Free Closed Circles (Sandhamn Murders Book 2) by Viveca Sten Page A

RSYC yellow clubhouse.
    Only fifteen minutes from the center of Stockholm and they found themselves in the middle of the countryside. The water sparkled in this lush landscape. Some houses were completely covered in ivy. Hundred-year-old oaks stood in many of the yards, a clear indication that Saltsjöbaden was one of the first suburbs of Stockholm. The industrial Wallenberg family had founded it, and their influence was still felt throughout the area.
    Thomas turned onto Amiralsvägen, and they soon caught sight of the large gray mansion. It had a fantastic view of Saltsjö Lake. In the driveway, a Land Rover was parked next to a silver Lexus, while another car, a black Porsche, rested in the shade.
    “Not a bad place,” Margit said. “I wonder how long it takes to clean it.”
    “You mean for the maids? I doubt they pick up a vacuum cleaner themselves,” Thomas said.
    They walked to the white front door, and Thomas rang the bell. A young man in jeans and a red shirt with a well-known logo opened the door immediately. He introduced himself as David Juliander, Oscar’s youngest son.
    Margit remembered that the lawyer had three children: two sons and a daughter. The daughter was studying abroad. Paris, if Margit had her facts right. The youngest was following in his father’s footsteps and studying law. The oldest son worked in IT. So David was the one studying law.
    Thomas expressed his sympathies and asked for David’s mother. The young man invited them to sit down in the living room. He said that his mother was still resting, but he’d let her know they were there.
    They sat on the large corner sofa upholstered in an unusual material resembling suede. It faced the water so one could enjoy the view.
    While they waited, Margit wondered about the woman they were going to meet. How did she feel as she wandered through this house while her husband was off having his adventures? The children must have been busy with their own lives.
    She could imagine Sylvia moving from room to room waiting for her husband. She must have known what was going on. Perhaps she’d even confronted Oscar and then learned to swallow the bitter truth to preserve the marriage.
    She must have been lonely, especially after the children left, Margit thought.

    A few minutes later, Sylvia Juliander entered the room. She looked pale but composed. Her brown hair framed her narrow face. It was obvious that the past few days had taken a toll on her.
    Her son sat next to her and watched his mother with concern. It was obvious he wanted to take care of her, as if he were the parent instead of the child.
    “You have some questions for me,” Sylvia said. She spoke in a quiet voice. She fidgeted with a loose thread on her blue cardigan. Her well-trimmed fingernails were painted a neutral color. She wore a large sapphire ring as well as a simple golden wedding band on her left ring finger.
    Thomas broke the silence.
    “As you know, our highest priority is to find the person who murdered your husband. Therefore, we must ask some questions that may seem unpleasant or unusual. We apologize for any distress.”
    Sylvia nodded.
    “Do you know if your husband had any enemies?”
    The pale woman looked frightened.
    “Why would he have any enemies? Oscar was a business lawyer. People liked him. He was in great demand.”
    “It’s important that you consider the possibility, no matter how strange it seems,” Thomas said. “We need to create a picture of your husband’s public and private lives.”
    Thomas gave her an encouraging smile.
    “I understand. Still, I’ve never heard him mention any enemies,” Sylvia said. “Actually, I know very little about my husband’s business. He said he didn’t want to bore me with his work. I wouldn’t understand much of it, anyway.”
    David Juliander’s face twisted, and he leaned forward.
    “My dad received threatening letters,” he said.
    Thomas studied the sad young man. Despite the tan, he looked worn and