Bryce continued making notes. “Did Torrie ever harm anyone, or herself?” she asked.

Paul glanced at Bryce’s note-taking and shook his head. “No, nothing, thank God.”

“In fact,” Lynn said, “her treatment here was working. Torrie was getting well. So well that they were going to send her home in a few weeks and then—” She gasped for breath. “Oh Lord, that poor child.”

Paul put his arm around his wife and comforted her before the investigators thanked them and left with Narski.

As they followed Narski down the corridor of the section where Torrie resided, Bryce and Cullen were reminded of university dorms.

Only here all the doors were closed. No music or pot smell leaked into the hall. Instead, the air was soothing, quiet and calm.

They stopped at number 164, where Narski knocked softly. “Torrie, we have two visitors who need to talk to you.”

Seconds passed without a response.

Narski opened the door enough to stick her head in.

“Torrie, I’m going to let two new visitors in to see you.”

Narski retreated from the door, then nodded to the Mounties. “There’s a keypad intercom next to the light switch. Enter one six four when you’re done and I’ll escort you out.”

“Thanks,” Cullen said.

Narski opened the door wide, then left down the hall.

The investigators entered and closed the door behind them.

Torrie was seated at her desk, her back to them. They couldn’t see her face; her head was bent over her work and her long hair covered her face.

Bryce noticed the security camera above the door as she set a digital recorder on a bookshelf near Torrie and opened her notebook.

“Victoria, I’m Lorna Bryce and my partner is Frank Cullen. We’re so sorry for what’s happened.”

“Call me Torrie.”

“Torrie, we’re with the RCMP and we’d like to ask you some questions that may help us find the person, or persons, who hurt your family. Is that okay—do you want to help us?”

Torrie said nothing.

Cullen leaned his head to see that Torrie appeared to have a pencil in her hand and seemed consumed with writing or drawing.

“Torrie, it would really help if you talked to us,” Bryce said.

Torrie continued working without speaking.

“We need to know if you can think of anyone who would want to hurt your family.”

Torrie didn’t answer.

“Did your mom or dad ever mention to you anything about someone who’d want to hurt them?” Bryce asked.

No response.

For several long moments Bryce tried in vain to get Torrie to engage with them but it was futile. Bryce glanced at Cullen, indicating he should try.

“Don’t you want to help us?” Cullen asked.

“They’re all gone,” Torrie said.

Bryce shot a hopeful look to Cullen.

“I’m all alone now,” Torrie said as she continued working.