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Back The Double Save as PDF
Chapters (63)
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  63. Acknowledgements

Libby took the report and flipped through it. ‘It’s been a fascinating journey,’ she said, tucking the report into her bag. ‘I do feel badly, though, about pretending to be a patient. Especially with Professor Kiraly. He seems like a nice person, though I was struck by his pervasive air of sadness.’ She brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. ‘Have you found out why he attacked that man in Copenhagen?’

Gessen demurred. Surely, she knew he couldn’t reveal the details of Vidor’s case.

‘I wasn’t sure I should bring this up but…’ She hesitated. ‘Do you think he might have had something to do with Ismail’s death? I got the feeling there was something… a bit off between them. A simmering animosity. Perhaps they fought. Or Ismail insulted him, and Professor Kiraly…’ her voice trailed off. ‘I’m sorry. I know you can’t tell me, but I do hope I’m wrong.’

He stood and adjusted the blinds to block out the sun. It would be a relief to confide his own suspicions about Vidor’s part in Ismail’s death, but it would be unfair to unburden himself on a student who was already questioning her role in duping the others by pretending to be a patient. A fox in the hen house. He assured her she had played an important part in Vidor’s recovery, and that the confidences from Vidor she’d passed on to him were things he would never have gleaned on his own.

‘I realise it might have felt unethical, at times,’ he said. ‘Deceiving the other patients. But please be assured it was all in service to their healing. Professor Kiraly was able to open himself up to you in ways he couldn’t with me, or Dr Lindstrom. You’ve made a tremendous contribution to his care.’ Her eyes were troubled, and he held her gaze. ‘Without your help, he wouldn’t have made the progress he has.’

‘So he’s getting better?’ Her face brightened. ‘He’s desperate to get home.’

‘I know that. But sometimes, Libby, the life we’re trying to get back to is just an illusion. The glossy carapace we create to conceal our inner pain. As you progress with your studies and begin to treat patients of your own, you’ll find that much of our work entails stripping that carapace away.’