Mortal Mischief by Frank Tallis

Author:Frank Tallis
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781409066101
Publisher: Random House Group Limited
Published: 2010-03-03T11:24:52+00:00

41

OTTO BRAUN HAD not expected to find himself lying on a divan in a featureless hospital room. Nor had he bargained for the doctor, whose watchful presence he could sense behind him.

'We were staying at The Grand, in Baden. There were a lot of wealthy people there, as you'd expect – it's a splendid hotel. One of the guests was a medium, a woman called Frau Henneberg. She was attracting a lot of attention, particularly from those patrons who were visiting the spa because of ill health. She agreed to hold a series of evening seances, and I attended one – just out of interest. It was a show, of course, nothing more, and I could see how the illusions were achieved: the rapping, the apparitions, the appearance of objects. One of the gentlemen present was undoubtedly an accomplice – I had no trouble identifying him. At the end of the seance, Frau Henneberg invited all those present to make a voluntary donation. I swear she must have made ninety florins. It was all so easy.' Braun stopped and slid both hands through his hair. 'How long do I have to stay like this?'

'Until the interview is finished.'

Resigning himself to the peculiarity of his circumstances, the young man sighed, releasing the tension in his shoulders.

'That's better' said Liebermann. 'I want you to feel comfortable – close your eyes if it helps.'

Braun did as he was instructed and crossed his arms over his chest. Liebermann was reminded of a corpse, and wondered whether the gesture represented some subtle communication from Braun's unconscious. Was he already unintentionally confessing to having committed murder?

'When you arrived at Fräulein Löwenstein's apartment,' asked Liebermann, 'why did you choose to run away?'

'There were police officers outside – they'd stopped Hölderlin and his wife. I thought they'd finally caught up with us. There was that business at The Danube . . . and some other business.'

'What other business?'

Braun frowned: 'It was my understanding, Herr Doctor, that I was brought here to discuss Fräulein Löwenstein's murder.'

'Indeed, Herr Braun, and it was my understanding that you wished to help the police with their inquiries.'

'All right,' said Braun, curling his upper lip. 'We met an old woman in Baden – a widow. She had some valuable jewellery, a diamond bracelet, a sapphire pendant . . .' He waved his hand in the air, suggesting that further itemisation was unnecessary. 'When the opportunity presented itself, Lotte took the lot.'

'Were you party to this theft? Did you assist Fräulein Löwenstein?'

Braun opened his eyes, his mouth twisting to form a sardonic smile.

'No,' he said. His eyelids came down slowly, like those of a sated cat. 'Lotte was always taking things.'

Liebermann noticed that Braun's hands were trembling a little. Yet the young man did not seem particularly anxious.

'You ran. But where to?'

'A public house.'

'Which one?'

'I don't know – a small one. It's out in Meidling . . . The landlord's a big Ruthenian fellow. I think his name's Gergo. I met a woman there. I was able to stay with her for a while.

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