EQMM, May 2012 Read Online Free Page A

“Where I always stay."
    "And that would be?"
    "The Hotel Kamp,” Hakanson said. “You should try it sometime. It's very nice, but maybe a bit pricey for a journalist."
    Rhindtwist smiled a pained smile. “Apparently you're quite a sportsman. Do you hunt and fish?"
    "Olaf tried to get me interested in fishing, but I'm afraid I don't have the patience for it. I like to go after things, not wait for them to come to me."
    "So you hunt?"
    "It's a passion of mine,” Hakanson said. “Capercaillie and black grouse, as well as elk."
    "And you own a gun?"
    "Of course."
    "Pistols as well as rifles and shotguns?"
    Hakanson gave Rhindtwist a disapproving look. “Listen, sport, if you're thinking I was involved in Olaf's murder you're barking up the wrong tree."
    "Hmm,” Rhindtwist said. “Then what would the right tree be? You stood to gain as much as anyone from Herr Gedda's death."
    Hakanson surprised Rhindtwist by saying, “If not more. But as big a pain in the butt as Olaf was at times, he'd been my business partner for over thirty years and, what's more, he was my closest friend. If I've put up with our arrangement for this long, why would I suddenly do something so rash?"
    "Greed?"
    "Sounds good if you're Shakespeare, who you're not,” Hakanson said, “but in real life it's nonsensical because eventually the business will become my family's, no matter what.” He stood. “I think we've played this little game long enough. I'd suggest you spend more time with your editor, who's as obvious as a mare in heat, and leave the police work up to the professionals, because right now it's clear you're in over your head."
    "What I do with Annika is none of your business,” Rhindtwist said. “Now, get out of here.” He watched Hakanson saunter through the office with Uggla following him. He thought their goodbyes were inappropriately intimate and drew a coffee from the espresso machine and settled at his desk and buzzed for her. Before he knew it Uggla was standing in the doorway to his office. “What did Gunnar have to say?” she asked.
    "Oh, it's Gunnar, is it? Not Herr Hakanson?"
    She nodded.
    He sighed.
    She shrugged.
    He lit a Chesterfield.
    Finally she asked, “What did you find out?"
    Rhindtwist took a drag on his cigarette. “Gotilda, Paulsson, and your friend Gunnar all had a lot to gain from Gedda's death. On the one hand, both Gotilda and Paulsson got a lot of cash. On the other hand, Hakanson stood to benefit the most because he inherited the business, but he has the best alibi: He was in Helsinki when Gedda was murdered. Paulsson doesn't have an alibi and I don't know about Gotilda. Hopefully, she'll have a good story. If not, things will get even more difficult for her."
    Uggla walked from the doorway and straddled Rhindtwist in his chair. “I think my jealous little boy has forgotten to ask where Hakanson stayed while he was in Helsinki."
    Rhindtwist smiled a satisfied smile. “The Hotel Kamp."
    Uggla reached for his phone and punched in 00-358-9-42419393. In quick order she was connected with the Hotel Kamp through Helsinki information. “Good morning,” she said. “This is Herr Gunnar Hakanson's secretary calling from Stockholm. I'm trying to reconcile his monthly expense report but I'm afraid I've misplaced some of Herr Hakanson's receipts. Could you please give me his charges for . . .” She gave Rhindtwist a questioning look.
    He whispered, “Thursday, July the third."
    "For July third and fourth?"
    There was a long pause.
    "Are you sure?” Uggla said.
    Another pause.
    "Thank you very much for your trouble.” Uggla wiggled to face Rhindtwist again. “Well, Hakanson's lying about his whereabouts. The hotel has no record of him staying there this month."
    "Hmm,” Rhindtwist said. “Now, what else have I forgotten?"
    "Two things,” Uggla said. “First, none of our staff are coming in today and, second, I've locked the door and pulled the shades."
    "Hmm,” Rhindtwist said again, amused that