Punishment Read Online Free Page A

down. She swallowed.
    â€˜Doubt has got nothing to do with it. I don’t see how there can be any basis for making such a claim.’
    The presenter lifted his hand and frowned in irritation, as if she had broken some kind of deal.
    â€˜Of course it is possible,’ she corrected herself. ‘Everything is possible. Children can be molested, but in this case it might equally be something different. I am not a detective and only know about the case from the media. All the same, I would assume that the investigation has not yet even concluded that the two . . . abductions, I guess that is what we should call them . . . are in any way connected. I agreed to come on the show on the understanding that . . .’
    She had to swallow again. Her throat was tight. Her right hand was shaking so much that she had to surreptitiously push it under her thigh. She should have said no.
    â€˜And you,’ the presenter said cockily to a lady in a black jacket, with long silver hair. ‘Solveig Grimsrud, director for the newly established Protect Our Children, you are clearly of the opinion that this is a case of paedophilia?’
    â€˜Given what we know about similar cases abroad, it would be incredibly naïve to think anything else. It is difficult to imagine any alternative motives for abducting children – children that have absolutely nothing to do with each other, if we are to believe the papers. We know of cases in the US, Switzerland, not to mention those gruesome cases in Belgium only a few years ago . . . We all know these cases and we all know what the outcome was.’
    Grimsrud patted her heart. There was a loud scraping noise in the microphone that was attached to her lapel. Johanne noticed a technician holding his ears, just off camera.
    â€˜What do you mean by . . . outcome?’
    â€˜I mean what I say. Children are always abducted for one of three reasons.’
    Her long hair was falling into her eyes and Solveig Grimsrudpushed it behind her ears before counting on her fingers.
    â€˜Either it is simply a case of extortion, which we can ignore in these cases. Both families have average incomes and are not wealthy. Then there are a small number of children who are abducted by either their mother or their father, generally the latter, when a relationship breaks down. And again, that is not the case here. The girl’s mother is dead and the boy’s parents are still married. Which leaves the last alternative. The children have been abducted by one or more paedophiles.’
    The presenter hesitated.
    Johanne thought about waking up and feeling a naked child’s stomach against her back, the tickle of sleepy fingers against her neck.
    A man in his late fifties with aviator specs and downcast eyes took a deep breath and started to talk.
    â€˜In my opinion, Grimsrud’s theory is just one of many. I think we should be . . .’
    â€˜Fredrik Skolten,’ interrupted the presenter. ‘You are a private detective, with twenty years’ experience in the police force. And just to let our viewers know, NCIS Norway, the National Criminal Investigation Service, was invited to come on the show this evening, but declined. But, Skolten, given your extensive experience in the police, what theories do you think they are working on?’
    â€˜As I was just saying . . .’
    The man studied a spot on the table and rubbed his right index finger in a regular movement against the back of his left hand.
    â€˜At the moment they are probably keeping things very open. But there is a lot of truth in what Ms Grimsrud said. Child abductions do generally fall into three categories, which she . . . And the first two would appear to be reasonably . . .’
    â€˜Unlikely?’
    The presenter leaned closer, as if they were having a private conversation.
    â€˜Well. Yes. But there is no basis for . . . Without any further . . .’
    â€˜It’s time people woke up,’ interrupted