Twisted Brothers

Readers have known for a while that the cybercriminal Rolf Mansfeld delights in psychological games. For almost a year he's fixed his sights on Neal and Peter. In Harlequin's Shadow, there are hints about an earlier target.

Warning for minor spoilers to Harlequin's Shadow

I imagined that Rolf's desire for control was a character trait he'd possessed since childhood. His younger brother Klaus made an ideal subject. There's a twelve-year age difference. A kid who idolizes his big brother would be easy prey.

Little is known about Klaus and Rolf's childhoods, but the scraps of information are revealing. Like Rolf, Klaus plays the piano and is an aficionado of classical music. They're both connoisseurs of fine art and have a streak of intellectual snobbery. We don't know if Klaus read as much Lovecraft as Rolf, but Neal is aware of his fondness for gargoyles. It's tempting to speculate Klaus was similarly attracted to Lovecraft's world of horror. Had Klaus naturally acquired such similar tastes or had he been manipulated into copying his brother? Was it Rolf who nurtured the belief he could disregard the law and seize whatever he wanted?

In recent years, Rolf continued to influence his younger brother. Rolf was indirectly responsible for Klaus breaking up with his wife Chantal. Wary of her influence, he encouraged Klaus to establish intimate relations with Anya. Their affair not only resulted in Chantal divorcing Klaus, but it also cemented the brothers' partnership with Ydrus. Rolf must have felt at the pinnacle of success when he and Klaus became Anya's trusted advisors.

Now Rolf is growing restless and seeking new horizons. He appears ready to cast off Ydrus and set up an independent organization. Once more, he is guiding Klaus on how to proceed.

As for Klaus, does he realize how much influence Rolf exerts over him? If he does, is he troubled by it? Rolf would likely protest vehemently the suggestion that he's overly domineering. In his own mind, he may simply be acting in Klaus's best interests out of love for his brother. But could he push too hard and cause Klaus to rebel? That's the question I'm asking myself now.

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