Chapter 35

Dana watchedthe red-haired girl Claire spoke to in hushed tones with unbiased curiosity. There was something intimate about the way they leaned into one another while they whispered that sparked her interest. Especially since Claire had been so stringent with her personal space with Dana and Jake.

Just then Dr. Dvita walked over to her.

"Who's that girl Claire is speaking with?" Dana asked.

"She goes by Betty."

"Claire mentioned her when she was under hypnosis. She was with her and Max the night Hayes was killed."

"That's right."

"Has anyone questioned her?"

"Yes, of course. The police did, and I spoke to her as well."

"And?"

"She said she didn't see anything."

"You believe her?" Dana asked.

"Are you suggesting I shouldn't?"

"No. But I'd like to sit in on your group session today if that's okay."

"That's highly unusual, Dr. Gray. Group sessions aren't open to outsiders."

"I understand. But I'm here in a professional capacity."

Dvita blinked rapidly. "I wasn't aware you'd been assigned to the investigation."

"Officially, I haven't, but given my area of expertise, I might be able to offer valuable input."

"Forgive me, Dr. Gray, but I'm afraid your expertise has no merit here. Allowing you to sit in would violate the safety and sanctity I offer my patients."

Dana was dumbfounded. "Dr. Dvita, one of your patients was brutally murdered with an occult artifact. There is no one else in this city who has more expertise in that field. If someone here can shed light on what happened, we are duty bound to make that happen."

Dvita cocked his head. "Careful, Dr. Gray. You sound more like that FBI agent you spend so much time with than the Smithsonian's renowned archivist."

"Look, I came here for Claire. You're the one who implored me to continue her therapy."

"Yes, and that's precisely what I'm doing, Dr. Gray. This is a therapy session, not an interrogation. My patients need to feel safe to share what they went through. Badgering them like suspects will do more harm than good. They've been through enough of that already when they were questioned by the police."

"I understand. I don't need to say a word. If I can just observe?—"

"Dr. Gray, I think it's best if you stick to your job and let me do mine."

He started to turn away, but Dana was desperate to get what she'd come for. "Can I at least see the tapes of Claire's sessions?"

Dr. Dvita turned back to face her, his expression stony. "You spoke to Meredith Kincaid."

He hadn't posed it as a question, but Dana couldn't stop herself from asking. "Why do you say that?"

His smile held no warmth. "You might understand death, Dr. Gray, but I understand the human mind."

"Then you should know mine isn't easily swayed. I'd like to see Claire's tapes."

"Then I suggest you come back with a warrant."

"What if Claire wants to show them to me?"

He shrugged. "Then I'd have to recommend she reconsider."

"I don't get it. Yesterday you hypnotized Claire in front of me and were more than willing to share details about her recovery. What's changed?"

"Nothing has changed, Dr. Gray. I'm looking out for the well-being of my patients. And I wouldn't be doing my job if I surrendered private sessions that could easily be misinterpreted by the untrained observer. Psychiatry is a complex field. Having to explain that only proves my point." He extended his arm, pointing to the exit. "Leave the expertise to the experts."