A New York psychiatrist's life is turned upside down when an anonymous blog appears, documenting everything she does, revealing her most private secrets, and predicting murder. Linda Garrett has it all: a successful husband, two great kids and a thriving psychiatry practice. It's a happy life until a blog appears, documenting everything she does, and disclosing her most private secrets. This begins to fray the knitting that holds her family together, dredging up things they'd hoped to leave in the past. But when the blog predicts their imminent deaths, Linda realizes what's at stake and works frantically to find its creator. Chapter 1 The pair of eyes, closed and quivering, had a dash of green eyeliner Linda noted. "You can take as long as you need," she told Gwen. Gwen remained silent. Her plump hands were held together in her lap. "There's no hurry at all," Linda told her. Linda sat back in her own chair, satisfied that she had shown enough empathy. Not that she didn't care. She cared a lot. But when your job was to care, it was pleasing sometimes to know that you looked like you did. Her face pleasant and turned directly at the client, hands holding pen and pad, she waited. She didn't mind waiting. She did so quite often. Waited and waited until whenever the client was ready. She noticed that Gwen's mouth, which was set a little to the left of the rest of her face, did not move at all. It seemed to be the focus of her concentration. Gwen's eyes were closed and tremulous, but her mouth was resolute. Linda relaxed and looked around at her office. It was a little too large, she still felt three years on. The location and the rent had just been too good to pass up. That's the thing about New York. The rent decided everything for you. Linda returned her thoughts to Gwen McConnell. She noted how the trembling eyes seemed to always be on the verge of opening. But they wouldn't. "If you don't say it, we can't really make much headway can we?" Linda asked. "Solving the problem starts with stating what it is, don't you think?" Still Gwen remained silent. Linda waited. Seventeen years of a psychiatric practice had taught her the value of waiting. Arriving at something before the client was ready could sometimes be problematic. One had to wait and let the client lead the way to all the nooks and crannies of his or her life. Linda Garrett was in her early forties. Her pantsuit and bundled hair, aiming for modesty, failed to downplay her extraordinary beauty. She was gregarious, and found it easy to speak softly, thoughtfully, earnestly to her clients. She hoped it didn't come across as too practiced. Sometimes she pretended to stumble with her words, just so it wouldn't sound too proficient, too glib. Gwen was proving to be a challenge. She'd made three sessions and, for each one, had come in and sat and clammed up. For the whole hour. And so Linda waited. And waited. Perhaps a little more prodding? "Gwen, you made an appointment to come and sit here and talk to me. I think you did so for a reason." Still, Gwen said nothing. An alarm beeped discreetly. Chapter 2 Linda pressed the alarm off, then returned her attention to Gwen. But Gwen rose heavily. "We don't have to stop," Linda offered. "I can stay, and it's off the clock." She wanted to get to the bottom of this. Gwen stood still for a few moments, just staring at the floor. "Three visits without saying anything... it's not the way to solve your problems is it?" Gwen continued appraising the floor. "Okay. I won't keep you if you wish to leave," Linda told her. Gwen seemed to step to the door with relief. "Ahm... same time next week?" she asked in her childlike voice. "Sure. We can meet, same time next week," Linda told her. Linda opened the door and walked Gwen out to the front office. "Thank you," Gwen said as she left.
S Alini is a simple mouse trying to find the next cheese. He loves independent films, particularly east European ones. He writes when a story grabs him. He can be found loitering at this spot: http: //alinibooks.blogspot.com/ Or reached at www.facebook.com/san.alini/about Twitter: @SanAlini Email: aliniyuli2011@gmail.com
