Mind Games

by M. J. Labeff

  “Hey, Angel, how’s the ankle?” Derrick asked.

  She looked up at him with glassy eyes. “Not good. Hurts real bad. I better just stay put.” Her speech slurred. “I should rest.”

  “Well, now how about you and I go for a little walk, and I’ll be the judge of that. Perhaps a little physical therapy would do you some good.”

  “Okay.” She hobbled up from the chair with Derrick’s help.

  “Dr. Sloan is right. Let’s go for a walk.”

  Derrick’s head jerked up, and he didn’t like the smile spread across Dr. Von Langley’s face that seemed to say, “I’ve got you right where I want you.” He wasn’t going to make this an easy exit for Derrick and Angel. He wanted to keep Angel.

  “Come now, you can use my office.”

  Derrick’s heart hitched. He didn’t like the idea of getting stuck down stairs, but it would make things easier for Sparrow to escape with her mom, and give the crew of experts and police surrounding the estate more time.

  “That’s an excellent idea.” Derrick wouldn’t fall prey to Dr. Von Langley’s intimidation. “Lead the way.”

  Once Derrick had Angel sitting at the edge of the examination table in Dr. Von Langley’s medical office, he noticed she seemed anxious. She’d gone from lethargic to alert, and her pale, glassy eyes kept darting around the room like she was looking for something. Dr. Von Langley kept guard near the door, and something about the situation didn’t feel right to Derrick. Angel’s pupils dilated. She swayed back and forth, trying to keep upright. Derrick slipped his hand behind her back to steady her.

  She fell forward against his chest and whispered, “He has Sly locked up.”

  Her neck snapped back, and the weight of her body fell into the crook of his arm. Whatever medication Dr. Von Langley had given her had started to take effect. Derrick helped her settle back against the examination table. Her legs dangled over the edge.

  “Dr. Von Langley, if you’ll excuse us, I think she might be having an allergic reaction to the pain medicine you gave her,” Derrick said. “What did you give her?”

  “A muscle relaxer. Why don’t you let her rest and come back in the morning?” he asked, and purposefully stood in the center of the doorway, making it impossible for Derrick to scoop up Angel, push his way past Dr. Von Langley, drag her across the white padded cell, and through the office to the elevator doors. They would never make it, and Angel appeared to be out cold.

  “I can’t do that. She’s my patient, my responsibility. I appreciate all you’ve done, but—”

  Derrick heard the sound of someone moaning. He glanced over at Angel, who was lying unconscious on the examination table. The groaning noise came again. He followed it toward a closet door. Dr. Von Langley left his post and slammed his hand against the door. “I wouldn’t open that if I were you.”

  “Why? Who’s in there?” Derrick demanded.

  “A very ill patient. I’ve got him in isolation.”

  “I bet you do,” Derrick said, stepping closer to Dr. Von Langley. “Move out of the way.” Derrick twisted the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. “Open the door. Now.”

  Derrick kept his eyes steady on Dr. Von Langley’s face, but his peripheral vision picked up movement. When the moaning sound came again from the closet, Dr. Von Langley’s attention shifted to the door. Derrick saw Sparrow approaching, moving with the silent grace bred into her by years of yoga training. His gun was in her hand. Her face set with purpose. He shifted his attention back to Dr. Von Langley, who never saw her coming. Dr. Von Langley’s chest thrust forward when she pressed the gun into his back.

  * * *

  “Daddy, dearest, I know what you’ve done.”

  “Sparrow, sweetheart? How dare you come into my home and pull a gun on me?”

  Dr. Von Langley’s baritone voice had lost its luster as he questioned his daughter’s motive.

  She jammed the gun deeper into his back, making him lurch forward. “Open the door and let the kid out. You’re not getting away with this.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m reaching kids. I’m changing lives. I’m helping them. Now put the gun down,” Dr. Von Langley said, trying to use the soft tone of his voice to soothe the gun from her hand.

  “No, no, no, no. You’re hurting kids. You hurt me. I remember the isolation room. Let whoever it is you’ve got locked up in that coffin out.”

  “You won’t shoot me.”

  “You’re right. But I swear I’ll blow out a kneecap and keep going from there until you open the door.”

  Thank you. You’ve found him, the voice whispered in her ear. She glanced to the right. Derrick’s sister stood next to her. She turned her attention to her father and clutched the gun harder in her shaking hand. She drove it deeper into his back, thinking of justice for Katie. But her hand became suddenly limp, and she felt Katie pushing the raised gun down to her side. Don’t let him turn you into a monster. You’re not a killer. Her words resonated with Sparrow, bringing tears to her eyes. She turned to Katie. A calm and satisfied look filled her face. A slight smile curved against her thin lips. Blood sisters forever. Her spectral image vanished.

  * * *

  Derrick worried Dr. Von Langley might reach for the gun. Several seconds passed. Risking it all, he rushed to Sparrow’s side and eased the gun from her hand then aimed it at the back of Dr. Von Langley’s head.

  “Don’t move.” He pressed the gun against the side of Dr. Von Langley’s temple with his left hand, pulling Sparrow close to him with his right. “She might not shoot, but I will if you make one attempt to grab this gun.”

  “This is preposterous. I’ve done nothing wrong. You can’t barge in here like this. My daughter has problems. If it weren’t for me, she’d be in Our Lady of Sorrow.”

  Sparrow coiled into Derrick’s side. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”

  Dr. Von Langley’s face contorted in anger.

  “Sweetheart, I should have locked you and your mother up years ago. You’re both very sick,” he said between gritted teeth.

  “Shut up. You’re the one who’s sick. You killed my sister.” Derrick cocked the gun. His finger shook.

  He pressed the gun against Dr. Von Langley’s skull. His hand trembled. In a split second he could have retribution for his sister and the others. Sparrow coiled tighter into his side, burying her face into his chest. Even she wouldn’t stop him from pulling the trigger. Bang.

  The elevator doors squealed open. Tony and another police officer stormed into the room, yelling, “Put the gun down. Put the gun down.”

  “Damn it, Derrick. I said no gun.” Tony glared at him.

  Derrick pulled the gun away from the side of Dr. Von Langley’s head and handed it to Tony. He wrapped his arms around Sparrow, hugging her close to him. She trembled in his arms.

  “Baby, you shouldn’t have come.”

  “I had to see him myself. I had to let him know I remembered.” She whimpered.

  “I know.”

  “What’s going on here?” Dr. Von Langley asked.

  “You killed my sister,” Derrick said over the top of Sparrow’s head, fighting the urge to release her and wrap his hands around Dr. Von Langley’s neck.

  “That’s absurd,” Dr. Von Langley replied. The color drained from his face. A sheen glistened above his heavy brows. You’d better sweat it, bastard. Derrick gently pushed Sparrow aside and took a step toward Dr. Von Langley. Tony grabbed his arm, yanking him back.

  “Let us handle this,” Tony said. “Take care of Sparrow and make sure Angel’s okay.”

  Tony turned his attention to Dr. Von Langley. “As for you, Dr. Von Langley, you’re under arrest for sexual exploitation by a therapist, psychological and emotional abuse by a therapist, and murder, and that’s just for starters. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.”

  “You’re insane,�
�� Dr. Von Langley said.

  “Really. Maybe you’d like to take a scan of my head and perform a lobotomy to fix that, you sick SOB. Now open the door and let the kid out.”

  “You’ll be sorry. Your father tried to meddle in my business, and look at what happened to him and your mother.”

  “I’m warning you, Dr. Von Langley, keep talking and I’ll pile on another charge. Open. That. Door.”

  Dr. Von Langley flipped a switch on the wall and pulled open the door.

  “Cuff him,” Tony said to the other police officer.

  Behind the door, Sly was sitting on the floor inside a closet no larger than a vertical coffin. Sly braced his hands against the sides of the black walls and pushed himself up. Tony offered him a hand.

  “You’re lucky to be alive, Sly. Come on. We’re getting you and Angel out of here.”

  “You can’t take him. I finally found siblings to prove my gene theory, and their CT scans will prove it. You’re interfering with science.”

  “Really? Like the research you performed on the victims we found buried in your backyard?”

  Dr. Von Langley’s spine stiffened. “I want my attorney. You won’t get away this. I’m helping these kids. I’m changing lives. I’m discovering what brain abnormalities in kids turn them into psychopaths.”

  “Charming. Coming from one,” Tony said.

  The rest of the investigative team swarmed the place, turning each room inside out and bagging evidence. A gloved detective held up a large plastic bag filled with pills for Tony to see. “Look at what we have here: possession of ecstasy. I’d say you’re looking at possession of a Schedule I narcotic. That’ll get you some time,” Tony said with a smile. “And I bet you were Dana’s supplier, and those pills will match his personal supply.”

  “Put that down, that’s research,” Dr. Von Langley said between gritted teeth.

  Tony replied, “Great. Tell it to the judge.”

  “Get me my attorney,” Dr. Von Langley growled.

  Tony yanked Dr. Von Langley’s cuffed arms around so they were face to face and spat, “You’re gonna need one—murder, felony drug charges, child pornography, abuse of power.” He curled his lips into a snarl. “Get him out of my sight.”

  Derrick checked on Angel. Sly followed him and helped Angel get upright. He glanced over at Sparrow. She stood stoic and watched her father’s life unravel before her eyes. Much like the day Derrick had found her staring fixated at the ocean, he had to pull her away from the scene of the crime. He ushered Sly and Angel toward the elevators, dragging Sparrow with him. Her head craned back, trying to take it all in.

  Flashing red and blue lights greeted them outside. An ambulance was waiting, and Derrick insisted Sly and Angel go to the hospital after the nightmare they had both suffered. The vehicle sped away with the kids in it.

  “Where’s your mom, Sparrow?”

  “She’s at the hospital having a psychological evaluation. She has track marks on her arms from him, and he subjected her to acupuncture treatments.”

  “Why?”

  “To erase her memory. The police have already contacted Violet Crosby so she can help my mother recover her memories. Derrick…” She paused, unease in her eyes.

  “Baby, whatever it is, just say it.”

  “When I went out to get your gun, I talked to the forensic team. They found Katie’s remains.” Sparrow broke down into tears. He held her trembling body close to his, wanting to absorb her agony and turmoil. “Derrick, she was wearing the poison ring when she died. It was still around her finger.”

  “Let it go, baby. Just let it go. It’s over.”

  Chapter 33

  The arraignment started promptly at eight thirty the following morning. Sparrow and Derrick sat in back of the courtroom. Detective Tony Sargent sat behind the prosecution. The air hung thick with conviction. She reached for Derrick’s hand, surprised his palm felt as clammy as hers. Sun spread across the room from the stained glass windows but failed to lighten her spirit. A cesspool of emotions clouded her brain.

  Her mother had been kept overnight at the hospital for observation. Probably for the best, Sparrow thought, watching guards escort her father into the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit. Shackles clamped at his ankles. Chains traveled from the shackles around his ankles, up his legs, and around his waist, securing the cuffs bound to his wrists. Sparrow recognized Peter Lister. Their family attorney was at his side.

  “All rise.”

  The judge entered the courtroom, dispensed with the formalities, and asked, “Counselor, how does your client plead?”

  Peter Lister replied, “Not guilty. We’re asking for bail. My client is an outstanding citizen of the Crystal Cove community, and although he’s not a flight risk, he will surrender his passport.”

  “Sir,” Assistant District Attorney Belinda Henriquez interjected, “these are serious charges. The law states that a murder charge—”

  “Ms. Henriquez, I’m well aware of the charges and the law. Don’t insult me with a law school lesson.”

  “My apology, sir.”

  “Mr. Lister, bail is denied. Your client is remanded to Our Lady of Sorrow until his trial.”

  “This is preposterous. Peter, do something,” Dr. Von Langley demanded.

  “Counselor, control your client.”

  “Theodore, let me handle this,” Peter said under his breath. “Judge Thaylor, that institution is for the criminally insane.”

  “I’m well aware of the facility. Perhaps you should come up with an appropriate defense for your client.”

  “I ask that he be held at county until the trial.”

  “My ruling is final. Guards, see that Dr. Von Langley is transferred to Our Lady of Sorrow immediately. Court is dismissed.” He slammed down the gavel and exited the courtroom.

  Sparrow squeezed Derrick’s hand and whispered, “Now it’s over.”

  There was no doubt in her mind that her father would be convicted of the charges brought against him. He and his attorney had been granted time to prepare for trial, but she knew the evidence she’d helped lodge against him was airtight. The blood in the poison ring matched the DNA of Katie’s remains, and Dr. Von Langley’s own research had incriminated him, nicely fitting the evidence left behind by Dana. The forensic team made another grisly discovery of victims in shallow graves. The evidence was overwhelming.

  She didn’t want to see her father escorted out of the courtroom. Sparrow put on a brave face then tugged on Derrick’s hand and gestured toward the door. Outside, a throng of reporters and TV cameras greeted them, shoving microphones in their faces and yelling questions. News had spread quickly in less than twenty-fours after Dr. Von Langley’s arrest. Her phone had rung off the hook with requests for interviews. She’d declined, promising that after her father’s trial she would conduct interviews. Right now the fresh wound of his arrest stung too much to recount the story of her tumultuous childhood and the evidence trail she had followed, leading to what inevitably would be her father’s conviction. Time healed all wounds. She smiled at the thought. Justice was served today. She hoped the time her father would serve at Our Lady of Sorrow would be spent well.

  Epilogue

  12 months later

  “Collect call from Our Lady of Sorrow. Will you accept the charges?” Sparrow gently hung up the phone. Since her father’s conviction, a life sentence without the possibility of parole, he had attempted to contact her several times. She had given the staff at Our Lady of Sorrow permission to contact her on behalf of her father, but he was not allowed to have her phone number. For now, all she could give him was hope that someday she would take his call. Forgiveness came slowly, and she hadn’t quite come to terms with what he had put their family through.

  She had been warned by the courts, Violet Crosby, and her husband Derrick not to take any of his calls. As a trained psychiatrist specializing in behavioral therapy, even through the phone a chance existed that he could manipulate Sparrow’s mind.
His motive for calling her was uncertain, and everyone who cared for her cautioned her not to take his calls. At least he couldn’t reach her mother, who was residing at an undisclosed location with a new name to protect her anonymity. Sparrow’s hand trembled. She clutched the receiver so hard her knuckles had turned white. Of all nights for him to call. She released the phone and shook the emerging thought from her brain. She would not allow him to ruin the special night she had planned for her and Derrick. She twisted her wedding ring on her finger, not sure if she was ready for the next monumental step in her life.

  Water foamed and boiled over the strainer, splattering the stovetop. Jamming her hand inside a large oven mitt, she reached for the handle and waited for the water to settle. She wiped the stove and went back to cooking dinner, steaming vegetables and braising veal cutlets. With the food at a calm simmer, she went to the fridge and removed the chilled salad plates, fixing an array of baby green and red lettuces and tiny cherry tomatoes, sprinkling each with Gorgonzola cheese and a light spray of olive oil vinaigrette dressing. She carried the plates into the dining room and set them down on the heavy wood table anchored by large chairs covered in plush fabric. A bottle of sparkling grape juice chilled in an ice bucket in the corner. Her feet sank into the thick wool rug under her feet. She squeezed her toes into the cushy fibers, grabbed the extended lighter, and lit the array of candles in the center of the table. Then she went back into the kitchen to put the meal onto a platter.

  The old-world charm of their home soothed her nerves. She paused to take in the expansive kitchen, running her hand along the distressed wood island, admiring the copper pots and pans suspended from the rack overhead. Wrought iron sconces cast a warm glow against the creamy beige walls and reflected off the small paintings and tapestries. Her eyes drifted to the cornucopia above the dark wood kitchen cabinets. She smiled at the large ceramic rooster nesting in the corner. Everything about their new home was a dramatic contrast to the oceanfront property she had lived in and the modern bachelor pad Derrick had occupied.