Herr Joly to take these photographs. She had claimed that Herr Holderlin was her fiance, and that he would not usually permit his photograph to be taken – thus, Herr Joly would have to perform his task secretly. This was easily accomplished using a new miniature camera from America, something called a Pocket Kozy. Fraulein Lowenstein did not go back to Joly's shop, and Herr Joly was unaware of her murder. When she failed to return to his premises Herr Joly instructed his assistant to deliver the photographs to Fraulein Lowenstein's apartment. It is clear,' continued von Bulow authoritatively, 'that Holderlin and Lowenstein were lovers. I suspect that, once she became pregnant, she planned to extort money from the banker using these photographs.'
'But they weren't in her possession when she was killed,' Rheinhardt objected. 'How could she have shown them to Holderlin?'
'She didn't have to,' said von Bulow. 'As soon as she was satisfied that Herr Joly had completed his task, she could have revealed her scheme.'
'Carry on, Inspector,' said Brugel to von Bulow.
'Thank you, sir,' said von Bulow. 'Holderlin killed Fraulein Lowenstein to escape his predicament, but became fearful of discovery. He suspected that the locksmith, Karl Uberhorst, had information that might implicate him, Holderlin, in the murder. In your report, Rheinhardt, you mention that Uberhorst behaved strangely at Cosima von Rath's seance. He appeared to know something of value to the police. I think it is safe to assume that this concerned Fraulein Lowenstein's pregnancy. At that time, Holderlin – like everyone else in the circle – was unaware of the results of the second autopsy. Thus, from Holderlin's point of view, special knowledge of Lowenstein's pregnancy must have represented a significant threat, particularly if it made the police more inquisitive. Of course, he wasn't to know that even armed with such information, Rheinhardt, you would do precious little to justify his fears.'
'With respect, von Bulow,' said Rheinhardt, 'that really wasn't—'
'Rheinhardt!' said the Commissioner. 'Let von Bulow finish, then you can have your say.'
Rheinhardt folded his arms and hunched his shoulders.
'When Holderlin visited Uberhorst's shop,' continued von Bulow, 'and found the locksmith engaged in experiments that might reveal Fraulein Lowenstein's murderer was human rather than demonic, he resolved to dispatch the troublesome fellow immediately. Remarkably, Rheinhardt, that sham seance you arranged to smoke out the killer actually succeeded. Holderlin feared that he would be exposed and subsequently disrupted the evening's proceedings. Had I been in your position, Rheinhardt, I would not have hesitated at that juncture to make an arrest. These photographs,' said von Bulow, gesturing, 'are final confirmation of Holderlin's guilt.'
Brugel was nodding his head approvingly.
'A compelling analysis, don't you agree, Rheinhardt?'
Rheinhardt was extremely irritated at his superior's attitude towards von Bulow. The man was an impressive detective, certainly, but on this occasion he had been plain lucky. Also, there was nothing 'compelling' about his 'analysis'. Anybody with a detailed knowledge of the case who stumbled upon such photographs might speculate in the same way. Moreover, von Bulow had made extensive use of paperwork that he had derided only the day before.
'These photographs certainly suggest,' began Rheinhardt, 'that Herr Holderlin and Fraulein Lowenstein were lovers.'
'Suggest?' interrupted Brugel. 'Why else would a married man be kissing the hand of an attractive woman on the Prater if she were not his mistress?'
'Indeed, sir,' Rheinhardt replied, 'and Inspector von Bulow should be commended for his exceptionally clever find.' Rheinhardt's sarcasm escaped Brugel, but produced a minute tensing of von Bulow's neck muscles. 'But we are still frustrated by the main problem that has dogged this case from the very beginning. In principle, I agree that Herr Holderlin looks to be our man – I have said as much myself in the report of the sham seance. Even so, we are left with the uncomfortable fact that Fraulein Lowenstein's murder is as inexplicable today as it was over a month ago. How can Herr Holderlin be successfully prosecuted for a murder, the method of which cannot be explained?'
'Rheinhardt,' said von Bulow, 'your objections emphasise the difference in our respective approaches. I am sure that we shall learn how Herr Holderlin engineered his theatrical coup in good time. The villain has been discovered – and I am confident that a lengthy period of confinement in a small, preferably windowless cell will encourage him to make a full confession. You will not have to wait very much longer for your explanation, I assure you.'
'Here, here,' the Commissioner chuckled. 'I'll wager we'll have our confession within the week!'
'I'm sorry?' said Rheinhardt, looking at von Bulow. 'You intend to extort a confession out of Holderlin by keeping him in solitary confinement?'
'A period of isolation and hardship is sure to focus his mind.'
'Sir,' said Rheinhardt to his superior. 'I believe that there may be an alternative, more humane way of encouraging Herr Holderlin to confess. I request that he be permitted an interview with my colleague Doctor Liebermann.'
'Out of the question!' said von Bulow.
'Why?'
'It'll spoil everything. Put the man under pressure and he'll talk.'
'Put
'Sir, Doctor Liebermann isn't a police medical officer,' said von Bulow, appealing to the Commissioner.
'With respect, von Bulow,' said Rheinhardt, before the Commissioner could respond. 'Your current mentor, Professor Gross, suggests that the wise investigator should make use of
Von Bulow was surprised that Rheinhardt appeared to be conversant with the works of Hans Gross, but was stalled for only a fraction of a second. 'Indeed,' replied von Bulow. 'However, I am not altogether convinced that Doctor Liebermann is a man of talent. Nor do I agree with his methods.' He trained his bleached eyes on the Commissioner. 'Liebermann is a disciple of Sigmund Freud, sir. A man whose ideas are highly suspect, and whose psychology is peculiarly Jewish.'
'Sir,' said Rheinhardt raising his voice. 'There is nothing peculiarly Jewish about Doctor Liebermann's methods. He is an astute observer of human nature and was able to determine that Fraulein Lowenstein was pregnant from a single error in her death note. His talent is inestimable.'
Brugel slapped his hand on the desk. The report was as loud as a gunshot.
'Enough of this petty squabbling – both of you!'
The two Inspectors fell silent.
The Commissioner pulled at his chin, looking from Rheinhardt to von Bulow and back again.
'All right, Rheinhardt,' said Brugel. 'You can call your Doctor Liebermann. He can have one hour with Herr Holderlin, but not a minute more. After that, Holderlin is exclusively in the charge of Inspector von Bulow.'
'Thank you, sir,' said Rheinhardt, feeling as though he had won a small skirmish in the course of a generally doomed campaign.
72
ABOVE THE COMPANY of Tritons, sea nymphs and frolicking cherubs the roof of the Belvedere peeped over the lower cascade. The couple turned right, passing a demonic face with a large nose and long curled horns. The creature's mouth was wide open, giving the impression of laughter, but its sunken eyes seemed to have rolled back into its head. The effect was rather disturbing – it reminded Liebermann of an epileptiform seizure.
'I wore my new crepe-de-Chine dress for the first time,' said Clara, 'and looked very sophisticated – even though I say so myself. I can't wait for you to see it. Frau Kornbluh spent months working on the lace collar – and you wouldn't believe how much it cost. One hundred florins! The bodice is tapered – very severely – and it has an old-fashioned bustle.'
They ascended the stairs and passed an irate-looking putto wearing an alpine hat that was tilted to one side. The figure was supposed to represent April, but the infant made a curiously ill-tempered-looking and oddly attired harbinger of an Arcadian summer. He looked utterly ridiculous.
'What an entrance I made,' Clara continued. 'Frau Baum came to greet me and led me through the room.
