Page 249 of Releasing 10
“My sister’s dead.”
“I’m aware of that,” the woman replied coldly. “Before she died, did your sister harm you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “No.”
“You were violent to her, though.” She watched me carefully as she spoke. “My records say you left a permanent scar on your sister’s right cheekbone after an altercation.”
Shame filled me. “I don’t remember doing that.”
“You have a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“You were diagnosed in early childhood with the condition?”
“Yes.”
“Which type?”
“What does that matter?”
“Delusions and hallucinations are more common in those with type 1.” She eyed me for a long moment before saying, “Is it safe to assume type 1?”
Instantly despising this woman, I gripped the armrests of the chair I was sitting on and hissed. “I’m not delusional.”
“But you do hear voices.”
“No, Idon’t.”
She arched a disbelieving brow. “Your parents gave us permission to speak with one of your doctors, and it was confirmed to us that you have been hearing voices since early childhood.” She gave me a hard look. “The scary lady, for instance.”
My face flamed with heat. “The doctor shouldn’t have told you that.”
“The doctor had your parents’ written permission to release any information that pertains to your latest accusations,” she countered evenly. “I presume this ‘scary lady’ is the same one you convinced your friend was stalking you?”
Hugh.
She was talking about Hugh.
“I didn’tconvincehim of anything,” I strangled out, feeling my body vibrate with tension. “Webothsaw her.”
“You’ve been making very serious accusations with no evidence to back them up.” Resting her elbows on the table between us, she clasped her hands together as she spoke. “These accusations are both time-consuming to the officers in question and costly to the state. Do you understand?”
My nostrils flared.“Yes.”
“Iamsympathetic to your position,” she offered in a gentler tone. “You’ve been through a terrible ordeal, which I have no doubt has exacerbated your bipolar symptoms.”
But…
“But this constant stream of accusations cannot continue,” she filled in. “We have received formal complaints from Mr. Allen’s stepmother and while wearesympathetic to what you’re going through, if this behavior doesn’t stop, there will be legal consequences.”
“Sadhbh filed complaints against me?” I managed to squeeze out, breathing hard and fast. “Accusing me ofwhat?”
She shuffled through her notes before saying, “Defaming her sons.”
“Sons,” I whispered, feeling weak. “Plural?”
“Yes. Both Mrs. Allen’s stepson and biological son are listed as victims in her complaint.”
