2012
‘Thanks for coming in, Helgi. I need a good pair of hands to take care of this business and I trust you one hundred per cent for the job. I’ve already taken the first steps on your behalf; I had checks made to see whether she’s left the country and apparently she hasn’t.
I’ve asked her bank to keep an eye on her accounts too, though her publisher tells me that she mainly uses cash.
That’s consistent with the small number of transactions on her cards every month.
I’ve also asked for copies of her bank statements, and her account manager is working on that as we speak. ’
To outward appearances, Magnús radiated good-humoured matiness, but Helgi wasn’t always sure how much faith to put in this facade.
He couldn’t tell how sincere his boss was.
Or, indeed, how good he actually was at his job.
People could rise to high positions in spite of limited talents. It was the old story.
‘Thanks,’ he replied guardedly. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that his amiable boss was leading him into a trap, assigning him a case that could prove both challenging and problematic, given that Elín was a well-known public figure.
No doubt he was being unnecessarily cynical, but he reflected that this was hardly surprising given that it was his job to be suspicious of people.
‘Yes, I feel confident now,’ Magnús continued, ‘knowing that the best man in the department is leading the search for Elín.’
This excessive praise bordered on mockery, but Helgi pretended not to notice.
He was aware that he had done himself proud during the few months he had been working here since taking over the office of Hulda Hermannsdóttir, a woman he had never met.
She had vanished, like Elín, and there was still no news of her fate.
People disappear all the time , Magnús had said that summer, when the search for Hulda was called off.
As if the disappearance of a police officer was nothing to make a fuss about.
Perhaps his reaction could be explained partly by the fact that the poor woman had been pretty much alone in the world.
‘Does she have a family?’ Helgi asked, thinking about Hulda.
‘I’m sorry?’
‘Elín.’
‘Oh, Elín. No, I don’t think so. From what I can gather, she lives alone.
And – get this – she doesn’t even use a mobile phone.
It seems she’s old-fashioned like that. She was supposed to meet a friend on, er, Tuesday, I think it was.
Then she failed to turn up to lunch with another friend yesterday.
It’s Thursday today, isn’t it? So no one’s heard from her for two days, at least. Her publisher’s doing her nut. ’
‘Shouldn’t I go and see her… publisher, then?’
‘Exactly, yes. That’s the plan. Her name’s Rut; she’s expecting you. She wants to meet you at her home, considering the circumstances.’ Magnús slapped Helgi vigorously on the shoulder. ‘This is a big case, Helgi, my boy. But it’ll be in good hands with you.’
‘Yes, sure. People disappear all the time… though…’
‘Hm? Yes, right,’ Magnús answered vaguely, and walked unhurriedly away.