Chapter 38

Then, he had to face the music. The team psychiatrist was a motherly woman—until you triggered her sensitive alarm bells. Then, Dr. Edwards made Mrs. McGill seem benign. Now, she stared at Nikoloz over her desk, her head tilted to one side as she sat silently. Nikoloz squirmed in his chair. He’d told her the truth, as Vincent had said. He could practically see her dissecting his story within her mind, probing for weaknesses.

“This doctor,” she said at last, setting the hairs on the nape of Nikoloz’s neck on end. “He should not have affected you so drastically. Perhaps we have neglected some aspect of your training.”

“I am dealing with that, Dr. Edwards. As I said, I was under the influence of several different drugs at the time. I do realize it is a major shortcoming on my part.”

“That is the first step: admitting that you have a problem. Do you feel you would benefit from a desensitizing course?”