Blackout by Ragnar Jónasson Page B

few patches of snow to be seen high on the slopes above the town, picked out in clear white by the bright sunshine. What he had heard on the news of the ash cloud hanging over Reykjavík could just as well have been news from the other side of the world.
    His thoughts turned to more personal concerns. Kristín had long since moved out of his little apartment on Öldugata in Reykjavík, but he had delayed renting it out. Months passed before he finally summoned up the courage to advertise for a tenant. Last Christmas he had been able to take off plenty of time for which he had no need. He had travelled to Reykjavík the day before Christmas Eve, cleared everything personal from the apartment and put it into storage before meeting his prospective tenant. They agreed a one-year rental starting from the first of January, and Ari Thór felt relieved that he had finally dealt with the apartment, even though this brought to an end the time that he and Kristín had spent there together. That Christmas Eve he had spent alone in his car, driving up north, listening to the Christmas mass on the radio, whenever there was a signal to be found.
    Ari Thór paused before driving away from Nóra’s home, his memories tugging at his concentration. He shook his head and wiped his brow with the back of his hand. He needed to focus on the case.
    Taking a deep breath, he set off towards the police station to collect Tómas. He had arranged to meet Logi Jökulsson, the third member of Elías’s team at the tunnel site. They had set up a meeting in Skútudalur, at the mouth of the tunnel, and Tómas had offered to come along.
    ‘How much do you reckon is there?’ Tómas asked, once he was in the four-by-four.
    ‘In the bag? A few million in foreign currency, I’d guess,’ Ari Thór replied, raising his eyebrow at his colleague. ‘And a stack of Icelandic krónur, probably several million. It’s difficult to say. We’ll need to count it.’
    Tómas furrowed his brow. ’Do you think she knew about it? Maybe she’d had a look in the bag before you turned up.’
    ‘Nóra?’ Ari Thór thought. ‘It’s hard to be sure, to be honest.’
    ‘I wouldn’t put it past her,’ Tómas replied, clearly suspicious. ‘She’s always been a devious one.’
    ‘This kind of money doesn’t just appear out of nowhere,’ Ari Thór said. ‘Elías may have been doing some cash jobs on the side, but that would never account for this much money.’
    ‘I agree,’ Tómas said. ‘I think we need to reconsider what line of business Elías was actually in.’

    Tómas and Ari Thór waited for Logi at the entrance to the new tunnel. A man who looked to be in his thirties emerged from the dark mouth of the tunnel. It was clear that he hadn’t shaved for some time. His helmet was thick with dust and his boiler suit had not seen a washing machine for quite some time.
    ‘G’day,’ he offered curtly. ‘Don’t have much time, loads to be done.’
    ‘We’ll take as much time as we need,’ Ari Thór said, unintentionally raising his voice. Then launched straight into his questions. ‘How long had you known Elías?’
    Tómas stood to one side and listened intently.
    ‘Three years,’ Logi said shortly, meeting the eyes of neither man.
    ‘I understand there were three of you working with him: you, Svavar Sindrason and Páll Reynisson.’
    ‘That sounds about right.’
    ‘Was he a good foreman?’
    ‘Not bad.’
    ‘He paid on time?’
    ‘Always,’ Logi replied.
    ‘Do you know of anyone who might have wanted to do him harm?’
    ‘Wanted to do him harm? You’re formal, aren’t you?’ he grinned and then was silent for a moment. ‘How would I know if theman had any enemies?’ he continued, as if irritated by Ari Thór’s questions.
    ‘How did you four get on?’ Ari Thór persisted, keeping his gaze fixed on Logi, determined not to miss the slightest change in his expression.
    ‘Pretty good. Svavar knew him best. You ought to have a word with