“You’ve got a fucking camera behind here,” Toni screamed. She turned to David. “You son of a bitch, what are you trying to do? You tricked me!”
On the desk was a letter opener. Toni grabbed it and lunged at David, screaming, “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you!
David tried to hold her, but he was no match for her. The letter opener sliced into his hand.
Toni raised her arm to strike again, and the guard ran to her and tried to grab her. Toni knocked him to the floor. The door opened and a uniformed officer ran in. When he saw what was happening, he lunged at Toni. She kicked him in the groin, and he went down. Two more officers came running in. It took three of them to pin Toni to the chair, and all the time she was yelling and screaming at them.
Blood was pouring from David’s hand. He said to Dr. Salem, “For God’s sake, wake her up.”
Dr. Salem said, “Ashley…Ashley…listen to me. You’re going to come out now. Toni is gone. It’s safe to come out now, Ashley. I’m going to count to three.”
And as the group watched, Ashley’s body became quiet and relaxed.
“Can you hear me?”
“Yes.” It was Ashley’s voice, sounding far away.
“You’ll awaken at the count of three. One…two…three…How do you feel?”
Her eyes opened. “I feel so tired. Did I say anything?”
The screen in Judge Williams’s office went blank. David walked over to the wall and turned on the lights.
Brennan said, “Well! What a performance. If they were giving out Oscars for the best—”
Judge Williams turned to him. “Shut up.”
Brennan looked at her, in shock.
There was a momentary silence. Judge Williams turned to David. “Counselor.”
“Yes?”
There was a pause. “I owe you an apology.”
Seated on the bench, Judge Tessa Williams said, “Both counsels have agreed that they will accept the opinion of a psychiatrist who has already examined the defendant, Dr. Salem. The decision of this court is that the defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity. She will be ordered to a mental health facility, where she can be treated. The court is now adjourned.”
David stood up, drained. It’s over, he thought. It’s finally over. He and Sandra could start living their lives again.
He looked at Judge Williams and said happily, “We’re having a baby.”
Dr. Salem said to David, “I would like to make a suggestion. I’m not sure it can be done, but if you can arrange it, I think it would be helpful to Ashley.”
“What is it?”
“The Connecticut Psychiatric Hospital back east has handled more cases of MPD than any other place in the country. A friend of mine, Dr. Otto Lewison, is in charge of it. If you could arrange for the court to have Ashley sent there, I think it would be very beneficial.”
“Thanks,” David said. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Dr. Steven Patterson said to David, “I—I don’t know how to thank you.”
David smiled. “You don’t have to. It was quid pro quo. Remember?”
“You did a brilliant job. For a while I was afraid—”
“So was I.”
“But justice has been served. My daughter’s going to be cured.”
“I’m sure of it,” David said. “Dr. Salem suggested a psychiatric hospital in Connecticut. Their doctors are trained in MPD.”
Dr. Patterson was silent for a moment. “You know, Ashley didn’t deserve any of this. She’s such a beautiful person.”
“I agree. I’ll talk to Judge Williams and try to get the transfer.”
Judge Williams was in her chambers. “What can I do for you, Mr. Singer?”
“I’d like to ask a favor.”
She smiled. “I hope I can grant it. What is it?”
David explained to the judge what Dr. Salem had told him.
“Well, that’s a rather unusual request. We have some fine psychiatric facilities right here in California.”
David said, “All right. Thank you, Your Honor.” He turned to leave, disappointed.
“I haven’t said no, Mr. Singer.” David stopped. “It’s an unusual request, but this has been an unusual case.”
David waited.
“I think I can arrange for her to be transferred.”