Quentin Bates - Chilled to the Bone

“Absolutely. Definitely,” Ægir Lárusson said with emphasis, smacking two fingers of one hand into the palm of the other. “If there is any truth behind these allegations, which I hasten to add have yet to be substantiated, then the ministry will do its utmost to examine the circumstances behind this deeply regrettable situation.”

“That man lies like a cheap watch,” Gunna said, lying back against Steini.

Steini frowned. “You know this guy?”

“And is the minister aware of what the implications could be for the government if these allegations are based on verifiable facts?” the interviewer asked.

Ægir Lárusson smiled, and Gunna saw Már Einarsson in the background, flanked by the plump young woman Gunna had seen him with that morning. Ægir Lárusson’s smile looked sinister in the harsh lights behind the camera.

“I am confident that this matter can be resolved and that there are no skeletons in the ministry’s cupboards,” he said, stiffening and adjusting the collar of the same thick coat Gunna had seen him wearing only a few hours earlier, making it plain that the interview should be over.

“So can we expect a statement from the minister shortly?”

“That’s up to the minister himself, and as you know he’s taking part in a Nordic regional conference in Riga. I’ll raise it with him at the first available opportunity.”

“But-”

“That is all I have to say for now,” Ægir Lárusson said with a brief return of that wintry smile before he stepped smartly out of shot and the TV picture returned to a serious presenter behind a desk.

“Shrimp quotas for next year …” he began as Laufey turned the sound down.

“Loathsome, revolting man,” Gunna grumbled, getting to her feet as the bathroom door opened and banged shut. “How long until dinner? What I really want to know is, are you doing garlic bread?”

“You’re sure? Aren’t you on shift tomorrow?”

“Oh, yes. A bit of garlic breath should make me even more feared an interrogator.”

“They’ll tell all just to escape your dragon breath.”

“The lying bastards will be lining up to confess and I’ll be a chief inspector before you know it. So pile it on, my good man.”