The Police Team Under Strain

This subplot follows the investigation team as urgent work, limited expertise, and personal mistrust test its cooperation.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Demanding Assignment

Wallander Takes Charge A New Murder Case Wallander assigns colleagues to the taxi-driver killing while he questions the girls and presses for a deeper motive. He expects the team to work through uncomfortable details. Shared Doubt Martinsson admits that he often thinks about leaving the force. Wallander understands the exhaustion but insists the case still demands them.

Höglund’s Independent Lead

A Different Route Listening to Persson Höglund questions Eva Persson and pursues the history of Hökberg’s relationships. She notices the girl’s prepared answers and keeps searching beyond the obvious robbery motive. A Crucial Connection Her work uncovers the report of rape and points toward Carl-Einar Lundberg. Wallander’s investigation depends on her independent judgment, not merely his own instincts.

Technical Reinforcements

New Expertise Modin and Alfredsson The police bring in Robert Modin, then a national computer specialist, Hans Alfredsson. Their knowledge opens digital terrain that Wallander cannot navigate himself. A Division of Labor Wallander must rely on specialists while maintaining the wider investigative picture. The arrangement reveals both the team’s adaptability and its dependence on knowledge beyond conventional policing.

The Field Pursuit

A Dangerous Search A Gunman in Fog Police surround a suspected attacker near Backåkra, but the fog obscures positions and communication. Wallander runs into the field after the gunman. A Near-Fatal Mistake The suspect shoots and later kills himself. Holgersson says Wallander acted alone, and Wallander realizes Martinsson has misrepresented what happened.

A Team Divided

Work Continues, Trust Breaks The Argument Wallander confronts Martinsson for criticizing him privately and lying about the field pursuit. He strikes him, then admits the blow was wrong without withdrawing his anger. An Unrepaired Partnership They cooperate long enough to stop the attack, but the case does not repair their friendship. Their final confrontation leaves Wallander grieving a relationship he had trusted.

October 6, 1997

October 12–18, 1997

October 12–19, 1997

October 18, 1997, night

October 19–November 1997