Summary

In Chapter 31, Valentin reminds Ståle that when he was first charged with sexual abuse, Ståle made a psychological evaluation of him to determine whether or not Valentin was of sound mind. “Well,” he says, “it took only forty-five minutes” (268). Valentin then proudly announces who he is and complains that since he overheard Ståle talking with a cop about his drawings on the tram window, he has had to cycle to his office. Valentin suddenly whips a survival knife out of his rucksack and within seconds has jumped behind Ståle and holds the jagged blade against his throat. Harry arrives just in time; he warns Valentin the police are on the way and convinces him that he is a better hostage than Ståle.

In Chapter 32, Bjørn tells Gunnar Hagen that Valentin left his tracksuit top behind as well...