Page 86 of Psychopath

“Maybe not, but it does mean he’s a shit-stirrer. It means he could turn up unannounced whenever he likes.”

Quinn sighed. “Can we get on with the session?”

“No.”

“There’s no point in me being here if you’re not going to cooperate.”

“Quinn,” Zane growled.

“Zane.”

“Fine.” Zane sighed. “What have you got for me?”

“A distraction task and another word association game.”

Zane rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get started then.”

The task was simple enough. Quinn told Zane to read a word flashed to him as fast as he could. Each word was printed on a background. One was a forest in the height of summer, another of a forest burning, one of a fast sports car, another of a smashed-up truck.

The backgrounds started off innocent and progressively got worse, ending with violent, disturbing scenes behind nonchalant words. For most people, saying the words took longer, the more graphic or violent the picture behind them. Longer times indicated either disgust or enjoyment for the images, but quick recalls indicated the participant was able to focus on the task at hand and block out the backgrounds altogether, suggesting a lack of empathy.

There were thirty cards in total, and Quinn held each one up to the glass while he held a stopwatch in his hand.

When Zane had finished, he cracked his neck, then asked, “Who…who came up with this experiment?”

Quinn blinked. It was the first time he’d ever asked, and they’d done lots of tasks over the months. Quinn frowned. “I did. It’s a variation of one I invented for my dissertation at university.”

“Huh…” Zane nodded. “I’m guessing there was less blood and violence in your university version.”

“That’s correct.”

“And how did I do?”

Quinn smiled. “Good.”

“Good? Was I…quick?”

“Quicker isn’t always better…”

Zane slumped into his chair. “Sexual innuendo, Doctor Quinn? How inappropriate.”

Quinn rolled his eyes and tidied away the cards.

Zane looked troubled in a way Quinn hadn’t seen before.

“You okay?” Quinn asked.

“Me? I’m good.”

“Word association now.”

“Hit me with it.”

“Autumn,” Quinn said.

Zane tilted his head. “Change.”

“Sweet.”

---