Chapter Seven

"What do you have forming in the head of yours?" Kennex asked as a soft knock was heard right before Backer entered. I was hoping for just a little more privacy, enough time to inform John what I was planning. I hadn't even thought I would be seen today. A part of me was panicking he had seen right through my pseudo.

"Alright Miss Tulchinsky, why don't we begin with when your anxiousness started?" Playing the part I let my eyes flit around, barely making eye contact with the Doctor.

"I guess it started when I moved here, I've recently started a new job." I answered, small truths made the cover stay more believable especially since I was flying by the seam of my pants.

"That's good, it's start. Is there someone at work who may cause you unease?" If I were to be honest and if I didn't know any better I would have thought Dr. Backer actually cared for his patients.

I internally chuckled as I thought of a cover story, meanwhile I screwed my face into a look of quizzical concentration. "I don't think so… wait, wait a minute. Now that I think about it there is this guy. He's kind of creepy, real short guy kind of shady." I answered, I could hear John chuckle through the com.

"And has he done or said anything to you directly?" Backer asked as he continued to write his notes. Before I could answer his question Dorian's voice broke across the com link.

"Riley two of the victims were bouncing back from Psychologist to Psychologist with severe suicide tendencies and another had stopped seeing Dr. Backer at his old practice for aquaphopia. I am still searching the other medical records." As I listened to Dorian I shook my head no so as not to appear distracted.

"No not towards me." I vocalized, with this new knowledge I knew I needed to get out and regroup. "Maybe it's nothing, maybe I shouldn't have come here." I stated quickly playing the panic card. If I was reading this man correctly he should suggest another session and let me leave. This would allow me to come up with a solid plan. I shifted my gaze to the door and back hoping he would catch on.

"Miss Tulchinsky, why don't we continue this conversation at a later date when you don't feel so cornered?" Dr. Backer suggested, I forced a strained smile and nodded before quickly standing to leave.

"Thank you." I briefly stopped by the receptionist to inform her that I would call to set up a follow up session before booking it out of the office. "John?" I spoke once I was in the privacy of the closed elevator.

"I hear you Kid." John answered, I was relieved to hear he hadn't closed the com.

"I have a feeling he's going to be watching me leave this building, meet me a block down." I stated calmly before taking a deep breath.

"Smart, you did good. We'll keep the line connected until we meet back up." Kennex stated reassuring I'm sure for my benefit as the elevator doors opened to the ground floor. I cautiously made sure I wasn't being followed before taking off down the road already going over facts in my head. Two vics with confirmed contact with Backer and two with potential, when I get back to the station I would start there.

I spotted John's cruiser around the corner and quickly made my way over, I took my seat in the back and couldn't be happier leaving.

"You're thinking too loud again, what do you got?" John asked peering back through the rearview mirror.

"Two victims with a definite connection, what if the pin prick is an experimental treatment?" I asked, "Or maybe it's a personal vendetta? I need to look through the victims files again. Dorian were you able to get a warrant?"

"Yes it should be ready tomorrow." Dorian answered, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of blue lighting. Dorian was still looking through the other two victims medical files.

"That's good, maybe tomorrow you and Dorian can go back and rattle him up for some information John. He won't be able to refuse you now." I stated, "I won't be able to go with you, not if I have to go back for another session."

"Yeah about that, you were very convincing in there. You're quick on your toes aren't you?" John asked in what I could only hope was a compliment.

"I went undercover a lot at my last precinct." I answered. "I guess because I don't really look like a cop."

"Convenient." Kennex said as he turned into the parking lot of our precinct. I couldn't tell if he was upset by this or if he truly thought it was convenient.

~John's PoV~

I really did not like the idea of Riley being in there by herself, especially with how smug this suspect was. Dorian and I were waiting in the lobby but the distance still bothered me.

"John." Dorian grabbed my attention quietly as we both muted our side of the com link as to not distract Riley. "She knows what she is doing, her note indicated so. We have to trust her judgement."

"I know, it's just having a human partner again… you worry." I stated, I was reaching to unmute my com to signal I didn't want this conversation to continue but Dorian beat me with his own comment.

"You worry because Detective McCauley has grown on you. She's a very capable woman John." I scowled at him and quickly unmuted so to end this conversation. I tuned back into Riley's conversation with the Doctor right as she was describing a creep at work, I couldn't help but chuckle as she was describing Richard. It wasn't long after that, that Dorian informed her of what he was able to find.

Whether it was a part of the act or not Riley sounded worried and was quick to get out of there. I would deny it to anyone but I was relieved when she met back up with us as we made our way back to the precinct.