In Pursuit of Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

Catherine responded just as evenly. “It says your reasons for coming are work related. Can you tell me about that?”
    “I’ve been ordered to see a therapist and to obtain a written statement that I am fit for duty.”
    “Ordered? I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” Catherine said, glancing down at the form, confused. Joyce had left a message that a new patient had called asking for an appointment as soon as possible, but there had been no indication that it had been any kind of official consultation. She often performed evaluations of city employees—mostly work-related disability claims, and occasionally confirmatory profiles on detainees—but someone from the appropriate city department usually called ahead to set up the meeting. “What do you—”
    “I’m a police officer.”
    “I see.” Catherine pushed the folder aside, leaned back in her chair, and met the young woman’s eyes. Now it was time for them to talk. “Is this a disability situation, or something else?”
    “It’s a disciplinary investigation.”
    “I didn’t get any referral papers. Usually someone sends me a summary of the incident.”
    “It’s probably in transit. I’ll call them on Monday.”
    “No need—we’ll take care of it. How did you get to me? Isn’t there an in-house psychologist who signs off on an officer’s duty status?”
    “There is, but the department has to provide alternate choices for reasons of impartiality. You’re on the short list.”
    The lesser of two evils? Actually, she hadn’t even realized she was on any kind of list, and the only reason she minded was that, had she known, she would have asked Joyce to screen new patient calls differently and to prioritize calls from police officers. Her already busy private patient schedule could only accommodate so many therapy sessions per week, but she always made time for emergencies.
    “Is there some reason that you didn’t want to see…is it still Rand Whitaker doing the psych evals for the department?”
    “Yes.”
    The young officer shrugged, a move that reminded Catherine of Rebecca’s dismissive gesture when she considered something unworthy of her attention. Lord, do they stamp them out of some mold somewhere, these silent women with suspicious eyes?
    “ I’m asking why you went outside channels because I need to know if there was a conflict or problem within the department that will affect how you and I communicate, or that we need to discuss.”
    “No problem. I just want my private business to stay private. And…”
    For the first time she looked the slightest bit uncertain.
    “And…?” Catherine asked gently.
    “And I wanted to talk to a woman.”
    “Fair enough. Let me tell you a little bit about how I do this, so that we’re on the same page. It helps to avoid confusion if you have an idea of how long this might take.”
    A curt nod, an attentive expression, despite a faint frown line between dark brows. Catherine sensed her ambivalence—she had come because she had been ordered to, but she was also cooperating. Perhaps, on some level, she wants to be here.
    “As I said, the department will send a summary of why you’re being referred, but I want you to tell me in your own words. Then I’d like to spend some time getting to know you. General background kinds of things. When I feel that I can make some determination about this event within the context of your professional life, I’ll file my report.”
    “How much of what we talk about will be in it?”
    Two references in less than five minutes to issues of privacy and confidentiality. She’s worried about keeping something in her personal life a secret.
    “You may see my report. I will not discuss your case with anyone without informing you and obtaining your consent. You understand that I will need to include some details of our meetings to substantiate my findings, and that this will become part of your personnel record?”
    “Yes.”
    A bit of anger there. She feels