The Silent Death

by volker Kutscher

  ‘Yes, Sir.’ Rath thought he was dismissed. He rose from his chair, casting a sidelong glance at Gennat who had remained silent throughout.

  ‘Wait a minute, Inspector,’ Weiss said, ‘we’re not finished with you yet!’

  Rath sat back down.

  ‘We’d like to hear your opinion on this,’ said the deputy, placing the latest edition of B.Z. am Mittag on the table. Rath didn’t recognise the article, only the name in the author byline: Stefan Fink.

  He skimmed the article. Fink had dredged up the old rumours and coaxed a few conspiracy theories out of Bellmann, but had nevertheless managed to quote Detective Inspector Gereon Rath in all the crucial places.

  Police are still searching for a fugitive lighting technician. ‘Betty Winter’s death was no accident,’ Detective Inspector Gereon Rath revealed to our paper. Does that make the technician a murder suspect? Inspector Rath spoke of an ‘important witness’, but it wouldn’t be the first time police have used this circumlocution to lull a potential suspect into a false sense of security. So, where do police stand? When will they finally arrest the killer walking among us? Detective Chief Inspector Wilhelm Böhm, the officer leading the investigation, was unable to provide an answer. Rath had this to say: ‘there’s always someone in charge, it’s the rest of us who do the work.’

  Shit! That rat! ‘I have already informed Superintendent Gennat that I don’t set any great store by appearing in these newspaper articles.’

  Buddha remained silent, although he appeared less friendly than normal.

  ‘What I mean,’ Rath said, ‘is that I am being quoted against my will here.’

  ‘Then you don’t know this Fink? You’ve never met him?’

  Weiss had done his research.

  ‘‘Met’ is the wrong word. He approached me and tried to pump me for information, but I refused.’

  ‘That’s not how it appears in the article. Did he just pluck all this out of thin air?’

  ‘He’s taken it out of context, anyway.’ Rath realised he had to be careful. Weiss would have already telephoned the paper. ‘Fink is a muckraker. He doesn’t care about truth, only sensationalism and pillorying police officers who refuse to co-operate. DCI Böhm doesn’t exactly come out of it well either!’

  ‘Thanks to your comment, Inspector!’ Weiss grew louder again. ‘Thanks to your comment. How dare you pass judgement on your department and your superiors? And to the press at that!’

  ‘That’s not what happened!’

  ‘You maintain that you didn’t say it?’

  ‘If I did it was in a completely different context. In no way did Herr Fink make it clear that he was intending to quote me in his paper.’

  Weiss dissected him with a look.

  ‘It’s lucky for you that I know this Fink,’ he said. ‘And you’re right: he is an unscrupulous representative of his guild. Otherwise, I would find it hard to believe you.’ Weiss leaned forward. ‘You still have a lot to learn about dealing with the big city press. Rash comments can lead to fatal consequences, as you can see. We, as police, need the press, but don’t be fooled into thinking you can toy with it. It’s the press that toys with you.’

  ‘What should I do, Sir? Demand right of reply?’

  ‘That would only make matters worse. Leave things as they are. I just want you to be more careful in future, so that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.’ Weiss rose from his chair. ‘And naturally,’ he said, ‘you should apologise to Chief Inspector Böhm.’

  Rath and Gennat made their way back to A Division together. Rath was unable to bear the silence. ‘When are you going back to Düsseldorf, Sir?’

  ‘As soon as I’ve sorted out this mess. Don’t try and smooth things over, Rath. I’m furious with you. But let’s not discuss it in the corridor.’

  That was all Gennat said the whole way back to Homicide, a way that seemed to stretch interminably. At last they reached Gennat’s office, where Buddha told Trudchen Steiner, his long-serving secretary, that he didn’t want to be disturbed.

  He didn’t let his ill temper show in front of his secretary, but nevertheless turned down her offer of coffee and cake, at which point Steiner cast Rath a sympathetic glance. Even serious criminals were offered cake in Gennat’s office.

  Buddha closed the door and sat at his desk, directing Rath to the seat in front which was normally reserved for condemned men, and spent a long time staring at him in silence. Not reproachfully, more enquiringly. It was an unpleasant feeling to find oneself under his gaze, the gaze of a teacher wondering how on earth his favourite student has botched his exams.

  ‘I don’t understand you,’ Gennat said. ‘Why do you have to be such a fool?’

  ‘I’m sorry about Brenner, but it wasn’t as bad as it sounded. His incapacity for work…’

  ‘Forget about Brenner! That was Dr Weiss’s axe to grind.’

  ‘Then I’m not quite sure what you mean, Sir.’

  ‘Stop pretending. We spoke about it only days ago. The fact that you’re a part of A Division, not a lone hand; that you should share your knowledge.’

  ‘With respect, Sir, that’s exactly what I did. I asked Henning and Czerwinski to alert colleagues about Krempin’s hideout the day before yesterday. As for the wire in Terra Studios yesterday – I notified Detective Gräf immediately by telephone and requested assistance so that…’

  ‘…you were no longer present when Böhm arrived on the scene.’

  ‘What am I supposed to say to that? I provide DCI Böhm with a decisive breakthrough, and he has nothing better to do than complain about me to his superiors.’

  ‘No one’s lodged a complaint. Luckily for you, DCI Böhm is a loyal colleague. Loyal to his department and loyal to each and every one of his team, no matter how defiant they might be.’

  ‘I assume you’re talking about me, Sir.’

  ‘Don’t start quibbling!’ Gennat had only raised his voice slightly, but Rath sensed it would be wise to bite his tongue. ‘This is about your conception of loyalty, and your conception of police work in general.’ Gennat leaned forward. ‘The police force is a complex organism in which many small parts act together to create a whole. It’s an organism that works very well, by the way. That’s the reason we have hierarchies, and that’s the reason you should do what you’re told. The best thing for you is to be amicable and respectful towards both your superiors and your subordinates. There is no place for high-handedness, petty jealousies and rivalries in my department. Do I make myself clear?’

  Rath nodded. ‘I understand how important these things are, Sir, but sometimes in the heat of the moment…’

  ‘The heat of the moment! Stop talking such nonsense! You made yourself scarce because you guessed that Böhm was about to take over the investigation! You wanted to make it impossible for him to bring you back into line. But you must have known it would end like this. If you had just gone about your business as normal, Böhm would have allowed you to operate as part of his team, if not necessarily as leader. Now you’re on the outside.’

  ‘With respect, Sir, DCI Böhm is making a mistake. I’m responsible for most of the findings in this case, and it would make more sense if…’

  ‘DCI Böhm is your superior,’ Gennat interrupted. ‘And if he puts you on toilet-cleaning duty, that’s his business!’ Now Buddha really was shouting, something that happened so rarely he surprised even himself. He returned to his customary, paternal tone. ‘Kindly do as your superiors ask. Clear?’ Rath fell silent. ‘Do I make myself clear?’

  Rath nodded, beginning to understand why so many people softened under this gaze, confessing to the most serious crimes.

  ‘Your high-handedness got you into this predicament.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘Stop grovelling and start changing your behaviour. Böhm isn’t going anywhere for a few years, and you’d better get used to it. This isn’t the first time I’ve said this to you.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then for God�
�s sake take it to heart. We all have to work together. There’s no room for personal animosities. You certainly can’t hold it against Böhm that he hasn’t become your best friend. I have no wish to dredge up the past…’

  ‘With respect, Sir, it’s DCI Böhm who’s blurring the line between personal and professional. Since he took over from you, he’s been putting the squeeze on me…’

  ‘Don’t start complaining! Police work can be boring and damned exhausting at the same time, so unspectacular that not a single paper is interested in it. But that’s not something you should be worried about. Just take care of the tasks you’ve been allocated, no matter how monotonous, and people here will start taking notice. In your case it might even be helpful to draw less attention to yourself.’ Gennat’s tone was more placatory now. ‘You’re a good detective, Rath. But show that you are part of the force too, and – I don’t need any more meetings with Dr Weiss. I’ve got better things to do than take care of brawling officers.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’ Rath made one final attempt. ‘I apologise for the trouble I’ve caused you. Nevertheless, I would ask you to support my reinstatement on the Winter investigation. I am, with respect, the officer most familiar with the details of the case.’

  ‘I’m not about to tell Böhm how to deploy his officers. We can’t just drop everything because the press has pounced on a celebrity case. Take care of the task Böhm has given you, and apologise to him. You heard what Dr Weiss said.’ With that, he began sorting papers, not deigning to cast even a glance in Rath’s direction.

  23

  Gräf still hadn’t been in contact and couldn’t be reached. ‘He’s out,’ said Erika Voss, who had reappeared in the meantime. According to her, Gräf wasn’t expected until the next briefing, early tomorrow morning. Böhm wasn’t in the office either. Erika Voss shrugged her shoulders apologetically.

  ‘Then make an appointment with his secretary, ask him to call back – anything,’ Rath said. ‘I need to speak to the DCI today.’ Slamming the door to his office, he sat behind his desk. He felt like sweeping the mound of papers to the floor, but restrained himself and smoked an Overstolz. As soon as he had stubbed it out, he reached for the receiver. ‘Erika, please go to ED and search for anything Kronberg and his colleagues have collected on a man named Höhler, Albert.’

  That would occupy her for a while, and spare her the temptation of listening to his telephone calls. After he heard the door close, he checked to see if Voss had gone and picked up the telephone. The first thing he did was ask to be put through to the editorial office at B.Z. am Mittag.

  ‘Herr Fink is popular with the police today,’ the editorial secretary said before putting him through. So Weiss had called.

  ‘Inspector Rath!’ The reporter sounded pleased. ‘Have you decided to tell me a little more?’

  Rath went on the attack. ‘What were you thinking?’ he shouted. ‘Why the hell did you put all that in your paper?’

  ‘It’s only what you told me. The thing is, Inspector, you and your colleagues think you can foil us with your silence, but that is a mistake. If I want to write a story, I write it. If you try to stint on detail, then I cobble together from whatever you have provided, intentionally or otherwise, and infer the rest. Provide me with more comprehensive information and you’ll have, firstly, more control over the report and, secondly, a new friend.’

  ‘You think I’m looking for a friend?’

  ‘As I said, you won’t regret it.’

  ‘But I will regret it if I don’t speak to you. Is that what you’re saying?’

  ‘Your detective chief inspector comes off far worse…’

  ‘You quoted me against my will!’

  ‘You knew you were talking to a reporter.’

  ‘But not that you would write what I told you!’

  ‘Really? That’s my job.’

  ‘Nothing could be further from my mind than to publicly denounce a colleague.’

  ‘Then don’t do it.’ The swine had an answer for everything. ‘You should have told me your remarks were confidential. I keep agreements like that.’

  ‘We never made any agreement.’

  ‘You see why we should have?’

  ‘I had, and have, nothing to say to you. And yet at Alex, people think I’m your informant. How do you explain that?’

  ‘If that’s the case, you might as well be.’

  ‘Pardon me?’

  ‘You might as well be my informant. I mean, if people already think you are. Work with me and I promise…’

  Rath hung up. He was in luck with the next number he dialled. Weinert had his coat on, but was still at home.

  ‘Cut to the chase,’ the journalist said, ‘they’re pining for me over at Tageblatt. The Great Coalition crisis needs to be analysed.’

  ‘Do you think you might be able to pitch a second story?’

  ‘Is this the green light for the Winter story?’

  ‘Yes, but with one qualification. It would be good if my name didn’t appear too often, since I’m no longer responsible for the case.’

  ‘I have to give a few names. A few police sources. One, at least.’

  ‘DCI Böhm is leading the investigation.’

  ‘He’s not saying anything.’

  ‘Then I’ll give you someone’s private number. He’s sick at the moment, but is usually part of Böhm’s team.’

  ‘Does he know the case? If he’s sick, I mean.’

  ‘Ask the right questions and you’ll get your answer. I don’t have to tell you how to do your job.’

  ‘Give me the number and I’ll try. While we’re on the subject: I’ve arranged a meeting for you. With Heyer.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Willi Heyer. The screenwriter. Tomorrow at one in the Romanisches Café.’

  ‘With all those would-be celebrities?’

  ‘I’ll be there too.’

  ‘Well, no offence intended.’

  ‘It’s OK, it contains the highest density of unsuccessful authors in the country. As well as a few successful ones.’

  There was a knock and Erika Voss poked her head around the door.

  ‘Back from ED already?’ Rath asked, covering the mouthpiece with his hands. ‘I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.’

  ‘It’s DCI Böhm! He can speak with you now but doesn’t have much time. You’ll have to hurry.’

  Gräf and Lange were loitering around Böhm’s office when Rath entered. The DCI didn’t look up from the file he was studying. ‘You wanted to speak to me?’ he said.

  ‘Yes, Sir,’ Rath said, ‘but I thought we might be able to speak in priv…’

  ‘I don’t keep secrets from my colleagues and don’t have much time. What’s this about?’

  ‘I wanted to apologise, Sir.’

  The words came out with great difficulty. Rath’s whole body resisted as he uttered them, but he had to see it through. Weiss and Gennat had both told him to apologise to Böhm and it was an order he couldn’t disregard.

  Böhm still hadn’t looked at him.

  Gräf moved towards the door, clearly embarrassed at watching his former boss eat humble pie. Rath signalled that Gräf should give him a call.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Böhm barked.

  Gräf gave a start. ‘I thought…’

  ‘Don’t think, get to work.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’ Gräf returned to the map on which he and Lange had circled and shaded various areas with the aid of a compass. Rath recognised Grunewald. Erika Voss was right: they were clearly looking for Krempin in the south-west.

  ‘Do you have anything else to say to me, Inspector?’ Böhm asked. ‘Or was that it?’

  ‘I apologise for the fact that I expressed myself ambiguously to a reporter so that the impression arose that I was…’

  ‘What language was that? Don’t make your sentences so complicated that you can’t finish them.’

  Böhm looked at him for the first time. ‘What’s the latest with the Wessel file? Is you
r report finished?’

  So Böhm knew. ‘Detective Gräf is composing the report on the Wessel funeral. I assigned the task to him and…’

  ‘You disregarded my orders.’

  ‘In no way did I disregard your orders, Sir. I did, however, assign Detective Gräf to carry them out.’

  ‘Herr Rath, if you are ever to become a proper member of this department, then you must stop shirking your responsibilities.’ Rath sensed it would be wise to remain silent. ‘That means,’ Böhm continued, ‘carrying out the orders you have been issued. Personally. It also means ensuring that your colleagues and superiors have as much information as you do – and the press.’

  Rath swallowed his anger. The bulldog was using the opportunity to humiliate him, deliberately ignoring his outstretched hand.

  ‘Do I make myself clear?’

  ‘Yes, Sir! It’s just…the Winter case…’

  ‘Concentrate on the Wessel case. It’s not my fault you didn’t attend the funeral. Detective Gräf won’t be able to write any reports for the time being – so you’ll just have to wait.’

  Rath feverishly considered whether he should say something more about the Winter case. The bulldog couldn’t just get rid of him like that, not when he was the one pulling all the strings.

  ‘What are you still doing here?’ Böhm said. ‘I thought I had made myself clear.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘Well, don’t just stand there. On your way.’

  That was that. Böhm returned to his file, leaving Rath standing like a schoolboy and Gräf and Lange looking at their map of the Grunewald. Rath could have slammed the door in anger but managed to control himself. The best way to confront a humiliation of this kind was simply to ignore it.

  ‘I take it that’s an order too, Sir,’ he said, and left the office.

  24

  She has fallen asleep. How peacefully she lies there and how beautifully, he thinks as he clears away the glasses, hers half-empty, his almost full. He doesn’t consider himself too good for such things when Albert has his evening off. He tips the contents of both glasses into the sink, rinses them with water and dries them with a kitchen towel. Only then does he place them beside the other dirty glasses.