‘Yes, actually, Monday to Thursday, here behind the counter. There’s always someone in the kitchen too.’
Helgi hurriedly trawled through his memory for the dates.
‘I gather they were last here on 23 October. Were you working that day?’
The girl thought.
‘Er, yes, that’s quite recent. I haven’t taken any time off since the beginning of September.’
‘Their names are Lovísa and Elín. Do you remember them?’
‘Hard to say; there are a lot of regulars here.’
‘Hang on a sec…’
Helgi pulled out his phone and showed her photos, first of Lovísa, then of Elín.
‘They seem like they might be familiar, but I’m not very good with faces.’
‘This woman is called Elín S. Jónsdóttir.’ He showed her the photo again. ‘She’s a well-known author.’
‘Oh yes, I recognize the name. Dad reads her books, but I didn’t know what she looked like. As I said, I feel as if I recognize them, but I couldn’t tell you when they meet here or how often. I don’t mix with the customers much.’ She smiled again. ‘You can top up your coffee yourself, if you like.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Just take a seat anywhere. There’s plenty of room. You can sit outside too, if it’s not too cold for you.’
Helgi decided to risk the cold and stepped outside, where he took in the view of the sea and the boats, and noticed that for once the sun was peeping out from behind the clouds.
He gave thanks for the bright morning.
He could do with a bit of energy and fresh air to help him start the day.
2012
Monday, 5 November
Baldur Baldursson cut as distinguished a figure behind his desk at the law practice as he had at his seventieth-birthday party. His suit today was darker than the one he had worn the previous evening but looked as if it had been made by the same tailor.
‘It’s a pity you couldn’t stay longer yesterday,’ was Baldur’s opening comment, though it was fairly clear he didn’t mean it.
‘It was a splendid party. A belated happy birthday, by the way. I’m afraid I completely forgot to say it yesterday, in all the excitement.’
‘Thank you. Though all these birthdays tend to merge together by the time you’re my age. The years pass so quickly. I didn’t actually want to make a big fuss about this one. It was my wife who twisted my arm.’ Another lie, Helgi thought, smiling wryly to himself. The lawyer had obviously been in his element at yesterday’s champagne reception.
Helgi took a seat as if he were a client, reflecting privately that he was glad he had never needed the services of a lawyer. Even when he sold – and repurchased – his father’s bookshop, the contracts had been drawn up on the computer at home, without any specialist knowledge, but they had done the trick.
Helgi got straight to the point: ‘Have you had a chance to consult your colleagues?’
Baldur adjusted his glasses on his nose, then said: ‘Some of the partners weren’t at all happy about the idea; they wanted you to present a warrant.’
Helgi pictured a room full of older men; somehow he couldn’t see a woman being part of that gathering.
‘Whereas I myself recommended finding a middle way; trying to adopt a course that would satisfy everyone without involving a judge in the matter.’
‘I see.’
‘I proposed the following solution, which my partners eventually agreed to: that I should show you the will here in my office but that you wouldn’t be allowed to take it away with you. And it goes without saying that you would have to maintain complete discretion about its contents.’
