Read Online Woman with Birthmark by Håkan Nesser - Free Book Online Page B

conversation was floating around in circles, and Maasleitner could see that his colleague didn't quite know what leg to stand on. Or rather, what chair to sit on. He had tried to get Faringer to eat out with him on Tuesday evening, but had been given what was obviously an excuse—an old friend was visiting, something like that.
    So he was supposed to believe that Enso Faringer had friends? Maasleitner had a good mind to inquire further about the alleged visit while he had him trapped on the line; but he had swallowed the lie with a wry smile. No point in stirring things up. He played with the idea of putting his colleague on the spot now as well, but let it pass. He didn't want to be awkward. Faringer was a contact, after all. Somebody who had insight into what was going to happen at the Elementar school, even if he was hardly capable of drawing conclusions of his own. Or influencing them in any way.
    Come to that, Faringer was his only contact. There was nobody else he could rely on. In a situation like the one he was in, Maasleitner would have to make do with whatever was available.
    They had kebabs, as usual, and Faringer gossiped tentatively about a few pupils and teachers he knew Maasleitner didn't like. A bit about his aquarium as well, and his father, who had been in a mental hospital for several years, but never wanted to die despite the fact that he was more than ninety-five years old. Enso was in the habit of visiting him about four times a week.
    That was also a sign of his nervousness, of course. The fact that he was gossiping. Faringer's mouth seemed to be ticking over in neutral, as if he were talking to his fish, or to a classroom of pupils when he didn't need to think too hard about what he was saying. Maasleitner was tired of his company after only ten minutes.
    “Whose side are you on?” he asked when Faringer had been served and taken a swig of his third beer.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “No … well, yes, maybe. No, you'd better explain. I'm not quite with you.”
    “I'm going to get the sack three weeks from now. Or two and a half, to be precise. What do you say to that?”
    Faringer swallowed.
    “You can't be serious? That can't be allowed to happen. I must have a word with …”
    He fell silent.
    “Have a word with whom?”
    “I don't know. But you're surely not going to leave? It'll sort itself out somehow or other.”
    “Don't talk rubbish. Don't try and tell me you don't know the score. It's as clear as day for Christ's sake.”
    “Well …”
    “I'm going to get the boot because I gave those fucking thugs what they deserved, haven't you grasped that? What the hell do you mean by sitting here mumbling on and pretending you don't know what's going on?”
    His anger had spilled over much sooner than he'd expected, and he could see that Faringer was scared. He tried to smooth things over a bit.
    “There must have been some sort of reaction among the staff. Are they just going to stand by and let things take their course, or … or am I going to get some sort of support? What are they saying? That's all I want to know.”
    “I see.”
    Faringer looked relieved.
    “So if you could keep your ear to the ground … listen to what's going on. I mean, you're good at interpreting moods. You have more insight than a few of the others, there's no need to hide your light under a bushel….”
    It was a very clumsily expressed compliment, but he could see that it was effective. Enso Faringer leaned back in his chair and lit another cigarette. Narrowed his eyes and tried to look like he was thinking hard.
    Maybe he really is, Maasleitner thought.
    “You'd like me to make a few soundings, is that it?”
    Maasleitner nodded.
    “Maybe start a little … campaign?”
    “Well, why not?”
    It was obvious that the beer was starting to affect his colleague's confused mind now, and it dawned on Maasleitner whata waste of time it all was. Needing to turn for help to the likes of