Chapter 13
Nodame couldn't remember when it was that she got on to a ferris wheel voluntarily. She had some vague idea that it had been a very long time ago. Perhaps during her elementary school days in Okawa or even Tokyo. She had been at an impressionable age when the ferris wheel was an awe-inspiring structure to behold but there was no trepidation then… just the mounting anticipation of a child ready to embark on the thrill ride of her life.
However, for the adult Nodame now being forcibly imprisoned in the cabin of a ferris wheel, fear never felt more real or more stultifying. Fear did not come to her often especially that variety of fear which one had for the safety of one's own life. Particularly, when one was mostly likely about to be swung 60 m (200 feet) in the air at the menacing whim of a phantom kidnapper.
The Giant Ferris Wheel of Vienna was a stupendous sight, in fact, the only giant ferris wheel of its time still in use today. In 1944 it was burnt down and was rebuilt the year after. Nodame, of course, was unaware of its history, her only thought was to survive what was promising to be a harrowing and potentially fatal experience.
It was eerily quiet. A well-known fairground in Vienna was at a complete standstill. Ordinarily such a place would have held a high level of fascination for her. Today, however, her only thought was to find a means of escape. Whoever was behind her capture was certainly well-connected or was enormously wealthy. And mad. A great deal of madness had to be part of the equation. After her previous brush with danger months earlier, she could rightly claim some degree of expertise in the area of mania.
The henchman was quietly industrious as he bound her hands together. "Can't have you taking off before he gets here. I need the money. You know how it is."
"Sure…" Nodame muttered awkwardly, wondering if the lackey was not afflicted by the same malaise as the mastermind. "I'm sure you've been working very hard."
"The hardest I've ever worked as a matter of fact. But the money was right."
Nodame felt obliged to continue the conversation. "What are you going to do with the money?"
"I'd like to travel… see the world… that sort of thing." The young man said seriously. "I hear the women in Venezuela are very beautiful."
"I've never been to Venezuela myself but I've heard the same thing."
"And the pyramids… I'd like to see them."
"It's a good idea. Everyone should see the pyramids once before they die."
"Oh, I'm not going to die yet but I would like to see them just the same."
"I don't want to die myself. Seeing the pyramids is just one of many things I'd like to do before that happens. I'm still working towards being a world famous pianist."
"Really? You don't look like the ambitious type."
"Looks can be deceiving. You don't look like the kidnapping type."
"Like I said, the money was right."
"You don't look like the type to do anything for money either."
"Well, you're right… looks can be deceiving."
Nodame stared with morbid fascination at mechanical complexities and asked as nonchalantly as she could. "Is this thing safe?"
"Haven't heard otherwise. But then I've never been left in charge of the controls before. Don't worry though. I've had a bit of practice the last few days."
Not particularly reassured by that remark, she said, "You know, my husband comes from a rather rich family."
"Good for you."
"Well, yes it is. But what I really wanted to say was… You know, whatever your boss has paid you, I'm sure the Miyoshis can double it if you let me go free."
"Oh, I'm sure… but that's not the point, is it?"
Not the point? "Oh really? What is the point?"
"It wouldn't be much fun, if I just let you go."
Fun?! Playing games with my life? Nodame was livid and yet she had to admit that there was a strange kind of logic to what this badly dressed young man was saying.
"Besides the boss is not someone I want to cross. He knows a lot of people especially in this city."
"Who is he?" Nodame was bursting with curiosity despite her predicament.
"I promised I wouldn't spoil the fun by letting the cat out of the bag."
"I can pretend to look surprised later."
"Nah… I don't want him to have the slightest suspicion that things aren't what they should be."
"He's very lucky to have someone so… committed."
"Committed? You've got the wrong man, Mrs Chiaki. I go whichever way the wind blows."
"I can't believe you would both do all this just to get my attention." Nodame remarked as she kept the sound of nervousness out of her voice.
"He went to a lot of trouble." Young Fritz commented offhandedly as he tightened the knots around her wrists.
"Who?"
"The boss…"
"Why?"
"I'm not completely sure myself… but he does seem to like you."
"If he's gone to all this trouble… doesn't he know I'm not available?" Nodame looked puzzled. "He does know that I am married, doesn't he?"
"Of course, but that doesn't usually stop men who are a crumb short of a schnitzel."
"Huh?" Nodame's face registered a confused look.
"He's mad…" was the comment accompanied by the appropriate gesture.
Whatever effect that comment was calculated to have, it evidently failed to inspire any confidence in Nodame, who was inwardly bemoaning her pathetic fate to be the target of mad men.
"He's not completely mad, mind you." Fritz added hastily, noticing the change in pallor on her mien. "And I'm almost certain he doesn't mean to harm you."
Almost certain. Great. I'm doomed. "Why did he choose me?"
"I'm not 100 sure on that one. But I think you remind him of someone."
"I do?"
Fritz nodded. "An old flame."
"A lover? Wow… did she break up with him?"
"It was a long time ago but she died recently. Don't think she quite got over it."
All this talk of death and harm in such a blasé manner confused Nodame further. Was this just someone's idea of a joke or a piece of elaborate theatre taken to extreme?
Her captor clucked sympathetically and assured her, "He should be here shortly and it will be all over soon… one way or the other."
To this Nodame was rendered speechless. She found the lack of options suggested by that statement both disturbing and thrilling at the same time.
"Have you any ideas about who would want to kidnap your wife?"
Chiaki stared numbly at the inspector, paralyzed by a nauseating sense of unreality. The entire business smacked of an absurd feeling of déjà vu. It seemed as if in the cosmic scheme of things, something or someone was taking perverse pleasure at causing them grief.
Nodame was a magnet for odd happenings to be sure but nobody would want to harm her surely? Admittedly, she could be exasperating at times but… kidnapping was extreme to say the least. What could any one possibly gain from the exercise? She would be more trouble than was worth the effort.
Eventually, Chiaki found his tongue, after being gently nudged by his father into awareness that several pairs of eyes were staring expectantly at him for some minutes. The inspector's question, repeated twice, finally penetrated the mental fog.
"None whatsoever… I can't imagine why anyone would want to." Chiaki did not bother to conceal his agitation as everyone looked on sympathetically.
"Well, I can think of several reasons but I doubt any of them would be relevant seeing that you did not receive a ransom note."
"What do you mean?"
"You're a wealthy man, Mr Chiaki… or at least you come from a wealthy family."
"My mother comes from a wealthy family."
"Of course and someone might want to take advantage of that fact."
"Kidnapping Nodame for money? But why now… why her?"
"I admit the timing is interesting but you have only been married recently, have you not?"
"Less than a week." Chiaki's voice had a ring of despair to it. Less than a week… and already the barrage of issues that we've had to deal with.
"Actually… like you, Mr Chiaki, I don't believe she was kidnapped for money."
"Then what is the motive?"
"This latest note suggests something almost personal."
"Someone with a grudge against Nodame?" Chiaki exclaimed incredulously.
"On the contrary… someone with a grudge against you, Mr Chiaki." was the calm, lucid reply.
Abandoned temporarily by her captor, Nodame's thoughts turned elsewhere. It wasn't fear that directed them this time but concern for the man she had involuntarily left behind. She wondered what he was doing… was he relieved to have washed his hands off her or was he fretting around like a headless hen. There was a familiar tightness in her chest at the thought that they would never see each other again.
She was unnaturally calm as she thought about the concerts she would never perform, the places they would never visit together and the children that they would never have. Most of all she wondered if he would miss her.
He had always said that he loved the way she played but would he truly miss her for her own sake?
I don't want to die and I'm not planning on it. But if I did I just want to be sure. I don't suppose it matters… I would be past caring probably… I don't really want him to worry. I just want to know if I mattered enough… more than the music… more than just a habit.
In the scheme of things the Tilburn silver medal seemed to be a mere trinket that men and women strove for in that insignificant time they spent during their short years on earth.
Nodame felt a shiver tingling through her person as a gentle breeze swept against her hair. It wasn't the cool air or the fear of death… just the thought she would leave this world and he would never know what happened.
"Me?" Shinichi was dumbstruck. "I ca… can't imagine anyone..."
His father gave the inspector a hard look. "What are you thinking of, inspector?"
The inspector lit up his pipe before answering.
"I am very interested in that conductor's guild of yours, Mr Chiaki."
"The guild? Why?" Shinichi stared at the detective. "You can't think…"
"It is not outside the realms of possibility. Someone's been sending notes to members of the guild obviously with the intention of causing mischief… or conflict even. You told me yourself about the problems that have beset the guild. It's not a happy place and you know what that means… there's a lot of unhappy people who could potentially do things that they might not usually do."
Father turned to the son and asked with keen interest. "You've been experiencing problems at the guild?"
Shinichi nodded reluctantly. "The last two years have seen many divisions in the rank and file. You know what it's like… the younger members want change, the older ones try to cling on to the comforts of tradition." Shinchi's voice faltered. "They asked me to help… to help keep things going. The guild is a very important part of classical music history."
"They?"
"Stresemann and Vieira sensei…" Shinichi collapsed onto the nearest arm chair and allowed his arms to fall by the side. "They were so sure that if I got onto the committee, it would help things."
"Did it?"
"It seemed to. For a while… but this year's convention… it's been one headache after another." Shinichi's face sank down and was devoid of any expression. "If anything happens to her… because of my involvement with the guild…"
"We don't know that for certain, Chiaki." A loud, irascible Teutonic voice broke through his guilt induced haze. Narrowing his eyes at the inspector, he asked, "Who's this?"
"Herr Stresemann, it's an honour. My wife and I are big fans of yours. In fact, since you're here, could I get your autograph?"
"I don't do autographs." Stresemann commented brusquely with a distinct glint in his eye. "I don't, however, mind meeting your… er… lovely wife… Mr.. er…"
"Excuse me, I've been remiss. I'm Inspector Moser."
"Noser, eh? Are you in charge?" These incompetent local law enforcement types… trying to put the scare in him. Probably end up bungling the investigation.
"Yes, I am… Herr Stresemann, may I say… your performance of Faust was quite superb." Hard to believe this is the same man that conducted Faust.
"Hmph… yes…" Perhaps this one might be an exception. "So what are you doing to find Ms Noda aside from throwing around ridiculous theories."
"Let me assure you that we have all our best people on the case but we cannot discount the fact that the kidnapper or kidnappers may have it in for Mr Chiaki especially when one considers that he has become the latest recipient of these poison pen notes left at the scene of the crime."
"Is that true, Chiaki?"
Shinichi nodded grimly and moaned. "It is because of me… because of us… that she's been taken…"
"We don't know…"
"Oh, stop saying that, old man! It's obvious she didn't runaway because she left her things behind. No one's heard from her for two hours. The notes are pretty clear about what's going on."
"Get a hold of yourself, Chiaki. Now's not the time to fall to pieces."
"It's easy for you to say… If anything happens to her… I hold you responsible…" Shinichi broke off furiously.
"Shinichi… We know how you feel…"
"None of you know how I feel." Shinichi almost bit his father's head off. The ramifications of what could happen was becoming all too clear to him "I almost lost her once…"
Stresemann took control of the situation at once. "We are not losing her. In fact," He turned to make eye contact with the inspector, "I'm sure Inspector Noser has already formulated a plan."
It's Moser… you arrogant, pompous imbecile but there's no denying your Faust was quite brilliant. "As a matter of fact, gentleman, I already have. And I'm going to need to cooperation of the entire guild."
Author's Notes:
I apologize for the slow updates... but my baby has turned into a superactive toddler and boo hiss... only has one sleep a day. Work's busy and the house is a disaster area from months of neglect so I'm sure you'll understand if these updates are not coming as quickly as they used to. I expect the remaining chapters will be shortish just so I can work the pacing in a lot better.
That last chapter must've been really awful judging from the lack of response I received. Ah well, it's something I had to do even if it was a tad fillery. ;)