Chapter 10

The man was smart, Sands gave him that much credit. And he could almost have the smallest smidgen of respect for him, but he needed to stop snooping around.

"So then your child-hood lacked in. . ."

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. I had dogs, horses, and the smell of brownies in the air. Perfect past, savvy?" Sands lied, what his past was like no one would ever know.

"No. I want the truth this time. If you don't let go of the past you'll never be free from it," Zak paused with pen in hand, this was one of his toughest patients ever. There was no getting around the mental barrier that Sands had built, and no amount of emotional pressure could get him to cave.

"I'm fine." Sands emphasized, "Or at least as fine as I can be. And cut with the questions because I have no qualms of pulling the trigger and blowing your brains to kingdom come."

"Why such violence? Do you push people away to protect yourself, or do you feel threatened by them?"

"I can't be threatened by a dead man, can I." Sands smiled, "and can't blame a guy for having a little fun here and there."

"But out of all the people you've killed, not one has made you feel remorse or conscience?"

"Once," Zak looked up expectantly really wanting Sands to speak truthfully. Unfortunately that wasn't one of these times. "The guy died and I never got my watch back."

"But no pity?"

"Only for the ones that don't get in the last dramatic scream." The psych was good though, it made him remember things from a long time ago. There were things he'd rather not reminisce over, but that was the point, wasn't it?

"You smoke, drink, and it's known that you embrace pain. Why? Are you trying to punish yourself for the sins you've committed?"

"Oh my Christ." Sands smirked, "You're a bible fanatic, aren't you. And now you're trying to save my soul. How sweet. Save the sermon for Sunday, preacher."

"I'm just trying to figure out why you want to destroy yourself."

"I don't destroy myself. I destroy others and make a shitload of money doing it."

"Alright." Zak decided a change of topic would be good, he could always return to the questions later. "Now on to the subject of your eyes. . ."

"They're gone. Next question?" Sands wouldn't tolerate any questions or digs about this. Not now, not ever.

"Sands, we can't avoid this topic forever." Zak thought this was going to be a problem, there was always a way around it though, the only question was how could he get this man to speak truthfully? Was there a way or was Sands too closed and cunning to withstand the subtle maneuvers.

"There is no we. WE aren't doing anything. I've dealt with it and I've moved on. My suggestion to you is. . . pick a new issue."

"I can't do that." Zak knew if he kept pushing Sands might reveal something he wouldn't have under normal circumstances.

"Listen," Sands was quickly losing patience, the agreement was that no one die, nothing was said about wounding. This man was really starting to piss him off. "There is nothing to talk about and look at that, hours up. So if you'll let yourself out and leave me alone to 'destroy myself' that would be dandy." He took a long drink of tequila and smiled coldly.

This was one of the first times he didn't know what the psychologist would file. He had a general idea, but Zak hadn't seemed phased by any of the answers. That was interestingly refreshing so Sands had decided to give him a few near-honest answers.

He'd also toned it down because his job was precarious at best and throwing it away with a few strategically placed sarcastic replies. . . Sands was smarter than that.

Now all he had to do was wait until Arnoldo came back with either a ticket out of here or a death warrant. Either one would be fun.

* * *

"So was I correct?" Dawes asked once Arnoldo and Zak Tyleic were alone. "What have you concluded based on your analysis of Agent Jeffrey Sands?"

"Most of what you said was true. There is definite potential for sociopathy there, but he's learned how to control it. He's broken many years of study on the subject as we've researched the antisocial disorder and not found one person who can control the effects. I believe that Sands uses it as a cloak to hide behind."

"What do you mean? He either is or isn't, there's no double side to this! Is he stable to be around or do you suggest we remove him from the CIA?" Dawes demanded, the sooner the crazy lunatic was out the better.

"There's a very fine line between madness and brilliance." Zak tried to put into words what he meant, "I think Sands walks that line. He's a very manipulative person and something in his past triggered emotional damage that's resulted in what he's become today."

"You still haven't answered my question, doctor." Dawes could already see Sands' locker emptied and his desk cleared. Actually, the desk was already clear because the man never used it!

"He's getting to that, Dawes." Arnoldo said softly, his piercing blue eyes caught Zak's and held the gaze for a long minute. "Please continue."

"As I was saying." Zak cleared his throat, there was something about Arnoldo's stare that made him feel transparently clear. "Neglect or abuse as a child wouldn't be surprising, Sands won't speak of his past and found a way around all of the questions he deemed too personal. He's hiding something and he's had years to build a mental wall, if you will. Nothing penetrates that and no one gets close to him, would I be right?"

"Yes, Sands has never filed for a partner and that one time in Mexico was the only time he requested backup."

"Anything else you can tell us?" Dawes piped up again.

"Not especially, based on only one session with him I could only understand the tip of the iceberg. But from what I've discovered, his smoking and drinking habits, his violent tendencies, and his manipulative, cunning, and destructive behavior doesn't point away from sociopathic factors."

"Anything you can recommend then?" Arnoldo asked.

"If you will allow me to continue the sessions with Sands I'll be able to provide you with more information, but unless you've seen visible or subtle changes in his behavior since he left to Mexico I don't see why anything should change."

"I'll talk to him about continuation of your meetings, and no, there hasn't been any change to him." Arnoldo inwardly sighed at the thought of that confrontation.

"Then I suggest that anything and everything stay the same. Any change in the patients schedule can result in furthering, or breaking, any vestige of human emotion he has left."

"So you're saying we should let a potential psychopath walk free?" Dawes asked incredulously.

"Sociopath, and yes. There's no evidence stating otherwise." Zak wasn't sure that Dawes presence was helping matters any, but he was wise enough not to comment. "He's dangerous, everyone knows that, but it's a marked hostility brought on by circumstances Sands deems dangerous. Changing things now will raise the threat level and, as evidence suggests, turn Sands into a very dangerous person."

"Very well, thank you for your time. A check will be sent by mail in accordance to our agreement. I'll contact you with further information regarding Sands. Is this sufficient?"

"Quite. Oh, is there anyone that Sands has let close to him recently? Anybody that might be able to manipulate him for more information?"

"Only one other person knows of his condition. Her name is Sable, she's an agent here same as he. . ."

"And he seems to like her well enough." Dawes lip curled, he bet the slut was screwing him on the side.

"Then I would bet she's our best chance at helping him. I'll talk to you about that more in confidentiality." Zak looked pointedly at Arnoldo when Dawes flipped through the notes he'd left. An almost imperceptible nod from Arnoldo and Zak made his way out of the building.