Liza Marklund - The Bomber

"Shh, you'll wake up Ellen. Yes, it's Christmas, and Santa will come tonight. You'll have to be awake for that, so hurry back to bed now."

"I have to go to the toilet first," Kalle said, struggling free from Thomas's arms.

When the boy returned from the bathroom, he asked: "Why isn't Mommy coming?"

"She'll be here later," Thomas said without a moment's hesitation.

"It's Disney on TV today, and Mommy loves to watch that on Christmas Eve. Will she be back to watch it?"

"I'm sure she will," Thomas said and kissed the boy on his head. "Off you go to bed!"

Tucking the boy in under the fluffy duvet, his eyes landed on the clock-radio next to the bed. The digital red numbers colored the corner of the pillowcase pink. They were showing 5:49.

"This is good," Beata said contentedly. "It's exactly as I wanted it."

Annika had fallen into a light doze but immediately sat up when the Bomber started talking.

"I'm glad you think so. I've done my best."

"Yes, you really have. That's the nice thing about professionals," Beata said and smiled.

Annika returned the smile, and they sat smiling at each other until Annika decided it was time to implement her plan.

"Do you know what day it is today?" she said, still smiling.

"Christmas Eve, of course," Beata said and laughed. "Of course I know that!"

"Yes, but the time leading up to Christmas always flies past. I hardly ever manage to buy all the gifts in time. But do you know what- I've got something for you, Beata."

The woman instantly became suspicious. "You couldn't have bought a present for me. You don't know me."

Annika was smiling so hard that her jaws were beginning to ache.

"I do now. I bought the present for a friend, a woman who deserves it. But I think you deserve it more."

Beata didn't believe her. "Why would you give me a present? I'm the Bomber."

"It's not for the Bomber," Annika said in a steady voice. "It's for Beata, a girl who's had a really shitty time. I think you need a nice Christmas gift after all you've been through."

Her words were upsetting Beata's calculations, Annika could see that. The woman's gaze was wandering, and she was twiddling the fuse with her fingers.

"When did you buy it?" she asked uncertainly.

"The other day. It's very nice."

"Where is it, then?"

"In my bag. It's at the bottom, underneath my sanitary towels."

Beata winced, just as Annika had gambled she would. Beata was squeamish about her female functions. She was really rolling the dice.

"It's a beautiful little parcel," Annika said. "If you get the bag, I'll give you your Christmas gift."

Beata didn't buy that, Annika immediately saw.

"Don't try anything," she said menacingly and got to her feet.

Annika sighed. "I'm not the one walking around with dynamite in my bag. There's nothing in that bag except for a pad, some pens, a packet of sanitary towels, and a present for you. Get it and see for yourself!"

Annika held her breath; she was taking a big risk. Beata hesitated for a moment.

"I don't want to rummage through your bag," she said.

Annika took a deep breath. "What a pity. The present would have looked nice on you."

That made Beata's mind up. She put the battery and the fuse on the floor and picked up the end of the rope tied around Annika's neck.

"If you try anything, I'll pull."

Annika put her hands in the air and smiled. Beata walked backwards to the place where the bag had landed more than sixteen hours ago. She picked up both the handles with one hand, holding the rope in the other. She slowly walked up to Annika.

"I'll be standing here all the time," she said and dropped the bag in Annika's lap.

Annika's heart was pounding so hard her head was echoing. Her whole body was shaking; this was her only chance. She smiled up at Beata, hoping her pulse wasn't visible on her temples. Then she looked down at Beata's legs. She was still holding on to the handles of the bag. Slowly, she put her hand into the bag and found the parcel right away, the little box with the garnet brooch for Anne Snapphane. She quickly started feeling among the things inside the bag.

"What are you doing?" Beata said, snatching the bag away from her.

"I'm sorry," Annika said, barely making out her own voice for the thundering noise of her beating heart. "I can't find it. Let me try again."

Beata hesitated for several seconds. Annika's brain had stopped working. She mustn't plead because that would be the end of it. She had to play on Beata's curiosity.

"I don't want to tell you what it is beforehand; that would spoil the surprise. But I think you'll like it," Annika said.

The woman held out the bag once more, and Annika took a deep breath. She firmly pushed her arm down, felt the parcel, and right next to it the phone. Dear God, she thought, please let the hands-free kit be connected! Her upper lip was covered in sweat. The battery side was turned up, good, or Beata might see the green display light up. She'd done this a thousand times without giving it a thought. She fumbled for the different buttons, found the big oval one, and pressed it lightly. Then she moved her finger an inch down to the right, found the number one button, pressed that, and moved her finger back to the big one for a third push.

"There we are. I've got it," Annika said, moving her hand to the package nearby. Her arm was shaking when she lifted it out, but Beata didn't notice. All the Bomber saw was the gold wrapping paper and the blue ribbon gleaming in the harsh light. There was no sound from the bag. The hands-free kit was connected. Beata backed away and put the bag next to the dynamite box. Annika desperately needed air and forced herself to soundlessly take deep, gulping breaths. "Menu-1-Menu," she had pressed; "Phone book-Newsdesk-Dial."

"Can I open it now?" Beata said, full of expectation.

Annika couldn't speak. She just nodded.

Jansson had sent off the last page to the printers. He was always a little tired the first night of his shift, but now he felt totally paralyzed. He usually had breakfast in the cafeteria, a cheese roll and big mug of tea, but he wouldn't have any today. He'd just stood up and was putting on his jacket when his phone rang. Jansson groaned loudly and considered not even checking the display to see who it was. I'd better, he thought, it could be the printers. Sometimes the color files weren't transferred properly and the yellow plate would be missing. He reached out for the phone and saw the familiar number. At the same moment, every single hair on his body stood on end.

"It's Annika!" he bellowed. "Annika is phoning on my extension!"

Anders Schyman, Patrik, Berit, and Janet Ullberg all turned toward him from where they were standing at the picture desk.

"There's a call from Annika's cellphone!" he roared. He was staring wide-eyed at his telephone.

"Then pick it up, for God's sake, pick it up!" Schyman shouted back and started running across the floor.

Jansson took a deep breath and picked up the phone.

"Annika! Annika, is that you?"

There was nothing but a crackle and hum.

"Hello! Annika!"

The others had reached Jansson's desk and were standing around him.

"Hello? Hello! Are you there?"

"Give it to me," Schyman said.

Jansson handed the phone to the editor. Schyman put the receiver to his ear and plugged the other with a finger. He heard static and buzzing, and a rising and falling noise which could be voices.

"She must be alive," he whispered, handing the phone back to Jansson. "Don't hang up." He walked into his office and phoned the police.

"It's beautiful! Absolutely beautiful."

Beata really sounded overwhelmed. Annika felt a renewed energy.