Aaron
took a deep breath and walked up the stairs. He knocked on the door.
“Come
in.”
Aaron
entered a stereotypical psychiatrist’s office. The man sitting in one of the
chairs gestured to the nearby couch.
“Please
sit down. Why don’t you tell me about why you are here?”
Aaron
sat and marshaled his thoughts. “I have a drinking problem. It started after
the police refused to look for my missing lover…” Aaron proceeded to explain
everything to Dr. Walters. “…and that’s when I decided I needed help,” he
concluded.
“Interesting?
Your friend, Onyx, refused to tell you who he suspected in Ice’s
disappearance?”
“Yes.
He promised Ice he wouldn’t tell me because it was dangerous.”
Dr.
Walters rolled his pen through his fingers. “I have a friend who dabbles in
private investigations who might be able to help. May I contact him?”
“I,
we, can’t afford to pay him. In fact,” Aaron blushed, “we can’t really afford
to pay your fees.”
“I
am independently wealthy. I practice medicine because it amuses me, not because I
need the money. This means I can afford to take cases that interest me and my
fees are based on a sliding scale. I help those who need help rather than a
bunch of wealthy neurotics with way too much time and money on their hands.”
“Thank
you, Doctor.”
“Now
shall we say same time next week for your next session?”
“Um,
actually can we make it earlier? I have children in school and I’d like to be
home when they’re home.”
“Not
a problem. How’s eleven a.m.?”
“That’s
fine.”
“I’ll
see you then and here’s my friend’s card if you are interested. He also
operates on a sliding scale for his fees. In addition, I’d like to talk to your
friend Onyx.”
Aaron
wrapped his hand around the proffered business card. “I’ll let him know. Until
next week.”
“How
did your session go?”
“It
was fine. He wants to talk to you. He also suggested we talk to a private
investigator friend of his.”
“Did
you ask about his fee?”
“He
said we only had to pay what we could afford.”
“I
think we should talk to his friend.”
----------------------------
At
Aaron’s next session, they met with the private investigator. He was introduced
as Al Dee. Al listened intently to their story and asked them several questions
before sending them on their way.
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