*Buzz Buzz*
Kurt Wallander opened his eyes. *Buzz Buzz* It was his phone. He scratched his head, picked it up and answered. "Yeah?" "Dad?" "Oh. Linda." Kurt said, yawning. "You weren't still sleeping, were you? Dad, it's 10:00 in the morning! You should have been at work 2 hours ago!"
Kurt sat up straight in his bed. "Oh blasted! Is it really 10:00?" "Yes!" Linda laughed. "Uh, I've-I've got to go, um, get ready." Kurt said as he hung up and rolled out of bed. Oh no, he thought, I've hardly ever been late before!
He pulled on some work clothes, and grabbed an orange for the way. His car beeped as he unlocked it. He threw his stuff into the passengers side and got in, starting the engine and driving off.
As he was driving, his phone rang again. He fumbled for it in his pocket. "Yeah, hello?" "Kurt, where are you? There's an important case, you're needed at the station!" It was Nyberg. "Yes, I'm on my way now. I slept in. I've just been under so much stress lately," he said, yawning again. "It's alright. Just hurry," said Nyberg.
He got out, and walked, or rather ran, into the station. "There you are!" said Lisa. "There's a case, a very serious one." Kurt walked by Martinsson's desk, where he was doing some work on the computer. He looked up. "What took you so long?" "I - I overslept. I was up last night working…" Anne Brit put a hand on his shoulder. "What you need is a vacation," she said. Kurt shrugged off the idea.
"So, in regards to the new case," continued Lisa, "There's been a series of robberies and serial murders-" "Nothing we haven't handled before," said Kurt. "In Djursholm." "Oh…" "Djursholm? Don't they have country police to take care of this sort of thing?" asked Magnus.
"Well, Kurt has quite a reputation as one of the best detectives in Sweden. They want someone from our sector." 'Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Well, I can't just travel across the country, by myself, going after, what, a group of serial robbers and killers?!"
"No. Of course we don't expect that of you. Which is why we're sending Martinsson with you," replied Lisa. Magnus did a double take. "Magnus?" asked Kurt. "Me?!" asked Magnus. "You two have worked together in the past, haven't you?" "Yes…. quite well actually," said Kurt, scratching his chin.
"True, Kurt and I are good partners, but I can't just leave and go off to another city for 2 weeks!" said Magnus, running his hand through his blond curls. "Why not?" asked Lisa. "Well…." Unable to think of any valid reason, he shut his mouth. "It's settled then. You two leave in the morning."
Everyone got up, and walked out of the room. Kurt walked by Magnus's desk. "Off to pack, I suppose," he said. Magnus smiled. "Good idea." He got up to leave, gathering some papers and putting his jacket on. The phone rang. *ring ring* Magnus looked to Kurt, who seemed to be off in his own world. *ring ring*
Magnus sighed, and picked up the phone. "Ystad Police Station, Detective Martinsson?" He covered the phone receiver. "Anne Brit?!" he called. She came. "This man wants to file a missing persons report for someone in Djursholm. Standard. Right around where we're going."
He gave her the phone, and turned to Kurt. "See you tomorrow, then?" Kurt turned. "Yeah." Magnus left with a stack of papers.
Kurt stared out the window into the harbour, filled with boats. There was something about this case that unnerved him, a feeling he couldn't explain. No matter, he thought. He got his things together so he could get home and pack.