Chapter 17

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives my husband and I great pleasure to welcome you all to the new Briarcliff institution for the mentally insane."

Applause filled the air as the blade cut the blood red ribbon. Evangeline took her husband's hand and gazed up at him, the feeling of accomplishment overwhelming her.

"As you are aware all patients have been moved to the local hospital and neighbouring facilities so please explore Briarcliff at your leisure, refreshments shall be served in the day room. Thank you for all your contributions during this refurbishment, and thank you to the city counsel for giving psychiatry the opportunity to prove itself successful in the treatment of these poor individuals. Oliver, would you like to say anything?"

"I think you've just about covered it dear. However, ladies and gentlemen please do enjoy yourselves, and a tremendous thank you to all your support and sponsorship, we hope it continues." He smiled. A quick flash of cameras blinded them for a second as the press stole their front-page shot.

"Dr Thredson, a word please!" Reporters began to cry as the crowd dispersed and began to head into the building for further inspection. A hand gently grabbed Eva's shoulder; she turned and saw a woman not much younger than herself.

"Excuse me Dr Thredson-Sparrow, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time." The girl asked sheepishly, she looked as though she hadn't been doing this long.

"Of course," Eva said. "Come with me to my office."

They headed up the stairs into the building. The once dreary stairway to heaven was now flooded with natural bright light, the oak had been polished and smelled of fresh citrus. Flourishing plants could be found in the main reception and peaceful picturesque landscapes adorned the walls. They made their way to the Eva's office, her name proudly above the frosted glass window on the door. She had always dreamed of having her own office, her marriage had in no way restrained her dreams and desires.

Eva took her seat behind the desk, "How may I help you Miss?"

"Haley Darby, Dr Thredson-Sparrow-"

Eva laughed, "Please call me Eva, saves a lot of time."

"I would like to ask you a few questions about the recent development of Briarcliff."

"Go ahead."

"You first arrived at Briarcliff in November 64 is that correct"

"Yes."

"You were appointed to examine a case of hysteria?"

"Yes, the woman had the delusion she was Anne Frank, but that was years ago now."

"Yes ermm, what was it that made you want to stay and change Briarcliff?"

"During my introductory period at Briarcliff I noticed a lack of proper treatment for its inhabitants."

"Such as?"

"Inappropriate treatment of mental conditions, abuse, the use of electroconvulsive therapy and the manipulation of patients through the use of religion."

"Would you say you are against religion?"

"No, I feel that any person may hold any belief they want but that does not mean that it is an appropriate treatment for a person who is physically or mentally unwell. My husband and I noticed the appalling conditions shortly after we arrived."

"Your husband, Dr Oliver Thredson, you two met here at Briarcliff?"

"Yes, that is public knowledge."

"And he was appointed here by the court to examine the suspect for the Bloodyface murders?"

"Yes-"

"And the suspect examined was the one who escaped and was never caught?"

"Correct, however the murders ceased over a year ago. Excuse me Miss Darby but I do not see what this has to do with the current renovations of Briarcliff."

"Would you say that here is where your romance bloomed with Dr Thredson?"

"My relationship with my husband is a private matter which I do not wish to discuss."

"Can I ask about the downfall of Briarcliff institution?"

"If you must."

"In your own words, could you explain to me the events of that week?"

"Well, the head of Briarcliff, Sister Jude, may she rest in peace, was committed to the institution herself after Sister Mary-Eunice was appointed in charge. The death of Sister Mary-Eunice and the suicide of Dr Arden came as a huge knock to all in the establishment."

"And the escaped patient, what about her?"

"She was dealt with appropriately."

"But did she not come after Dr Thredson? And you shot her? Wasn't her name Lana Winters?"

"Miss Winters was a very troubled individual who, when she could not be cured of her homosexuality through the producers conducted by my husband, chose to escape this once hell hole, come to his house and kill him. It was an act of God that I was there in time to apprehend her and that she had a poor enough aim that she did not kill him. I have given this interview many times Miss Darby. The events of that night are dead and buried. My husband is my rock, we have moved on and I think it best if you should too, now if you have no further questions-" Eva went to get up and leave, her blood boiling in her veins.

"Please, I'm sorry Dr Sparrow. They just gave me these questions to ask you. I'm the new girl you see and they give me all the difficult tasks in order to break me. It's hard enough being a woman in this world let alone a woman in journalism."

"Haley, this is 1966, for god sake. Here I stand my own woman, I built this establishment from the ground up after those misfortunate events. My husband aided me in this but in no way does he deserve all the credit. You will be the one to get the real story."

Eva went on to tell the young journalist all she had done. The hours she slaved away implementing new psychological treatments for patients, convincing local authorities for approval and removing every trace of 'God' from the fibres of the place.

After her interview was over she returned to the dayroom to find Oliver in a swarm of journalists and reports, being asked every question under the sun. She laughed to herself, 'If only they knew the truth. If only they knew they were in the presence, shaking hands with a cold blooded killer.'

Thredson's eyes caught hers and they smiled at one another, sharing the bliss of their web of lies.

"Excuse me Dr Thredson-Sparrow." It was Miss Darby. "I just wanted to thank you again for the interview."

"That is ok Miss Darby, thank you for coming to talk to me."

"It should be published within the next few days." She called heading off.

"Wait! Which paper is it you work for?"

"The Gazette."

'The paper Lana worked for…'