Read My Soul to Take: A Novel of Iceland for Free Online Page B

much longer?" Thora asked hopefully. "I think the energy's penetrated every single cell. I'm beginning to feel great."
    "What?" The masseuse was incredulous. "Are you sure? It's supposed to take a lot longer."
    Thora suppressed a groan. "Positive. It's brilliant. I can tell I'm done."
    The masseuse began to protest, but stopped when a telephone rang somewhere inside the salon. "Just a minute," she said to Thora, and her toes disappeared.
    "Hello," Thora heard her say. "I've got a client." A long silence ensued. Then, in a much more agitated tone of voice, "What? Are you serious ... ? Jesus ... I'm on my way."
    The masseuse hurried back in and began removing the stones from Thora's back. Thora tried to conceal her relief by taking an interest in the telephone call. "Is anything wrong? Don't worry about me; I'm all done, like I said."
    The woman was working quickly. "Something's happened. Something terrible. Really terrible."
    Thora propped herself up. "Really?" she asked, not needing to feign curiosity this time. "Is it something to do with the ghosts?"
    An expression of horror spread across the woman's face and she put her hand over her mouth. "Oh, I hadn't thought of that. A body's been found on the beach. Vigdis from reception thinks it's someone from here, and the police have arrived to talk to Jonas."
    Thora leaped naked from the bench and reached for a gown. She quickly pulled it on, never having been in the habit of going around nude in the company of strangers, although she was not ashamed of her body. "You get going—I'll take care of myself." She tightened the flannel belt around her waist and tied a knot. "Was it an accident?"
    "I don't know," the masseuse said, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other. Clearly she was itching to go and find out more.
    "I'll get my things together and leave," Thora said, shooing the woman off. "I promise not to steal any stones."
    The woman didn't need telling twice. She turned on her heel and rushed out into the corridor. Thora went up to the screen she'd undressed behind and began putting her clothes back on. Her mobile rang in her bag and she fished it out. "Hello," she said, trying to put on a sock with one hand. The connection was appalling and the line crackled.
    "Hello, Thora." It was Matthew. "I'm still waiting for a reply to my e-mail."
    "Oh, yes," Thora said in German, abandoning her struggle with the sock. "I'm just about to answer."
    "Name the date. I'll do the rest," said Matthew. He clearly intended to come no matter what. "Give me the green light and I'll be there."
    "It's rather inconvenient at the moment," Thora answered reluctantly. "I'm working and something's cropped up."
    "What has?" asked Matthew, clearly unconvinced. "Tell me."
    "Yes, well, it's all rather peculiar," Thora said, racking her brain to remember the German word for "ghost." "I'm working on a case connected with ghosts, but it seems as though it may be getting more complicated. The police have found a body and it may stir things up."
    "Where are you?" asked Matthew.
    "Me?" Thora replied foolishly. "I'm in the countryside."
    "Don't go anywhere. I'll be there tomorrow night." His voice was solemn.
    "Wait, it's all right. Don't come here," Thora gabbled. "There's no murder, only a body." She hesitated. "As far as I know, anyway."
    "I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow," said the voice from the handset.
    "But you don't even know where I am, and I'm not going to tell you. Wait a few days and let me find a better time. I promise. I want to see you too. Just not right now."
    "You don't have to tell me where you are. I'll find you. Auf Wiedersehen."
    Thora couldn't argue anymore. Matthew had hung up.
    Chapter 4
    When she was dressed , Thora decided to go straight to reception in the hope of finding out more about the body. On her way out, she noticed a bunch of keys the masseuse had left behind in her haste. She decided to hand it in at reception, as an excuse for going there. She strode quickly