Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Harvest of The Innocents - GEOFFREY ALSOPP
Harvest of The Innocents - GEOFFREY ALSOPP
A NOVEL BY
GEOFFREY ALSOPP
anthonygeoff@hotmail.com
1
Elena: If you want to kill us, kill us together. We have the
touch me.
2
Nicolae and Elena
1. Bucharest 1988
time. Crashing the iron door open and making the walls
gloom, two black figures yanked him out of one nightmare and
plunged him into another in which they hauled him outside and
along the damp passage, marking their progress with the crisp
sagged between the giant guards who dragged him with ease.
Only when they’d passed the first and then the second doors,
manacle his wrists and ankles to the chair with a hole in the
seat and in the darkness behind that door, they would once
more enter into the solemn ritual of stripping him of his dignity
stupidity of policemen.
2. Arrival
3
Western Transylvania
January 1990
She stood over him, the lowering sun at her back, casting
her naked shadow across his thin body. He felt her approach
whisper.
The brakes of the Green Dart tore into his reverie. The
wall and leaned his thirty-four years into his walking stick. His
cheeks and his nose tingled, stung by flakes of old snow, ice
they could board the Green Dart for the return journey into
town. Darius, for his part, could only wriggle his toes as they
How long had it been since the last time he stood on this
and the birds stop singing; leave for two and they crap on your
house. Doctor Darius Kala had been away for seven, but in that
did they observe niceties. The two grabbed his luggage and led
the way.
blocked the path of father and daughter. Darius was too far
down.
to get out of this cold, so, domnul, if it’s OK with you, we’ll be
on our way.”
In the car, Corvin was the first to speak. “Thank you for
your intervention.”
morning.”
6
Olivia, turned to face the doctor. “You must be
‘Franz’ Liszt stood at the gate of the house and took the
bags from the car. Corvin handed Darius the keys, “I’ll let you
settle in,” he said, “Olivia and Franz can help you to organize
the cost, I’ll lend you the money, whatever you need. We’ll
Franz dropped the bags just inside the door, “Are you
“Blotting Paper?”
7
during consultations,” she laughed. “We all know about it in
Alone now with Olivia, Darius stepped inside, the first time in
into four and the kitchen into a kitchen / bedroom. Metal plates
did this?” he said, his voice shaking. “Was it Corvin? Was it?
Was it?” He didn’t expect her to reply. Was this what Corvin
8
had alluded to at the dinner table the previous evening with his
change’?
Ion Creanga, ‘The Bear Who Lost His Tail’. Opening it, he
playing that day in the garden, and trying to snap off a rose to
give to his mother. His hands were still dirty when he’d opened
the book. Turning the pages now he tried to read a passage, but
it always had, and lifting the dust cover, he ran his hand along
9
the polished walnut. “This was my mother’s. She couldn’t
really play but she memorised a few tunes.” Then, “Is this all
piano?”
would be to cry.”
She led him into a partitioned room, empty now but for
two wooden bed frames She guided him to the base of one of
10
He leaned forward, “Aha! I believe you’re right.” He
studied the image for a moment. “It would have been hidden
concealed.”
sisters.”
“Who?”
out…”
11
“Secret police?”
“And?”
water into a bowl, Darius recalled the words her mother, Lydia
had spoken the night before. ‘He was in the party… very high
house!
warm enough.”
Lowering his feet into the balm, he closed his eyes, “Ah,
12
“Forgive me doctor, but you can’t be more that thirty…. I
soles, his heels and when he finally opened his eyes, she was
smiling up at him.
of her calm breathing. He could tell that she was still looking at
him.
“Olivia?”
“Yes, doctor.”
weekends?”
13
“Oh, I’d love to,” she gasped, unable to keep the
great care, she continued to knead the warmth into his feet.
“Doctor...”
doctor?”
“Yes, yes, it is.” Darius had to agree with her still hiding
throat.
14
“I’m looking for a girl,” he said quietly, flatly, then he
3. Dancer
March 1990
the market. For a man who’d spent his marriage entombing his
mosquitoes and spread faster than bad news: within two years
15
As if by default, a virtually automatic process, his mind
habit, yet in more recent times, not an hour passed when she
didn’t figure in his thoughts. What was she doing? Was she
was right on time; she’d been coming for nearly two months
“So, how’s the new house?” she said, raising her arms, looking
about her. The décor was her idea. “Paint it white,” she’d said.
“It’s so much lighter now and all the spaces are bigger,”
was quite a sum and I doubt I’d have been able to...”
congratulations.”
16
“But Papa told me… you have been offered the job of
month in his employ, she had, in that short time, filled his
As was her habit, she left the cleaning of the lounge until
last. Darius watched as she ran her fingers along the spines in
his father’s books. Without turning, she said, “You have some
and opened it. “This is the tenth edition. Do you think they got
17
She wasn’t listening. “Oh, and this one… ‘The problems
it from a friend.”
called...called Nicolae.”
18
“So, uh, what is it? I mean...”
all for power and material gains. It’s about the truth,” and
pointing to the painting, she said, “You can’t see it, but it’s
there.”
19
She frowned and then with a quizzical expression, she
drinks...you know?”
“I had noticed.”
“Doctor?”
20
Then, “Well, something happened, and I don’t
understand it.”
She looked up; her eyes were moist. “There was a phone
call, a few days ago. The voice said ‘get Corvin.’ Very curt.
bathroom and I told her that he hated her. That he loved me. I
don’t know why I did that. And when she closed the door, I
21
“And was there something more?”
room to get cleaned up, I realised that I’d taken it off. I’m
this man, he didn’t say where, just that it was in Ineu. Doctor
“So…did he go?”
beaten up. He had a cut lip and a black eye. I’ve never seen
“Hugged him?”
coffee and gazed out of the window, trying to make sense of it.
“Yes?”
22
“I was thinking...” she was inspecting her palm again,
know?” She was talking too fast. “To be, like, like your live-in
the room.”
said?
with it?”
“Well, I...”
father?”
Silence.
23
never thank you enough, but I have a feeling that if you were
“Oh, that’s...”
“My mother gave it to me, but I’d like you to have it.”
over. Next to the maker’s mark a stamp read Sept 1939. “It’s
“Where will you put it?” she asked, retrieving it; looking
around. “How about on the piano?” She dashed into the lounge
top, in the centre. “It’s about time you brought this back to
life.”
walnut lid. She ran her finger over the porcelain, “This position
is called ‘Attitude’, you see, with one leg extended behind. The
24
leg can be straight or slightly bent just as it is here. The arm is
raised, like so,” and using the piano as a prop she gave a
demonstration.
Watch,” and she raised both arms straight out to the sides.
now, ‘en haut’ of the arms. The feet must remain like this, in
one. Thank you.” And as he bent forward to kiss her cheek the
phone rang.
Darius headed for the phone. “Oh, and about that other
25
She looked at the ground.
“I’m sorry.”
was before.”
it may be because she has another interest in life that she is...
a cigarette. I haven’t had a smoke for weeks. God, I’d kill for
one now.”
vin-ars.
very uncomfortable.
car...that parks outside the school when she leaves at the end of
classes.”
27
“No, she hasn’t. What sort of car?”
she cycles home, then at some point along the route, when she
a well-kept secret. “It’s just outside of Ineu. It’s called the Go-
Go-Club.”
28
Darius indicated his injuries. “And is this his way of
applying pressure?”
myself.”
every time you left home, warning you to mind your own
business!”
business partners.”
domnul?”
grabbed the vin-ars but thought better of it. After all, the
instead. There was always the option to forget about it; to look
controversy would never leave him be. He’d been here before,
much higher back then, and he’d paid the price, and was still
paying it. And wasn’t this Alba Jura? A tiny community at the
his business. His mind began to drift. If only Lena was here,
30
sometimes yelling sporadically, starkly, even screaming in the
senses, he saw that he’d been gripping the back of the chair, his
4. Lena’s House
From the very moment that Eva rested her eyes upon the
earnest look, his polished shoes and pressed suit, the world as
she had always known it became little more than a land half in
taxes.
birth to these notions, she was trying, at the same time, to make
31
an educated guess at his age. Of course, she wasn’t the kind of
ago, and I’ve lived here ever since. If she’s here, she’s hiding.”
young woman?”
“It was a man, old and wrinkly,” and she released the
“Lived, doamna?”
evening prayers.”
32
He laughed again. “And while you’re doing that, could
for a young woman, that she found herself enquiring about his
“I’m sorry?”
Something stronger?”
33
On closing the door, she silently cursed herself for not
slid the bolt back into place, the pounding of her heart
house.
different.
from the heat generated by the TV. Crouching behind her maze
34
A frenetic struggle began the instant the beetle touched
In the very moment that the spider lunged, the door of the bar
gouging out any heat that the giant terracotta stove had
shut, the martyr bug, now free of the web, was on its back
wriggling its remaining four legs in the air while the orb-
filing and polishing her nails away. “What can I get you,
The stranger removed his hat and scarf, and then his
hand.
the boss boss?” She cocked her head and stared at him blankly
35
through her fireproof make-up, not bothering to brush aside the
that right?”
help.”
“Will he be in tonight?”
perhaps?”
For the first time, she ceased chewing her gum. “Domnul
contemplation. “Elvica?”
“Yes, domnul.”
36
“I’m sure the boss boss would appreciate you better if
Between him and the stove, two men, unmistakeably twins, sat
trivia.
“It’s the coldest winter I’ve known,” said the man with
frostbite.”
than her colleague’s. She returned to the bar and the two
37
He sipped at the wine. Not entirely undrinkable. At a
table nearest the counter, four men were talking noisily about
crops and chickens, and geese and maybe pigs. The language
sat beneath the TV and stared with panda eyes into his own
sheep had entered his garden from the meadow at the rear of
his house when he’d left the gate open. Below Costel’s table, at
his feet, his shadow Stain, an enormous sheep dog lay and
watched everything.
planned to say what he had to say and leave. In and out. With a
notes for his diary. Staring idly into his empty glass, he was
38
Darius recognised him immediately, he was the man at
castle.
cropped into a circle on the top of his shiny head. Under his
“I am Silvi.”
39
me...’and Karl raised his brandy glass in one hand and clicked
you think you’re doing? Mauling the staff! And on her first
day!”
“Well, try that move again cowboy and you’ll feel the
perch behind the bar, followed all the way by Radu’s stupefied
gaze.
question.
40
“No, Silvi, he isn’t. But he thinks you are. Why don’t
him. He watched Karl get to his feet and walk over to his table.
The doctor toyed with his walking stick then took a sip
of his wine.
domnul Kala.”
about the blond girl here? She seems to like you.” He grinned
and said, “Bring domnul his brandy!” He took a seat and stared
like her?”
41
Without warning, Costel exploded into action. He stood
he laughed.
“Girl?”
42
“I’ll tell my friend when I see him. So, domnul, was
concern.”
over the debris, towards the terracotta where they turned and
Welcome, doctor.”
Karl laughed. “So, you are the new doctor?” “Ha! Well,
something?” he asked.
Darius grabbed his stick and got to his feet and stared at
Karl for a moment or two then placed a few notes on the table.
43
‘and all you ever do,
pushed his hand away and hunched against the door drawing
Karl ignored her and simply swiveled his head and with
“Come on Elvi, you know you don’t mean that. What’s the
Karl leaned towards her but with his senses dulled by the
alcohol, she easily anticipated his move and pushed her way
heard him slur, “OK Silvi, then it’s just you and me.”
Elvira stepped away from the car and pulled her collar up
to protect her ears from the wind. Moving off, she glanced
44
back and saw Silvi’s face, a pale mask, pressed against the
Saturday
bulb that hung over the entrance to the village hall littering the
beneath the light and on into the wedding party where the band
cigarette smoke hung like swamp mist and drifted high up into
the rafters from where the lamps dangled down on their long,
spindly cords.
table of the Pescu family. Olivia saw him first and she came
and took his arm, guiding him to the seat opposite her own.
45
Lydia and Olivia on one side, shimmered in their beetle
greens and blues while Corvin and Darius on the other, were
the brim.
them.
new job, doctor. Are you familiar with the bride and groom?”
rhythmic sense at all and was merely shifting his weight from
46
around the dance floor, “It’s like watching someone move
Pushing back her hair with both hands, she shifted her focus to
her dress and with impatient fingers, brushed away motes that
figure and revealing that she must be wearing a bra that gave
She seemed taken aback, and turning sharply in her seat, “Oh!
heard, but in that very moment, the music came to a halt which
left her bawling the word, ‘coming!’ at him. They both laughed
wasn’t the only one taking an interest. Corvin couldn’t take his
toing and froing from the dance floor and he spoke into
Olivia’s ear once again. She smiled and started to rise from her
47
She sat rigid in her chair, back ramrod straight, and as
the tears welled in her eyes, she stared hard at nothing. Even
forever.”
“From Papa.”
husband, then gesturing to Olivia, she said, “go and find him.”
She was on her way Before Corvin could react, but when
there was Olivia who was clearly caught in the same web.
hard man to love. I’ve almost forgotten why I do. These days I
was more taut than a piano wire. “Corvin mentioned that you
ends.”
“Abusing?”
49
She chose not to respond.
a mistake.”
nothing for what’s right or wrong, only for what he wants. And
she thought for a moment then asked, “Did you know that
sorry Lydia, but it’s past my bedtime. I’ll go and say goodbye
to Corvin.”
50
She touched his arm as he steadied himself on his cane.
the crowd.
Nicolae’s age. “I’ve seen you with him,” he raged, “If you
want to keep your job, you’ll tell me what you know about him
“Who are you?” Corvin ran his bulging eyes over her,
51
“I am Lori. Olivia is in my class. Nicu’s a year older and
they’ve been friends for ever. She’s his girlfriend, they’ve been
think.”
and widening her eyes, she added, “To get away from you.”
52
“I’m not afraid of you domnul Corvin. You aren’t a
said, “She’ll be sixteen soon. Then she can do what she likes!”
her fur draped around her shoulders. “Call Olivia please,” she
one that Darius could manage but the moment they turned the
were playing noisily near the old BMW. They became silent as
53
come for the wedding: the girls all frizzy curls and frilly frocks
and the boys with their dicky bows and hair slicked down with
child. A girl.
face.
“Did you see who did it?” Darius asked in his friendly
doctor voice.
we play in it?”
54
She backed away half a metre.
Her face lit up and snatching the money, she fled with
the other children to the corner of the street where they laughed
Fuck off!” Then they pulled faces at each other shouting, “fuck
55
come to your senses,” he growled at Corvin. “You know what
“OK, OK.” Corvin held up his hands. “I’ll come and see
spray paint into his hand, “Now you can finish the job. Before
we do.”
suppose you’re that Doctor Kala. Well, it’s time to look after
away.
that?”
56
“That’s the one. We call him Spandau – one hundred
7. Piano
Sunday
it been? Four years or so? Now, the sacred act of shaving was
blinked at the reflection and the pale grey eyes blinked right
around the mouth and those which spread from the corners of
his eyes made him wince. Where have you been hiding? It’s
Almost three years had felt like ten and yet, time had proved
ahead, wearing away at him, creasing his body and closing his
57
He’d been robbed of more than those endless days, and the
knew.
he found himself standing in the place called the here and now.
Yes, he could hear it. And he had no idea when it had begun.
new ‘Turkish’ Levis bought from a Bucharest store for half the
entranced.
gave no hint that she could play. He watched her now as she
and still growing into her half-formed skin, in that white room.
mean...” Her eyes rested on his new look. “But you have...”
58
“Yes, today I get to feel the sun on my face. I thought it
of rich tan leather. Walking over to her, the squeak of the thick
“Thank you,” she studied her hands, “just like your new
“I’ll get some water,” and he squeaked his way into the
59
“Oh, my father...my real father taught me. We don’t have
distraction."
felt cogs whirring looking for a home to slot into, for coins to
other pieces?”
themselves.”
60
Darius closed his eyes and felt himself walking in
silence.
important.
“Want?”
61
“OK, sorry. I... uh...well, actually I’d...I’d like my old
feet back.”
madness or, or raindrops, and, and I’d like to dance like the
“Doctor…”
“Yes.”
62
tinted photograph with serrated edges. “She sent this to me. I
“This is all I have, this and a few letters she sent while I
toying with her ring. Sliding it up and down her finger. “But
house where she lived. It seems she left there about that time.”
important…”
Darius sat forward on the sofa. “I hope that one day, you
Yes, I’m going to tell all my friends,” she laughed. Then she
“Yes?”
63
“What sort of trouble...might she be in?” He brushed
“You can’t?”
watch.
“I see.”
she now looked at him with a young woman’s eyes. Yet, she
“And, and... what would she say if she were here now?”
She nodded.
you?”
Another nod.
64
“And, what would that be, Olivia?”
‘help!’.” A tear ran down her cheek and stained her dress.
ran freely now. She turned to him, her voice ragged, at the
Darius got to his feet. “Go and get cleaned up. Don’t
rush, OK? I’ll tell him you haven’t finished the bathroom yet.”
He walked towards the door and heard the lid of the piano slam
her mouth.
65
“Don’t worry. Of course, I won’t mention anything.” He
Carrying the shards, he made his way into the kitchen and
from the factory, save you queuing for milk and butter in Ineu
66
Darius located the brandy and poured one for
said.
anyway.”
“Thereabouts.”
ran his tongue along his top teeth and leaning back, gazed at
the ceiling.
no sign of one.
67
“Oh, Corvin, I’m so sorry...” he thought for a moment.
whole day isolated in her room. I see her at mealtimes and not
isn’t it?
something...”
“But I’d keep Olivia here. Her friends are here. Anyway,
asked the ceiling, chewing his lip for inspiration. “Ah yes, did
68
Olivia leave anything here? The last time she was here?” and
Darius thought about the dancer he’d just slid into the
“If you tell me what it is, I can keep an eye out for it.”
know.”
a shadow there. Olivia was listening. “Oh, and I’ve told her to
come to the surgery first thing tomorrow. She isn’t well. I’d
car, she looked back and waved, “You look better without the
beard!”
69
“Multsumesc. Thank you.”
drive away. Just before they turned out of sight, something fell
at the package, now torn open, revealing the silk scarf that he’d
remember the tune she’d been playing, but his appetite for
Dear Diary
nothing but dust on the menu? I’ve seen them scuttling along
70
freedoms will take some time. Olivia is the one shining star in
the walls.
called Eva finally answered. The signs aren’t good. Had she
moved to a new house, she would still have known I was here.
community, all the time, every day, about the folks who give
what they have and take only what they need, and who still
71
again, and Vlad himself knows how much I need the freedom
to do that.
modicum of comfort.
The heater works well. It has to. There is a hole in the floor
near the foot brake through which I can observe the road as I
arrange it.
72
Oh, and something happened a few nights back that was
the road. I slowed the car and watched it prancing and rearing
when I noticed the shackles that tethered its hind legs together.
I wanted to get a closer look, but when I got out of the car, it
had vanished.’
8. Salerea-Sud
Monday morning
73
An eternity of backache, arthritic pain and loneliness
later, the receptionist ushered Eva into the office where she sat
coat and without taking her eyes from him she settled herself
into the chair. “It seems a shame to visit the GP with nothing to
appreciate the lengths she’d gone to. The three-quarter lynx fur
all the way down from neckline to hem which in turn, just
covered the tops of her shiny black boots. Upon running his
eye back up the buttons, he found that she was grinning from
one side of her face to the other. Now feeling shabby in his
74
“So, you are the new doctor,” she said.
little less bright. “Well,” she began, “I went to see the old man.
“OK, and…”
herself, she enunciated the final two syllables slowly and with
precision.
stall.”
75
Darius sighed and opened his hands in a gesture of
happened.”
want from me?’ But when I told him that I was a teacher…”
realised that I was not on some fool’s errand and I did notice
grew at the same rate as his sense of intrigue. But at the precise
breach.
year; that his house had been empty for that long.”
“His house?”
“It seems that he was the owner. He was her uncle: her
father’s brother.”
76
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
almost a year to be exact. They told her uncle that having lost
a club, a... a men’s bar,” she said, interlocking her fingers and
invent, doctor.”
from his Lena. So, this was why she hadn’t told him about her
77
“He was a ‘special’ policeman, if you understand me,
“And the name of the club, doamna, what was the name
of the club?”
Eva had grasped the serious nature of his enquiry and acted
move.
last patient of the day. Olivia hadn’t shown up. She’d chosen to
9. Missing
78
Gajica Mishto
Trad. Roma
of need. Fumbling the key into the lock, Darius hoped it wasn’t
Now inside, he reached for the phone, but the long beep
79
fluttered through the door behind him, losing itself in the folds
lapse.
“Hello?”
Lydia.
80
His mouth dried up instantly and with every beat, his
racing heart pained him more. “Lydia, please tell me what has
happened.”
phone.”
thirty.
“We should n-never have told her we’d stop her from
In the dark, he dropped the keys not once, but twice. But
anyway, he’d left his bag inside. Damn! Back in the house, he
away? But surely, one of her friends would have known about
it, and Lydia said they had spoken to them. And in her school
Spandau and Karl in the black car? Possibly, but they could be
inconceivable.
the other side of her chair, an older woman sat on the floor,
82
“They said if she doesn’t show by midnight, they’ll send
someone out.”
Lydia and took her pulse, then held her trembling hands in his.
“Please try not to worry. We’ll find her.” But the words carried
no weight, no meaning.
voice.
her delirium off the scale. “You were our l-last hope, doctor.”
taken effect and while Corvin and the neighbours sat in silence,
83
Desperate for a few hours rest, he lay in bed, drifting in
forest, the road which Olivia would have taken on her final
starter. The same officers stopped him twice: once going and
pageant across the eastern sky, purple clouds tinged with gold
gathered regally at the horizon. Darius knew the signs; soon all
be long now but before that could happen, spring would have
Tuesday
84
The white April storm fell in sheets and teemed into the
sides of the high street, quickly filled and water spread across
roof of his surgery and the sudden squalls that lashed at the
patients today and he could have done with the distraction. His
promised...’ ‘And what would she say, if she were here now?’
85
me…I’m not a child you know! I can’t say...I can’t say,
angry storm, made things easier on the eye, easier on the head.
three, four…
Grabbing his stick, he got to his feet and took three steps
towards the door, one to the left, then three back and one to the
left; that was all that his cell had allowed. Again, he described
routine. Going around and around. Like his mind. Free now to
windowsill waiting for this moment and once lit, two specks of
time with the draught that ghosted through from the waiting
room. He removed the cap from his pen and opened the log. As
he moved his hand across the page, the gentle glow from the
86
lamp cast foreboding shapes that played over the ceiling and
main street and we’ll have to salvage what’s left from the open
fields.
write about.
and almost fell off it. From the doorway, a large scarecrow
help you?”
87
Stain, his faithful dog was the exception, and now he stood at
Costel’s side, waist high to his master. Water dripped from his
filthy sheepskin cloak and from Stain’s fur and seeped quietly
shook himself out. Darius tried to protect his papers and the
assorted artifacts that populated his desk but when Stain had
dark spray.
“Costel, can’t you control your dog! Look! Now I’ll have
visitors. Darius felt sure it wasn’t the dog. His stomach flipped;
one hand, Darius held a tissue over his face praying that the old
up by the storm.
supreme effort.
88
Darius persisted. “Sit down, please. I have the
Cough. Cough.
grabbed his coat and umbrella from the back of the door and
locked up. The three-second jog across the street turned the
89
With great difficulty, Costel folded himself into the
passenger seat and Stain climbed into the back. Neither seemed
Darius wound down his window and hoped for the best. Mixed
again.
with water streaming down the windscreen too fast for the
wipers to cope with, visibility was zero. Forcing his head out
up beneath a great oak tree that arched over the road, affording
90
sensed a tragedy unfolding, and the storm itself seemed to be
Costel but he kept slipping and sliding and losing his footing.
him to his feet. Finally the track ended. The party halted. They
could go no further.
Costel, with his decaying body, pointing first here, then there,
stared hard into the churning water, looking for a sign, for
the doctor’s intense gaze peeled away the layers of the turmoil,
Olivia. His Olivia. There was little doubt. Her blond hair
took tiny steps up and down the water’s edge, but then he too
91
Sediment kicked up and swirled around them, muddying the
slowly and as the water reached his neck, his groping fingers
Darius found her waist and together, they scrambled her onto
the bank where she lay, lifeless and unbearably still. Darius
thick tuft of grass which was the difference between living and
dying.
terrified.
the old man. “Why didn’t you get her out, Costel. Why?”
92
Perhaps it wasn’t too late. He began compressions of her
chest, then tried to breathe life back into her. All rationale left
Slumping over her, protecting her from the rain, his tears
hair.
spirit. Here she lay, her past, present and future all together, as
one; her cycle complete. And Darius could think of just one
word… ‘help’.
‘Um...probably…...help.’
surely as if he’d held her under the surface with his own hands.
din. Costel helped him to his feet. Where was his cane? In the
93
located the walking stick and together with Stain they trudged
back through the trees, through the clearing and across the
streaming road.
Behind the wheel, Darius blinked the rain from his eyes
and waited for Costel, but the shepherd just tapped the window
and waved. His job was done; he’d played his part—for now.
the news.
the shepherd had come to him and not to the police. Right now,
drinking brandy.
found what he was looking for: a tin of paint that wasn’t white.
the floor and adjoining walls. But now he knew. There was no
94
His wrath and his despair overwhelmed him and led him
fence. It had broken its banks forcing him to find a high point
was today a torrent. Immune to the rain now, he sat gazing into
the waters and fought back the urge to leap. The idea seemed
he was winded and he don’t know if he’d ever get his breath
back. For the first time, his thoughts turned to the perpetrator.
Dear Diary 2
but once it had revealed itself, leaving it in the ground was not
hole that I can never fill. How long did I know her? Just a few
95
months. I hesitate to use the past tense. She was the one
The winter has been harsh, taking with it, a toll of twelve
– one frozen siege too long for twelve old souls. They passed
the terracotta. About half were before my time. For those that I
did find, the first job was commonly to turn off the radio.
of a dirt track to the east of the high street. The only daughter
her brother Doru, who cycled back and forth as a part of his
96
the television in the Bar Continental, he collapsed and died of
alerted by the stray dogs that had been gathering near her
the rumours that brother Doru had sent her packing for her
hands of a just god, was a far more pungent tale, and despite
certainly did. It lasted just a few weeks and hurts like forever.
97
She had been ambushed. Her shocking murder predetermined;
premeditated.
I could have kept her safe. What was it she said? ‘I was
you.’ Had she sensed the danger? She was looking for a haven
and she looked to me for help. And I turned her down. Yet, she
vulnerable to…to her fate. Unable to escape it. It’s still too
phone call in order to get justice for Olivia. I can’t wait too
98
become more feral; my sensibilities are becoming less
that springs from the eastern Carpathians and drains into the
like prehistory, Lena and I would cast our stones into the
had disappeared with the corn. Zoltan ‘Franz’ Liszt, had woken
99
from the banal to the memorable. On this warm morning in
sat down, then he plunged in. “Is this a social visit, Franz,
or...?”
the cafe and well, I thought I’d just drop in to say hello.”
“As you see,” said Darius, “apart from you and I, there is
no-one here, and, I’ve acquired nothing new for the surgery
“Sleeping problem?”
100
“I worry doctor. Too much, I think. I’m such a child, you
know?”
“Something stronger?”
“Costel?”
to continue.
101
“Who was everyone?”
Darius gripped the arms of his chair and closed his eyes.
“Silvi, that new bar maid, she was standing outside with
I’ve never seen her in such a frenzy. Not in all the days of my
years.”
long, Franz.”
“Uh-huh.”
you? How the fuck could you?’ And I had no idea what she
was bleating about, but all the others, well they thought it was
arrested!’ So, I’m thinking, who’s she talking to? Who needs
102
arresting? I stepped closer, close enough to see inside, and
there, in his usual parking slot beneath the TV, is Costel with
like this.” And he waved the backs of his hands slowly towards
the doctor.
I had spew in my throat, doctor, and I’d only just had breakfast.
slapping each other about. I tell you doctor, I’ve been working
with animals for years, I’ve never smelt anything like that.
Never. Never.”
condition.
103
“No, doctor, not a chance. That wasn’t an upset stomach.
It wasn’t right. Not right at all.” He leaned across the desk and
examination.”
understand. I wouldn’t...”
that.”
once I looked up, I saw that she was heaving her lunch into the
minibus pulled into the yard. It belongs to those two you know,
104
“Spandau?”
demonstrate.
she replied. ‘I can’t wait.’ And we all watched as Karl led his
shadow inside.
Stain began barking and everyone was in spasms, and when the
When the shepherd staggered out into the yard, he got a round
was...”
105
“But I haven’t finished, doctor.”
shadow of the van, out of the sun, and lit a cigarette. Spandau
who were standing on the other side of the van. I heard him
voices.”
“Voices, Franz?”
muted.”
“Hmmm, I see.”
106
“I don’t know what it means, doctor, but it didn’t sound
over there.”
the van, but I glimpsed one of them. At least I could see what
discovered you?”
was already back inside the bar. I don’t know what I would
107
check your blood pressure while you’re here, Franz? It’ll only
take a second.”
joyless face he wore now. His other faces had all gone away.
hope I’m not intruding, I just thought I’d...” and he peered over
husband, and spitting at the floor, she poured her hatred into
108
She stepped from the shadows and Darius caught his
breath. This was not the woman he’d spoken to at the wedding.
yesterday. Grief had etched itself into her face; her sallow and
sagging skin was drawn down from her hollow cheeks. Her
protrude like a scarred cliff. Above it, her mousey hair, now
streaked with grey and white; below it, her face glistened.
wish...” In one hand she gripped her elbow, in the other, she
help me, but at least I still have them,” and she unfurled her
handkerchief.
109
“Perhaps...perhaps I can give you something to help you
slim box. “Here. Take one or two with water before you go to
hug her and keep her from harm. Exactly the way he’d felt on
She studied the packet; turned it over and over. With not
her shoulders.
room.
“Oh, yes, I’ll make sure she only takes what she needs.”
110
“Well... I have other calls.”
said, “It didn’t take them long in the end. The police, I mean.”
“No, not long at all. I’m sure you feel some kind of
so quickly?”
police. To me. This is a joke isn’t it? The police are protecting
the...”
“have you forgotten that she was being routinely stalked after
111
school; followed by that car? Have you told the police about
“Club, doctor?”
think that Olivia would have liked the police to...to arrest the
real perpetrators?”
who killed her, the fault lies with you, you bastard!” and once
112
Darius placed his bag on the passenger seat. “Do you
everything.”
was …?”
“The signs are easy to spot when you know what to look
was eating for two.” He got into the car. “You, as family can
things?”
113
“If you like, I can ask her in the morning. It could be
“Look. I’ll talk to her. If she wants that, I’ll call you
later.”
the pain that this has brought upon you, both of you. Be kind to
her.”
“Don’t let him fool you doctor,” she wailed, “don’t let him do
it!”
were not a few who would love to warm their hands on that
114
come and see him. How would that be compromising his role
tried to complete his notes but couldn’t keep his focus. Had he
Pot, I’m sworn to offer succour, yet, how could Olivia or Lydia
And how would I face people and offer the same openness, the
the local mob. The authorities wilfully look the other way.
Someone must speak up. To break the cycle. For Lydia and for
Corvin. And if not now, then when? When has the cause been
115
more deserving? Darius the doctor or Darius the man? Twins
his surgery had closed for the day. Political outcasts, men and
him to dress.
everything.
the actors, like him, who articulated his eloquent ideas. Yet in
116
the guise of a fledgling democracy. He recalled the words of
though he’d been shaken badly he’d remained calm. For the
13. Silvia
117
Sipping pure apple juice straight from the fridge, he sat
to melt.
“Who is this?”
listening now?”
118
“Listen to the silence. What do you hear?”
we have to.”
119
The following morning, in Vedra Noua, had not been one
final patient, Darius noticed her sitting in the corner with her
back to the wall. She raised a finger to her lips then approached
stood either side painted in garish red, yellow and blue stripes
cave.
120
He gave his eyes a moment to make the adjustment then
the centre of the room and row of cubicles lined one wall. He
“Another?” he offered.
“Thanks.”
“OK, Darius. You must swear that you will never reveal
who told you what I have to say, even if they pull your teeth
“Must be important.”
patient.”
up the glasses.
121
Silvi spoke quietly. “I asked her to make sure we are left
them in the minibus to look after the cargo they were carrying.
done and that’s why I’m here. Because I know you’re trying to
“Olivia?”
know...”
“Costel Birka.”
done such a thing. And now he’s going to die in prison because
of...because of them!”
122
The waitress intercepted her. “Du-te!” she said, ushering her
now on.”
driving out of town, Karl driving and me sat next to that ape,
Spandau. On the way, Karl said ‘you stay with them, tell them
of the building. A van, like ours but older, was parked in the
shade. The driver got out. He looked a bit like a gypsy: long
talked in front of the bus. I could just hear what they were
saying.
123
“They began arguing and Karl got quite aggressive. I saw
was not alone. I heard him say, ‘Tovaresh, because the original
consignment was for four, you had a special price. Now that
it’s two, you pay more for each one. Just like with the Bolivian
marching powder.’
Karl handed over some more cash and they shook hands, ‘Oh,
“‘The usual?’
“‘Double it.’
“‘If you’re sure,’ the man turned and opened the back
doors of his van and two girls scrambled out; they looked pale
fist.
watched the tyres scuff up a cloud of red dust as the van drove
away.
124
“You’re kidding me, aren’t you? You’re a doctor? Surely
you know the street name for cocaine?” she chuckled. “Well,
more water.
She picked up the story, “Things got very scary from this
circling them, looking them up and down. ‘How can you figure
this out?’ he said. ‘We ask for four and we get two.’ He poked
the taller girl hard in her upper arm. Involuntarily, she took a
step back, and rubbed at the spot. It must’ve hurt her. You
know?
two.
125
“Karl went back to Adela and grabbed her roughly by the
chin, forcing her to look up into his face. She had a strange
look; her eyes had a strange brightness. Like she was sick.
“‘I’m hungry,’ she said, shaking her head from his grasp.
Adela nodded once. ‘OK, eat this,’ and he...he grabbed her by
the hair and unzipped his flies. ‘Come on!’ he yelled at her.
“But Adela had some spirit. She said, ‘If you try to rape
almost knocked her off her feet and he dragged her into the
hear...”
126
She took a sip and looked straight at the doctor. “He did
“The other girl, Leah, she didn’t know where to look but I
could tell she was really scared. She glanced at Spandau and
with tears in her eyes said, ‘Are you going to do that to me?’
“She nodded and squatted down, and the two of us, well,
there.”
talking, but when I asked them where they were from, Karl
turned around and told me to shut up. ‘We don’t want to know,
127
OK?’ he shouted back at me. Those girls were terrified every
She nodded.
“Into Yugoslavia?”
time later.”
over, I’ll find you a better job. Perhaps you could work for
me.”
“How young?”
talk to.” She reached across the table and took Darius’s hand in
129
“Of course, I will,” and with a knowing smile, he took
her hand from his. “But let’s keep our minds on the business,
eh?”
with Silvi sat beside him, incognito behind his own fake Ray-
allow her all the space she required to share it. Yet for most of
down the road she started talking again, picking the story up
Karl’s hands. She was covered in bruises and there was dried
them both in the shower, but she was really rough with them
and when I asked her to take more care, she just shrugged and
130
way. ‘Where are we going?’ asked Adela, ever the courageous
“She had a cough and she said that her chest hurt when
“But I don’t...”
“Yes, I do.”
from a gap in the hedgerow and forced Darius to hit the brakes
hard, making them both lurch forward in their seat belts. The
old diesel engine belched black clouds of filth into the clear
boats were tied up, clashing against one another in the wash of
You could feel the awesome power of it. God, I was petrified,
so were the girls. Have you ever seen the Danube, Doctor
Darius?”
pipes.”
“Pipes? What…”
“Oh, I see.”
villages down there are Serbian. When the man left, Karl and
happening.
problem...
girls, the riskier things get. What if we get caught? They’ll get
133
I must have looked confused.
“‘We can have some fun Tovaresha, eh? I’ve got some
exhausted.’
“‘I meant you and me?’ and he leered at me with that big
ape face.
girls.
get some food and fresh water and Karl locked them in the
134
walked down to the boats to sleep there. I didn’t want to be
inconvenience. One boat can only take four. So, you, princess,’
he said, pointing at me, ‘you will stay here and wait until we
return. Understand?’
panicking. The poor bitch started shouting that the boat would
sink with four of them in it. I didn’t blame her. Karl slapped
her hard to shut her up but from behind her hands, I could hear
and laughed in her face. ‘Shall I pull the trigger, little one?’ he
applying his foot to the brake. Without realising it, he’d been
night bugs. Then I heard the shots. Very faint but definite
they come after us?’ I was panicking now. ‘No, but they’ll
suicidal speed.”
river. We got away as the Serbs tried to rescue them’ And the
136
couldn’t turn back. I think I was screaming as they dragged us
out of the bus, and they beat the shit out of those two. Two of
Oh my god.”
First that wanker Karl and then these perverts! Are you all like
they’d been hit by a truck. I just felt that way. I’m sorry, but I
mean?”
“Yesterday afternoon.”
137
Silvi gave another little shrug. “What should I have
14. Baba
forgot his number one priority – unearthing the truth about the
fate of Lena. Until Eva procured that phone number there was
that might lead him to Lena. And nowhere was he more likely
their stories. And they loved telling stories, which was how he
for calming the most troubled of seas preceded her. Baba, the
discreet; the caring sooth-sayer, the obscure. She was then, part
of the reason that business had taken so long to pick up. Unless
138
“Come in, come in,” she croaked as if she were
running his fingers over it, marvelling at the tight filigree work
that adorned each corner and the familiar cross hatching in the
it,” adulation thick in her voice. “He was not really a carver,
was a carver.”
139
The yard was littered with old ceramic pots and jugs,
She led him through the maze and never hurrying, kept
station until she had navigated the route to the rear of the
where the compacted dirt floor was shiny with wear. Childlike
the traditional green and red pattern that ran around the border
140
grubby walls, rustic wooden frames held ancient family photos
face.
Darius. Everyone knows who you are.” She tucked a few stray
hairs up under her scarf. “You can call me Baba if you want to
imagine!” and she forced out a laugh which creased her face
even more and exposed two brown teeth in her lower jaw. She
wondered how long it would take. Are you hungry?” She got
141
“No. No thank you!” he called out after she’d
disappeared.
and now she plonked two small tumblers on the table and
He followed.
“Sanatate! Health!”
“Sanatate!”
142
They clinked glasses and downed the plum brandy in
one. A small fire ignited in the back of his throat and spread all
comforting glow.
they say we are free now, but it seems to me that freedom has
doctor.” And again, she raised her drink. “We should drink to a
“Noroc! Luck!”
down.
village?”
responded.
143
“If only!” he spoke a little too loudly as if he’d lost the
volume control. The coals in his belly glowed evenly now, and
loosen.
unbearable”.
sorrow!”
heart began to unfurl and the tight fist that held his innermost
vision; she did seem younger now; much younger. And still
she smiled; the same smile but sweeter and her sidelong glance
144
“Oh, ‘domnisoara’ if you please. I am not married now.”
one foot off the ground, “...and nor do I wear square shoes,”
“Cut them, please.” Darius obliged. “Now, turn over the top
card.”
“Oh!”
anything?”
145
“I’m sure, yes, I even wrote it down.” She waited, never
taking her eyes from him. “One evening as I came home from
the car and got out but when I looked again it was no longer
there.”
never lie, domnul. What can you see when you look at this
horse?”
“It’s a warhorse.”
“Doctor Darius, you are not ready yet, but the time is
146
“Thank you.” She displayed no sign of false modesty.
eyes off of him. “You could feed the whole village for a week
“I’ll wrap some for you to take with you, but it’s best
might reach out to the creator...and so, I talked and talked, and
the words went round and round and...and then I listened. And
there in the hope that sooner or later food will appear but
147
“So,” she said, “your tormentors, they can claim at least
one victory over you. They beat your god out of you.”
“Tormentors, Baba?”
“I’ve seen the way that you shuffle when a simple stride
accessory.”
was an officer and for some time was a member of the dreaded
you have. He did not spare me the details.” She shuffled about
called…”
148
But Darius was staring at something that Baba couldn’t
see, his arm bent over his face for protection. “God!” he said,
She took his hand in her bony fingers. “Take your time,
to face your demons, doctor. You have the courage! And you’ll
When he was ready, she asked, “Did they keep you for
long, domnul?”
Don’t ever forget that doctor. You were brave enough to fight
149
“And you are a stronger man for it. Isn’t that so?” she
“No, it hasn’t.”
what happened.”
was afraid that he’d be alone. But I’m just guessing; I don’t
really know.”
“She was not the one for you, Darius. Do you see that?
How could she be? Her life was here. For a time, you shared
with her the best of this world, but you were destined to part.”
150
“So why...” he faltered. He wanted the answers to
no longer here.”
Because of her, you became the man you are, no? But she was
not your soul mate, Darius, but a lesson you had to learn.
That’s the mistake you made. You mistook one for the other.”
“It’s an old story now, isn’t it? A ghost story. Why keep
resurrecting it? It’s finished. So, let it be.” She gave him a
for one thing, we find another. Perhaps the healing can begin
151
“Olivia?”
“Ah yes,” she said. “Her poor mother, living with the
shame...”
“Yes doctor, the shame; the ancient curse that casts its
ugly shadow across the lives of kind and caring souls, which
grief.”
“I’m sorry. There’s a war going on. You may win the
battle, but the war is never-ending. Some days I feel that I’ve
152
been fighting it forever. Your battle is special, doctor Darius.
You have paid the price, the admission fee, now you speak for
us all. The time is near. Leave your doubts aside and find the
them.” She gave him a reassuring smile, “And just when you
you not?”
Darius thought about his talk with Karl. “Are you sure?”
something, a token.”
And she carried the bread and cheese into the kitchen.
who heralded the winds of change. Just like this coin.” She
153
image of Vlad the Impaler. “Broad shoulders you may have,
Darius, but tread carefully. And remember that help can come
later.”
was empty.
springboard for action. ‘The time was yet to come’, she’d said,
touch it.
154
mentioned. Yet, she’d stirred something in the depths of his
soul, revealed his innermost fears and evoked his most secret
time was yet to come. But it’s close now. The time had come,’
After the last patient had closed the door behind her, his
choice did she have? Now that he was on the hunt, following a
path, he understood that he was, and for some time, had been
building a case and with each new discovery, his goal became
155
their hands. The pair were trading in human misery and certain
heat.
Franz had told him once that he’d never had cause to
visit the doctor and never would. Dropping by, however, didn’t
you Franz?”
chat.”
156
“I’m shocked. Shocked and mortified is what I am.”
mid-air and Darius knew that when he was like this, his only
shell.
“Costel?”
157
“Yes, Costel. That’s him. That’s who I wanted to talk
about.”
In the Conti.”
injudicious disclosure.
oxygen, probably.”
from time to time. I think the last time was, now let me
think...”
158
Utilizing his walking stick, the doctor got to his feet.
“Well, Franz…”
“Karl?”
“Yes, and the big ape, the one who likes prison food.”
“Spandau?”
“And this was before she was killed, before Olivia was
killed?”
159
“So, you were there, in the Conti...” Darius reiterated, “in
the Conti, domnul. The Bar Continental. Look, let’s go and sit
in my office. OK?”
drinking and...”
“Yes, you said that. And it was definitely the day she
disappeared?”
“I see.”
160
Now that Franz had unburdened himself, he lapsed into
look and gently prompted him, “And who else was there, in the
Conti?” Franz grabbed the cap from his head and started
“Well?”
too.”
tried hard to keep the surprise out of his voice. “And was he
161
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. But he wasn’t happy, he
wasn’t happy at all. They were arguing, him and the boss
man...Karl.”
Darius began making notes on his pad, Franz peered over and
tried to see what he was writing. “Oh, it’s just in case I forget,”
casually ran his finger along the spines of the volumes. “About
heard?”
The old man kept his back to the doctor and returned to
162
“Something about bringing girls from Moldova to work
there.”
this information?”
is. It’s a tragedy.” He drew a deep breath and resumed his seat
163
“He can’t either.”
Franz got to his feet and moved towards the door. “Well,
doctor, now what did I come in here for anyway? I know there
notes he’d made, but a voice, from out in the waiting room,
doctor!”
“Witnesses?”
164
Darius cleared his throat. His mouth had suddenly dried
up. He sipped his water and coughed, “Why haven’t they come
witnesses for the weekend after next. The venue - the elegant
sound of her voice, he felt his body sag. It was as if she’d cast
165
abating. Freedom to believe in and to pray for a better life in
the punishing midday sun, listening with a keen ear to the flock
free jazz player shrivel, yet with irrepressible brio, the faithful
thought.
166
as the worshippers emerged. The original handouts, which had
hands in greeting.
others had it read to them, and one young man, having scanned
suggested that “Costel’s first and only love interest was his
167
sheep.” No-one seemed to think the remarks in any way
relevant to the death of that poor girl. I beg you. Come and see
me.”
listening.
incapable of…”
over him, “to point the finger at someone who has never been
made and the mood was changing. They all knew who she was
and who she worked for. The crowd began dispersing. Darius
called after them, “Think about Olivia! Come and see me!”
168
A pragmatic voice, full of hard-headed reason said, “And
when I need to buy a pig, domnul doctor, I’ll come to you for
the loan.”
bluffing.
the hip of her mini skirt, she gave him a wry smile, trying to
where she’d come from. She hadn’t been in the church with
village life. He’d made his move and it was all out in the open
now. Karl was sure to react after today’s events. The battle
17. Gangsters
169
Balancing atop his swivelling chair, aerosol can in one
flies.
random to pitch on his ears or his nose or the back of his neck.
negotiating the hairs on his arms or the backs of his hands and
tickling the sensitive areas between his fingers and at the base
finding it too much to bear, he decided, once and for all, that it
diagnosed and his secretary had filed all the notes, he grabbed
170
the aerosol spray and the lighter and with great caution,
clambered unsteadily onto the chair. With one foot on the desk
for stability, he took the can in his aiming hand and held the
lighter in front of the nozzle. Once his target had been selected,
approached anything like the truth. And the last thing Darius
on the chair from the force of his own words. “The surgery is
closed.”
grabbed the doctor’s arm, pulling him down with ease and
171
onto a chair. Karl snatched the keys from the desk and shuffled
through them.
the keys from one finger. “Which one is the key to your house,
doctor?”
The main door was slightly ajar, and through the crack
the sun cast a thin bar of gold which dissected the room and
ran down the length of Darius’ body. He blinked into the glare.
whiskey into his face. “I might have known someone from the
172
big city would bring trouble.” As Darius fought down the
stinging from the blow, Karl read from the leaflet that still
man who has been arrested for this despicable crime, could
not possibly have been responsible. If like me, you’d like to see
Spreading your lies until Elvira broke the party up. And you, a
doctor.”
Having ridden out the initial shock, Darius got his second
173
want to know about how you frightened a young girl, stalking
her every other evening on her way home from school. You
might have scared her, but you don’t scare me...if that was
to see the year out, let alone brutally rape a fit young girl like
Olivia before dragging her corpse to the lake and leaving her
for the fish?” He sat forward, his heart pounding once again,
and gripped his knees with both hands. “No, they have not
arrested the killer! And I’ll tell you what a waste of time is—
The Mafia?”
the doctor even harder causing him to shout out into the empty
chamber.
174
“Hello?” A voice, bright, friendly, inviting. They turned
doctor.”
her eye over Karl, “I hope you’re not busy,” she smiled flatly,
are busy.”
175
but my imagination seems to be running loose, you know?
She fanned the air in front of her nose and held her
Uh...domnul….”
They headed for the door where Karl turned and pointed
again. “Far too hot for such fun and games, eh doctor? Did
they hurt you?” She turned to see that Darius wasn’t listening.
sat rooted to the chair. She went to the office to retrieve his
cane.
your cane, dear Darius,” and she took his hand, squeezing
176
gently. But he hadn’t heard. She hugged him and listened to
“It’s fine. I’m here now.” She paused, then asked, “Who
were they?”
office, he called the number she gave him while she looked
177
“No.”
domnisoara, not doamna, for the second time. I’m sorry it took
No answer. Again.
late.”
“Yes,” she patted his hand lightly, “just in time,” and she
“Uh, I did?”
Colonel Popar.”
178
“Your call was put through by a woman at the local
shade on the north side of the main square, he had a clear view
him. As far as he knew, the hotel had been the haunt of VIPs,
afford it.
179
helplessness had been shocking. Like every prize-fighter who
He grabbed his stick and made his way across the square.
lofty dining room ceiling, hung in great wheels over the tables
and emitted a sickly orange glow. The high windows stood like
metres to the floor where matching chairs with their faded gold
the corner, at the table furthest from the door, Darius was
180
certain that sitting amidst all of that crimson and gold, he could
Stark in her black and white, she strutted like a magpie across
the creaking floor and took their order for coffees then left as
her husband in his pristine orange shirt and purple and yellow
striped tie.
Greetings over, Darius lay his stick across his lap and
his shirt with her busy fingers and straightening his tie.
on her own thoughts. “We just need to get you all nice and
neat, dear one,” and spitting into her handkerchief, she wiped
181
Flaviu baulked at his wife’s fussing, “Enough draga,
don’t call me that in front of the doctor. I’m not a baby horse.”
grandparents.
spoke next, her voice was shaking. “At least she’s alive,” she
was I’.
choking back the tears, “actually, doctor, it’s Olivia that we’ve
182
Flaviu searched her face but in the end, just nodded his
agreement.
and slid it across the table. One of Darius’s leaflets. She blew
her nose into her handkerchief. “We saw her...that day; at the
“We were driving along the forest road and saw a car
scumpetele-meu?”
“Spandau?”
one who owns the bar, uh...Karl. Well Spandau was taking
183
something out of the car, but Karl was talking to the girl and he
heart,” she said turning once more to Flaviu. “You know, the…
the...”
with the black windows, we’ve seen them there before, but this
“And... what did the police say when you told them?”
184
“Me? But why?”
at the corners of her eyes. “To tell you the truth, we reported
men...”
“Well, you did exactly the right thing.” Darius said, still
had a visit from the same officer who’d taken our statement.
He and his colleague asked to see our car. They found a dozen
185
Darius sat forward in his chair, “Doamna, how can I tell
on, “but there was something else I’d like to…” She rummaged
sorry, dearest; I’ve left my purse in the car. I think it’s in the
“The car is in the next street,” she said to the doctor, “so
recalled what they’d done to Corvin. Lucky that Eva had been
186
his chair and raising his hand to shield his eyes, he seemed
The room began to fill with a quiet noise, the hubbub of polite
Floara pushed the box across the table. “He’s been filling
187
between index and middle fingers, as the players with their
was slipping.
scanned the faces, back and forth feeling compelled to find it.
his eyes, he could not clear his vision enough to bring the
as she continued to unpack her story, she became aware for the
188
first time, that the doctor seemed distracted. The door of the
salon opened. Quickly she shoved the box back in her bag.
rasping voice, the officer asked, ‘What are you doing here,
pula? Haven’t you had enough already? I’m going to mess you
up…’
seen made him clasp his face in shock. Then with the sound of
held his hands out to protect himself. “No, no. Get away from
189
“But Doctor Kala!” she said, “you have it!”
and sitting up, stared straight ahead, his breathing came deep
and slow.
his head, his senses still tingling in shock. The revolting stench
lingered on.
water?”
what …”
190
Floara and Flaviu kept a respectful silence until the
doamna, why did you want to meet in Ineu when you could
yes.”
stood over him while he fished the bills from his wallet.
‘Haven’t you had enough already?’ yes, that was it. ‘I’m going
Darius back to the present. “If they found out…” and raising
Spandau.
191
He watched them leave, the tingling still shorting his
hung about her like graveyard mist. Hope she doesn’t get
messed up.
for example, was it real? And did it actually happen? The place
the garden where he sat on the grass in the warm sunshine. The
two, three, four, out, two three…he opened the can, pop!
Fizzzz… and the phone rang. No! No, no, no! Let it ring. But
Popar.
“Hello?”
“Domnul doctor?”
“Correct.”
192
“It is indeed with great, good fortune that once again, I
practitioner.”
so…. in I came.”
swinging his free arm with great gusto to afford even greater
Darius.
“Thank you so much doctor. I’ll see you at two?” and the
its needs around the clock. Along the southern arm of the
crossroads, the town hall sat some fifty metres from the centre
and after the churches, was the largest building in Alba Jura.
picture window that looked out over the back yards of the
“Compensation?”
just pigs and mud. Pigs and mud, doctor. Oh, and chickens.”
offered.
194
“No, thanks.”
“No, no. Not at all.” And Darius sank into his cosy seat
“I…”
“But also, from a number of bodies who believe that the matter
has already been fully addressed, and well, quite frankly feel
that it’s none of your business. Some have suggested that the
195
Darius gave himself a moment to get his breathing under
who?’
doing?”
inform you that you must desist. You are a doctor, not a self-
“As I’ve said, doctor, you can do one or the other, but
not both. If you choose the Sherlock Holmes route, then I’ll
196
one of those complaints was made by a young girl, yes a young
girl who…”
I’m sure you’ll agree, and if you’re serious about it, I’ll see
you and my accuser in court. But let’s say that I’ve listened to
forty-eight hours.”
been a clear blue sky now seemed grubby and tainted. Damn!
can kiss my skinny arse,’ and, ‘do you think that if you fire me,
kind of kneejerk reaction may have led to the loss of a lot more
197
Such was his fury, he barely noticed the walk home. He
went straight to the garden shed to find what was left of the
but nasty green that his father had used to paint the shed and
which he’d done in what seemed like another age. This was a
19. Nicolae
visit was more than ample; it was not uncommon to find just
open the surgery, yet the morning had been busy by any
198
contemplation, reflecting on the bizarre exchange he’d had
with the Mayor and wondering how far up the ladder this
and focus instead on the duties for which he was hired.’ The
His hair had grown and now it was a mass of thick, loose curls.
He wore an ‘I heart NY’ ‘T’ shirt and denim shorts, cut off at
199
thought, people would be swimming in the Black Sea. “You’re
“Nicu Popovich.”
yours on my wall.”
now.”
200
“And why would such a machine seek to invalidate
that?”
monster?”
“Forever?”
“In perpetuum.”
science fiction…”
201
“On the contrary doctor, when I said ‘others’, I was
“I’m not alone, doctor. And I didn’t work this out all on
my own. Who does? Olivia was so pure, she was one of us, and
painting.”
“No, sorry, you’re quite right, and I can see why Olivia
202
Thompson while our own culture still marks time, waiting for
their lives. “But the last, and only time I saw you two together,
“Yes, it’s true.” Nicu chewed his lip. “I told her she could
seemed that we’d talked about nothing else for quite some
now apparent.
203
“But I had to leave. He was so hostile. He blamed me.
Lydia has lost her daughter. Corvin has lost his slave, lost
his...” and he couldn’t stem the tears any longer. With his
killed her.”
“Forgive me, but were you aware of the car that followed
know that.”
204
“Yes, most fools. Nicu, do you live here, in Vedra
Noua?”
he put his finger to his mouth. “Doctor, please promise me, it’s
her friend, I’d like to ask you some personal questions. But if
“Anything, if it helps.”
most effective, he asked, “Nicu, did you have sex with her?”
205
The question took Nicu by surprise. “Why do you want
to know?”
face. “It was really strange how she did everything he asked of
“Corvin?”
really wanted to. We talked about sex but all we did was play
excited. She said she was too young. She was a virgin.”
206
“No. They didn’t test for pregnancy. But the last time we
spoke, she asked me for advice. She was very upset. It was
easy to see why. She was also showing some signs. We were
“So... who was it? Who was she seeing? I can hardly
believe it?”
“But once she realised that she was being followed, she
would have told me. If they did that, she would have said
something.”
And not only in fear for her own safety, but for yours too.”
207
Sometime later, driving home through the lanes on that
the land and his mind strayed back to those hot summer days
of his childhood when he and his father would tend the crops
and tie on the back seat and found a tree stump from where he
sunshine that caressed his skin, and unbuttoning his shirt, he let
the warm air at his body. Raising his face like a sunflower to
men reaped the golden grain, and the women behind with their
sheaves to dry in the sizzling heat. Swish and back, swish and
back, the curved blades flashed in the sun and cut down every
208
row after terrified row of innocents were slaughtered by Nazi
peace.
20. Popar
role had vanished overnight, yet, for a man who’d led such a
209
On this sunny Saturday afternoon, he observed the old
grey Dacia turn into the main gates and progress along the
next to his own sleek silver BMW. A female emerged from the
lipstick of the young woman who’d bought his old house in the
friend; a man who made his way to the front steps with the aid
The inner door of the lift clattered away, then the external
210
Darius was expecting someone older. The colonel was
not the relic that Eva had described. He still had his hair and
not all of it was grey. He looked in good shape and his gait
colonel.”
quality.”
that time, they were virtually giving them away. Gold for the
211
“Can I get you something? A drink, an aperitif? I’m
her?”
Lena, his daughter, the same conditions. There was little need
“Apparently, you told Eva that she was last seen with a
VIP policeman.”
“A member of security?”
talking about!”
212
“It is the sole reason that I agreed to see you, domnul
doctor.”
“OK, you said that she worked in a club because she lost
her administrative job. Do you know why she lost her job? In
her letters, she said that she was tired after nursing her father,
“And where were you when she wrote to tell you she
delving into a period of his life that still felt very raw. But
213
“And why were you there? Forgive me, but it’s necessary
to ask.”
about me, about Lena, about the club. You are one of them,
walking stick.
to his, she took his arm and began stroking it. “Deep breaths,
doctor. In...out...”
214
“Thank you, no.”
up at the man. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that you paid a price for
safeguarding her.”
“Correct.”
bar?”
“Exactly.”
find it?”
215
“Max,” Darius scrambled to his feet again, this time with
Eva’s help. “We have only removed the first layer of veneer
and I’m sure you know more than you’re saying. Please tell me
Eva blew her cigarette smoke out of the window and let
him be. That was her approach; the way she approached
the controls.
216
“Would you like me to come with you?”
you to come but I don’t want to drag you into this. Besides, it’s
“Coffee?”
He refused to reply.
“Ravished!”
daub across the walls. Very expressive. Have you done that in
each room?”
“Well, not…”
camouflage”
jungle.”
217
“Is that a word, doctor? So, what did you tell your
“Why didn’t you slit the sofa, or shred the curtains too?”
“Yes, doctor?”
from her shoulders and hung it up in the hall. “And I’m so glad
sandwich. What have you got in here?” and she opened the
bread?” She looked around the fridge door to find him standing
218
She cupped his head in her hand and drew him towards
her, holding him there in a long lingering kiss for a long, long
feeling her body heat, with the warmth of the day still on her
and when they finally came up for air, Eva took a dizzy step
stop. And covering her mouth she pointed at the mirror in the
around his mouth, his cheeks, his ears and on his shirt, it was
as if a small child had been let loose with a crayon. His hair
look at her, she was stepping out of her dress which now lay on
softly, “Is this the bedroom?” She pushed the door open. “I
existed.
219
Glasses in one hand, he stooped to pick up the dress and
there tomorrow.”
21. Break in
It was one short week ago, when Nicu had been sitting in
dots. Floara had already put Karl and Spandau at the scene of
the crime. More recently, Popar had filled in some of the gaps
the Go-Go Club. And just when Darius had been bemoaning
his fate, a fate without friends, without someone to talk to, Eva
was right. You lose one thing and find another. And so far,
But the day hadn’t done with him yet. Driving home
from Vedra Noua, he turned into the high street to find the
shiver. He looked up and down the street; the only sign of life -
220
a single candle twinkling in a nearby window. The place was a
ghost town.
under his foot. The beam found it. Stooping, he picked up the
the kitchen table, one for the bathroom. Loading and lighting
the event, the wine did indeed, prove to be excellent, but the
fingers rest on the keys, feeling them like old friends. What
her precocious musical skills for the first time. But images of
221
her sitting where he now sat filled him up. Lowering the lid, he
through the frosted glass, and cane in hand, he covered the few
metres down the hall. Outside, the warm air felt good on his
skin and lifted the hairs on his arms. Nothing stirred. Not the
At the gate, he looked one way, then the other, not quite
pale glow. Strange about the pencil and the box of matches, he
The fridge shook itself into life while from the bedroom,
the radio alarm blared its chaos at him. The kitchen light came
the lights.
he clenched his back teeth and flexed the muscles in his arms.
back against the wall, “OK! You can come out now!” he
bellowed, flicking the light on, but the room held its silence.
Bedroom two then, his heart knocking against his ribcage; his
surprise now, he thrust open the door and found nothing but the
didn’t stop them aching. This is all too much, he thought. Too
much.
The sound of the bath running calmed him and soon his
table, and stared at the pencil and the matches, willing them to
223
eyes rest on them. Then he saw it: they’d been moved. They
order he’d left them. Just this morning, at breakfast, he’d been
seen from the corner of one’s eye that betray the presence of an
gathering pace; closer and ever closer. They were coming for
224
him. Coming to drag his protesting body along the dark
coiling above him, stalking him. The foul breath on the back of
his neck sending shocks down the length of his cringing spine,
I couldn’t help it! I had to tell them! Had to. But it wasn’t
the darkness and telling secrets that weren’t mine to tell. But it
Inevertoldthemanything!’
“Get them off me! Oh God! Please! Get them off me!”
He gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, the blood
feet, he wriggled his toes. “No, no! Don’t touch me! Stop!
225
His breathing came in short, sharp gasps. He daren’t look
up but found his voice again. “Stay away from me, you
“Don’t...!”
“Doctor!”
“Corvin?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
226
Darius sat trembling, in a daze. His eyes glazed,
again. “Corvin? What are you…? I mean, where did you come
from?”
“I knew you were here; I saw the car in the drive. I heard
the noise and I’ve been banging the door down.” He got to his
“Just now?”
“Yes.”
“Noroc. Luck!”
Darius nodded.
227
When he replied, it was in a whisper. “Devils, Corvin.
someone.”
ask me this?”
Corvin?”
“I’m not…’
yourself away. But you knew, didn’t you? You knew what I’d
been through.”
228
“Well, your beautiful, innocent step-daughter told me,
but she wasn’t the first. Not at all. The first to tell me was your
own wife.”
just had to… to tell someone. It’s Lydia I came to talk to you
gone.”
have put Corvin out of his misery. “As I recall, they were very
adept at that; tracking people down.” The cool night air was
having little effect on him, and his head was still very much
229
As the kitchen light was on, they must have been here
when the power failed. Power cuts usually last about ten
felt…
now, and…
230
“In any case,” Corvin went on, “I wouldn’t be able to
run.”
“I said that the last thing she said to me was that I killed
them both.”
entry. And who knows how many people had keys while I was
231
now, but only on the front door. So, they might have a key for
visa.”
buried here. And didn’t you just say you had a business to
run?”
forever.
body into the still warm bath. The soothing water, seeped into
232
head. Zoltan Franz Liszt, in his surgery some weeks ago,
running his fingers over the spines of each title and talking
about his son, Imre; Imre the policeman. But, surely not. Not
as the book slipped from his fingers, a knock at the door held
domnisoara?”
the morning, but I’m just a very selfish girl who was feeling
“Eva.”
233
“And, and I’m feeling sick. And I need an expert
opinion.”
“Eva.”
“Eva.”
“Shut up.”
Lena, about why he concealed the fact that she worked at his
club.”
234
“Well, I don’t think he’s going anywhere just yet.”
before Olivia…”
“Doctor?”
“Yes, Eva?”
“Shut up.” She caressed him, stroked his hair, and like a
his exhaustion. Long after he’d fallen asleep, she was still
gently rocking him. Tomorrow, she thought, I’ll tell him about
option of one, to see the possibilities and still choose her. And
he must choose her because it’s what he wants not what she
wants.
22. Mariana
Eva’s plan had been simple. And now that they had a
235
newspapers. Darius felt a resurgence of hope. The cost of a
in the afternoon.
steady.
week.”
236
“Yes, I am.” His throat had gone dry. “Mariana, can you
“Yes, of course.”
“Mariana?”
“Yes?”
eight.”
bar.”
battered cheese with fries sprinkled with cheese and Darius the
heavy on the make-up, she seemed older than him by ten years,
238
but she’d kept her figure. “What about Lena. Did she have
She stirred her drink and added a little iced water as the
waitress served their food. She asked, “Do you know anything
prices...”
“Yes, of course.”
239
Darius screwed up his eyes. “Are we talking about
VIPs?”
“My god!”
despite the fact that Mariana was still eating. “Anything else?”
“These politicians.”
“Some, yes.”
240
“Like who?”
She grabbed her bag and fished out a pen. Then taking a
exotic clientele?”
her nose. “They also mentioned how generous the clients could
themselves.”
241
“Where did the girls come from? Were they local?”
“Yes, I think so. You don’t see many with dark tinted
windows, do you?”
and tension at the same time. “She was very reluctant; only
enough in tips: I don’t have to tell you how beautiful she was.
was already halfway across the room before the words were
out.
pointed splinter from the pot and began gouging her teeth from
242
“My pleasure. The chicken was a little tough, but tasty.”
we meet again.”
besides, apart from the Hotel Bulevard, this place has the only
“Yes, for service with a smile.” She looked into his eyes
for the first time and raised her eyebrows. Darius had other
popular.”
“I’m not certain, but the last time I saw her something
“The safe behind the bar was open. Corvin would deposit
the takings there. Lena saw a ledger and began looking through
243
it. ‘Hey! Mariana!’ she whispered, ‘Have you seen this? Look
replaced the ledger, I spilt some slops from the beer tray, and
Corvin leaned over the counter, looked into the safe then
It’s what he usually did, but he just told her to come and see
you could call it that. It didn’t last long but we kept up the
244
“You’re a doctor. You’re sworn to secrecy, aren’t you?”
she smiled.
water. He took a shower instead. He’d left his bag on the table
not normally the inquisitive type, well, not like that, anyway,
“By the time he’d dried himself off, I’d seen enough.
club.”
Darius said.
245
“I think it was the status, the unqualified eminence of the
names. Some were from the top of the pile. Close to the chosen
one himself.”
“I see. And the obvious question is, why had you never
work.”
“I can tell you that the records for the dates I did work
about his wife, about his daughter about his job at the milk
246
neither she nor you had met. if it was so sensitive, what were
dates?” he asked. “Both behind the bar and at the tables. Which
girls?”
once.”
top secret.”
it?”
“No, it couldn’t.”
my job. I only got paid if the numbers added up. I worked six
247
nights a week. Each month, the amount consumed was more
“So ...”
elsewhere.”
there, expensive cars and the same mini-bus was there too.”
doamna.”
in the shade, she suddenly looked up, “Oh, but I forgot. There
248
“Well, the ledger had a third column. A right hand
margin.”
“Yes.”
company?”
understand.
249
Later, he sat enjoying a glass of wine with Jack Kerouac
happened to her.”
23. Popar 2
Popar cursed his psoriatic leg. He had bad days, and days
250
exquisite gratification and intense relief of scraping at the dead
skin would, he knew all too well, last just a few, fleeting
soothe away the pain, and the re-opened sores would require
By the time Eva and Darius had turned off the main road
and into the drive he was every inch the sophisticated and well-
water were laid out on a silver tray atop the early twentieth
proud.
the colonel called out from the kitchen. “This is a surprise! So,
251
“Of course, I’m interested in any news regarding her
that she was last seen with a prominent member of the security
services.”
Popar sat with his fingers interlocked over his chest and
“So, I ask you again, Colonel, if you have any idea who
on the grapevine?”
this?”
would be him.”
Darius never took his eyes off the colonel and for the
first time, the old man seemed less than sure. He was stalling.
252
“No. And yet, there were the ledgers.” Darius was
that Corvin kept similar records for all the other events at the
club.
appropriate manner.”
about them?”
“No, thanks.”
253
“You have a lovely view, Constantin,” she said, using his
“Oh, yes, I remember you told us that you got it for a real
circle.
doctor?”
club, one of the girls, told me about the ledgers. She went to
Corvin’s office to ask for time off. The books were there, on
254
“Oh! Not exactly good practice, eh?”
“The few names she read made her eyes widen. That’s
what she said. People she’d never seen at the club, people she
only knew from the television and elite party members close to
the top.”
“Yes, yes, that’s possible. But this girl worked six nights
a week. The dates entered next to the names were all the
seventh day; days on which she hadn’t been there. One night,
when she wasn’t working, she passed by. She said the car park
“Know what?”
255
The colonel, no longer taken by the condition of his
symbols.”
formal address, “in the ledger next to each of the names was a
come naturally.
out, “How’s the weather out there Eva?” He hoped she might
256
“It’s such a beautiful day. It’s a shame we’re missing it,”
she called.
“Noroc!”
used to play chess for the university team. At some stage, I was
straight games. After the first one, I suspected she was toying
with me. By the end, I was sure. Yes colonel, very astute, very
observant.”
beneath the eaves of the building; she was also listening to the
conversation.
257
He went to his Austro-Hungarian writing desk and
pocket and offered it to the doctor. “Here doctor, use this one.”
say...friendship?”
it?”
red or in blue.”
to his feet, “...it was very nice to meet you again,” and they
shook hands, “and you too Eva.” He took her hand and kissed
258
“And these symbols mean nothing to you?” Darius
wanted confirmation.
owns it.”
They entered the lift and the colonel said, “Please look
Goodbye.”
thumb and fingers and kissed him. “You, doctor, are a genius,
259
“Huh!” she caught her breath. “You stole that from Oscar
Wilde.”
no doubt.
consequence.”
“Oh, without a doubt. Did you see him sit up when you
“Yes, indeed.”
260
“That’s what we’re going to find out, dear lady.”
dilapidated, mostly full, yellow and white trams still cut across
the city. There were more cars now, and more potholes for
Darius scanned the room. The place was about half full and
wall.
do it alone.”
261
“Eva, I’ve persuaded the couple, the witnesses, to
testify.”
“If she is, then Popar would be in contact with her. And if
man who was sitting in the next booth, back-to-back with the
doctor.
finger to his lips and gestured that they leave, quickly and
quietly.
262
Darius spoke in hushed tones. “A car followed us all the
way into Arad. It’s difficult to hide with so few cars on the
Lena?”
24. Symbols
the sun. “I’ve been thinking about those symbols.” She turned
onto her back and gazed up at him. “You know, you could
listen...”
263
“Uh huh,” Darius was concentrating fiercely, “Just let me
get to the end of this section, OK?” he smiled into the pages.
“I don’t know how you can focus with all this noise
going on.”
It was only ten in the morning yet the lido at Ineu was
shouting and screaming at will. The din was at its most intense
had found a spot to lay their towels on the grass, near the
perimeter fence.
down at her happiness and kissed her on the tip of her nose.
degrees today.”
264
“No, you see, we should be sitting around with
the bus station perhaps, and we just lounge around and talk.”
“Talk?”
“Oh no. No, no, no. Jokes would be really um...really not
“Things, doctor?”
“Lipstick?”
“What?”
this ‘cool’?”
265
“Well, I think that might be a little forced, oh, and we
He put the book away. “I don’t think it’s for us...we are
“Are you saying that I’m too old to have fun?” She
something, right?”
“Uh, yes.”
266
She found an eyeliner pencil in her bag. “Can I have your
book please?”
He handed it over.
Inside the back cover, she drew two large circles next to
each other with a straight line running across the top of them.
“Like this?” and she placed a dot at the centre of each circle.
“I don’t think it’s an owl for one second, but let’s put the
beak in.” She drew a ‘V’ between the circles with the lower
point at the same level as the dots. “Now, let’s see,” and she
see?”
She extended the arms of the ‘V’ above the line then
across the top of one arm she drew a short line. “Still nothing?”
267
He stared at the image, then looked up at her. “Yes, my
“So?”
here.”
It was clear that the red or blue colouring was anything but
“Yes. Let’s camp in the forest, get some clear air. What
do you think?”
“Run with the wolves? It’s a great idea, but it’s too late
268
She wrapped her arms around him, “Anywhere is fine by
me.”
situation.
“My god! Yes, you’re right. Corvin and his Go-Go Club!
269
“Yes. I believe that too.” For a moment they sat
whatever you want to do, I’m in. But I have to warn you,
weeds and flowers all look the same to me.” She opened a
perhaps?”
is, and Corvin provides the venue. So, who supplies the
270
“Popar!” she said. “It has to be him!”
something.”
bumps!”
feet. “Popar is police! Well, kind of. I can’t believe this. I’ve
been here before, with Franz Liszt. I mean, how corrupt is this
place?”
“Go ahead.”
been framed for that, and possibly Lena. Then why is Popar so
271
“Because Darius dear, you have form. Isn’t that so?” she
was to find her, and lead a less chaotic life. That’s all.” He
looked into her eyes. Her touch reassured him; her gaze calmed
alive? Is she?”
“The truth?”
He waited.
He’d been avoiding it, but his own instincts told him that
Eva was right. And Popar’s story about the police contacting
him because his house had been empty for so long, well, it
272
“Yes, we did. And whatever happens, I’ll be here. If
you?” he asked.
else now. I have indeed grown another skin. And I’ve gone
“Oh, stop it,” she laughed and grabbed his beer to take a
gulp.
273
Outside of law court number two Darius shifted and
main corridor. He also reflected that the place could use a good
box.
can get a coffee across the street,” she said, “but don’t expect
asked.
274
Out in the booming traffic the blackened walls and grimy
summer sky was infused with a sickly grey pallor. On the far
between trucks and vans in ‘now you see me, now you don’t’
one and a bit spoonfuls of sugar into his tiny espresso. With his
to true north, back to the trial. The trial of an innocent for the
stomach.
counter.
275
Five minutes or so passed before a replacement arrived -
old man who had both opportunity and motive, and who was
tightly and stared hangdog into the abyss which had opened
before him.
defenceless young girl, but he had to kill her; to take her young
And on he went.
276
Darius could not have guessed at the shepherd’s multiple
injuries, but the nose bent to one side, his swollen cheekbones
and the dark circles around his eyes were a strong indication.
her delivery carried all the impact of weak tea. She sketched
he snapped.
could poke him, his counsel walked over, took his arm and
don’t have time for this,” and the official exchanged nods with
277
his two colleagues sitting either side and slightly below him.
table. The kitchen and bar nestled in the original kitchen area
doors had been removed and the space widened and a small
278
central stage was now visible to all. Around the walls, brightly
level, reflected the garb of the staff, and the tablecloths were
mirror.
time for you. But I was simply curious about something you
279
said and have no desire at all to talk about what you might
say.”
harmonica.”
vehicles.”
have...”
forming outside.
“So, Corvin?”
harmonica.”
280
Corvin remained silent. “In truth, there was no-one except you.
“It was the police, when they said that they’d found one
“No, I haven’t.”
right now. But he had to remain calm, if not, the man would
thinking straight.
only person who has ever seen Costel with a harmonica, you,
281
away. “I’ll get this,” he said. “I shouldn’t tell you this Corvin,”
longer matters. Whichever way you cut the pig, he’s doomed.”
“Did you see him? Did you see what they have done to
him?”
“Yes, well.”
282
“Yes, well. They spoke to me in confidence. They passed
by the scene when she was there. They saw her talking to…
the floor and planting his hands on the arms of the chair, he
“You knew I was looking for Lena. You also knew that
she’d been dismissed from her job at the town hall because of
283
“I’ve spoken to Popar. Do you remember Colonel
Popar?”
“Yes.”
lucky to escape prison and that she got a job at a girlie club.
didn’t tell you because, well because the situation was highly-
sensitive.”
court. I thank you for the lunch.” He got to his feet and strode
wasn’t alone. No. He thought about Eva. She had become more
284
than, more than… well he wasn’t sure what she had become.
But it felt good. And she wasn’t just a consolation; no, she was
fears to one side, they now felt obliged to help an old friend.
would be.
support?
285
Raducanu was a dreamer. Throughout his high school
of town. He let the phone ring and ring and grew more
“I’m only the idiot who gave up his peace of mind for all
eternity because you begged for help! Yes, that’s right, you
286
behest! The man you promised to help regardless of the cost.
the staff.
“Raducanu, speaking.”
He’s tenacious and lets nothing get in his way. I need a week.”
287
“What is that, domnul Senator?”
soon.”
“Karl!”
word. “Bingo!”
the major highway heading north; not the most direct route but
288
the logic was simple: more streetlights and fewer potholes. As
risks on this road just in order to overtake. The route was well-
known for fatal accidents and his main concern was to avoid
him. Raducanu said he should expect a ‘top man’ the day after
would also address the other business that needed taking care
other than his own. He thought about how the lunch had
289
Karl and Spandau together with Olivia at the lake, Corvin
next rise, flashing lights appeared in the night sky. At the brow
of the hill, he pulled off the road and gazed upon the chaos
below.
he asked.
“OK,” said the officer and he led the doctor into the
arena.
on its roof.
290
“How long ago did this happen?”
the back of his seat. The air bag had failed. “This one hit a
functioned perfectly, forcing her out of the car and saving her
from the crush. So, no seat belt. She’d lost a lower leg.
searched for any dark blotches on her flanks. Her body was
291
Out on the road, the two occupants of the overturned car
had been crushed. Darius peered into the flattened wreck then
quietly.
her husband had experienced. His side of the car had taken the
“I see.”
292
Soon paramedics approached pushing a stretcher. One
injuries.”
survived.”
golden shore. He heard the officer walk away, but kept his eyes
“Come, I’ll help you to your car. I’m sorry, I’d offer you
“Thank you, but mine is inside the car. You know, death
many...but...but, this...”
his eye over the chaos. “No matter how often you see it, it
293
Darius looked at the officer. “Can you show me the place
to one lane and officers were directing the flow and causing a
the barriers, Darius and the officer stared at the gap where the
see.”
the time.”
294
Back at the crash site, they scanned the area, but found
no hazard lights.
when they went over the edge, they would’ve taken one or two
them?”
“What are you saying? That they were pushed over the
edge?”
you had to see this. It’s one of worst I’ve seen.” He seemed to
295
be deep in thought. “I had a recent case which sometimes
keeps me awake.”
“Oh?”
called...called...”
“Alba Jura.”
someone.”
296
“And who was that?”
move.
shaken.”
dreadful crime.”
“Well…”
“Any witnesses?”
“Come on, I’ll help you into the car. And don’t
297
The story goes…One morning, an old woman woke
to find that her dog had died while she was sleeping. She cried.
She cursed her god for his cruelty and wept as though her
entire family had been lost at sea. Inconsolable, she wept and
before her, and asked, “Old woman, why are you weeping so?
dog away.”
good life and its time was up. So why make such a fuss?”
intervention.
his needle through the skin of her eyebrow, and seething at the
very idea that Karl had made her a victim. Her friend Silvi had
298
tried to patch her up as best she could, but unable to stop the
happened?”
silent.
eye.”
had broken; there was no holding back the waters now. “The
bastard!” she hissed under breath, “He’s going to pay, one way
“I don’t know for how long, but it seemed like hours, while he
separating us. I could see him trembling with fury, and all the
299
time, I was thinking, ‘If you see a bear in the woods, keep it in
neck.
“Of course, I’d love to hear it. What else have I got
300
“Oh, that’s terrible,” she said. “Sometimes I can be such
a selfish bitch!”
domnisoara?”
was screaming about, she must have enjoyed it. ‘We’re just
directly to me. She would say that people had different ways to
show their affection. So, it must have been OK, right?” She
Look, I’m a bitch, and I know it. Stand in my shoes. See how
301
Elvira flinched. “Bastard!” shedding more tears. “So,
it. Because right now, it feels that way. Even you are hurting
at her hair.
“Of course you didn’t, but may I ask, when did you first
302
She glanced fleetingly at Silvi; something passed
between them.
“So,” said Darius, “you were both aware and you did
nothing.”
my job.”
“That was the contract you made with him.” Darius said.
known they were stalking Olivia. And you knew that they were
trafficking young girls. Didn’t that bother you? And what about
“Well don’t you feel anything for those poor young girls?
Elvira’s face but she recoiled when Silvi touched her nose.
303
“I’m going to try to reset it,” Darius said. “It’s been too
the hospital.”
“Hospital?”
his equipment away. “I think there’s enough hot water for you
When she emerged from the shower with his shirt tucked
into her jeans, Elvira sat at the table and shivered. “OK,” she
304
coffee. “Something was odd about him. He seemed agitated.
but in a playful way. You know? I liked that about him, the
305
“He produced a pocket-knife and a twenty-dollar bill.
‘Watch.’ He said then separated the pile into four thin lines. He
of, and he held out the note. ‘And remember - sniff! Do not
blow!’
training.
asked candidly and stupidly, ‘So tell me, boss man, why
children?’
rose from the bed and sat on the end of the mattress, giving me
his back.
306
“A chill breezed through my summer’s day. The magic
arms around his neck and snuggled into his back. No response.
You know?
“I got up. ‘I’m getting some water.’ I said. ‘Do you want
some?’
unfriendly.
long; it would seem odd and soon he’d be banging the door
307
“He was there, larger than life. Filling the door frame. He
talking about?’
was still reeling from the blow yet I was trying to touch
shouting at me, words I can’t hear, can’t hear can’t think - I’m
deaf, Oh godohgod…
308
my head, onthetableorsomething. I want to, to shout shoutout
but my face…my face it’s the wrong shape the wrong shape
very small in the corner in the corner of the room and my face
holding her and Darius gave her some water. “It’s OK, Elvira.
It’s OK. You’re in shock, but you’re safe here. He can’t hurt
you here.” Silvi hugged her tightly and kissed her bruised
cheek.
Her face wet with tears, Elvira said “How long was I
there, in the corner? I’m not sure, but long enough for the
blood on my face and scalp to dry. Long enough for the blood
silence.”
mean you could’ve been killed! How did you get out? I
mean…”
309
“I’ll make some more coffee,” Eva said. Then turning to
likes them.”
that he’d unleashed on me. I heard him say ‘It’s OK now, I got
carried away.’
310
“Outside, I looked up and down the road. The crickets
low rider, and slammed the door shut. I hit the door lock just as
door, I showed him the small nail scissors that I kept in my bag
And he’d rather pull out his own fingernails than take a
crowbar to his ‘baby’. And all the while, I could feel my face
311
“You know you can’t sleep until you’ve had an x-ray.
What’s so important?”
church.”
“Anyway, the first train isn’t due until five thirty.” Then
smarts.
“You did?”
312
“I…I don’t recall” he said. “Strange. Think I’m just a bit
tired.”
“After what?”
and after inserting the key, she struggled to locate the tumblers
inside the lock. But she’d done it before, more than once, and
313
“What’re we doing here, Elvi? What if someone sees
Sundays. Now, grab one end of the ladder over there and help
In the dark, they managed, but only after the ladder had
swayed past the hole a few times, and as Elvira planted one
foot on the lowest rung with a sports bag in her hand, she said,
approaching.”
was.”
then?”
here. OK?”
314
“I said, OK?” repeated Elvira.
stood guard, this time outside the gates and again she had no
translucent colour. The first Green Dart was an hour away and
very idea that in two locations known only to her, a very large
let him work things out for himself - which he probably would.
face was enough for Spandau to know why. She and Karl
her direction, she quickly stood behind the big man. If there
315
was one thing that Spandau found irresistible, it was a damsel
in distress.
visited his superior strength upon her; had shown her what a
real alpha male can do, yet, accompanied by her new best
but he wasn’t quite the eager beaver that he’d been yesterday.
the bar but her injuries prevented him from reading it, and she
you pig; you pula!” In truth, he already had, he’d find out
316
when he reached for his stash. And she knew all of his
respect.
they couldn’t help but ask the question. And because she could
barely speak, Silvi answered for her saying that her friend had
“Yes?”
317
“The police, domnul. Not your friends, of course. It
domnul.”
waited.
knew that.”
you, so...why?”
“If the Minister gets his hands on you, which I pray for
your sake he doesn’t, you’ll tell him everything and that would
station but park your car further down the road. There’s a
318
know will meet you there in half an hour. Make sure no-one
a travelling bag.
trouble to me,’ then added, ‘His time has come!’ Happy face.
pay.
tarmac.
He inserted the key into the back door. This lock always
gritted teeth. But the key needed to sit exactly right. “Please!
Just be nice, OK?” but the lock wasn’t listening. Then he felt
319
the tumblers slide into place. Experience told him to twist hard
at this point—or start again. And suddenly, the door was open.
matter how hot the day had been, it was always cold in here.
Damp had climbed the walls and discoloured the plaster which
320
Clutching the box, he headed for the hole.
looking for the costumes for the summer fete. Have you seen
them?”
first woman.
“OK, domnul, we can do that, and look next door. It’s the
321
space and smiled as his fingers located the second box. He
In the car, he headed for the south side, for the railway
engine of the Green Dart idling not fifty metres away. His
watch said he had ten minutes to wait. Standing just inside the
keys and isolated those for the cash boxes. Selecting the first
across the border, across many borders. The key didn’t fit.
Must be the other key, he thought. Come on! His throat was
He fumbled the second key into the lock and turned it. Inside
rippled up his spine. The whore! And then he knew what she’d
done. He shook the second box. Not the sound of tightly rolled
322
bills packed into plastic sachets. “Fucking bastard!” he
friend.”
when the ocean empties out, when the moment to raise the
alarm has passed. The silent note before the orchestra strikes
could hardly have been further from their stewed cerebra. For
323
When the police piled through the door, some jumped,
some dropped their glasses, and some cried out. One, an old
the officer drew out the final syllable and left it hanging there
bath!”
shield herself from the stench. She grabbed her coat and bag
her own.
324
“Where is he?” He demanded. No greeting. No
repeated, unblinking.
major error.
towards him, tearing it. She moaned, unable to open her mouth
“No. I...I...” The pain and the shock brought tears to her
eyes.
He kept his grip on her hair. She told him where to look.
“Why are you doing this?” she said. “I’m innocent ...”
and his hard, black eyes bored into her, “and I don’t see it
325
anywhere around here. In my experience, it is almost always
wafted past her face but his grip on her hair kept her standing
there.
“Where is Karl?”
skull.
326
The captain stood near Spandau’s head and hissed, “I
kiddies, because I know that your friend did. Put him in the
job. We had a row, and he did this to me.” She indicated the
back at the uniforms that had gathered behind him. “‘He was
“Hahaha...furious”.
time to turn or deflect it. Blood sprang from her broken nose
and both her lips split. A tooth fell to the floor and skittered
across the room. She slid down the wall behind the bar, but
327
they dragged her to a table where they held her down, her arms
her forward.
urgent.”
panic, seeing the blood and Elvira stretched out across the
328
“It was...it was very...um, very educated, and I think it
of Corvin over the club and the argument they’d had which led
to the beating.
up, stealing from them, scaring them, hurting them, but you got
“How young?”
329
“I saw them.” Silvi piped up. “I was in the mini-bus on
“Ten or eleven...about.”
that the kids might’ve had AIDS and that whoever was abusing
yes?”
330
Silvi mumbled something. Before the captain could tug
her hair again, she said, “Yes, yes he was,” loud and clear.
keep her face together. “I think it was the cocaine, it made him
crazy.” Then she lost control. “He was fucking them!” she
331
“Did he rape the girl in the woods?” the question was
said again.
“Only ‘probably’?”
“He told me about the girl. He said he had sex with her.
That’s it.”
itself became still. He had drawn her out, onto a tight rope,
She met his eyes and kept her focus steady. “Yes, I
trickle of blood ran from her nose and down her chin. She
began to sob.
332
“Domnisoara, now, I think, you understand something
that you always knew it, that you were happy to ignore it as
enjoy... this.” and he gestured with open arms at the room; the
They tore the place apart saving only some spirits that
his two stashes in the church and the graveyard and when she
left the train at Arad, the next morning, she emptied the bank
accounts that she used to pay the bills, pay off officials and
foreign banks, but now she had enough to start a new life.
333
At the hospital, when the doctor came and sat next to her
“Yes, doctor, but when I got off the tram, I was followed
reminding herself of the cash that she’d left in the locker at the
three.”
334
“With whom, colonel?”
“Doctor?”
“Yes Colonel?”
“Try to be on time.”
surprises and the last meeting with the colonel left him feeling
way into his house? Or perhaps the help had arrived from
Bucharest.
opposite his desk. “My name is Imre,” he said. “My father told
335
“...which is why we allowed you to make your own way
the room, through another door and into a short corridor. “This
way.” Darius wasn’t sure whether the officer was giving him
“No. No water.”
336
The man disappeared and closed the door behind him.
When Darius tried the handle, it was locked. Perhaps the idiot
wasn’t joking after all. He sat at the table and checked his
first man in space, had worn a similar one on that first epic
considered, for the first time, the possibility that he was going
his huge arms. The other smiled at Darius but there was no joy
there.
“Domnul Kala?”
can’t be!
337
The man leaned across the table, craning his neck like a
vulture and bathed the doctor in his foetid breath. “We have
Bulevard. A man he’d never seen, a man who hid from the
‘Bastard’.”
paused. “Stop!”
338
The officer exploded, shrieking into Darius’s face.
“Spandau.”
told me. He’s not made like you doctor. He’s just a big pussy.
While the pula called Karl was having his fun with Olivia,
with me.’ And that’s it. That’s all he said. So, did he kill her or
not? But Karl’s the smarter one. Disappeared before I could get
339
Darius envisaged his fingers around the Minister’s
very nicely to. I’d just as soon break your precious fingers.
see? We’re working towards the same goals, you and I. The
same objectives. For the same leaders, whoever they may be.
how corrupt they are. The truths I seek are universal. They are
always true.”
340
“Doctor Kala,” the Minister wasn’t going to give any
and the lower half of his face cracked in an insane grin once
again.
yes, let’s call it that, only matters if people give a damn. And
from where I stand and watch the daily bedlam, the chaotic
at best, and contempt at worst. And they are the morons that
you sacrificed yourself for! And neither will they thank you for
341
our past mistakes over and over. People will continue to get
they make sure that their freedoms are not violated, that those
“I wish I did.”
342
“God? Did you say god? You, yourself brought me to the
and Darius clapped his hand over his face, as the Minister
god ran things before the regime existed and has done so since
always right. Mess with him and you mess with me – as you
have found out. I’d just as soon skin a traitor like you as
haven’t we Mozoc? Ha! Oh, and let’s not forget your betrayal,
343
always comes out. And in the end…” he held Darius’s gaze.
as a favour.”
one stone. The pricks were trafficking girls into a war zone.
that’s funny. And he never laughs. Now get the fuck out!”
344
down the corridor and out to reception where he finally let go.
Very nice to see you again,” and he handed over the walking
31. Feteasca
mother nature. His voice said words that approximated his but
weren’t, he felt less in tune with his patients and his dismissal
of them caused him to doubt his own compassion let alone his
Feteasca 2005!”
345
“I know. And you are an exceptional doctor, doctor.
“I could lie, but yes, I did.” They toasted, “to the future,”
she said.
“Yes, to us.”
“So who knew about the witnesses, that Flora had agreed
buoyed as ever.
“Popar knew. His spy, the man who trailed us, must’ve
told him.”
doesn’t want Karl to be implicated, just like the mayor and the
local police.”
too dry and not too bitter. So not too many tannins. “We are
346
“I called a friend in Bucharest. He works in the
admitted that they raped Olivia but didn’t kill her. I’m sure he
told them the truth. I’m familiar with The Minister’s methods.”
again.”
“Is it a secret?”
know that…”
gone.”
“Gone?”
night after he beat her up. Someone warned him that the
trafficking.”
347
There was a knock at the door.
said, “I don’t know who this is, but tonight, I’m going
nowhere.”
after a glass, she was feeling fine too. Fine and relaxed.
longer a threat. She raised the glass to her lips and savoured the
a whole case.
Who is it?”
No response.
“Darius?”
She rose from her seat and made her way along the hall,
running the last few steps. The door stood ajar. No-one there.
She stepped outside. From the gate, she looked one way, then
348
She waited. Somehow, she knew that calling the police
was not an option. Around half an passed, then the phone rang.
“Hello? Darius?” she said, unable to keep the alarm out of her
voice.
“Get out!”
32. The chair
‘Daddio’. Eva would be proud. Yes, make her proud, and keep
he’d never left. Perhaps he’d just dreamed everything up: his
and Eva. Here he was, tied to a wooden chair, much like the
chair in Jilava, but without a hole in the seat. Close, sure. But
349
Through the loose weave of the hood, he could discern
light; dull and yellow. Artificial light. Inside the hood, his head
said. “Understand?”
that last thing he’d been expecting, and it startled him as much
as it hurt. It stung him and made his ears ring and through the
room, trying to rail against them but the tape held him fast. His
me about the symbols.”
“Symbols?”
350
Mariana. They must be talking about her. He sensed
The hood lifted just far enough for him to drink from a
“The symbols.”
“Yes, they became good friends, and Lena told her about
a club where she worked, and the woman got a job there too…
got angry when he saw her looking at it. She drew the symbols
for her friend, and her friend drew them for me.
“Name?”
351
Another slap. Harder. “What was her name!?”
we met,” he was speaking too fast now, “she said it was better
which direction.
your moth…”
him and the chair over, but someone held him upright. The
Maybe they weren’t police. He had no idea who they were, but
he would do it anyway.
352
They were still moving when they bundled him out of the
car. Now free of the plastic ties, he broke his fall with his arms
and rolled over, hitting his head. The hood remained in place
grazed hands, he pulled off the hood to find himself in the road
just about everywhere. But mostly his knees and one hip,
aside, he found the light switch then slumped to the floor. The
“Hello, operator?”
“Hello?”
353
“Eva?”
33. Clean up
She inserted her key into the front door and tried to
shove her way inside. The resistance was plenty of cause for
inside, the scale of the wreckage took her breath away. Clothes
wiring which hung loose from its housing. “Oh, my good god,”
to step on anything.
the torn fabric, dried blood encrusting his hair, his hands and
recognisable.
354
He looked up at her, his face streaked with dried blood
and tears, and said, “I didn’t tell them. Please believe me, I
you tell them?” she said, inspecting his head for gashes. Then
she noticed he was holding one hand with the other, gripping it
tightly.
“Can I see it, darling Darius? Can I see?” She tried to pry
wincing.
his fingers away until she could see what he was holding so
delirious.
She put her arms around him and rocked him. “It’s all
bedside chair and watched him while he slept. And when she
Eva could see the sun rise through the bedroom window.
with someone who was asking what the good of a ‘ball’ was.
pleased.
356
“I’ve cleaned up,” she said. “Do you want to keep that
“Show me.”
canvas had a tear. He turned it over with his good hand. They
frame. When they smoothed it out flat on the bed, they saw
of a ledger! See? On the left, the date, in the centre the names
357
Immediately, Darius’s mind returned to when he first
OK?”
there, you can’t see it, but it’s there.’ She must’ve taken it from
important it was.”
tier of society.
358
Eva pointed to a name halfway down the first page.
“Marescu,” she said. “He was secretary to the party for the
about you?”
“Oh.”
here,” said Darius, “is our old friend Popar. A glittering, black
359
“What did you say?” He’d only been half listening. “The
last thing.”
oblong on an arc. “Don’t you see? You truly are a genius, Eva.”
horse.” Then she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I
safe.
And now they looked at the third image. The test tube on
a line on a circle.
“No.”
“Wood?”
“No, again.”
360
“Got it!” she jumped out of her seat. “It’s a stupid
dummy!”
something stronger.”
She found the brandy and poured one for herself too.
right...” Then his eyes lit up. “Of course, of course.” He held
her face between his thumb and fingers of his good hand. “The
colours… well, they refer to, to… to gender! Blue for boys,
crime.”
361
In Darius’s current inspired state, he made a further
bedstead came to mind. “So that, Eva, that’s why they needed
dangerous.”
“Doctor, I’m in for the ride, all of it. Just try and stop me.
34. Warning
scarf. She had doused it in Chanel No. 5 and pulled the scarf
up to her eyes.
362
“Look. Before I paid him, I read every word on the box.
My French is perfect and there were no, that is, ‘non,’ spelling
mistakes.”
station together.
“Ha, ha, yes, thank you Imre. You’re so funny. And your
your supper.”
staring at the doctor, his mouth wide open. “What the pula
363
“No, she isn’t.” Eva said. “She is sick.”
“Why?”
She lowered the scarf and Mozoc stared at her for a few
seconds.
The pair had been sitting on the hard bench for twenty
to follow, and leading the way, ushered them into the room
364
The Minister was sitting on the edge of the table. “Take
365
No reaction. The Minister glared at him. Then he
“Everything?”
“Then...”
paper, you’re dead. There will be nowhere for you to hide. You
“What is it?”
366
Darius took a sip of his wine. “All history now. Yes, he is
the monster.”
again.”
“Me too. So, who do you think sent the jokers who
Eva put her hand to her mouth. “Yes, and once they have
forget about it.” He met her gaze and opened his mouth to
367
Dear Diary 3
shade of green. Not recognising the frilly baby doll outfit nor
that Costel was assigned the title of ‘Flat Dog’ and Loredana
vanished and Elvira, his partner followed suit after her run-in
368
with the Minister. Corvin, being alone now, threatens to leave
into his hole never, I imagine, to show his face here again.
rests in his hands. Did I detect a soul in there? No, surely not.
Baba was right. You look for one thing and find another.
Eva can never replace Lena, neither does she want to. With
her, I have a future I could never have imagined. It’s more than
enough.
That’s the hope and the fear of it. Every day, I apply plasters to
corner.
369
35. The Gypsy
Winter
death. Lena had in fact, vanished as too had Karl, and the
Minister had said? Well, Darius thought it was time to pay his
centimetres of snow.
beyond the line of trees lay the clearing that led to the lake.
370
And as he considered making his way to the spot where he’d
dragged her stiffened body from the water, large globs of snow
happened here.”
371
Darius’s head was spinning. He stood closer. “You mean
doctor from beneath the wide brim of his black hat, “I heard
them, eh? They were in there” and he pointed into the clearing.
through the trees. They were arguing. He was very angry, and
372
“Well, he was calling her names... like ‘whore’ and
‘slut’. And she was screaming at him, ‘it’s not true!’ and ‘it’s
“Yes.”
“And then...?”
“My god.”
two, three, hold, out, two, three... “And what happened then?”
“next to a bicycle. Nicer one than this, domnul.” and his head
just kept going, eh? And later, the car passed me.”
373
“That’s it.”
his teeth.
“Well...”
“And?”
374
“Did you try to get her out?”
The man bowed his head. “She was gone. Turned the
corner, eh? Staring, she was, at the sky, flies already circling.
and very beautiful. Then the water spilled into her mouth
and...and she...she was gone, you know? I got away from there.
Quick!”
must have dropped her, back there. But I wasn’t going back to
“And the men in the car? Did you see them when they
passed you?”
375
“Sorry, domnul, sorry.”
“Colour?”
truth.”
want to know?”
376
Darius brushed the snow from his face. “At that time, she
questions.”
he spoke. “She was loving and considerate and very kind. She
was funny and observant...and she had good taste and, and she
miss her.”
from his eye-lashes, “And she was a free spirit like no other.
friend.”
explain. She was so vital, she brought light into my life and she
377
“So much for one so young, eh?”
“And… doctor?”
was best.”
someone down.”
domnul, I might as well have put the noose around their necks
myself.”
“And this was before the fall of the devil and his wife?”
“Uh, yes.”
378
The gypsy considered the information for a moment or
two.
‘betrayal’, doctor?”
Darius nodded.
any fancy German car. It was the same one that everybody
379
He shrugged, “sorry,” he said simply. He held out his
“But why?” he asked the gypsy, “Why did you not tell
anyone? Why?”
doctor, when the policeman sees me, what does he see, eh?
mean...”
shake off the snow, “it’s all over now, tovaresh. They got him,
didn’t they?”
380
But he’d changed; perhaps he’d become a little more glib,
mere interruption.
Vedra Noua, two villages away from his home, he’d driven his
381
while avoiding the ditches masked by heavy snow drifts; how
the kitchen and the living room needed stoking and re-lighting
the first time since she’d played it, since that other, long ago
382
brown paper bag, and he took it through to the kitchen. He
holy relic. It wasn’t in the piano when Olivia had played it. She
written in large, left sloping letters. She used to leave notes for
It was her diary for sure; a diary which she had decided to hide
in his piano. Yes, that day when she’d been sat at the piano,
shut the keyboard lid but now he realised it was the top lid –
want Corvin to see it. Corvin’s voice came back to him, ‘Did
what it was. That day would be the last time he’d see her alive.
each page his horror grew until he sat hugging the book in
shock. In disbelief.
383
In the snow bright early evening gloom, he stood
domnul.”
remember?”
everything.”
You left everything as you’d found it, well, almost. You must
have given up and left before the power returned. It’s how I
knew. The lights came on. I never leave the lights on.”
“Me, doctor?”
Olivia.” He dangled the book in the air. “I’ve read it. All of it.
“Really?”
room somewhere, no? That after you killed her, you would
turn it upside down until you found it. Isn’t that how it was,
Corvin?”
He saw the whole thing. He saw you, Corvin. Saw you take
385
“Why domnul? Why did you do it? To stop her
talking? Stop her telling the world about what’s in here? How
whether she should cry for help or hang her head in shame
you that she was pregnant with your child? That the truth
you made a deal with Karl, didn’t you, two days after the
wedding; they could have her, if they left you alone with your
club. Then you turned up afterwards and killed her and they
supreme opportunism.”
not thinking you’d kill her, but he had to go back and check.
And after you drove past him, that’s what he did. It all fits.
386
held the diary aloft again, tauntingly, and like a striking cobra,
removed the diary from its wrapping. It’s safe, but now, after
Corvin’s feet, for his disgust, for the horror of it all and for the
hide.”
the house.
shifted the gear stick and drove off, slowly at first, then as fast
he drove into the next turning and waited, cursing himself for
thinking.
turning, heading west along the high street and going too fast.
In no time, Darius was in pursuit, but soon came upon the blue
387
Dacia which had run into a ditch, the driver’s door left open.
great pylons that marched away over the horizon. The rough
furrows that he’d carved through the deep, virgin snow cut a
Darius knew it would be the pistol, and alarmed, set off on his
388
A puff of smoke and a muted ‘phut!’ spanned the fifty
watched him shake the pistol violently when it went off again.
‘crack!’ Corvin’s head jerked violently to one side and his hat
flew off, landing some two metres away. A dark spray spurted
and glistened for a few moments then his body slumped to one
side, his left shoulder buried in the snow. The gun dangled
The he had it. He could just make out the crude logo. A
back.
mean to...’
Later. Much
390
A strong scent of jasmine drifted in through the open
the folky décor that had fed his obsessions over recent years,
the bright red and green fabrics that jostled against the black
Down the few steps and into the garden, unaided now,
the wall by the door. The lush, moon-kissed lawn, now in need
the fence and into the meadow beyond where once upon a long
felt like summer, yet the river was rushing by. Had it always
391
gone and never to return. And time was what he had in
urgent need to piss. He arced his fluids into the stream and
surface, that pale face, now fluid and fragmented, that he knew
so well. The glint of those dazzling green eyes, which held him
of colour.
This was no place to loiter. Heading back across the lea, back
but his body was too stiff, and his feet hurt him when he tried.
Where was his stick when he needed it? The threadbare lawn
of frost-encrusted grass.
1-2-3.
gasp.
they prised his fingers from the pulpy flesh. And even while
haired form that cowered against the wall, her eyes racked in
torment.
A thin voice called out as they led him towards the door,
393
“Casanova!” called another. “Haida!”
Sasha, the younger of the two asked, “So where have you
corridor.
“Pyjamas?”
summer, jasmine...”
reached up to check that the padlock on the bolt was still intact.
394
The stooping figure looked up and smiled weakly, “Why can’t
eyes, she stroked his cheek. A tear broke free and ran down her
face.
he reached out and pressed his fingertip into her moist cheek to
Another tear fell, then another and weeping silently, she ran
her fingers through his grey hair, “My beautiful, brave, crazy
man.”
395
38. Epilogue
This morning, the rising sun lit up the Eastern sky with a
how the beauty of the dawning day still had the power to take
my breath away.
off for a rendezvous with the long ago past. And as I tossed a
few things into the case, thoughts about how I’d got here and
concerned about the existence I’d come to take for granted, and
for the equilibrium which had for over two decades defined my
social well-being. And all this, just when I thought that the
396
God knows it’s been so long, almost thirty years, since I
began to line up: had some tragedy befallen her; did I really
broadest shoulders.
yet a certain innate ingenuity does have its appeal. It’s when I
Surely not!
at first; but that illustrates just how wrong you can be. Silvi
stronger suit.
397
‘Draga Elvi,’ it began, it was the way she always
memories that I’d buried I don’t know where and by the time
I’d read the last word of the last sentence, I understood the
creating their fictions, taking this bit out and moving that bit
over there.
had turned out after I’d left. After returning the letter to the
this adopted land are routinely similar and never require a body
398
That’s the price of security I guess, a lowering in intensity of
country and recall the time when they rode the coat-tails of
The first time that Silvi came through the lounge, she
passed right on by. Well, I don’t think it was just the Ray
399
afford such a thorough and extensive makeover. Anyway, I
redundant ‘thrill switch’ just one more time as the craft drifted
I stood and gave her an ‘it’s been sooo long’ hug. Mwah!
international explorer, then the good old days. But not for long.
She approved.
400
“How about you?” I was curious to know about where
important.”
relatives in the south west who said they could help me out.”
“Uh, huh.”
401
She slid a large envelope onto the table. “You remember
didn’t he?”
402
“...and she decided to sell everything. The land, the
began...”
“A packet, Elvi?”
expansion.”
“Uh, huh.”
403
“Look harder, Elvi.”
I looked extra hard and then I saw it. “No! It can’t be!
chain.”
Karl.”
404
“Wow,” was all I could say. I felt my pulse pick up.
“And that’s not all.” She was relishing this. And I could
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
words. I’d been sucked back in time. Into a world I thought I’d
405
“Where’s the waiter with those drinks?” He heard me
“Try again.”
“Girls?”
“Close.”
406
Then she found it. “So...” she said, “if not girls...” and
she held her down-turned hand out about a metre above the
floor.
“Exactly.” I said.
these perverts here in the States in ten square metres than in the
“Protected?”
to death… well they couldn’t take the risk, what with all the
407
“Placate the product, like you did with those girls that
with her palms, “Karl was killed around August of that year,
not long after the phone call warning him to get out. You
Now I got it. Like someone had quietly slid a knife under
them.”
Doamna detective?”
408
She fixed me with a hard stare. This wasn’t the Silvi I
you met in the bar on that day so long ago, who, fortunately,
smiling now.
refresh it.”
take you back to the old country, to face all the charges Karl
evasion and anything else we might dig up. After all, you made
409
off with quite a fortune, no? But...” he paused, “in the light of
trade.”
my country now.”
what I know, I think they’d deport you for us. That’s if your
friends on Capitol Hill didn’t get to you first for posing such a
site in the woods near that lake, you know? The lake where...”
very busy.”
“Who...I mean...”
“It’s possible there are other sites too. It’s the service he
ranking VIPs.”
410
Silvi looked grim. “Children provided by your boss, Elvi.
Remember?”
sink in. What could I do? “It looks like I’m snookered, as the
say. I want the names of the perverts you provide for and
“Yes boss.”
Two other men at the next table got to their feet. “These
couple of hours.”
unreasonable, is it?”
reach you.”
411
“Listen, asshole,” I said. “‘These bastards are
412
413
414
415
416