‘We’ve met,’ she says. ‘At Gertrud Stuub’s house. And that’s actually one of the two reason’s we’re here. According to Gertrud, you stopped by to see her and Fredrik on Christmas Eve. Is that correct?’

‘Yes, that’s right. My wife and I actually even managed to persuade our very reluctant son to go with us. But we didn’t stay long, maybe half an hour. Helena’s sister and her family were coming up to celebrate Christmas Eve with us, so we had to get back. I think I was the one who insisted we at least pop in to say hello. You know what it’s like, Christmas is Christmas and family is family.’

Karen glances down at her notepad, which is covered with scribbled names and arrows.

‘Your grandmother was Gertrud and Fredrik’s sister, if I’ve understood things right. Were you close, you and Fredrik?’

William shakes his head.

‘Not particularly. After my parents got divorced, my sister and I moved to England with our mum. She had family there, so it made sense. But Dad’s family goes back generations on the island. My grandmother’s father owned a lot of mines here and Dad was given the unenviable task of taking over the business when he died. He tried to salvage whatever he could when the mining industry imploded, but it was a fool’s errand, as I’m sure you know. My sister and I would visit on the holidays, and I’ve holidayed here quite a bit as an adult, but I didn’t move back properly until a year ago. So, to answer your question, no, I didn’t know Fredrik particularly well.’

‘OK. Let’s go back to Christmas Eve. Did you notice anything unusual about Fredrik? Did he seem troubled or worried at all?’

William Tryste’s gaze drifts toward the windows, as though he’s searching his memory.

‘No,’ he says slowly. ‘I don’t think so. Or actually . . . no, it’s probably nothing.’

‘Why don’t you let us be the judge of that. What were you going to say?’

‘I had the impression Fredrik and Gabriel had quarrelled just before we arrived. I didn’t hear anything, but the mood was a bit strained between them when we got there. Helena and I actually discussed it in the car when we left.’

‘But you don’t know what they might have been quarrelling about?’

‘No idea. Like I said, it was just a feeling I had.’

Karen sighs. She’s going to have to speak to both Gertrud and Gabriel again.

‘Gabriel works at the distillery, doesn’t he?’