Read Therapy for Free Online Page A

attentively and noticed the warning signs. But that was the trouble with hindsight. At the time, it didn't occur to him to check that she was really gone. She must have countedon his trusting nature. As soon as the door was closed, she made no secret of her true intentions and set off on a northerly bearing – in the opposite direction to the Anchor.

6
    No sooner had he got rid of Anna, than he was disturbed again. There was another knock at the door. This time it was Halberstaedt, the mayor.
    ‘You did a great job with the generator,’ said Viktor, shaking the old man's hand. ‘The house was warm when I arrived.’
    ‘My pleasure, Dr Larenz,’ said Halberstaedt gruffly, snatching back his hand.
    ‘So what brings you all this way in such blustery weather? The mail run isn't for another couple of days, is it?’
    ‘I'm not here about the mail run.’
    Halberstaedt was clutching a piece of driftwood in his left hand. He thwacked it against the soles of his black wellingtons to dislodge the sand from the grooves.
    ‘I see. Would you like to come in? There's rain on the way.’
    ‘Thanks, but I don't want to keep you. I was just wondering . . .’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘The woman who was here just now. Who is she?’
    Viktor was taken aback by his bluntness. It was unlike the reserved and courteous Halberstaedt to pry.
    ‘Tell me to mind my own business, but I'd advise you to be careful,’ continued the mayor, pausing to spit out his chewing tobacco which flew over the side of the veranda and landed in the sand. ‘Very careful indeed.’
    Narrowing his eyes, Viktor squinted at him disapprovingly. He didn't like the advice or the tone in which it was given.
    ‘What exactly are you implying?’
    ‘I don't beat about the bush, Dr Larenz. There's something funny about that woman. She's not right in the head.’
    It was natural for people to be suspicious of mental illness, but Viktor was surprised that Halberstaedt had picked up so quickly on Anna's fragile state of mind. He wondered what the mayor thought of him. God knows I'm fragile too . . .
    ‘There's no need to worry about Ms—’
    ‘It's not her I'm worried about. It's you,’ said Halberstaedt sharply.
    The hiatus was over. Anna's sudden appearance and her horrifying story had distracted him for a while, but now the thoughts were back. A million different triggers could conjure the image of Josy in his mind. Raised voices were among them.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘What I said. You need to be careful. I've been living on this island for forty-two years and I've seen people come and go. Some were good, decent folks like you whonever made any trouble. Others weren't so welcome. I know a bad egg when I see one; I've got an instinct for it. I knew as soon as I saw her that she was up to no good.’
    ‘Do you have any evidence? Did she say something to alarm you?’
    ‘I never talked to her. I saw her get off the ferry, and I followed her here.’
    That's funny , thought Viktor, remembering Anna's version of the story. There was no reason for her to lie.
    ‘She dropped by the hardware store a couple of hours ago. Hinnerk said that she was acting very strangely.’
    ‘Could you be more specific?’
    ‘She asked for a weapon.’
    ‘A weapon?’
    ‘She made him show her a harpoon and a flare gun, but she bought a carving knife and some fishing twine instead. Why would she do that?’
    ‘No idea,’ said Viktor, who didn't know what to make of the story. Parkum was a sleepy little place. What would Ms Glass want with a weapon?
    ‘Right you are.’ Halberstaedt pulled the black hood of his parka over his head. ‘I'd best be off. Sorry for bothering you.’
    ‘Not at all; it was kind of you to come.’
    Halberstaedt descended the steps to the path and walked to the low gate. He stopped at the picket fence and turned round.
    ‘One last thing, Doctor. We were all very sorry to hear the news.’
    Viktor nodded. There was no need for Halberstaedt to be more