-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

25

It wasn’t long before I had Betty on the line. Her voice was high-pitched from the first moment and cracked several times. ‘Have you heard, Varg? They’ve found Jonas! In the sea by Markatangen. I know it’s him. Oh, my poor boy.’

‘Yes, I’ve just heard on the radio. Have you received confirmation that it’s really him?’

She was sobbing. ‘It can’t be anyone else. There’s no one else reported missing. Surely you realise that? It’s Jonas. He’s dead!’

‘Who found him?’

‘Someone out walking. They found him on the shore of the fjord.’

‘Have the police been in touch?’

‘No, not yet. But what can they do? Klara told me.’

‘Klara Kyvik?’

‘It was their neighbour who found him.’

‘But has he been identified?’

‘Identified? I imagine Harald recognised him.’

‘Harald Eide?’

‘Yes, that’s what I said, didn’t I?’ Her sobbing transmuted into painful, inconsolable weeping so she wasn’t able to speak for a moment.

I waited a little, then said: ‘Listen, Betty. Isn’t there someone you can talk to? Someone nearby?’

‘Who? They all hate me – they gossip behind my back.’

‘Your parents?’

‘They’re so old.’

‘How ol—?’

‘Mentally!’ she interrupted.

After the conversation I’d had with her brother, I knew I couldn’t suggest him. ‘But you must have some woman friends in the village?’

She breathed in. The words came slowly, but she seemed to have more control over her voice now. ‘I don’t know who now. You don’t understand the power Louise Sørnes has in the village, Varg.’

‘But — ’

‘I told you what it’s about. Just the same old stuff. The argument about fish farming.’

‘Yes, but in a situation like this … It must be possible to rise above disputes when confronted with such a tragedy.’

‘You don’t know how deep-seated enmity can be in a village like this, Varg. The village doesn’t lie on its back and wag its tail at you when a young man’s found dead in the fjord. Deep down, a lot of folk will be pleased. They’ll look at each other, nod and say: “The whale’s spat him out, but this Jonah didn’t survive. He’s dead!”’

‘Well, let’s wait to see what the police have to say. With respect to identifying the body. They’re bound to contact you. It’s their duty, to all relatives.’

‘If you say so … ’

After a pause, I said: ‘Do you still want me to see what I can find out about Klaus’s death?’

Her voice was stronger now. ‘Yes, I certainly do. There could be a connection. You mustn’t ignore that possibility.’

‘Have you got something particular in mind?’

‘The hatred between folk, Varg. Hatred and enmity over generations. I know what I’m talking about. I’m a victim of it myself. And now … ’ Her voice cracked. ‘Yet again.’

I had a question at the back of my mind, based on Kåre Kleiva’s flat denial that he was Jonas’s father. But this certainly wasn’t the right moment to bring the matter up. ‘Let’s stay in contact, Betty. I’ll continue my investigations, for the time being from Bergen, but I’ll come up to Solvik as soon as I consider it necessary. In the meantime, try to find someone to talk to.

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