“What is it?”Jessica asked.
“We might need to get the media involved after all.”
Jessica sighed."You think we need to follow this art lead?"
“It’s the only lead we have left.”
“What about the media circus you were afraid of?”Jessica said.“About law enforcement’s ability to obtain information and the general public’s right to withhold it?”
Faith crossed her arms.“Yeah, that’s gonna be a challenge.We’re going to have to risk it, though.We might be able to convince Channel Six to spin things in our favor.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“No.”
“So, what do you want to do?”
Faith sighed.“See if we can get a warrant.”
Jessica frowned and looked down at her cup.She downed it and headed to the counter to order another latte.This one with three extra shots of espresso.On her way back to the table, she nearly collided with an attractive woman in her early thirties with long hair dyed a shockingly bright but attractive red and green eyes that complemented the look perfectly.The woman bounced away from Jessica and giggled,
"Sorry about that!"before leaving the café.
Jessica continued to frown at the woman’s back as she returned to their booth.“Do people just not know to watch where they’re going anymore?”
Faith could have pointed out that Jessica also wasn’t watching where she was going, but she kept the thought to herself.“I’ll call about the—”
Her phone buzzed before she could finish that sentence.“It’s Dr.Paulson,” she told Jessica.
“I’ll call for the warrant,” Jessica said.“Answer that.Depending on what Dr.Paulson has to say, we might not need to worry about that art class after all.”
"Fingers crossed," Faith answered."Yes, Dr.Paulson?"
“Hey, Special Agent,” the VA psychologist said, reluctance dripping from her voice.“Can I count on your discretion?”
That wasn’t the sort of thing Faith could offer a blanket guarantee to, but if complications came up, she could work it out later.“Yes.What do you have for me?”
“I’ve been going back and forth on this,” Paulson said, “And I’m still not sure if it’s the right thing to do, but… Well, I knew Robert.He was a good man.A kind man.I might not believe in God, but I respect the work he did and the comfort he provided our veterans.”
“So did I,” Faith replied.“What do you have for us, Doctor?”
"Well… None of the patients here have demonstrated the sort of violent tendencies you're describing, but there's a former colleague of mine who's known for having said some very provocative things."
“Do you have a name, Dr.Paulson?”
"Dr.Angela Pierce.She was barred from work with the Veterans Association last year after publishing and defending some controversial articles calling chaplains snake-oil salesmen and purveyors of false hope.The Chaplain Corps was all understandably upset and called for her removal, especially sinceshewas calling for the abolition of chaplains and religion entirely in the military.She’s written a lot about the evils of religion in a modern society.”
Faith tilted her head.“This is interesting stuff, Doctor, but it doesn’t quite scream murder to me.”
“I know.I… I had a personal experience with her.She and I were friends prior to her departure.When I learned she was being removed from VA work, I took her out for drinks.I felt sorry for her.I didn’t agree with her extreme views, but… Anyway, we went out for drinks, and out of nowhere, she just started hissing—that’s the only word I can think to describe it—that chaplains were evil and religion was evil, and she hated all of them and wanted all of them to die.She said the world would be a better place if she could just figure out a way to murder all of them.”
Faith raised her eyebrows.“And this woman is adoctor?”
"I'm not sure if she suffered trauma as a youth, although I suspect it," Dr.Paulson replied."Either way, I was appalled.I took her home and then texted her the following day that, after hearing her rant the previous evening, I believed our friendship had run its course.She replied with a curt message indicating that she understood and wouldn't be bothering me anymore.I haven't heard from her since."
Faith nodded.“And do you believe that she would follow through on her desires?”
Dr.Paulson hesitated for a moment, then admitted, “I’ve never interacted with a killer before.Not that I would know of.I mean, warfighters, but that’s not the same as murderers.I don’t believe the woman I know would ever harm anyone, but the woman I spoke to that night was not the woman I know.”
