Fatal Lies

59

Frau Becker was seated on her chaise longue, a handkerchief clutched in her left hand. She was wearing a black blouse decorated with printed roses-each blossoming from a green stem with two leaves. The collar was fastened with a large oval brooch, on which raised ivory figures promenaded against a terra-cotta background. Her dress was made of satin and ended a little short of her soft doeskin boots, revealing a sliver of her maroon stockings.

Rheinhardt and Liebermann were seated opposite, while Haussmann stood by the door.

“As he poured the vinegar,” said Liebermann, “Zelenka thought that he would be observing the effect of a weak acid on a range of innocuous compounds-sugars and salts. He did not know that your husband had replaced one of the test substances with cyanide, probably potassium cyanide. When vinegar and cyanide react, they produce hydrocyanic gas-one of the most poisonous gases known to man. Zelenka would have been killed instantly-and afterward the gas would have dissipated in the atmosphere.”

Frau Becker held the handkerchief to her nose and sniffed.

“Zelenka's body was discovered by Professor Gartner, who immediately rushed to inform the headmaster. Professor Eichmann was at that moment engaged in a meeting with your husband. Some attempts to revive Zelenka were made-but these proved unsuccessful. Professor Gartner was very distressed, and the headmaster subsequently went to summon the school doctor. Your husband would have had ample opportunity to remove the cyanide-which he then disposed of on his way to Nurse Funke s lodge. Hydrocyanic gas was an inspired choice of poison. It is virtually undetectable at autopsy- apart from a little congestion in the lungs, perhaps, but nothing more. Dr. Becker had assumed that in the absence of any alternative explanation, the pathologist would conclude that Zelenka had died from an unspecified natural cause. And this-of course-is exactly what happened. However, your husband is clearly a very fastidious gentleman. Even though his plan was exceedingly clever, it was not perfect. He detected one minor flaw. Hydrocyanic gas leaves a smell in the air-a faint bitter almondlike odor-that might serve as a clue.”

Liebermann paused, and allowed the fingers of both hands to touch, each digit finding its twin in a serial sequence.

“Unfortunately, perfectionism-when taken to its extreme-is always self-defeating. You may recall that just before Zelenka s death, your husband asked you to buy him an almond tart.”

Frau Becker looked puzzled.

“Which you purchased,” Liebermann continued undeterred, “from Demel's.”

The young woman's eyes suddenly opened wide.

“How did you…,” she whispered.

“The smell of almonds in the laboratory,” Liebermann went on, “might have aroused suspicion; however, your husband reasoned that if there was an obvious source of such a smell, it would seem less conspicuous. He kept the almond tart concealed in his desk, and, while he was removing the cyanide, he deposited the pastry next to Zelenka's body.”

“But, Max,” said Rheinhardt, “Professor Eichmann didn't smell anything.”

“Not everyone can, Oskar,” said Liebermann, turning to his friend and adopting a more confidential tone. “An inherited factor determines whether an individual can detect the residual odor of hydrocyanic gas. If that constitutional factor is absent, the individual cannot smell it.”

The young doctor crossed his legs and returned his attention to Frau Becker.

“Your husband was aware that Zelenka intended to leave Saint Florian's in the summer. Dr. Becker did not want to lose you.”

The woman's expression suddenly changed. Her features hardened and the blood drained from her face. She was no longer crying. Indeed, she seemed to have been overcome by a strange, almost sinister calm. When she finally spoke, her words shattered the silence like stones falling through panes of glass.

“ I killed Zelenka.”

“What?” Rheinhardt cried.

Liebermann gestured to his friend to remain silent. The young doctor put on his spectacles, leaned forward, and observed Frau Becker very closely.

“ I killed Zelenka,” she said again.

Psychoanalysis had taught Liebermann to respect silences. They were never merely the absence of speech. They could be many things: a tool, a consequence, a protest. Liebermann allowed the silence to consolidate. Undisturbed, Frau Becker's thoughts would clarify. When she was ready to speak, she would.

Outside, in the hallway, a grandfather clock was ticking loudly.

Frau Becker twisted a coil of blond hair around her finger. Her stare remained fixed on the floor.

“I have done a terrible thing… or should I say we-yes, we have done a terrible thing… but you must understand, we never meant this to happen. If I… if we had known…”

She stopped, released her hair, and lowered her hand. Its descent was slow, and mannered, like an object sinking in water. Her breast heaved-but no more tears came.

“ We?” said Liebermann softly.

Frau Becker looked up, and her gaze met Liebermann's.

“Myself and Herr Lang.”

“The art master,” interjected Rheinhardt, discreetly reminding his friend of Herr Lang's identity.

“Since September last year, Herr Lang and I, we have…” Frau Becker's resolve faltered. “We have been…”

“Lovers?”

She nodded.

Liebermann was unable to maintain his clinical reserve. He craned forward, his eyebrows ascending above the rim of his spectacles.

“My husband was not the man that I believed him to be… and this is an awful place, Herr Doctor. A place where someone like me can never fit in. The masters’ wives are narrow-minded, and thought bad things about me from the start. I knew what they were thinking, of course. They regarded me as a stupid girl from the country, a gold digger… and a lot worse. I tried to get to know them, but it was useless. They didn't want to know me-they didn't accept me. And when I talked to them about the plight of some of the boys-the bullying, the persecution-they weren't interested. It made things worse. They thought I was being ridiculous. One of them called me… hys-hystorical?”

“Hysterical,” said Liebermann, quite unable to resist making this particular correction.

The pale skin around Frau Becker's eyes had reddened. The flesh looked sore, grazed-flecked with tiny raised welts. Liebermann noticed the unusual length and brightness of her lashes, which glinted in the lamplight.

“I did love Bernhard,” she said, her voice rising in pitch as if she were responding to an accusation of falsehood. “I did. I had never met anyone like him before-an educated man-a distinguished man-a generous man. But he changed. He started to complain about how much money I was spending. He was always in a foul temper. He became angry with me if I didn't understand what he was talking about. I felt neglected, lonely-and Herr Lang… Herr Lang was kind to me. He's an artist. He appreciated me, accepted me… and he cared about all the bad things happening up at the school.”

The young woman suddenly stopped, and tugged at her blouse, her expression suggesting utter contempt.

“I have a large wardrobe full of beautiful clothes, but I have never been interested in fashion. I used to tell Bernhard that I needed a new dress every time I wanted to get away. I used shopping as an excuse, so that I could go to Vienna. Sometimes it was possible for me to meet Herr Lang there. He knew places where…” Her cheeks flushed like a beacon. Modesty prevented her from disclosing the intimate details of their assignation, but Liebermann and Rheinhardt knew exactly where Lang would have taken Frau Becker. The city was full of private dining rooms-in Leopoldstadt, Neubau, and Mariahilf-where couples could conduct their illicit liaisons without fear of discovery.

“We made our arrangements,” Frau Becker continued, “through Zelenka. He delivered our notes to each other-he was our go-between, our messenger. I was very fond of him… very fond. But our relationship was innocent. I knew that my husband suspected that something was going on; however, God forgive me, I did nothing to make him think otherwise. In fact, I encouraged his mistrust. On the days that Zelenka came, I always wore something special. And all the time, I knew that whatever inquiries Bernhard made would ultimately come to nothing. The more my husband worried about Zelenka, the better-it put him off, helped to conceal the truth, misdirected his attention. Herr Lang thought I was being very clever- and said that he would do something too. He knew that Herr Sommer was a dreadful gossip, and told him things… made suggestions about Zelenka and me, knowing full well that Sommer would be indiscreet. It worked. Soon the whole school was talking-but about the wrong affair! An affair that wasn't happening! You look shocked, Herr Doctor. And I know what you are thinking: ‘What sort of woman would do such a thing? What sort of woman would knowingly destroy her own reputation?’ But you see, I had no reputation to protect. People said horrible things about me whatever I did, and at least this way the slander was serving some purpose. Besides, I would only have to endure it for a short time. Herr Lang is leaving Saint Florian's soon. He intends to join a commune of artists living in the Tenth District. I was going to join him, and may still do so. I've been told that such people do not make a habit of judging others.”

Frau Becker paused and looked from Liebermann to Rheinhardt, then to Haussmann and back again. Her chin was raised and there was something defiant in the set of her jaw; but the challenge was short-lived. She brought her hands together, nestling the closed fist of her right hand in the palm of her left-and bowed her head.

“If I had known…,” Frau Becker continued. “If we had known that Bernhard was capable of such insane jealousy, we would never have done this… but we did. And because of that, we must now share his guilt.”

Liebermann leaned back in his chair.

“I don't think so. You could never have foreseen your husband's actions.”

“I'm his wife. I should have-”

“Not in this instance, Frau Becker,” Liebermann interrupted. “The man you fell in love with no longer exists. You said earlier that your husband changed. I believe that this alteration in his personality had a very specific cause.”

“I don't understand.”

“Are you aware that your husband took medicine-a white powder which he dissolved in alcohol?”

“Yes. He took it for his headaches.”

“Frau Becker, your husband never suffered from headaches. He was deceiving you. The medication he took was an extract of the South American coca plant-cocaine. It is a substance once thought to improve mood and increase… stamina.”

A carriage drew up outside, and Liebermann was momentarily distracted.

“Forgive me for being forthright, Frau Becker,” Liebermann continued. “But it is my belief that your husband-being considerably older than you-doubted his ability to satisfy a healthy young wife. He started taking cocaine, having probably heard of its use as a tonic by the German army. However, cocaine is a highly addictive substance that, taken in large quantities, can disturb the mind's delicate balance. It can cause various forms of paranoia, a particularly disturbing example of which is pathological or morbid jealousy.” A loud knock resounded through the house. “Men are particularly prone to jealous feelings-but these can be grotesquely exaggerated under the influence of such a potent chemical agent. If Dr. Becker had not been addicted to cocaine, I very much doubt whether he would have behaved so irrationally-and with such tragic consequences.”

There was the sound of movement in the hallway, and a gentle tap on the door.

“Come in,” said Frau Becker.

The maid entered.

“What is it, Ivana?”

“Frau Becker, a police constable has arrived. He would like to speak with you.”

“You had better show him in.”

Liebermann looked at Rheinhardt quizzically, but the inspector was only able to respond with a shrug.

Haussmann stepped out of the way to let in the constable-a large youth with ruddy cheeks and a forelock of orange hair that peeped out from beneath his spiked helmet. He looked around the room, observing the gathering, but seemed quite unable to explain his presence. Indeed, his expression suggested confusion-complicated by anxiety.

Rheinhardt stood up and introduced himself, which did not seem to help matters. Indeed, the constable now seemed even more nervous and shifted the weight of his body from one foot to the other.

“Well, man,” said Rheinhardt, becoming impatient. “What is it?”

“Sir,” said the constable. Then, looking toward Frau Becker, he said, “Madam… there's been an accident. A carriage left the road and the driver was thrown off! The landlord of the inn at Aufkirchen was passing-and he has identified the body. I am sorry, madam. Your husband… he's dead.”

Through the window Liebermann could see the city lights: rings of increasing intensity contracting around a central luminescent hub. This pool of stardust was home to nearly two million people. Germans, Italians, Slovaks, Poles, Ruthenians, Slovenians, Romanians, Gypsies, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, princes, archdukes, shop girls, and paupers. Liebermann fancied that each glimmering lamp was a human soul-a unique life, illuminated by hopes, fears, and aspirations. Such a vast collection of humanity was humbling. Yet he felt an odd, vainglorious compulsion to raise his arm and eclipse the great metropolis with his hand.

Would it be there forever? he wondered. After all, archaeologists had found the ruins of entire civilizations buried beneath the sand.

Liebermann opened his fingers and allowed the lights to reappear. Their constancy was mildly reassuring.

The mood in the carriage was subdued. None of the three men had spoken much since leaving Aufkirchen. They had passed the time, somewhat self-absorbed, smoking Haussmann's French cigarettes. The black Syrian tobacco produced an intransigent fug that smelled unmistakably of burning tar; however, the pungency and excoriating consequence of each draw had not deterred them, and the box-illustrated with a camel and a palm tree-was now completely empty.

Rheinhardt caught sight of his reflection in the window and squeezed the horns of his mustache.

“He could so easily have got away with it.”

The sentence was not addressed to Liebermann or Haussmann but to himself.

“Yes,” said Liebermann, “and I am struck by a certain irony. If it wasn't for the school bullies, Becker might have succeeded. I doubt very much that you would have been so tenacious had there not been signs of torture on Zelenka's body. In this instance at least, cruelty has served some greater purpose.”

“Indeed, but it is a twist of fate from which I will derive little consolation.” Rheinhardt turned and peered through the smoke at his friend. “Max, there is something I don't understand.” Liebermann invited the inspector to proceed. “What alerted you to the significance of the almond tart in the first place? You never said.”

“Have you ever tasted absinthe, Oskar?”

“No.”

“Nor had I until last week. I was given some to drink by a friend-and I found that it had an extraordinary effect on the workings of my brain. My thinking seemed to loosen up-suddenly, I was capable of making bold associations. Some of them were complete nonsense… but others… My companion had been eating sugared almonds, and it occurred to me, apropos of nothing, that almonds contain traces of cyanide… Then I remembered that hydrocyanic gas is deadly-but difficult to isolate postmortem. The photographs of the murder scene came into my mind, and I was troubled by the presence of the pastry. Why was it there? And why wasn't it eaten? After all, adolescent boys are not renowned for their ability to delay gratification. Hydrocyanic gas taints the air with the smell of almonds. The rest-as I have already explained-followed.”

“And in order to achieve this… this… emancipation of the mind, how much absinthe did you drink, exactly?”

Liebermann took off his spectacles and dropped them into the pocket of his coat.

“Not a great deal,” he said innocently.

Rheinhardt turned to his assistant and, raising his eyebrows, asked, “Well, Haussmann?”

The young man shook his head.

“See, Max?” Rheinhardt continued. “Even Haussmann doesn't believe you.”