Murder in Malmö: The second Inspector Anita Sundström mystery (Inspector Anita Sundström mysteries) by Torquil MacLeod Page B

And who left the building during the day? We believe someone took Ekman’s apartment keys from his desk and went round there some time that day – and then returned them that evening.’
    ‘I spent quite a lot of time in here on that day. We were in early because we were running through the final pitch. Around eight. Tommy was doing the introduction, selling the agency, etcetera. As the account manager on the prospective business, I did the marketing strategy. Daniel Johansson then did the creative work and Sven Lundin, our head of media buying, discussed where we were going to place their advertising spend. Then we all went down to the conference room for a full rehearsal to make sure the equipment we were taking with us worked OK. Got to Geistrand Petfoods’ head office at Fosieby Industriområde at about twenty past eleven. We were presenting at half past eleven, though they were running late, so we didn’t get in until about twenty minutes to twelve. Three agencies were in for the account and we were the last on. Tommy was brilliant.’
    Marklund stopped. For a second she had lost her train of thought. Did Wallen detect a sign of moisture in the corner of Marklund’s eye? Then she was businesslike again.
    ‘We were meant to have three-quarters of an hour, but it overran to about an hour because they asked a lot of questions, which is usually a good sign. Got back to the office at about one and, after sorting ourselves out, met up in the conference room for something to eat and a de-brief.’
    ‘You all came back at the same time?’
    ‘Yes.’ She was about to go on. ‘No, actually. Daniel wasn’t there. He borrowed my car. Said he had to go somewhere. We’d driven over in two cars. Mine and Tommy’s. So Bo and I went back in Tommy’s car.’
    ‘So how long was Johansson out of the office?’ Wallen was sensing that there might be something significant here.
    ‘Probably about forty minutes. Then he joined us for a sandwich in the conference room.’
    ‘What about the rest of the day?’
    ‘I never left the office. Then Tommy phoned through to say that we had won the pitch. It’s great to get a quick answer, as you can sometimes be hanging round for days before they let you know. Because it was such a big slice of business Tommy wanted to celebrate, so all the people who worked on the pitch went up to his office for champagne.’
    ‘How many?’
    ‘Ten, eleven, maybe.’
    ‘And you were the last to leave?’
    Marklund nodded. ‘As I’ve said before.’
    Wallen smiled an acknowledgement. ‘That’s fine. Oh, one last thing. Does your husband know that you made love to Tommy Ekman that night?’
    ‘Of course he doesn’t...’ It was out before she could stop herself. Marklund stared at Wallen in horror. The professional mask had slipped and the guilt was plain to see.
    ‘It was you, wasn’t it?’ Wallen said quietly.
    Marklund’s head dropped. ‘Please, please, don’t tell my husband.’
    ‘Is he away?’
    Without looking up, Marklund nodded.
    ‘I doubt it has any bearing on the case.’
    Marklund clenched her fists in anguish. ‘I love my husband. It was stupid what I did. Moment of weakness. He’s away so much.’ Then she glanced at Wallen. ‘That’s no excuse, is it? I never want to hurt him. I don’t want to lose him.’
    Wallen was disconcerted by the change in this apparently ultra-cool businesswoman.
    ‘Please.’
    Wallen recognized the vulnerability. They had one less suspect.

CHAPTER 15
    Martin Olofsson had left his journey as late as possible. By working in the cottage that day instead of in the office he had managed to stretch the weekend to three days. He had left his wife Carolina at their holiday home on the coast at Vik and was heading back to their house on the edge of Limhamn. During the summer months Carolina liked to be away from the city, so she could indulge her love of walking and cycling along the beautiful southern coastline of Skåne. He was often tempted to