Page 64 of The Wedding Party

“Now it’s an impairment?” I challenge.

“It absolutely is,” she declares.

I give her credit. She’s not flustered, not by my slurping, pushing, or prodding. That tells me she’s done this before. I’d be interested to find out just how many cases she’s testified on.

“And how long will this impairment continue?” I ask.

“She needs help recovering from the trauma to latch on to her suppressed memories.”

“And what exactly do you recommend?” I ask, but I already know the answer. I bet myself a chocolate cake the answer is a treatment facility.

“A treatment facility,” Dr. Norton states.

And there it is, folks. The winner and my chocolate cake. If only it were as filled with calorie-free bites as she is with bullshit. “How long?” I ask.

“At least thirty days, with a staff that has experience in this area. I’ve discussed this option with Carrie’s attorney, and she’s lined up an appropriate facility.”

“Do you have any connection to this facility you recommend?” I ask.

“I do not,” she replies primly.

“Does anyone you know have a connection to the facility?”

“They do not. I’m not trying to play a game here, Agent Castle. I have the patient’s best interest in mind.”

“And what about the victim’s?”

“Carrie getting her memory back is in the victim’s best interest. I’ll let Ms. Littleton handle giving you a copy of my written report.” With that, she turns and walks out of the waiting room.

I’d assume Oliver’s family would object to this and demand an arrest, but as Danielle, Ms. Littleton herself, appears in the doorway, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes, I know that’s not how this is going to play out.

Chapter Fifty-Five

I stand my ground and force Ms. Littleton to come to me.

“You talked to Dr. Norton, I assume?” she asks, stepping toe to toe with me, her way of telling me my badge doesn’t intimidate her.

“Do you know what they say about attorneys who are overly confident?”

“I’m not overly confident, Agent Castle.”

“That’s what every overly confident attorney says until they find out that, guess what? They were overly confident. You know my problem with an overly confident attorney?”

“What, Agent Castle?”

“Nothing. Did the Phoenixes agree to this treatment facility?”

“They’re showing support for the woman their son loved. They’ve offered to pay for the outrageously expensive facility and provide transportation to get her there.”

“I’ll agree with the terms. I’ll ride with her, with her in my custody, held for questioning, until she’s checked into the facility. She doesn’t leave the facility without me being able to fully complete that questioning.”

“Which I’ll be present for,” she reminds me.

“And,” I add, ignoring her, and holding up a finger as she opens her mouth to speak, “I want twenty-four hours’ notice before her release, in which to decide if I want to arrest her. All of these things will be put in writing tonight.”

“Agreed,” she says, but her tone is pure sour grapes.

“How much money will Carrie inherit?”