Page 21 of Solanum

"Not at the moment." Nora's phone rang and she snatched it off the desk. "It's Anita."

"Does she usually call you?"

"Not in the morning, no." She swiped it to answer, then said, "Anita, what's up?" She paused, her brow furrowing with concern. "No, I'm in Spokane with the team. They haven't called me…"

"What's she talking about?" I muttered.

"The Four Point case," she mouthed, drawing in a deep breath. "I can call Walsh. Maybe I can—No, I get it. What about Bidwell? Can she stop—A judge?" I looked up at Caroline. "Did you know Mercy Bidwell is a federal judge now?"

"I did." I nodded. "Put her on speaker."

"Caroline wants to talk to you, too." Nora pressed the speaker phone button. "Say that part again."

"Hi, Caroline."

"Hey, Doc. What's going on?"

"Walsh is going to let Detective Miller view the Four Point files after twenty-eleven. I think it could be harmful if he does and I'm trying to figure out how to prevent it."

"Why is he allowing it?"

"He thinks she's on to something."

"Why are we stopping her again?" I asked, glancing to Nora from the phone screen.

Anita quieted, and Nora pursed her lips.

"Ah. Secret Psych Society shit, I get it. I'm not sure you can prevent it. I mean, some information can be blocked, but not the public knowledge stuff. What are you trying to keep out of the limelight?"

"I just…" Anita seemed to flounder then. "All of it. I don't know. We've delayed it for almost a year at this point. There isn't much more I can think of…"

"Sometimes, Doc, shit just plays out the way it plays out," I said, leaning against the desk while watching Nora's expression. "Are you still involved?"

"Not with the case, exactly…"

"Then what are you worried about?"

"Off the record?" asked Anita.

"Sure." I shrugged, my gaze on Nora.

"Tell her, Nora," said Anita.

"Anita's still the doctor of the detective that led the original case. The one who…"

"Oh." My mind exploded with the information she suddenly provided. "Oh, fuck."

"Right?" Anita let out a sigh. "Miller wants to interview her and it's just not safe. But I can't say that without breaking the detective's confidence."

"Shit, Anita." I ran my fingers through my soggy hair. "I don't think you're going to be able to stop that from happening unless you do break the confidence."

"It's unethical. And illegal."

"Get someone else to do it. Compel them to. What about the other detective? Stiles, was it? Get Miller to focus on him."

"I can try…" Anita's voice flooded with defeat. "I'll see what I can do."

"You can always talk to her directly, Anita. You don't need to hold Walsh or Miller's confidence. Prepare her, even," suggested Nora.

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