The Revelation Code (Wilde/Chase 11) Read Online Free PDF Page B

dollars for three and a quarter chapters. Some people I know in Hollywood want to buy the screen rights.’ Macy’s boyfriend, the film star Grant Thorn, had unsurprisingly withdrawn from the idea after the young woman’s funeral, but his business partner had since made tentative enquiries about reopening negotiations. ‘Right now, though, it’d make a really short movie.’
    ‘Why are you blocked?’
    ‘Why? Because every time I start trying to write about what I’ve discovered, it makes me think of the people who died in the process. It’s . . .’ She sagged, feeling emotionally drained. ‘I can’t move forward.’
    ‘In what way?’
    ‘In every way. With my life. All I keep thinking about is whether it’s all been worth it, and I don’t know the answer, and . . . and I’m stuck. Going nowhere.’
    ‘But you are going somewhere,’ said Elaine. ‘You’ve made progress over just the last month – you realised you were in denial over Macy’s death, and the fact that you sought help from a therapist shows that you’re able to start moving on.’
    ‘I might be able to start, but that doesn’t mean I have started. On that, or anything else. The book’s stalled, I can’t even do something as simple as come up with baby names . . .’
    ‘Do you know the sex?’
    ‘Yeah. I had an ultrasound last week, and they could tell what it was. My husband, Eddie, told them not to say anything – he wants it to be a surprise – but I snuck back in and asked. It’s a—’
    Elaine held up her hands. ‘No, no. I’m like your husband, I like surprises too. I didn’t know what either of my kids was going to be until they were born.’
    ‘I guess I prefer to plan everything in advance. He’s more the make-it-up-as-you-go type.’
    ‘So how have things been between you since you learned you were pregnant? Has he been showing any tension, or . . .’
    ‘No, no.’ Nina shook her head. ‘ He’s been great – he’s absolutely thrilled at the prospect of having a kid, and he’s been doing everything he can to help me. No, it’s . . . it’s me.’ She sighed. ‘I’m angry, I’m depressed, I’m confused – I’m a hundred and one negative things, and I’m taking all of them out on him.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because there isn’t anyone else. Since I left the IHA, it’s just been me and him. I’ve been horrible, and I know it, but . . . but I can’t help it.’
    A sympathetic nod. ‘Pregnancy hormones can really affect your mood. It’s often a lot harder with a first pregnancy, because you don’t know what to expect. It’s good that he’s been so supportive.’
    ‘Maybe, but . . .’ A lengthy pause as she struggled to make a terrible admission. ‘I can’t help thinking that he’s putting up with it for the baby rather than for me.’
    ‘But do you really believe that, Nina? Deep down, I mean?’
    ‘I don’t know. I don’t know what I believe about anything right now.’ She stared back at the marks on the carpet.
    The psychiatrist made more notes before speaking again. ‘I don’t know your husband, but from what you’ve told me, it certainly seems that he loves you. He wants to help you, but you’re reluctant to allow it. That’s understandable – you’ve been through a traumatic experience, and you’ve put up barriers to protect yourself from further harm. The problem is that you’re not letting anyone through them, even the person who cares about you the most.’
    Nina managed a sarcastic grin. ‘Well, duh. I didn’t need a psychiatrist to figure that out. I need one to tell me how to deal with it.’
    ‘I can’t tell you to do anything, Nina. I can suggest, and advise, but in the end only you can come up with the answer. Although one thing I would suggest is couples therapy. If you both came in together, we could address some of these issues.’
    Another mocking little smile. ‘Eddie seeing a shrink? I can’t imagine that ever happening. He has his own ways of dealing with