Be cordial, responsive, he silently coached.
“You worked at the university up until recently?”
“Yes. I left after the spring term.”
“Why?”
“Is that relevant?”
Reynolds shrugged. “Could be.”
“I resigned. There were … rumors, about myself and a student whom I mentored.”
“Rumors,” he repeated.
“Of the career-halting variety.”
“I see what you’re getting at.” He scribbled a note. “So, you have a practice over in East Haven? I rode by there earlier today. Nice place.”
Dayton didn’t like where this was heading. Just how hard was the detective looking into him?
“Yes.”
“And have you continued to treat any of your patients from the university at the new practice?”
“A few.”
“Was Lacey Greene among them?”
“She was not.” He answered honestly, though it was clear from Reynolds’ dismissive nod that it didn’t matter. He had something.
“I find that pretty interesting.” He sank further into the chair, elbows hooked over its arms, and it was evident he’d been in that very position innumerable times. “You see, doc, we’ve been reviewing traffic camera footage in Branch Spring and the surrounding towns in the days following Lacey’s disappearance, and we came across something a little odd. Friday, October 23rd, 11:33 a.m., we’ve got her standing outside your practice talking to you. Even more curious, judging by the body language, it seems like the two of you had some sort of disagreement. And, to clarify, by ‘seems like’ I mean clear as fucking day.” Something cold and unforgiving flickered across his face. “So, you understand why I might have a few questions about that. Especially considering you alsohappenedto be at the bar the night her body was found.”
Scenes of Lacey overwhelmed him. The mascara tracks on her cheeks and her choked sobs. Her raw wrists and bare feet. Kenna’s voice rang out in his head like a church bell, loud and inescapable.You could’ve helped her, Dayton.
“I attend trivia night every Thursday at the bar. Religiously. As for Lacey … she sought me out for help. I couldn’t give it.”
“Do you remember any of that exchange?”
“I was trying to talk her down, but she was hysterical, saying the same thing over and over. Eventually, I raised my voice in an effort to get through to her.” Despite the quiver in his stomach, he offered a pertinent detail. Playing to Reynolds seemed to be the obvious route. “Her wrists were red, like she’d been tied up.”
“Rope burn.” He nodded. “We already checked out the boyfriend’s house. Photographed the whole twisted setup. The fucker had her locked away in the basement. Now, if I had things my way, I’d hold him down at the precinct and make him sweat ‘til he was singing like a canary. Bad news is, he skipped town. So, I was hoping you might be able to give me a little intel about her and this boyfriend. Shane Sanders.”
“Psychotherapist-patient privilege, I’m afraid.”
“You and I both know that ethical mumbo jumbo doesn’t extend beyond the grave.”
“Well, detective, whenever this case goes to trial, if you were to argue that Lacey’s death was a result of her psychiatric state, then I’d have no choice but to release those details. However, Lacey didn’t suffer from any definable condition. She only needed someone to lend an ear.”
“Where were you on the evening of October 23rd?”
“Owens-Adair. On Fridays, I work the night shift in the emergency department. Psych intakes and evals.”
He stared at Dayton as if he were trying to shake him down but the look soon bloomed into one of recognition.
“I remember you. That girl who jumped off the roof at the university. What was her name? Mc-something.”
“Bella McAnders. Yes, that was … unfortunate.”