Bernhard Aichner - Woman of the Dead - A Thriller

It is the middle of the night and they are getting used to the feeling that everything will be all right. He burns for two hours. They sit on the floor in front of the furnace, waiting. They don’t talk but they are still holding hands. From time to time Blum gets up and looks through the window to get a glimpse of Massimo’s disintegrating body. As she watches the fire rage at seven hundred and fifty degrees, she gets the sense that life will become easier. They re-emerge into the night and drive along the autobahn. Nothing is left of Massimo but ashes in a plastic bag. By the time they stop at the service station, she is convinced that she will survive. She drops him into the dirty toilet and flushes him away.

‘Blum?’

‘Yes.’

‘May I ask you something?’

‘Anything you like.’

‘And afterwards we don’t ever have to talk about it again.’

‘About what?’

‘You know I’m on your side. Always have been, always will be. But you’ve got to tell me the truth.’

‘You’re scaring me, Mark.’

‘Everything’s all right, Blum.’

‘Is it? You sound odd. What is it?’

‘I want to know if you had a reason.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Whether they deserved it.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Your parents.’

‘What about them?’

‘Did they deserve to drown?’

‘How do you mean?’

‘I just want you to tell me that it had to happen.’

‘Tell you what?’

‘That they deserved it. Tell me. That’s all I want to know.’

‘Please stop this, Mark.’

‘I love you, Blum. You know that. But you must answer my question.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I don’t want to feel afraid.’

‘Of me?’

‘Yes, of you. And if you tell me there was a reason then I can understand. Understand you. And that you did it. Please tell me, Blum.’

‘How long have you known?’

‘I’ve known all along. I could read it in your eyes.’

‘You’re a police officer.’

‘I’m your husband. And that’s why I have to know. I promise, I’ll never mention it again. But just this once tell me why.’

‘They drowned.’

‘I want to live with you, Blum, and some day I want us to have children.’

‘And first you want to be sure I’m not a monster.’

‘Correct.’

‘I had a hundred reasons, Mark. And yes, it had to happen. They deserved it.’

‘Did they?’

‘It’s better that they’re dead. Believe me.’

‘That’s all right, then.’

‘Is it?’

‘Yes, Blum.’

‘You’re not going to leave me?’

‘I’m not going leave you.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Positive.’