‘Self-blame brings with it shame about the incident. Shame is more destructive than people can possibly imagine. Rape victims sometimes isolate themselves from their previous life, friends, family members, but most destructively, shame breeds anger and aggression.’
Alex paused to give either of her visitors an opportunity to ask her any questions.
‘Shame has a special link to anger. When victims are shamed and angry they are motivated to seek revenge.’
‘Had Ruth accepted that it wasn’t her fault?’
‘Ruth was prepared to consider that it wasn’t totally her fault.’
Alex enjoyed speaking about a subject of which she was knowledgeable, but she was aware of DI Stone’s attention travelling around the room; appraising the certificates, looking at the photograph that was just within her view.
‘Can you tell me what the treatment might entail?’
‘Cognitive Restructuring involves four steps. The first step is to identify problematic cognitions, known as automatic thoughts, which are dysfunctional or negative views of one’s self, the world or the future. Next is identifying the cognitive distortions in the automatic thoughts. What follows is a rational disputation of the automatic thoughts and finally developing a rational rebuttal to the automatic thoughts.’
‘Phew, sounds complicated.’
Alex smiled, selecting charm as her weapon of choice. ‘Not really, I just threw in some big words to impress you. Simply put, it’s a method of retraining the response of the mind to destructive thoughts.’
There was no reaction from the woman but DS Bryant coloured slightly. ‘Was it helpful to her?’
It would have been if I’d actually used the technique, Alex thought. It would have helped her come to terms with the attack and move on with her life, but for Alex that would have been self-defeating.
‘I thought she was responding well to it.’
Alex’s attention was drawn to the female detective who was checking something on her mobile phone. The woman did not have the decency to listen while she was being generous with her expertise.
‘Is there anything in that method of treatment that could have had any impact on Ruth doing what she did?’
Alex shook her head. ‘The treatment focuses on the thoughts of the victim and trying to change those patterns rather than on the attack itself.’
‘Did she say anything to give you any indication of her intentions?’
Alex decided she’d given enough free information. If they wanted any more they could go and study for ten years or pay for her knowledge. ‘I’m afraid I can’t share any of the details of what was discussed in our sessions.’
‘But this is a murder enquiry.’
‘And you have a confession, therefore I’m not obstructing your investigation into the crime.’
Bryant smiled at her, acknowledging the point.
She smiled back. ‘And, one last thing. If I contacted you every time one of my patients explored a fantasy, people would begin to talk.’
Bryant cleared his throat. Yes, now she was having fun. Men were so much easier to manipulate; such simple, vain creatures.
Alex lowered her voice to little more than a whisper, as though there was only the two of them in the room. So far, this had been a one-way relationship and Alex now wanted payment for her services. ‘Can you just tell me how the poor girl is doing?’
Bryant hesitated. ‘Not too well, I’m afraid. It seems that the victim was sorry for what he’d done.’
Alex steeled herself for what was to come.
‘Oh no, that must be terrible for her.’
Bryant nodded. ‘She’s wracked by guilt. It seems she’d never considered that possibility. In her mind he was still the monster that raped her, not a man who was remorseful and sorry for what he did, and now she’s taken his life.’
Rage burned through Alex’s veins. If she’d been alone, ornaments would have flown and furniture would have travelled. The fucking stupid woman felt guilty for killing the bastard. She actually felt remorse for snuffing the life of a fucking monster who had brutally raped and beaten her and left her for dead.
Alex hid her anger behind a benign smile. Ruth had let her down badly. She’d had high hopes for that subject and she’d ended up being pathetically feeble-minded. Alex wanted her here right now so she could gladly wring her neck.
‘Doctor, we’d like to know a bit more about Ruth’s state of mind at the time of the attack.’
So here it was, the reason for the visit and for the delay on a criminal charge. The detectives were carrying out background checks in case the defence tried to plead insanity. They didn’t want a murder charge that wouldn’t stick.
‘That’s really difficult to state. I wasn’t with her on the night in question so …’
‘But would you be prepared to testify in the defence of Ruth Willis that she was not of sound mind when carrying out the attack?’
‘It would be foolish to assume that because she was seeing a psychiatrist she is insane.’
‘That didn’t quite answer the question, Doctor.’
Of course not, but she was building the tension and showing them that this was a difficult situation for her. Still the female officer had not looked her way.
‘That was the intention. You have to understand that I have known Ruth some time and have built up a rapport during our sessions. She trusts me.’
‘But we have to understand her a little better before moving forward.’
Alex understood that her next statement could change the course of Ruth’s life. If her expert opinion was that Ruth was suffering diminished responsibility or some type of temporary psychosis, there was a good chance that the CPS would consider charging Ruth with manslaughter to ensure a conviction.
Whatever she said next could make the difference between a life sentence and five to eight years.
‘No, I cannot in all good conscience testify that Ruth Willis is insane.’
Boy, she hated it when people disappointed her.
She had their attention now. Both of them. Bryant in particular became more animated.
‘Doctor, would you actually be willing to testify for the prosecution?’
Alex remained silent for a couple of minutes, appearing to torture herself between loyalty to her patient and good, honest civic duty.
She let out a long breath. ‘Only if absolutely necessary.’
There you go, Ruth. Payback’s a bitch.
Bryant shot a look at his superior before extending his hand. ‘Thank you for your time, Doctor Thorne. You’ve been a tremendous help.’
Alex nodded silently, still dealing with the internal struggle.
Bryant headed towards the door and the detective inspector followed. She stopped at the doorway and turned. The female detective spoke for only the second time. Her voice was low, smooth and confident.
‘Just one last thing, Doctor Thorne. I’m a little surprised that with your training, your years in practice and the length of time spent with your client, you couldn’t see this coming.’
Alex met the woman’s unflinching gaze and saw a coldness there that sent a frisson of excitement along her spine. Their eyes locked for a few seconds before the detective shrugged and headed out of the room.
Alex stared at the closed door. Although the anger still ran red hot through her veins it was tempered with intrigue. One thing she never shied away from was a challenge.
As a plan began to form in her head, Alex smiled. When one door closed, another one opened.
TWENTY-ONE
Shane Price stood back as the door opened. A man and woman left and got into a Golf.
Despite his rage, Shane’s heart quickened slightly as he caught a brief glimpse of her closing the door. His anger paused as he contemplated her perfection.