Free The Fourth Man by K.O. Dahl Page B

interest.
    Frølich made him wait.
    ‘What happened?’
    ‘I followed him in my car.’
    Lystad had to wait again.
    ‘It was lunchtime. It was half past one.’
    ‘But what happened?’
    ‘He must have spotted me. I lost him ten minutes later. Somewhere between Gamlebyen and the main station. The whole idea was stupid, so I wasn’t particularly bothered when he disappeared.’
    ‘What did you do then?’
    ‘I drove home and had a bite to eat.’
    ‘And then?’
    ‘Then I drove to Blindern University where I tried to meet a lady who works there. Reidun Vestli.’
    ‘Why was that?’
    ‘She has a close relationship with Elisabeth.’ Frølich searched for words before continuing: ‘They have, or have had, a relationship. I assumed this woman might be able to tell me where Elisabeth is.’
    ‘And could she?’
    ‘I didn’t meet her. She’s off sick.’
    ‘What did you do then?’
    ‘I tried to ring the lady at home, but only got the answer machine. Then I drove home.’
    They stood looking at each other. Lystad cleared his throat. ‘Anyone able to confirm you were at Blindern?’
    ‘I would presume so.’
    ‘Presume?’
    ‘There was a student. I was trying to find Reidun Vestli’s office. She was an MA student, borrowing Reidun Vestli’s office, and it was she who told me Vestli was off sick.’
    ‘And what did you do when you got home?’
    ‘Watched a film, looked at the walls, had a few beers.’
    ‘And the day after?’
    ‘Nothing. Looked at the walls. Got sick of that and went on the town in the evening.’
    ‘And can anyone confirm that?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘When did you get home last night?’
    ‘Don’t remember.’
    ‘What time did you get to Blindern the day before yesterday?’
    ‘I don’t remember, but it was in the afternoon.’
    ‘Well, Frølich …’
    The same smile, a touch patronizing, sympathetic.
    ‘I’ll find out and let you know.’
    ‘Were you in Ekebergveien last night?’
    ‘Possibly. I have no idea.’
    ‘And what do you think I’m supposed to make of that answer?’
    ‘I don’t think anything.’
    ‘You were seen in Ekebergveien last night.’
    ‘Well, then, I must have been there.’
    Lystad waited for more.
    Frank Frølich breathed in. ‘I was drunk. It wasn’t meant to happen, but I became sentimental. The last thing I can remember is that I was talking to a colleague in Café Fiasco. It’s by the main station – they sell cheap beer. Met a colleague there, Emil Yttergjerde. He and I stayed there drinking and chatting about this and that. At some point in the night I got into a taxi. The cabs are, as you know, parked just around the corner between Oslo Spektrum and Radisson Hotel. I don’t remember much about the drive, but I didn’t go all the way home because I was feeling ill. I got off in Gamlebyen because I had drunk too much and needed to throw up. And I began to walk to freshen up a little. I walked up and down the streets all night. I got into my own bed at eight o’clock this morning. I’d been wandering the streets for several hours, along Ekebergveien too, I’m sure.’
    ‘Did you try to get in touch with Faremo or his sister during the night?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘And you’re absolutely positive?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘One of Faremo’s neighbours thought he saw a powerfully built man sneaking around outside their door.’
    ‘I don’t sneak.’
    ‘What time was it when you got home?’
    ‘As I said, at eight. Came right in and straight to bed.’
    Lystad shoved his hands in his pockets and gave a crooked smile. ‘We’ll have to come back to this story, Frølich.’
    ‘I wouldn’t have expected anything else.’
    The silence hung in the air for a few seconds. The lift shaft hummed.
    Then stopped. The door opened. A woman with a stoop came out. She peered up at them. ‘Hello,’ Frølich said.
    The woman stared at him, then at Lystad, then turned her back on them and rang the neighbour’s bell.
    Lystad said: ‘You haven’t seen