‘And in this case, you would also be leaving a rather large sum of money, would you not?’
I had expected an angry outburst, but instead he gave a crooked smile and gently shook his head.
‘A very large sum of money to be more precise. My wife is an only child and my father-in-law is a canny businessman who has used every opportunity given to him during and after the war effectively. And I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind. Those who say that money means nothing have not grown up poor. But now I have a well-paid job and good financial prospects. So, in fact, it is not something that weighs heavily in this case. In some ways, Karen’s father’s wealth makes it far simpler. She will never suffer financially, no matter what I do. Sara, on the other hand, lives on a student loan and what money her adoptive parents can afford. I have realized that if I am to let her go, I must at least give her a decent sum to help her on her way.’
Kristian Lund sat pondering for a while before carrying on. And I thought to myself that I could not recall having ever met such a romantic cynic before.
‘It is heaven and hell at the same time. I have everything – the great love of my life with Sara and domestic bliss with my wife and son. But every day I am torn between them, and live in constant fear of being discovered. It is an unbearable existence that cannot go on for much longer. In the meantime, I simply keep brushing the problem to one side. The greatest risk was that the caretaker’s wife would notice. She is always there, and is both alert and wise. But we understand each other well; she reminds me of my deceased mother. Things are tight and she is in constant need of money, like Mother. So I reached an agreement with her that would give me an alibi, should my wife, or anyone else for that matter, start prying. Of course, I had little idea then that it would be the police who came and asked the questions.’
So far, everything was in perfect accord with what the caretaker’s wife had told me, but Kristian Lund still had one more question to answer.
‘We have now confirmed that Harald Olesen was killed earlier in the evening than first assumed. The gunshot that was heard was from a cassette tape, and Olesen was killed at some point between eight and ten o’clock that evening. How does that sit with your alibi?’
Kristian Lund rolled his eyes and thought for a moment.
‘I declare myself guilty of adultery and lies, but absolutely innocent with regard to the murder of my neighbour. I guess I do still have an alibi of sorts. Not only the caretaker’s wife, but also Darrell Williams and Konrad Jensen saw me come in at eight, and Sara could also confirm that I was in her company from then until nine o’clock. I dare say that there was a minute or two between the time that I left Sara and came home to my wife. But surely it would not even be theoretically possible for me to have entered Harald Olesen’s flat, committed a murder and left again within that time?’