Chapter 47

Dana relayedher concerns about Claire's experience at St. Ann's along with the story Claire shared about Max and his upbringing. It had raised alarms for Dana. Two broken halves didn't make a whole. She knew that from her own struggles with trust and intimacy. But she worried Claire would be drawn to someone with the same abandonment issues.

Psychological abuse was sneaky that way. People often thought if no one beat you, you couldn't have scars. Dana knew that was far from true.

"It's the vigilante justice comment that worries me the most," Dana said. "I don't like to feed stereotypes, but there's substantial evidence to support a group of unstable individuals easily finding it reasonable to take matters into their own hands. We need to make sure that doesn't happen or at least limit Claire's exposure to it. And everything she told me about Max … I can't say he's a good influence."

"Okay, let's start with finding out more about Max and Betty, and we can monitor their phone conversations to make sure nothing stands out, but Dana, we have to tread lightly with Claire. PTSD is isolating enough. I don't want her to feel like we're not in her corner."

"Jake, I think it's more complicated than PTSD."

"I think I have enough personal experience to recognize the signs."

"I'm not challenging your understanding. I'm just asking that you consider this goes deeper."

"Deeper how?"

"I was up all last night doing some research. I kept coming back to the comment the officer made the night they picked up Claire. Her behavior exhibited commonalities in possession, exorcisms, and poltergeist studies."

"Dana, I know your mind is conditioned to go there, but this isn't witchcraft. It's politics. I know in D.C. they can look like one and the same, but in this case, it's just Hayes being a thorn in my side to the very end. Claire's just another casualty of his self-serving vortex."

"Maybe so, but if I could cross reference my findings with Dr. Dvita's research it might give me some answers."

"Well, that's gonna be difficult unless you're shacking up with another guy who can get you a warrant."

Dana couldn't appreciate Jake's attempt at flirtation at the moment. Her mind was too deep down a rabbit hole of conjecture. She pushed past him, walking around to sit at her desk. "Do you think Hartwell would help us?"

Jake practically growled at the mention of his name. "Considering the reality TV nightmare parked out front is the parting gift from the last favor I asked, I'd say it's doubtful. Besides, the next time I talk to that prick, it's not going to be to ask a favor."

Dana opened her laptop and stared at the screen as it powered on. "Well, since we're stuck here, why don't we make the most of it and dig into researching Dvita?

Jake shook his head. "I think it's best if we put a hold on that for now. Everything I touch is currently under investigation. It's best I don't make things worse for Jenkins by ruffling more feathers. Besides, my attorney will have an aneurism if I don't heed his not too subtle ‘stand down' orders."

"Okay, but there has to be something we can do to be productive." An idle mind was the devil's workshop, and Dana needed a distraction. "What about looking into your father?"