Contents
Chapter 10 - Thursday and Friday. Nightmares.
Overview
A mysterious padded envelope moves toward delivery as Harry endures insomnia and a traumatic nightmare. After admitting to Øystein he pushed Rakel away, Harry finds no progress in the Lisbeth Barli case and an anonymous breathing message. Tom Waaler corners Harry, pressuring him to join his “team” to save his career.
Summary
Overnight, a brown padded envelope moves anonymously through Oslo’s postal system, destined for delivery the next morning. Elsewhere, Harry Hole jolts awake from a vivid nightmare about a girl’s hair being caught in an old lift, his insomnia and dread mounting in the grey pre-dawn.
Unable to sleep and out of alcohol, Harry calls his friend Øystein Eikeland seeking strong sleeping pills. Øystein refuses, warning they won’t stop dreams, and prods Harry into admitting he pushed Rakel away after a multi-day bender when a case collapsed. Harry concedes he told Rakel to stay away, and now the nightmares won’t relent.
At Police HQ early Friday, a guard notes the heat and the ongoing story about missing Lisbeth Barli. Harry reviews the search reports—still nothing—and listens to multiple voicemails from Wilhelm Barli urging more action and publicity. Another message is only breathing from an unknown number, which Harry replays, wondering if it might be Rakel.
Tom Waaler appears uninvited, needling Harry about his prospects outside the force and his disciplinary record. Waaler flatters Harry’s skills while implying that survival requires “playing on the right team,” hinting he can stop Harry’s dismissal and improve his finances. He presses a recruitment pitch framed as help, echoing Øystein’s line that only Harry himself can change his situation.
Who Appears
- Harry HoleSleepless and unraveling; recalls pushing Rakel away; reviews Lisbeth case; receives anonymous breathing call; confronted by Waaler.
- Tom WaalerConfronts Harry, mixing flattery and threats; implies he can save Harry’s job if Harry joins his team.
- Øystein EikelandHarry’s taxi-driving friend; refuses to supply strong pills; urges Harry to help himself.
- Wilhelm BarliLeaves urgent voicemails demanding more action and publicity to find his missing wife.
- Lisbeth BarliMissing woman; subject of stalled search reports and ongoing media coverage.
- Security guard at Police HQNotes the heat and reads news about Lisbeth’s disappearance as Harry arrives early.
- RakelAbsent but central; Harry recounts pushing her away after a bender, fueling his nightmares.