White Night by J J Marsh

Author:J J Marsh [Marsh, J J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9783952519165
Publisher: Prewett Bielmann Ltd.
Published: 2020-06-01T22:00:00+00:00

Once again, Karoliina was waiting to meet them on the doorstep, but unlike the last meeting, her husband was present. She introduced him by his first name – Heikki – and them by their full titles. It soon became clear the man was going to stay for the meeting, which of course was Karoliina’s prerogative. They refused tea and Beatrice got straight down to business.

“The first thing I should say is that Theo and I are here to hand over our findings because we will be leaving Finland tomorrow. I appreciate the fact we have not completed the task with which you charged us, but we have another obligation to fulfil. That said, we have discovered a discrepancy we believe points you in the right direction. I’m only sorry we are unable to take this further.”

The brown-black cat stalked into the room and brushed past Beatrice’s leg. Cats, in her experience, made a flea-line for anyone who detested them. The more she ignored it, the more attention it would try to demand. She tickled it behind the ears.

“I see,” said Karoliina, her complexion wan. “I hoped we might persuade you to stay until the weekend.”

“Unfortunately not. Believe me, if I could, I would. In summary, Theo and I have been researching parallel lines of enquiry and it seems one particular angle requires a closer look. I should tell you I have shared our findings with Detective Sahlberg, as per our agreement.”

“And are the police pursuing it?” asked Heikki, leaning on his forearms.

Beatrice gave the man her attention, noting his neatly trimmed stubble and cap-sleeved T-shirt, revealing muscular biceps. “That remains to be seen. I hope to have a conversation with Detective Sahlberg before we leave in the morning. The theory we are pursuing is that the young people are willing participants in their own abduction.”

Karoliina exhaled in disappointment. “That’s what Jouko Lahti said. I can’t believe that flabby old fool is right.”

“On the other hand,” interjected Theo, “the alarm surrounding Samu Pekkanen’s health is less of an emergency. There is no way he would have participated in a fake kidnapping without sufficient medication. We believe he must have taken a second inhaler without his mother’s knowledge. If we are correct in our assumptions, and we can’t be sure of that, Samu and Valpuri are alive and well.”

Heikki shot a meaningful look at Karoliina and bounced up from his chair to pace into the kitchen. “I need a beer. Can I get anything for you, detectives?”

Beatrice did not need another distraction and drinking on duty was not a professional look. “Not for me, thank you, Mr Nurmi.”

“Heikki, please. I’m not Mr Nurmi. My wife and I kept our own names. What about you, Theo? Join me in a beer?”

Theo gave him a friendly smile. “Thanks, but not when I’m on duty.”

Internally, Beatrice added another tick to her assessment of his performance.

“Very wise,” said Karoliina. “Can we get to the details of the matter? I’m sorry to hurry you but I have to leave at three o’clock.

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