“So the murder was committed in full swing.”

“Yes. Something happened when everything was hunky dory”

“If everything was hunky dory, why take along a knife?”

“Maybe it was part of the game.”

“What game?”

“Sex has become much more complex than just the old missionary position,” Sigurdur Oli said. “So it could be anyone?”

“Anyone,” Erlendur said. “Why do they always talk about the missionary position? What’s the mission?”

“I don’t know.” Sigurdur Oli sighed. Sometimes Erlendur asked questions that irritated him because they were so simple but at the same time so infinitely complicated and dull.

“Is it something from Africa?”

“Or Catholicism,” Sigurdur Oli said.

“Why missionary?”

“I don’t know.”

“The condom doesn’t rule out either sex,” Erlendur said. “Let’s establish that. The condom doesn’t rule out anything. Did you ask the manager why he wanted rid of Santa Claus?”

“No, did he want rid of Santa?”

“He mentioned it without any explanation. We have to find out what he meant.”

“I’ll jot that down,” said Sigurdur Oli, who always carried around a notepad and pencil.

“And then there’s one group that uses condoms more than other people.”

“Really?” Sigurdur Oli said, his face one huge question mark.

“Prostitutes.”

“Prostitutes?” Sigurdur Oli repeated. “Hookers? Do you think there are any here?”

Erlendur nodded.

“They do a lot of missionary work at hotels.”

Sigurdur Oli stood up and dawdled in front of Erlendur, who had finished his plate and was eyeing up the buffet again.

“Ehmmm, where will you be spending Christmas?” Sigurdur Oli asked awkwardly.

“Christmas?” Erlendur said. “I’ll be … what do you mean, where will I be spending Christmas? Where should I spend Christmas? What business of yours is that?”