Fatal Lies Read Free Page B

been raked over his head to conceal a thinning crown. Although his cheeks were ruddy and plump, he possessed an alert, severe face, with high, arched eyebrows. A small triangle of hair curled outwards from his chin. He executed a perfunctory bow. ‘Professor Julius Eichmann, school superintendent.’ He gestured towards his companion. ‘And my deputy, Doctor Bernhard Becker.’
    The deputy headmaster inclined his head.
    â€˜Thank you for coming, Inspector,’ Eichmann continued. ‘And from a social engagement, it seems.’ He scrutinised the policeman from head to toe, his expression souring slightly at the sight of Rheinhardt’s muddy shoes and splashed trousers.
    â€˜An accident,’ said Rheinhardt.
    The headmaster nodded sharply and said: ‘Well, Inspector, this is a most unusual circumstance. We are entirely in your hands. How do you wish to proceed?’
    â€˜I would like to see the . . .’ He hesitated before choosing to say ‘boy’ instead of
body
.
    â€˜Very well, we will take you to the infirmary.’
    Rheinhardt frowned.
    â€˜What? He’s been moved?’
    â€˜Yes,’ said the headmaster.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Why?’ repeated the headmaster. ‘Why?’ His voice suddenlychanged, climbing in pitch and volume. ‘What was I supposed to do? Leave him in the laboratory?’ His rhetorical sarcasm revealed years of experience in the classroom. He glanced at his deputy and something passed between them. When the headmaster resumed, his voice was more steady. ‘I feared the worst, but was reluctant to pronounce the boy dead. I am not a medical man, Inspector. I thought it best to get him to the infirmary and send for Nurse Funke; however, as I suspected, she could do nothing for him.’
    Rheinhardt automatically reached for his notebook, but then, suddenly remembering that he was wearing his tails, allowed his hand to drop. The headmaster’s expression declared – quite clearly – that he believed Rheinhardt was an idiot. The Inspector took a deep breath and continued his questioning.
    â€˜And after sending for Nurse Funke?’
    â€˜I telephoned Doctor Kessler and the police. Some constables arrived within the hour. They are still here – one is standing outside the infirmary, the other is in the laboratory. I have no idea where Kessler is!’
    â€˜Kessler is the school doctor?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Where did he set off from, do you know?’
    â€˜His apartment in the sixteenth district.’
    â€˜The main road above Aufkirchen is impassable – a fallen tree, apparently. He may have been delayed, as we were.’
    The headmaster tutted, almost as if Rheinhardt was a schoolboy presenting a weak excuse for not having completed his homework.
    â€˜The infirmary is upstairs, Inspector,’ said the headmaster. He then walked off at a brisk pace, calling back, ‘This way . . .’
    Rheinhardt and Haussmann followed the headmaster and his deputy down an adjoining corridor. They began ascending a narrow staircase. When Rheinhardt caught up with the headmaster, Eichmann proceeded to give an account of the evening’s events.
    â€˜The deputy headmaster and I were in my office. We had barely begun our meeting when Professor Gärtner appeared at the door. He was evidently distressed. He had seen a light on in the laboratory and had entered, expecting to find the deputy headmaster.’
    â€˜Science is my discipline,’ Becker interjected.
    â€˜Gärtner,’ the headmaster continued, ‘had found the boy, Zelenka, slumped over a workbench.’
    â€˜At what time?’
    â€˜It must have been . . .’ The headmaster glanced at his deputy for confirmation. ‘Just before seven?’
    Becker agreed.
    â€˜What was Zelenka doing in the laboratory?’ asked Rheinhardt.
    â€˜An assignment,’ said Becker.
    â€˜Which, presumably,
you
had set