Shelly Salzman is Sheila’s husband. He’s a physician and an unwaveringly kind, thoughtful, and considerate man. In the months after Merry goes missing, the Swede and Sheila begin a short-lived affair. The Swede nearly confesses to Shelly out of guilt, though he ultimately decides against it. Years later, the Swede discovers that Merry went to the Salzmans after she bombed the local post office and that the couple harbored her there in secret for a few days.