Page 88 of Over the Edge

When she finished, he set his mug down. “I can see why that would be very disturbing for you, both the experience itself and the lack of evidence to support your story. Are you certain the police investigated thoroughly?”

“Yes. The detective on the Robertson case called in the crime scene unit. He sent me a text yesterday to let me know they came up blank. I think his confidence in my reliability isplummeting.” She fidgeted in her seat. “To tell you the truth, mine is too.”

“You don’t think what happened on Sunday was real?”

“It felt real. But if it happened the way I thought, wouldn’t there have been some evidence? A few drops of blood, minimum?”

“That would be a reasonable expectation.”

“So what’s going on? Am I losing it?” She braced.

Eternal seconds crawled by as he mulled over her question.

When he at last responded, his tone was slow and measured. “I have to admit I’m a bit baffled. Nothing in our interactions up until now suggested to me that you had any deep-seated psychological issues. Nor did any of the case notes your therapist in South Carolina provided. However, we do have to factor in your recent ordeal at the Robertson house. You’ve had a lot to deal with over the past twenty-one months, and repeated trauma can take a toll.”

“Could it make me imagine things that aren’t real?”

“As a byproduct of trauma alone, that would be unusual. Stress can intensify symptoms of psychotic disorders, and it sometimes plays a role in hallucination episodes in a number of those illnesses, but I’m not seeing anything to suggest bipolar or delusional disorder. Likewise for schizophrenia. We could be moving toward PTSD, though. Tell me how you’re doing emotionally. Are you feeling depressed?”

“A little. But wouldn’t it be normal to be a bit down, with all that’s been happening?”

“To some degree. If it gets worse than that, you need to let me know.”

“I think I’m more anxious than anything else. I mean, I can’t believe I imagined what happened Sunday. Or at the lake. The experiences are vivid in my mind. And I’m functioning fine in every other area of my life. Why would these two anomalies occur? And what if it happens again?”

“Did the police give you any opinion about your reports?”

“Not directly. The only one who’s talked with me at any length about them is Detective Tucker. He hasn’t said he has doubts about my mental stability, but that’s what I’m picking up. Which brings me to a question. If I gave you permission, would you be willing to talk with him? Offer him a professional opinion about my psychological state?”

“May I ask why?”

She squirmed in her seat. That was a question she wasn’t prepared to fully answer ... but if she couldn’t share her feelings with Dr. Oliver, whocouldshe share them with?

“Two reasons. First, I don’t want him to discount me as a witness in the Robertson case. If he does, nothing I remember will be of any use to him in solving the murder. But I also ... well, he’s a very nice man. I would hate for him to discount me on a personal level, either.”

Dr. Oliver’s lips flexed. “You like this man.”

“Yes.”

“Under those circumstances, I can see why his skepticism would be troubling. Yes, I can talk to him. He’s welcome to call or come by. And I promise you I won’t tell him anything I haven’t told you.”

Not altogether reassuring, but she wouldn’t renege on her offer to Jack.

She forced up the corners of her mouth. “You did say not long ago that you didn’t see any major cause for concern in terms of my mental state.”

“True—but I do think we should be watchful. Should you continue to have these experiences or any new symptoms develop, I want to hear about them immediately. I don’t like the trend line I’m seeing. If the depression worsens, or your anxiety intensifies, I want you to call me and I’ll consult with your primary care doctor to discuss potential medications to help you over the hump.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Medication would be a last resort for me. I don’t even like taking it for panic attacks.”

“Understood. It’s just one other tool we have in our arsenal. Shall we end with a visualization?”

“I’m not certain that’s necessary tonight. Talking with you was a huge help. And as the last client, I don’t want to extend your already long day any longer than necessary.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She picked up her bottle of water and her purse. “I’ll have Detective Tucker reach out to you. Thanks for your willingness to talk to him.”

“Not a problem.”

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