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the afternoon. Ferrati and Rüger exchanged hairsplitting soph-
istries, Judge Havel occasionally intervened to restore order,
and a member of the jury asked a question about the possible
presence of fragments of skin under fingernails.
At no point did Mitter himself need to speak, and when the
court adjourned shortly after four p.m., he had long since
ceased to pay any attention. Instead, he yearned for three
things: solitude, silence, and darkness.
As for who had taken the life of Eva Ringmar, it could be
said that, generally speaking, nobody knew anything more
than the bluebottle.
11
Rüger arrived while he was having breakfast.
I d like to have a little chat with you.
Okay.
I don t suppose there s a cup for me?
Mitter called the warder and was passed another mug of
coffee through the hatch.
Have you remembered anything more?
No.
I see.
Rüger leaned over the table, rested his weight on his
elbows, and blew at the coffee.
I d like you to . . . consider your testimony.
Mitter chewed his sandwich and looked intently at Rüger.
What do you mean?
If you are going to say anything or not.
Mitter thought for a moment. Perhaps the implication was
not all that surprising, all things considered. . . .
As I explained, said Rüger, it s not necessary for the
defendant to allow himself to be interrogated.
You said it was unusual for a defendant to . . .
Rüger nodded.
That may well be, but even so, I d like you to think about
it. The way things look, in my judgment your chances would
be just as good if you don t go into the witness box.
m i n d s e y e
Why?
Because there s nothing you can add. You can t even make
a case for yourself. The bottom line is that you can t provide
any proof to show that it wasn t you who killed her. The only
thing you can say is that you don t remember, and that really
isn t a convincing argument, as you must be able to see your-
self. We would have nothing to gain in that respect, and the
fact is, that is the key to everything.
He paused and took a sip of coffee.
And in other respects?
Ugh, this coffee is poisonous. I don t understand why they
can t learn how to Anyway, another thing is whether or not
you make a good impression on the court.
Mitter lit a cigarette and fingered his stubble. Rüger con-
tinued:
Making a good impression is vital. Nobody will know if
you drowned her, so they ll have to guess. Ferrati will do
everything he can to make you lose your composure, and
Havel will allow him free rein. If Ferrati succeeds in that,
everything could be lost. He can be extremely difficult. If he
were to carve you to pieces, it s not at all sure that I could
patch you up afterward.
Mitter shrugged.
Don t you have to give a reason?
In theory no, but it is usual, it gives a better impression.
We could say that you don t feel up to it, the stress would be
too great. Severe psychological pressure, state of shock, and
similar things. I have a doctor who could write out a certificate
for you right away. It would be accepted, and it wouldn t harm
your case, I can promise you. What do you say?
What do you think yourself ?
Rüger thought it over. Or pretended to do so. There was
no doubt it would be very strange if he had hastened to Mit-
5 9
ter s cell at this time in the morning if he hadn t already made
up his mind. He didn t want to see Mitter in the dock, it was as
simple as that.
I want you to decline to give evidence, he said eventually.
Mitter went to the washbasin and stubbed out his ciga-
rette. Stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes.
I m not going to refuse, Mr. Rüger. You can forget about
any such possibility. You can go home and wash your hands
of it.
Rüger sat in silence for a few seconds before responding.
As you wish, Mr. Mitter. As you wish. No matter what
you think, I shall do the best I can for you. I ll see you in
court.
He rang for the warder and was escorted out. Mitter didn t
open his eyes until the cell door had closed.
Ferrati was wearing glasses today. Large, round goggles with
light-colored metal frames, which made him look like a newly
woken lemur. Or possibly a hypnotist.
Janek Mattias Mitter, he began by saying.
Mitter nodded.
Will you please answer the attorney s questions loudly
and clearly, interrupted Judge Havel.
I didn t hear a question, said Mitter.
Havel turned to Ferrati: Please repeat the question!
Are you Janek Mattias Mitter? asked Ferrati.
Yes, replied Mitter.
Something that could have been interpreted as a titter was
audible from the public gallery and Havel hammered loudly
on his desk.
He was already annoyed. That was not a good start. Rüger
blew his nose and contemplated his ballpoint pen.
m i n d s e y e
Would you kindly tell us when you first met Eva Ringmar?
That would be . . . in September, 1990. At the start of
term.
What was your first impression of her?
Nothing at all.
Nothing at all? Didn t you think she was an attractive
woman?
Yes, I suppose so.
But you can t really remember?
No.
When did you start your relationship with her?
In April.
What year?
This year.
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