‘Do you have a sister?’ Stefan repeated, his voice cool and insistent.
‘Yes. I had a sister. She died,’ Re replied, dully.
Stefan looked taken aback. ‘I’m sorry. What happened?’
‘It was a car accident. She was travelling with a friend in the south of France and her car slipped over the cliff. She died instantly.’ Even as he spoke, the image of her beseeching eyes rose in his mind, as clearly as if he was standing by the edge of the cliff. Helplessly watching her slide down the cliff. How many times he had wished that he had paid heed to his vision and dissuaded her from taking that trip. But he hadn’t. And she had walked out of his life forever.
‘I really am sorry,’ Stefan said again, looking a little ashamed.
‘It’s all right,’ Re lied, steeling himself. ‘It happened a couple of years ago. Stefan, you have to concentrate on the impending danger to the city. It’s almost 7. Five hours more for the next Pillar to be targetted.’
‘You leave that to me, okay?’ Stefan snapped abruptly.
‘I will, if you leave us—Isabel and me—alone to find the Trail.’
‘And what does that mean?’
‘It means that we almost got killed today by some lunatic who drove us down in his boat. And you and Dan were the only two people who knew where we were!’
Stefan appeared startled. ‘You think I would—’ he spluttered.
‘Yes, you would. I have no reason to believe that you wouldn’t. And it’s not just that. You’ve put a tail on Isabel who’s been following us every step of the way. Why would you do that?’
Stefan suddenly went quiet, for a moment studying the pattern on the table with a great deal of concentration. Re observed him keenly.
‘Okay, listen,’ the officer said at length. ‘I’m going to share exclusive police information with you. And I trust that you will not repeat this to Isabel or anyone else.’
Re frowned, not liking the officer’s tone at all. The skin on the back of his neck prickled.
‘As you probably already know, Justin, Isabel’s husband, has been missing for the last several days. She came to us with a complaint, but the fact is that all the evidence we have gathered so far points fingers of strong suspicion to her.’
‘How do you mean?’ Re asked, with a firm grip on his emotions.
‘We investigated in the neighbourhood of the B&B and found out that days before he vanished, Justin had exchanged some innocent comments with a couple of neighbours about her temper, how she would sometimes resort to violence, even the fact that sometimes he feared her because every time he ate something she cooked, he felt ill. We have statements recorded which detail this feedback.’
‘Isabel violent? Impossible!’ Re protested.
‘I recognize that emotion. She has that charm and innocence which can fool anyone. But the reality is that her own husband feared her and one day, he simply vanished. We have no clue where he is—not for any lack of effort on our part—he has left no trail but I have the deepest suspicion that we will find him one day and I cannot vouch for his condition.’
‘Wait a minute. Are you insinuating that Isabel probably kidnapped her own husband or—’
‘Poisoned him or did him some harm,’ Stefan completed, leaning back, his arms folded.
‘Preposterous!’ Re exclaimed.
Stefan’s blue-grey eyes locked with Re’s brown ones, unblinking and calmly defiant. The dude is convinced of Isabel’s guilt, Re realized with a start.
‘Again, I understand why you feel so strongly in her favour,’ the officer said.
‘No, you don’t. I’ve known Isabel for precisely some hours. But even in that miniscule period of time, I know that she is incapable of crime. I can sense it. She is sad and in love with her husband and missing him.’
‘And I have known her for many, many years, and can vouch that she is incapable of real love, and is inconsistent, and I go by facts. And the facts show her in a very poor light.’
‘And that is why you have a tail on her. You suspect that she has hidden Justin in some remote, hiding place and that ultimately she would lead you to him.’
Stefan nodded. Re marvelled at his own composure. He felt like shaking Stefan hard and making him see how faulty his line of thinking was. Instead, he shook his head. ‘Well, I have no more to say. We completely differ in our opinion of Isabel and that is what surprises me the most.’
‘We differ because we have different experiences with her. Your interaction with her is formal and limited to the Trail but mine—’
‘Was personal. You two were dating each other. I know all about it. All the more reason why you would think a hundred times before accusing her of something so horrendous. You were rejected in love. That doesn’t make her a criminal.’
‘No, the facts could make her a criminal. And that has nothing to do with her rejecting me. Which she didn’t by the way, not in the traditional sense of the word. She gave me no opportunity to be rejected.’
Re stared at the officer in silence, a sense of sympathy fighting through his annoyance. ‘Facts can sometimes be misleading or planted. Have you considered that?’ he asked deliberately.
‘I am a policeman. I consider every angle.’
‘Well, then, all I can say is that I hope the facts reveal the truth before it is too late. Before an innocent woman has to face the horror of a crime she never committed.’
‘You seem very convinced of her innocence.’
‘I am. I have a heightened sense. I trust it blindly.’
‘And you think I should trust your instinct too.’
‘For Isabel’s sake, I think you should.’
For a long moment, Stefan stared at the journalist. Re read compassion in the eyes of the officer. But lurking behind that was raw emotion and a wound which had cut deep and refused to be healed.
A knock on the door interrupted his reflections and it clicked opened. Isabel peeped in. ‘Hey, all okay?’
Re and Stefan exchanged glances. ‘I think so,’ Stefan mumbled, and Re nodded.
‘In that case, join us in Dan’s office.’
Re followed her without a word.
Dan glanced anxiously at them, his gaze moving from Re to Stefan, as they returned to his office.
‘Well, I hope you’ve sorted out your issues and we can get back to work?’
‘Yes, please do let’s get back to the immediate matter in hand,’ Isabel agreed, in a tired voice.
‘The Trail,’ Re reiterated.
‘Could you trace the number and find out who called me this morning?’ Dan looked at the officer.
‘Kurt, my colleague, is checking the call record and I should know in an hour. Once we have that number, we can easily trace the guy,’ Stefan explained, and Dan nodded. ‘We are also doing background checks on Joanna and Perth and trying to figure out who could’ve booked rooms for them at the Schloss.’
‘That’s interesting,’ Re commented, intrigued.
‘It is. Someone booked rooms for them almost two months in advance. Apparently, the booking was made via a letter, with cash which arrived in an envelope. Full payment. Makes you wonder why it was so important to give these two people, who didn’t know each other, a surprise free stay at the Schloss.’
‘The usual reasons are to thank someone or to celebrate a birthday.’
‘Exactly! But by his staying anonymous, I don’t see how any acknowledgment would be conveyed. And neither of these two have birthdays in the next few months either.’
‘Very, very strange,’ Isabel agreed.
‘Well, I have to leave you now. I need to ensure that everything is in place for tomorrow. The first guest arrives at six,’ Dan excused himself. ‘You two continue with your Trail. I hope you can crack this thing real fast!’
‘And I am heading back to headquarters. If you discover anything important, please let me know at once,’ Stefan added.
Re nodded. Isabel was quiet as the two men left, but her eyes were on the jou
rnalist.
‘What was all that about?’ she questioned.
Re shrugged. ‘Just some guy stuff. Wanted to know about my past. A very suspicious man, Stefan.’
‘He’s a policeman, it’s his duty to suspect.’
Re flashed her a quick look.
‘You speak as if that’s a good quality.’
‘In his profession, it would pay to be suspicious, right?’
‘So that excuses his nature,’ Re said sarcastically.
‘I’m sure he wouldn’t accuse anyone without proof.’
‘Ah, you have a great deal of faith in Stefan, ma chérie.’
‘You say the “ma chérie” as if I shouldn’t have faith in Stefan,’ Isabel was quick on the uptake.
‘Not at all.’
‘You forget that I’ve known him for long and very well. He is a good man on the whole.’
‘I have not forgotten, non. I am just surprised.’
‘Good! Now can we go back to the next clue?’
‘Bien sûr, Madame!’
Isabel smiled. ‘Oh, the sweet French language! Incomparable!’
Re chuckled, perching himself on the chair next to hers.
She opened the folder and read out from the paper again. ‘Hats off to you. Your persistence will definitely pay off. If you can find those, dancing from the top and looking down through the pieces of glass, and over glory and finery and laugh at a reflection of their part.’
‘Does it spark off any ideas?’ he asked.
‘Dancing from the top and looking down could mean a painting, or a bell.’
‘Or a chandelier.’
‘Yeah, but it’s looking down, so someone from a painting could be looking down.’
‘But it’s from the top. I think that would mean overhead, so it could be a painting or a fresco in the ceiling.’
‘Well, almost all the rooms, including the Library, have frescoes looking down from the roof,’ Isabel commented.
‘Dancing pictures looking down through pieces of glass. It’s definitely a chandelier,’ Re insisted.
‘Looking down over glory and finery,’ she resumed thoughtfully.
‘Okay, let’s go by elimination. Which rooms have chandeliers?’
‘The Marble Hall, library, Venetian Room, the Great Hall and the Chinese Room. But the issue here is that we are assuming that this room is in the Schloss. It could be anywhere in Salzburg! Oh God!’ Isabel said disconsolately.
Re looked at her reassuringly. ‘Hey, we’ve solved three clues very successfully till now. And we’ll solve the rest too.’
‘But it’s past 7!’ Isabel said, refusing to be comforted. ‘We don’t know if we’ll succeed and when we’ll find Reinhardt’s Gift. We don’t even know which Pillar is next to be targetted, or if, even after we find the Gift, this—drama—will ever end. I am troubled because I feel so responsible for the twelve people who almost died today!’
‘Isabel, I understand. But we need to focus, oui? We cannot get tied up in emotional tangles. Or take responsibility for what’s happening or may happen. Our job, to put it in the most practical and detached manner, is to try to solve this puzzle as soon as we can. And we will, provided we focus.’
‘All right,’ she shrugged.
‘Do you want some coffee?’
‘No.’
‘Okay, let’s reread the clue.’ He did so, and mused: ‘So the characters from the painting seem to be dancing or at least are happy, and are looking down on glory and finery.’
Isabel glanced up sharply. ‘The Venetian Room is full of glory and finery. It was created by Reinhardt in the 1920s and the panels on the wall had been bought from a palace in Venice. The frames of all the paintings are gilded and the chandelier is pure cut glass.’
‘Let’s go see it!’ Re was enthusiastic.
Isabel rose promptly, the temporary intrusion of anxiety vanishing in a trice. They left Dan’s office and stepped out of the Meierhof. The slow strains of violin drifted their way from the lakeside. It was Joanna, sitting on the bench, totally engrossed in playing her violin. Martina was standing by, listening to her and gazing out at the lake.
‘That’s beautiful,’ Isabel sounded surprised.
‘It is, isn’t it? Let’s go listen for a moment,’ Re suggested.
‘Re…’ she began remonstratingly.
‘Just for a few minutes. I need the inspiration of music.’ They moved noiselessly towards the bench. Martina turned as they approached, and nodded.
The sun had set and Christine was lighting candles in small lamps and placing them strategically along the Meierhof, the lake and on the way to the Schloss. They emanated a soft glow, illuminating some dark patches and darkening others. The poignant tune being played filled Re’s heart with an intense yearning and the incurable pain of unrequited love.
When Joanna finally ended the piece, silence ensued for the briefest moment. Then Re, Martina and Isabel clapped hard. Joanna appeared startled and shy.
‘Wonderful! Lara’s Theme—my all-time favourite—brings back memories,’ Martina expressed spontaneously.
‘Oh, you’re so talented,’ Isabel added. ‘That was par excellence.’
‘An absolutely marvellous rendition,’ Re agreed.
‘Thank you,’ Joanna acknowledged, abashed.
‘Lara’s Theme somehow fits into this milieu, doesn’t it? This Schloss, loaded with the history of aristocrats and artistes, love and romance and spies—almost as if someone composed that tune just for this Schloss,’ Re continued to rave.
‘So true,’ Isabel nodded in whole-hearted agreement.
‘I am so glad you liked my performance. I have been asked to play this tune tomorrow night at the grand welcome party. I should, shouldn’t I?’ Joanna looked a little anxious, glancing from Re to Isabel.
‘Certainly you should,’ Re said encouragingly.
‘See, I told you it would be perfect. Just play with all your heart and enthral the audience!’ Martina smiled.
Joanna smiled in response. Re noticed that despite her rather plain looks, she exuded a soft charm.
‘Well,’ he said at last, ‘we’ll leave you to your practice. See you around.’ He excused himself.
Joanna nodded and Re and Isabel moved across the courtyard to the Schloss. The scarlet lights which shone on its walls picked up the two bronze deer from ancient times. They stood exactly opposite the main door, apparently grazing in the park. A couple of policemen were patrolling, with two dogs beside them who instantly raised their muzzles and sniffed the air. A police van stood just inside the grand Schloss gates, a quiet reminder of the importance of the event to take place.
Isabel led the way to the first floor and took a left on the landing, pushing open a heavy wooden door.
‘The Venetian Room!’ she announced grandly.
The moment they walked into the high-ceilinged room, Re knew that this had to be the most beautiful and lavishly decorated room in the Schloss. It was gold and finery incarnate, together with a display of mirrors. Paintings of myriad sizes hung on all the walls, edge to edge, almost nudging each other, encased in shining gold, elaborately carved frames. An ornate tile oven stood in a corner and a scarlet carpet over the floor, which seemed to be wooden, with a pattern of three-dimensional cubes. And right in the centre hung a magnificent chandelier. The energy of festive celebration was strong and merry laugher drifted into his imagination.
‘Ravissant!’
Isabel looked across the room with pride. ‘Reinhardt bought most of these paintings from an auction in Berlin but they actually come from an Italian mansion. That’s why it’s called the Venetian Room. I love this painting of the Rialto bridge in Venice!’
She indicated a painting which hung between two windows.
Re took in the display of glitter, mirrors and art. ‘It is indeed a special room and has seen some happy times, for sure. I can sense it. During my film session some years ago at the Seminar, we had a dinner here,’ Re reminisced. ‘The c
andles in the chandelier were lit then.’
‘Those aren’t allowed anymore. Strictly forbidden, in fact, due to the fire regulations. Salzburg is a town of fires, what with all its wooden structures, and decorations everywhere. We have to be very careful.’
Isabel continued: ‘This room was recreated as the ballroom in The Sound of Music. They wanted to film the scene here, but a session was on at the Schloss then and that is why permission was not granted. Anyway, getting back to our clue, “Laugh at a reflection of their part”,’ Isabel repeated, pointing to the paintings on the wall to the right of the entrance. ‘The paintings on this wall have the theme of the Comedia Dell’Arte—featuring masked actors such as harlequins.’
Re glanced closely at the mounted paintings. Most of them pictured a comedian, in colourful checked clothes and pointed cap, engaged in a humorous act.
‘Compare the pattern of the clothes with the pattern on the floor. For some inexplicable reason, Reinhardt wanted to replicate the pattern of the harlequin costume in the flooring. Do you see it? Except that though he began replicating the design with great enthusiasm, he very soon realized that it was an extremely expensive scheme, so he gave up the exercise midway. That is why only the edges are patterned but the rest of the floor is covered with a carpet… What is it, Re?’ Isabel interrupted herself because Re was staring at her oddly.
‘Did you say replicate their dress? You mean like a reflection of their part?’ he asked meaningfully.
‘That’s right!’ Isabel exclaimed.
‘The harlequins seem to be looking to the left of the entrance, so we need to check this side of the flooring.’ Without further ado, Re dropped to his knees and began tapping the design on the floor.
Isabel joined in and the next ten minutes, the only sound in the room was the knocking of knuckles against wood.
‘Nothing so far,’ Isabel sighed, sitting crosslegged on the carpet.
‘I think we’ve missed something again. I think perhaps it’s that the paintings are on the side wall and they don’t look through glass,’ Re pointed out.
‘No, wait!’ Isabel rose and hastened to the centre of the room. She gazed straight above at the ceiling, beyond the chandelier.
The Trail of Four Page 15
