Page 52 of Gone Too Far

Cleanup he could handle. It was keeping Sadie out of the investigation and alive that might prove difficult.

15

Session Two

Three Years Ago

“I am Dr.Oliver Holden. With me is my patient, Sadie Cross, age thirty-one. This is regression therapy, session number two.”

Holden takes Sadie through the same relaxation steps as the first session. Her breathing becomes deeper, slower. The only other sound on the recording is the whisper of the air-conditioning.

“Sadie, we’re going back to the compound in Mexico. The one you first visited on September 7, eighteen months ago.”

“The Osorio compound.” She sounds resigned. Sad or weary.

“Yes. Are you comfortable with going back again?”

“I have to go.”

“If you want to remember, yes, going back is necessary.”

“Let’s do it, then.”

“The date is October 31. You’ve been living at the Osorio compound for more than a month, but something happened this day that changed you. You’ve stated that your memories beyond this date are scattered, foggy.”

“The Day of the Dead. Yes. There was a party. The household staff was busy preparing all day. Eddie was in meetings somewhere. Someone special was coming to the compound for the party.”

“Who was this special person?”

“I don’t know. Someone who mattered a great deal to Eddie and the old man. The task force wasn’t aware of any other family, so I had no idea.”

“To that point had your mission gone as expected?”

“Mostly. There were some kinks I had to work out, but I managed.”

“But something happened at this party?”

A long gap of silence follows the question.

“Sadie?”

“That’s the night something essential changed.”

“What do you believe changed?”

Another lapse of silence.

“Sadie?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m here.”

16

Wednesday, April 14

8:40 a.m.

The Coffee Bean

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