Page 22 of Hidden

“Let’s just watch it,” I snapped. “Putting it off isn’t going to change anything.”

“Can you handle it?” Damen’s cautious gaze bore into me. His presence a reminder that, if necessary, he had the power to subdue me.

But I didn’t want him to interfere. I needed to feel angry. It made every detail clearer, and put my instincts on full alert.

“I’ll be fine.” I set up my computer, forcing myself to touch one of the small drives.

Damen sucked in his breath, and I swiveled the screen to where we both could see. A moment later, the video flickered to life, displaying the familiar sight of an interview room.

Sitting at the table was Abigail, younger and not as angry.

The interview began. Within moments, it became obvious this wouldn’t be helpful.

It was only a preliminary disclosure. Abigail was asked to accept the mission despite her retirement. Her employers knew almost nothing about their target. They had an address, which branded itself on my subconsciousness. They also had a general overview of what to expect, from conjecture.

The majority of their suspicions lay in sketchy school reports, and a claim that the location, which claimed to be a center for troubled foster children, had a far more sinister background.

But outside of that, there was nothing. Not even a name.

Damen was rubbing his forehead by the end, and I frowned at the screen. If the second file was as useless as this one, I wouldn’t be happy.

Hoping we’d get a lead, or anything at all, I switched out the drives.

The screen flickered to life, and this time it was Dr. Kohler seated at the table.

Her hands were folded in front of her, and she was giving a disapproving look at the interviewer. The camera angled toward the back of his head. It was only possible to see that he was of medium build and had black hair.

The way he held himself seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Which was odd, because normally my recollection for people was perfect.

Before I had a chance to think on it, the interview began.

“Can you state your name for the record?” he asked, his voice an emotionless droll. And again, something about the man triggered memories I couldn't grasp.

“Dr. Trinity Reed,” she said, still frowning at the man. “And as I’ve already told you, I’m not telling you who she is. I have an obligation to my patients.”

“No one is telling you to disclose your patient’s identity,” the man said. “But you will provide us withsomeinformation. You’re not breaking any confidentiality agreements.”

If Dr. Kohler could have shot flames from her eyes, the interviewer would have been a scorched spot on the floor.

“Or would you also like a lawyer to be present?” he asked. “I’m certain that we could request a continuance, go before a judge, and—”

“No,” she interrupted, still glaring daggers at the man. “I don’t want to drag anyone else into this. What do you want?”

“How cooperative.” The man sounded pleased as he shuffled some papers on the desk. “Four months ago, we sent an investigator to scope out a potential trafficking hub. She reported that it was run by a man known as Eric Richards. Shortly thereafter, that same investigator adopted a young girl named Bianca Brosnan. We’ve been made aware that around the same time, you’d taken on a high-risk patient who was removed from Eric Richards’ custody.”

“I’m not certain how you’ve heard that, but it is a coincidence. Everything else sounds above of my paygrade.” Dr. Kohler was frowning at the man. “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

“Eric Richards is a pseudonym,” he replied. “We’ve raided his base, and everything was abandoned. There is also no information on an Eric Richards anywhere. We are certain that, if we could speak to her, then—”

Dr. Kohler laughed. “You’re asking me to allow you to question my patient—a child—who was living in a highly abusive environment?”

“Yes,” the man said coolly. “I know how it seems, but she wasn’t the only one there. Other children are at risk. We wouldn’t be asking if this wasn’t our last resort. We need her to talk to us.”

“She’s not going to talk to you.” Dr. Kohler watched the man warily. “She’s in no condition to do so, and no judge can force that. Attempting to do this would be detrimental to her mental wellbeing, and I will not allow it.” She paused, and her mouth dipped before she continued. “But, if you wanted to know if she knew Eric Richards to have any other name, the answer is no.”

The man’s fingers twitched. “How do you know?” She gave him a pointed look, and he sat up straighter in his seat. “You’ve read her?”

Dr. Kohler was quiet a moment before she responded, and her tight expression fell slightly. “Sometimes transference can’t be helped, especially in highly emotional situations. The fear she has when she speaks about him… You won’t be able to get her to talk about it, but I doubt she knows him as anyone else. You won’t get anywhere continuing in this direction.”