Mrs. Boring lowered her arm, now the same size as the other. Sterling helped her roll the compression sleeve back on. She gave a polite, embarrassed smile, then glanced at the clock with a gasp. The ball.
“We’ll get you back on time,” said Andreas. The first he’d spoken in a while. Evidently, he’d realized this wasn’t his interview to lead. There was something sexy about a man who knew when to shut up.
Mrs. Boring thanked him, then addressed Sterling. “I’d be honored to invite you to the ball this evening. There’s a spare seat at the donors’ table where my husband should have been.”
Sterling declined the offer. “I can’t tonight, but once your divorce is finalized, find yourself a pretty young man and bring him here. The room’s on us.”
“I might take you up on that,” said Mrs. Boring, smiling coyly as if picturing the precise pool boy she had in mind.
— 24 —Vierundzwanzig
Sterling bade Mrs. Boring farewell outside and returned to the lobby just as Fernando and Mr. K emerged from the basement, exhausted and damp with sweat. Fernando’s clothes were rumpled and his brow was red. Mr. K, meanwhile, glistened. He’d undressed to his suspenders and undershirt, which revealed enough of his massive chest that Sterling feared she might never recover from the sight. A streak of radiator oil crossed his cheek.
“Tell me you fixed the heater?” she said.
Fernando mustered a weary salute and a thumbs-up. Mr. K bowed. Sterling applauded.
After the gents washed up, in separate suites, they assembled in Room 13. Mr. K assessed the murder board’s spiderweb of twine, which now connected Mr. Boring to Hedy with a question mark attached.
Mr. K had some misgivings about their methods. “What happened to my library, Little Spoon?” he said, swiping purple sparkles off the cabinet. “You’ve defiled it.”
“Glitter is an essential element of the investigative process, sir,” she said.
“Indeed. Absolutely vital,” said Fernando.
Mr. K dusted off his hands, drawing in a deep, demoralized breath. “How was the interrogation?”
“Better than expected. Mrs. Boring confirmed the Ear’s story. It’s possible her husband knew Hedy, since he used Weiss’s service. He’s hiding in Russia, which doesn’t scream innocence.”
“Nyet, it does not,” said Mr. K.
An awkward silence followed. Mr. K’s jaw tensed. Sterling and Fernando took the hint and fell into fits of faked laughter.
“Very clever, sir,” said Fernando, clutching his stomach.
Mr. K cleared his throat. “Enough. Heard any more from the mystery caller?”
“Not since that night. I mean, we get heavy-breather calls all the time, but this was different. When he said he was watching me, I think I saw someone in an office in the consulate across the street.”
Fernando looked guilty. “I’ve been meaning to question the consulate security guard, but I loathe how that dirty old man leers. And smells.”
“The dirty old men of the world keep the lights on here,” said Mr. K.
Sterling chimed in. “Exactly, so careful what you say about them. One day, you’ll be one. But you’re right, the guy doesn’t believe in deodorant.
“Forget the guard. I’ll ask Andreas—er, the detective, next time I see him. I’m sure he knows a violation code for bad hygiene.” She smiled gently, recalling how Andreas mumbled legal codes every time she broke an obscure law. It was kind of cute.Oida. She needed a cold shower more than the guard needed a bath.
“Earth to Sterling. What’s the next step?” said Fernando.
She pointed to Room 11 on the murder board. “Find the Professor. But it has to wait until after the… you know.”
They didn’t make her say it. Hedy’s funeral was tomorrow.
— 25 —Fünfundzwanzig
The air was warm for a winter’s day. The grave would be easier to dig.
Verena sat on a bench outside St. Peter’s Cathedral. The bus stop a few feet away was shielded from rain, but evidently she was in the mood to look as miserable as she felt. Her black coat’s thick fur collar hugged her neck, damp tendrils of long dark hair draping over it like a veil of mourning. The white roses in her lap had wilted. She’d been there awhile. She tapped her foot, probably more from nerves or impatience than cold. A petal dropped.
