"I know it's not going to be easy ma'am but you will have to let go of all the pain. You still can't get over that night and it keeps coming to you in your sleep cause you are holding on to it, you need to let yourself heal from the wound of the past, that is the only way you will be able to move forward. I recommend you see a psychologist ma'am then we will pick it up from there" I said
"Do you think I'll be able to do it? do you think it's going to work?" She asked with a pessimistic tone
"As long as you want it, as long as you ready, trust me it will" I assured
"Thank you so much Counsellor, I really appreciate it"
"Don't mention, I'm going to make an appointment with the psychologist today. The date and time will be sent to you via email. Hope to see you soon feeling better".
She was my second client that day and I had two more sessions to go. I signaled Sarah to let the next person in immediately. The next person came in shortly.
"Are you the head counsellor here?" He asked before I could say hello
"Yes sir, I am. You are welcome, what can I do for you today sir? I replied.
He sounded like a man in his mid 50s, his voice shaking like he was frightened. I had already prepared my mind for the worst. When clients come in sounding like this, I do not expect any normal case.
"They are going to kill me soon, they are searching for me already. But I will never let them have what they want. I'd rather die than let them lay their hands on it. The world will perish if they do. I can't let that happen".
I couldn't understand any of what this man was saying, he sounded like he was being pursued.
" I don't understand you sir, can you calm down and explain further?"
"My name is Doctor Thompson of Genaid Pharmaceuticals. I make research on viruses and how to cure them."
I interrupted him before he could go further.
"You don't have to tell me your name sir, we do not ask for our client's name for discretion"
"What does it matter, they are going to kill me anyway"
"Who are the people pursuing you, what do they want from you?"
"They want the formula, I shouldn't have made it. I let my curiosity get the better of me. I created that monster, I deserve to die."
I was beginning to think he might probably be going crazy. Some people do not want to admit they are crazy and try to seek help from counselors sometimes instead of a psychiatrist.
"I really don't understand what you are saying sir, I think you need to see a psychiatrist. We can help you book..."
"Locker 13, passcode 0013, Freewill Station, don't ever let them get it. They must not get it"
He said these words and left my office. Of course it made no meaning to me but then it was recorded so I just kept it in my safe where I kept my recordings and files of my clients then attended to the next client.
Through out the day I kept wondering what was after the man and why he sounded so afraid and guilty. I couldn't make anything out of what he said and just shoved it off.
The next day I was enjoying my break as usual on my leisure table when I put on the tv. It was on the news that one Dr Thompson of Genaid Pharmaceuticals was found dead in his lab. He was poisoned in his lab and the killer was yet to be identified.
"Poor him" I said to myself shaking my head
"Wait, Dr Thompson?" I said again aloud as I sprung up from my chair.
I ran towards my safe, brought out the recording of yesterday's session. And yes it was the same Dr Thompson. I suddenly remembered everything he said yesterday that made no sense,it still didn't make much sense to me but one thing was certain. They did really were after his life, he did really was killed and if the information he gave me yesterday had anything to do with his murder, I was really in trouble.
I was still trying to arrange my thoughts flying all over when Sarah knocked, I opened the door, what she said confirmed I was in trouble.
"The police are here sir" she announced looking worried
"Police? Why? For what?" I asked nervously.
If nothing at all I've tried to avoid anything that had to do with the police since I had to stay anonymous for personal reasons.
"According to what they said, The Dr Thompson that was murdered yesterday came here for a session and you were the last person he saw, do you have any idea who among the clients you saw yesterday might have been Dr Thompson?"
I thought of telling Sarah he told me his name but I couldn't figure out how much of a trouble I was in yet. It might not be safe for her either.
" I don't know which of them was Doctor Thompson and according to the news, he was in his mid 50s, I had two clients who sounded around that age yesterday. I can't really tell which one of them was Dr Thompson" I replied
"Did any of them mention anything about their work or field that might relate to medicine?" She asked again
"No, you know I do not pry into clients' private lives unless necessary. None of them mentioned what they did for a living" I lied again
"Okay, this is what we are going to do. The police do not know your face and they won't agree to you hiding your voice during interrogation. I will ask one of the counselors to act like you and answer their questions, I'll tell him what to say. They are still at the reception now, I told them you had a session going on so that should buy us some time. There's nothing to worry about just be calm" she said
"Of course I am, I tell my clients this everyday you know" I smiled nervously
"That's good" she said smiling back as she hurried out of my office
No I wasn't calm. I was shivering from fear I couldn't even hold my cup of coffee. The only thought that kept coming to my mind that moment was why this man chose me of all people. It sure wasn't for discretion since he told me his name. I was still thinking about this when I suddenly remembered what Sarah said
I was the last person he saw!
Does that make me a murder suspect now?