CHAPTER TEN
"It is beautiful here," Aramis smiled, as he settled into the chair in front of Doctor Kramer.
The sun streamed in through the windows, creating pools of light on the polished floor. Dappled sunlight played on the walls as birdsong could be heard through the slightly open glass door, pine trees and distant mountains forming a magnificent backdrop.
There was a sofa and an armchair in the corner of his office, but Dr Kramer had so far conducted his interviews behind his desk, partly to give his two clients a form of protection against him. It was perhaps time to move to the comfort of the sofa, particularly in Aramis's case.
"It is rather special," Kramer acknowledged. They chatted in general for a few moments, Aramis updating him on how they had been passing their time, before Kramer gestured to the sofa. "Would you like to be a little more comfortable?"
Aramis was happy to comply and settled himself on the blue sofa. He was wearing a white shirt today, open at the throat to his breastbone. As Kramer sat in the armchair, he noticed for the first time the bejewelled gold cross that Aramis wore beneath his shirt.
"That is a beautiful cross," he said, admiringly. "You are a religious man?"
Aramis reached for it and curled his fingers gently around the cruciform.
"I prefer the term, 'Spiritual,'" he smiled. "This was my grandmother's crucifix," he explained, as he gazed at it. "She was a real Catholic traditionalist. Even her name, Isabella, meant 'Devoted to God.' I was her favourite, she left this for me when she died," he added. He tucked the cross back inside his shirt without further explanation and accepted the glass of water Kramer had poured out for both of them.
"Ah," Kramer smiled. "You have taken the less constricted path."
"I can take care of my own soul," Aramis said, softly. "We are all welcome in God's eyes."
"All of us?"
"Of course," Aramis replied. "But as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is a great accomplishment."
Kramer pursed his lips and nodded his head in thought.
"And you?" Aramis asked, to break the somewhat odd silence.
"Oh, no, I have no religion," the doctor replied, reaching up and tugging the lobe of his ear.
Aramis frowned. "You surprise me."
"Do I?"
"A little," Aramis replied. He hadn't been expecting a discussion on religion, but was interested to see where it would lead.
"Well, these days forty percent of Germans are irreligious, you know," Kramer replied. "The war brought change of course. Before 1939, we were a mix of Protestant and Catholic. My ancestors were Protestant stock."
"Times change. Of course," Aramis replied. "Terrible times change faster."
"Indeed they do. But you find solace in your spirituality, Aramis?"
"It can sometimes be a challenge," Aramis conceded. "As a boy, I railed against the strict order of the Church, and my grandmother's influence on the family. I have since found my own way."
"Though there is something to be said for order," Kramer stated. "You, in your particular profession must agree?"
"It has its place," Aramis agreed. "But it's not everything. There are other considerations."
"Such as?" Kramer asked.
Aramis took a sip of water and raised an eyebrow at Kramer. "Are you trying to lead me into a discussion on why I disobeyed Athos's order to shoot?" he eventually replied, his face blank now, his voice low.
"Probably," Kramer smiled, sitting back and raising both hands in submission. "But someone once told me you were your own man."
Aramis's face changed again, as he smiled and tilted his head conspiratorially toward Kramer. "Well, we both know that it takes one to know one," he said, softly. "I might say the same about him. It's not a bad trait if one is not inflexible about it."
"Is there inflexibility in your team?" Kramer asked, quietly. "In general?"
"These things are not all black and white. People think in different ways. I do not always feel the need for cognitive closure, as such." he added. "I can find my own way."
"Whilst being flexible?" Kramer muted.
"Always," Aramis smiled. "Mostly," he shrugged.
"And Athos?"
"He is his own man," he murmured.
"And so," the doctor said, "We come full circle."
"Indeed we do. Are we done? I thought I might have a swim."
"As you wish," Kramer replied, aware he had touched that nerve they both had, and knowing when to call a halt to further discussion.
They both stood and faced each other.
"Thank you Doctor Kramer. I have enjoyed our chat," Aramis smiled.
"So have I," the doctor replied, as they shook hands. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
Once alone, Kramer opened his file and scribbled some notes. It had been an interesting, if short, session and he had enjoyed it, that was true, although both these men had their own way of shutting down debate and he wondered how their Captain would fare in the future.
Aramis definitely enjoyed pushing his boundaries, in his own words fighting against order. Kramer could see how frustrating that may be for a man like Athos. They were both able adversaries for each other. He only wished he could see how their relationship developed in the future.
In the corridor, Aramis paused and stared at Kramer's closed door for a few moments, before shaking his head and heading off to find Athos. Perhaps today, he could entice him into the pool for a swim before lunch.
/
Later, Dr Kramer made another telephone call to Musketeer Headquarters in Paris.
"Short of betraying confidences, I stand by my first observations," he told their Captain. "I doubt you have much to worry about. One has a way of getting what he wants, and the other allows him to think he has done that."
He did not have to distinguish between the two Musketeers, their commanding officer knew.
"They are healing, in every sense of the word," Kramer continued. "They have not resolved their current differences yet, but the seeds are sown," he added, cryptically. "Illumination will follow, I am sure. Although, you know, I believe they will always clash heads, one way or the other, until they find their way through."
Treville huffed. "Very well, I'll leave them in your capable hands. Thank you for your help. I look forward to reading your report. Preferably in front of them when they return."
Kramer chuckled. "I would say that's an excellent management decision. I only wish I could be a fly on the wall!"
Treville sighed. "It will be enlightening. They certainly test my authority sometimes. I look on it as management training. Goodbye Doctor Kramer."
"Goodbye Captain Treville. And, good luck."
Good luck and a gloriously well-aged whisky, Treville said to himself, sitting back in his chair.
/
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