Part 50 (2/2)

Gunnar speaks up. Yes. I have a copy in my office.

Iben thinks this a very good idea. The reception at Gunnars office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is open around the clock and is well guarded. The building has long corridors, ideal for escape.

Zigic turns to him. Is that so? At your office everyone will stay in the car, except for you and one of my men.

He moves until his boots are immediately in front of Gunnars face. And if you cant produce a file, well kill one of the girls. Immediately. This time, think carefully before answering. Is there a copy of the file in your office?

No, Gunnar cries.

Iben is so disappointed in him. He has fallen into Zigics trap. Its because he doesnt dare not to trust the prison guard. Gunnar needs to believe in the only rea.s.suring option, which is that they might survive if they cooperate.

Denim Suit has done the rounds of the apartment. He returns with a broad grin on his face, waving a used condom, and Nenad joins him in fooling about with it. Denim Suit finally empties the contents over Malenes head.

Iben wants to let Gunnar know he mustnt worry about taking responsibility. I have a backup copy. I left it in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for safekeeping.

Zigic moves toward her and repeats his threat. Well check. And remember, if it isnt as you say, Ill kill one of your friends. So its your turn to think carefully and answer me. Do you have a file copy in the ministry?

Yes.

When Malene hears this, she gasps and shouts at Iben: No you dont!

Iben slips into Danish. Malene, youve just killed me by saying that.

What?

h.e.l.l kill me now. If I havent got a file h.e.l.l kill me here. Youve just told him to.

Ibens outburst makes Malene break down. She starts crying again.

Zigic kicks Iben. Youre not to speak Danish. If you do, Ill have your families killed.

Malene tries to speak in English but is crying so hard she is incomprehensible.

But what else Iben, oh, Iben when they dont find it, itll be me who Zigic laughs. He walks toward Iben. Somehow he draws his handgun. It is suddenly there, in his hand. It is the first time she has seen it. A little click as he releases the catch.

Gunnar speaks quickly. Iben. That copy I gave you. Is that what you did? Deposited it in the Foreign Affairs Ministry?

Yes.

Zigic addresses Gunnar with condescending sarcasm. Listen to you, No-b.a.l.l.s. How interesting. I think I believe you.

He bends over Iben, pushes the muzzle of the gun against the back of her head, and slides it down until it digs into the hollow where the cranium meets the neck.

I believe you, Mister No-b.a.l.l.s. And he presses the trigger.

Her mind explodes. Gunnar. Malene. Evil. A future. A life. Omoro, who died. Rasmus, who died. Father, who died. A moment in Africa, when she stood on the back of a white pickup truck and decided that everything should be different from now on.

The blood under her cheek. The pool of blackening red is about to seep into her ear. She realizes that there was no shot, no bullet in the chamber.

She looks up at Zigic. Hes still standing over her. Shes still lying at his feet.

Malene screams, a long howl, with her face pressed into the floorboards.

Zigic speaks quietly to Iben. No such luck. Not this time. Maybe it will be second time lucky.

Zigic orders them to get up.

Nenad turns to Iben, explains that he is going to clean the blood off her face. Of course her b.l.o.o.d.y face would make driving through central Copenhagen unnoticed quite a bit more difficult.

Nenad goes off to fetch a roll of paper towels and, in the meantime, Iben collapses on the middle of the three armchairs. He returns, cleans her nose and cheeks, twists the paper up her nostrils and pushes. It hurts like h.e.l.l, but Iben thinks how careful he is being. Its a little like being a piece of fillet, lovingly marinated by a top chef, but knowing that seconds later, he might decide to carve you up or tenderize you with a mallet.

While he concentrates on her nose, Iben fumbles a little under the chair. And then she too is ready to leave.

The three Serbs stroll downstairs with the prisoners between them. Zigic is at their side, with Denim Suit scouting in front of them and Nenad following behind, keeping watch up the stairwell. They have been told to be silent, and when Gunnar tries to catch Ibens eye, Zigic knees him in the groin.

It has snowed. A thin powdery layer covers the dark, abandoned street.

An empty police car is pulled up on the white pavement outside Gunnars front door. Iben looks around for the bodies, but they are nowhere to be seen.

Zigic orders them to climb into a silver car parked nearby, Iben first. She is to sit in the back, with Malene on her lap. Gunnar is told to sit on the bulge in the middle of the back seat and direct the driver. Denim Suit sits next to him. Zigic gets into the drivers seat and Nenad into the front pa.s.senger seat, so he can keep his gun trained on the prisoners.

Ibens broken nose means that she cannot smell her friend, but they are so close that it seems she can taste her. The sweet iron flavor of blood blends with the warm pressure of Malenes body. It is the same familiar body she has hugged so many times, when they met or when something important happened.

Iben realizes that Malenes hand is trying to find hers. She responds, reaches out, despite all that has pa.s.sed between them. The cars movements press Gunnars thigh against Ibens, making her sense every slight vibration.

They cross the harbor ca.n.a.l on Knippel Bridge. One left turn to go. Zigic directs a question toward the backseat: Tell me again. Is there a backup copy at the ministry?

Gunnar and Iben both answer him: There is.

Okay. And you know what happens if we dont find it.

Yes.

The thin layer of fresh snow makes the streets and buildings look delicate. Ibens face is close to her friends back. Once, when the car b.u.mps, her nose hits Malenes spine and it feels like being knocked out. The blood must have soaked through the paper twists, because now a red blob stains the pale blue material of Malenes blouse.

Malenes body is trembling and she is crying silently.

They park in the lot in front of the ministry, a grand building that is almost completely dark. Two rows of street lamps cast a faint light on the snowy cobbled yard.

Zigic turns to Iben. You. Are you ready to come in with me?

Iben answers at once: Yes.

Maybe she sounded too eager. Zigic turns to Gunnar. You know where it is too, right?

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