Grendel's Game Read Online Free PDF Page B

in the notoriety. And he’s decided you’re the one most likely to catch him.”
    â€œIt feels right. The person you’ve described has killed before, and is rubbing our . . . my . . . face in it, because we haven’t had any idea what’s been happening. He’s had to tell us point-blank to wake us up.”
    â€œYou said the letter was posted in town, but he may have done this on purpose to trick you. This person lives to deceive and is very experienced, very good at it. He could be anywhere. Perhaps Stockholm, Malmö, or Göteborg. The anonymity of a large city would suit him, and also offer a wider choice of victims. You’ll have a hard time finding him at the outset. I hate to say this, but you may have to wait for him to act. When he does, he may get careless . . . perhaps on purpose . . . just to see if you can recognize the trail he’s left you.”
    â€œIt’s all a game to him.”
    â€œYes, and he’s invited you to play, Walther. But I’ve no doubt you’ll win.”
    â€œI wish I felt your confidence, Jarl.”
    â€œThis is an awful business and will probably get worse. What a fearful waste of human life and energy,” Karlsson said, his face drawn.
    â€œI know it’s getting late, but would you please write all this up and e-mail it to me tonight so I can have it for an early morning meeting? And attach an invoice. Don’t shake your head no. You’ve earned it,” Ekman said, as they stood. He gripped Karlsson’s hand.
    â€œWhen we get him, your help will be remembered, publicly.”
    â€œActually, I’d prefer if we kept my involvement strictly confidential. My patients might get a bit nervous,” Karlsson said with a brief grin, handing the letter back.
    Walking Ekman to the door, he helped him on with his coat.
    â€œLet me know if I can be of any further help. Good luck. And be careful.” His face was serious as the door closed.
    On the drive home, taking the E4 bypass part of the way to save time, Ekman went over their conversation. He felt more confident now that he had a clearer picture of his opponent. The ball is in my court; let’s see if we can send it back at him.
    His jaw had set so tight without his realizing it that his teeth had begun to ache. Relax Ekman, he said to himself, you’ve done this many times before. But not with such a maniac, or should I say, “very disturbed person.”
    It was eight forty when Ekman got home. The light from the tall front windows of the stone house he’d grown up in, and his parents had given him and Ingbritt, was welcoming and warm in the chilly night. It was the place he felt most comfortable and had always loved; he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. He pressed the garage door opener and drove into the brightly lit, oversized space. Ingbritt’s smaller, blue Volvo S40 was on the right.
    Coming through the connecting door to the house and peering into the kitchen, he saw the table set with two places. Ingbritt had waited dinner for him anyway.
    â€œYou should have eaten,” he protested as he entered the kitchen, giving her a kiss.
    â€œI wanted to have dinner with you. It’s too lonely eating by myself.”
    He washed up in the half bath off the hall, and going back into the cheerful, yellow curtained kitchen, sat down at the white birch table.
    Ingbritt served an appetizer of sweet, pickled herring with dark bread, while Ekman poured a Renat for each of them from the bottle he kept in the freezer.
    â€œ SkÃ¥l, ” he said, as their glasses clinked. Neither spoke for a few minutes.
    â€œWell,” Ingbritt broke the silence, “aren’t you going to tell me why you’re late?”
    Ekman paused and chewed before answering.
    â€œWe’re beginning a rather strange case. It may even involve cannibalism, believe it or not. I’d rather not talk about it now, over dinner,” he said,