Mirror Image by Gunnar Staalesen

Author:Gunnar Staalesen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orenda Books
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

‘Lots of women in this, Veum,’ Helleve said.

‘Whose names all start with B,’ Bergesen added.

‘I have a predilection for women whose names start with B,’ I said. ‘But I can’t always distinguish between first and last names.’ When I saw her cheeks begin to redden, I added: ‘Surely you must’ve noticed last December?’ With an embarrassed smile, she blushed.

‘But only Harry made you cry,’ Helleve interrupted.

‘Yes, but he’s dead,’ I said, somewhat disorientated.

‘Not…? Is this the Birger Bjelland case?’

‘Exactly. February this year. Harry Hopsland. As I’m sure you remember, he lunged at me with a knife on a construction site in Sandviken. In the heat of battle, he plunged to his death. I reported myself to the police, and not even Muus suggested a charge. It was self-defence, Helleve. He’d been after me for years.’

‘He was after you?’

‘Yes, ever since I worked in child welfare.’

‘Right. And he worked with Bjelland?’

‘He was in cahoots with him, on this occasion at least.’

‘Would it be correct to say Bjelland used him against you?’

‘You can certainly say that. But where are you going with this, Helleve?’

He raised a sheet of paper from his desk, as far as I could see a photocopy of what I was holding. ‘These other names. Bodil, Berit, Beate. Can you explain them?’

‘Bodil and Berit are part of a case I’m working on. Nothing criminal as yet.’

‘What kind of case is it then?’

‘Missing persons.’

He eyed me expectantly. ‘And?’

‘We can – perhaps – come back to that. Beate… ’ I cleared my throat. ‘That must be my ex-wife.’

‘Ex?’

I smiled helplessly. ‘We got divorced in 1974. Why on earth would I mention her…?’

‘Young love never dies?’ Bergesen commented from the side-lines. ‘Don’t forget that theoretically you could be a dead man now.’

‘I’ll give that some thought.’

‘The bit that Solheim wasn’t sure about,’ Helleve said, ‘TVO, is that correct?’

‘Yes, good guess. Except that it should be a W in the middle. TWO, Trans World Ocean, a shipping firm. There may be a connection with the job I’m working on.’

‘Dutiful to the last, I see. The present case and your ex. Your last thoughts, theoretically speaking.’

For some reason I found what he said depressing. ‘Well… ’ I looked to Bergesen for help. She just grinned and pushed her large glasses up her nose again.

‘Have you anything to add?’ Helleve asked.

‘Regarding the case?’

‘Yes.’

I shook my head, but stopped at once. It had brought on my headache again. ‘My client has insisted I keep the police out of it. However … if you promise not to say a word and in return give me a helping hand with a bit of genuine information, I can give you the bare bones.’

They exchanged looks, and Helleve nodded. ‘Fine.’

In brief outline, I told them about the disappearance of Bodil Breheim and Fernando Garrido. I mentioned nothing about the events of 1957 and nothing about the Seagull and its delayed departure from Hamburg. ‘There may well be a natural explanation for it all. I suppose that’s why the family hasn’t contacted the police.

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