CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kate checked her phone as she walked through the police station hallway, noting that it was 8:10 in the morning.She'd sent Allen a quick text earlier to let him know she'd be tied up with the case for most of the day, and his response had been understanding, if a bit resigned."Take care of yourself,"he'd written back."Michael and I will hold down the fort."
She wasn’t sure if he really meant it or not, but she did know that if it was bothering him, he would have no problem telling her.So for now, she allowed herself to focus on the case.
She was on her way to speak with Dr.Chen… alone.She and DeMarco had decided a one-on-one approach might be best.In the meantime, DeMarco was two floors above, making calls to other patients who had worked with Chen, comparing notes and learning all she could about her methods and mannerisms.
The interview room was small and sterile, with a metal table bolted to the floor and three uncomfortable chairs arranged around it.When Kate entered, she wasted no time getting to the point; she sat across from Dr.Chen.The woman looked exhausted and defeated despite having had a few hours to process her situation.Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, and it looked like she’d been able to apply lip balm of some kind at some point.Next to her sat her lawyer, a sharp-eyed woman in her fifties named Patricia Morrison, who had arrived within an hour of Chen's arrest, just as her husband had promised.
"Dr.Chen," Kate began, setting a small digital recorder on the table between them, "thank you for agreeing to speak with me this morning.I want to make it clear that you're under no obligation to answer my questions, and your attorney has advised you of your rights."
Morrison leaned forward slightly."My client is here voluntarily because she wants to clear up what is obviously a terrible misunderstanding.She has nothing to hide."
Kate nodded and turned her attention to Dr.Chen."I'd like to start by asking about your relationship with Thomas Rodriguez and Carol Bennett.Can you tell me about your treatment of both patients?"
Dr.Chen looked to her lawyer, who gave a small nod of encouragement."Both Mr.Rodriguez and Mrs.Bennett came to me for help with anxiety related to major life changes.Mr.Rodriguez was dealing with the stress of his daughter and grandchildren moving in with him after she left an abusive marriage.Mrs.Bennett was struggling with her recent divorce and the adjustment to living alone after her son moved back home temporarily."
"And what was your professional assessment of their situations?"Kate asked.
"They were both experiencing significant anxiety symptoms related to what psychologists call 'empty nest syndrome in reverse,'" Dr.Chen explained."Instead of adjusting to children leaving home, they were dealing with adult children returning under difficult circumstances.It's actually more common than people realize, and it can be quite stressful for the parents involved."
Morrison interjected, "Dr.Chen wants to be completely transparent about her treatment notes and session records.She's prepared to provide detailed information about both patients."
Dr.Chen reached for a manila folder that her lawyer had brought."I've reviewed my notes from all sessions with both patients.Mr.Rodriguez was particularly anxious about providing adequate space and financial support for his daughter and her children.He felt responsible for their wellbeing, but was worried about his own health and his ability to handle the additional stress."
Kate studied the notes as Dr.Chen handed them across the table.The handwriting was neat and professional, with detailed observations about each patient's emotional state and progress.
"What about Carol Bennett?"Kate asked.
"Mrs.Bennett was dealing with guilt about her son's situation.He'd moved back home after losing his job, and she was torn between wanting to help him and feeling like she might be enabling his dependency."Dr.Chen's voice remained steady and professional."Both patients were prescribed Lorazepam to help manage their acute anxiety symptoms.It’s a very common prescription."
"During our previous interview at your office," Kate said carefully, "you expressed some strong opinions about parents who allow their adult children to move back home.You seemed quite critical of that choice."
Morrison placed a protective hand on her client's arm."Dr.Chen's professional opinions are based on years of training and experience.Having clinical perspectives on family dynamics doesn't make someone a murderer."
"I understand that," Kate said."But I need to understand the depth of those feelings.Dr.Chen, did your personal beliefs about these family situations ever affect your treatment of these patients?"
Dr.Chen was quiet for a moment, considering her answer."I'll be honest with you, Agent Wise.I do believe that parents who enable adult children's dependency often do more harm than good, even when their intentions are loving.But my job as a therapist is not to impose my personal beliefs on my patients.My job is to help them work through their own feelings and find healthy ways to cope with their situations."
"So your criticism of their choices was purely professional?"Kate pressed.
"Absolutely.It wasn't personal enough to warrant..."Dr.Chen's voice trailed off, and she looked genuinely disturbed by the implication."Agent Wise, I became a psychiatrist because I want to help people.The idea that I would harm my own patients is absolutely horrifying to me."
Kate observed Dr.Chen's body language and facial expressions as she spoke.The woman appeared genuinely confused and distressed about being arrested for murder.There was no hint of deception in her voice, no tells that Kate had learned to recognize over years of interviewing suspects.
"Can you walk me through the specific medications you prescribed to each patient?"Kate asked.
Dr.Chen consulted her notes."Both patients received prescriptions for Lorazepam, one milligram tablets.Mr.Rodriguez was prescribed thirty tablets with instructions to take one as needed for anxiety, not to exceed two per day.Mrs.Bennett received the same prescription about two weeks earlier."
"Did you ever increase their dosages or prescribe additional medications?"Kate asked.
"No," Dr.Chen said firmly."Both patients were responding well to the initial prescription.There was no medical reason to increase their dosages.In my experience, it is usually not all that necessary to increase anyone’s dosage… unless they are in severe need."
Morrison leaned forward."Agent Wise, my client has provided you with complete documentation of her treatment of both patients.Her prescribing practices were entirely within normal medical guidelines.You have no evidence that she did anything improper.And you’re damned lucky that she is not pressing charges."
“That’s true, I have made that decision,” Chen said.“I’m hoping you and the rest of the bureau can simply learn a lesson from this.I’m not interested in pulling legal drama back to my practice.”
Kate nodded slowly, but something was still bothering her about the case.The evidence against Dr.Chen was circumstantial at best, and her demeanor during the interview was not consistent with someone who had committed murder.She seemed genuinely bewildered by the accusations and was already acting as if she had been dismissed.
