3
" And if you didn't like the situation you were stuck in, there was always the option of running away from yourself: running away from opinions, from your marriage, from your country, from old values, from trends that had otherwise meant so much yesterday. The problem was just that out there, among all the new, you found nothing of what you were looking for deep down inside, because tomorrow it would all be meaningless again. It had become an eternal and fruitless hunt for your own shadow, and that was pitiful. "
― Jussi Adler-Olsen , The Hanging Girl (Department Q, #6)
14
" He opened the lock while the dogs began to growl at Assad. ‘They’re not used to dark skin.’ ‘No problem. I’ve got them under control,’ answered Assad, at which the dominant dog lunged towards him ready to bite. Carl jumped to the side but Assad stood his ground and that very second, as the gardener tried to stop the beast, he let out an infernal yell that made both dogs sink to their knees like puppies and piss themselves like they’d never pissed before. ‘That’s it,’ said Assad, slapping himself on the thigh and calling the dogs to heel. When they crept over to him and let him pet them, both the gardener and Carl stood speechless, watching. ‘Where did I get to?’ said Assad, the dogs on either side of him, as if they’d found a new master. ‘Yes, we need a little assistance. Firstly, we need to buy something or other that can help me sleep.’ Carl couldn’t believe his own ears. If Assad slept any deeper than he had in the hotel in Rønne, he’d damn well never wake up again. ‘And then we need something that can revitalize my friend here. Afterwards, we’d like to ask you a couple of questions, if that’s OK with you.’ The ID card never materialized from Carl’s pocket. "
― Jussi Adler-Olsen , The Hanging Girl (Department Q, #6)
15
" Just a moment.’ Assad disappeared out the door, and Carl stared at the cup. The combination of words like ‘libido’ and ‘Mona’ made him suddenly thirsty. A little sip couldn’t hurt. He felt the steam and the smell of distant, exotic coasts and dived in. He thought it tasted rather good until the effect kicked in. The combination of neck arteries suddenly opening, oesophagus collapsing, vocal cords scratching like hell and not being able to feel his uvula all made him instinctively grab his throat with one hand and support himself on the edge of the table with the other. If there’d been acid in the cup, it wouldn’t have felt much different. He wanted to swear but not a word came out, only tears and saliva from the corners of his mouth, and he had an unusually keen desire for revenge and ice-cold water by the bucketload. ‘What’s wrong, Carl?’ asked Assad as he came in with the report. ‘Was there too much ginger? "
― Jussi Adler-Olsen , The Hanging Girl (Department Q, #6)