Here we go. Chapter 2

It was just past five when they finally arrived. Instead of heading to the inn they would be staying at, they headed straight to the crime scene not wanting the poor girl to lie there any longer. It was decided that the room where she was found would remain primarily undisturbed until they got there. "What was the girl's name?" Wallander asked as he examined the area around the body.

"Linda Bromstad," answered Magnus. He was trying to take photos so that they could use them as reference for later but couldn't help but throw an uneasy glance back at the two policemen that kept them company. The pair of them eyed the proceedings with an eager enthusiasm that bordered on creepy and for some reason Magnus couldn't help but wonder what a fish felt like when it was stared at through a tank. His attention was drawn back to Kurt as the senior detective pointed to something on the rug.

"The blood marks on the carpet look as though she had been dragged," he said. "See if you can find out where she was dragged from. Magnus took off toward the back of the house examining the floor as he went.

Wallander continued looking over the girl, noting every detail that may be of importance. She was a young girl. Twenty-two in age, with auburn hair that went down past her shoulders. She was lying on her back and her hands were bound in front of her so that they sat on her lap. Her blue-green eyes were open wide, her death having definitely been a surprise. She was situated on a rug in the middle of the room as if she were a pristine centerpiece left out for display. Pristine save for the stab wound in her chest.

"She's sort of pretty, isn't she?"

Kurt jolted a bit at the sound of Magnus's voice. He had been so fixated by the way in which she had been placed that he hadn't noticed the kid's return. "Pretty," he scoffed trying to cover up his surprise. "What, are you considering dating her or something?" Magnus suddenly looked flustered, much to Wallander's amusement.

"No!" He protested. "I just… Look, I figured out where the trail came from."

"And?"

"It leads back to a stream in the woods behind the back yard."

Kurt thought about that for a moment. "Why wouldn't the killer just leave her there?" At Magnus's shrug Kurt looked back at the girl, "Well there's not much else we can do here. Where did you say the parents were staying?"

The taller of the two officers spoke up first, "They're at a guest house of Mr. Tramwire's"

"He, uh, he owns a major lumber company, if that helps," said the other.

"Yeah, okay," Wallander said as he stood and took a few steps away from the scene. "You should have a coroner come out and get a team to come clean up."

"Oh, um, yes of course," the tall officer stuttered out. "I'll get on that straight away." True to his word the young man pulled his phone out and headed to another room for better reception.

Later that evening the two detectives were busy situating themselves in their room. The Inn of the Golden Swan was the name of the place. It was an old Victorian style mansion that had been refurbished into a hotel of sorts. The room they were given had hardwood paneled walls, two beds with light blue linens, its own shower room, and an antique style writing desk and chair. A chair where Kurt was currently sitting. Magnus on the other hand, sat indian style on the bed he picked, his laptop balanced on his knees. He was currently downloading the information on Linda and her immediate family.

"So the dead girl is a recent college grad" he said. "She was an art student at the University of Gothenburg. Looks like mommy and daddy footed the bill." A hint of disgust colored his voice with that statement. Magnus was the type who had to make his own way in life and was quite proud of what he had achieved. He barely had any time for snotty rich kids and their ever so accommodating parents. "As a matter of fact it looks like she didn't directly manage any of her money on her own. Every account she has is jointed with her father. He has direct access to everything."

"So the chances that this is about money are getting smaller," said Kurt as he gazed out the window. "What about the parents?"

"Sure, um…hang on a second." Magnus tapped at a few keys. "Here we go. Ronald and Margaret Bromstad; Margret is basically unemployed but she is the unofficial chairperson of the activities committee for the community. Ronald Bromstad is well known, if you keep up with current affairs that is. He has held a seat in the Riksdag as part of the social democrat party for the past three years. "

"So this could be a political statement," interjected Kurt.

The young detective squinted his eyes at the screen considering the idea but ultimately seeming doubtful. "It's a possibility but from what I can tell the only thing Bromstad has been lobbying for recently has been about opening up global trade. Really, they are no closer to that than they were three years ago. If they are trying to send a message, why now?"

Kurt sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He stretched his arms and legs out so that he was nearly lying flat over the chair and then turned his attention back to Magnus. "If there's one thing I've learned about the political world, you have to do a lot of digging before you get even a hint of the truth." With that he stood and headed towards the bathroom, "I'm gonna turn in for the night. You should do the same."

"Uh, actually I was going to hunt around the computer files for a bit, you know, dig deeper," he answered. He was going for ease but to Kurt's ears the kid sounded a little too pleasant. A bit fake, actually. "My typing won't bother you will it?" he asked after Kurt stared at him for a bit too long.

Kurt quickly shook himself out of his stupor, "No, no." he said. "That'll be fine. Just make sure you get some sleep alright. I'll not look bad because you're nodding off during an interview."

"Yeah, alright," replied Magnus but something told Kurt that the warning would go unheeded.