It was that case that sparked the idea of setting up his own clinic where patients, traumatised by the bright lights, harsh buzzers, and rattling meal carts of the typical psychiatric ward, could heal in an environment of peace and natural beauty. Though at the time he’d had only his dreams, but no money to turn them into reality, a few years later, when the patient he rescued from somaticised paralysis had passed away, he’d used her generous bequest to make the clinic a reality. But the unusual and intractable cases had waned in number, and his only interesting patient from a medical perspective was a woman with Munchausen’s. If this Professor Kiraly was truly suffering from something like amok syndrome, possibly complicated by childhood trauma, it would present Gessen with the biggest challenge he’d encountered in years.

He closed his laptop and stood at the window to breathe in the sun-warmed air, filled with the dried grass and red-berry scent of early autumn. If Kiraly were to become his patient, and Gessen was successful in treating him, he would not only cure a world-class scientist from a serious psychiatric affliction, but it might give a tremendous boost to his flagging energy and the declining fortunes of the clinic.

Not that he could ever reveal to the public that Kiraly was his patient. An anonymised case study would be the only outlet to publicise his role. But surely the grateful professor, returned to health and exonerated from any charges lodged against him, would be delighted to give credit where credit was due. Perhaps extol the excellence of his doctor and the clinic’s staff, and spread a little gold dust in his wake.

4

‘Vidor Kiraly?’ The voice of Gessen’s friend, a soft-spoken Berliner who worked at a clinic in Copenhagen, echoed down the line. ‘Oh, yes. The whole city’s talking about him. Poor man. What a spectacular fall from grace. I believe he was taken to Bispebjerg Hospital. Give me a minute to make some calls, and I’ll get back to you.’

He was halfway through his second cup of coffee when his friend rang back. Kiraly was indeed at Bispebjerg. Refusing treatment and adamantly against a transfer to an NHS hospital in London. No family or next of kin, apparently. And no emergency contact provided, so they didn’t know whom to call.

No family or close friends? Surprising in such a high-profile, successful man, but that could work in Gessen’s favour. He thanked his friend and considered his next move. With nowhere else to go, perhaps Professor Kiraly would be willing to come to him? The remote location and superb facilities at Les Hirondelles might be inducement enough.