My conclusion was that there were clearly no grounds to believe that anyone from the Labour Party or wider political circles would have had any desire to bump off Harald Olesen. On the other hand – despite his great passion and charisma – I could not simply accept Haavard Linde’s categorical denial of any connection with the American Embassy. Rather, my feeling that there was something combustible hidden here – though not necessarily a motive for murder – got stronger as I drove away.
IV
I smelt a rat as soon as I was shown in to Counsellor George Adams’s office. The man who was waiting for me behind the mahogany desk was nearly six foot six, slim and bald, dressed in an alarmingly neutral black suit and could have been anywhere between thirty-five and fifty-five years old. Both his words and voice were those of a shrewd, super-power diplomat – of the sort who can talk and be friendly, but be holding a large club behind his back all the while. As I sat down, I was reminded of what Professor Borchmann had said about how it felt to meet someone who was always one step ahead of you. This embassy counsellor reminded me of a cobra, with his slimness and length, as he more or less coiled himself round to tower over me, while keeping steady eye contact.
Once he had shaken my hand and shown me to a chair that was lower than his own throne behind the desk, George Adams did not beat about the bush.
‘Let me first say how grateful we are that you were able to respond so quickly to our request for a meeting, and that we have heard great things about you, that you are a detective inspector of rare talent and have a very promising career ahead of you. We therefore hope that our concerns regarding this case can be dealt with swiftly.’
I was very curious as to who had said such great things about me, but he brusquely waved this off.
‘Now, to clarify the starting point, as I am sure you are aware, there have been some well-organized and extremely exaggerated reactions to the unfortunate consequences of the ongoing conflict in Vietnam. These are to a large extent organized by Norwegian communist sympathizers, but are, at the moment, having a regrettable influence on some Norwegian newspapers and public opinion. However, this does not mean there has been any change to our relationship. The USA is Norway’s most important ally and the only real guarantor for Norway’s survival as an independent state. Fortunately, most of the leading politicians and senior public officials both know and appreciate this.’
Once again, I wondered if he had any particular names in mind, but contained myself and indicated that he should continue.
‘Given this background, we would like to express a degree of concern that you, as far as we understand, appear to suspect a highly valued American diplomat of murder.’
I looked at him, perplexed. Now I really had no idea who he had been talking to.
‘Who has said that I do?’
He graced me with a forced smile.
‘It has not been said explicitly, but it is hard to interpret otherwise the fact that you asked the person in question to remain available for questioning and have even requested information regarding his financial situation. We find this to be a very unconventional approach, and should the wrong voices in the media get wind of this, it could result in some very negative attention, both in Norway and the USA, which in turn could have very unfavourable consequences for the diplomat in question and key people in the incumbent presidential administration in the USA. But also for those officials involved in Norway…’
This was feeling more and more like a threat. I tried to play the diplomat in the hope of steering the conversation onto a more positive track.
‘I would like to stress that the person in question is not officially a suspect, but is one of a large group of people who were present in the building on the night of the murder and have therefore been asked to remain available for questioning. What is more, I am not under the impression that he has any particular desire to leave Oslo.’
George Adams nodded, but still did not smile.
‘We of course understand that such availability might be desirable. However, it is doubtful that the press would appreciate such subtleties in a situation in which an American diplomat has been ordered to stay in Oslo against his own wishes and those of his employer. Furthermore, we have also been led to understand that you have in fact already had several conversations with the person in question and that he has nothing more of any interest to add. Unless there are grounds to believe that he may in some way be linked to the murder. But such a theory would require strong evidence, and if such exists, it would only be reasonable that the embassy was informed of what this might be… Unless such material can be provided, we are of the opinion that the best way to avoid any unfounded suspicions is that the person in question is given permission to leave Oslo. And I confirm this is his personal wish and that of his employer.’
The man’s voice was still seductively friendly and it was tempting to give him this right straightaway. However, I broke into a sweat when I imagined the possible scandalous headline: ‘Norwegian Detective Allows American Embassy to Take Over Murder Case.’ This was quickly followed by another: ‘American Murder Suspect Allowed to Leave Oslo: Police Chief Apologizes and Detective Resigns.’ I was frantically trying to think of a suitable response, but came up with nothing better than the platitude that I unfortunately could not release any material from the investigation, nor could I allow key witnesses to leave the country, for fear of the public reaction. But I swiftly added that I would certainly reassess the situation and hoped we could find a mutual solution soon.
To the extent that I had hoped that Adams would say that he was happy with that, I was disappointed. He replied that the embassy obviously had to assess this, but underlined that a prompt explanation would be desirable in a situation in which the journalists could at any moment become interested in the case and misunderstand things.
I had actually just got up to leave when I made an error of judgement that I found hard to understand later on in the day. Instead of accepting this short though undefined delay in the investigation, I asked a critical question.
‘I also have a question, and I hope that the answer may help the investigation: is it normal that senior American diplomats are accommodated in private flats in Torshov? And if not, was there any particular reason why Darrell Williams was placed there?’
George Adams’s head shot up and forwards across the desk, and he fixed me with gimlet eyes. For a moment I was afraid that he would lean right over and sink two venomous fangs into me. Instead, he whipped me with his silky voice.
‘First of all, it is highly unusual for the USA’s embassies in any country to be asked to give comment to the police on the choice of diplomats’ accommodation. Secondly, it is even more unheard of for detective inspectors to suggest that certain named individuals have been placed somewhere by the embassy with the intent of committing serious crime. I assume that as you are asking such questions, it is because you have very concrete and well-reasoned suspicions that you can share with us?’
There was total silence in the room. I had been outmanoeuvred by George Adams and could not think of anything to say that would not make my position even more exposed. I had the acute feeling that there was no smoke without fire, but could not even guess what it might be. And so I just stood there without saying a word – and hoped that this deeply uncomfortable meeting would soon be over. It felt as though the floor beneath me was shaking when George Adams very efficiently closed the conversation.
‘In that case, I will not take up more of your time, but I hope that the investigation will be concluded in the near future in a way that is satisfactory for everyone concerned.’