Chapter 12 - Sunday. Bethlehem.

On Sunday night, Bjarne Møller, wrapping up a quiet weekend at his desk, finds a forgotten padded envelope. Inside is a single severed finger with a red-lacquered nail and a five-point star ring. The shock doubles him over; after recovering, he calls a number that matches the name the finger happens to point to on the duty roster.

Elsewhere, after midnight outside Gamle Aker church hall, choir member Marit fixates on newcomer Roy Kvinsvik. A drunken, cropped-haired man arrives asking for Roy by name. Roy flees inside and locks the door as the man smashes the circular window, bloodies himself, and howls while battering the wrought-iron Bethlehem Star until police arrive and take him away.

Past midnight, Møller goes to the custody block seeking Harry Hole. He finds Harry injured, vomiting, and refusing to sleep for fear of dreams. Møller quietly extracts him, keeping the intervention off the books, and presses Harry on whether he can stay sober if given real work.

In the car park, Møller offers that purpose: the severed finger from the envelope. He reveals forensics have already identified it as the middle finger of Lisbeth Barli’s left hand. Harry confirms the implication—Lisbeth’s disappearance has escalated—and is confronted with a reason to return to the case.