Page 31 of In Her Dreams
Jake spoke up.“We’re also looking into the death of Anita Palmer.Did you know her as well?”
The change was immediate and unmistakable.Walsh’s composure fractured, his eyes widening slightly, his hand freezing halfway to adjusting his tie.His recovery was quick but not convincing.“No, I don’t believe I know that name.”
He didn’t know she was dead, Jenna realized.
Jake said, calmly and firmly, “Her roommate told us she’d been seeing you.”
Something flickered in Walsh’s eyes—panic, perhaps, or calculation.He cleared his throat, adjusting his position in his chair.“Oh, yes.I suppose that’s true.I see many patients, Deputy.Sometimes the names...blur together.”
“You just lied to us, Dr.Walsh,” Jenna stated, her voice steady but edged with accusation.
Walsh’s professional mask slipped further, revealing a flicker of panic beneath his composed exterior.“I wasn’t—that is, I didn’t mean to mislead you,” he stammered, his eyes darting towards the window as if searching for an escape route.“Patient confidentiality is something I take very seriously.”
Jenna leaned forward slightly, her gaze unwavering.“I understand doctor-patient confidentiality,” she said calmly but firmly.“However, two of your patients have died under eerily similar circumstances within days of each other.Both had severe phobias, both struggled with sleep issues, and both apparently died from extreme terror.That can’t be a mere coincidence.”
Walsh’s face drained of color as he swallowed hard.“I assure you, Sheriff,” he began shakily, “my treatments adhere strictly to standard psychiatric practices—prescribing medications when necessary and conducting regular therapy sessions.”
“We’re not questioning your methods per se,” Jake interjected smoothly.“We’re trying to understand what these patients shared beyond their symptoms.”
A bead of sweat trickled down Walsh’s temple as he shifted nervously in his chair.He dabbed at it with a handkerchief before speaking again: “All I can disclose without breaching confidentiality is that both individuals suffered from anxiety disorders manifesting through specific phobias.”
Jenna leaned forward.“What about dreamcatchers, Dr.Walsh?Do those factor into your standard protocols?”
That question seemed to genuinely confuse him.“Dreamcatchers?I don’t understand.”
“Both victims had nearly identical objects in their bedrooms,” Jake explained.“They seem to be unusual dreamcatcher designs.We’re trying to determine if they’re connected to their deaths.”
Jenna showed Walsh her pictures of the two dreamcatchers, and he seemed to seize on this change of subject.“I don’t prescribe folk remedies or alternative treatments, Deputy.My approach is firmly rooted in medical science.”
“And what exactly does your scientific approach entail for sleep disorders?”Jake asked, his tone conversational but pointed.
Walsh straightened slightly, seemingly relieved to discuss something less threatening.“Cognitive behavioral therapy primarily, sometimes supplemented with medication.For insomnia, we work on sleep hygiene, stimulus control, relaxation techniques.For night terrors or sleep-related anxiety, we focus on the underlying psychological triggers.”
As Walsh continued describing his treatment methods, Jenna observed him carefully.There was an eagerness to his explanation that struck her as odd—as if he was deliberately steering the conversation toward safe waters.
“Dr.Walsh,” she interrupted, “did you refer either Richard Winters or Anita Palmer to any other specialists?Perhaps someone who deals with alternative treatments?”
His response was immediate and vehement.“Absolutely not.I would never—” He stopped, took a breath.“My patients receive evidence-based care only.But what aren’t you telling me?Are you accusing me of something?If so, please come out with it.”
“We’re just following leads,” Jake said.“We didn’t mean to upset you.”
Jenna exchanged a brief glance with Jake, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“Well, thank you for your time, Dr.Walsh,” Jenna said, rising from her chair.“We won’t keep you any longer this evening.”
Walsh stood quickly, relief evident in his posture.“Of course.I’m happy to help with your investigation in any way I can.”
As they exited the building and returned to Jenna’s car, neither spoke until they were safely inside with the doors closed.
“He’s hiding something,” Jake said, stating what they both knew.
“The question is, what?”Jenna replied, staring back at the illuminated windows of Walsh’s office.“And why.His shock at Anita’s death seemed genuine.”
“Which suggests he might not be directly responsible.”
“But he knows something,” Jenna said.“That comment about not knowing Anita was clumsy, desperate.I don’t think he’s actually accustomed to lying—at least not to authorities.”
“So where do we go from here?We’ve still got no hard evidence, just two deaths that have been diagnosed as natural, identical dreamcatchers, and a nervous doctor who we can’t exactly haul in for questioning.”
