Bec4: The Wrong Wardrobe

Prologue

 

Editor’s Note:

The journal that was published under the title of Bec3 breaks off abruptly on the evening of Sunday November 28th (the end of the Thanksgiving weekend).  There are no further entries in that journal. A cardboard filing folder filled with loose pages was shelved next to it. The pages consist of a variety of different types of documents. They appear to have been arranged in a specific order, so we decided to publish them in that order.

 

As per instructions from the Freeman family, an effort has been made to disguise both the address of their house as well as the city in which they live. While they acknowledge that a determined researcher could locate them, they do not wish to hand out that information on a plate. They’ve allowed the publication of these journals due to public interest but ask that their current privacy be respected.

 

Editor’s Note:

The first document is a copy of a standard hospital casualty admissions form dated Monday, November 29th.

 

The following is an excerpt.

 

Patient brought in by ambulance under police custody.

 

Patient is a minor white female. Physical appearance suggests age 11 – 13 years.  Slim build, athletic, mid-to-long brown hair, brown eyes, pale skin.  No visible deformities, scars, tattoos or identifying marks.

 

Height: 5 feet 3 inches. Weight: 110 lb

 

Patient appears physically fit.

 

Medical ID bracelet confirms identity of patient as Rebecca Louise Freeman, age 13.

 

Patient admitted in a catatonic state – conscious but completely non-responsive.  

 

Vital signs steady.

 

Blood sugar levels normal.

 

Neckline of shirt torn (photo supplied to police).

 

Two parallel scratches approx. two inches in length and a half inch apart, begin at the left clavicle at the place of the tear in the shirt and descend towards (but not reaching) left nipple. (photo supplied to police) Scratches are consistent with fingernail scratches occurring when the shirt was torn. Angle of scratches plus absence of skin under patient's fingernails suggests scratches and shirt torn by another party.

 

Clothing saturated with large quantities of blood.

 

Underwear intact and in place.

 

Clothing removed, bagged and passed to police.

 

Shoelace tied around wrist also removed and bagged.

 

Medical bracelet and necklace with locket removed, bagged and passed to police. No other personal items.

 

Absence of significant injury suggests the blood on clothing is not hers. Samples of blood taken and sent for analysis.

 

Abrasions to back of right elbow consistent with falling back onto concrete or asphalt. Bruising and grazing on both knuckles consistent with a series of punches, possibly a fist-fight. (photo supplied to police) Scratches above left breast previously mentioned. Irregular area of bruising in center of chest approx. 3 inches in diameter. (photo supplied to police)

 

No other observable injuries.

 

Rape kit returned negative.

 

CT scans reveal no observable trauma to the brain. Recent CT scans on file as subject is a patient of the hospital. No significant differences between scans.

 

Blood tests returned negative for drugs, alcohol.

 

Patient remained conscious but non-responsive throughout entire examination.

 

Absent any physical explanation for the catatonia, patient transferred to Level 5 East: Pediatric Psych Unit.

 

Due to police insistence, patient to be placed in a secure room.

 

 

Chapter 1: No Response

 

Editor’s Note:

The next documents include transcripts of patient interviews signed by Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist) and notes taken by Dr Koehler Snr during various meetings. They are dated Monday, November 29th. Dr Koehler’s notes are published with his permission on the proviso that certain sections be removed including any reference that would identify other patients. Dr Koehler has viewed a draft of this volume and is satisfied his instructions have been followed.

 

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Monday 11/29; 8:50pm

 

Dr K: Bec, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: This is Dr Koehler, Bec. Can you squeeze my hand?

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Bec, can you hear me? You're safe now. You're in the hospital.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: I'll come back and see you in the morning. Don't worry, you're safe here. You’re in the hospital and you’re safe.

 

Interview concluded 8:55pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of meeting, Monday, 11/29; 9:40pm between Dr Koehler, Peter Freeman, Louise Freeman.

 

Dr K: Good evening, Louise. And you must be Peter.

 

Louise F: Hello Dr Koehler.

 

Peter F: We were told to talk to you about Bec. Is she okay?

 

Dr K:  Physically she's fine. A few scratches and bruises. As for the rest, she's been essentially catatonic since being admitted. Or, to use her phrase, she's completely shut down.  I checked her about an hour ago and she was completely unresponsive.

 

Louise F: Can we see her?

 

Dr K: Of course. I'll take you through. She's in a secure room with a police officer on guard outside. You'll have to go through the usual precautions to get in. Your names are on the officer's list so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Comment: Parents visited for 25 minutes. Patient completely unresponsive. Parents asked for patient to be dressed in pajamas rather than the hospital gown.  Secure Room Protocol requires hospital issue clothing. Have asked nurses to put her into scrubs.

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of Meeting, Tuesday, 11/30; 9:02am between Dr Koehler and Nurse Cassandra

 

Dr K: Good morning, Cassandra. Anything to report about Bec Freeman in Room 6?

 

N.C: I just arrived. According to the night shift, she had a quiet night. No reaction when they did their rounds. She slept for several hours, but we only know that because of her biorhythms. At about 6am they noticed she appeared to be a little agitated. They put her on a bedpan and she used it to urinate. She settled again immediately afterwards.

 

Dr K: Has the officer outside her door caused any problems?

 

N.C: No, he seems quite happy to sit there and read the newspaper. A new one is due in about 20 minutes.

 

Dr K: A new newspaper?

 

N.C: A new officer.

 

Dr K: He can read the same newspaper. Or he can bring his own.

 

N.C: Yes, doctor.

 

Dr K: Sorry. That was a little attempt at humor. It was obviously a dismal failure.

 

N.C: I’m laughing on the inside, doctor.

 

Dr K: Very good. Has breakfast for Bec arrived? Did that cause any reaction?

 

N.C: I took the breakfast tray into her room but Bec didn't react. The food is still sitting on the tray. I haven't had an opportunity to try feeding her. According to your notes, she may eat while in this state.

 

Dr K: I certainly hope so. I’d prefer not to resort to feeding her through a nasal tube. As far as I know, she hasn’t maintained this state for an extended period of time before, so we’re breaking new ground for her.

 

N.C: Yes, doctor.

 

Dr K: Thanks, Cassandra. Be aware that she often reports hearing conversations well before she rouses in an observable way. That means keep talking to her and keep it positive.

 

N.C. Yes, doctor.

 

((Discussion about other patients deleted))

 

Dr K: I'll go and see Bec Freeman now but I'm not expecting much. Page me if she rouses.

 

Meeting concluded, 9:17am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Tuesday, 11/30; 9:22am

 

Dr K: Hello Bec, this is Dr Koehler. Can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Bec, if you can hear me, I want you to squeeze my hand.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: I want you to know that you're safe. You're in the hospital. You have a guard on the door. Nobody can get to you here. You are very safe.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: There's some breakfast here. Are you hungry? It's a shame for this lovely food to go to waste.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Okay, then. I have some appointments, so I'm going away for a while. But I will come back. Nurse Cassandra will come in every so often to check on you. You're safe here.

 

Interview concluded 9:26am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of phone conversation, Tuesday, 11/30, 10:10am

 

N.C: Doctor Koehler? This is Nurse Cassandra. I just wanted to inform you that Rebecca Freeman's father arrived with other members of her family. They're not on the officer's list so he isn't letting them in.

 

Dr K: I'm afraid there isn't much I can do about that. The officer is just doing his job. I'll talk to the man in charge but I gather he's a bit inflexible. I'm afraid in the meantime, only her parents can visit her.

 

N.C: Okay, I'll tell them. The others will have to sit outside until the father has finished.

 

Dr K:  Any change with Bec?

 

N.C:  Not much. I sat her up and tried spoon-feeding her. She chewed and swallowed but didn't show any awareness of what was happening.

 

 

****** ****** ******

 

 

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Tuesday, 11/30; 11:45am

 

Dr K: Hello Bec, this is Dr Koehler. You're in the hospital. You're quite safe. If you can you hear me, I want you to open your eyes.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Bec, squeeze my hand. Come on, Bec. I know you can hear me. Squeeze my hand.

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Okay, then. We'll talk when you're ready. I'll come back when lunch gets here. Maybe we could both sit down and have a nice lunch together.

 

Interview concluded 11:52am

 

Chapter 2: Tuesday

 

Editor’s Note:

The next group of documents includes notes taken of a meeting between Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist) and Detective Mahler as well as further transcripts of meetings and patient interviews with Bec Freeman.

 

Notes of Meeting, Detective Mahler, Tuesday 11/30; 12:15pm

 

Mahler: I need to speak to the Freeman girl.

 

Dr K: I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment. She's still completely unresponsive.

 

Mahler: Is she going to recover?

 

Dr K: I’m confident that she will. This is a standard reaction for her when confronted with a major emotional crisis. Using her words, she is completely shut down at the moment. I expect her to progressively return to normal functioning.

 

Mahler: How long will that take?

 

Dr K: I can't answer that. Usually she only shuts down for a relatively short time. By that I mean she’s usually completely out of it for less than an hour. But this time she has shut down for significantly longer. She's been completely unresponsive since she was brought in yesterday. Medically, there is no cause for concern but I can't predict how much longer it will be before she rouses. I should warn you that when she becomes responsive again, she’s unlikely to talk for some time after that.

 

Mahler: That's unacceptable. How am I supposed to interview her if she won't talk?

 

Dr K: Often she'll communicate non-verbally for a while before she starts speaking.

 

Mahler: Non-verbal is no use to me.

 

Dr K: Well, in that case, you'll simply have to wait until she's ready to talk.

 

Mahler: This whole case is a mess. Can I see her?

 

Dr K: I’m trying to limit the number of strangers in her room. Even though she’s unresponsive, she may have some level of awareness of what is happening around her.

 

Mahler: I would like to see her.

 

Dr K: Very well. Come this way.

 

Detective Mahler taken into unit and to the door of patient's room.

 

Dr K: Look through the window in the door and you will see her.

 

Mahler: Tiny little thing, isn't she? You're her doctor. Do you think she's capable of the sort of violence we're talking about?

 

Dr K: I am her doctor. That means doctor-patient privilege applies.

 

Mahler: I'll take that as an off-the-record yes. So how long until you can get her talking?

 

Dr K: It’s too early to say. I should inform you that your policy of limiting access to her family members will significantly delay her progress. During her recovery process, she takes comfort from prolonged physical contact with her family. Without that prolonged physical contact, her recovery will probably take longer. Ideally, she should be at home. Given that she’s here, allowing extended visits from members of her entire family could make a huge difference.

 

Mahler: Just get her talking.

 

Meeting concluded 12:40pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of meeting, Nurse Cassandra, Tuesday, 11/30; 1:05pm

 

Dr K: Any update on Bec Freeman in Room 6?

 

N.C:  I noticed that she had her eyes open about half an hour ago. About fifteen minutes ago, she seemed a little agitated. I sat her on a bed pan and she used her bowels.

 

Dr K: That's something. Did she follow verbal instructions?

 

N.C: No. I had to physically move her into position. She didn't resist me moving her. After she'd used the bed pan, I cleaned her up and lay her back down. She settled immediately.

 

Dr K: Hmm! Has lunch arrived yet?

 

N.C: No. It should be here soon.

 

Dr K: When it comes, bring it straight in. Keep talking to her. Lots of reassurance.

 

Meeting concluded 1:10pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Tuesday, 11/30; 1:14pm

 

Dr K: Hello, Bec. It's lovely to see those big brown eyes of yours. Can you hear me?

 

pause – no response

 

Dr K: Okay, Bec. I want you to follow my finger with your eyes.

 

Patient's eyes did not track finger, eyes appeared to become focused on doctor's mouth.

 

Dr K: Are you looking at my mouth? Are you looking at the movement or where my voice is coming from? What happens if I move my head while I talk? What happens if I stop talking and keep moving my head?

 

Patient's eyes followed movement of doctor's head – clearly tracking the source of the voice. When doctor stopped talking, eyes drifted away.

 

Dr K: Bec, I want you to know that you're safe. You're in the hospital. This is Dr Koehler – you know me. You call me Dr K. I've gotten so used to it, I've started introducing myself as Dr K when I talk to my other patients.

 

pause

 

Dr K: Bec, I'm holding your hand. Will you squeeze my hand for me? Come on now, you can do it. Squeeze my hand.

 

pause

 

Dr K: Not yet? Okay, maybe next time.

 

Detected a slow squeeze and then release from patient's hand – more than ten seconds after the initial request.

 

Dr K: I felt that. So you are in there. That's good news.

 

Nurse Cassandra enters

 

Dr K: Hello! Who’s this? Nurse Cassandra has arrived, bringing you some lunch. Are you hungry? I wonder what’s on the menu today.

 

N.C: Hello, Bec. I've got your lunch here. It looks like some lovely pasta with a Bolognese sauce.

 

Dr K: Mmm! That sounds nice. Are you hungry? Shall we get you sitting up so you can eat?

 

Patient allowed herself to be moved around without resistance but made no independent movements. Patient raised to sitting position.

 

Dr K: Here we go, let's try a little spoonful of this. Open wide.

 

Patient still not responding to verbal instructions. Opened mouth when spoon pressed against lips. Chewed and swallowed, then opened mouth for next spoonful. Eyes tracked spoon. Patient also sucked juice through a straw when straw placed in mouth. Immediately after meal, patient closed eyes and went to sleep.

 

Interview concluded 1:48pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Transcript of Phone Call, Nurse Cassandra, Tuesday, 11/30; 3:25pm

 

N.C: Dr Koehler?

 

Dr K: Speaking.

 

N.C: This is Nurse Cassandra from 5 East. I thought I should let you know that I gave Bec Freeman a bed-bath to clean her up a little. She lay there and watched each movement without reacting. She allowed me to shift her around without resisting but she was watching me rather than staring off into space. When I was done, as soon as I was done, she took a hold of the sheet and pulled it up to her chin to cover herself back up. It's the first voluntary action I've seen from her. I thought you should know.

 

Dr K: Excellent. That's great news. Thanks, Cassandra. Were you talking to her?

 

N.C: Of course. Almost constantly.

 

Dr K: How did she react to your voice?

 

N.C:  She looked at me when I talked but there was no sign that she understood what I was saying. Until the very end, of course. As soon as I said I was done, she reached for the sheet and pulled it up to her chin.

 

Dr K: Excellent.

 

N.C: Oh, a little earlier, her father visited for a short time. He sat with her and held her hand but she appeared to sleep through the entire visit.

 

Dr K: I have to see another patient now but I shall come over in an hour or so.

 

N.C: I'll be off by then. Raoul will be here.

 

Dr K: Okay, then. See you tomorrow.

 

Call ended 3:33pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Transcript of Phone Call, Detective Mahler, Tuesday, 11/30; 3:48pm

 

Mahler: Have you got that Freeman girl talking yet? When can I interview her?

 

Dr K: We are making some progress but she is still a long way from being ready for any sort of interview.

 

Mahler: I need you to get her ready as quickly as you can. I won't stand for deliberate delaying tactics.

 

Dr K: Detective, I assure you that I am not, in any way, deliberately slowing down or delaying her progress. I have some idea of the sort of pressure you are under with regards to this case. Nevertheless, you have no right of access to her until I, in my capacity as her doctor of record, sign off that she is ready to be interviewed. And I will not do so until I’m satisfied that she is indeed ready.

 

Mahler: I could get another doctor to check up on you.

 

Dr K: (laughs) You have the right to do so. Any doctor who saw Bec Freeman in her current state and signed off that she was ready to be interviewed would need to have their litigation insurance up to date. The malpractice suit that her parents could launch would be an open-and-shut case.

 

Dr K: I repeat, I’m not going to unnecessarily delay her recovery. Apart from anything else, I believe it’s in my patient's best interests to have that interview with you. I am aware that the entire situation is in a kind of limbo until you can conduct your interview. Those charges against her can’t move forward until you interview her. The sooner that happens and the situation is resolved, the better for her long term state of mind.

 

Mahler: So when am I going to be able to interview her?

 

Dr K: I can only repeat what I said earlier. We are making some progress but she is still a long way from being ready to be interviewed.

 

Mahler: What does “some progress” mean?

 

Dr K: It means that she’s no longer completely unresponsive. I would now describe her condition as mostly unresponsive.

 

Call terminated (abruptly)

 

 

Chapter 3: Tuesday afternoon

 

Editor’s Note:

The next documents contain further transcripts of meetings and patient interviews written by Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist).

 

Notes of meeting, Nurse Raoul, Tuesday, 11/30; 4:50pm

 

Dr K: I got your message. What happened?

 

N.R:  I didn’t do anything. I looked in her room to check on her and she was sitting there. Sitting up in the bed. She took one look at me and pulled back into the corner. She was all huddled up and clutching her pillow in front of her like she was hiding behind it, right? I talked nice and gentle. I said everything is okay. I stayed back in the doorway, keeping my distance since she was so scared. That didn’t seem to help so I stepped back even further.

 

N.R: Quick as a flash, she was off the bed and crawling underneath. So now she was hiding under the bed, right? And she wasn’t coming out of there. I even tried walking out and closing the door but when I checked through the window, she was still under the bed.

 

Dr K: Hmm!

 

N.R: I’ve seen patients do like that when they’ve been abused but it didn’t say she was abused in her file. If I'd known she was abused or raped or something, I woulda come in really gentle from the start, right? But I didn’t know.

 

Dr K: She wasn't raped. There hasn't been any long-term abuse. Don't worry, I suspect this is more because you're a stranger than anything else. You may have scared her when you first came in. I'll go in and try to get her out from under the bed. Once I get her settled, I'll introduce you and see if that helps. On the positive side, you managed to get more of a reaction from her than anyone else in the last 24 hours.

 

N.R: If this is a male thing, I could be swapping with Jin from 5 West.

 

Dr K: We'll keep that in mind, but I don’t think we need to go that far. Will you find me a pad and some colored pencils?

 

Meeting concluded 4:58pm

 

****** ****** ******

 

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Tuesday 11/30, 5:00pm

 

Patient still under bed. I sat on floor within view of patient.

 

Dr K: Hello, Bec. It's Dr K. Do you remember me? I'm here now. Everything is okay. You're quite safe.

 

After a little over fifteen minutes of almost continuous “safe talk” from me, patient crawled out from under bed. Patient immediately crawled into my lap and hugged herself into my chest, still holding tightly onto pillow.

 

Comment: Patient contact is an occupational hazard when working with children. Under current regulations, we aren't permitted to touch our patients. We have guidelines to follow if they initiate contact with us. In most circumstances, we are to discourage the contact. In this case, the patient clearly initiated contact. In my professional opinion, the best outcome for the patient was to allow the contact.

 

Continued safe talk for another seven or eight minutes then gently moved patient off my lap to sit on the floor next to me. Then passed drawing pad and pencils to patient.

 

Continued safe talk but gave no direction as to drawing. Patient held pad tightly and stared at blank page for extended period of time without drawing. Eventually I decided to try giving some direction.

 

Dr K: Could you draw a picture of yourself? Draw how you are feeling right now.

 

Patient looked at me carefully when I talked and kept looking after I finished. After a moment her eyes dropped to the pad and then flicked back to me.

 

Dr K: (repeated request)

 

Patient put pillow down in lap with pad on pillow. Looked at me one more time then began drawing. Patient completely involved in drawing for nearly ten minutes. I made no attempt to observe her incomplete drawing. There was no sign of hesitation over what to draw next, no pauses when the pencil was not active on the page. Patient's face was expressive as she drew – squints, winces, frowns, grimaces. After a time patient stopped drawing and sat looking at the picture she had drawn.

 

Dr K: May I see it?

 

Patient did not respond. I gripped edge of pad, tugged gently. Patient didn't resist my taking pad. Drawing shows a very small, but highly detailed cat in the center of the page, closely surrounded in all directions by a high brick wall. A grid of bars covers the ceiling of the enclosure, trapping the cat inside. Cat appears thin, bony and unkempt. Cat sits curled around itself and stares mournfully up out of the enclosure. Overlarge eyes emphasize the pathetic appearance of the cat. Outside the brick wall, the rest of the page is blank space.  Over on the edge of the space is a small set of bleachers facing toward the enclosure. A single person sits on the bleachers with a huge head and very tiny body with tiny little arms and legs. The little person has a face which is clearly recognizable as mine.

 

Dr K: I see. You feel trapped here inside the hospital. And here I am, a talking head over on the side. Who are these extra seats for?

 

Patient still not responding to direct questions – not even with body language.

 

Dr K: Bec, do you know why you are here?

 

No response.

 

Dr K: What is the last thing you remember? Before waking up here – what do you remember?

 

The question clearly sank in. I could see her thinking carefully. I handed her the pad and pencils. She took them and clutched the pad to her chest.

 

Dr K: Draw for me what you remember. Draw the last thing you remember before waking up here in the hospital.

 

Patient turned pad to a new page and started drawing without hesitation. Face was less expressive this time. Seemed to get calmer as she drew. Again no hesitation or pauses. Totally engrossed in her drawing. I considered shifting closer to her but recalled her journal entries where she described feelings of alarm when her surroundings changed as she drew.

 

Again had to tug pad away from her when she finished. Drawing is in a completely different style. This time, single long flowing lines hint at form without detail or substance. I speculate that the style indicates that the memory is vague and tenuous. The outline of a large seated man can be made out. Seated on his lap are the wispy outlines of a girl with her arms wrapped around his neck and her face buried into the side of his neck. They are both insubstantial, ghost-like creatures but even so, their embrace appears to be a significant event and is clearly the central focus of the drawing.

 

Dr K: Hmm. Your father brought in your latest journal and I've been reading it but I haven't gotten to the end yet. I suspect this relates to Sunday night. So you have no memory of Monday?

 

Patient watches me as I speak. When I finish she doesn't react for a moment. Then her eyes widen suddenly. She snatches pad back from me, turns to a new page and immediately starts drawing. She draws for some time. While she draws, I sit there and contemplate how this is such a different style of interview for me. The long wait while she draws, then careful scrutiny of the final picture and a few comments before she is drawing again. It's a significantly different experience from our usual conversations.  The long pauses allow me time to relax and run through various issues in my mind – something I rarely get to do in a typical day. Finally she finishes and then hands the pad to me.

 

Again the picture shows a complete change of style. This time there is a series of panels. Each of the panels is drawn in a simple style but with more detail than one might see in many cartoons. The first panel shows a raging river. The water froths and boils around a central rock. The rock looks somewhat like a bed and the spumes of water look like the furniture of a bedroom. Stretched out on the bed-like rock is a huge dog – St Bernard or something similar. Over to the side, a tilted slab of rock hints at an open door. Our cat, looking small and delicate, slinks through the door and into the room. In the second panel, the cat has joined the dog on the bed and is stretched out against its flank. The cat looks relaxed and peaceful. The dog has lifted its head and is nuzzling the face of our cat. In the third panel, the two sleep soundly with the cat warmly tucked in along the dog’s flank and their two heads snugly resting against each other. The river has dropped away to slide calmly past them with no sign of the earlier turbulence – and therefore the furniture is no longer there.

 

Dr K: Ah! I presume this is Dan and yourself on Sunday evening?

 

Patient took a moment and then gave the faintest of nods.

 

Dr K: And that’s the last thing you remember before waking up here?

 

Patient again took a moment, looking around the room, then gave a small nod.

 

Dr K: Well, never mind. I’m sure it will come back to you in time. We'll take it as slowly as we can. I'm afraid I've spent more time here with you than I should. I have other patients to attend to. I'd like to come back later. Maybe you will draw something else for me.

 

Patient hesitated and then nodded.

 

Dr K: I have a friend I want you to meet. His name is Raoul. He is one of our nurses here at the hospital. His English isn't so good but he is an amazing nurse. Last time he came in, you got scared. He's a nice guy and he's sorry for frightening you. Will you meet him?

 

After a short delay, I get a little nod. I press call button. We wait. Raoul opens door and stands in doorway.

 

N.R: Hello, Bec. I am Raoul. I am the nurse for you. Please don’t be afraid.

 

Patient flinches when door opens but then watches Raoul carefully. She doesn't show any fear.

 

N.R: This is good, right? You and me are being friends. Raoul will care for Bec and make sure she’s okay. Are you wanting anything?

 

Patient watches Raoul.

 

N.R: Okay. Soon it will be dinner time. Raoul will bring dinner. Mmm! You hungry?

 

No reaction.

 

N.R: Very good. Is good, right? Soon Raoul brings dinner.

 

Raoul leaves. I stand up and pick up the pad and pencils. Patient tries to hold onto them but I shake head.

 

Dr K: I'm sorry, Bec. I can't leave you with pencils when you are on your own.

 

Interview concluded 6:05pm.

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

The next three pages are the three drawings referred to during this interview. They are drawn in pencil on hospital letterhead.

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

Now we return to notes made by Dr Koehler Snr

 

Notes of meeting, Peter Freeman, Nurse Raoul, Tuesday, 11/30; 6:45pm

 

Dr K: Good evening, Mr Freeman.

 

Peter F: Please, call me Peter.

 

Dr K:  Thank you, Peter. I was just on my way to visit Bec. We can walk together. Will Mrs Freeman be joining us?

 

Peter F: No. Louise isn't coping well with what happened. Is there any news about Bec?

 

Dr K: She's made some good progress. She's awake and aware. She's still not talking. I was with her about 2 hours ago and she was showing awareness of what was going on around her. She even did some drawings for me. I was going to try to get her to do another drawing now, but I don't want to intrude on your time with her.

 

Peter F: I was only expecting to spend time sitting in the room with her, so it would be fine with me if she spends the time drawing.

 

Dr K: Here are the drawings she did for me before. That's the first one. I asked her to show me how she was feeling.

 

Peter F: Hmm! It seems that she's feeling trapped and isolated. Apparently you are just a spectator. If I'm reading this right, she doesn't see you as someone who can do anything about her isolation. I wonder if these empty seats are supposed to be for us – her family. We're supposed to be there but we aren't.

 

Dr K: That seems reasonable. I'm not sure how to react to the idea that I'm simply a talking head. Mind you, I guess that it's a fair summary of my profession. Over the next two pages are what she drew when I asked her about the last thing she remembered.

 

Peter F: I'm pretty sure this one refers to the party on Sunday evening that I told you about. I'm not sure if it refers to myself and Bec or to Laura DiMartino and her father. Either way, she was quite emotional at the time.

 

He turned the page and snorted.

 

Peter F: This is Dan's room. This is like some of her mother's drawings but different enough to be clearly Bec's work. Bec often sleeps in Dan's bed when she’s upset or feeling insecure. I had an inkling she did so on Sunday night and this would seem to confirm it.

 

He hesitated and looked sideways at me.

 

Peter F: I’m sure there are some who believe I should prevent that from happening but it would be hypocritical of me to stop them. I don't believe there's anything sexual going on between them. It's simply a comfort thing. But then, they say the parents are always the last to know. Has she told you about anything like that? Sorry. Forget I asked. You're her doctor. Of course you're not going to tell me.

 

Pause.

 

Peter F: I worry about Bec. Of course I worry about her. I know the signs, probably better than most, and I'm quite sure that Dan isn't taking advantage of her innocence. Except she's a teenager and teenagers these days aren't so innocent. What I'm not sure about is whether she's taking advantage of him. Do you think I should stop them from sleeping together?

 

Dr K: I don't have an opinion about that. I assure you that as her doctor I would be obliged to do something about her situation if I believed it was necessary. Until this point, I've neither heard nor seen anything that suggests I should take any such action. Your concerns are natural and as her parent you have the authority to make those decisions. It's a fine line that you have to walk. Just keep in mind what you told me a moment ago – it's a comfort thing. She goes to Dan when she is upset or feeling insecure. Do you really want to deprive Bec of that source of comfort?

 

Peter F: Huh! That's more of an answer than I was expecting from someone in your profession. Thanks.

 

Pause.

 

Dr K: Peter, in the time I've been treating Bec, she's told me a fair amount about you.

 

Peter F: I expect she has.

 

Dr K: I appreciate that you have difficulties with close personal contact with your daughter. Given her current state, I expect her to be very anxious for contact with someone from her family. Unfortunately, that’s going to fall on you. She’s going to need you to hold her.

 

Peter stopped walking for a moment. I waited. We started walking again.

 

Dr K: I appreciate that it will be a problem for you.

 

Peter F: Will you stay in the room with us?

 

Dr K: If that is what you want, then yes.

 

Pause.

 

Peter F: Thank you.

 

We wash hands, go through the secure door and into the unit.

 

Dr K: Peter, this is Nurse Raoul. He is the evening shift nurse in charge of the Pediatric Unit. He’s the nurse looking after Bec this evening. Raoul, this is Peter Freeman, Bec's father.

 

N.R: Hello, sir.

 

They shake hands.

 

Dr K: Any news, Raoul?

 

N.R: She ate all her dinner. She did all the eating herself. I stood and watched and she ate. When I asked if she wants bathroom, she nodded at me, so I took her to bathroom. Is good, yes? She’s not afraid.

 

Dr K: Yes. That is good.

 

N.R: Room 2 has buzzed. Please excuse me. Raoul be going now to room 2.

 

Peter signed in with the officer outside Room 6 and we enter.

 

As soon as her father enters the room, Bec screams and backs into wall. Father stops in shock. The reaction is completely unexpected. I watch carefully for any clues as to the cause. Bec clearly looks terrified.

 

A split second later, she blinks and stops screaming. She stares at her father for an instant and then wraps her arms around herself, folds down into a crouch and begins sobbing. After about 3 seconds of that, she suddenly straightens up and rushes across room to her father. She embraces him tightly, hiding her face against his chest. He looks awkward and embarrassed. I gesture and he responds by gently hugging Bec into him.

 

After nearly 30 seconds of hugging, Bec attempts to pull away but her father stops her. He looks uncomfortable but has a look of grim determination on his face. He stoops and picks her up, cradling Bec in his arms. He moves over to the bed and sits on it, placing Bec onto his lap. She continues to embrace him and keeps her face buried into his chest. She is no longer sobbing but I suspect she is still crying. He starts stroking her hair and murmuring reassurances to her.

 

Comment: I don't know why Bec panicked when her father first entered the room. I have a few guesses but until she remembers the events of yesterday and begins talking I won't be able to confirm anything. This is the first time I’ve been able to observe Bec and her father interacting. Until now, it has always been her mother bringing her to the hospital for consultations. Granted this is an extreme situation but it’s interesting to observe for myself the way these two interact. Initial impressions are that Bec's description and analysis of her father is quite accurate. I think it speaks for the strength of his character that her father is able to give her comfort in this way when she really needs it.

 

Peter F: (whispering) I think she went to sleep.

 

Dr K: Ah! That's good. Are you okay to keep holding her for a little while?

 

Peter F: Maybe it would be better if I put her down on the bed.

 

Dr K: Better for whom?

 

Peter F: Well, I …

 

Dr K: As I told you, Bec has spoken about you quite a bit. She's written even more about you in her journal. She writes in quite a bit of detail. I am a doctor. I am her doctor. Given that I know what I know, I won't be the least bit concerned if you should have a reaction to having Bec sitting in your lap. Right now, Bec needs you to hold her. Please just relax and give her what she needs.

 

Peter F:  I'm not … I haven't …

 

Dr K: Just hold her, Peter. Hold her and comfort her and tell her everything will be okay. I am here and you are safe and Bec is safe and she needs you to hold her right now.

 

We sat in silence for some time with Bec sleeping soundly in her father's arms. Eventually, Peter gestured to me that it was time for him to leave. Together we laid Bec out on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Peter kissed her head and we left the room together.

 

Dr K: Peter, I'm under some pressure to help Bec remember yesterday. To do that, I'll need to work a little outside the textbook approach. It would help me if I had a better idea of everything that happened yesterday.

 

Peter F: I'm afraid I'm not much use to you. What I know is all second or third hand.

 

Dr K: Do you think it would be possible to get her friends and family to write letters to Bec detailing the day from their point of view. I won’t necessarily show her all of them but I may give her sections.

 

Peter F: We can do that. They’ve all been asking how they can help.

 

Dr K: Once I have a better understanding of what her day was like, I'll drip-feed questions to her in some sort of chronological order and hopefully that will prompt Bec to rebuild her own memories. You have my email address so get them to send things directly to me.

 

Peter F: I'll get that happening then. Thanks for your time.

 

Meeting concluded 7:30pm.

 

Comment: I’ve noticed that I failed to sustain proper distance in my notes. For example, I’ve started using the patient’s name instead of simply referring impersonally to ‘patient.’  It’s a failing of mine. Sometimes I get too close to my more difficult patients. Bec has clearly made an impression on me. I must be careful to ensure I keep working in her best interest and not be swayed by my emotional attachment to her.

 

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

The next document contains notes taken of a meeting between Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist) and Detective Mahler.

 

Notes of Meeting, Tuesday 11/30; 8:30pm

 

Mahler: Okay, I'm here. I hope you have some good news.

 

Dr K: Bec has begun communicating, but only non-verbally at the moment. As I warned you previously, I can't predict how long it will take to get from here to the point where she can answer your questions.

 

Mahler: What do you mean by non-verbally?

 

Dr K: The family, after consulting their lawyer, has given me permission to show you this picture that she drew for me this afternoon and to help you interpret the picture.

 

Picture: girl on the lap of her father – Bec and PeterF? or Laura and Mr DiMartino? Or both?

 

Mahler: I see what they mean when they say she's an extraordinary artist. But what does it mean?

 

Dr K: I asked her what was the last thing she remembered and she drew this. It’s much easier to interpret than some of her drawings. This relates to an event that occurred on Sunday evening. She is telling us that she currently has no memory of the events of yesterday. I am confident that her memory will gradually return but I cannot guarantee total recall.

 

Mahler: She could be lying.

 

Dr K: Like all of us, Bec is quite capable of lying. I've never known her to lie with her art, though. And given her current state of mind, it seems unlikely she would start today.

 

Dr K: The family and their lawyer also asked me to show and interpret this picture for you. Again, this was drawn this afternoon. I asked her to draw a picture of herself and this was her response. It’s full of symbolism, which is a good sign because it indicates that her mind is functioning at quite a high level.

 

Picture: cat surrounded by high brick wall, separated by open space

 

Mahler: Huh?

 

Dr K: Bec often draws herself as a cat. This is her trapped in the middle. As you can see, I get to make a cameo appearance. Apparently I'm just a talking head – able to talk to her but not able to physically help her. We suspect the empty seats are for her family – they should be there but aren't. As you can see, it is of high significance to Bec that she is separated from her family both by the walls surrounding her and by distance.

 

Dr K: At first, I took the brick wall to indicate the walls of the hospital, but perhaps I was being too literal. I think Bec was trying to tell me that she knows she’s currently trapped inside her own mind, as yet unable to communicate properly, something akin to the famous Pink Floyd wall. Her family would normally be there to help her tear down that wall but something is holding them back, holding them away from her. She doesn't know it, but that something is you, Detective.

 

Dr K: I've mentioned before that Bec's recovery from this type of episode is dependent on close contact with her family. If you continue to insist on keeping her segregated you are only delaying the time when she is ready to speak to you. Further than that, you are causing a great deal of distress to both her and her family and hindering my ability to treat my patient.

 

Mahler: But I don't want her statement corrupted by her spending large amounts of time with them. Who knows what they would say to each other?

 

Dr K:  … and you want quick results. You can't have both.

 

Mahler: Does she really think she's a cat? Is she that unbalanced?

 

Dr K: No, she doesn't think she's a cat. She sees similarities between herself and the behavioral traits of some cats. In her current state she is using symbols to communicate concepts. The cat is a symbol, nothing more. And I object to classifying her as being in any way unbalanced.  She has an inherited disorder that results in her mental processes being different from what you would call normal. As a result of that disorder, amongst other things, she experiences episodes where her ability to communicate or interact with the rest of us is extremely curtailed. Given that framework, she is remarkably stable. In between episodes, she operates quite normally – apart from the occasional hallucination and she's generally able to identify those when they happen.

 

Mahler: I see. Hallucinations – terrific. That means anything she says about what happened is suspect because it could be a hallucination.

 

Dr K: Maybe I should have mentioned her hallucinations earlier. She can usually tell when she is experiencing hallucinations. During those times, she won't be able to confidently identify what is real. If this incident occurred during, or provoked, a series of hallucinations, she won't be any use to you at all. On the other hand, if no hallucinations are involved, she will be an outstanding witness for you. She has a highly acute and accurate visual memory.

 

Mahler: I think I'm getting a headache.  This whole mess is unbelievable.

 

Meeting terminated (by the abrupt departure of Detective Mahler).

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

The next document is a printout of an email

 

to: Sendler, Joshua

fm: Davidson, George

dt: 22:23 11/30

 

Joshua Sendler

Chief of Police

City of XXXXXXX

 

Joshua

I am growing concerned about the way young Rebecca Freeman is being treated by the Detective in charge of the Freeman case. It is my understanding that she is in the hospital and the Detective is refusing to permit any of her family except her parents to visit her. This is directly counter to the wishes of her doctor (Dr Koehler Snr). The doctor has informed her father that her recovery is being hindered by lack of contact with her extended family. I don't know the detective personally, but I gather he isn't used to dealing with children. I was hoping you would have a quiet word with him and ensure that he understands the importance of treating a young girl with “kid gloves.”  

 

Frankly, I'm surprised there were any charges laid against the girl. Given the circumstances, it seems unlikely you would ever go to trial with this, let alone get a conviction. But I don't want to tell you your job. You must do as you see fit.

 

Give my regards to Carol.

 

George.

 

 

Chapter 4: Wednesday Morning

 

Editor’s Note:

The next documents contain further transcripts of meetings and patient interviews written by Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist).

 

Notes of Meeting, Wednesday, 12/1; 9:07am, Nurse Cassandra

 

((Discussion about other patients deleted))

 

Dr K: So what about Bec Freeman in 6?

 

N.C: According to Night Shift, she had a troubled night. In the evening they discovered she'd made a mess in the room, smearing ketchup all over the wall.

 

Dr K: What did it look like?

 

N.C: Huh?

 

Dr K: The ketchup on the wall – what did it look like? Was it a picture? Was it a pattern of some type? What happened to it? Did they take a photo of it?

 

N.C: They didn't report what it looked like, only that there was a mess on the wall that they had to clean up.

 

Dr K: Dammit! I thought I'd made it clear. This girl communicates with pictures. If she draws anything, anywhere, with any type of material, I want to see it. If it's something that can't be preserved until I can see it, then I want photos of it – multiple photos, good quality photos.

 

N.C: Sorry, Doctor. I'll clarify that instruction in the notes. Jasmine is probably still on the bus on the way home. I could call her and ask her to describe it to you.

 

Dr K: Please do that.

 

Phone call, Nurse Jasmine, ((pleasantries deleted))

 

N.J: I'm sorry, doctor. I didn't take much notice of what it looked like. I didn't turn the main light on so it was mostly in shadows. I guess it was a bit in the shape of a face. I was mostly concerned with getting the room clean.

 

Dr K: Can you tell me anything about the face?

 

N.J: Not really. It was just a smear on the wall. I didn't even realize it was a picture until you asked me and I thought about it.

 

Dr K: Next time take photos.

 

N.J: I hope there won't be a next time. She shouldn't have had ketchup in her room. She must have hidden it away after her dinner. It's a secure room. Things like that should have been counted in and out.

 

Dr K: Indeed. Was there anything else about Bec's night?

 

N.J:  It's all in the report. I have to go now. This is my stop.

 

End call.

 

Dr K: What else is in the report about Bec?

 

N.C: Apparently she woke up screaming at 4:12am. Some sort of nightmare. She didn't say anything, just screaming. Then she was banging on the door, trying to get out. Then she went back to screaming incoherently and throwing herself against the door. The night duty doctor was called. Bec was restrained and a sedative was administered.  Once the sedative took effect, the restraints were removed. The details are here.

 

Dr K: Hmm!

 

N.C: I checked her before you arrived and she's still under. It will probably be another hour before the sedative wears off.

 

Dr K: Given her situation, we can't keep her sedated. I have a 9:30. I'll come back in after that. Call me if there is a problem when she wakes up.

 

Meeting concluded 9:27am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of phone call Detective Mahler, Wednesday 12/1, 10:14am

 

Mahler: Well? Am I going to be able to speak to the Freeman girl today?

 

Dr K: It seems unlikely. Certainly not this morning.

 

Mahler: Please tell me you're making progress.

 

Dr K: I wouldn't want to mislead you. She had a rough night.

 

Mahler: How did George Davidson get involved in this case? Why is he all over it? I'm getting all sorts of heat from my boss because of him.

 

Dr K: I thought you knew.  He’s a close personal friend of the family. Very close. His daughter is best friends with Bec Freeman. It was his daughter that put the 911 call through.

 

Mahler: (sounds of pages flipping) "Davidson, Elizabeth," She's George Davidson's daughter?

 

Dr K: That's correct.

 

Mahler: Shit!

 

Dr K: I would have thought you'd realize that when you interviewed her.  Mr Davidson would have been sitting right next to her.

 

Mahler:  I didn't do that interview, one of my detectives did it.  He didn't get much.

 

Dr K: Oh! Did you not wonder why Mr Davidson turned up at the scene? You do know he was there, right?

 

Mahler: Yes, yes, of course I know he was there. I just assumed that he was passing and stopped to check out what was happening.

 

Dr K: Ah!

 

Mahler: I guess I better go and talk to Elizabeth Davidson myself. If she's a best friend, she might be able to give me some useful background.

 

Dr K: Okay.

 

Mahler: So, er, I'm told I have to, er … What I mean is that … Who all should I be adding to the girl's list of visitors – family I mean?

 

Dr K: You should have my recommendations in her file, which I imagine is probably sitting in front of you. Her brother, Dan, is essential. Her sisters, Tara and Angela. Her grandmother, Bridget Baxter, her two aunts, Penny Freeman and Allison Drapier and her cousin, Sam Drapier.  I would also strongly advise adding Elizabeth Davidson and her father, George Davidson – whom you now know about. I won't let them in all at once, of course. That would be too much of a crowd. But she will need to see all of those.

 

Mahler: Oh, yes. Right. Of course. I'll fax a new list to the hospital for the duty officer.

 

Phone call concluded at 9:27am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

The next document is a printout of an email

 

to: Padmont, Margaret

fm: Davidson, George

dt: 10:04 12/01

 

Margaret Padmont

District Attorney

City of XXXXXXX

 

Hi Maggie, I just wanted to find a time this afternoon when you can meet with me. I’m available from 1300 hours through into the evening. If nothing else works, perhaps we could have dinner.

 

I have an issue I want to discuss with you. It relates to the Freeman case, I don't know if you are familiar with it. I am concerned that some charges have been laid that will never go to trial but could cost the city some bad publicity if the media should hear about them. I'll brief you on the situation and let you make up your own mind. You can tell me to stop meddling if you want. Ultimately it's your call but I suspect once you've heard the details you'll see it my way.

 

George.

 

****** ****** ******

 

Editor’s Note:

More notes from Dr Koehler's files.

 

Notes of Meeting, Wednesday, 12/1; 10:37am. Nurse Cassandra.

 

Dr K: So, is Bec awake? How is she reacting?

 

N.C: Yep. She's up. She's spent the last 15 minutes watching us through her door. She hasn't said anything. No banging or shouting or anything. But she looks a little agitated. I haven't been in to her yet because I was looking after ((name deleted)). She might need the bathroom. She hasn’t pressed the buzzer though.

 

Dr K: Maybe you could check on her while I visit ((name deleted))

 

Meeting Concluded 10:38am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Notes of Meeting, Wednesday 12/1; 10:56am. Nurse Cassandra

 

Dr K: What happened? I heard the yelling.

 

N.C: I went to take Bec to the bathroom and she made a run for it. She got as far as the security door before we caught her. She's back in her room now. She was yelling for us to let her go. Quite coherent – articulate, even.

 

Dr K: I know. I could hear her.

 

N.C: I'd like to know how she got the code for the door to the unit. She had it open and would have gotten out if it weren't for Damien coming in the other direction.

 

Dr K: It looks like she can see the door keypad from her window. If she saw someone punch the buttons then that would be enough. Dammit!  I should’ve thought of that. We'll have to change the code and remind everyone that they must cover the pad with their spare hand when they enter the code.

 

N.C: I'll get Damien onto that immediately.

 

Meeting Concluded 10:58am

 

****** ****** ******

 

Patient Interview. Rebecca Freeman Wednesday 12/1; 11:00am

 

Dr K: Hello Bec. It's good to see …

 

As soon as I moved through the door, Bec made another attempt to escape through the door. I had to wrestle her back so that I could close the door. For someone her age and size, she is remarkably strong – perhaps it’s more accurate to say that she uses the strength she does have very effectively. Once she realized the door was closed and she was once more trapped in the room, she backed off and glared at me.

 

Dr K: What's the matter?

 

Bec: I need to get out of here. (voice sounded weak and soft but determined)

 

Dr K: Why?

 

Bec slumped back against wall. There were some tears.

 

Dr K: Why do you need to get out of here?

 

Bec: Someone wants to hurt my family. Someone wants to hurt my sisters. I have to warn them. I have to protect them.

 

Dr K: Your sisters are safe. They’re with your family. Your parents will protect them. Dan will protect them.

 

Bec: But … (she looked puzzled)

 

Dr K: Don't you trust your parents to protect Tara and Angie? Don't you trust Dan to protect them?

 

Bec: Of course, but …

 

Dr K: Who do you think is trying to hurt your sisters?

 

Bec: (looking puzzled) I don't know.

 

Dr K: What makes you think they’re in danger?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: I don't know.

 

Dr K: What about you? Is this person trying to hurt you as well?

 

Bec: I don't know. (pause) Yes. I think so.

 

Dr K: You are safe in here. Your family is safe, too. You don't have to worry about them.

 

Bec: But you don't understand. I have to get to them. Where are they?

 

Dr K: They're coming in later. We've only now gotten permission for all of them to visit you. You will see them soon.

 

Bec: But I need to see them now.

 

Dr K: I'm sorry.  They are on their way. You will see them soon.

 

Bec: Tell them to be careful. Tell them to watch out. Somebody bad wants to hurt them.

 

Dr K: I'll tell them. In the meantime, I notice you haven't touched your breakfast. You must be hungry. How about you eat something?

 

Bec picked the lid off the breakfast and poked at it, curling up her nose.

 

Bec: It's all cold and horrible. I don't think I want to eat, anyway. Not until I know Ange is safe – and Tara – and Dan. (pause) And everybody.

 

Dr K: They're safe. You will see them soon. There's some juice here. Maybe you could drink some juice.

 

Bec sighed and drank the juice, more out of obedience than out of need. When she was done, I took the tray to the door and pressed the call button so that Nurse Cassandra would open the door and take the tray.

 

Dr K: Good. Now, would you mind sitting down on the bed and we'll have a quick talk.

 

Bec sighs and hesitates. Then she sits and looks at me.

 

Dr K: So, do you know where you are?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: I'm in the hospital.

 

Dr K: Exactly. Do you know why you are here?

 

Bec: (screws up face) Not really. I guess I had some sort of freak out and my family got scared and had me locked up until I came around. But I'm okay now, so I'd like to go home, please.

 

Dr K: I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment. Do you know what day it is?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: Monday?

 

Dr K: (shakes head) It's Wednesday. You were admitted on Monday evening. You were shut down for nearly the whole of Tuesday.

 

Bec: (eyes wide) Wow!

 

Dr K: Yes, wow! What's the last thing you remember before being in hospital?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: Sunday night, I guess. We had that party at the Davidsons'. And then we went home. I couldn't sleep so I crawled in with Dan.

 

Dr K: You don't remember waking up on Monday morning? Or going to school?

 

Shakes head and shrugs. Then eyes go wide.

 

Bec: Did something happen at school? Is that why I'm here?

 

Dr K: A lot of things happened at school. Apparently you had a busy day.

 

Bec: Oh! (pause) I don't remember anything.

 

Dr K: Don't worry. I'm sure it will all come back to you. But let's not rush things. We'll take them one at a time.

 

Bec: Okay. (pause) May I go to the bathroom?

 

Dr K: No running away this time. Promise?

 

Bec: (sighs, nods) I really need to go. You told me my family are coming here. You promised.

 

Dr K: Your family is coming here. Please try to be patient. They will get here as soon as they can.

 

Bec escorted to and from the bathroom by the officer and Cassandra, then we resumed our discussion.

 

Dr K: Does that feel better?

 

Nods.

 

Dr K: How are you feeling at the moment – emotionally I mean?

 

Shrugs.

 

Dr K: Put a number on it – on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

Bec: (thinks) Maybe 4.

 

Dr K: That’s good. What do you think is stopping you from scoring higher right now?

 

Bec: (gestures) I’m here. I want to be at home. I miss my family. I’m worried about my family. I don’t know why I’m here …

 

Dr K: Okay then. I want you to think of a time when you felt safe and protected. Can you pick a time for me?

 

Bec: (smiles) Lying in Dan’s bed with him holding me in his arms.

 

Dr K: Excellent. I want you to close your eyes and think about lying there within the warmth of his bed. His big strong arms holding you. You’re safe. Nothing can touch you.  

 

(relaxation techniques for several minutes)

 

Pause.

 

Dr K: Okay. Open your eyes. Does that feel better?

 

Nods.

 

Dr K: Give me a number.

 

Bec: (smiles) 5, maybe 5.5, no 5.

 

Dr K: Good. (pause) Last night, you drew something on your wall?

 

Bec: (looks at wall, frowns) I did?

 

Dr K: Do you think you could draw it again?

 

Bec: I don’t know. It might have been one of those times when I don’t know what I’m drawing.  I don't remember doing it.

 

Dr K: Here’s a pad and a pencil. Just close your eyes and give it a go.

 

Bec puts the pad in her lap and holds the pencil above the pad for a moment. She makes to begin a couple of times and then stops.

 

Bec: Nope. I’ve got nothing.

 

Dr K: That’s okay. Maybe it will come back to you later.

 

Pause.

 

Dr K: You had a bad dream last night. Do you remember it?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: (shakes head) No.

 

Dr K: You don't remember anything. Not even an image?

 

Pause.

 

Bec: (whispers) I went to the wrong wardrobe. And blood. There was so much blood. (tears start)

 

Dr K: Bec, close your eyes. Think about lying in Dan's bed. Think about how warm and cozy it is. Think about his arms holding you. His body is there, solid as a rock. Hang onto that.

 

Pause.

 

Dr K:  You are safe, Bec. There is no danger here. The dream was a scrap of memory, nothing more. It holds nothing for you to fear. Put that memory aside and relax into Dan's arms.

 

She curled up on bed, clutching pillow to chest.

 

Dr K: That's the way. You are safe. You are warm. We will stop for now. Rest. Rest for a while. I will come back in a little while when you have had a rest.

 

Meeting concluded. 11:52am

 

Chapter 5: Wednesday afternoon

 

Editor’s Note:

The next documents contain further transcripts of meetings and patient interviews written by Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist).

 

Meeting with the Freeman family Wednesday 12/1; 12:40pm

 

Dr K: I'm glad that you're all here. I want to speak to you before I take you in to see Bec.

 

Peter F: How is she? You said she was talking.

 

Dr K: Yes, I had quite a good conversation with her an hour ago. She was quite alert and aware of her surroundings. She still has no memory at all of Monday.

 

Dan F: Nothing at all?

 

Dr K: Nothing. The last thing she remembers is crawling into Dan’s bed the night before.

 

Dan F: Nothing happened. She just huddled up to me and went to sleep. I would never …

 

Dr K: Dan, it's okay. I believe you. If we’re going to help your sister, we have to be honest with each other. I’m aware of her habit of sleeping in your bed. I don't have any concerns about that. It is one of her safe places. It would be counter-productive to pretend that she didn't do that. Nothing would please me more than to see her back with you again. Unfortunately, that isn't possible at the moment, so we’ll have to work with what we've got.