‘A personality disorder?’
‘I would say so. Have you heard of Asperger’s?’
‘I don’t know a lot about it.’
‘It’s a form of autism, but the people who get it can still function at a high level.’
‘Is that what he’s got?’
‘It’s in that area. They call it the autism spectrum, apparently.’
‘How did you recruit him?’
‘We needed a second violin to replace Yuriy.’
‘Who returned to his wife in the Ukraine?’
‘Yes. And almost at once Anthony appeared and asked for an audition. News travels fast in our little world and he’d got word that Yuriy had quit. I’m not even sure Yuriy had actually left. It was obvious at once that this earnest young man was twice the player Yuriy had been. He told us frankly that he’d pulled out of three string quartets and a trio in two years because they weren’t up to standard and we looked at each other and wondered if we would make the grade. He was so damn good that we decided to give it a whirl. In the first weeks he was with us it felt as if we were on trial, not Anthony.’
‘Did you go on tour with him?’
She laughed. ‘It was a hoot. In many ways he’s like a baby. The basic things in life pass him by. He forgets to shower, to eat breakfast, to carry money. He can’t be relied on to pack. You tell him and he’ll do it. Next time you have to tell him all over again. Between us, we cope with him and get a few laughs along the way. Anything you say, he takes as gospel truth so we have to be careful not to speak ironically. Once at rehearsal I had a noisy chair — a regular hazard for cellists — and I said in jest that I’d had baked beans for lunch. “No you didn’t,” Anthony says. “You had an egg and mayo sandwich. I saw you.” Fortunately he’s right up with the music, and that’s what counts.’
‘How is he with the audiences?’ Diamond asked.
‘I don’t think he’s aware of them. He’s immersed in the music.’
‘You meet some of them afterwards, no doubt?’
She pointed at Diamond. ‘Hey, this is the groupie question in another guise. You’re a sly one.’
‘Better answer it, then, in case I turn nasty.’
‘The leeches get nowhere with our Anthony.’
‘They’re going to try. He’s good-looking.’
‘We know that, but he doesn’t. He has no self-image. If they just want an autograph he’ll sometimes oblige even if he can’t fathom why it’s required. If they ask a musical question such as the most common one — “Is your violin a Strad?” — he’ll answer. But if they were to ask what he’s doing after the concert he’ll tell them he’s going back to the hotel for a room-service meal and a sleep, which is true. End of conversation. He’s got a way of dismissing them with a look.’
‘So you don’t think it’s possible he could end up spending the evening with a woman through some misunderstanding of the sort you mentioned?’
‘She’d need to be very devious. And she’d need to understand how his strange logic works.’
‘And if he felt he’d been tricked?’
Cat shook her head. ‘I don’t know. I don’t even like to think about it.’
‘Doesn’t he like women?’
‘He isn’t capable of liking anyone, male or female. If you’re asking me about his love life, there isn’t any. He goes to sex workers when he gets randy. Paying for it suits his mentality. No relationship, no affection. And he feels no shame. He’ll tell us straight he was with a whore next time we meet. I expect he’d say exactly what happened if we asked. He can be very candid.’
‘Yet you say he’s a brilliant violinist. Isn’t it all about expressing emotion through the way you play?’
‘Right on. And communicating emotion to your audience. He succeeds and that’s the biggest mystery to me. It’s almost as if he comes alive through the instrument. Pathos, tenderness, humour, even love. Where it comes from I can’t tell you. His soul, I suppose, finding an outlet that doesn’t exist in the locked-up person he is.’
This was getting into areas outside Diamond’s competence. ‘The only person I haven’t asked you about is your manager.’
‘Doug? He’s normal enough and that’s a good thing. He looks after the business side, makes sure we earn enough to survive. All the gigs and recording sessions are down to him. He tells us when and where and we decide what. The musical decisions are ours.’
‘So was it his decision to bring you to Bath?’
‘We wanted a residency, a chance for the new combination to gel. Being in one place is so much better than touring when you’re adjusting to a new member. From what I recall, Doug got on the phone and found out quickly that Bath Spa University were looking for some kind of professional ensemble to teach and play. We agreed the same afternoon.’
‘How is it working out?’
‘Wonderfully, apart from you lot giving us the third degree.’
‘I wouldn’t call it that,’ Diamond said.
‘You’re not on the receiving end.’
‘These concerts you give. They’re small by your standards, aren’t they?
‘Intimate. They’re lovely. That’s how quartets were played originally, for small, invited audiences in gracious surroundings.’
‘I’m hoping to attend your next one.’
‘Really? You don’t strike me as a string quartet aficionado.’
He smiled. ‘I don’t claim to be that.’
‘I hope you don’t suffer, then.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Is the grilling over now?’
‘Not yet,’ Diamond said. ‘You said there are lots of viola jokes. I can’t think of one.’
She tilted her head back. ‘If I tell you one, am I released without charge?’
‘Only if it’s a good one.’
‘All right. This man walked into a bank carrying a viola case. Why did everyone get nervous?’
‘They thought it was a machine gun?’
‘No. They thought it was a viola and he might take it out and play it.’
16
‘Mine wasn’t much help.’
‘Mine was an obstacle race, and I don’t think I won.’
‘Mine was a waste of time.’
‘Snap out of it, guys,’ Diamond said. ‘You’re supposed to be professionals.’
Leaman shrugged. ‘He refused to talk about anything except the music they’re rehearsing.’
‘This was Anthony Metcalf, the second violin?’
‘I’d get more sense from a talking clock.’
The debrief was taking place in a quiet corner of the senior common room at the Michael Tippett Centre. The team had helped themselves to instant coffee from a jar marked staff only. In one of the practice rooms nearby, the quartet had begun their delayed rehearsal
‘Anthony thinks of little else except music,’ Diamond said. ‘I heard that from Cat Kinsella, who was good company once she got warmed up. Even told me a joke.’ He put up his hand. ‘Later. Did any of you get a reaction when you showed the picture of Mari?’
Leaman and Halliwell shook their heads.
Ingeborg said, ‘Mel Farran reacted. He actually calmed down quite a lot when he saw it. Before that he was a different bunny from the one I met here before.’
‘Different in what way?’
‘Tense. He sat clutching his instrument case across his knees like a barrier. I’ve seen women hold their handbags like that. It’s unusual in a man.’