Free The New Patient (Dr. Epstein's Couch: Criminal Minds Series) by Ann Black Page B

you trying to control our session Kyle?”
    He shrugs and crosses his legs, but the charm slips and he looks bored. His gaze takes in my desk and I suspect he’s trying to find personal clues about me. It’s the main reason I never keep photo’s in my office.
    He looks at me again. “What if I told you I got myself a pretty little brunette and a bottle of Shiraz last night?” he watches me intently, looking to read my response.
    I freeze, trying to cage my anxiety. “Really Kyle?” I manage to say blandly. The possibility that he’s stalking me storms my mind. How could he know otherwise? I met Rachel at the Club and we drove to the bottle shop on the way back to my place. I scan my memory briefly but can’t recall anything unusual. He could have easily followed me. But why and why let me know?
    But I already know the answer. It’s his back up plan. If he can’t manage to persuade me with charm, he’s letting me know he could hurt me. The last time I worked with someone this dangerous, they were in prison. What the fuck led to his parole decision? Again, I already know the answer. I’m guessing the same strategies paid off with his assessors.
    He gives a little laugh, “Are you a brunette man Doctor? Or do you prefer blondes?”
    Better to challenge him and record it for the file, otherwise he’ll be walking all over me. “I’m curious why you should ask such a question Kyle? Have you been following me?”
    He looks a little surprised but smiles like a cat toying with its next meal. “No John, no need to be paranoid I’m not following you. You should relax more. I happened to see you in the bottle-shop last night as I walked back from my AA meeting.” I don’t believe him. I know a warning when I hear one. He shrugs casually before continuing,
    “I’m just trying to build a rapport with you. I know I used to prefer blondes. Don’t you want to ask me about my past?”
    I know he’s referring to his last victim, Dana Edwards. She had just turned 18 and was on her way home from her birthday party when she met Kyle. It was a meeting she didn’t survive.
    “Are you deriving enjoyment from trying to make me uncomfortable Kyle?” Anxiety evaporates under the rising heat of my anger—I watch the triumph play across his face. He’s trying to get a rise out of me and he’s observant enough to see it’s working. You sick bastard, give me a reason to send you back.
    “No John. I am genuinely sorry for what I’ve done. At night I see the look in that young girl’s eyes. I wish I could go back in time and change it but I can’t. I’m just trying to learn how to be normal. How to talk like a normal guy to another guy.”
    His eyes actually tear up, but I know he’s trying to intimidate me—he’s clever. He’s letting me know he’s followed me and he’s capable of killing and getting away with it.
    My anger mounts, “Don’t fuck around Kyle. If your threatening me, be man enough to come out with it.” I look him square in the eyes. The most dangerous place for me to be right now is in fear. If he thinks I’m an easy victim, I’m in real trouble.
    Kyle laughs with genuine mirth. “Whoa! Slow down John!” He picks an imaginary speck off his jeans and smiles with satisfaction as he watches me. “If I’ve offended you today, I truly am sorry. We both know I’ve got problems dealing with people—that’s why I’m here, to get your help,” he finishes.
    With effort I unbundle my face to form ‘the expression’ and hide behind my training. I allow myself a brief vision of punching him hard in the head, then I pretend to be behind safety glass where he can’t touch me—emotionally or physically.
    The safety glass is another strategy. This one helped me survive five years of working in prisons and psychiatric hospitals, back when an easy patient was a less dangerous version of Kyle and it never lets me down. Anchored and back in control, I fix him with my best unflinching stare. “I’m