Chapter 2: Tuesday

Editor’s Note:
The next group of documents includes notes taken of a meeting between Dr Koehler Snr (Psychiatrist) and Detective Mahler as well as further transcripts of meetings and patient interviews with Bec Freeman.

Notes of Meeting, Detective Mahler, Tuesday 11/30; 12:15pm

Mahler: I need to speak to the Freeman girl.

Dr K: I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment. She’s still completely unresponsive.

Mahler: Is she going to recover?

Dr K: I’m confident that she will. This is a standard reaction for her when confronted with a major emotional crisis. Using her words, she is completely shut down at the moment. I expect her to progressively return to normal functioning.

Mahler: How long will that take?

Dr K: I can’t answer that. Usually she only shuts down for a relatively short time. By that I mean she’s usually completely out of it for less than an hour. But this time she has shut down for significantly longer. She’s been completely unresponsive since she was brought in yesterday. Medically, there is no cause for concern but I can’t predict how much longer it will be before she rouses. I should warn you that when she becomes responsive again, she’s unlikely to talk for some time after that.

Mahler: That’s unacceptable. How am I supposed to interview her if she won’t talk?

Dr K: Often she’ll communicate non-verbally for a while before she starts speaking.

Mahler: Non-verbal is no use to me.

Dr K: Well, in that case, you’ll simply have to wait until she’s ready to talk.

Mahler: This whole case is a mess. Can I see her?

Dr K: I’m trying to limit the number of strangers in her room. Even though she’s unresponsive, she may have some level of awareness of what is happening around her.

Mahler: I would like to see her.

Dr K: Very well. Come this way.

Detective Mahler taken into unit and to the door of patient’s room.

Dr K: Look through the window in the door and you will see her.

Mahler: Tiny little thing, isn’t she? You’re her doctor. Do you think she’s capable of the sort of violence we’re talking about?

Dr K: I am her doctor. That means doctor-patient privilege applies.

Mahler: I’ll take that as an off-the-record yes. So how long until you can get her talking?

Dr K: It’s too early to say. I should inform you that your policy of limiting access to her family members will significantly delay her progress. During her recovery process, she takes comfort from prolonged physical contact with her family. Without that prolonged physical contact, her recovery will probably take longer. Ideally, she should be at home. Given that she’s here, allowing extended visits from members of her entire family could make a huge difference.

Mahler: Just get her talking.

Meeting concluded 12:40pm

Notes of meeting, Nurse Cassandra, Tuesday, 11/30; 1:05pm

Dr K: Any update on Bec Freeman in Room 6?

N.C: I noticed that she had her eyes open about half an hour ago. About fifteen minutes ago, she seemed a little agitated. I sat her on a bed pan and she used her bowels.

Dr K: That’s something. Did she follow verbal instructions?

N.C: No. I had to physically move her into position. She didn’t resist me moving her. After she’d used the bed pan, I cleaned her up and lay her back down. She settled immediately.

Dr K: Hmm! Has lunch arrived yet?

N.C: No. It should be here soon.

Dr K: When it comes, bring it straight in. Keep talking to her. Lots of reassurance.

Meeting concluded 1:10pm

Transcript of Patient Interview, Rebecca Freeman, Tuesday, 11/30; 1:14pm

Dr K: Hello, Bec. It’s lovely to see those big brown eyes of yours. Can you hear me?

pause – no response

Dr K: Okay, Bec. I want you to follow my finger with your eyes.

Patient’s eyes did not track finger, eyes appeared to become focused on doctor’s mouth.

Dr K: Are you looking at my mouth? Are you looking at the movement or where my voice is coming from? What happens if I move my head while I talk? What happens if I stop talking and keep moving my head?

Patient’s eyes followed movement of doctor’s head – clearly tracking the source of the voice. When doctor stopped talking, eyes drifted away.

Dr K: Bec, I want you to know that you’re safe. You’re in the hospital. This is Dr Koehler – you know me. You call me Dr K. I’ve gotten so used to it, I’ve started introducing myself as Dr K when I talk to my other patients.

pause

Dr K: Bec, I’m holding your hand. Will you squeeze my hand for me? Come on now, you can do it. Squeeze my hand.