Vienna Secrets

53

The Chancellor was frowning.

“You wish to discuss a staff member. Herr Dr. Liebermann, is it?”

“That is correct,” said Rheinhardt.

“Has he committed an offense?”

“No,” said Rheinhardt. “Dr. Liebermann has not committed an offense; however, he is known to us at the security office.”

“Well, to be frank,” Gandler cut in, shaking his head, “that doesn’t surprise me.”

“Herr Professor,” said Rheinhardt, “Dr. Liebermann is not a suspect. He is a consultant.”

“A consultant?”

“He is a very gifted psychiatrist, who has been of great service to my department.”

“Well, I am delighted to hear that,” said Professor Gandler. “However, I’m afraid he is away at present and can be contacted only through his family.”

“I know,” said Rheinhardt. “It was I who suggested that he should leave Vienna.”

Professor Gandler’s expression became clouded with puzzlement.

“I understand,” Rheinhardt continued, “that Dr. Liebermann has been suspended from clinical duties pending a meeting of the hospital committee. I am fully aware of the circumstances surrounding this decision, and the concerns you expressed about the hospital demonstrating that it takes accusations of religious agitation seriously. Moreover, I believe that you suspended Dr. Liebermann in anticipation of the imminent publication of unfavorable articles, the most damaging of which was expected to appear in Kikeriki.”

“Then you are very well informed, Inspector.”

“Well, Professor, I have good news for you. The offending article will not be appearing in the satirical magazine after all. And in the interests of social harmony, and the reputation of the world’s finest hospital, the censor has agreed that any similar articles that come to his attention will be suppressed in the usual manner. It is only after the hospital committee has convened, and Dr. Liebermann’s fate has been decided, that the prohibition will be lifted.”

“I see,” said Professor Gandler, his face showing no obvious sign of relief.

“Given that the position is now quite changed, I was wondering…” Rheinhardt smiled. “Would you be prepared to reconsider Dr. Liebermann’s situation?”

“What do you mean, exactly?”

“The hospital will not receive adverse publicity. You personally will not be accused of complacency. Therefore, surely Dr. Liebermann can be reinstated.”

“As I explained to Dr. Liebermann, I cannot have him working on wards where he would be free to repeat his… misdemeanor. Dr. Liebermann is unapologetic and unrepentant.”

“Come now, Professor. The good doctor is not a fool. If the same situation were to arise again, he would be more circumspect. Besides, he’s a psychiatrist. The chances of him being called again to attend a dying man are rather slim, are they not?”

“Even so, Inspector, I have responsibilities. I must respect public sensitivities. I cannot appear-in any way-to be condoning behavior likely to cause upset.”

“All right. Then keep him off the wards. He could still see individual patients. Why not?”

“He suggested something very similar himself.”

“What could be better, eh? A traditional Austrian compromise.”

The chancellor rearranged some papers on his desk. The action was unconscious, like a nervous tic.

“Why are you trying to help this young man, Inspector?”

“Because he’s useful to the security office,” said Rheinhardt, feigning bluff pragmatism. “He’s very good at what he does.”

“That may be true, Inspector. But he’s also very stubborn and arrogant. I advised him not to make a moral stand against the hospital committee right from the beginning. He refused to listen. If he loses his job, well, that’ll be his own fault.”

“Yes,” said Rheinhardt. He decided to be honest. “He can be a frustrating fellow, if not downright irritating at times; however, he is also a man of singular courage and conviction. And these, in my humble estimation, are not trivial qualities.” The chancellor made an arch with his fingers and looked closely at Rheinhardt. “Courage and conviction,” Rheinhardt repeated. “Qualities I hope that we all possess, at least in some measure.”

It was a carefully worded sentence that found its mark. When Rheinhardt saw doubt creeping into the chancellor’s expression, he applauded himself for being something of a psychiatrist too.