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Chapters (63)
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  63. Acknowledgements

I am not suggesting that Professor Kiraly stole Hisham’s research. In the scientific disciplines, much collaboration is involved, and there is frequent sharing of data. However, such a coincidence, combined with the fact that the lost notebook had been mixed up with Professor Kiraly’s papers seemed odd to me. Perhaps I suffer from an overactive imagination. Make no mistake, Professor Kiraly is a brilliant scientist, but the accomplishment he was recognised for may not be solely his. I have a meeting tomorrow with the Chancellor to discuss my concerns. Though I can’t predict how this meeting will go, he may suggest contacting the awards committee about a possible infraction. Worst case scenario, they might rescind Professor Kiraly’s award, but I do hope it won’t come to that.

Kindest regards,

Farzan Rahimi

55

In the morning, Vidor was outraged to learn from Dr Lindstrom that he wouldn’t be discharged as requested. How typical of Gessen to send a woman to do a man’s job. What did Gessen think, that he’d attack him? Even worse, she had hinted that the police were interested in questioning him again about Ismail’s death. Apparently, new evidence had come to light that pointed to foul play. Those words, foul play, straight out of a bad detective novel, were clearly a sign of an overheated imagination.

But two could play at this game. If Gessen was determined to hold him hostage here, emergency measures were needed. He might even have to take a hostage of his own. That Babette woman would certainly enjoy the drama, assuming her Munchausen’s shenanigans weren’t enough to attract the kind of attention she craved.

His mind skittered along a narrow precipice as he considered the possibilities. Storming out the main gate and boarding a train bound for the UK wasn’t an option. Upon admission to the clinic, he’d handed over his passport and credit cards. He also needed Gessen to certify he had been mentally unstable at the time of the attack on that man in Copenhagen. Otherwise, he would be faced with an assault charge, or worse. Had he really died as Gessen claimed? Vidor can’t remember now what he’d been told, though surely the man wasn’t dead. Gessen only said that to frighten him. Sweat broke out on his neck, and he clawed at his collar for air.

On his way to his room, he spotted Hélène in her fur hat and dark green parka, making her way to the bench by the statue of swallows in flight. She might come to his aid, and he hurried to intercept her. ‘Come with me,’ he said.

She looked up, startled. ‘Are you all right?’