He had a better idea.
Chapter 40
Dylan turned away from staring out the window at the unrelenting rain and said, “I must get Malone’s file.”
Beth was on the sofa with Andrew, supervising his artistic endeavors in a coloring book. Startled by Dylan’s sudden announcement, she looked up. “Pardon?”
“Adhering to patient privilege was the ethical and right thing to do. But it wasn’t the good thing to do for Mitch. Now his reputation, his career, hislife, depend on him being right about who ordered Angela’s murder.
“He’s about to make allegations based on nothing except Roland Malone’s references to his evil twin, whose pet nameI,” she stressed, “never gave a second thought.”
Beth said, “I’m sorry. I’m not following.”
“I realize how rambling this all sounds to you.” She took a breath. “Basically, I have pages of notes and analyses of Roland Malone’s therapy sessions. I’ve denied Mitch access to Malone’s patient file, but he needs it now more than ever.”
“So offer it to him.”
“I did. He said it would take too long to go through it all. But there could be a vitalsomethingin there that I’ve forgotten or dismissed as insignificant. Before Mitch does something rash, I’ve got to scan through it at least. I might find some ammunition he could use.”
“Where’s the file?”
“On my office computer.”
“Can you use Mitch’s laptop to access it?”
Dylan glanced toward the card table. “I don’t know his password, do you?” Beth shook her head. “I must go to my office.”
Beth left Andrew to his vigorous coloring with a red crayon and heaved herself up from the sofa and onto her feet, cradling her bulk in her arms. “I don’t think Mitch would approve of your leaving here.”
“Wouldn’t approve? He’d have a conniption. But I need to do this for him.”
“Dylan, it’s clear that you two have grown… close. I see you feel that you’ve let him down, but—”
She interrupted. “With all due respect, Beth, you don’t see it. Not from a clinical standpoint. I’ve had patients who were so intent on getting revenge that it consumed them to the point that therapy didn’t help. The obsession continued to feed on itself until their life took a tragic turn. Loss of job, marriage, and family, sometimes loss of life.
“I don’t want to see that happen to Mitch. To…” She nodded down at Andrew. “I’m afraid that Mitch’s better judgment won’t stand up against his commitment to getting vengeance. But whether he succeeds or fails, the attempt itself could cost him dearly. If it’s possible that I can help him, I’ve got to try.”
When she moved to go around Beth, Beth placed herself in front of her. “There must be a way to retrieve this file without you physically having to do it. We’ll call Mitch and get his laptop’s password. Then he or someone could access the file and email—”
“No. Even my assistant doesn’t have the password to my computer. I wouldn’t give anyone access to my patient files. They’re inviolate. But that rule no longer applies to Roland Malone.”
“Can’t you wait until Mitch or John—”
“No. Mitch said he’s on borrowed time. Didn’t you sense how eager he was to get out of here?”
“That was only Mitch being Mitch.”
“Exactly. Mitch was being his starting-gate self. You just made my point.”
Beth winced. “I did, didn’t I? But whatever he’s planning to do, he’s doing it believing you’re safe. It would be reckless and dangerous for you to go chasing off—”
“‘Go chasing off’ like you went chasing after the blood moon psychopath?”
Beth was about to counter, but closed her mouth. Opened it again. Closed it.
Dylan said, “Mitch has told me all about that day. How courageous you were. What compelled you to take such a risk?”
“I was in pursuit of a serial criminal.”
