Grace Harker didn't get where she was by not being alert. In just five years she had come to rule the Rocky Point Psychiatric Hospital with an iron hand. She was aware that her methods had made her enemies. But more praised her for those very same efforts. In her desk were testimonials from husbands who had had suicidal wives returned to them with a renewed passion for life. There were letters from wives extolling how loving and tender their husbands had become. Parents of teenagers with all of the angst issues of their age were most vociferous in praise of her methods.
Grace tried to not dwell on her failures. Yes they were numerous and often they were left worse off than when they had been admitted but you could not make an omelet without breaking some eggs. Grace felt that her successes more than made up for her failures. After all, NO doctor of any sort could give guarantees. Even the simplest of operations could turn into medical disasters.
The prim forty five year old Grace had heard the rumors that she was going to be investigated. She had prepared herself for a state inspector but her sources informed her that a patient identified as Emily Allen would be checked in in a few days, would actually be reporter Peggy Jeffers of the Clarion newspaper.
The Clarion had been a thorn in Grace's side for a number of years. A young father had checked in and had killed himself hours later. The state had exonerated Grace and her staff but the young man had been a relative of an owner of the Clarion. That person refused to accept the opinion of the state. Grace was vilified as "The Butcher of Rocky Point" in headlines. Grace's libel suits against the paper were slowly making their way through the local courts. The Clarion's stand had cost the paper subscribers but it plunged on full bore with its assault.
A loud contingent of the newspaper's readers eagerly followed the reports of Grace's many "misdeeds." Even Grace's children had caught flack at school because of the paper's dogged determination to generate scandal. It was fair to say that Grace Harker despised the Clarion and all of those who worked for it. And she had every reason to.
Grace quietly thanked her source on the immanent visit from the reporter. She was very careful to not tip her hand. Subtlety she checked into the reporter's background. Peggy Jeffers was an idealist who was totally in the thrall of the paper's owners. She had visions of a Pulitzer or other prize for finally being the one to "blow the lid of Rocky Point." Grace found a picture of the eager young reporter. She was blue eyed with cascading brown hair. Although the picture was only a publicity head shot, the attractive young woman appeared to be in shape. Chuckling silently to herself Grace thought "You know this case might actually be fun." When Peggy Jeffers or Emily Allen or what ever she called herself turned up at the doors of Rocky Point, Grace would be ready.
Peggy Jeffers worked hard on her alter ego of Emily Allen. She had been living as Emily for the last few weeks. She knew that her creation would have to have a traceable past. Working with some of the other reporters, the Clarion had created a very convincing (at least at first glace) paper trail for Emily. Peggy referred to herself now almost always Emily. She felt like Woodward or Bernstein. The Clarion was hardly the Washington Post but if what was going on at Rocky Point was anything like the paper's owner said it was, Peggy would be well on her way to a plumb assignment anywhere she wanted.
She admired Mr. Michael Conner enormously. When he told the sad story of his only nephew's death at Rocky Point. Peggy was POSITIVE that Grace Harker had successfully hidden her culpability for his death. Three years later Mr. Conner still grieved and his rage had not subsided with time. Mr. Conner had taken Peggy under her wing and sold her on the idea of infiltrating the "hell hole" of Rocky Point. Eager to please her powerful and, if she was honest with herself handsome boss, Peggy had volunteered for duty.
It was exactly a week later that an ambulance delivered a suicidal young woman. Grace thought it suspicious that the ambulance arrived just after she had finished her lunch. Ordinarily admissions were earlier or later in the day. Grace decided to investigate. When the ambulance door swung open there was Peggy Jeffers, hair disheveled and lightened to a dishwater blonde. her eyes puffy with tears. Inwardly Grace wore a broad smile.
"What is your name honey?" Asked Grace in a sensitive and sincere manner.
"Emily, Emily Allan" came the reply.
Grace turned to the paramedic sitting next to Emily's stretcher. "What's the story?"
"She made a public scene at the college library went screaming about the building. At first she threatened to jump of the atrium but instead she came up with a box cutter and threatened to slit her writs. She was tackled as she began to cut into her left wrist. It was just a superficial wound. It didn't even require stitches. I bandaged her and brought her here. Shes been calm enough since we got her into the rig."
"Thank you officer." I will take her from here. Grace turned towards the disguised reporter and said in her most pleasant and motherly voice.
"I am Grace Harker, Welcome to Rocky Point. Come along Emily. We will have you feeling better in no time."
The woman calling herself Emily Allan took the proffered hand and allowed Grace to lead her out of the ambulance.
"Let's have a talk in my office." Said the head psychiatrist.
Grace had determined that however she treated their reporter, the Clarion would spin the tail into a horror. Since what she actually did do would not matter,the head psychiatrist decided to give the newspaper what it wanted while also trying to find a legal way to hold on to Emily/Peggy for as long as possible. A prolonged incarceration would erode the reporter's resistance. If the journalist was forced to admit her scheme of entering Rocky Point under false pretenses, no one would believe her tales of mistreatment, further, if she were to make a full confession on video, Grace would easily win her libel suits against the Clarion. It would be a lot of fun to take the snot out of Michael Conner AND his pet reporter!
In Grace's office Emily Allan turned on the hysterics. Grace had to admit that the slim young woman was quite an accomplished actress. Her tales of woe was like a bingo game of psychiatry buzz words. Emily complained of paranoia, abuse, and feelings of worthlessness. Grace let her carry on for a while and said,
"Emily. I am going to put you in a seventy two hour hold at minimum. You have a lot of issues we have to work on. As to what happens now. We will admit you. There are some papers for you to sign. As part of the assessment process you will be asked to strip down to your birthday suit. This is done for your safety and that of myself and my staff. We have to be sure that you are not smuggling in weapons or other contraband and we need to examine your skin for signs of previous self injury. This will allow us to begin to get a full picture of and extent of your illness. After your assessment we will decide on where and how you are housed. Presently I believe you to be a great danger to yourself and others."
Grace smiled inwardly the many times that Peggy Jeffers signed the name Emily Allan to the forms placed in front of her. The woman had committed fraud and several felonies by claiming to be someone she was not. The fact that she asked to be admitted as a charity case only compounded her sins as the Clarion was well equipped to pay for her care. (Peggy had been asked to use charity funds because Mr Conner refused to give Rocky a Point a dime "Even to blow the lid off the place!") After the many forms were signed Grace said,
"Follow me, Emily."
Sighing heavily the reporter followed to a small white room. Peggy had was prepared for this. She had been briefed as to what to expect by former patients of Rocky Point and other psychiatric facilities. She considered it part of being a brave reporter. Along the walk with Grace the two women were trailed by two very large uniformed attendants. All three entered the room.
"Now Emily you are going to hand me the articles of your clothing as I ask for them. IF your treatment merits interaction with other patients these will be returned to you or suitable clothing will be provided from our stores. Perhaps your contact person can bring you a change of clothes but it will probably be some time until you are permitted visitors, I believe that you are a very sick woman Emily. Now hand me your shoes and socks."
Emily looked at the hulking men. Both were at least six feet tall and looked to be very strong, "But these men..."
"Are nurses who are here for my protection. I have had too many upset patients, such as yourself, try to jump me in this room. People in manic or emotional episodes can be very strong, far stronger than any woman, Now let's have those sneakers and socks."
"But..."
"Emily if you are uncooperative I CAN have Steven and John here forcibly undress you. I'm sure you DO NOT want that. Now get moving!"
With dread the pretty young reporter began to untie her sneakers and slid off her white ankle socks. Grace examined the socks and sneakers. Her keen eye and touch found what was obviously a secret compartment in the sneakers but Grace decided not to expose her new charge just yet. She had other plans for her.
