‘I don’t know what I’m claiming,’ said Jónatan. ‘I don’t know what’s going on. Nothing you say makes any sense.’
‘We’d like to contact your parents,’ said Thorson. ‘Why won’t you tell us how to get in touch with them?’
‘Because this has nothing to do with them.’
‘They’re bound to be wondering how you are. They might be worrying about you already. Do you write to them regularly?’
‘No. I... I don’t want anyone to know I’m in prison.’
‘What about your brothers and sisters? Are you in touch with them?’
‘I don’t have any brothers or sisters.’
‘Are you their only son, then?’
‘Their only son, exactly,’ said Jónatan, grinning at some private irony. ‘Will you let me go? Will you stop making these crazy accusations?’
‘Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?’ said Thorson. ‘Help us understand you better so we can get this over with sooner.’
‘What can I possibly say? You turn everything against me. Everything. If I take my trousers to be mended that makes me a dangerous criminal and I’m locked up in prison. What on earth am I supposed to tell you? You both twist everything I say.’
‘All right,’ said Flóvent amiably. ‘Have it your way. We’ll track down your parents and get word to them whether you like it or not — before the evening’s over, with any luck. I was hoping you could help speed things up, but have it your own way.’
Flóvent stood up and summoned the prison guard who came and escorted Jónatan back to his cell at the end of the corridor. They heard the heavy door clang shut just as they were stepping out onto Skólavördustígur. They stood beneath the glass lantern that shone over the prison entrance, discussing their next move. A faint mist of snow was settling on the streets and houses, making the paving stones slippery underfoot.
‘He’s going to be a tough nut to crack,’ remarked Thorson.
‘Perhaps because he knows he’s in a tight spot,’ said Flóvent, watching three army jeeps drive past.
He had noticed the ships massing in the harbour mouth, the increased activity among the armed forces. It was all part of the build-up to the long-awaited invasion. If the Allies managed to get a foothold on the Continent and the German retreat continued on the Eastern Front, the end of the hostilities couldn’t be far off. The war might be over in a year or so. The day couldn’t come soon enough as far as Flóvent was concerned: not only would it ease the appalling suffering in Europe and around the world, but there was a chance that Icelandic society might possibly revert to its familiar, pre-war state. But that was wishful thinking. The longer the war dragged on, the more convinced he became that nothing would ever be the same again.
Thorson seemed to read Flóvent’s mind as he watched the jeeps receding from view.
‘The troop movements have begun,’ he said.
‘The beginning of the end?’
‘Hopefully.’
‘Will you be going?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you know when?’
‘In a couple of days. I received my orders this morning.’
‘Will you take part in the fighting?’
‘I expect so.’
‘Not a very pleasant thought.’
‘No, it isn’t.’
‘The Germans will put up a hell of a fight.’
‘Yes. Though they don’t know where we’ll be landing. Nobody knows. So we...’
‘You’ll have the advantage of surprise.’
‘That’s the idea.’
‘Any plans for what you’ll do after the war?’
‘No.’
‘I suppose talking about it feels like tempting fate?’
Thorson shrugged with apparent indifference.
‘That’s understandable,’ said Flóvent. ‘I imagine it’s... going to be tough.’
‘They’re expecting heavy casualties over the first few days, at the very least. While we’re establishing a bridgehead.’
‘Is there any way you can avoid going?’
‘Avoid it?’ said Thorson, gazing up into the haze of tiny snowflakes. ‘I asked to be sent.’
40
They heard the door of the prison opening behind them.
‘Ah, I thought you were still here,’ said the guard who had escorted Jónatan to his cell. ‘He wants to talk to you. Shall I bring him back to the interview room?’
Flóvent and Thorson exchanged glances.
‘What does he want?’ asked Flóvent.
‘I don’t know,’ said the guard. ‘He’s got something he wants to say to you. He asked if you’d left already.’
‘All right, go and get him then,’ said Flóvent.
They waited in the interview room without sitting down or removing their coats. Soon Jónatan was brought in and took a seat at the table.
‘I can’t cope with being locked up,’ he began in a strained voice, and they sensed his mounting desperation. He looked imploringly from one to the other.
‘I’m afraid there’s not a lot we can do about that,’ said Flóvent. ‘You can speak to a chaplain — I expect they’ve already offered you the opportunity.’
‘I’ve nothing to say to a chaplain. You’re in charge. You’re the ones deciding my fate.’
‘You haven’t exactly been cooperative,’ Flóvent pointed out.
‘What am I supposed to do when you don’t believe a word I say?’
‘Was that it?’ asked Flóvent.
‘I...’ Jónatan broke off.
‘Why did you call us back?’ asked Thorson.
The student didn’t answer.
‘We’ll continue our conversation tomorrow, Jónatan,’ said Flóvent. ‘I haven’t got time for this now.’
He opened the door and called the guard.
‘Don’t go!’ cried Jónatan.
They didn’t answer. The guard took him by the arm, raised him from the chair and led him out into the corridor and back towards the cells. His keys jingled as he opened the cell door. But when he tried to steer Jónatan inside, the prisoner dug in his heels.
‘I can’t spend another night here,’ he whispered, so quietly it was almost inaudible.
‘What was that?’
‘I’ll show them,’ Jónatan whispered.
The guard hesitated. ‘What did you say? I didn’t catch that.’
‘I’ll take them there.’
The guard turned and shouted after Flóvent and Thorson, who were just passing through the door at the end of the corridor. They paused when they saw him waving.
‘What now?’ called Thorson.
‘He’s got something to tell you,’ the guard called back.
Jónatan took a deep breath. ‘I’ll show you where I met her in... in the Shadow District.’
‘What did you say?’ asked Flóvent, retracing his steps with Thorson on his heels.
‘I’ll show you the place,’ said Jónatan more loudly.
‘In the Shadow District?’ said Flóvent. ‘Is that where you met Rósamunda?’
Jónatan nodded. ‘I’ll show you where.’
‘Now?’ said Thorson.
‘Yes, right now. I’ll take you there and show you where we met.’
‘All right,’ said Flóvent. ‘If that’s the way you want it, we can go now. Does that mean you’re prepared to tell us what happened?’
‘First I’ll go with you to the Shadow District, then I’ll talk to you. I’ll need my jacket, though. Isn’t it cold out?’
‘What made you change your mind?’ asked Thorson.
‘Do you want me to do this or not?’ retorted Jónatan angrily. There was no sign of hesitation now.
‘Of course we do,’ said Flóvent.
‘You can ask me all the questions you like afterwards.’
‘All right. Are you going to confess to having killed Rósamunda?’