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Chapter 79
“Who wants to live forever?”
Hours later: Nile Polyclinic Luxor:
Her eyes seemed to be covered by a soft thick black comforting veil. The blonde enjoyed that feeling. It comforted her. Chris return to the waking world was like the slow climb from the bottom of a dried well to daylight.
She had to use every crack and every crevice in the rough granite walls for her fingers. A few times she almost lost her grip. But slowly, inch by inch she crawled upwards – to the light? So far there was none.
Everything was still dark around her. Chris decided she needed a rest.
Later:
Chris´ eyelids felt incredibly heavy still, so heavy the pianist could not muster the energy to open them “What has happened?” she mused “Where am I?” She tried to remember, tried real hard but could not. It was as if she ran against a brick wall every time she tried. Her brain did not work like the fine-tuned machine it normally was.
There were several sensations: Her whole body ached, especially her head hurt like after a heavy hangover; a very heavy hangover. But something distracted her: There was a sound. A sharp ringing high frequency sound filled her ears, like a tinnitus.
That sound … that high frequency … it was pain: Pure, clear pain. But there were other sensations that were not that clear:
She felt a wound dressing above her left eyebrow. Chris still felt groggy. If she had to look for a comparison how her body felt right now? Two years ago the Oligarch Boris Oblomov had her abducted.
On the first day of her captivity his Chief of Security, Natasha Bolkonskaya, had Chris thoroughly beaten her with the tonfa. Her body felt exactly like that, not one part of her body which did not hurt: Dull pains at many places burning sensations between her shoulder-blades and other places of her back, down to the backside of her thighs, like Needles. But something was strange: The pains did not feel sharp and clear – something dampened them, shielding her.
Chris was no stranger to pain. Since her early youth Sensei Nakamura had trained her the way of Bushido. To accept pain, to embrace it was part of it.
Damnit! That ringing noise in her ears drove Chris mad. And her body did not heed the commands of her brains!
With some difficulty she tried to move her left arm and felt a sharp pain: an injection needle – and that clear sharp pain finally ripped the clouds and veils from her eyes:
Chris opened them – it took a moment till her eyesight had adjusted – two people were looking down her - concerned. Sophie and Evie; Chris looked around and groaned. Moving her head made her dizzy.
That her foggy mind processed: She was in a hospital room, lying in a bed – and now she realized she wore a hospital gown only. Clear liquid dripped from an IV-bag in her vein. The pianist looked at the injection needle and back at the Lawyer and the Egyptologist.
“Where am I? And why I am here? Where is Nabiah?” Her own voice sounded hoarsely in her ears “You were hit by a bomb blast and suffered a concussion, bruises and haematomata – the wound above your left eye will heal fully the Doctor said” Sophie explained gently.
“You suffered several burns at your back” Evie added “The doctors removed some small shrapnels from your back too” The dark haired woman, who looked so much like Sophia Loren explained.
The lawyer fell silent and looked at Chris, searching for a reaction “No, she is not looking at me, she is avoiding eye contact” the pianist concluded – and realized her right ears tinnitus had receded – but her left ear …. it seemed worse than before.
Chris grew impatient – “Where am I Sophie?” Sophie fidgeted on her feet “You are in the Nile Polyclinic at Luxor” Getting more lucid every moment the blonde pressed on – and noticed Sophie´s nervousness and Evie´s discomfort “Wait!” Chris paused “Has Sophie cried?” She scrutinized the dark haired woman:
With almost clinical distance Chris now noticed the lawyers red rimmed eyes, Chris looked from one to the other, her bright green eyes drilling like a laser beam through Sophie. “What. Are. You. Not. Telling. Me” Chris spoke low, but very clear. Every word cracked like a whip.
Sophie and Evie exchanged a look. The blonde noticed an almost imperceptible nod by the Egyptologist. The Egyptologist squeezed Sophie´s left hand gently.
Sophie visibly pulled herself together and looked Chris directly in the eye. Her catlike green eyes full of empathy “Anna was killed by the blast Chris, Nabiah too. I am so sorry” she said softly but clear, her alto voice full of emotion – but she did not break eye contact – and only long after the events Chris realized fully how difficult it had been for Sophie to tell her the truth – but she had not shrunken back. That was one of her character traits: The lawyer was honest to a fault and courageous.
It took: A moment? A minute? An eternity? Before the meaning of Sophie´s words hit fully home. From one moment to the next time froze like ice “Anna. Is. Dead?”
It was only a whisper, almost as if she spoke to herself. Chris said in a low voice “Anna cannot be dead. Anna must not be dead. Anna is not dead. I would feel it. I would know it”
“They found the remains of a second body at the scene next to Nabiah´s” Sophie explained hesitatingly “It was badly burned. There were only pieces left – and this!” Sophie pulled a bag out of her handbag and gave it to Chris who took it hesitantly.
The Pianist frowned “This is Anna´s watch – her Uncle Fyodor gave it to her – it meant much to her, she never would give it away!” Chris looked up “I still don´t believe Anna is dead!” and Sophie sensed a cold fury under the surface.
Absentmindedly Chris fingers touched the watches´ glass. Surprisingly enough it had survived the blast almost intact. A small scratch in the glass was the only trace of the bomb blast. The delicate golden Watch had been an heirloom of the House of Romanov and belonged to Uncle Fyodor´s Grandmother: Grand Duchesse Olga Alexandrovna Romanova.
Anna had worn it the first time they met in Vienna at the Conservatory, over 15 years ago. The two young women had bonded instantly back then: The Maverick of the House of Romanov and the wayward Offspring of the venerable Prussian aristocratic Family von der Marwitz:
Vienna: Campus Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Neue Studiobühne, 15 years ago:
Christine von der Marwitz, 18 years old, strode through the Corridor which connected the old and venerable Conservatory Building with the octagonal Neue Schlossbühne. Christine had been able to book the Hall for practise.
After passing her A-Levels at Heidelberg she had begun her studies at the Conservatory in Vienna in June. The young German loved Vienna: Every Stone breathed History! As she had discovered she stood out a bit among her fellow students. It was not only her impressive height, the shimmering blonde hair … no, it was that air of mystery that engulfed her.
But so it was: She had always stood out among her peers – thanks to her upbringing as daughter of a Diplomat. Many years of her childhood and youth she had spent in Japan. She missed her Sensei at times, their lessons after she had played the piano.
A smile curled her lips: Her fellow students would be surprised if they knew that Chris possessed the daisho of a Samurai – and spent many hours in a Dojo.
As she came nearer the Entrance Door she heard the familiar tones of the Kreutzer-Sonata and stopped dead in her tracks, the final presto she noticed. The Violin´s tone was immaculate and warm – if she had to guess? Whoever played the violin used a Stradivari and played with great skill – and passion.
The Pianist who accompanied the Violinist was good, but Chris perfect hearing noticed the flaws, clearly he could not keep up with his companion “I could do better” Chris mused. Suddenly the playing stopped and at once a melodious alto voice berated the unlucky pianist in Russian. The blonde did not understand a word, but the tone made their meaning clear.
Chris stepped over the threshold and took in the sight: On the podium stood a tall dark haired young woman, her black hair in a ponytail, wearing a light red summer dress which fell wide around her toned calves. On her feet she wore stylish high heeled sandals. Chris looked down on her jeans and sneakers. Her sharp eyes noticed a golden watch at the Violinist´s left wrist.
Her accompanist looked sheepishly at the dark haired woman who towered over him, eyes blazing. Chris smiled and walked to the Podium. The Pianist and the Violinist did not register her till she stood before the Podium and cleared her throat.
The Violinist interrupted her diatribe “What?” Christine smiled “You could use a new Pianist why don´t you try it with me?” The Russian eyed her up and down “Right” she huffed finally and turned to her unlucky companion “You? Go!” She dismissed him imperiously. Chris could not hide a smile: The Pianist could not get away fast enough.
“Are you any good?” The Violinist eyed her up and down “I am” Chris smiled, walked up on the Podium, sat down and adjusted her seat “From the beginning or bar 58?” The Russian pondered the question and nodded “From the beginning”
“Right” Chris looked at the tall dark haired violinist “Shall we begin then?” “No warm up?” the Russian questioned “No warm up” the blonde confirmed. The two young musicians exchanged a look – and Christine played the opening crashing A-major chord.
10 Minutes later: The Russian set down her bow after the last tones resonated in the room and looked at the German “That was glorious” “It was not bad” Chris demurred with a lopsided grin. “So you can do better?” the Russian raised her brows “I reckon I can” the blonde smiled.
A smile crossed the Russian´s stern face “Anna” she introduced herself “Christine” the blonde returned.
“Ready?” Her hands hovered over the keyboard “Ready” Anna Romanova smiled.
And so it began.
The Present:
Chris looked up as if returning from a deep dream. Her eyes were dry.
Sophie examined the Pianists´ face:
Chris looked calm, composed, her beautiful classical features frozen to ice. Sophie was very good at reading people – but with Chris it was different. It was as if she had erected a wall around her.
The Lawyer watched as the blonde breathed in deeply. With one decisive motion she sat up, ripped the transfusion needle out of her left arm, pulled the covers aside, swung her legs out of the bed, her bare soles hit the floor and pulled herself upright.
The blonde swayed slightly on her bare feet and Sophie hurried to steady her but Chris pushed her roughly away “Don´t touch me!” she hissed aggressively. The dammed tinnitus! She cursed inwardly, it irritated her.
“Where are my clothes?” she demanded curtly - her eyes blazing, her voice dangerously low “We brought you some” Evie supplied hesitantly and exchanged a concerned look with her lover, “we brought your handbag too” the Egyptologist added, trying to sound calm and ease the tension.
To everybody´s surprise Chris hand bag had survived the blast almost undamaged
Resolutely Chris grabbed the bag, pulled the nightie over her head, not minding that she stood stark naked in the room and began to dress. In disbelief Sophie looked at all the Haematoma, bruises and burn wounds– but the blonde did not heed them. It seemed that way, Sophie had to admit.
The pianist clenched her teeth as she dressed: as she put on her blue blazer – a flash of pain crossed her face. Finally she had tied the shoelaces of her white sneakers, the metallic-trimmed leather Veja Esplar.
Chris had pushed forcefully Evie away when she bowed down to help her. With concern Sophie watched as the pianist swayed slightly. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Chris shook her head and steadied herself.
“My bag Sophie, give it to me” Chris spoke calmly but the Lawyer sensed how much energy that costed the pianist.
The blonde inspected her bag and walked to the door, all purpose. To Sophie felt it as if a dark whirling cloud enshrouded the Pianist like a hurricane with Chris as the storm´s dark eye.
The moment Chris grabbed the door handle it opened and she faced a male Egyptian – obviously a Physician.
“Doctor Al Hamadi” - Chris read on his name tag. Al Hamadi blocked the doorway. The Tinnitus irritated Chris. Angrily she stared at the Doctor.
“What are you doing Miss von der Marwitz?” the Physician looked incredulously at the tall blonde “What do you think I am doing?” the Pianist countered calmly “I am leaving – and now get out of my way” Chris sounded polite but Sophie sensed the cold underlying fury right beneath the surface.
“You cannot leave Miss von der Marwitz you were hit by a bomb blast hours ago” the Physician replied calmly - Chris eyes drilled into his “I can leave and I will leave. I will sign any paper you want me to sign. But I will leave! You get that!” Chris was taller than the Physician, at least a head, and used her height to full advantage “I will leave! Now!”
But Al Hamadi stood his ground.
“I strongly advise you not to leave” he replied unemotionally and Sophie was impressed by his courage. Few people dared to challenge Chris when she was in that mood “Duly noted” the blonde quipped “I won´t sue you Doctor Al Hamadi, when something goes awry – now get out of my way! You will not hinder me! You can open the door or you can be the door! Have it your way!”
The air crackled with tension and Evie thought Chris would remove the Doctor physically any moment. Sophie stepped in. Gently she laid her right hand on Chris left upper arm “Let me handle this” the dark haired lawyer said calmly.
She felt that the pianist relaxed slightly “Doctor Al Hamadi” Sophie said in her most professional voice “We appreciate very much what you did for Miss von der Marwitz – but please correct me when I am wrong “Miss von der Marwitz is within her legal rights, when she wanted to be released on her own volition?”
The Physician nodded grudgingly “She is – but I don´t recommend it” Sophie turned on her most alluring smile “Could you make the Paperwork ready? Miss von der Marwitz will sign anything you want – and make a substantial donation to your Cancer Unit for Children” Sophie had used the time while they sat at Chris´ bed for some research “Will you Chris?” The pianist nodded “I will”
Al Hamadi was not totally impervious to Sophie´s charms and he relented “Right” he nodded “If you would follow me?” Evie and Sophie exchanged a look of relief and followed Chris who strode with long strides after Al Hamadi – tall, erect, full of purpose: Neither looking to the left nor to the right.
Sophie was surprised, Chris acted as if nothing had happened – but she was too well versed in the study of human behaviour to believe for one second Chris was as unmoved as she looked. Human beings dealt with Trauma differently and that was the Pianist´s way. The break down would come eventually, as sure as there were carts to horses. She sighed. Sophie feared that moment.
Their drive back to their Villa was a very quiet affair. Chris had put on her sun glasses and stared resolutely straight ahead. To Sophie she seemed like a block of white marble. She showed no reaction, she did not utter a single word, just stared ahead: She radiated icy coldness.
Evie had just parked the car in front of the entrance as the blonde ripped the safety belt off, pushed the passenger door open and stormed out of the car. Chris hurried up the stairs and pushed the door open.
Aghast Birte looked at the blonde who stormed past her, pushed her out of her way and ran up the curved stair well, Sophie and Evie on her heels “What the …?” the detective asked “Later” Sophie whispered as she followed Chris.
The blonde sprinted down the floor, ripped the door to Anna´s Suite open – and froze on the threshold. In later years Chris realized the moment when she saw Anna´s open violin case on the sideboard with her Stradivarius reality hit fully home: The insight that Anna was gone, gone forever.
All tension left her body her shoulders slumped down. Sophie watched with deep empathy. Slowly, with halting steps the blonde walked to the side board. Gently she touched the strings with her left hand, the soft harmonious tones of an G-major chord filled the air – and a stream of pictures overwhelmed her. But she did not cry.
Finally she turned around – very slowly - and Sophie and Evie looked into that marble white face, like cut in stone. All fire was gone from those brilliant emerald green eyes. Chris looked as if she had aged in minutes. And Sophie sensed how much it costed the blonde not to break down in front of them, not to rage, not to scream, not to weep. The only indicator the blonde was upset? Her slightly quivering under lip.
She looked at Evie and Sophie “I will go to my room, leave me alone please” - all colour had vanished from that usually so melodious alto voice which effortlessly could capture any emotion like a perfectly tuned piano.
Sophie and Evie stepped aside and let Chris pass. They watched as the Pianist closed the door behind her “We will have to give her time. Time and space” Evie said gently “Will she recover Sophie? You know her longer than me”
The lawyer sighed “Only time will tell I fear – and time is something we do not have. Chris is one of the strongest persons I know, but this is a devastating blow”
Chris did not leave her room for Dinner and Dinner was a quite affair. Sophie had done the cooking. The Spaghetti Carbonara was delicious – but no one was in a talkative mood. Like a dark cloud the events of the day hang over them.
Around 1000 PM Sophie went upstairs to look after Chris. On stockinged feet she padded to the Pianist´s suite and knocked gently. No response. She knocked a second time. Nothing happened. Slowly and gently she pressed down the door handle and pushed the door open.
Chris´ room was entirely dark. Its curtains were closed. The only source of light was a large beeswax candle, which enlightened the room with its warm light. And there was some incense in the air. Sandalwood?
Sophie took the sight in:
The pianist knelt before the candle on a Tatami: Barefoot, clad in a pristine white Kimono, her blonde mane flowed freely down her back, her hands rested on her knees her breathing was deep and regular in a very slow rhythm. It was barely noticeable Chris breathed at all. “Chris” Sophie said softly. No reaction.
The lawyer knelt down and looked the blonde in the face. Even more than hours ago her classical features resembled more a marble sculpture than a human being. What Sophie really shocked were Chris´ Eyes: Normally bright and radiant? They resembled now marbles. Dull and lifeless: “If our Eyes are the windows to our soul, the doors to Chris´ soul are shut” the Lawyer mused. Patiently she waited.
“Chris” Sophie spoke a second time, even more softly. There was no sign of recognition, no reaction. The lawyer waited for several minutes then she stood with a sigh. Gently she closed the door.
In the living room Evie, Shana and Birte waited “How is she?” Birte quizzed “If I didn´t know better I would say, she is in a catatonic state” Sophie shrugged “We have to give her time”
“Why don´t you consult a psychologist or let her treat in a clinic and we carry on?” Shana said matter of factly “We have excellent experts in Cairo to deal with emotional and physical trauma”
Sophie was taken aback “We won´t do this. Chris needs just time, that is all. She is no case for an asylum or a shrink” Evie lay a hand on Sophie´s right palm.
Sophie had not registered she had risen her voice. The Egyptian paddled back “I did not mean any offense Sophie I just think she should get the best available care. That is all. And she might need that care – if her condition does not improve”
Sophie looked sternly at the detective “Not until we explored any other avenues!” Shana was the first to break eye contact. She rose “I will call it a day! I have some calls to make and reports to write! Good night!”
Softer she added “And I have to inform Nabiah´s Father. He is a close friend. Not only you lost a dear friend today Sophie. You might think about that!” The Egyptian turned on her heels and left the room.
Sophie waited till the Egyptian had left “Bloody cow!” she muttered. Birte had followed the exchange quite intrigued, the lawyer was usually soft spoken and kind “Don´t you think she has a point?” Evie nodded “She has one point: We will have to do something if Chris´ condition does not improve”
Sophie nodded “There are other options” she paused “If tomorrow nothing has changed I will make some calls”
Birte nodded “You do that” The detective hesitated “I will have to inform Berlin and Den Haag” Sophie looked up “You don´t have to inform the powers that be about everything Birte. Don´t tell them about Anna´s Death and Chris´ catatonic state – for now” The two women exchanged a long look - finally Birte nodded “I won´t”
Later in the night:
Sophie starred into the Darkness. Sleep evaded her. Evie sensed her partners unrest “You don´t get any sleep Soph, right?” The Lawyer sighed “No, sleep does not come easy” she paused.
Patiently the Egyptologist waited “Speak your mind” Sophie sighed “It is difficult. I cannot believe Anna is dead - and Chris in that state?” Evie nodded “It is hard to believe – Chris is so strong, so full of life” The Lawyer nodded “I really hope she recovers – I owe Chris and Anna so much” Evie sensed Sophie´s agitation “Come” she said simply.
In her Room Chris still knelt on the Tatami - stared into the Candle with unseeing eyes.
Dear Readers a short annotation: In this chapter I had to choose between realism and emotional drama. I went for the drama. I am perfectly aware that from a medical point of view it is not realistic that Chris´ leaves the Hospital only a few hours after the bomb blast. But for the upcoming chapters this was necessary - so I decided to make use of poetic license.