The Blinded Man Read Online Free PDF

securing the situation.’
    ‘Sounds redundant to me,’ said Hjelm.
    ‘What?’ said Mårtensson.
    ‘It was because the perp
was
rendered harmless that I threw up. Because for the first time in my life I’d shot someone. Surely you must have encountered this type of reaction before.’
    ‘Of course. But not in the middle of such an important and unilaterally determined solo operation.’
    Mårtensson leafed through the papers for a moment, then went on: ‘This is actually just a minor addition to an already long list of questionable actions. Taken together, it looks like this. One, you chose to go in alone, even though the special unit was on its way. Two, you shouted through the door without warning. Three, you claimed to be unarmed even though your gun was visibly sticking out of your waistband. Four, you lied to the perpetrator when you attempted to talk him down. Five, you fired a shot, aiming at a spot that was not according to regulations. Six, you failed to disarm the person you had shot. Seven, you allowed a desperate hostage to mistreat and almost shoot the perp. Are you starting to understand the dilemma that we’re facing here?’
    Grundström cleared his throat. ‘In addition to this formal list, there are two more important elements that are worth taking a look at, pertaining to department policy and discipline. They have to do with discrediting the police department and with the immigrant question. Together they open the door to a freelance mentality, which has no place on the force. I’m not saying that you’re a racist, Hjelm, but your actions and the flood of praise for you in the media risk legitimising attitudes that are latent in large sectors of the police force. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
    ‘You want to set an example …’
    ‘It’s not a matter of
want
: it’s something we
have to do
. The fact is that I think you’re one of the least-corrupt members of the force. You speak your mind, and you’re a thinker, maybe even too much of a thinker. But our job is crystal clear. The point is not to get rid of individual rotten apples on the force. We have to ensure that any unpleasant attitudes that may exist in the force are not given official sanction. Because otherwise we’d be damned near approaching a police state.
    ‘It’s the same with our whole society. The abyss is lurking inside us. We project our own failures, the voice of the people, the voice of simple solutions. But the skin of this societal body, so loosely held together, is law enforcement. We’re way out on the periphery, closest to the crimes, the most exposed of all. If the skin is cut open at the right place, the entrails of the societal body will come pouring out. Do you realise what you may have started with your little freelance action? I really want you to understand.’
    Hjelm looked Grundström right in the eye. He wasn’t really sure what he saw there. Ambition and careerism at war with dedication and honesty, perhaps. Maybe even genuine concern about the attitudes that were doubtless simmering beneath the uniformed surface. Grundström could never be just another colleague; his role would always be special, outside. He wanted to be the superego of the police force. Only now did Hjelm understand what a top-level power they had sent after him. And maybe even why.
    His eyes bored into the table as he said quietly, ‘All I wanted to do was resolve a difficult situation as quickly and simply as possible, in the best possible way.’
    ‘There’s no such thing as a simple action.’ Grundström sounded almost human. ‘Every act is always linked to a multitude of other actions.’
    ‘I knew that I could save him.’ Hjelm looked up. ‘That’s all I wanted to do.’
    Grundström gave him a penetrating stare. ‘Is that really true? Look deep into your heart, Hjelm.’
    They sat for a moment, studying each other. Time passed. Something happened, an exchange took place.
    Finally Niklas Grundström got up