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A.R.Yngve
PARRY'S PROTOCOL
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Chapter 19
Almost simultaneously, Abram and Parry walked through their respective doors, and across to the plexiglass wall in the middle of the echo-free room.
Parry seemed less thin, and had a somewhat healthier color below his eyes. His eyes were just as bloodshot, though, and the wolf grin was still there. He stared expectantly at Abram, who managed a smile.
"Good to see you, Patrick! You look healthier. Is everything to your satisfaction?"
Parry stood motionless, and replied: "The air vent, Doc! Do I have to remind you every time?"
Abram's smile disappeared, but he went and sealed the air intake on his side of the chamber.
Parry looked more content, and added: "It doesn't get as hot in here as in the beginning, since they fixed the basement system. We've got a few minutes of talking, before we have to take a break for new air. I don't want to suffocate my new pets."
He went over to a corner of the room, where an old-fashioned wrought-iron bird cage stood on a stand. Next to it was a basket, a box of kitty-litter, and a water-bowl. An empty paper plate lay by the basket. The little bird in the cage started chirping, as Parry squatted down over the basket and picked up a tiny, dark-gray kitten. Holding it gently in his arms, he went closer to the glass wall.
"I call her Joyce," he said, stroking the cat's head until it started to purr with its eyes closed. "Was thinking of asking them to send in a hooker from town; but of course Dr. Oregon would never agree on that." He made a wide grin.
Abram opened his briefcase, looking uncomfortable.
"Let's get to work," he said, sitting down on his stool. From his case, he extracted a notepad and pencil. He looked gravely up at Parry, who unflinchingly stared back while caressing the purring cat. "I've been to California and made a few personal inquiries among the students of your last class," Abram began. "I think, that if I dug a little deeper into the case, I might find proof of several extenuating circumstances, which didn't surface in the investigation five years ago."
Parry suddenly ceased stroking the cat.
"I've also begun to suspect," Abram continued, "that you weren't as confused by the time of the unfortunate incident... as you appeared to be."
Parry did not grin anymore, but pressed his lips together -- hard.
"However, since I'm officially regarding you as insane now, re-examining the old court decision will not come up. There should be no risk of you landing in a prison, after such a long time here."
Parry was beginning to sweat, but grinned again: "You're damn smart, Doc. But like you said -- I'm insane now. So get started with the therapy! You've got a few minutes, before the canary starts to suffocate."
Saliva sprinkled on the glass as he spat out the words. Abram wiped a drop of sweat from his brow, cleared his throat, and begun to write: "Notes from conversations with Parry in the evening, September 14."
"First question. Make your answers as brief as you can..."