“What is involved in the hydropathy treatments precisely?” He lifted a brow. “Cold baths or more...invasive options?”
Her lips tightened. “As you must already know, we have found significant success with enemas for many of our guests. They flush toxins from the body more speedily and more thoroughly than a simple bath, regardless of whether it’s hot or cold.”
“Rumors suggest they are not the usual sort of enemas.” This had to be one of the more bizarre conversations he’d had while interviewing a suspect.
“Longer treatments are much more effective in truly dispelling toxins.” She lifted her chin. “I can attest to that from personal experience, having healed my own illness with a combination of hydropathy and fasting. As I said this morning.”
Henry still had difficulty believing people paid money to subject themselves to a form of starvation and what must be uncomfortable, prolonged enemas. Could not half of that treatment, at least, be suffered at home? “Your belief is that toxins of some sort contribute to disease?”
“I know it.” A gleam entered her eye, a sign of what Henry had to think was a forceful personality. The question was, whether she used that confidence to inspire others or to bully them. “As I said, I’ve experienced the transformation myself.”
“Interesting.” Henry jotted down the information to give himself time to ponder how that fit with a potential motive. “Tell me—”
“Inspector Field, unless you have been truly ill and in fear for your life—”
The memory of the explosion suddenly rushed in, catching him off guard. Lifted from his feet and thrown to the ground. Debris raining down. The sharp stab of pain in his head and side—
In that moment, he had feared not only for his life but also for Marcus’s. The vivid memory was enough to cause his heartbeat to quicken and his mouth go dry. He touched his temple, his headache worsening, bringing an unwelcome wave of nausea with it.
He straightened in the chair and drew a slow breath to ease his distress, hoping it didn’t show.
“Ah.” Dr. Thorne smiled, though he wouldn’t have called it friendly in the least. More like a lioness who had spotted a vulnerability in her prey. “So you have experienced the fear of death.”
Fear. It was a terrible word that suggested weakness. The victims he spoke with used it often after surviving a horrifying ordeal. He didn’t like being in their company and had thought he was already past it.
Apparently, that wasn’t the case.
Doing his best to smooth his features, he nodded carefully, not wanting to worsen the pain in his head. “Yes, as a police officer, I have encountered dangerous situations on numerous occasions.”
There. That made it sound normal and he’d kept his tone bland. He had no desire to reveal anything personal to Dr. Thorne, as it would surely be used against him. This woman was clever.
“But something recent has left you unsettled, perhaps?” The knowing look she sent him made him more than a little uncomfortable. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “And in pain.”
“A headache,” he agreed reluctantly, unable to lie. “Nothing more than—”
“I’m happy to provide you with something to ease it,” she offered. “I am a doctor, after all.”
“No need.” He didn’t trust her not to poison him, even if she was a doctor. He glanced at his notes, the words swimming before him, trying to regain his focus. “How do you determine the methods of treatment to employ with a particular patient?”He’d asked the question before, but suspects often revealed additional details the second time.
She merely looked at him for a moment. “It is interesting, isn’t it, how much those who have been through traumatic experiences suddenly value life. We frequently see that with the guests we heal.”
Henry pressed his lips tight to keep from responding. Who wouldn’t value life’s simple pleasures after enduring a challenging health regimen? Mr. Olson was proof positive of that.
“But back to your question. Each guest is examined and evaluated, as I believe I told you before, and I oversee all treatment plans.”
“And all involve water?” It sounded too simple to work. If water was so healing, why charge for it?
“For the most part, yes. Filling the body with water flushes out impurities. The goal of hydropathy is to induce a crisis where any contamination rises to the skin’s surface. Preferably in the form of pus, sometimes as sweat. There are a variety of baths used, including plunging, half, head, sitting.” She tapped a finger on her desk. “But the most effective hydropathy in my experience is enemas.”
“And the patient is monitored during this process to make sure they don’t come to harm?”
Dr. Thorne sighed with another one of her patronizing smiles. “Ourguestsrarely know what is best for them. We must balance their wishes during their stay with the results that we know will follow. Doctor knows best.”
The vision of patients screaming for the water to stop came to mind. Of them begging for food. Such unpleasant images. “Youmust have a strong will to refuse their pleas. Do you ever take their requests into consideration? I believe informed consent is required.”
Again came that knowing smile. “Our guests come to us for a reason. They trust our methods. We explain the process and the difficulties in advance to give them fair warning.”
That still didn’t make it permissible in Henry’s opinion. “Is it possible one of your staff members was overzealous in their efforts when it came to Walter Dunn?”
