Nocturne in Black and Gold

Chapter 24: Therapy Session

Peter picked up a jigsaw piece from his pile and examined the partially complete puzzle for places where it might fit. Neal and Jacob were similarly engaged with their own stacks to work on. Strangest therapy session Peter had ever been to, but if he ever needed to see a psychologist, he was going to Jacob.

The study was equipped with a round oak game table. It was a beautiful piece of furniture in the Arts and Crafts style. The chairs were covered in soft, worn leather. Table lamps with mica shades provided non-obtrusive lighting.

Jacob had a carafe of coffee already prepared. Neal had brought along a CD of La Folia by Rachmaninoff to play. When Peter asked him about it, he explained that Klaus considered it heist-planning music and Neal was on a heist to steal his mind back. What impressed Peter was that he was so open about discussing it.

Jacob didn't rattle off questions. He let Neal set the pace.

"Yes!" Peter patted the piece into place, taking a moment to enjoy the success.

"Not bad," Neal said. "You only have nineteen to go in your stack." He rotated a piece in his hand while studying the puzzle. "Peter helped me discover that my old nemesis, acrophobia, has come back. It's not bad, but I'd rather banish it entirely." He reviewed what had occurred the previous day. "Any ideas?"

Jacob sorted through his pieces. "When we discussed the flashbacks and issues you had in the fall, you felt they related to your guilt over Klaus's death."

"But now I know he's alive. I don't need to feel guilty."

"That's not quite accurate," he pointed out mildly. "Klaus has given you another reason. He wants you to feel guilty for having quit his crew in Geneva. He planted the memory that you wrongfully believed he killed the guard when it was actually someone else. The fact you recognize it probably explains why the acrophobia isn't worse. But that planted suggestion is still there, influencing your subconscious."

Neal fell silent for a moment while he fitted a piece into place. "Do you think the challenge he gave me to climb the church spire was designed to test if I have a fear of heights?"

Jacob nodded. "Those gargoyle games he invented could serve the same purpose. Did you ever have an issue with acrophobia when you worked with Klaus?"

"Never. Working in high places was always one of my strengths. Peter's been known to call me a spider monkey."

"Is there any chance that Azathoth knows about the acrophobia you developed last October?"

Neal pondered the question and shook his head. "I don't think so. Peter, what do you think?"

"He probably knows." When Neal shot him a dismayed look, he added, "That night we were held prisoner in New Jersey? You froze on the ledge of the fourth-floor window just as you were on the point of climbing down. I was already on the ground and calling up to you, but you were flashing back to Klaus. Finally, at the last moment, you broke free but you barely escaped the fire. We assumed Azathoth recorded everything."

"But the cameras were destroyed in the blaze," Neal protested.

"He could have used live feeds," Peter warned.

Neal slumped into his chair. "You're right." He turned to Jacob. "If the treatment had worked, I wasn't supposed to remember any of this. How does he intend to use the memory of Riverside Church?"

Peter leaned forward expectantly. He'd been wondering the same thing.

"They may have inserted the discussion of the object hidden behind the gargoyle as a test. Azathoth is monitoring the church spire. If you attempt to retrieve it, he'll know that your memories have resurfaced and will adjust accordingly." Jacob quirked a smile at Neal. "Aren't you tempted to search for it?"