Red Wolf_ A Novel - Liza Marklund [108]
She was thinking hard, her hand over her mouth.
That ought to be enough. Three different sections that probably didn’t have the best internal communication. Three stressed middle-managers on the same level.
She took a few deep breaths and called the number of the Federation’s reception. She started by asking for the head of Democracy and Health Policy.
‘Hello,’ Annika said, clearing her throat, ‘my name’s Annika Bengtzon and I’m calling from the Evening Post—’
The overworked manager interrupted her abruptly. ‘I’ll have to refer you to our press office, we have public relations people there who can answer any questions you may have.’
She could hear her thudding heartbeat, and hoped it couldn’t be heard at the other end.
‘I know,’ she said, ‘I understand that, but my call isn’t really about the sort of thing I can talk to the press office about. Sorry.’
Stunned silence.
‘What?’ the man said finally. ‘What do you mean?’
Annika closed her eyes and said in a steady voice, ‘I should begin by saying that I’m not going to quote you; I’m not actually writing an article yet. I just want to clarify some details that emerged when we looked into various aspects of your operations.’
Stress had given way to surprise and suspicion when the man responded. ‘What do you mean? What aspects?’
‘It’s about over-charging on one of your projects.’
It sounded like the man was sitting down. ‘Over-charg . . . ? I don’t understand . . .’
Annika stared at the ventilation unit.
‘As I said, I won’t quote you at all at this stage. I just want to check a few things out, and I’d appreciate it if this conversation stayed between us. I shall never mention that I spoke to you, and you don’t have to say that you spoke to me.’
Silence.
‘What’s this about?’
She could physically feel the tug on the line as he took the bait.
‘Over-charging from the account connected to the project looking into threats against politicians,’ Annika said. ‘The one you’re conducting together with the Association of Local Councils and the Department of Justice.’
‘Threats against politicians?’
‘The working group trying to prevent violence and threats against politicians, yes. I have to point out that we think the project is incredibly important, and as far as we can tell the work has been very productive, but the problem is in your accounts.’
‘I don’t actually know what you’re talking about.’
Annika waited, let the silence do the talking; her surprise carried off down the line, muddying the manager’s senses.
‘I see,’ she said slowly, ‘I was under the impression that you wanted to get to the bottom of this . . .’
Now the man started to get angry. ‘What do you mean? The bottom of what? Who says there’s anything irregular going on here?’
Annika sharpened her voice when she answered. ‘I hope you’re not trying to find out my sources. As I’m sure you’re aware, that’s a criminal offence. I shall ignore that last question.’
Silence fell again, growing, pulsating.
‘What’s all this about?’ the Federation manager eventually said. ‘Can’t you tell me?’
Annika took a deep, audible breath, then spoke with a low, confidential tone of voice. ‘According to my source there has been over-charging from the account containing the funds for the working group investigating threats to democratic representatives. One member of the group is said to have inflated the joint costs in order to conceal private expenditure.’
‘Sophia Grenborg?’ the man said, astonished. ‘Is she supposed to have committed fraud?’
‘I can’t answer that,’ Annika said apologetically. ‘I was just wondering if you could keep me informed of the result of your investigation. Not that you should make public any costs that don’t concern me, but please, just tell me if, or when, you decide