Chapter 13

Helmut called me after ten days. He wasn't worried overmuch about the cost of Karla's stay, said she was much more stable now, yet he felt that she needed more treatment sooner rather than later. What should he, what could we do? I invited him over, told him that we had come up with a plan and wanted his opinion.

When I showed him into my library early that evening, he was more relaxed than at any stage before. He carried a calm aura, a confidence hitherto lacking.

"Berthold, I go visiting every day. Much of my workload I delegate. Karla is getting a bit restive and worries over the girls as well. We talk a lot but are not able to break through to the cause of the problems. This stupid religion of course. I feel like bouncing the crap out of her bigoted parents.

"I also had a few words with Kamilla. In fact, I told her most everything. She was appalled by the damage Karla's parents wreaked. What do you think, should she go talk with her? She seems to be down to earth and she might be able to cut through all that religious nonsense."

I was all for it, if Karla wanted to see her. He should be present as well, if only as an observer. They would let him know when they needed some privacy.

"Helmut, Alfred and Jake have returned to the States. However, we are agreed that Karla should not be subjected to any ordeal with dubious doctors again. Would you consent to Alfred treating her? At your chalet? She has some pleasant memories of your family days there, she told me that.

"Alfred has a sabbatical coming up. He is free with his time, besides, he is the man I trust most to be able to help Karla."

When Helmut heard what the treatment would entail, he was quiet for a long time. I gathered that he was worried about the cost – the tabs were still working fine –, he was sceptic about Alfred's and my continued involvement, and he didn't know how Karla would react.

"Helmut, I shall not be closely involved any longer. Apart from reintroducing Alfred, that is. He has an excellent record with his humane healing methods, has it all computerised to back him up and is able to monitor not only her physical but also her mental state continually. He will do this pro bono, he can afford it.

"The process will include full immersion in various strengths of our healing water. For that Karla will have to be nude. This will take care of all physical problems which may have remained. The tub in your chalet will do fine. Even though you may be present at any time during the treatment if Karla requests it, it should ideally be a one-on-one situation, doctor and patient. There could be some lingering resentment towards you. In fact, Alfred suggested that perhaps he should treat you too, after Karla. Once healed, the two of you will be able to re-establish good relations with each other and your daughters. – And you can also concentrate on building my house for me! What do you say?"

While he sat there, deep in thought, Elise brought coffee and snacks, enquired about Karla and reassured him that everything would work out in the end.

"Thank you, Elise. I would like to believe you. There is too much trickery around, though, for me to be easy with what Berthold has in mind for Karla. That man, Jake? I still wonder what his role might have been in all those doings. Apart from being a bloody great nuisance to that wretched doctor, he did not contribute anything material, did he?"

Helmut kept surprising me with his astute insight. He must have been baffled by much of the goings on, yet was able to focus on the important aspects.

"You are right, he was just attending the congress at Frankfurt together with Alfred. For the Medical Board. We have been friends for quite some time. Very close friends, I should add. He is, besides other things, a biophysicist rather than a physician, yet his research touches on brain functions, triggers, synapses, neuropathology, and, not surprisingly, the entire body-machine-interface complex as well. He came along with Alfred solely to listen to the neurologists at the congress. Still, he saw through the doctor just as easily as we did.