The range at his local bookshop was limited, so he decided to go to the city where the bookstores would offer a larger selection. It could wait till later in the day, and then perhaps he’d visit Victor.
On his way back he stopped for a coffee. In a cosy corner of the café he eased himself into a chair and opened a newspaper. Instantly his eyes were drawn to a lengthy article on Carnarvon and Carter.
Not half an hour had passed since his return to the apartment, when there was a sharp knock on the door. It was what he was waiting for. Throwing it wide open he froze and then took a pace back. As one, the two police officers stepped into the room, forcing him to take several more paces back.
“Are you Felix Finer?” asked one while the other looked the room over, and then turned his attention back to him as he replied, “Yes.”
“Then I have the unpleasant duty to inform you of your uncle’s death. He was shot last night. We believe you may be able to assist us.”
Felix shook his head and took another faltering step backward as a stealthy chill penetrated his body. It couldn’t be. His mind reeled from the shock. He could not compose himself to ask even one question. One of the officers pulled up a chair. “Please sit down.”
“Danger. Not a word to anyone.” They were his last words, a dire warning that seemed so casual that night. Who could have perpetrated such a senseless act, robbing Felix of the person he loved and with whom he was going to share a wonderful adventure? Tears streamed down his cheeks as he remembered the good times and the laughter they shared. “How did this happen? Who did this?”
“Mr. Finer, we need your help to arrest the person responsible. We don’t expect it to be complicated.”
Choking with grief, Felix checked his emotion. That final warning of danger was flashing in his mind; he could trust no one. The first shock, which made his blood run cold, now turned to anger. He was angry at his loss and angry at his helplessness. He wished Etienne would arrive soon. Everything around him was a blur; he didn’t hear the question put to him. One of the officers shook him by the shoulder. “Are you listening?”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I’ll help in any way.” He stood up suddenly. “I’ll come with you.”
Not a word was spoken during the short drive to police headquarters as the car jolted along the cobblestone streets. A resolution became clear in Felix’s mind: If it is to be a fight to death, then it shall be on my terms.
At headquarters Felix was ushered into a dingy office and left alone for a short time. Reveal nothing, take every advantage was his new mantra. Time passed slowly while he sat there, adding to his frustration and anger.
Suddenly a bespectacled and officious person entered the room. “Felix Finer, I am Inspector Novak,” he introduced himself without waiting for any acknowledgement. “This is Lieutenant Benzel.” He threw a look over his shoulder at the person standing in the doorway behind him. Both of them placed their folders on the desk as they sat down. Novak regarded Felix over his glasses.
“We understand your uncle was in the oriental antiquities trade.”
“Yes, he was.”
“It appears this crime is related to his business. Do you know any of his colleagues?”
“Until the other day I had not seen my uncle in eight years. He told me he was expecting a visitor: Curt Reinhardt, a man I’ve never met. I was told he’s also a dealer in antiquities and a fierce rival. I suspect he may be involved.”
“He was expecting him, you say.” Novak smiled faintly. “A murderer does not announce his arrival in advance.”
“Perhaps Reinhardt didn’t plan to murder my uncle.”
“Well, someone came with a gun and had every intention to fire it.” Novak turned to the lieutenant, who was absently tapping his pencil on the desktop: “Do you have to?”
“Why don’t you arrest Reinhardt? I’m sure he can tell you more than I can.”
“Arrest a German citizen in Austria? No. We have no jurisdiction in Vienna since the borders of Europe were redrawn.”
“Am I to understand he’s not a suspect?”
“I didn’t say he’s not a suspect. I have been surprised before, but this appears to be a burglary gone wrong.”
“A burglary?”
“Yes, he had valuable artefacts, and the door was forced. That’s why you’re here. We need your help to confirm what – if anything – is missing, then we can establish the motive. We believe it was someone he knew, but perhaps he confided something to you that may be of relevance.”
“I can’t think of anything” Felix said, hoping for more information.
“Mr. Finer, intrigue can have a high price,” said Novak dryly while he fiddled with his file. “You may be interested to know that circumstances never lie.”
The comment didn’t make Felix feel any better; he didn’t know what was going on in Novak’s head. Was it a routine statement or was it a threat? Was his secret compromised? The words “trust no one” echoed in his mind.
Novak continued, “When murder sits at your elbow it doesn’t give you much room to move.”
“You’re right, Inspector.” Felix knew he would not reveal the safe, even if its contents were the reason for the crime. He sat there in silence, chin cupped in his hands. Neither Novak nor Benzel had a word to say as they thumbed through their briefs. Felix sensed some advantage and directed his question to the lieutenant. “What about you, you’re on this case. Don’t you have a suspect?”
“We have more than that,” Novak answered for Benzel. “We will work through this, and soon we’ll have his name. What we now need is to establish a motive.”
“His name? So you do have another suspect?” interjected Felix, and not too discreetly.
“This is why you’re here; you can assist us with our investigation at the apartment. We’ll revisit the crime scene and revise our notes,” he added to inform his subordinate.
As they stood up, Benzel asked, “Do you own a .455 calibre Webly revolver?”
“No, I don’t. Why do you ask?”
Before Benzel could utter a word, Novak said, “Because we have the gun.”
“Wait here, we’ll be back in ten minutes.” Benzel indicated that Felix should sit down as they left the room.
Time passed slowly as he waited. Was this blunt ‘police’ talk trying to soften him up, he wondered. Could they have discovered the safe? They would call in academics and his secret advantage would be lost. Forty minutes had passed when Novak’s baritone voice boomed, “Ready?” as he appeared in the open doorway.
“I can’t believe that in such a serious case, Reinhardt cannot be detained.”
“He’s not in hiding and he will be interviewed in Vienna; leave that to us.” Novak turned to go. Then he stopped and Benzel waited behind him. “Ah…” Novak said as if he wasn’t sure where to start. “Hmm, we do have an interest in a person seen lurking about. We think he could be an Englishman, about forty-five, slim and tall. He’s well dressed and has a neatly clipped beard. Does that remind you of anyone?”
“No. It doesn’t.” Felix suspected that this was some ploy they were testing him with.
A police guard stood on duty outside the apartment building and acknowledged them on arrival. Felix passed the ornate doors he once admired without so much as a glance. Another officer met them on the landing outside the apartment and made a comment about not being surprised that someone would want to rob Victor. “Here is an inventory of the principle items,” he said. “The professor was astounded by the quality of the collection.”
It