THE FOURTH WOMAN
The fourth woman’s name was Kaela Morgan.
Maya found her through the records of Dr. Marcus Webb—the primary care physician who had referred all three victims to Vance. Webb had been practicing in Barrow Falls for thirty years. He was respected. Retiring soon. And he had a habit of referring certain patients to certain therapists.
Maya sat in the waiting room of Webb’s office, pretending to read a magazine, watching the patients come and go.
Kaela Morgan was twenty-seven. She worked at a bookstore. She lived alone. She had a cat named Edgar. And she had an appointment with Dr. Vance next week.
Maya followed her home.
It felt wrong. Stalking a potential victim. But she didn’t know what else to do. The police wouldn’t listen. Her editor wouldn’t publish without proof. And Dr. Vance was still smiling, still healing, still collecting his next patient.
She approached Kaela in the parking lot of her apartment building.
“Kaela Morgan?”
The woman turned. She was pretty in a tired way, with dark hair and pale skin and eyes that looked like they hadn’t slept in days.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Maya Cross. I’m a reporter.”
“I didn’t ask for a reporter.”
“I know. But I need to talk to you. About Dr. Vance.”
Kaela’s face went pale. “What about him?”
“How long have you been seeing him?”
“Three weeks. Why?”
“He’s been treating other women. Women who jumped from the Mercy Bridge.”
Kaela stepped back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sarah Chen. Elena Vasquez. Clara Bennett. They were all his patients. All of them jumped. All of them dreamed about the bridge.”
Kaela’s hands shook.
“I don’t dream about bridges.”
“Does he ask you about your dreams?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
“What does he say?”
“He says dreams are messages from the unconscious. He says we should explore them. Together.”
Maya stepped closer. “Kaela, I think you’re in danger.”
“I think you’re crazy.”
“Maybe. But I found you, didn’t I? I found your name in Dr. Webb’s referral records. I found your appointment. I found you.”
Kaela’s eyes darted around the parking lot.
“Stay away from me.”
She ran inside.
Maya watched her go.
She didn’t follow.
But she wrote down the address.