Page 346 of Rage

Following her down the hall to the warden’s office, she knocked gently on his door.

“Mr. Daly? Doctor Lawson is here to see Miss Wilde,” she said with a wink, before turning back to her desk.

“Thank you, Elaine,” Miles Daly replied as she walked away.

Elaine… I like that name.

“I hope you had a pleasant flight from the FBI headquarters, Doctor.” Miles stood from his desk motioning me to follow.

“I did, thank you. So, what can you tell me about Miss Wilde?” I asked, preparing my notes as we walked.

“She refuses to speak. Miss Wilde has been here two years and has said a handful of words, refusing to cooperate with any therapists or doctors,” Miles said, sounding exasperated.

“Oh? What words has she said? That could help in my profile.”

“All she has said to staff is the name Alaina, and the words bag, knife, and hurry. Quite odd.”

I noted these words down in my notebook for future reference.

“I’m familiar with Alaina, her girlfriend. She went missing when Tara was arrested after the murder of Ronald Adler, or ‘Ro’, as he was called. I found her with the help of the FBI, and she will be arriving to join me shortly,” I said with dominance.

“Yes, Doctor. We will bring her to you as soon as she arrives. Here we are. Tara is the last cell on the left. Please avoid touching the glass and handing anything through the holes. We left out a chair for you, and have the cameras rolling. If you need anything at all, just say so out loud and we will respond in seconds.”

“Thank you, Miles.”

Turning to walk down the hallway towards Tara’s cell, the clicking of my high heels echoed off the walls. My darkness hummed in my mind, ready to assess our Miss Wilde.

If she is what I feel she is, we must help her. She will be instrumental in my plan with the FBI.I said to my darkness in my mind.

Your plan with young Camden Sullivan, I assume?She replied.

Yes, Camden. That young prodigy and I have plans. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Reaching Tara’s cell, I stood next to the folding chair the warden had left out for me.

“Good morning, Miss Wilde. My name is Doctor Helena Lawson, and I’m here to speak with you,” I said calmly, sitting down in the chair. She was in her state issued white jumpsuit, with her back to me.

Her long, beautiful black hair was a tangled mess, and she had scratches up and down both arms. With her back still to me, she turned her head to speak.

“I’ve heard it all before, Doctor. What do you want me to say? Daddy touched me in the wrong places? Mommy didn’t love me enough? I killed that fucker because I could, and that’s all there is to it, so spare me all the shrink bullshit and leave me alone.”

Mmm, she’s perfect.

My attention was drawn to the end of the hall, where the warden had a timid-looking Alaina standing in front of him. I nodded, motioning for her to come.

“Tell me, Tara. What do I need to do to earn your trust? I’m an open book,” I purred, gauging her reaction.

“Something you can never give me, Doctor,” Tara spat.

“And what might that be, Tara? Because I’m confident that you’ll like what you see.”

Alaina joined me at my side, covering her mouth timidly with tears streaming down her cheeks. She was skinny, pale, exhausted, and one year sober.

“T-Tara…” Alaina whispered.

Tara whipped her body around so fast, running up to the glass, pressing her palms to it, trying to reach for her.

“Alaina… Alaina… Oh my god. Alaina…” Tara fell to her knees sobbing, and Alana followed her to the floor, reaching for her.

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