‘But unfortunately, our paths didn’t cross there either,’ the priest goes on. ‘The island’s ecumenical cultural heritage held no allure for Fredrik; he was more interested in pre-Christian heritage sites. According to Gertrud, he studied old runestones and spent quite a bit of time at the ship setting in Gudheim. Highly impious, according to his sister.’

His words remind Karen of something Byle mentioned.

‘Yes, I heard there was some kind of vandalism up there,’ she says. ‘Someone drilled holes in the stones?’

Arve nods.

‘Yes, and Fredrik wasn’t the only one who was upset, either. I mean, sure, there has always been a problem with young people congregating up there and sometimes there has been graffiti and attempts to tip the stones, but that was considerably more serious.’

‘How long ago was this?’

‘It was actually Fredrik who discovered the drill holes, the day before Christmas Eve, but there’s no way of knowing how old they are. If you ask me, a few days at most.’

‘What makes you think that?’

‘Well, granted, the New Age types mostly congregate up there in the summer, but there’s always a few hanging about during the winter solstice; they should have noticed the holes if they’d been there then.’

‘Has it been reported to the heritage trust?’

‘I assume so, but I can’t swear to it. I do know Fredrik reported it to the Noorö Police, but I’m sure you’re better placed to find out what they’re doing about it than I am.’

Most likely nothing, Karen thinks bleakly, remembering how Byle dismissed the whole thing as a childish prank. The local police are unlikely to go out of their way to find the culprit. She decides to change the subject.

‘And what can you tell me about Gabriel? I know that he works up at Groth’s, is going to inherit whatever Fredrik left behind and lives in a modern house that looks like it’s been randomly flung into the middle a barley field. And that he’s getting divorced,’ she adds.

‘As a priest, I have nothing to tell you about Gabriel, either, but if the rumour mill is to be believed, it’s a messy affair. A lot of arguments and quarrelling, according to the neighbours, and a while ago, Gabriel’s wife took the children and moved back in with her parents in Thorsvik, leaving Gabriel in the house. I suppose one of them will have to buy the other out, and I assume they’re fighting over the children.’

‘And what else is there to say about Gabriel? Does he have any other . . . interests?’ Karen asks, scraping up the last morsels of venison from her plate. ‘This was absolutely delicious, by the way.’

‘Glad to hear it,’ Arve replies with a crooked smile. ‘Interests? I assume you’re referring to that motorcycle gang?’