The Book Thief(79)

THE LAST REMNANTS OF

THE WHISTLER





The Viennese air was fogging up the windows of the train that morning, and as the people traveled obliviously to work, a murderer whistled his happy tune. He bought his ticket. There were polite greetings with fellow passengers and the conductor. He even gave up his seat for an elderly lady and made polite conversation with a gambler who spoke of Amer ican horses. After all, the whistler loved talking. He talked to people and fooled them into liking him, trusting him. He talked to them while he was killing them, torturing and turn ing the knife. It was only when there was no one to talk to that he whistled, which was why he did so after a murder. . . .



So you think the track will suit number seven, do you?



Of course. The gambler grinned. Trust was already there. Hell come from behind and kill the whole lot of them! He shouted it above the noise of the train.



If you insist. The whistler smirked, and he wondered at length when they would find the inspectors body in that brand-new BMW.



Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Hans couldnt resist an incredulous tone. A nun gave you that? He stood up and made his way over, kissing her forehead. Bye, Liesel, the Knoller awaits.



Bye, Papa.



Liesel!



She ignored it.



Come and eat something!



She answered now. Im coming, Mama. She actually spoke those words to Max as she came closer and placed the finished book on the bedside table, with everything else. As she hovered above him, she couldnt help herself. Come on, Max, she whispered, and even the sound of Mamas arrival at her back did not stop her from silently crying. It didnt stop her from pulling a lump of salt water from her eye and feeding it onto Max Vandenburgs face.



Mama took her.



Her arms swallowed her.



I know, she said.



She knew.





FRESH AIR, AN OLD NIGHTMARE, AND WHAT TO DO WITH A JEWISH CORPSE





They were by the Amper River and Liesel had just told Rudy that she was interested in attaining another book from the mayors house. In place of The Whistler, shed read The Standover Man several times at Maxs bedside. That was only a few minutes per reading. Shed also tried The Shoulder Shrug, even The Grave Diggers Handbook,but none of it seemed quite right. I want something new, she thought.



Did you even read the last one?



Of course I did.



Rudy threw a stone into the water. Was it any good?



Of course it was.



Of course I did, of course it was. He tried to dig another rock out of the ground but cut his finger.



Thatll teach you.



Saumensch.



When a persons last response was Saumensch or Saukerl or Arschloch, you knew you had them beaten.



In terms of stealing, conditions were perfect. It was a gloomy afternoon early in March and only a few degrees above freezingalways more uncomfortable than ten degrees below. Very few people were out on the streets. Rain like gray pencil shavings.



Are we going?



Bikes, said Rudy. You can use one of ours.



On this occasion, Rudy was considerably more enthusiastic about being the enterer. Today its my turn, he said as their fingers froze to the bike handles.



Liesel thought fast. Maybe you shouldnt, Rudy. Theres stuff all over the place in there. And its dark. An idiot like you is bound to trip over or run into something.



Thanks very much. In this mood, Rudy was hard to contain.



Theres the drop, too. Its deeper than you think.



Are you saying you dont think I can do it?



Liesel stood up on the pedals. Not at all.



They crossed the bridge and serpentined up the hill to Grande Strasse. The window was open.



Like last time, they surveyed the house. Vaguely, they could see inside, to where a light was on downstairs, in what was probably the kitchen. A shadow moved back and forth.



Well just ride around the block a few times, Rudy said. Lucky we brought the bikes, huh?



Just make sure you remember to take yours home.



Very funny, Saumensch. Its a bit bigger than your filthy shoes.



They rode for perhaps fifteen minutes, and still, the mayors wife was downstairs, a little too close for comfort. How dare she occupy the kitchen with such vigilance! For Rudy, the kitchen was undoubtedly the actual goal. Hed have gone in, robbed as much food as was physically possible, then if (and only if) he had a last moment to spare, he would stuff a book down his pants on the way out. Any book would do.



Rudys weakness, however, was impatience. Its getting late, he said, and began to ride off. You coming?



Liesel didnt come.



There was no decision to be made. Shed lugged that rusty bike all the way up there and she wasnt leaving without a book. She placed the handlebars in the gutter, looked out for any neighbors, and walked to the window. There was good speed but no hurry. She took her shoes off using her feet, treading on the heels with her toes.