Gull was broad-shouldered and powerful-looking, with a thick neck, a boxer’s nose, and a big, rough face that managed to be handsome. His head sported a mass of wavy, iron-flecked black hair. His chin preceded the rest of him by a half inch. Tailored eyebrows arched behind gray-lensed sunglasses, and his skin was rosy.
A bit younger than Larsen—midforties. When Milo and I reached the table, he removed the shades and exposed big, dark eyes. Sad eyes, bottomed by smudgy pouches. They added a couple of years and the suggestion of thoughtfulness.
He was eating take-out Chinese out of the carton. Shrimp swimming in red sauce and fried rice and a side of dwarf spring rolls. Albin Larsen’s lunch was mixed green salad heaped in a Styrofoam bowl. Both men sipped canned iced tea.
Larsen said, “Good day,” and gave a formal little nod. Gull held out a hand. His fingers were enormous.
Both men were in the shade, but Gull’s forehead was beaded with sweat. Spicy shrimp?
Milo and I brushed dust and leaves from the picnic bench and sat down. Larsen resumed eating. Gull smiled with uncertainty.
“Thanks for taking the time, Doctors,” said Milo. “Must be tough around the office.”
Larsen looked up from his salad. Neither man answered.
“Dr. Koppel’s patients,” said Milo. “Having to explain to them.”
“Yes,” said Larsen. “The vulnerability.”
Gull said, “Fortunately, we’re not talking about a huge number. Unlike physicians, each of us handles only forty, fifty patients at any given time. Albin and I divided up the actives and contacted each one. We’re still working on former patients, but it’s tough finding them. Mary didn’t hold on to her files for longer than a year.”
His voice was smooth and soft, but talking seemed to take the wind out of him. He wiped his forehead. The sweat kept coming.
“Is that typical?” said Milo. “Destroying files?”
“It’s something each therapist decides independently.”
“What about you and Dr. Larsen?”
“I hold on to files for two years. What about you, Albin?”
Larsen said, “It depends, but generally that’s about right.”
“No official group policy,” said Milo.
“We’re not an official group,” said Larsen. “We share an office suite.”
“So what happens to Dr. Koppel’s active patients now? In terms of treatment?”
Franco Gull said, “Those who choose to continue with either Albin or me are free to do so. If they prefer a female therapist, we’re happy to refer them out.”
“Sounds pretty organized,” said Milo.
“We need to be. As Albin said, we’re dealing with extreme vulnerability. What could be worse for someone needy than to be cast adrift so abruptly?” Gull shook his head and his wavy hair shimmied. “It’s a nightmare for them and for us. Unbelievable.”
“Dr. Koppel’s murder.”
Gull’s sad eyes tightened. “Are we talking about anything else?”
Albin Larsen speared a tomato but didn’t eat it.
“It’s a major loss,” said Gull. “For her patients, for us, for . . . Mary was vibrant, brilliant, dynamic. She was someone I learned from, Detective. It’s hard to comprehend that she’s really gone.”
He glanced at Larsen.
Larsen toyed with a lettuce leaf, and said, “To be snuffed out like that.” He wiped his eyes. “We’ve lost a dear friend.”
Franco Gull said, “Do you have any idea who did it?”
Milo placed his elbows on the picnic table. “I know you gentlemen are bound by confidentiality, but a viable threat nullifies that. Are either of you aware of any patient ever making a threat against Dr. Koppel? Any patient who resented her deeply?”
“A patient?” said Gull. “Why would you even think that?”
“I’m thinking anything, Doctor. Covering all bases.”
“No,” said Gull. “There are no patients like that. Absolutely not.” He groped for a napkin, took another swipe at his brow.
Milo glanced at Albin Larsen. Larsen shook his head.
Milo said, “Dr. Koppel dealt with troubled people. It seems a logical place to start.”
“Logical in the abstract,” said Gull, “but it doesn’t apply to our practice. Mary didn’t treat sociopaths.”
“Who did she treat?” said Milo.
“People with everyday problems of adjustment,” said Gull. “Anxiety, depression, what used to be called neurosis. And basically sound individuals facing choice points.”