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SEVEN

LAKE CITY STATE HOSPITAL AUGUST 1947

Eliza sat in front of Dr. King and sucked in a ragged breath. It was time to come clean and see what would happen. Where the truth led. It was time to see if this man was truly as compassionate and caring as he came across in their sessions or if it was all just an act to get her to cooperate.

He leaned forward. “What is it, Eliza? Have you finally remembered something?”

Did she dare tell him? “I ... I ... no.”

He frowned and settled back against his chair. “Well, that’s disappointing. I thought we might be getting somewhere.”

Eliza licked her lips. “I want to see my friend Betsy.”

His eyes lit up like she’d announced it was Christmas and he had a free vacation to Hawaii on the horizon. He hesitated, then rubbed his chin and set his clipboard and pen aside. “Tell me about Betsy.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Just ... how did you meet?”

“We go to the same church, but we also went to high school together for a couple of years before the war. She’s two years behind me, which makes her twenty years old now. She still lives with her parents. Her two older brothers fought in the war and one died.” Sorrow clouded his eyes, but she continued. “So we share that common grief.”

All of her father’s money couldn’t stop her brother from enlisting and coming home in a pine box.

“Betsy worked in a textile plant helping make uniforms. Now that the war is over, we socialize and attend church together. Our families used to be very close, but since my brother died, my father has changed. He and I never really got along before all of that, but now I don’t even know who he is anymore.”

The doctor’s hand covered hers. “I’m so sorry. You’ve been through so much. And your friend as well.” His cheeks pinkened slightly when he referenced Betsy.

Eliza’s eyes widened. “You’re interested in courting her.”

The pink darkened to red and he sat back. “Don’t be daft. I’m fifteen years older than she is and I’ve only met her the one time.”

“Why does age matter or how many times you meet someone? When you know, you know. That’s how it was with my William too.” She’d told him about her fiancé.

A sigh escaped him. “Eliza, why are you here?”

She blinked. “You’ve never asked me that before.”

“I am now. You don’t belong here.”

“I agree, but my father says I do, and because I’ve been deemed a danger to myself, he has the authority to keep me here.”

He glanced at the healing wounds on her wrists. “Why did you do that?”

“Finally,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Finally, after four weeks, you’re asking the right questions.”

He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Care to explain what you mean?”

“For the past month you’ve talked and talked, asked me about my childhood, asked me about my family relationships, asked me about my dreams for the future, about my brother’s death in the war, but this is the first time you’ve asked me why I’m here.”

He frowned. “Okay, I guess that’s true. Do you have an answer for me?”

“I think so. I knew the question was coming, but I wasn’t sure I would know how to answer, so I didn’t push you to ask it sooner.” And she’d felt safe here. Which was insane. She almost laughed at her unintentional pun, then smiled. A mental asylum had been her safe home for the past month while she’d healed.

He clasped his hands and studied her with those exceptionally dark brown eyes. “Why are you here?”

“Apparently, I decided to kill myself and slit my wrists.”

“Apparently?”

“That’s what I was told.” She eyed him. “What you were told as well, I’m sure.”

“Yes, but I wanted to know your thoughts.” The frown deepened. “You don’t remember the night you did that?”

“Not until just recently. And even now, not everything.”

“Tell me.”

She looked down at her wrists and anguish filled her. “You won’t believe me.”

“I assure you I will.”

Well, it was now or never. “I didn’t try to kill myself,” she said. “My father tried to buy off my fiancé, saying he wasn’t good enough to be a part of our family and he’d give him ten thousand dollars to walk away and never look back.” She ignored the doctor’s gasp. “I overheard them arguing but stayed out of it. William refused, told my father I was a grown woman and he should trust my judgment. Do you know what my father said?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“He said if William had two nickels to rub together, he’d trust my judgment more, that William was a gold digger, but he would never get his hands on the family money—or me.” She shuddered. “William stood for a moment and told my father he didn’t deserve to have a daughter like me. My father threatened to call the authorities, and I made my presence known. My father yelled at me to go to my room. I tried to leave with William and there was a huge uproar. The authorities were called. William finally left with promises to come find me when everyone had a chance to calm down. I ... didn’t try to stop him. I knew this was between me and my father, so I confronted him. He tried to convince me he had my best interests at heart, but he didn’t. His only interests, then and now, are his own. And that’s me marrying into a family more wealthy than my own. When I told him I’d run away, he hit me. Hard. I fell against the mantel and must have hit my head because when I woke up, I was here.” She held up her left hand. “And I had bandages on my wrists.”

“Eliza...” Dr. King’s face had gone pale. “Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “My father tried to kill me. I don’t know why he brought me here rather than completing the deed, but I assure you, I don’t want to die. But I also don’t want to go home. I’m ... afraid to go home.”

“Where is your fiancé? He’s not been to visit. Not once.”

“I feel sure it’s because he doesn’t know where I am. If he knew, I’d already be gone.”

“What about Betsy? Wouldn’t she tell him?”

“She hasn’t said anything to you?”

“No. We didn’t discuss you. It wouldn’t be ethical.” He paused. “Does she know what you’ve told me?”

Eliza shook her head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell her. And just so you know, I’m perfectly fine with you two talking about me if it means you can put your heads together and figure out a way to get me out of here.”

“I’ll bear that in mind. You asked her to find William?”

She nodded. “She said she’s looked all over for him and hasn’t been able to locate him. She also said that my father has spread the rumor that I’m in Paris living with relatives. I can’t help but think William might have gone there to look for me.” But for four whole weeks? She pushed the doubts away.

Dr. King studied her, then picked up his pen and notepad. “Give me his name and address.”

Just as she finished providing the information, a knock on the door interrupted them and the doctor’s secretary stuck her head in. “Miss Betsy is here for Miss Eliza.”

“Please show her in.”

Eliza couldn’t help but smile at his eagerness. Normally, visitors were escorted to the specified area, but Betsy had special privileges thanks to the doctor.

When Betsy entered, Eliza rushed to hug her. “Thank you for coming,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come back, but I’ve been searching for William.”

Eliza pulled back. “And?”

“I finally managed to talk to his sister and she said he’s been looking for you. But—” She broke off and bit her lip.

“But?” Eliza gripped her friend’s biceps. “What? Tell me.”

“He’s had the most terrible accident and is recovering in the hospital.”

“What!” Eliza stumbled back as though to get away from the news.

“He’s okay, Eliza, truly. He’s recovering. He was in a coma but woke up briefly to ask about you.”

He was okay. He was asking about her. Her pulse settled slightly. “What kind of accident?”

“His car slid on the slick road and he crashed into a tree. Banged himself up really well. But like I said, he’s okay. I talked to him myself and he’s quite horrified that you’re here. Said to tell you he was coming to get you as soon as possible.”

“Oh, thank God.”

“Um, Miss McCall?”

They both turned at the doctor’s voice. “Yes?”

“How did you know Eliza was here?”

Betsy shuddered. “I followed them here the night her father brought her.”

“What?” Eliza gripped her friend’s hands, appalled that she hadn’t thought to ask that very question. “What do you mean?”

“I was coming to see you the day you were admitted, remember?”

Eliza forced her mind back to that fuzzy day. “Yes. Yes, I do. You were going to have dinner with William and me.”

“Well, I was a little late, and when I arrived, I saw William speed away. He looked so angry. I knew something had happened, so I stood there trying to decide what to do when the door opened and your father came out carrying you. I almost ran to see what was wrong, but I didn’t because everything looked ... off. You had bandages around your wrists and...” Tears flooded her eyes. “You were unconscious. I could tell that right off.” She glanced at the doctor. “Their drive is lined with trees, so I hid behind one and watched.”

“Wouldn’t someone have seen your car?” Dr. King asked.

“No. It’s a wide U-shaped drive and they left on the opposite side of where I was parked. I always leave room to get out in case I need to leave. I don’t want to bother anyone if I have to leave before others are ready. You can’t see the front door from there, and I don’t think anyone noticed my car there when they left.” She waved a hand. “Anyway, I ran to my car and followed them, thinking there’d been a terrible accident and he was taking you to the hospital. When he came here, I was stunned. This wasn’t the hospital I had in mind.” She swallowed. “And then I figured it was because your father was doing everything in his power to keep you from marrying William.”

“Yes,” Eliza whispered.

The door opened and a man Eliza had never seen before stepped inside. His eyes landed first on her, then Betsy. They widened and lingered until Dr. King cleared his throat. “Dr. Stephen, I’m in a session.”

“I see that.” His eyes roamed the trio before him. “Are we now allowing visitors to join in the sessions?”

“If I think it helps the patient, then yes.”

The man sighed, but he continued to gaze at Betsy. Finally, he turned his attention back to Dr. King. “You and your modern ideas. I’ve arranged for Miss Crane’s electric shock therapy sessions to begin today. The staff will be expecting her in twenty minutes.”

“What?” Eliza nearly screeched the word and Betsy’s fingers tightened around hers. “I don’t need that.” Fear nearly strangled her.

“It was suggested by your father, Miss Crane.” To the others, he said, “He’s even purchased the latest machine to make sure Eliza gets the best care. It was delivered today. Bring her down when you’re finished.” He tilted his head toward Betsy. “Miss.” Then he was gone.

Eliza turned her gaze to Dr. King, then Betsy. “You can’t let them,” she whispered. “Please ... I must go to William. I ... What do I do?”

Dr. King pulled in a ragged breath and rubbed his chin. “Stay here. I don’t know how he can do this. He’s overstepping his authority. I’m your doctor, not him.”

He swept from the room and Eliza wilted on the chair.