“You have very rare condition, Your Highness.”
“Me sick? You’d better be careful what you say!”
“No, no. You didn’t understand. You’re not sick. Mr. Grasshopper is sick.”
“The Grasshopper? What do I care about him?”
“It’s a strange condition. Its called the cosmic syndrome. When someone spends so much time alone in space, like Mr. Grasshopper, then they develop…”
“Let him develop…”
“They develop it but the condition is transferred to the person that they communicate with. And that’s you, Your Highness. He doesn’t have any symptoms. It’s a very strange condition. He needs to be treated, not you.”
“Very well. I’ll tell him. And you can treat him.”
“I can’t. I don’t know this disease. There is only one doctor who treats it.”
“Alright. Let him treat him. It makes no difference to me.”
Part IV: Hope
Chapter 121
Dr. Palladino sat in a chair set up between Erivan’s desk and the office door. Charlie stood behind him.
“You will now call the Grasshopper and ask him this question,” said Dr. Palladino to Erivan.
“It’s a stupid question, Doctor,” Erivan hesitated. “It isn’t at all for the Grasshopper. He does what I command him.”
“That’s clear to me. But this is the magical question which cures the cosmic syndrome. After that you will sleep like a baby.”
“Really? Great! I’ll call him immediately.”
“Why will you kill all the people, Grasshopper?” Erivan asked, as soon as the Grasshopper picked up.
After a few moments of silence the Grasshopper said
“Widen the camera angle, Your Highness.”
Erivan looked at Dr. Palladino, who nodded. He then showed the entire office to the Grasshopper.
“You are…?” the Grasshopper asked when he saw Dr. Palladino.
“Palladino.”
“Why is it that it was precisely you, Mr. Palladino, who got the opportunity to ask me this question?”
“My colleague asked me to do so, Grasshopper.”
“Colleague? From which field?”
“Medicine.”
“Psychiatry, I presume.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t your colleague ask the question himself? Why did he ask you, Dr. Palladino?”
“Because I create psychological profiles for serial killers.”
“Aha. So your colleague believes that I’m a serial killer?”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
“I believe that you are an absolute killer.”
“Absolute? I will do everything in my power to justify your confidence, Dr. Palladino.”
“I believe you will.”
“I’ve noticed that you are on a first name basis with me, Dr. Palladino.”
“Yes, I am. Does that bother you?”
“No, but I’m interested why you decided to do so?”
“Because in my practice I’m always on a first name basis with killers.”
“Because you despise us?”
“It helps me create a profile.”
“To create a profile or negotiate with a killer?”
“I’ve never negotiated nor have I communicated in any way with serial killers. I’ve only talked to them in my head. I would ask them questions and imagine their probable answers.”
“I am the first killer to whom you have actually spoken?”
“Yes.”
“Have you studied me?”
“Yes. I looked over the recordings of yours and Erivan’s conversations.”
“Erivan’s? You’re a bold man, Dr. Palladino. How dare you call His Highness by his name?”
“I call Erivan by his name because I believe that you are wrong.”
“You don’t believe that Erivan symbolizes His Highness the Human Being”.
“No, I don’t.”
“Do you perhaps believe that I represent His Highness the Human Being?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Alright, Dr. Palladino. Ask away.”
“I’ve already asked the question.”
“Why will I kill all the people?”
“Yes.”
“Because I can.”
Chapter 122
Having heard the Grasshopper’s answer, Dr. Palladino lowered his head, placed the palms of his hands on his knees and stayed in that position for several moments. He then got up from his chair and without looking at the Grasshopper he started for the door.
Charlie stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest.
“Where are you going, Dr. Palladino?” the Grasshopper asked.
“I’m leaving,” answered Dr. Palladino, looking at Charlie’s hand.
“Did my answer anger you?”
“No.”
“Disappoint you?
“No.”
“Did you expect it?”
“Yes.”
“And now you think that talking to me no longer makes sense?”
“Yes.”
“And you do only meaningful things?”
“Mostly not. Only when I work for the Inspectorate,” Dr. Palladino turned towards the Grasshopper.
“You’re not afraid that Charlie will kill you? You’re not afraid of dying?”
“No.”
“I see,” said the Grasshopper, looking Dr. Palladino in the eye. “You’re eyes are red, Dr. Palladino. You haven’t had enough sleep. You’ve been working hard, studying my file, I assume?”
“Yes.”
“Charlie, are your men in front of the door?” the Grasshopper asked.
“Of course.”
“Have them take the Doctor to another room, to get some sleep.”
“Here you go, Doctor,” said Charlie, having opened the door.
“Grasshopper, did the doctor cure you?” Erivan asked. “Hmm? Are you better? It seems to me that I’m a little drowsy. I’ll try to have a little nap…”
“Charlie, kill the idiot,” said the Grasshopper, when Charlie returned.
Chapter 123
“Are you rested, Dr. Palladino?” the Grasshopper asked.
“Yes. Erivan’s gone?” Dr. Palladino sat down in a chair.
“He won’t be bothering us anymore,” said the Grasshopper. “Do you still think that talking to me doesn’t make any sense?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Aren’t you at all professionally curious to create the psychological profile of an absolute killer?”
“I don’t create profiles to learn whether the killer had an unhappy childhood, but rather to help inspectors find him and lock him up; to prevent new killings. Creating your profile will not contribute to that.”
“Probably not, but you cannot be absolutely certain of that. Or perhaps you can, with your knowledge and experience?”
“I cannot.”
“So you do allow for the small possibility that you could convince me to stop killing?”
“Anything is possible, but I do not see that possibility.”
“Doctor, you are the only person in the world that I am talking to. And you don’t want to even try to make out this possibility and take advantage of it through our conversation. What then is the difference between the two of us? You are therefore my accessory.”
Dr. Palladino looked out the window in silence.
“Charlie told me that he found you… in a very delicate situation. But this is not about your life, Doctor, but about…”
“You’re right, sir,” Dr. Palladino said, looking him in the eye.
“We are no longer on first name basis?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve decided to talk to you for as long as you will permit it. And I cannot use my usual methods and ways of thinking.”