“I’ve been in therapy off and on for years.” I think back to my first psychologist, Dr. Sommers. She was an older lady who wore long skirts and sandals, had short gray hair and bug-like glasses. She kept a basket of puppets in her office, along with crayons and paper, props to get kids to reveal the monsters that peopled their lives. She worked with the police, and they taped my testimony, I was told. I don’t remember it. But I remember feeling tricked. I don’t remember her as a nice lady, but that’s probably not fair. A child’s view.

“I’d like to help if I can.” She shoots a look at Corrine.

“Yeah. Well, I don’t need your help, Elise.”

“Are you sure?”

I squeeze the sides of my head with my hands. “Don’t you get it? No one can help me.” No one can remove the demon and the memories, snippets though they are, from my brain. I drop my hands to my sides. “Only I can.”

“Can what?” Corrine asks.

“Only I can fix this.”

She walks to my side. “What do you mean, Molly?”

“Him. He’s still there, taunting me. I need to stop him.”

“Those calls couldn’t be from . . .” Corrine says, and glances at Elise. “Molly’s been getting crank calls from someone who knows who she is and what happened.”

Elise shakes her head. “They monitor calls in prisons. They wouldn’t allow it.”

“Whatever,” I say. “I’m exhausted. I’m going back to bed. I don’t want to talk about this.”

I slam the guest room door behind me. I meant what I said. I need to fix this. That or be lost forever. Jay’s gone, and I’m utterly alone. But maybe that’s where I need to be.

CHAPTER 42 - Rita

CHAPTER 42

Rita

AFTER LUNCH, FBI SPECIAL AGENTS JOE THORNE AND ALISON METZ arrive. I’ve had just enough time to finish my tacos when Chase comes to get me. I pop a breath mint in my mouth as I walk down the hall. They’re already seated in the conference room when I get there.

Joe stands and shakes my hand, which feels strange, awkward. But it’s great to see him. Our eyes meet, and I look away first, clear my throat. Agent Metz is nearer Chase’s age, light brown hair slicked back in a bun, a face full of freckles.

After introductions, we take our seats at the table. All of our notes and photos pertaining to Dr. Bradley’s murder remain on the front-facing whiteboard, but we’ve started another board on the side for Annalise Robb. Her murder is the first order of business. Get a solve there and hopefully Dr. Bradley’s murder will fall into place.

Agent Thorne opens a file folder while Agent Metz hands around a folder to each of us.