I nodded. “Yeah. He won’t remember Judd, or his life before.”
Sadness consumed me like never before. My bones shivered as I remembered the stern stare of those hypnotic green eyes, the way they had locked onto me and held me hostage. This man spoke with his eyes, his emotions presented themselves through the shimmering heat of his stare, and all the pain, all the suffering, all the fear and the dread glared at me with both a hunger for help and a caution to stay away.
But I wouldn’t stay away. Even if it wasn’t my job I don’t think I could have walked away and forgotten about Anderson.
He was buried inside me. He’d climbed inside me with that stare and embedded himself into my soul.
I just prayed my soul was strong enough to carry the both of us through what was to come.
“JESUS, KLOE.” JAMES SCOWLED AT me from where he sat perched on the edge of his desk. “He’s a main consultant. You can’t speak to him that way.”
“You.” I pointed to James, my temper on the edge right beside his. “You’re my boss, not him. I don’t work for Krum. And thank God for that. The man is incompetent! He shouldn’t be working with sensitive patients. He shouldn’t even be working with animals. He’d have them all put down.”
James sighed, rubbing his temples at my stubbornness. “You need to tread carefully. The health authority is keeping a close eye on this. It’s a high-profile case, Kloe, you should know that. And everything you do or say will be recorded and documented. Not to mention how influential Dr Krum is.”
“Influential? To who? The Gestapo?”
Shooting me another glare, he clicked his tongue in frustration. “All I’m saying is please just be careful, at least until Asher is transferred to Seven Oaks.”
“And when will that be? I can’t help him if he’s sedated continuously because that man can’t be bothered. He’d rather keep him anaesthetised to save himself some effort!”
“Look, Kloe, I know things are awkward at home at the…”
“My personal life has nothing to do with my dislike for Krum, James! The man is an arsehole!”
Shrugging, he stood up and walked around his desk, planting himself into his chair so he could stare straight at me – or rather my chest. Lifting an eyebrow at his blatant optical groping, I coughed to shift his attention to my face again. He didn’t even have the nerve to look ashamed.
“Anyway, what’s your preliminary assessment?”
I snorted. “Not a lot. I’ve managed to speak two words to him since last Friday. He was under sedation for eight days, then for another three. I can’t start therapy until Anderson is actually sentient.”
He rolled his eyes and I gave in trying to fight my side. James was just as much under the thumb of the health authority as Krum was.
“However, his test results are back,” I went on. “He’s undernourished but nothing that will cause a permanent condition. The weakness in his legs is due to lack of use. From what I can guess he was confined to that basement for a very long time, chained to the wall from what forensics have ascertained at the farmhouse. I suppose he was lucky they gave him a bucket for his toilet needs.”
James winced at the contempt in my voice. “And his health now?”
“Better. I’ve already noticed an improvement in his physical appearance. It’s amazing what soap and water can do as well.”
“Well, just be careful. I know you’ve trained in all aspects of violent behaviour but still, you need to be cautious. I’ve received an email stating that Anderson will be woken again this afternoon.”
My foot tapped on the floor with annoyance. “And why wasn’t I informed? I was there yesterday.”
James’ brows elevated. “Are you really surprised after last time, Kloe?”
“I was the only one there that broke Anderson’s attention enough to ease his fear.”
“And was it his fear that spat at Dr Krum?”
“No, that was his shrewdness.”
“Kloe,” James warned. “Look, just watch your back, that’s all I’m saying.”
Grunting in resignation, I nodded and stood up.
“And keep me updated,” he called out as I closed his office door behind me.
Paula, my co-worker, grimaced at me from where she sat on Barry’s desk.
“I presume that went as expected.”
“God, sometimes I hate the bloody rules and regulations that keep us controlled like little soldiers.”
Barry passed me a mug of tea and I gave him a grateful smile, taking a sip and allowing the hot liquid to soothe the annoyance in my chest. When I’d taken the job I knew there would be guidelines and policies I wouldn’t agree with, but surely a professional should not be allowed to treat a patient the way Krum had. Even I knew that. So why was I taking the rap for his insult to a man in my care?
Anderson didn’t deserve what Krum had said, violent or not. Krum knew we dealt with uncooperative patients every bloody day, and I had to wonder why Anderson had gotten a reaction out of a man who should have been accustomed to that behaviour.
Downing my drink, I picked up my bag. “I’ll be out for the rest of the day but I’ll have my mobile on.”
Paula nodded. “You’ve a meeting in the morning with Harry Birchin. Don’t forget.”
“I won’t,” I shouted as I pushed open the double doors to leave.
“Yeah,” I heard Paula mumble after me. “I’ll text you in the morning.”
“What would I do without you?”
Claire grinned at me when I climbed out of my car outside the house I was viewing. “I love it already.” She jumped up and down with excitement. “That eager to get rid of me?” She looked repentant for a second, her head shaking wildly in denial before I laughed. “I’m joking. I know you wouldn’t push me out.”
The estate agent, Gregory Barnes, smiled at us both as he walked out of the front door of the house. First impression was that I liked it. It was a small terrace but it was in a good area and the outside looked in good repair. It was on three levels which I found novel.
“Please, come in.” Gregory gestured with a flick of his head as he held open the front door. “As requested, there’s no chain and it’s available immediately.”
As soon as I stepped inside the flagstones that ran through the hallway made my heart gallop. The décor was basic but fresh and the wood that ran all through the rest of the house made my belly dance with excitement.
The kitchen was small but adequate for me and Dave. It was rare that I cooked anyway, sometimes coming in from work so late that I just passed out on the couch fully clothed with nothing but a glass of wine in my stomach.
A small patio led down to a small square lawn, yet again, big enough for a few pot plants and Dave’s dollops. I missed Dave so much and I couldn’t wait to get my own place so he could move back in with me.
“I’ll take it.”
Claire clapped, more thrilled than I was. “House warming next Saturday.”
“I haven’t got time for a party,” I grumbled when Gregory handed me the information I needed to call in his office and sort out the necessary paperwork.