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past tie you down or cloud your judgment forever, Truman.  You are still responsible for the welfare of this community.’
    Great, the guilt card.
    ‘He’s a monster, Lorraine.’  Truman had no other retort.
    ‘He may be.  Or may have been.  But that does not alter the fact that he is my patient and I have a duty of care for him now.  I am so close, Truman,’ her voice starting to crack as the emotion flooded to her eyes.  This case had been seen as a culmination of her own rising career.  If someone would just give her the time and understanding she needed to break Dexler’s surface and find what she believed lived within his tortured shell; a scared, misunderstood boy who for years and hidden in fear of those around him. 
    ‘I need you,’ she finally admitted.
    Truman pondered her words for a second longer than he intended. 
    ‘I have raised, moulded this force on fighting for the truth, regardless of how many times we are told we are wrong.  To show a willingness to acknowledge or aid this man’s welfare would betray all of that and cast doubt over my commitment and loyalties. Not to mention my character.  I simply can’t do that, Lorraine,’ Then his voice softened, ‘I’m sorry.’
    An awkward silence was followed by an even more uncomfortable reply.
    ‘Okay Truman.  I’m sorry to have bothered you.  I should have known better than to ask.’  Truman instantly regretted his decision.
    And not for the first time in his chequered career, he reached into the small drawer at the bottom of his desk and pulled out the hip flask.
     
    *****
     
    Lorraine held the handset to her ear for a few moments after the click of the receiver at the other end.  Truman had been her only hope, but she now cursed herself for asking him.  Had she forgotten how hard it was for him to hear the name Colin Dexler?  Now she felt like a fool.  Was she becoming too immersed in this case?  What was the harm in just sitting back and waiting for Colin to call her when he was ready?  Or maybe he was genuinely running late.
    But for some reason she had the feeling that something was not right.  Colin was not the most vocal of her patients and some days their sessions had been no more successful than getting him to answer two or three of her questions.  Patience was what was needed to understand this poor man and she seemed to be the only one willing to give her time to help him.
    Truman remained sore that his investigation had been fruitless, even though he believed he’d come close to the truth. She wondered if maybe she was the only one that had gotten close to really discovering the truth of Colin Dexler’s condition.  She had seen him stricken with fear a few times whilst in her office, scared of a being he referred to as The Reaper.
    He had been severely traumatised as a young child because of the actions of an abusive father and in his mind he may still be that child hiding in the closet.
    She pressed the buzzer on the intercom situated on her desk. 
    ‘Yes, doctor?’ came the chirpy reply from the other end.
    ‘Don’t suppose there has been any word from Mr. Dexler?’
    ‘No, I’m afraid not.  Would you like me to try ringing his house again?’
    ‘No, no.’ Lorraine answered, ‘I don’t suppose he would answer after the last attempt anyway.  I am just popping down for a smoke and to catch the breeze before my twelve o’clock.  Could you come down and get me if you hear anything please, April?’
    “Of course.  May I suggest taking your jacket down with you? It’s mighty chilly out there.’
    Lorraine thanked her but ignored the suggestion. The cold air would help wake her mind and clear her head of the worries about her patient.  Truman had always told her that she was too married to her work. She would never be able to live with the guilt of letting anyone down who was in her care.
    That’s rich, coming from him .
    But he was right.
    Dr. Thacker pulled back the top drawer of her heavy,