The Best Book in the World

CHAPTER 15

The Return of Fabian Nadersson


Sometimes Titus has to take a rest from his writing. Not because he wants to, but because the computer turns itself off at regular intervals. Astra has decided that Titus must rest now and then. Besides, he must stay sober as he has to use the BAC lock every time he wants to start working again.

Yes, Astra is a wise editor. The alcohol lock ensures that Titus slaves away at the computer when it is turned on. Each session lasts for exactly six hours. When the computer turns itself off, he can’t start it up again for two hours. As if out of respect for the computer and its sleep mode, Titus always puts the lid down and says ‘Sleep tight!’ During the breaks Titus manages to eat, rest and communicate with the outside world. He turns his mobile on and checks whether he has any messages. He rarely does.

Today the fridge is desolate. A half-eaten pizza tries to make itself look interesting through its transparent and greasy plastic container. It is unsuccessful. Titus sighs deeply and looks at the clock. Yes, he’s just got time to get down to the shop if he hurries.

Then the telephone rings. He answers angrily:

‘Yes? Titus Jensen here.’

‘Hello, Titus. This is Fabian Nadersson! Can you spare a minute?’

‘Hello… er, no, I’m just about to go shopping. What is it about? Wasn’t it you who tried to sell Mensa courses to me a while back?’

‘That’s right, Titus! We had a really nice offer there.’

‘Fabian Nadersson… what sort of name is that actually?’

‘It’s my name, Titus.’

‘But I mean Nadersson. Never heard it before.’

‘Exactly. I used to be called Andersson. Now I’m called Nadersson. A bit more personal. I feel very comfortable with it. That’s how it is, Titus. Can I tell you what is on my mind today?’

‘Do I have any choice?’

‘Haha. Of course you do, Titus. Obviously you have a choice. Today I’m phoning on behalf of the Multi-therapy Association.’

‘What did you say it was called? Multivitamin Association?’

‘Multi-therapy, Titus. Multi-therapy Association.’

‘And what on earth is that?’

‘Well, thank you for asking, Titus. I’ll tell you. The Multi-therapy Association offers solutions for motor-skill and mental blocks. The pedagogy assumes that all problems can be solved. Does that sound good?’

‘Good? It sounds ridiculous. What do you mean “all problems can be solved”? Can they go and do my shopping, the people in this association? I need milk and bread. And eggs. And quick as hell.’

‘Haha, nice one. No, multi-therapy is a form of treatment that deals with – for example – obsessive-compulsive disorder. What I can offer is an open house at a multi-therapist near you. On Saturday, the association has open house across the country. It is free to get information, and if you want you can then buy a test consultation which costs only four hundred and ninety-nine kronor for the first hour. Since you live in Stockholm, I can warmly recommend a visit to Dr Rolf on Valhallav?gen. He has a very good reputation.’

‘What, is it free?’

‘Yes, the actual information is free. And the first hour is at the giveaway price of four hundred and ninety-nine kronor, as I said. Does that sound interesting?’

‘What do you mean? You don’t want to sell me anything, here and now?’

‘This conversation is a part of a national telemarketing campaign that the Multi-therapy Association is carrying out. You don’t need to buy anything. Shall I book you in for a free session now on Saturday? Shall we say at 10 o’clock at Valhallav?gen 1?’

‘I’m not sure about that. Are you certain it won’t cost anything?’

‘Not an ?re. Thank you, Titus, then that’s settled. You are booked in to see Dr Rolf on Saturday at 10 o’clock, Valhallav?gen 1. Good luck!’

Titus shakes his head. Multi-therapy sounds New Age. If there’s anything that Titus dislikes, then it is incense and new spiritual things. At the same time, it will do him no harm to leave the flat for a couple of hours and gather some new impressions. He knows, too, that spiritual things sell like hotcakes, regardless of whether they are new or old. Who knows, perhaps he can get some ideas that H?kan Rink can use in his hunt for Serial Salvador. A good chief inspector must be an expert on relationships and therapy, he has always thought that. Now he’ll have the chance to learn some more.