‘About something that happened in 1965. Does that ring a bell?’
‘I don’t know what to say, Helgi. It was a long time ago. Does it matter any more? I’ve made a living since time out of mind from judging people and sending them to prison for sins big and small, but I’ve never been able to judge myself. I’ve just had to live with my guilt. Can you understand that?’
‘Yes.’
Helgi took another mouthful of coffee. Warmth was slowly but surely returning to his body.
‘How did it happen, Lovísa?’
‘What?’
‘The robbery.’
She was silent for a long time, staring into space as if trying to decide whether she could bring herself to talk about her past sins. She must be well aware that it paid to work with the police when the game was up.
‘I don’t know,’ she said at last. ‘A bad idea. We’reimmortal when we’re young, Helgi. You’re still quite young yourself. Then, without warning, you realize that you’re not going to live for ever; that you’re going to disappear one day but that your sins won’t.’
‘Did you shoot the man?’
Another long pause.
‘I did. I don’t know why Einar didn’t give me away. We never discussed it. He was fond of me. I would have looked after him when he got out, but he just died, the poor boy. Maybe he never had a chance. I feel responsible for that too, you know.’
‘The robbery is outside the statute of limitations now, I believe.’
‘Yes, that’s right,’ Lovísa replied. ‘But murder isn’t. Not that that’s what really matters. What really matters is one’s reputation. I have to admit that I was hoping I’d be able to wait this out.’
‘How?’
‘I haven’t been entirely well for the last few years and I gather that I have, at most, one good year left.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that, Lovísa.’
‘That’s life. Remember, we’re all mortal; you just haven’t realized it yet. It’s not a big deal.’
‘Is Elín dead?’
Lovísa didn’t answer.
Perhaps he should give her more time. He wasn’t in any particular hurry.
‘I met her daughter,’ he said, to disconcert Lovísa a little.
‘What?’
‘Elín’s daughter.’
Lovísa nodded.
‘Did you know about her?’
‘Yes. I was the only one who did. I knew why Elín moved to Ísafjördur, but she wouldn’t let me visit her there. No one else was to know. How old would she be now? Wait a minute… forty-six, I suppose. I’ve never met her. How did you track her down?’
‘She was the woman who took the interview.’
Lovísa smiled at this.
‘Typical Elín. Always a surprise twist at the end.’
