“Consider this a favor, Peter.”
“What’s his problem?”
“That’s your department. I’m just an old country doctor.”
“All right,” Peter had agreed. “Have him call me.”
Now he was here. Dr. Templeton pressed down the button on the intercom on his desk. “Send Mr. Mellis in.”
Peter Templeton had seen photographs of George Mellis in newspapers and magazines, but he was still unprepared for the overpowering vitality of the man. He gave new meaning to the word charisma.
They shook hands. Peter said, “Sit down, Mr. Mellis.”
George looked at the couch. “Over there?”
“Wherever you’re comfortable.”
George took the chair opposite the desk. George looked at Peter Templeton and smiled. He had thought he would dread this moment, but after his talk with Eve, he had changed his mind. Dr. Templeton was going to be his ally, his witness.
Peter studied the man opposite him. When patients came to see him for the first time, they were invariably nervous. Some covered it up with bravado, others were silent or talkative or defensive. Peter could detect no signs of nervousness in this man. On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Curious, Peter thought.
“Dr. Harley tells me you have a problem.”
George sighed. “I’m afraid I have two.”
“Why don’t you tell me about them?”
“I feel so ashamed. That’s why I—I insisted on coming to see you.” He leaned forward in his chair and said earnestly, “I did something I’ve never done before in my life, Doctor. I struck a woman.”
Peter waited.
“We were having an argument and I blacked out, and when I came to, I had…hit her.” He let his voice break slightly. “It was terrible.”
Peter Templeton’s inner voice told him he already knew what George Mellis’s problem was. He enjoyed beating up women.
“Was it your wife you struck?”
“My sister-in-law.”
Peter had occasionally come across items about the Blackwell twins in newspapers or magazines when they appeared at charity events or society affairs. They were identical, Peter recalled, and strikingly beautiful. So this man had hit his sister-in-law. Peter found that mildly interesting. He also found it interesting that George Mellis made it sound as though he had merely slapped her once or twice. If that had been true, John Harley would not have insisted that Peter see Mellis.
“You say you hit her. Did you hurt her?”
“As a matter of fact, I hurt her pretty badly. As I told you, Doctor, I blacked out. When I came to, I—I couldn’t believe it.”
When I came to. The classic defense. I didn’t do it, my subconscious did it.
“Do you have any idea what caused that reaction?”
“I’ve been under a terrible strain lately. My father has been seriously ill. He’s had several heart attacks. I’ve been deeply concerned about him. We’re a close family.”
“Is your father here?”
“He’s in Greece.”
That Mellis. “You said you had two problems.”
“Yes. My wife, Alexandra…” He stopped.
“You’re having marital problems?”
“Not in the sense you mean. We love each other very much. It’s just that—” He hesitated. “Alexandra hasn’t been well lately.”
“Physically?”
“Emotionally. She’s constantly depressed. She keeps talking about suicide.”
“Has she sought professional help?”
George smiled sadly. “She refuses.”
Too bad, Peter thought. Some Park Avenue doctor is being cheated out of a fortune. “Have you discussed this with Dr. Harley?”
“No.”
“Since he’s the family doctor, I would suggest you speak with him. If he feels it’s necessary, he’ll recommend a psychiatrist.”
George Mellis said nervously, “No. I don’t want Alexandra to feel I’m discussing her behind her back. I’m afraid Dr. Harley would—”
“That’s all right, Mr. Mellis. I’ll give him a call.”
“Eve, we’re in trouble,” George snapped. “Big trouble.”
“What happened?”
“I did exactly as you told me. I said I was concerned about Alexandra, that she was suicidal.”
“And?”
“The sonofabitch is going to call John Harley and discuss it with him!”
“Oh, Christ! We can’t let him.”
Eve began to pace. She stopped suddenly. “All right. I’ll handle Harley. Do you have another appointment with Templeton?”
“Yes.”
“Keep it.”
The following morning Eve went to see Dr. Harley at his office. John Harley liked the Blackwell family. He had watched the children grow up. He had gone through the tragedy of Marianne’s death and the attack on Kate, and putting Tony away in a sanitarium. Kate had suffered so much. And then the rift between Kate and Eve. He could not imagine what had caused it, but it was none of his business. His business was to keep the family physically healthy.