"Can you see if he's looking in his rear-view mirror?" Skarre said.
"He's not. Let that Volvo get ahead of you, Skarre, that green one!"
The Volvo braked but Skarre waved it on ahead of them. The driver saluted in thanks.
"He's signalling right. Get over in the right lane! Where do you think he's going?"
"Possibly to Oscarsgaten. The man's in the middle of moving, isn't he? Careful now, he's slowing down. Watch out for that beer truck; if it gets in front of you, we'll lose him!"
"Easy for you to say. When are you going to get yourself a more powerful car?"
"He's slowing down again. I bet he's heading for Børresensgaten. Let's hope the Volvo is going the same way."
Johnas drove the big vehicle gently and smoothly through town, as if not wanting to attract attention. He signalled and changed gear as he approached Oscarsgaten, and now they could clearly see him looking in his rear-view mirror several times.
"He's stopping at the yellow building. It's number 15. Pull over, Skarre!"
"Right here?"
"Turn off the engine. He's getting out now."
Johnas jumped out of the truck, looked around, and crossed the street with long strides. Sejer and Skarre stared at the door where he stood, fumbling with a key. He was carrying a toolbox.
"He's going up to his apartment. We'll wait here for the time being. As soon as he's inside, slip out and run over to his truck. I want you to peek in through the back window."
"What do you think he has in there?"
"I don't even dare guess what it might be. OK, now. Hurry, Skarre!"
Skarre ran along the footpath, bent double like an old man, ducking behind a row of parked cars. He appeared again at the back of the truck, and put a hand on either side of his face to see better. Within seconds he turned and came sprinting back, threw himself into the driver's seat and slammed the door.
"A pile of carpets. And what looks like Halvor's Suzuki. It's in the back of the truck with the helmet on the handlebars. Shall we go up?"
"Absolutely not. We're just going to sit here. If I'm right, he won't be long."
"And then we'll keep following him?"
"That depends."
"Is there a light on anywhere?"
"Not that I can see. There he is now!"
They ducked down and peered at Johnas, who had paused on the footpath. Now he looked up and down the street and at the long row of cars parked on the left-hand side. He didn't see anyone in any of them. He went over to the Transit truck, got in, started the engine, and began backing up. Skarre stuck his head up over the dashboard.
"What's he doing?" asked Sejer.
"He's backing up. Now he's moving forward. He's backing across the street and parking right in front of the entrance. He's getting out. He's at the back door of the truck. Now he's opening it. Taking out a rolled-up carpet. Crouching down and putting it over his shoulder. He's swaying under the weight. It looks like it's god-awful heavy!"
"Christ, he's going to fall over!"
Johnas teetered under the weight of the carpet. His knees seemed about to give way under him.
Sejer put his hand on the door handle. "He's going back inside. He's probably trying to put it in the lift. Keep your eye on the front of the building, Skarre. See if he turns on a light!"
Kollberg started to whine.
"Be quiet, boy!" Sejer turned and patted the dog. They waited, peering at the façade of the building and the dark windows.
"There's a light on the fourth floor now. His apartment is there, right below that protrusion – can you see it?"
Sejer stared up at the wall. The yellow window had no curtains.
"Shouldn't we go up?" Skarre asked.
"Don't be too hasty. Johnas is clever. We should wait a bit."
"Wait for what?"
"The light has gone off again. Maybe he's coming out. Get down, Skarre!"
They ducked down. Kollberg began to whine again.
"If you start barking, you won't get any food for a whole week!" Sejer whispered between clenched teeth.
Johnas came back outside. He looked exhausted. This time he didn't look to the right or left but just got into the truck, slammed the door, and started the engine.
Sejer cracked open the door.
"Follow him. Keep a good distance. I'm going up to his flat."
"How are you going to get inside?"
"I've taken a course in picking locks. Haven't you?
"Of course, of course."
"Just don't lose him! Don't move until you see him turn the corner, then follow him.