“I have no intention of putting his health at risk,” says Joona, placing the tape recorder on the table next to Josef’s face.
He gestures inquiringly at the recorder and Lisbet nods. He starts the machine and begins by describing the situation: It is Friday, 11
December, at 8:15 in the morning, and Josef Ek is being questioned to try to elicit information. He then lists the people present in the room.
“Hi,” says Joona.
Josef looks at him with heavy eyes.
“My name is Joona. I’m a detective.”
Josef closes his eyes.
“How are you feeling?”
The social worker looks out the window.
“Can you sleep with that thing bubbling away?” he asks.
Josef nods slowly.
“Do you know why I’m here?”
Josef opens his eyes. Joona waits, observing his face.
“There’s been an accident,” says Josef. “My whole family was in an accident.”
“Hasn’t anybody told you what’s happened?” asks Joona.
“Maybe a little,” he says faintly.
“He refuses to see a psychologist or a counsellor,” says the social worker.
Joona thinks about how different Josef’s voice was under hypnosis. Now it is suddenly fragile, almost non-existent, yet pensive.
“I think you know what’s happened.”
“You don’t have to answer that,” Lisbet Carlén says quickly.
“You’re fifteen years old now,” Joona goes on.
“Yes.”
“What did you do on your birthday?”
“Can’t remember,” says Josef.
“Did you get any presents?”
“I watched TV,” Josef replies.
“Did you go to see Evelyn?” Joona asks in a neutral tone.
“Yes.”
“At her apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Was she there?”
“Yes.” Silence. “No, she wasn’t,” says Josef hesitantly, changing his mind.
“Where was she, then?”
“At the cottage,” he replies.
“Is it nice there?”
“Not really … It’s cosy, I guess.”
“Was she happy to see you?”
“Who?”
“Evelyn.” Silence. “Did you take anything with you?”
“A cake.”
“A cake? Was it good?”
He nods.
“Did Evelyn like it?” Joona goes on.
“Only the best for Evelyn,” he says.
“Did she give you a present?”
“No.”
“But maybe she sang to you.”
“She didn’t want to give me my present,” he says, in an injured tone.
“Is that what she said?”
“Yes, she did,” he answers quickly.