Contents
Chapter 18 - Tuesday. The Pentagram.
Overview
Harry pursues the pentagram motif, learns its demonic and folkloric meanings, and confirms a carved star above Camilla Loen’s bed—tying the killer to symbolic staging. A witness places a masked cyclist at Camilla’s building, reinforcing the courier ruse. Domestic scenes with Olaug and Ina hint at a secret, older suitor, adding parallel tension.
Summary
At Gamle Aker church hall, Harry questions pianist-pastor Nikolai Loeb about an upside-down pentagram and demonology, filing away the link between the symbol and evil. Elsewhere, elderly Olaug Sivertsen reflects on wartime memories in Villa Valle and her bond with lodger Ina, who hints at an older, serious suitor and reveals a secret, unopened gift.
In a weary task-force meeting, Waaler reports meager leads on the bogus courier. Aune emphasizes a sociopathic killer who follows the investigation, and Beate notes the intrusions occur where women feel safe. Harry fixates on a pentagram connection to the five-pointed star diamonds. A new witness places a cyclist with a cloth over his mouth exiting Camilla Loen’s building on the day of her murder.
Alone later, Harry recalls a missed detail and returns to Camilla’s flat. In moonlight, he finds a freshly carved pentagram cut as a single line into a beam above her bed, with wood shavings on the floor—strong evidence the killer marked the scene.
Downstairs neighbor Anders Nygård confronts Harry, then discusses symbolism: the upright pentagram as vitality/passion and, as a “mare cross” or devil’s star, a pagan ward against the nightmare demon. Anders also speculates the victims’ perceived promiscuity might fit a moralizing killer. Vibeke Knutsen briefly appears, drowsy and confused.
Home again, Harry gets a voicemail from Rakel about watching Oleg, then suffers a vivid nightmare of the “mare,” underscoring the chapter’s occult thread and Harry’s mounting mental strain.
Who Appears
- Harry HoleDetective; probes pentagram symbolism, confirms carved star at Camilla’s, links it to diamonds; fields witness lead; suffers nightmare.
- Anders NygårdDownstairs neighbor; confronts Harry, discusses pentagram as mare cross; suggests moralistic motive; odd appearance in pink robe.
- Olaug SivertsenElderly resident of Villa Valle; recalls wartime past; cares for lodger Ina; observes signs of Ina’s secret suitor.
- InaOlaug’s young lodger; entertains an older, serious suitor; receives a gift to open upon engagement; evasive about details.
- Bjarne MøllerChief; chairs meeting, presses for leads; authorizes continued focus as courier tip solidifies.
- Tom WaalerTask-force lead; reports scant results; relays new witness placing cyclist at Camilla’s building.
- Ståle AuneProfiler; outlines killer typologies, asserts sexual motivation, notes sociopaths shadow investigations.
- Beate LønnForensics officer; confirms murder weapons; observes killer striking where women feel safest.
- Nikolai LoebRussian Orthodox pastor; explains the inverted pentagram’s demonic link when Harry inquires.
- Vibeke KnutsenAnders’s partner; briefly appears groggy, highlighting domestic tension during Harry’s late visit.
- RakelContacts Harry via voicemail about Oleg; her message contrasts with Harry’s later nightmare.