Part 1
The Lufthansa 747 touched down at Logan International Airport at 1:30 p.m.. Waves of heat simmered from the runway as the plane taxied into the terminal. In the first class section, the passengers prepared to disembark.
Dr. Alec Thornton sat quietly in thought. It was good to be home after his extended stay in Europe. He was a respected psychiatrist with a thriving practice in Boston. His beautiful new wife and stepdaughter were waiting for him at home. And his own daughter from his first marriage, the light of his life, would be coming home in a week for Summer break from Duke University.
He should have been immensely happy with his lot in life. And yet his mind kept going over his plan. A plan that had to point out a serious character flaw in himself; he was able to diagnose that himself. He knew what he planned was wrong but he was going to do it. He had to do it.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Dr. Thornton, welcome back, sir," Charles said as he collected the baggage claim tickets from his employer.
"Thank you, Charles. Two suitcases and a suit bag."
His chauffeur scurried over to the revolving carousel to collect his suitcases as Thornton pulled off his suit jacket, surveying the baggage area and the summer scene outside. His limousine was parked at the curb; the airport parking officer ignoring it as a $50 bill from Charles resided in his pants pocket.
Looking back around he saw two of the stewardesses from his flight heading toward him and the doorway beyond. They saw him as well and smiles snapped onto their faces. He knew they saw him as a good catch, even if he was wearing a wedding ring. He obviously had money and he was rather handsome to boot. He'd played tight end at Harvard twenty years ago and he'd kept up a steady workout program to keep his 6' 2" frame in a toned state.
"Good-bye, Dr. Thornton. I hope you'll be flying with us again soon," the perky brunette said as they went past.
Charles came toward him loaded down with his heavy suitcases. He let Charles precede him out into the hot humid air. The door of the limo was opened for him and he sank down into the comfortably cool interior.
During the ride into downtown Boston, he phoned his wife to let her know he had arrived back safely and he was going to stop in at his office for a while but he'd be home for dinner that night.
His wife, his second wife, went on to tell him that her daughter, Lisa, had gotten into more trouble at school. He promised to talk to her later that night. He told her not to worry; it was just a natural rebellious phase that all teenagers go through. He rang off as his limousine pulled in front of the tall bronze skyscraper that contained his office.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dr. Thornton pushed open the door to his office suite and saw he had a visitor. A distinguished gentleman was sitting on the edge of his secretary's desk, speaking with her. Both looked up as he entered.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise! How are you, Dr. Heimler?" Alec said as he walked over with his hand extended.
Dr. Heimler rose to his 6' 4" height, his black eyes twinkling in his craggy, weathered face and extended his hand to Alec.
"Ah, my boy, I see you have returned safely from your little European 'vacation'!" Dr. Heimler said in his thick German accent as he gripped Alec's hand in a strong handshake.
The white-haired Dr. Heimler was Alec's mentor; he'd helped Alec along with his career the last ten years. It was always good to see him but it also brought up bad memories.
Alec had dated Dr. Heimler's daughter during college. One night, the poor girl had taken her own life during her junior year, leaving no note. Heimler had been devastated and for a time had even tried to lay the blame at Alec's feet. This was ridiculous of course and Dr. Heimler had soon apologized.
After that they sort of bonded together. It was on Dr. Heimler's recommendation that he had been able to go to Europe to study at a prestigious clinic in Bern, Switzerland. Call it a working 'vacation'.
"Come on in, Doctor, I'll fill you in on my trip. I'm sorry, Nicole, I didn't mean to leave you out. How have you been? Able to hold everything together?"
"Yes, Dr. Thornton, everything's pretty much under control. Welcome back."
The two doctors went into Alec's office. Alec placed his coat on a coat rack in the corner and took up a position behind his desk. Dr. Heimler sank down into a chair in front of the desk and took out an ornate watch from his vest fob pocket.
"I don't have much time, Alec, but tell me briefly how your trip was?"
"Fascinating, Dr. Heimler, just fascinating. You were correct. The applications are far greater than I would have thought. I think it will be an invaluable tool, especially in the treatment of schizophrenics."
"Yes, yes, as I have told you, the unconscious mind is the battleground where the quickest and profoundest cures can be won." Alec thought the war analogy sounded ironic coming from the German. Although, Dr. Heimler couldn't have been involved in any of the events in the 1940's; he was perhaps sixty-five years old. "You have mastered the hypnotic induction sequence?"
"Yes, I believe so. Of course a patient can resist indefinitely if the will is strong. But, yes, I had many, many sessions with patients at the Bern Institute. Thank you again for the introductions. They were most helpful."
"Good, good, I must take my leave now." Dr. Heimler stood and replaced the watch into his vest pocket. "Say, is this a new picture, Alec?" The Doctor reached over and picked up a framed photo that sat on Alec's desk.
"Yes, my wife had it taken this summer when Jennifer was home for the summer."
"Jennifer is a beautiful young woman. This is the stepdaughter, yes?"
"Yes, that's Lisa. She's a senior at St. Andrew's."
"She certainly resembles her mother." Dr. Heimler placed the picture back on the desk. "I must be off now. I know you and Nicole must have much to do. The work does not stop when you are away. Please let me know how the new technique works."
Dr. Thornton walked his mentor to the door and bid him farewell. Walking back into his office, he loosened his tie and looked out the window at the Boston skyline.
