Free Murder in Malmö: The second Inspector Anita Sundström mystery (Inspector Anita Sundström mysteries) by Torquil MacLeod

the investigation that hadn’t been made public or even revealed to his daughter. That had the wanker spluttering into his cappuccino.’
    There was a knock on the door and Westermark and Wallen came in. Wallen appeared particularly nervous. Like many in the polishus, she was frightened of Moberg. She wished Anita was here for moral support.
    ‘OK,’ Moberg grunted. ‘Before we start, just to let you know that Kristina Ekman and Dag Wollstad are officially off limits. For the moment. If we go down that route we have to tread very carefully. The evidence has to be so strong that even Blom will have to get off her snotty little arse and do some prosecuting.’
    ‘But we have to consider that Kristina Ekman was a possible victim.’
    Moberg nodded in agreement with Nordlund. ‘Yes, we can look into that, whatever Wollstad says. My money is on Wollstad having something to do with this business. He certainly had commercial connections with Ekman. Gave him a foot up. Ekman’s agency does the advertising for some of his companies. It probably enabled him to keep an eye on him.’
    ‘That’s interesting,’ said Westermark. ‘Ekman & Johnasson’s financial director was brought in from one of Wollstad’s other companies. Bo Nilsson. Older guy who doesn’t seem to fit into the trendy advertising scene.’
    ‘Probably put in there by Wollstad to protect his investment,’ Nordlund suggested.
    ‘And keep an eye on young Tommy.’ Westermark smirked. ‘If he was being a naughty boy, then Wollstad would find out pretty quickly.’
    ‘You can’t escape Wollstad,’ sighed Moberg. ‘But we’ve got to look at other alternatives. Anyone in the frame at the agency?’
    ‘We spoke to Elin Marklund. She didn’t seem too distraught by her boss’s death. Very composed. She wasn’t letting on if she was the one who Ekman had sex with. But she’s got a husband, so she’s not likely to.’
    ‘Has she got an alibi?’
    Westermark glanced at Wallen. She gulped before she spoke, her voice hoarse. ‘Marklund left the office after their drinks party at 9.57. She took a taxi home. She lives down in Skanör.’
    ‘How can you be so sure when she left?’ Moberg asked.
    ‘I checked with the taxi firm.’
    ‘So, either Ekman had sex with her in the office or he found someone else on the way to his apartment. Or even someone in the apartment. We need to establish his last movements. Did he go somewhere on the way home?’
    ‘We know that Ekman must have been the last to leave the office. Could he have met someone there after Marklund left?’ They took a moment to absorb Nordlund’s suggestion.
    ‘Westermark, what about anybody else at the agency who might have a motive?’
    ‘Marklund may have shagged Ekman, but she doesn’t have an obvious motive. Unless he was a crap lover.’ Only Moberg smiled. ‘As for opportunity? Hard to tell, because we don’t know when the poisonous crystals were put in the shower. Johansson might have a motive. In theory he has the most to gain. He ends up with the company. But that might not mean much if Wollstad has the biggest financial stake in the agency.’
    ‘Check that out with the company’s money man... what’s his name?’
    ‘Nilsson. On the face of it no one seems to have an axe to grind. They all seem to like him. Or so they say.’
    Wallen gave a little cough. It attracted Moberg’s attention. ‘Well?’
    ‘I was wondering if someone at the agency could have taken Ekman’s keys. Then let themselves into the apartment before replacing the keys later the same day.’
    ‘Why didn’t you think of that Westermark?’ As Westermark was about to speak, Moberg waved away his unheard objection. ‘Right, Klara, talk to Ekman’s PA or whoever, and find out if that is a remote possibility.’
    Moberg pushed himself away from his desk. Not a simple task. ‘Well, we need to work out how and when the crystals were planted. And then figure out who could possibly have access without