Saint Patrick's Day - The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club Part III: A Dark Comedy Cozy Mystery With A Twist (11 page)

Parents? Heinrich and Gretchen? Siegfried and Anne Launer? I’ve never heard of them, they are absolutely no relation to me. I am afraid that you have been barking up the wrong family tree. Typical.

“They owned some of the finest jewelry stores not only in Vienna, but also Innsbruck, as well as in Germany. So going back further, Siegfried originally hailed from…”

Heidi wasn’t listening. She had managed to block out the sound of her son’s voice. Of course he was wrong. How this boy had ever become an attorney was a mystery to her. He was an idiot.

Sarah, while listening to husband’s oration of his findings remained seated and stifled a yawn. She checked the time on her watch. She wanted to leave just as much as Heidi wanted them to. While she was enjoying the opportunity to torment her mother-in-law, she was ready to leave the hospital and get into Heidi’s big house and begin her search for rings, necklaces, and other pieces of fine jewelry, which Heidi would no longer have use for.

“…So, your family was very rich, and important. I did some further research and talked to some experts and you will never guess what? There is a pile of money waiting for you to claim. You see, after the war, the United Nations and some other groups, I am not sure who, anyway, they managed to get your family’s property back. Art collections, gold, money, houses…Mother, you are worth millions. Isn’t that fantastic?”

What? What are you saying you fool?

Sarah immediately stopped checking her watch and fidgeting, and began paying attention to what her husband was saying. “Sorry, excuse me dear, you mean that we are worth a lot of money? I mean she, her, Heidi, your mother is?”

So, your true colors are finally showing. All you want is money - my money. Well, there is none. Your husband is an idiot. He has traced the wrong person. Be happy now, by all means, but this is all going to evaporate away. No wonder he didn’t seem shocked. He doesn’t know the truth. Laughable. You with your greed, and him with his stupidity, you ridiculous pair of nincompoops.

“
Sarah,” said Steven, “please let me finish, I am sure Mother wants to hear more.”

I really don’t.

Sarah shrugged and jokingly pretended to seal her lips with an invisible key before tossing it to one side. “My lips are sealed,” she said sarcastically.

“I know, I am excited too Mother, but there is a sad bit, I’m afraid. I hope you are ready to hear this, but it’s a part of your history, Mother, Should I carry on, or wait until later, maybe after you have rested? Do you need to potty? Should I call the nurse?”

Stop. Don’t carry on. You are talking like a madman. Potty? I am not a baby; I can control myself thank you.

“Okay, I will carry on then. I know this may hurt, but if you are sure?”

It won’t hurt. And I am sure. Stop talking and go away. You have made a mistake. The only good thing is that nasty little wife of yours is going to end up being very disappointed, doubly so when she finds out about my will.

“So, it seems that just before the war, you were shipped off to America with the Mullers. Which actually saved your life. A year after you left, I am sad to say, the Nazis arrested your whole family. Now, I did a lot of digging around and after going through some old records, and after I contacted a few societies who help with these things…”

Arrested by the Nazis? They were Nazis. This is enough. Steven, stop talking and go home. Take your greedy wife with you and never visit me again.

“Let me get that for you Mom,” Steven leaned over his mother and wiped away more dribble from her mouth, a result of her attempt at speech moments before. “I know it’s exciting and a little upsetting, and I know you have many, many questions…but they can come later when you are better.” Steven knew though that his mother would never be better and there would be no questions. Not now, not ever, and his excitement briefly abated before he continued to speak.

“This is the awful part. Your family…” Steven paused, “Your family were victims of the holocaust. Killed for being Jewish.”

Enough. Enough now. You are going too far. Is this meant to be a joke? If it is, then it isn’t funny.

“That’s right Mom, Jewish. You are Jewish. Jewish. Isn’t that amazing?”

It’s wrong. That’s what it is. It certainly isn’t amazing.

“Yes, fantastic. I know. Well, for whatever reason, your parents sent you to America and of course you survived. According to records your parents and siblings died at Auschwitz. Those bastards took everything.”

Bastards? Heroes, you mean. And stop calling them my parents. They weren’t.

“I know, Mother. It is heartbreaking.”

It isn’t. It is a fairytale. Lies.

“It’s all confirmed. I have documents. Proof. The money is ours, I mean yours, so of course we are going to make sure you are very comfortable. It may take a while, but I have already filed a motion with the United Nations. They agree that you are the only surviving relative of Siegfried and Anne Launer. It’s now just a matter of having the assets transferred back into your name. It could take years. But, isn’t it great? It is going to change our lives. This will pay for the children’s college tuition. I may even retire. It’s under very sad circumstances but a great surprise.”

Proof? What proof? You are as mad as a hatter.

“Are you absolutely sure of all this?” asked Sarah, who while excited, was a little dubious of suddenly hearing that her family was worth millions in looted Nazi treasures. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

Steven turned to face his wife, “I only found out for sure yesterday, and after Betty called, it was the last thing on my mind. I wanted this to be a surprise for both of you.”

“Are you sure though? Are you one hundred percent positive? I mean certain. This isn’t going to turn out to be false, is it? Do you have absolute proof?”

“Yes, I have proof. I have all the documents, birth certificates, records. Everything. Even photographs.”

No you do not.

“Do you want to see a photograph, Mom? I have a few actually,” Steven lifted his briefcase from the floor and once again delved into it, producing an envelope. He smiled at his mother and stroked her forehead, before wiping her mouth with a tissue.

“See?” he said, holding up a black and white photograph, “That’s you, with your father. Looks like you are outside a synagogue.”

Heidi had no choice but to stare at the image, as Steven placed it in front of her face. She recognized the man in the photograph and she recognized herself as a child.

“And there is this one,” Steven snatched the image away from his mother’s gaze and produced another, “This is you with your brother and sister.”

Again Heidi stared at the photograph placed in front of her face and again she recognized herself. The other children, they did seem vaguely familiar. But it was a mistake. Surely forgeries. Her uncle could have created these things, to protect her true identity. She had his Luger. She had the memories. The 1939 Olympics, no 1936…was it? She had been there? Hadn’t she? What was this?

What is this? What are you doing? I want you to leave now. This is a mean joke. It isn’t funny.

“Okay Mother, if you insist, one more then,” Steven delved into the envelope and produced one final photograph. He held it up so his mother could see.

Heidi stared at the photograph. It was a family portrait. The two children Steven had told her were her siblings and the couple now proclaimed to be her parents.

Think. Think. How could this be? It is trick? Surely it is a trick.

Steven held the photograph steadily, a smile on his face, “Isn’t this just fantastic news?”

Heidi suddenly felt a wave of memories wash over her. Memories that had been unlocked from the catacombs of her mind. It was if she had been hit with a bolt of lightning, resulting in images and words from the past flashing into her mind, as if she was watching a movie. But these were real. These were real, suppressed memories and not a film. Not a story. A tear formed at the corner of her left eye. She remembered. Now she remembered. She remembered everything…

Chapter 17

75 Years ago, Vienna, Austria

“I’m sorry Herr Launer, but I am afraid the child is very sick, very sick indeed. She is, in my professional and learned opinion, suffering from grandiose delusions or, as it is more commonly known, delusions of grandeur.”

Siegfried Launer placed his head in hands and sighed heavily. He eventually lifted his head and turned to face his wife, her face etched in sorrow. Tears of sadness and frustration rolled down her cheeks. They had suspected for months that there was something mentally wrong with their once bright, vibrant, and intelligent ten-year-old daughter; the psychiatrist had just confirmed it. Siegfried took his wife’s hand and held it tightly, unable to find the words to comfort her. A father in pain and a mother in agony, and both broken-hearted.

“My other children, they are fine? This is not a hereditary illness, is it doctor?”

The psychiatrist shook his head. “No, your son and youngest daughter are fine. It isn’t an illness that is passed through bloodline. It is just one of those things. There is no way you, or even I, could have predicted the affliction that has overcome the child. Heinrich and Gretchen are both perfectly healthy and are of sound mind, and suffer from no such delusions. But, after extensive interviews and meetings with your daughter, I am afraid that my conclusion and diagnosis is unquestionable. I could prescribe medications, maybe even electric shock treatment. However, I am sad to say, the only recommended treatment I can propose is that she be declared insane, and hospitalized immediately at the Sanotarium Ketterbrucke in Innsbruck.

Anne Launer placed her hand over her mouth and gripped her husband’s hand. Both parents stared at the doctor, their pleading eyes begging him for an alternative. The psychiatrist sighed and took a deep breath before he spoke again.

“Herr Launer, I know you are a man of great wealth, of great standing in our community. Of course your payments to me have been very generous, and my findings will naturally remain confidential as will any medical report.”

Siegfried Launer appreciated the kind words. He and Doctor Schumacher were old friends and he knew that he could trust the psychiatrist completely.

“I understand, old friend,” he said, “Of course this is not an easy decision to make.”

Anne continued to cry. Her child, her precious daughter, her loving, kind, gentle, and beautiful baby. Her Heidi. Mad. Insane. Suffering a disease of the mind that Anne did not understand, a curse that had been sent from the devil himself. The signs had been there but both Anne and Siegfried had put it down to mere childlike antics. They had assumed early on that Heidi was just playing a game. Living out a fantasy, maybe even a sick, twisted crush, as young girls sometimes had on older men who were famous, influential, and popular. But now it had been confirmed. Poor Heidi. Engulfed in madness.

Anne remembered the first time her daughter had spoken of being the Chancellor’s niece, claiming that he was her uncle and he spoke to her regularly. Both Siegfried and Anne had believed this talk was partly due to the discussions within the home between friends at dinner parties and gatherings, which Heidi may have overheard. Of course the papers, and the streets, were full of stories about the Chancellor and his ambitions. They had assumed that their daughter’s talk of them being imposters, of being sent by ‘him’ to protect her had been either silly jokes, or maybe even hormonal changes, an infatuation that would soon pass. But it had not passed nor abated. They had been forced to keep her away from school, from friends and even from relatives, fearful that her tall tales could bring them not only embarrassment but also trouble. No matter what punishment the child had been given, whatever reassurance, her delusions had remained. Anne and Siegfried Launer now knew that any hopes of an end to their daughter’s fantasies, for that is what they were, had evaporated.

“Herr Launer, Siegfried, if I may,” said Doctor Schumacher, “You are a rich and popular man, your wealth and your business interests are strong. Maybe there is another way. There is the possibility that a change of environment could help alleviate some of the child’s notions. There could be a way we can avoid having the unfortunate girl committed to an asylum.”

Anne looked hopefully towards her husband. “Continue, please,” said Siegfried.

“Sir, I understand that you have connections in America, business interests there. Maybe, and it is only a slim possibility, if we remove your daughter from the source of her delusion and settle her in a new location, away from the newspapers, movie reels and this environment of uncertainty and fear, her sickness could be halted. I have seen delusions such as this before, but never in one so young. I am afraid that, while she remains here in Vienna, her delusions will only increase, to the point of not only embarrassment to your family, but maybe to even serious consequences.” Schumacher’s tone had turned grave.

Siegfried knew exactly what the doctor meant by ‘serious consequences.’ Times were changing; a new period of nationalism had gripped not only Germany but also Austria. There was talk of beatings, of a new type of disdain for certain members of the community. There was talk of blame. Anger was brewing. The Chancellor, it seemed, was at the root of this. He had many loyal supporters. If someone were to misunderstand Heidi’s illness, assume it was mockery, and believe that she was being flippant and not sick, then it could lead to consequences. It was true, as Schumacher had said Siegfried’s business interests did encompass the United States. He had many friends and business associates in New York. He had sold fine pieces of jewelry to customers across the Atlantic, and he had established contacts and was well respected, as were his work and designs. He could arrange something. He knew just the couple, friends and employees he trusted, who could accompany Heidi. If there was a chance for his daughter to be cured, he would spare no expense. Maybe Heidi leaving Austria, temporarily of course, would result in a cure. Would dispense these notions. Would repel the madness.

“I cannot promise you that your daughter will cease these delusions. They may simply go away, or they may remain with her forever – I do not know. I wish, sir, that I did. Maybe she will appear cured, but then, something could trigger these false delusions, these imaginary memories, again. I am at a loss as to how to make this sound any easier for you.” The doctor scratched his head before he spoke again. “Maybe some sort of neurological trauma, a bang on the head for instance, or if she was older, a stroke could rid her of these fantasies. Maybe something will trigger her mind into rejecting these notions, but when, or if, this will occur, I cannot say.”

Siegfried nodded. “Please explain, these fantasies she has about being
his
niece, about him protecting her, could they have been brought about by fear? Am I to blame? We have talked openly in front of the children of our fears, of our concerns. Could I have caused this sickness?”

“My dear friend, Grandiose Delusions is characterized by fantastical beliefs that one is famous, omnipotent, wealthy, or otherwise very powerful. The delusions are generally fantastic, and typically so farfetched that they are dismissed as being unbelievable. Sadly, Heidi’s delusion could be seen by some as plausible, and not, should I say, a supernatural delusion. She is a highly intelligent child.
It has been noted that the presence of these delusions in people with a high intelligence is greater than in lesser-educated persons. Similarly, the presence of grandiose delusions in individuals who are the eldest child is greater than in individuals who are the youngest of their siblings. As Heidi is your eldest child, I am afraid that this disorder was not brought about by fear, but unfortunately, by her own mind. You are not responsible. Please be assured of that.”

The doctor’s explanation was of some relief to Siegfried, but he could still not absolve himself of blame. He felt responsible for the daughter he loved so dearly, and therefore responsible for her illness.

“So, these delusions, this fantasy, these ridiculous notions, she believes them all to be real?”

“I am afraid so. She believes she is in an exceptional relationship with the Chancellor.” Schumacher shook his head as he spoke again. “Her grandiose and expansive delusions are also hallucinations. She remembers events, recalls names and people as well as situations that never happened. Sadly, this may continue for the rest of her life. There is, though, the slim chance they may not. It is why I implore you to consider sending the child away, for a short while, rather than have me commit her to an institution or have her remain in Austria. This is a situation that could place your whole family in danger.”

Siegfried Launer, his heart heavy, turned to his face devastated wife and spoke, “We have no choice, my dear. She cannot remain in Austria. If she continues these ramblings and fantasies, if she talks to the wrong people, maybe even a party member, then who knows what trouble we may be in? We have two other children to consider. I have the business to consider. I shall arrange for her to go to America. After a time, we will contact her, ascertain if her sickness has gone. We have to do this, for the family. Do you agree?”

Anne did not have to be asked. Of course she agreed, and even though it broke her heart, she knew that there was simply no alternative. Her firstborn. The daughter she loved more than life itself. Her angel. Little Heidi, always with a book in her hand, always reading; oh how she enjoyed her books and the stories. She was the girl with a thirst for knowledge and a heart of gold. Leaving. For how long? And so far away. Once again Anne’s eyes welled with tears.

Siegfried Launer turned to face Doctor Schumacher. “I shall arrange passage to America, I shall tell her that she is leaving, and that we shall call for her to return soon. I shall speak to her this evening, after I tell her the fairy story about the forest, witches, and wizards, and of course, after I return from the Synagogue. Maybe I shall see you at temple this evening, Doctor?”

“A wise decision, my friend. A wise decision,” replied the doctor, “And yes, I shall see you this evening for Ma’ariv.”

The doctor saw himself out, and Anne and Siegfried embraced. Siegfried kissed his wife gently on the forehead, “It’s for the best, dear. Heidi will return, and we will be a family again. I will send for the Mullers, they are good people and Franz has represented me in America many times. He will be happy to help, and Ida is an excellent English speaker. She will be able to teach Heidi the language. I can easily arrange passage, there are ships sailing on a daily basis. We are doing the right thing.”

“I know we are,” agreed Anna.

From her room, Heidi had overheard most of the conversation. What nonsense, she thought, it was all a trick, but maybe it was a plan that
he
had come up with.