‘It came so quickly. A great animal. Listen to me, Derek, it’s not what it seems. It’s not what it seems.’ – King William, The Swan Princess.
The police officer forced open the prison cell door without any effort and grabbed hold of Brayleigh’s left upper arm.
“Ow!” She shrieked as pain shot through the rest of her body.
The cop laughed sarcastically while pulling her forward, “Oh I’m sorry, did that hurt? Good, then I’ve done a fantastic job.”
Brayleigh didn’t respond and tried to block out the pain.
This man was quite big and heavily built so she played along and didn’t give him a reason to hurt her more.
She obeyed as he mumbled, "Come on, let’s go.”
From this point onwards Brayleigh knew what was coming. Like with all criminals before their official court trial, they must have a compulsory session with a forensic therapist to determine their general mental health state.
Brayleigh’s whole fate was dependent on this therapist’s evaluation. But as a professional herself, she knew exactly what they were looking for, so there was a chance she could have some advantage here. She might be able to convince the therapist to be on her side.
They both walked along rows and rows of other prisoners which felt like infinity.
Brayleigh could feel their eyes on her, making her feel extremely small and inferior.
One female prisoner yelled smugly, “Hey look! It’s the Killer Queen herself! The high and mighty therapist became one of us! Good luck tryin’ to read our minds in here!”
“That’s a psychic, idiot!” Another inmate remarked.
A few others laughed with her.
“Keep moving,” the cop demanded, pushing her with one hand.
They continued along the rows of cells, Brayleigh hearing more remarks from other inmates.
She tried very hard to ignore them but couldn’t help but feel humiliated.
It was embarrassing!
They eventually made it, what felt like an eternity, to the office door of the appointed therapist.
Brayleigh read the name on the door, it read: Dr W Gaby.
The police officer knocked twice on the door, waiting for an answer.
“Come in!” It was a man.
“Alright, go on.” She was once again pushed inside the office.
The therapist looked up but remained emotionless.
“Here she is, doctor, alive and well. I’ll be waiting outside. You know the protocol.” The cop said smiling smugly as he eyed her with disgust.
“Thank you, detective. You may sit down Miss Connor.” The doctor said gesturing for her to take a seat.
She obeyed.
His office was typical of a forensic therapist, cold and indifferent. It was one of the many things she didn’t approve of when she did her job but no one ever bothered to listen.
For a moment there was only silence with the doctor remaining in his seat and just staring at her.
After what felt like forever, he started speaking, “So, from what I understand you got yourself in some pretty deep trouble, is that correct Miss Connor?”
“Actually doctor…?” Brayleigh began, waiting for him to fill in the blank and say his name.
“William, Miss Connor, Doctor William Gaby.” He answered, quick and rigid.
“Honestly, doctor, I don’t think that is correct. I believe I have been framed.” She said, trying to remain calm.
At first, doctor Gaby didn’t say anything but only wrote down what Brayleigh stated.
“I see, and your current occupation is…ah how interesting, a therapist as well. How ironic.” He said smiling sarcastically, clearly thinking the whole situation was amusing.
What an idiot. She thought to herself. And he calls himself a doctor.
“Yes, that is correct, but…”
Doctor Gaby lifted a hand to silence her and replied matter-of-fact, “I’m going to be frank with you, Miss Connor. None of this is looking good for you. So, let’s not waste each other’s time. You know what is supposed to happen here, and first of all, I don’t believe you. Secondly, I have reason to believe this.”
He opened up a file that lay slightly to his right.
Now Brayleigh was worried.
“According to these records, an incident occurred at the prison where you currently work, well worked. It seems you were caught having a psychotic attack during an interview with one of your patients, more specifically, Coleen Harvey, who reported you and got you fired. A few weeks later she was murdered and found outside the local Brothel. Now don’t you think that’s a little too suspicious? You were forced into taking a break and were booked into a psychiatric facility. A convenient motive, don’t you think? Also, later on the corpse, a sample of your hair was found.” Doctor Gaby closed the file and looked her straight in the eye.
That was it, her fate was sealed.
Brayleigh started to shake violently.
“Okay, I know how it looks…but…I… that is true, I wasn’t in the best mental state but…I didn’t even know Coleen was dead! That’s news to me.”
The doctor just looked at her, clearly not impressed.
“Like I said, Miss Connor, things are not looking good for you. Your court date is a few months away and you are going to face many victims’ angry and devasted families. They want you dead and chances of mercy are next to nothing. You are looking at spending the rest of your life in jail.”
She swallowed heavily and had nothing left to say.
“I think we are done here.”
******
YOU ARE READING
The Silver Lining - A Brayleigh Connor Story
Misteri / ThrillerA young and hopeful forensic therapist, Brayleigh Connor, is convicted for a gruesome murder that she claims she didn't commit, however, all evidence is against her. Is she playing a game of deception or is she telling the truth?
