Dempster Road

Chapter 25

According to Harry Sturn, Adelaine Curtis, whose real name it turned out, was Haslow, a name Barney recognized from the police in Latham, was suffering from a mixed, schizoid personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. He went on to describe his diagnosis.

'This disease is characterized by a desire for solitude, withdrawal, and emotional detachment. They seem unconcerned by compliments or criticism from others. Additionally, there is a complete disregard for other people's rights and feelings; they will breach the law and may take advantage of, or use other people for their personal gain.'

He felt Adelaine fit the bill here.

'Additionally, they might frequently lie, act rashly, and engage in physical altercations. They might abuse or neglect their children, mistreat their spouses, and take advantage of their workers.

'They might even commit murder.

'People that have this condition may also be referred to as sociopaths or psychopaths.

'Antisocial personalities usually fail to understand that their behaviour is dysfunctional, because their ability to feel guilty, remorseful, and anxious is impaired. Guilt, remorse, shame, and anxiety are unpleasant feelings, but they are also necessary for social functioning and even physical survival.

'For example, people who lack the ability to feel anxious will often fail to anticipate actual dangers and risks. They may take chances that other people would not take.'

Belinda paused and asked if she could have some of his water and he nodded, waving at her to continue.

"Interesting, isn't it? There's something else we discovered that didn't make the paper; the Latham cops put a ban on it. Adelaine always wore a locket and seemed to treasure it highly; she was always handling it. When they opened it up there was a picture of her foster mother and one of her father, the Haslows. His picture showed a close up of his face and a slashed throat."

Barney stared at her.

"According to Sturn, Adelaine was probably abused by her foster father, and it formed her deviant personality. I did a little deeper digging and found out that it was likely true . . . and for a number of years. There was a small group of fathers that engaged in abuse with their daughters on what they called, special weekends away. Sick bastards."

Belinda looked off for a minute and Barney just waited quietly.

"Anyway, she apparently spent her adult life killing her father over and over the same way only with the others she- she performed sex with them after . . ."

Barney cleared his throat noisily and cursed. Edgar and Stan paraded through his mind, their personalities front and centre, just as he knew them in life.

She folded up the paper and set it aside. "My boss gave me a raise." She shrugged and smiled. "I finally got some credit for my real profession."

The sardonic remark made Barney take her hand and offer a sympathetic face.

"By the way, Fred is doing fine too. Seems it didn't affect him in the least. He started to tell me about the old days, and how they made Adelaine's killing look like kindergarten. Fred is actually scary."

Barney nodded. "He was here just a bit ago. He and Aaron, in their day, were still hangin' thieves." He squeezed her hand. "How's Emily makin' out through all this?"

Belinda brightened, and a grin filled her face. "She's good and she says to tell you that we have a full week on the house any time we want to take it."

He stared. "We?"

"Well sure. She's not gonna give a free week to some soul all by their lonesome. I figured you and I – when you're stronger of course – could really do justice to a week together at the Hurston Hotel."