On to his fourth coffee of the morning, Cole leans back in his chair, finally getting over the pre-session nerves. He hadn't worried about one of his sessions in a good long while, but after last night, well…
"This is nice," Jack says.
"I got us moved to a more comfortable room,"
"What's with the pigs outside?"
"Protection,"
"Come on Doctor. You don't think I'm going to jump up and murder you with my bare hands do you?"
"It's a precaution. They're here for your protection just as much as mine,"
"Well… that's a new one,"
"Jack, I need your help,"
"Doctor Cole, you're beginning to confuse me,"
"I told you, just Cole,"
He leans over the desk, "Do you have any friends or enemies on the outside, people who might strive to protect… or even harm you?"
"I had friends… needless to say they wouldn't want to know me these days. But enemies…?"
"I'm not sure if I should tell you this. I've been trying to decide whether it's appropriate to our relationship,"
"Ah hell Doc, you've got me all interested now,"
He leans closer, not wanting the police men outside the door to hear, "I was threatened, Jack. On my way home I met a man who told me to stay away from you. Said that if I come to another session he'll hurt me and my family,"
"What?"
"If you know something Jack, you have to tell me. I won't sacrifice my family for you,"
"Then why did you come to this session?"
"I… need to know the truth. And you're gonna fucking tell me,"
"I'm not sure I like your tone, Doctor. If this is the way you're going to behave in our meetings, maybe we'd be better off not conducting them,"
Cole jumps over and seizes Jack by the collar, shaking him, "Tell me!"
"Stop acting like a caveman, Doctor,"
Before his anger can take him, Cole grabs his bag and storms away towards the door. As his hand clasps the cold metal of the door knob, Jack speaks.
"It could be them, you know,"
"Who?"
"The one's that set me up. The one's who killed my family. They could be threatening you because they know I'm innocent,"
"There is no they! You killed your family, Jack. They're blood on your hands, your prints on the knife, it was you!"
Cole opens the door.
"Doctor, we agreed on hour long sessions," Jack points out.
Cole looks over to the clock.
"And you've only been here for ten minutes. Come on, humour me,"
Cole lets out a weary sigh.
"Is everything okay, sir?" the officers outside ask.
"Fine," Cole confirms, closing the door.
He reluctantly places his bag down and takes his seat.
"There's a lot going on here you aren't aware of," Jack warns, "I'd tell you to walk away but…. Well, seems you're involved now, just like the others. You've been given a warning -too big to bring down easily I guess- not like the others,"
"The others?"
Unimpressed, Jack continues, "I see they didn't tell you, either. Not even their big hotshot Numero Uno,"
"What are you talking about Jack?" Cole asks impatiently.
"Your successor, Dr. James Bradford went missing. His successor, Dr. Elle Ross went crazy, her successor Quentin Forster found dead in a dumpster, are you getting the picture here?"
"Not really, Jack,"
"How about the supervisor of this case, a friend of yours, right?"
Cole knows he's referring to Ted Smithee, friend and boss.
"Surely you know he's dead now, right?" Jack says.
Cole learns forward onto his elbows and stares Jack straight in the face, "That's not possible,"
"Why?"
"Because I saw him two days ago, at the Mayor's party,"
"No you didn't Jack,"
"Yes I did,"
"No, you didn't,"
"Yes I… wait,"
Oh that was right. Cole had spoken to Ted on the phone, who told him he couldn't make the party.
"I spoke to him, his was ill. Couldn't make it,"
"You spoke to someone. Ill you say? With a croaky voice, I'd bet," Jack assumes.
"This is ridiculous, what's your point Crispin?"
"Everyone that gets involved with this case either dies or goes missing. I told them to stop sending people to analyse me but your board of directors simply won't listen,"
"Jack, if I'm in danger, if my family are truly in danger, you have to tell me everything, I beg you,"
Crispin gets out of his chair and between the cast iron bars, stares out of the window.
"It was a hazy evening, a lot like this one,"
Cole notices as Jack's disposition changes to a low-key sobriety. No more jokes, instead, a deep focus takes over.
"It all started on the outskirts of that town…"
He turns to face Cole, "… Silent Hill,"