Page 190 of Brainwashed

But the thought of never seeing him again, my fascinating deadly creature, felt like suffocation… Like a rope tightening around my throat.

Because for all the trouble it would be loving him, I couldn’t imagine continuing on without it. I can’t. As it turns out, I want the trouble.I might even love it…

So I forced my mouth shut and did as I was told, leaving Alabaster Isle without a word. It pained me to do it, but I have every intention of coming back for my patient.

This is atest, after all. I have to prove that I belong here. And to do that, I’ll need to get my hands dirty.

It takes me many hours of travel to get back to Atlanta. And it’s the strangest thing, but once I’m here, I immediately miss that island in the middle of the ocean.

The city is hot and muggy, going into summer humid, loud, and stuffier than I remember. I go straight to my office, even though it’s the evening. Inside, I enjoy the quiet of the building at this time of night. It’s amazing how much being at Alabaster Penitentiary for a couple of months put things into perspective for me.

As it turns out, I prefer the quiet and the dark.

Living amongst the chaos.

Looking around my office, I reacquaint myself with my surroundings. It’s a nice place, modern and luxurious in an efficient sort of way. I wish I had a place like this in Alabaster Pen. But then that building is falling apart. There’s no room for nice offices.

Taking a seat at my desk, I place a few more calls, inviting Callahan by in the morning to chat, since I’ll just be waiting around anyway.

And then, I get to work on my own tasks.

I spend hours drafting documents, a list of all my patients to be divvied up between Callahan and the members of his practice. A script for Emily so she can call them and let them know I’ll no longer be treating them. Then I put together a binder for the sublet on my penthouse, sale of my car, my office, and my condo in St. Simons.

I write out a statement of sorts for my employees, my lawyer, the board of my building, really anyone concerned, which basically states I’m going on an indefinite hiatus, a soul-searching mission of sorts. That I’mfine, but I won’t see them anytime soon.

I think it will suffice. If not, I don’t really care.

It’sfreeing. Just like when I decided to take this crazy, life-changing job on Alabaster Isle, only slightly more intense. Like parasailing, which I have done, by the way.

The wind is whipping at my face, and I can smell the ocean.

I’m almost there… I’ll be back with you soon, baby.

I stay in my office all night working, and in the morning, when I can’t even focus on any more tedious bullshit, I have breakfast delivered because I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since the Chinese food with Felix almost thirty-six hours ago.

It arrives right as Callahan shows up. I’m tearing through some crepes and a side of chicken, apple, and gruyere sausage while Callahan paces around me nervously.

“How can you eat?” He gasps, running his hands over his tired eyes.

“Because I’m starving,” I grumble, then glance at him. “And because this really isn’t a big deal.”

“Isn’t a big deal??” He looks appalled. “The man I’ve been treating, who you’ve been treating for years, went on a killing spree!”

I fight not to roll my eyes. “I’d hardly call it aspree. He killed the woman he was seeing, their brother, and a bus boy within a span of three days.”

“Yea, two or more,” he grunts. “That’s a spree.”

“Ehh…three days?” I shrug. “I’m not so sure.”

“It doesn’t fucking matter,” he hisses. “The police are asking questions. There’s a manhunt going on…”

“Yes, well, I’m sure they’ll catch him.” I take a sip of orange juice, withholding the information that I have on the matter.

Callahan sits down across from me. “You know, I would be much more worried if I were you.”

My brow arches. “Oh yea? And why is that?”

“Because Trevel wasn’t happy about you leaving him with me,” he says, wide eyes locked on me. “He told me multiple times that he felt like you abandoned him in his time of need. Jesus Christ, now that I’m thinking back to it, some of the things he said should have raised some red flags.” He drops his face into his hands.