The Bone Fire by Christine Barber

Author:Christine Barber
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781429902571
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Saturday Morning

Gil planned to explain to Lucy that under no circumstances could he discuss the case, and he was sorry, but he could not share any information. So when she was escorted over to his desk by a uniformed officer he started to say calmly, “Lucy, I can’t—”

“Gil,” she said, interrupting him and looking surprisingly composed. He had expected histrionics and possibly more alcohol at work, but she looked put together and unruffled. She continued, “I’m sorry to barge into the station like this, and I know that you can’t give me any details of the case, but I heard that you arrested a man with schizophrenia, and I wanted to discuss with you the possibility that, due to his condition, he would be unable to do what he’s been charged with.”

“First of all,” Gil said, smiling. He could tell she had probably practiced that speech in the car. “I can neither confirm nor deny that we’ve arrested someone. Secondly, whether or not schizophrenia had a role in any crime would be up to the doctors to decide. Not you.” He tried to add the last part gently.

She smiled and said, “Just consider me an expert on schizophrenia. Someone who can save you from making a potentially embarrassing mistake.”

Gil heard a throat-clearing noise behind him and turned to see Joe.

She stuck out her hand and said brightly, “Hi. I’m Lucy.” Gil could see the wheels turning in Joe’s head, and those wheels only turned in one direction. They shook hands as she said, “I was just discussing the case with Gil.”

Gil quickly corrected her, saying, “We are not discussing the case.”

“Jeez, Gil, lighten up,” Joe said. “Let’s hear what the lady has to say.”

“So,” she said with a smile at Joe. “I was just explaining to Gil that I know quite a lot about schizophrenia, and I thought before your investigation went any further it might do some good to look at your suspect’s situation.”

“His situation is that he’s nuts,” Joe said.

“Nuts how?” Lucy glanced at Gil and must have noticed his disapproving look. She put a hand on his arm and said, “I only want to hear a little about his behavior. I don’t care about anything else. How is that going to hurt your case?”

“Yeah, Gil,” Joe said. “How is that going to hurt our case?” Gil could feel himself relenting. He had to admit he was curious, mainly about how Lucy became a schizophrenia expert.

“Okay,” Gil said, “but when I say any information is off-limits you have to respect that. Let’s go sit in one of the interview rooms.”

When they were all seated around the table, Gil asked, “What do you need to know?”

“Tell me what he’s saying,” she said. When she saw Gil’s hackles go up, she added, “I don’t mean tell me if he’s confessed or said anything about the case. I mean how is he forming sentences? What kind of words is he using?”

“He’s confused. His sentences don’t make any sense,” Gil said.

“No,” she said.

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