‘What is the nature of your relationship with Kassie Wojcek?’
Adam stared at Gabrielle, stunned by her persistence and hostility. He had been made to wait for over an hour in the freezing interview suite, not allowed to make phone calls, or even get a glass of water. And now he was being subjected to a lengthy, and hostile, interrogation.
‘We’ve been through this. She’s my patient.’
‘And tonight was what? Therapy in action?’
‘Look, you know that we thought Madelaine Baines was in danger –’
‘Because of Wojcek’s visions?’
‘I don’t call them that –’
‘But you were there because of her, right? Because she’d convinced you that Baines would be targeted?’
‘Yes.’
There was no point denying it – everything that had happened recently had been because of Kassie. Gabrielle digested this, then asked:
‘Were you involved in the murders of Jacob Jones, Rochelle Stevens –’
‘No!’
‘– and Madelaine Baines?’
‘Of course not.’
‘Yet you’re always around, aren’t you? You help get Kassie out of the Juvenile Detention Center and hours later Jacob Jones is abducted, murdered.’
‘You break into Rochelle Stevens’ home together and hours later she is dead. Madelaine Baines is brutally murdered in a remote shack and there you are again …’
‘I’ve explained my involvement, given you an alibi for the nights Jacob Jones and Rochelle Stevens were targeted.’
‘At home with your wife, we know,’ Suarez said, shaking his head.
‘Look I’ve tried to play straight with you guys,’ Adam countered angrily, ‘but if you seriously want to go there, then I need a lawyer.’
Gabrielle waved his objections aside, as if his indignation was of no importance.
‘Is Kassie Wojcek directing these murders? Did she plan them?’
‘No. I was there with her tonight. Fighting off the guy, trying to save Madelaine. I had to drag her out of the shack.’
Gabrielle nodded, but seemed unimpressed.
‘Kassie’s got injuries,’ Adam continued hotly. ‘So have I for that matter. Look at these bruises, for God’s sake.’ He gestured to the deep purple marking around his neck. ‘You think I did this to myself?’
‘I’ve no idea, but the fact remains that she knew all the victims.’
‘No, she didn’t.’
‘Jacob Jones prosecuted her. Rochelle Stevens counselled her. Madelaine Baines did outreach at her school – with kids like Kassie.’
Adam didn’t respond, silenced by this new information.
‘Three people who intervened in her life – tried to discipline her, tried to help her – are now dead.’ Gabrielle continued. ‘You want to watch yourself, Dr Brandt. You might be next.’
‘Last time we met, you intimated that you believed in Kassie’s “gift”.’
‘I did no such thing,’ Adam protested.
‘At the time, I thought you were cracked, but now I think she’s using you, involving you in her game. Maybe as cover, perhaps to shield her from us, perhaps just for the hell of it. I think you’re part of the puzzle.’
‘My only aim has been to help her.’
‘And what have you achieved? Three people are dead. And, in each case, Kassie Wojcek knew they were going to die. With Madelaine, she even took you to the kill site, because … what was it, Suarez?’
‘Because she’d heard some birds in a premonition,’ he offered dutifully.
‘Because she heard birds in a premonition,’ Gabrielle parroted. ‘A vision she had in your office, allegedly under hypnosis. Can’t you see what’s happening here?’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Do you believe she’s psychic?’
‘No. No …’
‘Then what other explanation is there?’ Gabrielle leaned in. ‘Face it, Adam. She’s been playing you since day one.’