The Darkness(33)

‘Sit down,’ Magnús barked.

Normally, she would have been affronted by his tone, but this time she was so anxious that she meekly dropped into the seat facing him and waited. She hadn’t so much as opened her mouth yet.

‘Did you pay a visit to áki ákason earlier this evening?’

She nodded. Not much point trying to deny it.

‘What in God’s name were you thinking of?’ Magnús’s annoyance seemed to have spilled over into rage.

Hulda winced. She had been ready for a slap on the wrist, but not for him to blow his top like this.

‘What do you mean? I … I was acting on a –’

He cut her short: ‘That’s right, out with it, explain yourself. I don’t want to have to fire you when you’re about to retire anyway.’

Hulda pulled herself together. ‘I received a tip-off that he was involved in trafficking or a prostitution racket, something like that.’

‘And where did this tip-off come from?’

Hulda wouldn’t dream of dropping Karen in it. ‘A source: I can’t reveal their name, but I … I’ve usually been able to rely on … him.’

Had Karen given her dud information? Had she gone round to see an honest businessman and accused him of taking part in organized crime? That would be one hell of a cock-up.

‘And why, may I ask, have you taken it upon yourself to investigate a trafficking ring?’ Magnús asked, in a voice dripping with contempt.

‘You told me to pick a case.’

‘Pick a case?’ Magnús echoed, puzzled.

‘Yes, to work on until I have to leave.’

‘Oh, I see, but … I didn’t for one minute think you’d take me seriously. It was just a casual suggestion. I thought you’d go home and relax, play a round of golf, or whatever it is you do for kicks.’

‘I go hiking in the mountains.’

‘Well, then, I thought you’d go hiking or something. What the hell do you think you’re doing, investigating a case without telling me?’

‘I was under the impression that I had your permission.’ Her voice was steadier, her heartbeat had slowed; she was marshalling her weapons.

‘And what case is that, then?’

‘The Russian woman who died: the one found on Vatnsleysustr?nd.’

‘I see. Alexander’s case, wasn’t it? That was solved ages ago.’

‘I’m not so sure about that. His investigation was a disgrace.’

‘What are you saying?’ Magnús asked sharply.

‘Come on, Magnús. You know as well as I do that Alexander’s methods are hit and miss, at best.’ Hulda was a little surprised at her own nerve. It was something she had always wanted to say but never dared. But then, she had nothing to lose now.

Magnús didn’t immediately answer, then eventually conceded: ‘Maybe he’s not our very best detective but …’

‘Never mind that. You’ll just have to trust me on this. I believe there’s something there, something we’ve overlooked. If she was murdered, it’s our duty to find out.’

‘No … no … the case is closed,’ Magnús said, but she could hear the hesitation in his voice.

‘You can’t just sack me. I must have some rights after all these years.’

He was silent a moment, then asked abruptly: ‘So where does áki come in?’

‘There’s a chance the Russian girl was brought over to work in the sex industry. I’m sorry if I was given the wrong information: I didn’t mean to bother an innocent man.’

‘Innocent man?’ Magnús laughed, though he didn’t sound in the least amused. ‘He’s guilty as hell. That’s the whole bloody problem.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He runs a major sex-trafficking outfit.’

‘So it wasn’t him who complained about me?’

‘Are you out of your mind? God, no, we haven’t heard a peep out of him. No, you’ve just managed to jeopardize months of hard work. We’ve been keeping him under surveillance and, as far as we know, he didn’t have the faintest idea until this evening – all thanks to you.’

Hulda was appalled. ‘You mean I –?’

‘Yes, you … Our people were monitoring the premises and saw you go inside, but by then it was too late: the damage had been done. There’s no way of knowing what he’s up to now – warning his accomplices, destroying evidence. The team’s holding a crisis meeting as we speak, trying to decide whether to cut their losses and arrest him now. The trouble is, they needed more time to collect evidence against him. It’s a bloody mess. And you’ll be blamed for that. Which means I’ll get it in the neck.’

‘I don’t know what to say. I simply hadn’t a clue.’

‘Of course you didn’t have a fucking clue! Because you didn’t bother to check with anyone first. It’s always the same problem with you – a total failure to collaborate.’ Magnús banged his fist on the desk. ‘Always the same bloody story.’

Hulda bridled at this: ‘I didn’t always have a choice, you know. You and your mates, you haven’t exactly been eager to “collaborate” over the years. I’ve sometimes been forced to slog through cases alone because no one’s been willing to work with me. You boys stick together and shut me out. Oh, I’m not complaining – it’s too late for that and, anyway, it’s not my style – but I want you to know what it’s been like, before the next woman has to go through the same crap.’