Page 36 of The Unraveling

He nodded. “Perhaps. But there’s no criminal case.”

A few minutes later, Detective Green walked me back out to the lobby. He stopped before opening the front door. “Can I give you some advice, Dr. McCall?”

I nodded.

“You need to find a way to let go of the guilt, or it will eat you alive.”

“How do I do that?”

He smiled halfheartedly. “I’m just a dumb cop. You’re the doctor. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

CHAPTER 14 Now

My chest tightens, about to burst, as I wait for him to recognize me. The moment when his eyes will go wide and he’ll realize who I am—whether that’s his family’s killer’s wife or merely the woman he collided with coming out of an alleyway.

But he smiles pleasantly and sits there on my couch while I gape at him. “Good evening.” He nods. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Gabriel… Wright?” I somehow force my voice into my smooth therapist’s tone, hoping that whatever is on my face has transitioned from shock to confidence. I do try to instill confidence in my patients, especially on day one. They come in timid and self-conscious, huddled in on themselves. Though Gabriel doesn’t seem to have that issue. His shoulders are relaxed and his dark eyes soak in the room before finally landing back on me. He might as well be waiting for a seat at a local restaurant, not sitting in my office.

Cool. Calm. Confident.

I clear my throat, putter at my desk as my thoughts go haywire. My cell phone sits at the corner, and I reach to put it away in a drawer when it occurs to me—I could fake an emergency.

Pretend to get a call.

Apologize, promise to reschedule.

Have Sarah send him elsewhere, to another therapist, preferably on the other side of town. Then this problem would be gone, and I could go back to focusing on growing my office and not following him.

“I’m sorry, do you need a minute? I just walked right in.” Gabriel offers an apologetic smile. “I don’t mind. I can step out.”

“No, no… of course not.”

Get it together, Meredith.

I manage to land one foot in front of the other and walk to my seat across from him. Staring down at the notepad in front of me, I take a deep breath and motion to the couch. “So, welcome, Mr. Wright. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

He sits. “Please, call me Gabriel.”

“Of course. Gabriel. How are you doing today?”

I look up and wait for him to respond, realizing I’m holding my breath. But it’s more than nerves. I really want to know how he’s doing. Is he living again? Yes, from the outside it seems he is. I’ve witnessed him laughing, going out with multiple women, and doing all sorts of things that appear normal. But he can’t feel normal inside. Not after what I’ve allowed to happen to his family.

This, perhaps, is the perfect opportunity.

Maybe I’ll find out the truth…

“I’m okay,” he says. “I just… think I need to see someone.”

I process a moment, trying to sort out how to word my next question. “Might I ask how you found me?” I shake my head. “I mean how you heard about my practice. Were you referred by someone?”

“Yes, I was referred.”

“That’s wonderful.” I force a smile. “And who referred you? I like to thank people when they recommend my office.”

“It was Johnson and Johnson.”

I squint. “Johnson and Johnson?”

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