‘She said horrible things about what she would do if I opened my mouth. If I was going to grass, then I would have done it by now. I don’t need a visit like that every time I get locked up.’

‘She? You said “she”? Is the Boss a woman?’

Elísa stared into her lap and wiped her face with her sleeve.

‘Just when was this Boss here?’

Elísa raised her head, a look of surprise on her tearful face, and Agla realised how sharp her voice had been.

‘Just now,’ Elísa said. ‘She’s just left. Didn’t you see her?’

Black dots danced before Agla’s eyes. She sat down hard in the chair, and for a moment she felt as if the blood had drained from her head and she was about to faint.

‘Elísa,’ she said, her words heavy with emphasis. ‘Is Sonja the Boss?’

93

Anton listened to Radio Edda while he fixed up the cardboard box that surrounded the toolbox containing the bomb. The subject for discussion was the welfare system, and several callers were adamant that immigrants moving to Iceland and living on benefits were spongers. Karl, who was a frequent caller and who described himself as having ‘a master’s degree in life’, came on the line, and at first there was a light-hearted discussion with the presenter. After all, he had called in so often that they knew each other well.

‘What we can say is that Icelanders are buying their own terror threat by letting all these Muslims into the country and supporting them through the welfare system while they could be preparing terror attacks!’

Anton closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. This kind of talk filled him with trepidation; but at the same time it was good to hear as it reminded him of why he was preparing this bomb. It was to make Iceland safer for Júlía; to make the world a safer place for her. He had promised her father that he would look after her, and judging by what he heard on Radio Edda, it was time for action. This kind of thing couldn’t be allowed to continue unchecked.

He folded the box shut, not intending to tape it closed until he had put it in place and activated the bomb. He eased it onto the sack truck that had been Gunnar’s final contribution; as he had completely forgotten that his family were all going to Spain as soon as school broke up, so instead of being there to help Anton carry the bomb, he had brought him the sack truck. As much as Gunnar was obsessed with explosions and always wanted to make as much noise as he could, Anton had the feeling that he was actually relieved that the forgotten summer holiday had come up.