Hakan Nesser - The Inspector and Silence

OY:

You are the instrument of power, Chief Inspector, not of justice. You are the one holding the sword, not I. One day you will VV:

That’s enough, thank you. Save your preaching for your flock. Let me ask you a few questions first, in your capacity as the person responsible for the Waldingen camp and the spiritual leader of the Pure Life. Is it true that you indulge in sexual relationships with all three of your assistants?

[No reply]

VV:

Would you like me to repeat the question?

OY:

I would like you to gather up your shame and leave the premises immediately. You have no idea what VV:

Would such relationships be consistent with the moral values of your church and its attitude towards women?

OY:

You represent a perverted and decadent society, Chief Inspector, and allow me to finish what I’m saying this time. If you want insight and guidance regarding another way of living, you can write to our church in Stamberg and your application will be treated in exactly the same way as everybody else’s.

VV:

I wouldn’t dream of it.

OY:

I’m not insisting you do.

VV:

There are many people who consider you to be a charlatan, Mr Yellinek.

OY:

The masses and the righteous speak different languages, Chief Inspector. I am guided by the voice of God, nothing else. If you want to insult me further, I am at your service. Otherwise I have duties to attend to.

VV:

How many girls are taking part in the camp?

OY:

Twelve, as I’ve already said.

VV:

How many were there to start with?

OY:

Twelve.

VV:

Thank you. I think you are lying, but that’s another matter. Please go and attend to whatever it is you have to do, and make sure your assistants come to see me one after the other.

OY:

My conscience is clear, Chief Inspector. Yours will haunt you. Believe you me.

VV:

Crap. One more thing, incidentally. In connection with the law suit against you in 1990, did you undergo any kind of mental examination?

OY:

Of course not.

VV:

Oh, excuse me – if you had done, it’s clear, you wouldn’t be sitting here now.

OY:

You are exceeding your authority, Chief Inspector.

VV:

I have an inner voice that guides me.

OY:

Remember that I have warned you.

VV:

Go away. But make sure the people I want to speak to come to see me.

OY:

On the Day of Judgement you VV:

Thank you, that’s all for now.

The chief inspector switched off the tape recorder and took two more garlic cloves with pate. Washed it all down with beer, which he first swilled round and round inside his mouth; the aftertaste of Oscar Yellinek was not something to be taken lightly. Then he fast-forwarded for a few seconds before pressing the play button again.

VV:

Your name?

UF:

Ulriche Fischer.

VV:

Age, place of residence and occupation?

UF:

Forty-one. I live in Stamberg and work in the Pure Life church.

VV:

Doing what?

UF:

Various things, mostly practical chores.

VV:

Are you married?

UF:

No.

VV:

What are your tasks here at the camp?

UF:

We share all the work. Cooking, washing up, laundry and cleaning. We assist Yellinek, of course.

VV:

Do you partake in the teaching of the girls?

UF:

Yes, at times.

VV:

In what way?

UF:

I’ve no intention of talking to you about that kind of thing.

VV:

Why not?

[Five seconds of silence.]

VV:

Has Yellinek forbidden it?

[Silence.]

VV:

How long have you been a member of this sect?

UF:

I’ve been in the Pure Life since 1987.

VV:

Are you in a sexual relationship with Yellinek?

[Silence.]

VV:

If you continue refusing to answer my questions, I’ll take you away from here and subject you to an entirely different kind of cross-examination.

UF:

That’s up to you, Chief Inspector.

VV:

Is it true that you dabble in driving out devils?

UF:

Those are your words, not mine.

VV:

What the hell do you mean by that?

UF:

I’d be grateful if you didn’t swear in my presence.

VV:

Yellinek was found guilty of indecency and illegal compulsion six years ago. What do you have to say about that?

UF:

It was an unjust verdict. There is a higher authority.

VV:

Can you explain this principle of purity?

UF:

I don’t think you would be receptive to my teaching.

VV:

But your little girls are receptive?

[Silence.]

VV:

Is it not the case that Yellinek’s ideas are so infantile that they are most suited to children and the mentally retarded?

UF:

You are insolent. I had expected more correct behaviour.

VV:

Now listen here. Your church is based upon three principles. Prayer, self-denial and purity. I ask you to explain one of these principles, and you choose to remain silent. What the hell do you expect me to think?

UF:

You can think whatever you like. It’s up to every individual to decide how to deal with the big questions, and what to make of their lives.

The chief inspector reached out his hand and switched off the tape recorder.

Why do I lose control so quickly? he wondered.

Is it just the heat and the feeling of impotence, or is there more to it? He pressed fast forward; the rest of the conversation with Ulriche Fischer had proceeded with neither of them trusting the other, he was well aware of that, and nothing had emerged that could support the theory that a girl had disappeared.

It took him some time to find the right place on the tape. Before continuing he finished his simple meal and lit a cigarette. Adjusted the pillows and leaned back in order to concentrate better on the conversation with Mathilde Ubrecht. It was a bit more fruitful, he suspected. But perhaps not so much.

It depended what you were looking for, of course.

MU:

My name is Mathilde Ubrecht. Thirty-six. I work for the Pure Life church.

VV:

Thank you. Do you know why I want to talk to you?

MU:

I think so.

VV:

The police have been tipped off that a girl has disappeared from the camp. Do you understand that we have to investigate that information?

MU:

Yes. But nobody has disappeared.

VV:

You’re sure of that?

MU:

Yes.

VV:

May I ask you a hypothetical question?

MU:

Please do.

VV:

If it was in the interests of your church, would you feel able to tell lies in a police cross-examination or in a court?

MU:

I don’t understand the question.

VV:

All right, I’ll re-word it. If Oscar Yellinek urged you to say certain things to me, would you do so even if you knew they were lies?

MU:

I don’t believe that Yellinek would do such a thing.

VV:

What do you think of Oscar Yellinek?

MU:

He’s a great man.

VV:

What do you mean by that?

MU:

He is in contact with Eternal Life and the One True God. It is a blessing to be in his vicinity.

VV:

Do your fellow sisters think the same way?

MU:

Of course.

VV:

I see. And your confirmation candidates?

MU:

I’m sure they do. You notice it as soon as you come into close contact with him.

VV:

Really? Can you give me an idea of the form the teaching takes?

MU:

Yellinek talks to the girls. We pray together. We try to cast out evil thoughts and purify ourselves.

VV:

How?

MU:

In various ways. By means of certain exercises. By prayer. By letting ourselves go…

VV:

What do you do when you let yourselves go?