The Darkness Knows

Although it had all happened a long time ago, the two men’s names were run by the network of police informants in the drugs world, in case either of them could be linked to old rumours about dealing. This angle had been thoroughly explored thirty years ago without producing any results, but in spite of that Marta felt it was worth trying again.

‘Hello, Konni, what are you doing hanging around out here?’

There weren’t many people who used Konrád’s nickname. He rose to his feet and greeted the man. ‘I was told you were in a meeting,’ he said.

‘What do I want with all these meetings?’ asked the man, whose name was Hólmsteinn. He was a cousin of Erna’s, a tall, handsome, dapper man who wore his age well. He had held various leadership positions in the Scouts, though Konrád was hazy about the exact titles, and he had achieved a great deal within the movement. Judging by the banter he and Konrád exchanged whenever they met at family parties, he had also been careful all his life to sleep with the window open. It was the only Scout law Konrád knew and he made a habit of teasing Hólmsteinn about it.

‘But that’s the Scouts for you,’ Hólmsteinn said, once they were ensconced in the office. ‘It’s all about being part of one great brotherhood.’ He jerked his chin towards the room where the meeting was still in progress. It was clear from his furrowed brow that he was rather puzzled by this visit, since Konrád had never dropped in before. Konrád’s explanation that he had some questions regarding Sigurvin’s time in the Scouts did nothing to lessen Hólmsteinn’s astonishment.

‘Actually, I’m looking into the death of another man,’ Konrád went on, surveying the photos of all the former Scout Masters smiling down at him from the walls. ‘You see, this woman came to me for help, wanting to know if the two cases could be linked. I agreed to try and find out. Then, the other day, Sigurvin’s sister told me something I hadn’t known before — that he’d joined the Scouts as a boy but dropped out after a year or so.’

‘Sigurvin?’

‘Yes.’

The old Scout Master swung round to the computer on the desk in front of him.

‘I don’t remember him,’ he said. ‘But that doesn’t mean anything. Let’s see. We digitalised all the membership lists a few years ago. I should be able to find something about him there.’

Konrád glanced at his watch. He had nothing better to do and, anyway, he always enjoyed catching up with Hólmsteinn.

The old Scout Master grew briefly earnest, explaining what an excellent preparation for life the movement was, as if Konrád were a boy applying to join. Konrád nodded to humour him. He couldn’t ever remember experiencing the slightest desire to become a Scout.

‘Here we are,’ Hólmsteinn said, bringing his nose closer to the computer screen. ‘Of course,’ he said, realisation dawning, ‘that’s when I was in Norway. I lived there for three miserable years. Did you and Erna never visit me? I was bored out of my mind the whole time.’

‘Can you see Sigurvin’s name?’ Konrád prompted.

‘Yes, he was eleven when he joined. For many kids that’s the best age to be in the Scouts, but I suppose he must have decided it wasn’t for him. According to the information here, he dropped out two years later.’

‘Is there any other information about him?’

‘No, just that.’

‘Did the rest carry on?’ Konrád asked. ‘The ones who started at the same time as him? Did they go on to become patrol leaders or whatever they’re called?’

‘Yes, there was a big intake at that time, including lots of promising lads. One of them later became a committee member, I see: Lúkas. A fine young man. I don’t know if you’ve spoken to him. He left Reykjavík and moved east over the mountains — to Selfoss, I think. I don’t know if he’s still there. He might remember the boy, though. I’ll print out the membership lists for you from that period. I assume it’s OK for me to do that.’

‘Were boys that young ever taken on glacier tours?’ Konrád asked. ‘Would their activities have included that sort of thing?’

‘No,’ Hólmsteinn said, reaching out to switch on the printer. ‘Are you asking because of Sigurvin?’

Konrád nodded.

‘No,’ Hólmsteinn repeated. ‘We didn’t organise any trips of that kind. Not that I remember.’

‘OK. That was all, then.’

‘How are you doing, by the way?’ Hólmsteinn asked.

‘I’m fine.’

‘You don’t find retirement boring?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘But perhaps you haven’t completely retired?’

‘Oh, I have.’

‘It’s never too late to get involved with the Scouts,’ Hólmsteinn said with a grin. ‘There’s always plenty going on here.’

‘Thanks but no thanks,’ Konrád said.