Frankenstein Theory (9 page)

Igor abruptly stopped playing. The sound of silence was painful. I pressed hands to ears in order to resist the onslaught of nothing. He turned to me and grunted, “You will kill her; you know this.”

I shook my head violently. “No, I couldn’t possibly…”

Igor stood and slammed the lid of the piano. The sound of every note washed over the room. Woven between the interplay of overtones was the sound of Elizabeth’s cries.

Warmth spread down my cheeks. The pitter patter of drops sounded a percussive beat from the floor. I glanced down to see scarlet polka-dots littering the pristine marble. From every direction, thunder crashed. The barren landscape lit up to reveal thousands of corpses, standing with their arms reaching toward me. A chorus of moans sang out
–
a devil-made choir to sing me to the grave.

Another crash of thunder shattered the moment and found me lying in a pool of sweat beside my lovely wife. I sat up, careful not to expose Elizabeth to the chilled air of night. The soft caress of her breath eased my raging nerves.

Carefully, I slipped from the bed and tiptoed from the room. As I was about to descend the grand staircase, a voice stopped me short.

“
Can’t sleep, Victor?”

My mother. She and I had always shared the same proclivity for nature at her angriest.

“
I cannot,” I answered calmly. With Mother, I had to tread lightly. The woman had an uncanny way with reading my moods and mind.

“
This has been the third night with no respite from the storms.” She sidled up to me and snaked her arm around mine. “I quite like it.”

“
As do I, Mother.”

“
Your father and I used to watch the storms travel across the town from the north balcony. I always loved that about him…that nature didn’t frighten the man. In the face of danger, he was without fear.”

I gave Mother’s arm a squeeze. “I always envied him that quality.”

She offered a light laugh. “Tosh, Victor. You’ve perfectly mimicked that quality since you were old enough to stand. Nothing frightened you. It’s what enabled you to stand by your father’s side while he worked. The foul workings of the human machine were no match for your constitution.” The slightest lilting giggle rose from Mother’s lips. “We used to call you ‘Iron Gut’ when you weren’t around.”

I shared the laugh. The idea that Mother and Father had a secret nickname for me seemed somehow to fill me with joy. All these years, I had felt so insignificant to both my parents. Discovering that I was wrong might well overtake the joy of reanimating a corpse.

I leaned my head into Mother’s and whispered, “I love you, Mother.”

“
And I you, son.”

A fading rumble of thunder indicated the evening’s show was about to end.

Mother patted me on the hand, kissed me on the cheek. “You’re so much like your father.”

My heart skipped. Was it possible she knew I’d found my father’s theory? “How so, Mother?”

“
Your curiosity and enthusiasm for knowledge. You and he had the same drive. Nothing stood in that man’s way.” She turned to face me. A dim flash of lightning painted concern across her face. “Understand, Victor, that drive was nearly the end of our marriage. After a time, your father’s first love was his work. Do not let that befall you and Elizabeth.”

I nodded, simply and slowly. “Mother, of all the things I could possibly promise,
that
I can assure you will never happen. Elizabeth is at the very heart of all things for me.”

Mother blinked, her lips tightening. “Your father said those very words, Victor.” She padded off to her quarters to leave me with dangerous thoughts racing about my mind. The storm had abated, the castle fallen into an all-too-familiar solemnity. The words, spoken from wiser lips than mine, rang in my ears.

You’re so much like your father
.

My mind and heart fell into an immediate war. As a child, the Baron was my hero, a god among mortals. Watching the man fall prey to madness was a chisel to my heart. Following in his footsteps was the only thing that inched me forward, most days. And now that I’d scratched the surface of his brilliance, all I wanted was to peel away the layers to reach some hidden truth that may or may not even have existed. This wicked thirst to play creator could very well mark the beginning of my own descent into madness.

I did not care. There was but one path for me to follow. That path led directly into the heart of a great unknown which, once claimed, would solidify my place in medical history.
That
was what the Baron would have wanted for me…for his son.

The heir to all that was Baron von Frankenstein.

At the thought, a muted rumble of thunder bid me
adieu
as I returned to my bed.

T W E L V E

I awoke the next morning to the crash of our front door knocker.

“
Victor,” Elizabeth said softly as she nudged me with her elbow.

Three more blows of the metal knocker. This time, Elizabeth pushed until I rolled from the bed. My shoulder cracked against the cold marble, forcing the wind from my lungs.

“
Oh, my heavens,” Elizabeth cried out. “I’m so sorry, dearest.”

Awkwardly, I raised myself from the floor and offered a wink to my wife. “I’m not that fragile, my love.”

“
There’s someone at the door, Victor. Could you answer it?”

“
The servants will…”

Elizabeth shook her head. “It’s Sunday, Victor. The staff are in congregation at St. Mary’s.”

The knock returned. Elizabeth raised her brows. I knew I’d been defeated.

My legs had yet to gain full functionality, so slipping on my hose and breeches promised more of a challenge than I cared to endure. Before another round of thunderous knocking returned, I snatched my long robe from a chest and slipped it over my sleeping gown.

The rapping returned. “I’m coming,” I shouted, loud enough to give rise to an echo.

As I reached the entry, the knocking fell silent. With a quick flick of the wrist, I unseated the deadbolt and eased the door open enough to peer at the caller.

“
Professor Waldman!” I exclaimed, and flung the door open wide. “What in the name of Heaven and Hell brings you here?”

He stood tall and rigid, just as I remembered him
–h
is bowed cravat tight enough to bring a death’s-head pallor to his neck and cheeks. The only change in the man’s countenance was a trimming of the beard down to chops and a handlebar moustache. The look was almost shocking on his gaunt and pale face.

“
Baron Frankenstein.” Waldman offered his hand; I took it. “How have you been?”

“
Unschooled,” I replied, curtly.

Waldman cleared his throat nervously and nodded his head. “Yes, yes. May I?” He gestured toward the interior of the house.

“
But of course. As my wife would say, I have the manners of an Irish pugilist. Please, enter.”

The professor stepped languidly into the foyer and glanced around the room. When he caught sight of the grand stairs, his eyes nearly doubled in size.

“
Yes, it is a bit overstated, don’t you think?” I offered.

“
I suppose that would depend upon the intent. If you were going for a profound display of wealth, then I believe it is stated quite well. If you were hoping to come across as modest, overstated it is.”

Waldman removed his top hat. I offered to take the garment, but he held it fast.

“
Professor,” I spoke as I gestured for him to follow me to my study. Once within the comforting walls of the room, I closed the door behind us and took a seat at my desk. “Might I ask you why you’ve come? I believe that the last time we spoke, it was on the most unpleasant of terms.”

“
Yes, yes…that. My dear man, it is not rare for such an exchange to occur at the school of medicine. Students and staff are under inordinate pressure to succeed. Our final exchange within the hallowed halls of the university was, shall I say, unfortunate.”

“
If there is a chase to this, sir, I would greatly appreciate it if you’d cut to it with efficiency. Are you looking for donations?”

Waldman laughed and shook his head. “Good God, no. Our benefactors have means even beyond yours.”

Immediately I grew suspicious of the man. Money was the root of every university’s evil. I could not imagine any other reason for the man who excused me from my education to arrive at my home and want to chat. “Then please, Professor Waldman, enlighten me as to the purpose of your appearance at Castle Frankenstein.”

“
It has been brought to my attention that I was hasty in my excusing you from the department. The dean wants full reinstatement immediately, accompanied by a rather generous stipend.” Waldman glanced around my study. “Though it appears any money we could offer would fall under the auspice of insignificance…or so it seems.”

I considered Waldman’s approach and immediately opted to call his bluff. “You’re lying. What’s the real reason for your unprecedented visit?”

Waldman’s face blanched and his lips pursed beneath his moustache. He sat up straight and cleared his throat. “Very well, Herr Frankenstein. It has come to our attention that you plan on resurrecting your father’s work. The dean of the department understands the importance of the research your father was pursuing when he died. We believe you would be best served under the tutelage and security of the university. We not only have the funding, but the equipment and the…” Waldman offered the briefest pause, “…resources necessary to make it happen.”

I considered Waldman’s offer in earnest. When I finally spoke, my voice was measured and cautious. It seemed what was thought to be a decimated bridge had been repaired without my knowledge. The last thing I needed was to burn it down one last time. “Although I am flattered by your offer, Professor Waldman, I must respectfully decline.”

Waldman started to stand; I gestured for him to remain seated. He complied without complaint. “First and foremost, Professor, I am certain, beyond the most infinitesimal doubt, what you want is my father’s research. With that in hand, you could easily rule the academic world. And with me on campus, acting as administrator of Father’s work, you would have every means at your disposal. However, I believe your motivation is of a fiscal nature.”

Waldman fell silent.

“
Let me explain to you exactly why I won’t be taking you up on your offer. Above and beyond all else, I am a Frankenstein. Everything I do is done to honor my father’s work. Contrary to the court of public opinion, my father was not a madman, but a genius. He was certain the human creature could live well beyond fifty years, even into the hundreds. Imagine what could be achieved, would that the brilliant of mind live for a century. There would be no end to innovation in thought, technology, science…medicine. My father was driven by philanthropy, and nothing more. It is because of that, I wish to pursue his theories on my own, unfettered from the rule of bureaucracy and politics.”

Waldman attempted to intervene. I stopped him short. “However, should I reach a point such that I cannot unravel the mysteries of the Baron’s work, I will accept your offer…if it remains an option.”

The professor’s tension seemed to ease a bit as he nodded. “I respect your desire, Herr Frankenstein, and will most happily extend the offer to you at any time during your research.” Waldman crossed his legs; he’d grown comfortable. “You may not know this, but your father and I were at university together. Even then, well before he shifted his focus from traditional medicine, we all knew the man was destined for an unparalleled greatness. His thoughts and theories reached well beyond those of us, dare I say, mortal men.” He offered me a knowing smile. “I was thrilled to watch the man work. I believe he would have been a master of the surgical arts. I also knew the path he chose was dangerous…to the body, the mind, and the spirit. Toying with godhood is not a trivial matter, Victor. When you venture down that dark path, you may find yourself losing bits and pieces of your humanity.”

I waved the professor’s caution aside. “I appreciate your concern, Professor, and will take it under advisement. I can assure you, though, I have my wits about me, and my moral compass is in perfect alignment.”

Waldman stood and nodded. “This offer will stand, Victor, in perpetuity. A lab, a grant, and an assistant await you. Should you change your mind, please call on me, and I will see to your appointment myself.”

“
You are most kind, Professor.” With the most earnest of intentions, I reached my hand toward Waldman. He accepted the gesture with a wink.

The professor turned to leave and thought twice of his exit. He turned back. “By the way, what have you heard of Henry? I had hoped to see him return to his studies. The young man showed promise.”

“
We parted ways just before my return to Geneva. I have not heard from him since.”