Арнальдур Индридасон - The Shadow Killer

‘I can’t believe Felix... would be capable of anything like that,’ said Ebeneser. He cleared his throat. ‘He’s bound to come forward sooner or later to provide an explanation. I don’t doubt that for a moment.’

‘Well, we’ll see. Have you any idea where he might be?’

‘No, none at all. The last I heard, he was working as a travelling salesman, out of town for longer or shorter periods. Are you sure he isn’t on one of his sales trips?’

Thorson caught Flóvent’s eye. He’d detected a hint of contempt for Felix in his uncle’s voice, as if being a salesman was an unworthy occupation for a young man of his background. He wondered if Felix had been a disappointment to this family of schoolmasters, doctors and academics. But he kept his thoughts from his face and couldn’t tell if Flóvent had picked up on it as well.

‘It’s possible,’ said Flóvent. ‘Do you happen to know if he’s familiar with the German consulate on Túngata?’

‘No... The consulate?’

‘Was he a frequent guest there?’

‘No, I... I wouldn’t know. Why should...?’

‘Do you own or have access to a firearm?’ asked Flóvent, keeping up an unrelenting flow of questions.

‘No, I don’t own a gun, nor do I have access to one,’ said Ebeneser sharply, as if the questions were getting on his nerves. ‘I sometimes cast a line for salmon. That’s the nearest I come to hunting for sport. I don’t use firearms and, frankly, I find it hard to understand why you should think it necessary to ask me if I own a pistol.’

‘These are merely routine enquiries we’re putting to everyone connected to Felix. You shouldn’t read too much into them, sir.’

‘Well, I’m not sure I appreciate your... your tone or your questions. It’s almost as if you take me for a common criminal.’

‘On the contrary,’ Flóvent assured him, and ploughed on unperturbed. ‘May I ask if you’re on friendly terms with any American or British servicemen?’

‘No, I can’t say I am. Naturally I’ve had dealings with them. They’ve made use of some of the school buildings, for example, but I’m not personally acquainted with any of them.’

‘What about Felix? Do you know if he spends much time around members of the occupation force?’

‘Not that I’m aware. But I wouldn’t know.’

‘How’s his relationship with his father?’ asked Flóvent. ‘Are he and Rudolf on good terms?’

‘I think you had better ask them about that.’

‘Yes, of course. When did you last see Felix?’

Ebeneser couldn’t say exactly. He frowned, apparently trying to remember when their paths had last crossed, and finally said he thought it had been earlier that summer, about a month ago perhaps, when Felix had returned from one of his sales trips. Ebeneser had run into him in the centre of town, on Pósthússtræti, and Felix had told him he’d just arrived on the Súd after a stint in the West Fjords. He had been his usual ebullient self. Felix had always been an outgoing character and found it easy to meet people. Doubtless that helped him peddle his wares to them. That’s to say, he had mentioned how well the trip had gone, but they’d only exchanged a few words before Felix had to dash off.

‘Did you notice if he was carrying a suitcase?’

‘Yes, I daresay he was,’ said Ebeneser. ‘Though I didn’t pay any particular attention to it.’

‘Do you know what a cyanide capsule is?’ asked Flóvent.

‘A cyanide capsule?’

‘Would it come as a surprise to you that we found a cyanide pill in Felix’s suitcase and that analysis has revealed that it was manufactured in Germany?’

The headmaster stared dumbly at Flóvent. He appeared not to understand the question.

‘Would it come as a surprise to you?’ Flóvent repeated.

‘I’ve never even heard of such a thing,’ said Ebeneser. ‘A cyanide...?’

‘A capsule of the type we found is known as a suicide pill,’ Flóvent explained. You bite it and death follows in a matter of seconds. Can you imagine why Felix would have wanted to keep a pill like that close to hand?’

‘No, I have to admit... I have to admit I’ve absolutely no idea. I’m astonished, frankly. Why would Felix have a... a pill like that in his possession? Surely there’s been some mistake?’

‘Did you meet Dr Hans Lunden when he visited the country a couple of years back?’

‘Hans?’ repeated the headmaster in surprise. ‘What about him?’

‘Did you meet him? Do you know him?’

‘Well, I... no, not very well. He’s...’

‘Yes?’

‘He’s Rudolf’s brother. But perhaps you already knew that. He lives in Germany.’

‘Is he there now?’

‘As far as I’m aware. But I’m not sure why you’re asking me. What has he got to do with this?’

‘I understand that Hans Lunden visited Iceland in ’39,’ Flóvent went on, as though he hadn’t heard the question. ‘Am I correct?’

‘That sounds about right,’ said Ebeneser. ‘Shortly before the war. During the spring, if memory serves.’

‘So you’ve met him?’

‘Yes, once. At a party given by my brother-in-law. Look, I feel as though I’m being subjected to some sort of interrogation. Have I committed an offence? Why are you bombarding me with questions like this? Could it not wait until tomorrow? I... It’s been a long, hard day and, as I’ve already explained, I’m really rather tired.’

‘Of course,’ said Flóvent. ‘We won’t take up any more of your time. There are just a couple more points I’d like to clear up. Do you think it’s plausible that Hans Lunden could have provided Felix with the cyanide capsule? Or does the notion strike you as absurd?’

Ebeneser looked from one of them to the other, his face registering surprise and suspicion.

‘Is it possible that he brought more of these pills to the country, do you think?’ Flóvent asked, when it became evident that the headmaster wasn’t going to answer. ‘Do you have any inkling?’

‘I can’t imagine what you’re insinuating,’ said Ebeneser. ‘I don’t know what Hans Lunden did or didn’t bring to Iceland. It’s a mystery to me why you’re asking me all these questions. Are you trying to incriminate me by linking me to some... some suicide pill? I simply can’t work out where all these questions are leading. I’m completely at a loss and can’t think what you expect me to say.’

‘No, that’s hardly surprising,’ said Flóvent. ‘Please believe me when I say that this is as new to me as it is to you, but I hope you understand that I’m compelled to ask. Please bear with me just a little longer. I gather you and Rudolf were members of the Nationalist Party. Did Dr Hans Lunden come to Iceland under their auspices? Under the auspices of the Nationalist Party, I mean?’

‘I don’t believe so. But I wasn’t a very active member and know little about their arrangements, so I’m afraid I can’t answer that.’

‘Are you still a Nazi sympathiser?’

‘Certainly not,’ said Ebeneser, flicking a glance at Thorson. ‘Not that it’s any of your business. I simply can’t work out what it is that you want from me. Besides which, it’s extremely late...’

‘I suppose Felix had direct links to Germany, to his relatives there,’ said Flóvent, changing tack. He didn’t want to alienate the headmaster, as he suspected that their paths would cross again, sooner rather than later.

‘Actually he’s spent more time in Denmark. Perhaps you’re aware that his grandmother’s Danish?’ said Ebeneser, sounding weary. ‘Look, I’d be grateful if we could wrap this up now. If you don’t mind.’

‘Of course. It’s late, as you said.’ Flóvent made as if to leave. ‘Thank you for seeing us at such an inconvenient time. We only dropped by on the off-chance that you’d be home. Has he been in Denmark recently? Felix, I mean.’