He came straight to the point.
‘I’m sorry to have to tell you, Rut, but Elín is dead.’
He paused for Rut’s response, but she only gasped and turned pale without saying a word.
‘As far as we can establish, she died of natural causes – a heart attack in the mountains. She and Lovísa were on a hike together at the time.’
‘What? I don’t understand. Why didn’t Lovísa say anything?’
Helgi chose his next words carefully.
‘Because Lovísa didn’t want the news to get out that Elín was dead.’
‘For God’s sake, why not?’
‘Elín gave an interview some years ago in which she revealed an old secret. The condition she set the journalist was that the interview shouldn’t be published in her – Elín’s, that is – lifetime.’
‘That’s news to me. I had absolutely no idea about this.’
‘I have to ask you a question, and may I remind you that you must answer truthfully.’
He saw Rut’s hands twitching with agitation. She licked her dry lips, her distress obvious.
He resumed: ‘What do you know about a bank robbery committed in 1965, for which a man called Einar Másson was convicted?’
‘Well, I knew Einar, of course – he was a friend of Elín and Lovísa’s, but… For goodness’ sake, I know nothing about the robbery. It was a terrible shock to all of uswhen he was arrested. And it was awfully sad that he died so young.’
‘What I’m going to tell you next is strictly confidential: Lovísa has confessed to having taken part in the robbery with Einar.’
‘Lovísa? My Lovísa?’
Helgi nodded.
‘No, that… that’s impossible. It was two men.’
‘Two masked robbers. One of whom was a woman.’
‘No, no, not Lovísa. And why would you think Elín knew about it?’
‘Elín knew what Lovísa and Einar were planning, and she wanted the truth to come out. In the end, that is.’
‘Can I speak to Lovísa?’ Rut asked.
‘Not straight away. I assume she’ll be charged with murder. She’s guilty of causing a man’s death. A cashier at the bank died in the robbery, as I expect you remember.’
Rut didn’t seem to know what to say to this.
Helgi rose to his feet. ‘I know this will be a big shock to you and your husband, Rut. I’m sure you’ll get a chance to speak to Lovísa in due course. But I won’t keep you any longer now.’
‘Wasn’t it Einar who shot the man?’ Rut asked, her voice strained, as though everything was riding on the answer.
‘Not according to Lovísa, I’m afraid. And I’m confident that she’s going to have to face the consequences now.’
Rut’s eyes were riveted on him, her face blank.
Helgi was at the door, saying goodbye, when she askedin a voice that seemed to come from a long way off: ‘Can I publish the book?’
He turned. ‘What?’
