Incriminated by M. G. Reyes

Author:M. G. Reyes
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-03-09T05:00:00+00:00

JOHN-MICHAEL

SANTA MONICA, THURSDAY, JULY 2

“Lucy, let’s go back to when you were nine years old.”

“I was Charlie back then,” murmured Lucy. “On Jelly and Pie.”

In a plush, Santa Monica consulting room of the psychiatrist, Dr. Barney Kessler, John-Michael watched the therapist remove a small, dark gray electronic device from the breast pocket of his sports coat. He touched a finger to the tiny screen and then placed it carefully on the desk to record the session. He pushed it along with the tips of his fingers until it was closer to Lucy, who sat in a leather easy chair, half reclined. The cream-colored damask curtains were drawn, reducing the midday glare from the oceanfront to a mild, cool glow. From compact speakers on the nearby birch wood bookcase, faint music played. It took John-Michael a few moments to realize that the music was the rather whimsical theme from Jelly and Pie. Nervously, he allowed his eyes to settle on Lucy. Her eyelids were half closed and she swayed ever so slightly in her chair, as if she were on the deck of a boat. It was the first time he’d ever seen someone hypnotized. The whole thing creeped him out a little.

“Did you go to a party on Mulholland Drive?”

“Yes,” Lucy said. “Where Tyson Drew was killed.” She sounded weary, as though having to relate the story for the thousandth time. John-Michael noticed that Dr. Kessler made a note before moving on.

“Tell me about that night, Lucy.”

There was a long silence. Then, very softly, Lucy said, “I don’t want to.”

The therapist didn’t react. “Can you tell me who you were with at the party?”

“Tyger was there. Alexis, Marc.”

“That’s great, Lucy. So your costars from Jelly and Pie were there. Can you remember anyone else you saw at that party?”

“I guess I saw Tyson Drew,” she said resentfully. “He was dead.”

“Where did you see him?” asked Kessler. He used a calm, kind voice.

“In a swimming pool.”

“Was anyone with him?”

“Huh?”

John-Michael watched Lucy’s face closely. She sounded lost, like a little girl clutching a teddy bear. Her eyes moved rapidly under eyelids that were shut tight. There was a very long silence. Kessler didn’t move, his expression didn’t change.

“Lucy, was anyone near the pool when you saw Tyson Drew?”

When she spoke Lucy’s voice sounded hoarse. “It’s a bad, bad dream.”

“That’s fine, Lucy,” Kessler said. He set down his yellow pad, folded his hands across his lap. “It’s okay to tell me about the dream.”

“I’m not supposed to,” Lucy blurted. The force of the comment jerked John-Michael upright.

Kessler just nodded. “You can tell me, Lucy. I’m here to help you. Your friend John-Michael is here, too. You’re safe.”

“Bad girls tell tales,” Lucy said, moaning. “Bad girls make up stories from their dreams.”

Finally, Kessler began to react. He leaned forward, toward Lucy. “Did someone tell you that?”

“It’s a secret,” was all Lucy would say. John-Michael could see the stress in Lucy’s entire body. Her hands gripped the edge of the chair so tight he could see the bones through Lucy’s skin.

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