The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Bjorg AEgisdóttir

Author:Eva Bjorg AEgisdóttir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orenda Books
Published: 2020-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Hörður wasn’t himself when they got back to the police station. He seemed distracted and there was an uncharacteristically deep furrow between his brows. Elma had never seen him out of his depth before. He’d always given the appearance of having everything under control. Although at times she felt like an awkward teenager in his presence, she appreciated his positive attitude and imperturbable manner. Her boss in Reykjavík had been a very different type, the kind who believed that a man in his position should maintain a certain distance from his subordinates. She had always been a little scared of him and insecure about how to behave in his presence, and was sure that had been exactly the way he wanted it. Much as she missed her old colleagues, she didn’t miss her boss at all.

‘Gulla, would you be a dear and make us some fresh coffee? It would be great to have a thermos in here,’ Hörður said, holding open the door for Sævar and Elma. As soon as forensics had finished going over the car, they had gone straight back to the station, where their colleagues in uniform were eagerly awaiting news. Hörður wouldn’t answer any questions right away, however, merely told them that he’d hold a progress meeting later. He, Sævar and Elma took seats in the small meeting room, placing the box forensics had given them in the middle of the table.

‘Right,’ Hörður said, stroking his chin pensively before taking out the small plastic evidence bag that Elma had seen him studying earlier. ‘This was found in Elísabet’s car.’ He put it on the table and Elma and Sævar leant over to examine it.

The bag contained a small note with only two things written on it: an address and a telephone number.

‘This is a lead, isn’t it?’ Sævar asked, looking enquiringly at his boss. ‘Presumably it’s someone Elísabet was intending to meet.’

Hörður nodded but Elma got the feeling he wasn’t happy about the contents of the note. There was a knock on the door and Gulla came in carrying a large thermos of coffee and a bowl of biscuits. ‘Don’t mind me,’ she said, but none of them uttered another word until she had left the room.

‘This is the address of Bjarni Hendriksson and his wife Magnea,’ Hörður said, once the door had closed and they were alone again.

‘The number belongs to Bjarni too,’ said Elma, who had quickly looked it up on her phone. ‘What do we know about Bjarni Hendriksson? I mean, obviously I’m aware that he and his father run an estate agent’s here. I remember him from school, of course, but otherwise I don’t know much about him.’

‘Yes, the business belongs to the brothers, Hendrik and Tómas, though I understand Bjarni’s about to take over the management,’ Hörður said. ‘Surely you must know who Bjarni Hendriksson is? How long is it since you lived here?’

‘Quite a while.’

‘Everyone here knows Bjarni,’ Sævar explained. ‘He’s a prominent figure in local business and politics, and used to be a promising footballer too.

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