Deadly Deception - By Andrea Johnson Beck

CHAPTER 1

“Ten…nine…eight…,” the deep voice lulled Dr. Anne Jamison out of the dark that surrounded her subconscious. “Seven…six…five…four…three…two…one. Come back to me, Anne.”

Her green eyes fluttered rapidly, attempting to regain focus of her stark white surroundings that were layered with a post-hypnotic haze.

“How do you feel Anne?” Dr. David Lindsey asked while perched across from her in his leather chair.

Her mouth was dry and she felt disoriented but oddly calm. Dr. Lindsey adjusted his wire-rim glasses as he began to jot something down on his steno pad.

“I don’t feel any anxiety,” Anne finally replied, looking toward the skyline backdrop.

She stood and began walking toward the wall of windows. She straightened out her black pencil skirt and placed her flushed forehead against the wintery glass. Anne gazed twenty-two stories down at the hustling morning traffic, watching the cars maneuver through the maze of downtown Minneapolis. Her hot breath fogged the glass, clouding the image; she began playing with the string of pearls draped across her slender neck.

“That’s great. I know that you want to remain off your medication. How are you feeling today?” Dr. Lindsey asked.

“Today,” Anne repeated in statement form, exhaling deeply.

Carter Leeds had vanished three years earlier and had been presumed dead. She and Carter had shared a dysfunctional, volatile but passionate relationship for nearly a year and a half.

“Anne? I know that you are still having nightmares. Did you have one last night?”

Anne could feel Dr. Lindsey’s question burn in the back of her skull. She left the pearls alone and turned back to him. His salt and pepper hair reflected the harsh fluorescents that beamed above them. He reminded Anne of her psych professor in college, with a mid-life crisis allure. But Dr. Lindsey treated her more like broken child than a sexy pupil.

“No, I actually slept quite well last night.”

Her long blonde strands became entangled with the necklace. Wincing, she pulled the knotted piece free.

“You must be quite ecstatic about your recent engagement,” Dr. Lindsey said.

She stroked the three-carat princess-cut solitaire with her index finger. She watched the ballet of colors dance inside the diamond with illuminated grace. Her fiancé, Adam Whitney, was her savior. He pulled her from the depths of her self-torment, breathing new life into her; retrieving her from the brink of darkness.

“I’m quite happy indeed, Dr. Lindsey, though I do at times feel that uneasiness, that lack of closure.” Anne could feel the flushed emotion rising just below the surface of her skin.

“You must remove yourself from that liability. Carter led a reckless lifestyle. You can’t blame yourself for his actions.”

“I know, but how do you truly have closure when there is no body? How do you say farewell to a poster-sized picture draped with sympathy bouquets?”

“Anne, Carter is gone. He’s not coming back and you need to start focusing on the future. Focus on you and Adam.”

Dr. Lindsey’s expression softened as he placed the steno pad down on the wooden coffee table between them.

Anne stopped fidgeting at the band of her pomegranate-hued cardigan and glanced at her watch. She stood up and reached for her black purse and matching trench coat, ending the session a few minutes early.

“Maybe you should take the day…” Before Dr. Lindsey could finish, Anne’s hand was up in protest.

“Absolutely not, I’m a big girl, and these children need help. I can handle it. They can’t.”

Without further argument, Dr. Lindsey stepped toward the door and opened it to the reception area, ushering Anne through.

“Take care, Anne.” He squeezed her arm and turned toward the young man who was his next appointment.

Anne waved to the brunette receptionist who was also Dr. Lindsey’s daughter. She hurried out the glass door and into a narrow hallway. Her heels clicked against the tan tile, echoing off the vintage walls. Her own self-produced breeze flowed through her loose curls as they bounced with her quickened step; she knew Casey would be waiting for her. Anne took her final turn and there stood Casey Adler, best friend extraordinaire and colleague, with one hand on her hip and the other holding a latte. Her hourglass shape filled the grey and white leopard sheath dress perfectly, evoking the style of Marilyn Monroe. She raised an aggravated eyebrow to Anne.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“Well, good morning to you too,” Anne replied.

Casey yanked Anne’s cell phone from the open pocket in her purse and held it up.

“I called and texted you a dozen times. Where have you been and don’t lie to me, Anne. We’ve been friends