Deadly Communion

63

RAINMAYR WAS AWAKENED BY a loud banging sound. As he surfaced from a pleasant dream of rising above Vienna in a hot-air balloon, the artist realised that someone was bashing on his door. He rolled off the mattress and called out: ‘Who is it? What do you want?’

He did not get a reply.

Swearing under his breath, Rainmayr pulled his kaftan over his head and crossed to the window. Outside, he saw an empty cart. From his vantage point he couldn’t see who it belonged to.

The banging became more violent.

‘All right, all right — I’m coming!’ Rainmayr shouted.

When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Inspector Rheinhardt, together with a smartly dressed young man and two constables.

‘Inspector Rheinhardt? What on earth do you think—’

The artist stepped out of the way as Rheinhardt marched purposefully into the studio, followed by his companions. Rheinhardt made a sweeping gesture and the constables began to pick up Rainmayr’s sketches and canvases.

‘No!’ shouted Rainmayr. He turned on Rheinhardt. ‘You said you wouldn’t do this!’

‘I changed my mind,’ Rheinhardt replied. Then, taking a step closer to Rainmayr, he continued: ‘I have consulted the state prosecutor and the case against you is very strong. You are charged with possessing indecent images and with the seduction of young women below the legal age of consent. Possessing and supplying erotica is a serious offence which carries a maximum penalty of six months’ hard labour. The seduction of minors — you will appreciate — carries a more severe penalty.’

‘The seduction of minors! You have no proof.’

‘I’m afraid I do. Your friend the actor — you know, the one who lives over there.’ Rheinhardt pointed towards the window. ‘He did not require a very large incentive to provide us with a statement.’ Rheinhardt smiled and patted his coat pocket.

Rainmayr watched as the constables lifted his unfinished canvas from the easel. The officer carried it out through the door and there was a crashing sound as he threw it onto the cart.

‘You lied to me! You said you wouldn’t do this!’

‘Herr Rainmayr … you may think me immoral, but I can assure you that I have a code of conduct which my conscience does not allow me to breach. It may not be a moral code that you share — but it is a moral code nevertheless. A man with your strong views on the nature of morality must surely understand this. Come, now — get dressed. There is much that we must do today.’