Chapter 45 45

The scenery flashes past the bus window.Most of the time, she looks out the window: Sodertalje, Nyköping, Norrköping, Söderköping.Patrick had been studying printouts from police computers, apparently hoping to uncover hidden clues as he scrutinized the images. She paid for the bus fare for both of them.In the women's room, she drew a one-thousand-krone note from the bank deposit.After she met Patrick, Patrick had bought two bags of crisps and a two-liter bottle of Coke.He was quite surprised to see the two tickets in her hand, his eyes were wide open, but he didn't ask any questions. She likes that.

Seriously, why are you getting involved in all this? He shrugged. I'm so excited about this. She wouldn't let him off the subject easily. But really, don't you have better things to do than hang out with an ugly old woman of thirty-two? He smiled at her. Are you only thirty-two years old? Nonsensical question, he must have seen her age in the papers hundreds of times.She watched him until he finally folded the papers and put them in his inside pocket. I just don't get it, I mean, this kind of stuff is often associated with joining a group.Mummy and Daddy couldn't stop thinking about it.I just can't stand it, I just don't like playing hockey or football or other sports.That's the way it is, I don't care who gets into the Premier League, so what?

She nodded, apologetically. Ok, I just find it weird. She went back to staring out the window, and he turned back to his little paper. Westwick's victim was named Sauron.Soren Stromgerg, ID number 3602074639.They were going to find the victim's closest relatives.She remembered very clearly how she went to see Raina with great courage and hope.glenburg. She feels very differently now. The bus arrived at its destination on time.She remained hidden while Patrick went to ask the girl in the shop at the bus station which direction to take to get to Siver Street, where Stromberg lived.

The distance is not far.When she was about to reach her destination, she felt very uneasy.Patrick hurried ahead, unfazed and enthusiastic, as if he were going to some nice party. It was a two-story house with a double-eave roof, and someone had chosen a style that had been out of fashion for a long time and had tiled the walls, probably the same guy who used wavy green plastic near the front door. A porch was built.That was the final humiliation of the house, and made it look like it had lost its charm. The two stopped before the gate and looked at each other, and Sibylla shook her head sadly to show that she thought it was a really bad idea, which made Patrick decide to start walking slowly along the garden path at once.

Sibylla sighed and followed him forward, after all she had no choice but to stand still. What are you going to say? Before he could answer, someone opened the window of the next house, and a middle-aged woman poked her head out. Are you looking for Gunvor? They exchanged a quick look. yes!The two said in unison. She went to the dacha, in Segersvik.Shall I tell her you're visiting? Patrick stepped forward to the fence that separated the two houses. Is Sageswick far from here? I think there are about twenty kilometers.Do you drive? Patrick said without hesitation: yes!is driving.

Well!Please take the old road to Gamleby, past Piperkaro, then continue for about ten kilometers, where I think there is a sign for Segerswick. Thank you very much! He turned away to keep the woman from asking any other questions she might want to ask.As they walked along the path, they heard the sound of the woman closing the window.He said softly: That's where he was killed, news reports said, at his summer cottage. They walked on until they were out of sight of the woman next door.Sybylla stopped at the end of the street. What do we do now?If you keep walking, it will be too late to come back and take the bus.

Of course, we'll take a taxi, and I have money. This sentence sounds worrying. How do you have so much money?I mean, kids your age don't usually have that much money.Or have times changed? He did not speak, but kept his eyes fixed on the street. God the fuck!Patrick, you didn't scam money, did you?Do you have? No, I don't.But I borrowed some money. Who lent you money? There were taxis waiting at the bus station, and he started to walk back. Sibylla didn't move. I won't move unless you tell me where your money comes from. I borrowed some money.When I got home, I drew some money from the family gold.Take it easy, I'll be returning it before anyone notices.

Do you know?How can I pay it back? I have no idea.I mean, I'll figure out how. He walked on, but she remained where she was.He turned his head and shouted at her angrily: What's wrong?Do you just want to stand here and talk nonsense?What are you doing? How much did you take? He hesitated.one thousand yuan. She pulled another sacred thousand-yen bill from her wallet. Here, take it.Also, if you steal one more thing, I'll leave.I am not kidding. He nodded, surprised. do you have money That's right! He grabbed the note. She started walking towards the bus stop, and when she turned her head, he was still standing there.

Hello!What are you going to do?Keep talking nonsense?Come here! He hesitated for another second before reluctantly catching up to her. She watched the taxi's meter jump to two hundred yuan, and a chill rose in her heart.Taking a taxi is really wasteful, and the price is unheard of. Peppercar was far behind, and the tarmac had turned into a narrow gravel road through the forest, scattered here and there with farms and fields.It's hilly, sometimes even rocky.The two of them didn't talk much all the way, but fortunately, the taxi driver didn't talk too much.Patrick seemed to have restrained himself a little after being scolded by Sibylla.

This made her feel more comfortable, because now, the control was back in her hands. Then they came to the lake, where there was a small pier, and the pier was empty, and the boats had been hauled out onto land and covered with tarps until spring came.After this, the road passes through more wooded areas until it comes to the lake area again, and the whole landscape opens up.The sun was about to set, painting the western sky an intense pink. Are you looking for a farm? The driver shook his head, indicating a group of buildings ahead.Sibylla glanced at Patrick, who was looking the other way, out the car window.It was obvious that he wasn't going to chime in.Sybylla leaned forward.

I'm not sure yet.We're going to visit Gunpher.Gunvor Stromberg, who lives in a summer cottage nearby. The driver's voice sounded irritated. You should do better.Do you have an address? He continued to drive slowly, took a sharp turn to the right, passed a red cottage, and the meter jumped to two hundred and sixty crowns.Sybila swallowed, and took out another bill from her wallet.Patrick glared at her, but Sibylla avoided his gaze. We get off here. The taxi stopped beside the narrow road and slid as far as possible.She paid the fare, but didn't tip, so the driver didn't help her get the rucksack out of the trunk.The taxi turned at the intersection ahead, headed towards the city, and disappeared.It occurred to her that they weren't planning a return journey, and she sighed and picked up her rucksack. The gate was open, and the opening was wide enough for a car to pass through.There was a tin mailbox with a nameplate: Stromberg. She turned to Patrick and said: Here it is, the villa right by the water. yes! His voice was cold. How long are you going to be mad? He didn't respond, but followed her forward.The path leading to the red cottage descended sharply, but after a short walk you could see the roof of the house.The rest of the house is hidden behind tall bushes.Sybylla walked on, Patrick following.As soon as they got near the bushes, they saw the lake unfolding in front of them, and there was a pier jutting into the lake by the lake. It was a beautiful view.How could anyone be murdered in such a beautiful place? Are you looking for someone? Sibylla turned immediately.A woman looked down at them from the top of the slope, next to the porch on the lake side of the house.Sibylla had to talk, because she was clearly on her own at the moment, and Patrick was walking towards the pier. The woman, about sixty years old, was tidying the lawn, but she put away the rake.She took a few steps forward, toward Sibylla, with a slight limp.The two of them met each other in silence, and Sibylla could feel her temples throbbing.What to do next? Are you here to see the villa?But the real estate agent didn't say. Of course!They are promising buyers.Sybylla smiled gratefully. yes!We're here to see the villa, if you don't mind? The woman responded with a smile. I see.I'm sorry if my voice isn't very friendly, no you know?Many people come here just out of curiosity.Anyway, I'm here, and you're lucky. She cleared her throat, pulled off her gardening gloves, and held out a hand.Nice to meet you.My name is Stromberg, Gunpher.Stromberg. Sibila paused for a while before replying: Sorry, we came uninvited.My name is Margaret.Margareta Lundgren. They shook hands.Gunpher.Stromberg's hands were warm and damp from the gloves he had just put on. Is that your son? They both looked at Patrick's back.Sibylla laughed, a little uneasy.of course. Patrick was throwing stones into the water.Sibylla's heart was beating so fast that he couldn't be of much help.How irritable is he?Would he really want to take the opportunity to punish her? The sale of this house does not include the pier, but we have the right to use it, and the deed will make it clear.In fact, we use that pier the most. She didn't speak, and looked at the lake.Then she regained her composure. I assume you want to start indoors? Sybylla smiled. Trouble!Thanks! What about the young man? Patrick was still throwing stones. Patrick!come over!We're going to see the villa. At first, Patrick didn't come over. He threw another stone and walked slowly up and back from the pier.Gunpher.Stromberg smiled at Sybylla. oops!It's a tough age, isn't it?I've always felt that the best way to do this is to let them fend for themselves. Sibylla forced a complicated smile.Damn special age, whatever that was, she'd tell these young men a thing or two as soon as they were on their own. Gunpher went ahead, making his way toward the house, while Sibylla waited for Patrick to come.When Patrick was within a whisper, Sibylla whispered to him: Get your fucking spirits up!She thought we wanted to buy the place. He raised his eyebrows, quite surprised. why don't youYou seem to be hiding a lot of money. He walked past her.This is the second time in a week that her money has pissed people off and let them down, why are they taking it out on her? Gunpher was waiting for them, and Sibylla hurried after them.Meanwhile, Patrick had introduced himself politely. Do you want to look around for yourselves?If you want me, I'm out there. They exchanged a quick glance, and then walked up the stone steps to the front door. The house is small, but well-equipped.I think you'll agree with me, but the electric heater is a bit old. Sybylla nodded, and they entered the house.The murderer must have entered in this way, too.They walked through the hall and into a small kitchen.Everything is neat and well looked after, and the atmosphere is cozy and uninhibited.There were worn marks on the floor where the kitchen chairs had once been pulled in and out at the dining table, and the varnish on the oven door handle had worn away from years of use. There was a dizzying smell of paint in the air. Patrick had already advanced to open a closed door, where he stopped to beckon to Sibylla.Sybylla came and stood beside him.This room is unfurnished and has just been painted white.Patrick took a piece of paper from his body and whispered, fingering: It's that wall. Sibylla looked at the picture of the blood-stained bed and read again the message the killer had left in her name.At this moment, she wanted to rush out the door. Gunpher.Stromberg had come down to the docks, and standing there, with his back to the house, gazing at the calm lake in front of him, Sibylla felt she should not be disturbed.Patrick walked over to Sibylla. Go talk to her, I mean: We haven't found anything new yet.I'll stay here and look for new leads. He is right.Of course, they can't just leave now. Gunpher.Stromberg was unaware that Sibylla was nearby.It wasn't until Sibylla cleared her throat with a sound that Gunpher looked away from the lake and raised a hand across his face. Gunpher didn't turn his head. It's a very beautiful place. no respond.For a while, the two of them stood together without speaking.Sooner or later, Sybylla thought, that silence would force the other to speak. Sibylla looked at the marvelous scenery and knew that this was the place she had always dreamed of, a place of peace and privacy, a beautiful and natural environment.She'd never be able to afford such a thing, and besides, it wasn't long before she couldn't afford anything else.Suddenly Gunpher turned to Sibylla and said: I thought I'd better tell you guys myself, because if I didn't tell you, you'd hear the rumours.You don't live around here, do you? Yes, we don't live near here. I think so too. Sibylla took a few steps forward and stood closer to the mournful woman.Silence was still her best strategy.Six days ago, my husband was murdered in this house. Even if the other party didn't notice, Sibylla still put on a silent but surprised look. The murderer wasn't local, if you're worried about that. Sibylla glanced several times at Gunpher's face and saw tears streaming down her cheeks. Is it because of this that you want to sell the villa? Gunpher sobbed and shook his head. wrong!wrong!We originally planned to sell it, but we thought maybe wait until spring when the house price is better. She covered her face with her right hand, as if trying to hide her weeping from Sibylla. Sauron has been ill for a long time, it is liver cancer.Just a year ago, he had major surgery, and he was doing better than we expected, with doctors giving him a 44 percent chance of survival. At this moment she shook her head. I think I was looking forward to it again.He is taking medicine and returning to the clinic regularly.Everything seems to be going well.yes!He's tired at times, which is no wonder, but he can do some of the things he usually does.We thought it might be a bit of a burden to keep the villa, and with that money at least we could go on a trip together.After all, he can't have too much time in the world. She stopped, and Sibylla put a hand on Gunpher's shoulder, and Gunpher, feeling the light touch, began to sob again.We try to spend our time in this place and drive here whenever we can. Maybe you wish you didn't sell it right away? Gunpher shook his head. I don't want to be here anymore, I don't like being in that room. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a loud blast of trumpets.Sibylla withdrew her hand from Gunpher's shoulder and looked around in bewilderment. It was Magnusson, a neighbor who, as long as he was here, would blow the reveille and put out the lights every morning and evening, which he said was the happiest thing about being here. Despite the sadness in his heart, Gunpher managed to force a smile.Sibylla closed her eyes and imagined what it would be like to live in this place, imagining a neighbor who always showed up with a horn and played it happily from a safe distance, playing happy dreams. How much do you charge to sell it?I mean this house? The agent said it should not be less than 300,000 Sybylla's hopes were extinguished like a lamp. But to me, what matters is who bought the house. Their eyes met. Soren and I built this house in 1957, trying to make everything within our means.We've put a lot of effort into this place and we've been through a lot here.Until now, I still can't believe that I will just move away.The house will still be here, but someone else will live in it, not us. She grabbed her jacket and wrapped herself even tighter.It's as if we've never had anything to do with it here. Sybylla protested, and it was a genuine feeling in her heart. But you are related!Of course it is related, because of you, everything here is so beautiful.That house bears witness to your lives here, as does the whole place.Your feet made the path to the lake, and that path will always be here.You planted these shrubs and created this.I have never created anything that survives my death, nothing that people will remember that I existed. She suddenly stopped talking.Who is being helped by all this happening?Why not tell her the truth now? But you have a son. Sibylla cleared her throat, embarrassed. Of course I have a son, I don't know what's going on with me. She turned and shouted: Patrick!I think we should go and miss the bus! Gunpher looked rather concerned. Didn't you come here by car? No, we came by taxi. I'm driving you into town, and I'm leaving anyway.