Free The White Lioness by Henning Mankell Page A

particular?" Tureson said.
    "No," Wallander said. "I've just had a few thoughts that give rise to questions I'd like answering. You never know what might be important."
    "I heard the radio reports," Tureson said. "And I've read the papers. Is there anything new?"
    "She's still missing," Wallander said. "I can't say very much about how the investigation is proceeding, for technical reasons."
    "I understand," Tureson said. "Forgive me for asking, it's just that I am worried about Louise's disappearance, naturally."
    They agreed to meet at 11.00, at the Methodist chapel.
    Wallander put the phone down, and went in to Bjork's office. Svedberg was already sitting there, yawning, and Martinsson was on Bjork's phone. Bjork was drumming his fingers impatiently on the desk. Martinsson replaced the receiver, making a face.
    "The tip-offs have started coming in," he said. "Nothing worthwhile yet. Somebody called to say he was absolutely certain he had seen Louise Akerblom at Las Palmas airport last Thursday. The day before she vanished, that is."
    "Let's get started," Bjork said, interrupting him.
    The chief constable had obviously slept badly. He was tired and bad tempered.
    "Let's continue where we left off yesterday," Wallander said. "The car will have to be thoroughly gone over, and the telephone tip-offs dealt with as they come in. I intend to drive out to the scene of the fire again, to see what the technicians have found. The finger is on its way to forensics. The question is: should we let the media know about that or not?"
    "Let's do it," Bjork said, without hesitation. "Martinsson can help me write a press release. I expect there'll be an uproar once the reporters get hold of that."
    "It would be better if Svedberg took care of it," Martinsson said. "I've got my hands full contacting 25,000 Swedish doctors. Plus an endless list of health centres and emergency clinics. That will take time."
    "Fair enough," Bjork said. "I'll get onto that lawyer in Varnamo. We'll meet again this afternoon, unless something crops up."
    Wallander went out to his car. It was going to be a nice day in Skane. He paused and filled his lungs with fresh air.
    When he got to the burned-out house, there were two surprises in store for him.
    The forensic team had done some fruitful work early that morning. He was met by Sven Nyberg, who had only joined the Ystad force a few months earlier. He had been working in Malmo, but did not hesitate to move to Ystad when the opportunity arose. Wallander had not had very much to do with him as yet, but the reputation that preceded him suggested he was a skilful investigator at the scene of a crime. Wallander had discovered for himself that he was also brusque and hard to make contact with.
    "You ought to look at a couple of things," Nyberg said.
    They walked over to a rain shelter that had been rigged up over four posts. Some twisted bits of metal were lying on a sheet of plastic.
    "A bomb?" Wallander said.
    "No," Nyberg said. "We've found no trace of a bomb so far. But this is at least as interesting. You're looking at some parts of a biggish radio installation."
    Wallander stared at him aghast.
    "A combined transmitter and receiver," Nyberg said. "I can't tell you what type or what make it is, but it's definitely an installation for radio buffs. You may well think it's a bit odd to find something like this in a deserted house. Especially one that's been blown up."
    "You're right," Wallander said. "I want to know more about this."
    Nyberg picked up another piece of metal from the plastic sheet.
    "This is interesting too," he said. "Can you see what it is?"
    Wallander thought it looked like a pistol butt. "Part of a gun," he said.
    "A pistol," Nyberg said. "There was presumably a live magazine in place when the house blew up. The pistol was smashed to bits when the magazine exploded, due either to the fire or the pressure waves. I also have a suspicion this is a pretty unusual model. The butt is extended, as you can