Free Raid and the Blackest Sheep by Harri Nykänen Page A

said, it was time to start shopping for cemetery plots.
         Another knock came at the door. Jansson plugged his ears, but this time it was relentless.
         “It’s Anna. Huusko’s worried about you and I promised I’d come have a look…”
         Jansson got up and wrapped the blanket around himself. He opened the door a crack. Anna was wearing a white pant suit. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, lending a somewhat more girlish look than the previous evening.
         “Nothing to worry about. Just tired…”
         “Can I come in anyway?”
         Jansson stepped aside and opened the door. A large mirror hung in the entry and he realized how laughable he looked swaddled in his blanket. A single feather for his head and he might have passed for a balding Indian chief.
         Jansson took a seat on the bed and gathered the blanket into his lap. He had a nagging suspicion that he looked no less laughable sitting on the bed with a blanket in his lap.
         Anna glanced at the window. The wind was tossing the drapes nearly sideways.
         “Can I shut the window?”
         “No.”
         “You wanna freeze to death?”
         “Sounds good.”
         She sat quite naturally on the edge of the bed.
         “Feeling a little down, I guess?”
         “Just thinking… And I like the wind and rain.”
         “You should join us… Did I offend you somehow?”
         “No.”
         “Some people don’t like to be bossed around, but it’s part of my job.”
         “I suppose so.”
         “Will you come later?”
         “A little later.”
         “Glad to hear you’re not contemplating suicide…”
         “Nah. Just in a contemplative mood.”
         Anna realized she was toying with her ring, and she set her hands firmly in her lap.
         “Has Huusko said anything about us?”
         “A little.”
         “We got involved in a relationship while he was recovering from a gunshot wound…”
         “You’re both adults.”
         “It wasn’t real… I felt pity for him… Close to dying and his wife leaves him… I don’t understand women like that…”
         “But you… Your relationship helped him.”
         “It still wasn’t smart… My own life was messed up too… Now everything’s finally back in order, at least sort of. I wouldn’t want to mess it up again…”
         “With Huusko?”
         “Yeah…and I doubt he’s ready for a relationship anyway.”
         “Best if you’re frank with him… Or would you like me to say something?”
         “I’m a grown-up. I have to handle my own problems.”
         “Same goes for all of us.”
         “But thanks anyway.”
         As she gazed at Jansson, her serious expression melted into a smile. Jansson could see why Huusko was obsessed, even if his type was usually younger. Anna had a rare blend of warmth and sexiness.
         She was just the type that every young man would love to lose his boyhood to. Without fear, and without guilt.
         “Mind telling me what you’ve been thinking about here all by yourself?” She smiled wryly. “In the blowing wind and pouring rain.”
         “A boring man’s boring personal matters.”
         “You’re not boring, much to the contrary.”
         “Boring personal matters, then.”
         “I’d still be interested.”
         Jansson considered lying, but decided to tell the truth.
         “Just wondering how I’ll ever make it to retirement when I’m already tired of being a cop.”
         “I understood from Huusko that police work was your calling.”
         “It was…and still is sometimes.”
         “You do important work, you’re valued, and you’re in a leadership position. For most that would be enough.”
         “I’m fifty-four. If I ever wanted to do something else, now would be the