Free Project Nirvana by Stefan Tegenfalk Page A

Mentor’s suggestion was not such a bad idea. That method was used often by the South African police to reduce the rising number of street gangs. They let the gang members decimate each other. Furthermore, they arranged for the gang killings to take place in isolated locations away from the civilian population. “Sounds like a good idea,” he said.
    “As for Leo Brageler: well, he has two days to start talking,” the Mentor continued. “After that, he has to disappear. We are exposing ourselves too much, considering all that is happening to you.”
    “That’s too soon,” Martin protested. “We need more time with him.” Getting rid of Brageler now was like giving up just before the finishing line.
    “Each day that we have Brageler increases the risk. We should have broken him in a week. Instead, it has been almost four months without a breakthrough. Except for today’s conversation.
    “Omar’s death has proved to be a significant set-back for the organization and it will take time to build up an equivalent network of contacts. His absence will hamper us for some time to come.”
    “Two days, or even two weeks, won’t make it worse,” Martin protested.
    The old man’s eyes hardened. “Even if I don’t think that Kokk or anyone else is after you, I want to cover any tracks that might lead to us. As soon as possible.”
    Martin still did not agree with the Mentor. He needed more time to procure the Diaxtropyl-3S. He had to go through the phone list on the hard drive to get his hands on more of the truth serum. Even then, there was no guarantee that he would be successful.
    Using a voice changer and a pay-as-you-go phone, Eng was going to call Hedman and set up a meeting. Martin was to stay at home and avoid attracting attention, just in case he was being bugged. As soon as the meeting was set up, Osmanaj would receive a tip on Hedman’s whereabouts. If the Albanian was still after Hedman – as Martin was convinced he was – then that problem solved itself. If the meeting was a trap set by Kokk or County CID, then Osmanaj would take the fall, not Martin. The plan was straightforward and without any risk.
    The Mentor turned towards Brageler. “We will resume his interrogation tomorrow. I will arrange for someone with medical skills to examine him later tonight. He will hopefully be in better shape tomorrow.”
    Leo Brageler heard the echo of distant voices. For a brief moment, he did not know if he still lived or if he had finally passed over to the other side. But then he detected the sharp scent of smelling salts and immediately understood. They were never going to stop. The voices became fainter and soon completely disappeared. He opened his eyes and found himself once again in darkness.
    Walter’s phone rang just as Jonna was driving onto the E4 motorway. After a short conversation, he asked Jonna to drive towards Dalarö.
    “What are we going to do in Dalarö?” she wondered.
    “Tor Hedman is now wanted for assault and robbery,” Walter said, taking a cough drop from his jacket pocket. The landlady of the Dalarö tourist lodge is in the A&E with serious head injuries.”
    “How do we know that it’s Tor?”
    “There’s CCTV at the reception desk and a witness saw the same person drive off in the tourist lodge’s van.”
    “What’s he doing at Dalarö? Stealing from the tourist lodge?”
    “Hardly,” said Walter. “They don’t handle much cash.”
    “Maybe he was staying there?”
    “Nothing suggests that either. But it could mean something.”
    “Such as?” Jonna asked, increasing speed. She turned on the blue lights, but left the siren turned off.
    “That he’s looking for a weapon or has just acquired one.”
    “A weapon? Why do you suspect that?”
    “Hugo Stridh,” replied Walter, sucking loudly on his cough drop.
    “Who is that?” asked Jonna, becoming increasingly irritated at having constantly to tease information out of Walter.
    “An old military veteran,” said