The New Patient (Dr. Epstein's Couch: Criminal Minds Series) Read Online Free PDF

become entangled with a master manipulator. She’d been in trouble. She’d died. But the question of what she’d told Kyle before she’d felt compelled to kill herself remained unanswered.
    She was sad and upset when I ended our...I still couldn’t bring myself to call it a relationship. But she’d also seemed to accept my position. After all, I had never lied to her. From where I’d sat at the time, it was better to end it. End it before it became messy. Whether that mess came in three or six months—there would be a time when I would feel tight and crowded. Suffocated by the strictures of a deepening relationship.
    I shake my head and ignore the weight in my chest as I close Kyle’s thick file. I had tried to prevent her pain. I had tried to prevent another Elaine . But if I’d paid more attention, maybe I would have noticed something wasn’t right. If I’d given her the chance to confide in me. Maybe she’d still be alive.
    The practice phone from reception bleeps; I know Phyllis is telling me Kyle is here. “Thanks, Phyllis, I’ll be right out,” I say before she has a chance to speak.
    “Okay. I’ll let him know,” she answers.
    I stretch and roll out my shoulders. After washing my face, I scrub it hard with the hand towel until I’m satisfied that I’m awake. I wonder how much of this Bob already knew. Rolling my shoulders as I walk to the door, I push the thought aside. I have a job to do.
     

     
    11:35am
    As Kyle walks ahead of me into the room, he’s quiet and calm. No false smile or rage. Just quiet. He watches.
    I decide not to mention his threat to change Psychiatrists. I can only assume he’s here because his lawyer advised against it. “Good morning, Kyle. Tell me about your week.” No preamble, no niceties. Start talking, give me something, I will him silently.
    He crosses his legs and checks his nails. “Well, sadly a close friend of mine has died.” He holds eye contact and watches me again. “Monica Riordan.”
    I didn’t expect this and it throws me. I fight for equilibrium while my heart pounds. I actually feel momentarily dizzy, but I force myself to hold his gaze. “How did you know Monica?” My voice sounds tight.
    “We were in Wyama together as kids. She was a sad piece even back then. Did you know her too, John?” he asks innocently. He was good. If I didn’t know what was going on I would never guess he was enjoying the idea of causing me pain.
    I make a note. Lacks emotion in response to death of a female friend.
    “You’re remarkably calm considering your loss,” I say, ignoring his question.
    His eyes well on cue and he mimics a brave smile. He disgusts me. I want to hit him. “I’ve learned to hide my feelings. Most people have trouble reading me,” he says.
    “So you’ve learned to mislead people and you enjoy deceiving them?” I deliberately twist what he’s said. I write, Admits to enjoying deceiving others.
    He watches me take notes and the tears dry up, “What are you writing there Doctor?” he asks softly.
    I’m cold with contempt but I manage to smile, “Your responses to a disturbing emotional event are abnormal, Kyle. Did you attend the Sex Offender’s Group meeting?” I ask.
    He smiles, “I did.”
    “I look forward to receiving their reports. Like I said last week, I have serious concerns about community safety.”
    “I can only continue to reassure you that I’m fully rehabilitated,” he says before adding, “I’ll be attending Monica’s funeral and her mother was pleased to hear I’m back in town. Having read the obituary, I let her know how sorry I am for the loss of her daughter.”
    And I’m done. I stand and lead him to the door. I look back at him while he deliberately takes his time to get up, “See you next week Kyle.” I hold eye contact and watch him take his next appointment card from Phyllis before leaving.
    “Are you alright, John?” Phyllis asks.
    “Reschedule my afternoon, Phyllis, and go home