Page 160 of The Mercy Chair

‘You-you-you . . .’ she stuttered.

‘You what, Doctor Lang?’

‘You BAD BISCUIT!’

Chapter 136

Bethany Bowman lunged across the table, hands outstretched, aiming for Poe’s eyes. He didn’t move a muscle. He had the first time. The first time Bethany had gone for him he’d flinched so sharply he’d hurt his neck. This time he was expecting it.

The tether around Bethany’s waist, considered bad practice in psychiatric care, but the only way the hospital could get insurance for Poe’s sessions, held fast. Bethany jerked backwards like she’d pulled a parachute ripcord. She bounced back into her seat. Immediately got up and tried to attack him again, hands out in front as if she was reaching for the sun.

‘Bethany, sit down!’ Poe said. ‘If you don’t, they’ll come for you.’

But she was too far gone. Doctor Lang had disappeared completely and Poe knew she would have no recollection of this. Wouldn’t remember the session they’d had, wouldn’t remember dissociating to Bethany. All that was left now was rage. Snarling, spitting, rage. Poe stood so the orderlies could pump her full of rapid tranquilisation. Take her, drooling and semi-conscious, back to her room.

When she woke she would be Doctor Lang again.

A group of burly orderlies entered the room. They weren’t scared but they were definitely wary. With well-rehearsed moves they controlled the screaming, thrashing woman and removed the tether. Once she was out of the chair they got her ready for the doctor, an orderly on each limb, another controlling her head.

Poe sighed. He’d hoped they’d make a breakthrough today. Previous attacks had happened much earlier in the session. The doctor entered the room. He was called Richard Gray and he was holding a pre-prepared syringe. Poe knew it was full of lorazepam and it would knock out Bethany in seconds. This would be the sixth time he’d seen Doctor Gray use it. He pushed aside her anti-suicide smock and readied the needle.

‘Wait!’ Bethany cried out. She struggled against the orderlies and managed to twist her face free so she was facing Poe. ‘There’s something I have to know!’

‘Who am I speaking to?’ he said.

‘Doctor Clara Lang, of course.’

There was a stunned silence. This was the fastest Bethany had ever dissociated back to Doctor Lang. It usually took hours. Doctor Gray lowered his needle.

‘What is it, Doctor Lang?’ Poe asked.

‘Did Tilly ever go to tea with Bugger Rumble?’

Poe smiled. ‘Ah well, that’s a whole other story. Maybe we can talk about that next time?’

Chapter 137

‘You did well in there, Poe,’ Doyle said.

‘That was exceptional,’ Doctor Gray said, nodding in agreement. ‘Genuine progress. That was the first time Doctor Lang’s been able to remember anything about your sessions after dissociating back from Bethany.’

‘I’ll tell Bugger he’s been helping in her therapy,’ Poe said. ‘He’ll be pleased.’

‘The two identities are finally starting to bleed into each other,’ Doctor Gray continued. ‘If this carries on we should be able to draw them both out in a safe environment.’

‘Is she getting better?’ a small voice asked.

Poe turned. ‘I’m sorry, Alice, I didn’t see you there. Were you in the observation room?’

Alice nodded.

Of course she was, Poe thought. Alice came to every session and she spoke to Bethany’s doctors every week. She was Bethany’s designated advocate and she had moved house to be closer to the hospital. These things convinced Poe that Bethany would eventually get better.

‘Certainly, today was a step in the right direction,’ Doctor Gray said.

‘Will she ever get out?’

‘If she’s well enough. It might not be for years, but yes, I think she will be discharged to prison at some point. After that it’ll be up to the parole board.’

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