STOCKHOLM - PRESENT DAY
- Welcome. - Thank you.
- What are we drinking? - Paradis... Hennessy.
In another time, in another life I once asked you what you were interested in.
- Do you remember your reply? - Good food and fair ladies.
- The truth. You said "the truth". - That's possible.
Back then I had a boss whom I admired.
On a freezing winters night this boss went into the city to catch a movie at a cinema.
He never made it home again.
The only thing that remained was a bloody coat and a nation in mourning.
Isn't it high time to unleash that monster of truth now, Johansson?
So that we can finally learn who took him away from us.
Are you serious?
I'm planning a journey. One of those that you don't return from.
Although naughty in sunday school, I may be reuninted with my boss when I arrive.
I'm sorry.
- What is it? - Cancer.
They say it's all the fat food I've gobbled down. But it was worth it.
So what do you say? Will you grant an old man his dying wish-
- before he sails through the pearly gates on a river of cream sauce?
Why me?
Because you're a good cop and because you never let go of the feelings of guilt.
I don't think you care about that I'm about to die. But the guilt, Johansson.
The fact that there's still something out there... that you're unaware of.
And that itches inside you. I know it.
You promised... that we would solve it.
Unleash the monster, Johansson.
It's time.
DEATH OF A PILGRIM
Subtitle by skorpan666
Step right in.
Okay, welcome to the holy grail.
Most of you know each other, except for detective Lisa Mattei-
- a new acquaintance even for me. Sit down, this may take some time.
The prime minister, Olof Palme was murdered on the corner of Tunnelgatan and Sveavägen-
on february 28, 1986, at 11. 20 p. m.
I want to scrutinise this case.
Now, hold on, Johansson. There is an active investigation.
We're not launching a new investigation, our work will be much more informal.
I want to find new angles, aided by a fresh perspective of good colleagues.
A fresh perspective, by all means.
Even though I've never been close to the Palme-investigation - I don't believe in this.
I'm listening, Eriksson.
This is the most exhaustive investigation in Swedish history and the only suspect...
- Is Christer Pettersson. - Convicted and acquit within a year.
25 years ago.
It's like Monty Python's parrot sketch.
Eriksson suggests that the investigation is dead.
Maybe it's just tired, as the parrot was.
- More like stone dead. - Calm down, Eriksson.
- You have to assume our basic rule. - To just roll with the punches?
- Glad we understand each other. - But why? Why now?
An acquaintance of mine reminded me of something I was trying to forget.
- What do I tell my colleagues? - Nothing. I want total secrecy.
I don't want to read about a new Palme-investigation in the papers.
This is from my time in the Palme group.
- Just as I left it. - What it is?
- Parking tickets and stuff. - Exciting...
- Here, everything is important. - I wasn't being ironic. I mean it...
Exciting.
I can check the various leads, - the Kurdish terrorists to the lone madmen.
Maybe you want to do it all by yourself?
I can pick up where I left off.
- Wasn't that a dead end? - Perhaps I missed something.
I can take crime scene, witnesses, evidence and so on. If that's okay.
That's not my call.
- And you? - Well...
I believe Christer Pettersson did it, I may as well start there.
- Where is Flykt? - Golf?
Probably so...
- Do you have to leave? - What? No, no...
- I can work late. How about you? - I live alone, so... No one will...
Well, maybe the cat...
- I don't have a family either. - I'm single too. I work all the time.
That is so Johansson. He knows who to pick.
NEW PALME-INVESTIGATION
Good morning. Any mail for me?
There's people in there.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Fucking rag...
They say that the police commissioner launched a new Palme-investigation.
- Yes, I saw that. - Well?
Poor newsflow, I guess. Pure fantasies.
It's either Palme, diets or the best box wines.
- You didn't launch a new investigation? - Of course not. How could I?
But the material is too vast, I found a modern way of storing and recording it.
Well... Far be it for me to meddle in your administrative routines.
No, we couldn't have that.
- And the media? - The usual press release?
- TV? - I'll cover the state network.
Are you done? We're off to the networks.
Have you eaten? I think they have a pretty good canteen over there.
- I haven't prepared... - Nor should you.
You're there to show the vultures a unified front. And by the way, -
- the vultures only found out because you're a blabbermouth.
- You don't think that I... - Save it, Yngve. I know it was you.
Shit...
Was it that easy?
After the press conference, we no longer require your services.
On second thought, - Clean up here and I'll handle TV.
You've appointed top investigators for a typical IT department-matter?
It's a no-brainer to me. To sort all the material you need to be an investigator.
- Is IT-matters really their forte? - I think you underestimate them.
You fucking idiot. How the fuck did you end up on TV?
And yourself? No inclination to solve... ?
Sure, but at my age I've to come trust that to far smarter people than myself.
My role is to see to it that they don't drown in all the material.
So you're all about working environment?
I wouldn't say that. I'm all about a very important investigation.
- Are you sick? - Just a soar throat.
I thought it might be delusions of grandeur.
- A new Palme-investigation? - No, we're just sorting material.
Nice try. I guess it's the reward. I can borrow you some money, you know.
It has become acute.
If you need a real job I can put in a good word for you down at county.
- Come on, Johansson. Why? - You know I hate unsolved cases.
- But now? - Didn't you feel the shame?
- Of course I did. - There you go.
- What? - That's the reason.
I've realized that I won't get rid of the shame unless I act. You were there.
What went wrong?
If we'd done it the usual way, we would've bagged a killer. But lawyers ran the show.
- You had definitely caught him. - Give me a break. So who did it?
- My God. We've been over this. - I know. I want to hear it again.
Well. Someone who knew the area, in good shape, -
- presence of mind, skilled with a gun. Someone sharp as hell and ice cold.
He did what he set out to do in a calm and collected way.
And then he just walked away. Thank you.
October 16, 1985
As representatives of press, trade and industry you were asked to state three-
- persons most likely to be attacked. With us today is Lars Martin Johansson-
- representing the National Investigation Department.
As I've reviewed the poll, we have a clear winner, or in this case, a loser.
And as my title happens to be "special advisor to the prime minister"-
- it's with great sadness I declare that it's the prime minister, Olof Palme-
- who's been given the title "Sweden's most exposed".
He got twice the number of votes as the others put together. Some of them were-
the Queen, Astrid Lindgren and...
... Björn Borg.
Everyone placed Olof Palme at the top. I'm eager to hear your thoughts on it.
- Politicians often get controversial. - Yet, you people say that he's not.
- Read what you write. - How do you mean?
It just seems like everyone agrees that he's a bastard.
- I never met him myself. - I find him to be mean.
- A manipulator. - Sanctimonious.
- Arrogant. - Upper class.
- Too intelligent. - Not to forget, -
- he's spying for the russians. - That's just a load of crap.
- Can you elaborate? - He's just not the type.
That's nice to hear from such a dignitary of the police force.
- I'm sure that's a rare whisper. - What are you talking about?
- That Palme's not a spy. - I think you misunderstood me.
Palme is a great type for spying, but not now. He's just too busy.
Declaring taxes, for instance.
If he ever spied, it happened long before he became prime minister.
Well, I'd like to continue this intriguing discussion, but...
Ladies and gentlemen, - time for lunch. They serve butter, cheese and herring.
Do you know who I am?
Lars Martin Johansson, N. I. D.
Police officer Stefan Berg. A. k. a. nightstick-Berg, or Berg jr.
Berg jr. sounds fit and lean.
Not an extra pound anywhere.
Unfortunately he's also stupid as shit.
Not just a bad cop. The worst in Europe, and maybe the entire world. That's you.
What's a cop doing in custody without his shoe laces and without his belt?
Don't answer.
It was a rhetorical question. Ask for a dictionary once I've left.
You're here because you won't settle for just being a bad cop.
And I'm not talking about the nazi-thing. By all means, you can sing your hymns.
I showed a colleague a picture of Åke Larsson.
The guy that you and your colleagues killed in that torture chamber of yours.
Åke Larsson. Do you know how my colleague descibed Larsson?
Like a lasagne with teeth.
I though you could use some nighttime reading.
Hi.
Lars Martin Johansson. How's he?
A great cop. One of the best.
What's he good at?
Anything. He flayed a moose in 7 minutes.
- They say he sees around corners. - Not walk on water? What else?
I don't know. Quiet.
Well, Berg. If your security briefing is correct, it names 105-115 colleagues-
- at the Stockholm-police whom all have some form of partiality toward the brown-
and black colors of the political palette.
One of these persons share your blood, as far as I know.
In some circles this person in more commonly known as nightstick-Berg.
- Currently in custody. - He's been released.
- His colleagues corroborates his story. - Ah, the so called team spirit.
- It's your nephew, isn't it? - As you very well know.
I'm sorry.
1. 970 police officers are included in your briefing.
Which gives us a 11-12% share. Low enought to give you hope.
- Bad enough. - That may be.
But it's not the traffic cop that shout Heil Hitler or chant "Die Fahne Hoch"-
- dressed in his death's skull cap that keep me up at night.
Would you regard your colleauges as more reliable than such a character?
The security police falls under another category of colleagues.
- Such behaviour wouldn't be tolerated. - The security police is more intelligent?
A bit more discreet, yes.
A "Sieg Heil" won't land you a job at your department, then.
Sounds like a tricky group to investigate.
- What the hell do you mean? - Gifted, discreet, but underneath?
They're all cops. Same education and experience.
Some, more or less born into the job.
- I have the utmost confidence in... - And that is where you and I differ.
The regular idiot that shouts his opinions far and wide is somewhat calming to me.
The other ones worry me.
And I sincerely hope that you have your men in line. The discreet ones.
Oh, I see...
One final question.
The persons in your briefing, what do they like the least?
Your boss, the prime minister.
I hear nightstick-Berg is out. Why bother going after him?
Someone has to do something.
And why?
- Did you see the state of Larsson? - Yes, I did. He looked like hell. Why?
We've seen it all before.
- Someone has to try. - It'll never go to court.
I don't give a shit. The likes of Berg shouldn't be cops.
Then we gank him, you and I. Hooded and with baseball bats.
He lives in Solna. You feel up for it?
What the hell did you do to him?
- They say he broke down in his cell. - I gave him his dad's death-report.
You're kidding?
Damn you. You're sick, Johansson.
- You need help. - Talk or play.
PRESENT DAY
No, I didn't sleep here, but I suspect the nights will be even longer than the days.
And I focus better on my back.
- Everyone's here? - Not Flykt.
Flykt was reassigned. With that I hope that the pipeline to the papers was cut.
Everyone ready for action, then?
I think Christer Pettersson is innocent. I'd like to try another modest theory.
A more competent perpetrator found out that Palme left his home that night.
The perpetrator follow the couple from their home and shoot at first chance.
On the corner of Tunnelgatan and Sveavägen. Okay, next question-
- Where does he go? - My memo on the events that night.
Well...
... this is the first opinion on the escape route. He shoots Palme and runs down-
- Tunnelgatan, on to Malmskillnadsgatan. Straight ahead and down David Bagares.
He turns left to Regeringsgatan and continues to the north.
Then Snickarbacken followed by Smala Gränd, then off towards Humlegården.
That walk takes about three minutes.
- And why is this the route? - We have five witnesses.
The sightings are not seamless but this was the official route.
And the witnesses?
The first witness is the only one who spots him running the stairs.
The second witness spots him proceed down David Bagares Gata.
Witnesses three and four are nearly run down by him on Regeringsgatan.
Witness five observes the perpetrator in Smala Gränd.
He's spooked when he sees her and he disappears toward Humlegården.
The witness he bumps into on Regeringsgatan shouts-
"Look where you're going, fucking wog!"
Would "fucking drunk" have been better?
Pettersson looked foreign. I'm convinced of his guilt.
If you boil it down to three things - description and geography is a match.
He was often in the area, so too on the murder night.
He also had access to a gun of the same kind as the murder weapon.
You can read more in my memo.
I'm sorry to ask, but do you suffer from anxiety?
A strong feeling of unease?
I mean, why else this interest in details?
I answer yes on both counts. And you can add a few, not too frequent panic attacks.
If I'm not misinformed - you're a part of the fucking Laplander's new task force.
- No, not at all. - Then I'm misinformed.
It's no task force, we're to oversee and register the material in the Palme-case.
So many words... I was there back when it happened in '86.
- So? - Do you have paper and pencil?
Start off by crossing out all the women. No woman could waste Palme like that.
Well, Palme was a bit of a woman himself. Only women wear fur hats.
- A competent bastard held the gun. - So you don't buy a lone madman...
Scratch all drunks, gays and regular thugs. Why would they attack Palme?
He looked out for that fucking lot.
This is a smart, cool fucker. Good with the gun and with a sense of direction.
- You're thinking cop or ex-military? - A marksman or a hunter.
Check out the fat geezers that huddled up in their cabins back in the eighties.
Now, little miss, it's time for old man Bäckström do some real police work.
- And this stays between us. - Of course. You're anonymous.
Don't bother saying hi to your fucking boss.
- If we take another route - Kungsgatan. - So you've read my memo.
- Something doesn't add up. - Madeleine state that she was-
- going home from a pub on Vasagatan. She parts from her company at 11 p. m.
She then starts walking toward her home.
"Surabaya Johnny".
Walking Kungsgatan, crossing Sveavägen and then the stairs to malmskillnadsgatan.
There she meets a man, hurrying down the stairs to Kungsgatan.
She estimates the time to be 11. 20 p. m.
Later, on Döbelsgatan she sees a police car driving towards Malmskillnadsgatan.
She remembers because the police car flashes their high beams at her.
Madeleine's statement is rejected.
Why?
Drug addict and part time prostitute.
- Patty Hearst. - I knew that one.
- No, you didn't. - Yes!
Some time later, Madeleine wants to meet.
- Why meet with you? - She was a witness in-
- one of my cases. I think it was assault and battery.
Madeleine met the perpetrator on his way down the stairs to Kungsgatan?
It's very likely. I don't see any time issues and she's not prone to lying.
Madeleine was honest, gifted and always there when you needed her.
The colleagues didn't agree with me.
Thank you.
- Can I have a coke? - And the check, please?
- Is she alive? - No. She died of an overdose.
She led a pretty sad life.
Then the chain of witnesses breaks between the first and second link.
- With the help of a dead Madeleine. - Well, it looks like it.
That's what we're looking at.
- How many knows about this? - A few. Well, of those that matter.
Including you now.
Cyndi Lauper!
- You didn't know that one. - Yes, I did.
- Hi. - Hi.
- Have you finished reading Levins memo? - Yes.
- Are you thinking that Madeleine... - Madeleine Olsson. A depressing read.
Day one of the greatest murder investigation in Swedish history.
Idiots! I think it was like she said. That was the murderers route.
- Okay. Bye. - Bye.
October 29 1985
We've got some tips I can't make sense of.
Eriksson, Jeanette. 670414-2326 isn't it?
Top of her class, studies criminology.
- How long have you been here? - Coming up on three months.
I see you through the window sometimes.
I'm not here all that often. My work is best done from home. Sit down.
An American journalist. He arrived here on sunday and I already have two tips on him.
- What's his name? - Jonathan Paul Krassner. Goes by John.
A state TV-journalist met Krassner at the press club.
Krassner is "suspiciously interested" in our collaboration with other western-
- security agencies. He claims we use the Germans as a channel to the Americans.
- Could be nothing. The other one? - It came in a couple of hours ago.
"We will keep in touch regarding the American journalist John Krassner. "
- Okay, says who? - Secured identity.
- How about that? - Highest priority-
- both with us and the security police. Way beyond my clearance. My job...
... is to inform the bureau... - "Joy", isn't it? Jean Patou.
Do you know how many rose petals they use producing 1 cc.
- No. - 600.000.
No, this won't do. I'm sorry.
I beg your pardon.
I don't understand.
It's just that I cannot help being extremely affected by your presence.
Highly inappropriate and I beg your pardon again.
Turn to the bureau chief directly in the future to avoid any discomfort.
But... isn't it inappropriate only if the receiver isn't...
... receptive?
Well, maybe so.
How do we handle Krassner?
Consider me informed.
Nice, jr. Unhook the nightstick and start swinging. Soft body parts first, right?
Come on! You have your trusted witnesses, do as you normally do.
The other tip on the American journalist comes from professor Johan Forselius.
- Professor Emeritus. - Really?
When I get him on the phone he wants to talk to the bureau chief.
When I tell him that the bureau chief isn't available, the old fart hangs up.
- What? - Nothing.
During the war, Forselius worked in intelligence.
A staff major thought of the brilliant prank to hide Forselius' whiskey.
Forselius figured out who did it and didn't appreciate the prank.
He tracked the major down and...
... beat the crap out of him. The major was hospitalized the rest of the war.
Well, the professor has his quirks.
I assume it was WW2 and that can to some extent explain his actions.
- He wasn't born yesterday. - No, but far from senile.
He's responsible for our cryptography. 6 months ago he was as sharp as ever.
A light?
The bloody maid... I've told her about the bulbs in the hall, but she seems imbecile.
I speak 7 languages fluently, Polish is not of them. I've made due without it.
Now, having to spend my golden years in darkness, I find no educational trap-
is too small to fall through.
But Waltin wouldn't know about that.
- Excuse me? - Educational traps.
- No, professor, I don't. - No, I didn't think so.
- Lundsberg? - Sigtuna.
- And now in charge of? - External office of the security police.
External? Any staff, or is it just you?
Oh, well. If you gentlemen would like some coffee, please serve yourselves.
I myself, could use a brandy.
- Waltin? How about coffee? - Yes, that would be nice.
The brandy is in the service isle.
And bring the bottle, Erik may want some.
I assume Waltin will be driving back, once we're done here.
I assume the same.
I can't understand this insane interest in an old codebreaker.
20 years since my service ended and I still get invites like this every month.
- Like the one from... - Krassner. That's right.
Calls himself researcher and author. He intended to publish a book on-
security policies of Europe, post WW2.
I just threw his letter away.
But two days ago he shows up here.
- And you let him in? - My first impulse was to-
- throw him out, but then he said that he had a greeting from an old acquaintance.
An acquaintance from the war, and the years after.
Go on, and don't worry about Waltin, I trust him completely.
I'm afraid it has to be between us. How you handle it after that is all up to you.
I bet you have oilcloth on your table.
There's a certain ordinary, repulsive vibe about you.
With the folk school education and blind faith in the social democrats.
There you sit in your plain two bedroom apartment in...
- Spånga. - Spånga...
... eating your frozen fish gratin. Without any sense to dream of something better.
Well?
So tell the ordinary employee.
Krassner brought him a greeting from the acquaintance Buchanan.
The only problem would be that Buchanan died 6 months ago.
Shall we go?
Buchanan was Krassner's uncle and-
- worked in the U. S. embassy during this period. If that means anything.
What do you want me to do?
Find out what Krassner is doing here. This stays in house until we know more.
And get the background on him. Take all the men you need for it.
Forselius thought that you got the Rolex from the Russians, I supported the idea.
- Oh, you scared me. - Sorry, not my intention.
- I thought I'd walk you home. - How considerate.
Yes, contrary to the tough, male exterior, my core is pretty soft.
Three things. You work only for me now. I've spoken to Berg about it.
Two; you only work on Krassner now.
Three; the Krassner file is to be accessed by you and me alone.
Okay?
Okay.
Good.
Have you spoken to the prime minister?
As I'm sure you understand, talking to him is a significant part of my job.
Any particular concern?
Yes, his laxed attitude regarding his safety. I asked you to raise the point.
Right you are... I have brought it up and he solemnly swears to consider it.
Forselius suspictions, does it hold water?
Yes, I know him too.
When I did my military service, my superior was a mean, old bastard.
That was Forselius. Since then, we don't keep any secrets between us.
I'm speaking of the Krassner-subject.
Not obvious facts like that our neutral nation was in bed with the Americans-
when we knew the outcome of the war.
You, me and everyone like us knows this.
In our world there is nothing that is strictly good or evil.
What's crucial is that it's always our kind that gets caught in the middle.
And we're expected to get ourselves and our employers out of the arisen situation.
If we fail in doing so, people like you and me gets squeezed a little harder.
N'est-ce pas?
What's it like this time?
Is there a boring, private, political agenda to this?
Am I too obscure, Berg? I'm sorry. I'll rephrase.
Is there anything juicy on the prime minister in this, that we don't know?
That's what I'm trying to find out.
Well, that sounds excellent.
Let's just find out. Good.
Damn good Wallenbergare, isn't it?
- Good morning, Eriksson. - Good morning.
- Thank you. No, I... - Haven't slept here.
If you shot him, ran Tunnelgatan and the stairs to Malmskillnadsgatan, and then?
Three options, left toward the church, straight ahead or right to Kungsgatan.
- Which one would you take? - Right. Toward Kungsgatan.
Blend with the crowd, then disappear into the subway. That's the best way.
- Good morning. - Any news?
Yup, I ran into a weird one yesterday. Bäckström, works at stolen property.
Wait a minute. The fat fuck I kicked out of homicide?
There you go.
- You wrote a memo on his rantings? - Well, he had quite a lot of information.
- I have... a thought. - Another one?
I think Palme talked openly about his plans.
Mom's been working for the security police for 28 years.
She knows Björn Söderström, once head of bodyguards. He has this thing for her.
I bet he would come to dinner if invited.
Gold star, Mattei.
Aren't you going home, Bäckström? It's 5 p. m.
When did Palme decide for the cinema and how many knew?
How many knew he was to mingle with the riff-raff on a friday night?
It seems almost suicidal. Or?
I think he was more aware of security than people knew.
- I've heard the opposite. - He decided late. 8 p. m.
Did he tell the security police?
- Not according to the hearings. - Well, did they ask?
That's not clear.
Of course he discussed it. Palme didn't have time for spontaneity.
- A leak from the security police? - Not necessarily. He talks to his-
staff all the time. And people talk.
I understand that Palme was very sociable around people he liked.
The knowledge could have gotten out late and thus the sloppy execution of the hit?
- A more modest conspiracy theory. - Why not?
- Then why not shoot him earlier? - Maybe he lacked the opportunity.
- Saw them by chance at the cinema? - No way. A crazed criminal that hate-
- Palme above all else with a gun the size of a pig in his pocket?
- If he saw them enter he had two hours. - Let's assume you're right. Someone-
- other than Pettersson knows that the couple is going out and follows them.
For some reason he doesn't get a chance. At the movie there's people. So he waits.
After the movie he follows them and strikes when he gets the chance.
- I couldn't have said it better. - Then why the poor location?
I think it's the best place in the world. Why do we sit here? He disappeared.
Hey, you pay good enough to dispense with the pleasantries.
- How generous. Cheers. - Cheers.
Well, what's cooking? Another lost painting?
Not quite. I'd like to tell you what an acquaintance told me 15 years ago.
He's in your line of work. He told me about the weapon.
What weapon?
The Palme-weapon.
He wanted to know its value since he knew that I sold Himmler's pajamas for $50.000.
Did he tell you anything else about it?
He said it wasn't a Smith&Wesson like the media claimed, but a Ruger.
- How long was the barrel? - 3" I believe. Walnut grip.
Mint condition. Delivery upon transaction.
It had been safely stored for years.
- Where? - In the lion's den.
It had been used in two previous murders and a suicide. "A weapon with pedigree".
"Not only had it disposed of a pro-Russian prime minister, but also common rabble. "
- Those are his words. - 15 years ago. Why tell me now?
I can't recall. Maybe apprehension to get involved. When the head of N. I. D...
- The fucking Laplander... - ... started a new investigation-
I thought it was time to talk.
- They say there's a reward. - Yes, there is. $1. 5 million.
We have the bullets from the crime scene and we can easily match them to any gun.
I see. If you were to turn the weapon in?
Me? I wouldn't get a dime. That's a policeman's duty.
And if the tip came in anonymously?
Forget it. This is the murder of Sweden's prime minister.
Yes, but...
Who is this colleague of mine?
How did you get to know him?
For God's sake, tell me who it is.
It's Bäckström... Evert Bäckström.
They found a Ruger at a raid in 1983. Can you look it up?
"Is that my business"? That's not any of your damn business!
Hey, what the fuck! Yes, I have clearance!
Now you listen to me, you fucking carpet muncher!
God dammit, fucking dickhead!
STOCKHOLM - PRESENT DAY
Hi, could you call Rosenb...
- What happened? - He's disgusting!
I've never been this humiliated!
- What? - I recorded some of it.
- What are you talking about? - Evert Bäckström.
And the man from Rosenbad called. The one who never states his name.
His name is Nilsson. I will see to that Bäckström is taken care of.
- Bäckström. - If you have information-
- it's your sworn duty to... - I suggest he calls me himself.
Duty? Don't talk to me about duty, you fucking bum bandit. Tell the bastard...
I gather you don't want to talk to me.
- He's quite unstable. - With all that weight?
- He claims to have info on the murder. - Well, he called Mattei "cheap cunt".
Bäckström has just battered my dear secretary with profanities.
- If so, he's to be relieved from duty. - Yes, after I find out what he knows.
DEATH OF A PILGRIM
Subtitle by skorpan666
NOVEMBER 4 1985
Hi, I'm sorry to bother you...
Jonathan Paul Krassner, goes by "John". Born on July 15, 1953 in Albany, New York.
A well above average university student, in both political science and journalism.
He sells his parental home, moves in with his uncle, - Forselius' buddy Buchanan.
- Am I boring you? - No, absolutely not.
Good to know.
One minute.
John Christopher Buchanan, born 1908 in Newark. Died April 16, 1985.
That's six months ago. Doctorate in political science. At the time of-
- Pearl Harbour he teaches at NU, and as a patriot, he enlists as a reservist.
By the end of the war he's stationed in Europe and three years later he's-
- appointed deputy military attaché at the U. S. embassy in Stockholm.
- Am I putting you to sleep? - Not at all.
Good. We're almost done. We'll get you through this.
Buchanan returned to academics with the professorship in recent European history.
Which leads us to his will.
Both tangible and intellectual assets are left to my trusted squire, John Krassner.
That's my translation. We're talking about cash as well as European...
- "Intellectuel assets"? - Journals, photo albums...
What the hell is "Intellectuel assets"?
What did the old man give Krassner?
Proof that our neutral prime minister's been on Kremlin's payroll for 30 years?
Fuck... I'm so tired of this.
A regular dormitory with a shared kitchen. He finally opens and he's not very chatty.
- Oh? - He shut the door in my face.
- Who else lives in the dorm? - Mostly Swedish students.
Except the one I talked to. He's an exchange student born in Pretoria.
He said Krassner stayed in his room while writing about Swedish politics.
- Pretoria? - South Africa.
Yes... That's where it is.
- African American? - Yes, I don't think-
- they hand out scholarships to all that many white South Africans.
He also implied that Krassner smoke pot.
- Where did he tell you this? - In the cafeteria.
- So you had coffee? - I had tea. Daniel had coffee.
- First name basis? - That's his name.
Daniel M'Boye.
- Then he gets your number. - Why would I give him that?
Because he asked you for it.
- And on duty, you have to abide by it. - He got the number to my work phone.
Good.
How black?
Are you a racist?
Coffee with or without milk?
Strong coffee, with a little milk...
... and two sugars.
He's writing all the time. He has been seen in the library and the press club.
A high-strung loner. Says hello to the students, but doesn't socialize.
He glues a toothpick on his door when he leaves.
- What does he live on? - Hamburgers and pizza.
And a substantial amount of cannabis.
We scare him with drug charges. That gives us time to ransack his apartment.
- No. - No?
He may get suspicious. We have to find out what he knows. The question is how.
Do you understand me, Waltin?
Yes, I understand, bureau chief.
Good. Do you have enough manpower?
- Yes. - Any of our guys on the scene?
- Yes. - Good.
I'm counting on you, Waltin.
- As the bureau chief should. - We won't discuss this further.
Krassner's in touch with some journalists. But I cannot risk it.
That's reassuring.
Those cretins deserve to be executed.
Why not invite Kressner here and talk war memories about his uncle?
- For one of those? Are you crazy? - We could fabricate a suitable story.
From the time when professor Forselius held the mirrors.
Exactly.
Far too many consonants in that fucking language!
You hear it? She's been at it all morning. Sounds like a furball stuck in her throat.
Out, woman! Out!
I've never raised my hand on a woman, this time it came close.
Something, I'm sure we have in common.
I'm not sure I follow...
Well, I'm fairly convinced that you do.
Your not a complete imbecile.
How do we get hold of the bastard?
I'm sure he doesn't have a phone where he lives.
We can write a letter.
Señor Hedberg, teléfono.
Digame.
Hey, it's me. Your motherland needs you.
I need your help with a matter over here.
PRESENT DAY
"On this place, Olof Palme was murdered on february 28 1986. "
The worst day of my life.
- I remember every detail of it. - Yes, as do all of us.
- How come he left home without security? - Only Palme knows, and he can't answer.
He wasn't very easy to handle.
The guys assigned to him liked him a lot.
They would all take a bullet for him.
- And on this particular friday? - On this particular friday, he...
... dismissed them at lunch. He said that he'd stay a while, then go straight home.
In a jocular fashion the guys asked if they could trust that.
He didn't mind some easy-going jargon.
He said that he wouldn't "depart on any adventures".
He and Lisbet had discussed the movies.
- So maybe a movie at the cinema? - Yes, at least he didn't rule it out.
But the indication was that he'd stay at home and he would call if that changed.
- And Palme didn't call. - No... He didn't.
- And what did you do then? - I went to bureau chief Berg-
- and told him that security was dismissed and that Palme may be off to the movies.
- And what did Berg say? - He wasn't happy at all.
Berg had issues with the bohemian side of Palme.
Berg said that he would call Nilsson at the chancellery, then he'd call me back.
But... he never did.
Well. Then...
... just before midnight, our officer on duty calls me and he tells me...
Hi.
- You live at Jungfrudansen? - Yes.
Do you want a ride?
Okay.
You're part of Johansson's little outfit?
I was there, back then.
Second unit on the scene.
According to one of the commissions we we're on scene 3 minutes after the shots.
The victim was still on the ground.
We didn't see who it was, we just saw that it was bad... Very bad.
And 10 minutes later, there were 20 officers searching through the area.
And what good did that do?
I didn't cry myself to sleep when I came home, but that's no secret.
- But I'm not involved. - I don't think that you are.
- The witness chain can't be accurate. - Agreed. I never believed that it was.
- I think I know what bothers you. - Okay?
You think witness 2 sees someone else than the perpetrator on David Bagares.
Why do you think that?
It's the only way it adds up. A three minute difference is not acceptable.
- Why haven't you told anyone? - Yes, how can that be?
Say that I would tell the colleagues at HQ that they got everything wrong...
Okay, they wouldn't cheer... But when you're driving along before the call, -
- passing the stairs at Tunnelgatan, you see nothing out of the ordinary?
No. Then we'd report it. And we certainly didn't see anyone holding a smoking gun.
Another thing, and I hope we can keep this between you and me. It's about your boss.
- I know that he busted you 20 years ago. - He had me in custody for a few days.
I was no angel back then. It's not about that, I wanted you to know-
- that I've never met anyone as cold as he is. Beware of him.
Tell me.
It'll work sitting down too...
Söderström, ex-bodyguard boss dined with Linda Mattei yesterday.
Isn't that a relative of yours?
The day of the murder, Palme had mentioned that he may see a movie.
He decides 30 minutes before leaving home.
- How many of his colleagues knew? - Firstly, Palme's regular bodyguards.
By noon Palme dismisses the guards. They call Söderström, and he calls...
- Bureau chief Berg. - Exactly.
Four people knew by lunchtime. And then?
Söderström called the duty officer, he in turn called six guards on weekend duty.
That's 11 so far. That means the entire department must have known by then.
- Not all of them. - They talk too.
It's not breaking news in that Palme wanted to see a movie.
Can we agree on that about 20 people at the bodyguards knew of Palme's plans?
That's plausible. 38 people were on duty.
How many at Palme workplace knew?
I have read every fucking hearing... and the question about the cinema is left out.
- Bullshit. It can't be. - The closest they get-
- is that a few are asked about him leaving home.
- Well, there you go. - No, it's not the same.
Those that were asked denied that he had any such plans.
Date and time for the masked ball at the Stockholm Opera House March 16, 1792-
- was known by hundreds, two months prior. Ten or more was part of the assassination.
Same mechanism here, the difference is that they had less time to prepare now.
Half of the population knew about his plans, 5 hours before he even decided.
No more than 50. 20 at the security police and 20 at his workplace. Add 10 to be safe.
50? It may as well be 500... A sewing circle could have handled his security.
Well, it's true.
Continue.
Two students are returning home for the weekend and one is dating his girlfriend.
- Pretoria? - I'll take care of him.
We'll be having coffee nearby. How much time do you need?
Keep him away between 8 and 9 p. m.
- And Krassner? - I'll handle him.
What does he expect?
- Who? - Pretoria.
Everything, I'm sure.
But he's not getting it.
No, he's not.
- What a beautiful blouse you're wearing. - Thank you. Nice of you to say. It's silk.
- Expensive, but... - Unbutton it.
Soon...
Now you'll have to excuse me, I have... engagements.
I'll be in touch.
On friday, november 22, John Krassner will be leaving his student apartment.
He will go to Sturegatan 72. He will probably walk there.
Your mission will be to chaperone said Krassner.
Follow him there, watch him and report any abnormalities.
And if he doesn't leave his apartment, you'll arrest him-
- on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.
Drive him to HQ, turn him over to Narcotics, dodge the paperwork.
Others will be handling the search warrant. All clear?
Hell, yes. What's going down?
You won't benefit from knowing the purpose of the operation.
Go on now, get out and play.
We assume that he's writing an political embarrassment.
Some say it concerns national security. Which warrants you and me to intervene.
I want to know what he's up to.
And when you've taken care of that...
... I don't want him to know about it.
I will let you know when I'm done.
Good.
7. 37 p. m.
Shit, he's early.
He's 20 minutes early.
We'd better report that.
It's a shame about Pelle Lindbergh.|
- What has happened? - He died in a car crash.
He's no hunting dog but he caught a rat once. Hadn't he pulled the leash-
it would have landed on my head.
Maybe he heard something.
You took your time.
What? Is he going to pick up and leave?
- Is this a fucking marathon? - A window on fifteen is open.
Good, now let's check the body.
Jonathan Paul Krassner, American citizen.
The fall improved his looks.
How about the boot that followed him to the ground and almost hit Vindeln.
Is Vindeln alive? Bag the boot with the body and get the city to clean this up.
Cold as an Eskimo's pussy, hurry up.
Have you seen this? It's in English.
Smells like Eskimo pussy too...
What a fucking pig.
Snap to it, don't be so meticulous. I only get bullshit investigations...
Now I'm thirsty.
- Looks like a typical suicide letter. - Good, we're done. Let's get a beer.
- He's here legally. - To steal our girls?
Come on.
Fuck. Chatting with a nigger in the middle of an investigation.
Another 15 minutes I'll never get back.
And now it's jungle dick. A regular sized Swedish dick isn't good enough anymore.
Fucking student hookers.
- Jarnebring, why this late hour? - I was bored. What's up?
- Suicide. An American. - Are you sure of that?
That he was American? Just finished the report.
- And Vindeln... - Is he alive?
... saw him flying through a window.
- You didn't talk to him, you fat fuck. - Shut the fuck up, he has no phone.
Hey, Vindeln, what happened back there?
I was in shock, then a boot came flying down.
- "Then"? - After the body.
- A boot? - Yes.
- After the body? - Yes.
- Specify "after". - After a while.
Not a minute, or half a minute but not in a second either. Maybe 10 seconds.
Have you told this to anyone?
I told the cop, I guess he thought I was drunk.
Everyone knows that you've quit.
- And the boot? - You guys took it.
What happened? The police were everywhere. He's dead.
What have we done?
- Answer me. - Sit down.
It's all such a tragedy.
The operation began a little early.
Krassner must have forgotten something and returned home. He walked in on us.
I've spoken to Berg, an internal investigation will be launched.
I'm so sorry that I involved you in this.
I'm so sorry...
My beautiful assistant Eriksson, of course we had nothing to do with it!
The operator was long gone when Krassner decided to try his wings.
Yes, it's a tragedy, but these things happen. It had nothing to do with us.
I'm sorry for the joke, but I couldn't resist.
You're crazy.
I guess so.
I've prepared the bathtub for you.
I didn't know what to do, but I don't think I was recognized.
On your way home to M'Boye?
- Because? - He invited me to tea.
- Tea? - Mm.
- Some kind of red tea from his home. - He invited you to a cup of red tea?
You're sure he invited you to tea?
I don't know.
- He didn't have an ulterior motif? - That's possible. Very much so.
But that wouldn't interest you.
No, it certainly wouldn't.
Because you had something else in mind.
That's possible.
Stand up.
I'm sorry, but a dead American is serious.
He's a freelance journalist from Albany.
Some time before 8 p. m. he falls out of his window in the student high-rise.
- Murder or suicide, what's the problem? - As far as we know, no criminal past.
A probable suicide. He left a note with fingerprints on it.
- Suicide. So what's the problem? - His name was John Paul Krassner.
- How do you know him? - I don't know him.
He came to Sweden 6 weeks ago. Coffee?
No...
- A distinguished visitor for once. - You mean Krassner?
- The visitor?! - No, me.
A copy of the suicide letter and this is what he looks like.
- Krassner? - Yes, that was his name.
The post office called me about a letter from Krassner.
- What letter? - No idea.
- Can we deal with this tomorrow? - There's the matter of Krassner's boot.
This reaches ground 10 seconds after Krassner.
Yes, it could have bounced off a balcony. Bäckström hasn't added that in the report.
There's more. The boot is made by "Street Smart" with a hollow heel.
One note with numbers and this one says:
Is this a joke?
Hi, I'm looking for Pia Hedin.
- That's me. - Lars Martin Johansson.
- You called me. - That's right. Come this way.
- Do you recognize him? - Yes, that's the American.
A little over a month ago, he was here to send you a letter.
- And you remember that? - He sent it poste restante.
So that you could pick it up on Folkungagatan.
I offered to get your address, but he said that this was your arrangement.
- I don't know of any letter. - As I suspected.
- Because you didn't pick it up. - That's why you called me.
I reacted to your title "police commissioner".
It sounded... exciting.
Exciting? How?
I thought it could be something confidential, like a secret record.
- Do you read any detective stories? - Yes...
- Do you have the letter? - Sorry, it's not here.
It was here for 30 days, and after that it was forwarded to his fiancée.
But... I can give you a copy of the addressed envelope.
If it's any help.
Sarah Weissman, California.
Why send a poste restante to someone you never met?
Maybe as an insurance, to someone he trusts, if anything happens to him.
- But how would I know. - You're here, aren't you?
You think just like a cop.
And that was a compliment.
- Here you go. - Problems?
I entered a little early, other than that, nothing.
But he's writing... like you said.
A detective story.
Why do you think that?
"The Spy That Went East"
At least he finished the title.
And this was all?
- Nothing else? - No.
You checked the ribbon in the typewriter?
I was interrupted.
Any witnesses?
To what?
PRESENT DAY
What do you want?
I was talking to an old acquaintance.
An art dealer. He said that he had sold a Zorn-painting to a colleague of ours.
Then it struck me that you know him. Police grand commissioner Claes...
Waltin.
We are close friends, but it's been a while.
Really? Much in common with that leather faggot?
Art. He has a huge collection of contemporary Swedish art.
- How did he finance that? - With very wealthy parents.
How stupid of me...
On occasion I had the chance to help Claes and the public sector.
- With what? - I'm sworn to secrecy.
- Just between you and me? - Sorry. National Security.
But I received an official "thank you" from the chief of the security police.
Berg jr. is in custody. Day three and he's beat.
Could he commit suicide with the blanket he's hugging?
You've already taken shoe laces and belt.
For 10 years he thought that his cop-father died in the line of duty.
But suddenly you appear in his cell.
You throw him an old report that say that his father drove off the road while drunk.
Berg jr. falls apart. He's sedated and restrained, then you just release him.
That he could commit suicide never bothered you?
Not in the least. He's not the type.
But he'll gladly end the lives of others. He's very caring when it comes to him.
Why did you talk to him?
He was with the second unit on the scene.
So?
- He helped me break the witness chain. - How nice. Too bad it took him 26 years.
The butcher from Ådalen. I have a tip.
So spit it out.
- And what do I get in return? - You may get to keep your job.
You better, cunt! Let me meet him, or I'll punch your fucking teeth out!
Tell me what you know or you will face assault and sexual harassment-charges.
An informant gave me a tip on the weapon.
- Maybe you should tell it to Flykt. - Sure, and read all about it tomorrow?
We've had hundreds of tips about the weapon. Why is this so special?
Everything. The informant for one.
- What's his name? - No way. I'd rather do time.
Wait.
After a thorough search in the files I came up with this one.
- With serial number. - How did you find it?
With some honest police work.
Due to the delicate nature, I assume that this information remains secret.
You'll be carrying me on uplifted arms through the pearly gates of the police.
We know who's in possession of the gun.
- The perpetrator? - The possessor.
What did he say about the weapon, who did he name and what's his credentials?
And what do I get for this?
I will be carrying you on uplifted arms through the pearly gates of the police.
So you want to know his name?
Is everyone here? I spoke to Bäckström.
- Was he rough? - No, he got a tip.
A few days after the headlines. He says he knows where the murder weapon is.
He got this from an informant. Very reliable, according to him.
- Anonymous? - Of course.
The gun wasn't found since we looked for a Smith & Wesson. This is a Ruger.
It's been used before.
Two murders and a suicide. And the serial number. I'm calling intelligence.
No, there's more. With Bäckström there's always more. He knows him.
He's known him for ages. And he gave me a name.
Not the informant. This is much better.
The man in possession of the gun.
A colleague. Never mentioned in the investigation. I don't know if it's true.
Who is it?
Claes Waltin.
Ex-commissioner at the security police.
- And all this from Bäckström. - I know, but worth checking.
- Waltin had access to the gun. - He's not part of the investigation.
He has to, I put him in there. He got a parking ticket 3 hours after the murder.
It seemed odd, but I sent an inquiry about a heavy hitter at security.
They replied that he used the car in the line of duty.
He has to be in there.