then?’
He nodded, took the phone from her, but waved for her to stay there. ‘Wait and see if his English is as good as your German.’
Before he had finished this sentence, he heard a deep voice at the other end say, ‘This is Dr. Erich Steinbrunner. May I know to whom I’m speaking?’
Brunetti introduced himself and signaled to the translator that she could leave. Before doing so, she leaned across his desk and pushed a pad and pencil toward him.
‘Yes, Commissario, what can I do for you?’
‘I’m investigating Maestro Wellauer’s death, and I’ve learned from his widow that you were a close friend of his.’
‘Yes, I was. My wife and I were friends of his for many years. His death has hurt us both.’
‘I’m sure it has, Doctor.’
‘I wanted to go there for the funeral, but my wife is in very poor health and cannot travel, and I didn’t want to leave her.’
‘I’m sure Signora Wellauer understands,’ he said, surprised at the internationality of platitudes.
‘I’ve spoken to Elizabeth,’ said the doctor. ‘She seems to be bearing it well.’
Cued by something in his tone, Brunetti said, ‘She seemed somewhat . . . I’m not sure how to express this. She seemed somewhat reluctant that I call you, Doctor.’ When that got no answer, he added, ‘Perhaps it is too soon after his death for her to want to remember happier times.’
‘Yes, that’s possible,’ the doctor responded dryly, making it clear that he thought it wasn’t.
‘Doctor, might I ask you a few questions?’
‘Certainly.’
‘I’ve examined the Maestro’s datebook and saw that for the last few months of his life, he saw you and your wife frequently.’
‘Yes, we had dinner three or four times.’
‘But there were other times when your name alone was listed, Doctor, early in the morning. From the hour, I guessed that it might have been a professional visit—that is, that he was seeing you as a doctor and not as a friend.’ Rather belatedly, he asked, ‘Doctor, may I ask if you’re a . . .’ He stopped, not wanting to offend the man by asking if he was a general practitioner, and said, ‘I’m sorry I’ve forgotten the word in English. Could you tell me what your specialization is?’
‘Nose, ear, and throat. But particularly throat. That’s how I met Helmut, years ago. Years ago.’ The man’s voice grew warmer as he said this. ‘I’m known here in Germany as “the singers’ doctor.”‘ Did he sound surprised at actually having to explain this to anyone?
‘Is that why he was seeing you, because one of his singers was having trouble? Or was he having trouble with his voice?’
‘No, there was nothing wrong with his throat or his voice. The first time, he asked me to meet for breakfast, and it was to speak about one of his singers.’
‘And after that, Doctor, there were other morning dates listed in the book.’
‘Yes, I saw him twice. The first time, he came to the office and asked me to give him an exam. And then, a week later, I gave him the results.’
‘Would you tell me what those results were?’
‘Before I do, can you tell me why you think this is important?’
‘It seems that the Maestro was deeply preoccupied, worried about something. I’ve learned that from the people I’ve spoken to here. And so I am trying to find out what it might have been—anything that might have influenced his state of mind.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t see how this is pertinent,’ the doctor said.
‘Doctor, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the state of his health. Remember, anything I learn might help me find the person responsible for his death and see that he is punished.’ Paola had often told him that the only way to appeal to a German was to invoke the law. The swiftness of the man’s response seemed to prove her right.
‘In that case, I’ll willingly help you.’
‘What kind of exam was it that you gave him?’
‘As I said, his voice and throat were fine. Eyesight perfect. There was a slight hearing loss, however, and it was this that made him ask for the exam.’
‘And what were the results, Doctor?’
‘As I said, a slight hearing loss. Minimal. The sort of thing that is to be expected in a man of his age.’ He immediately corrected himself: ‘Of our age.’
‘When did you give him the exam, Doctor? The dates I have are for October.’
‘Yes, it was sometime then. I’d have to check my records to give you the exact dates, but it was about that time.’
‘And do you remember the exact results?’
‘No, no, I don’t. But the loss was certainly less than ten percent, or I would have remembered.’
