‘I’m looking for someone by the name of Kristín Unnur Árnadóttir. And as far as I can tell, you’re the only one in the country.’
‘That’s right. I’ve never had an exact namesake.’
‘Right. Well, strange as it may sound, your name cropped up in Elín’s will.’
‘What? Are you serious?’
Her astonishment appeared to be genuine.
‘Quite. We can’t understand it. You said you didn’t know each other?’
‘No, I can’t really say we did. I met her once, as I mentioned. But only in a professional context.’ She lowered her gaze. ‘I don’t understand it either. I just can’t take it in.’ Then she added, her eyes sharp again: ‘Her will, you said? Why have you been looking at her will if she’s still alive?’
‘It’s not official. We’re simply trying to look into all angles. I was hoping her will might shed some light on the matter, and it pointed to you. But our chat seems to have left me with more questions than answers.’
‘Then imagine how I feel!’ Kristín smiled, but still seemed rather dazed.
And Helgi still hadn’t dropped his bombshell.
Picking his words carefully, he said: ‘Any discussion of her will is pretty theoretical at this stage, while we don’t know what’s happened to Elín. If she turns up, alive and well, I’ll probably have told you more than she would have wanted.’
Kristín nodded.
‘But the situation is that you’re pretty much Elín’s sole heir.’
Kristín stared at him, not saying a word.
‘I realize this must come as a surprise to you,’ he said after a lengthy silence.
‘You must be joking, surely? I… I’m speechless. Are you serious?’
‘You can talk to her lawyer, if you like.’ Helgi was promising more than he could deliver here, as he wasn’t at all sure that Baldur would be willing to confirm anything. ‘His name’s Baldur Baldursson. And I assure you that this is no joke, Kristín.’
‘But why… why would she do that?’
‘That’s the big question. I’m trying to work it out myself.’
Kristín stood up.
‘Please excuse me, Helgi, but I need some time to think.’
He rose to his feet as well.
‘I understand. Will you get in touch if you think of anything that could be relevant?’
‘Of course I will,’ she said, avoiding his eye.
After a moment she asked: ‘Is it a lot of money?’
‘Her legacy?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can’t really say at this stage, but I assume she has considerable assets, yes.’
‘OK,’ Kristín said. ‘Right, OK. Can I call you, then?’
‘Yes, please do.’
