One

A midnight blue 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Coup rounded the corner of the hospital’s long driveway and parked in a Special Visitor’s space. Herb gave himself a quick once-over in the rearview mirror, smoothing down the cowlick in his graying black hair. He grabbed his leather briefcase and shoved the car door open. The sun shone in bright as the lone traveler across the deep blue skies. Detective Halbert brushed the lint from his black jacket as he strode up the sidewalk of the Osawatomie State Hospital. Everyone still referred to it as the Kansas Insane Asylum even though its name had changed in 1901.

A young blond-haired man in a shirt and tie shuffled down the granite front steps. “Good morning!” He stuck out a hand toward Herb. “Detective Halbert?”

Herb nodded. “Doctor Sprider?”

“We spoke over the phone.” He ushered the detective beyond the thick glass front doors. “Glad you decided to make the trip.”

Herb tipped the brim of his matching fedora, and slid past Sprider into the main lobby. “These types of cases --”

Sprider’s meaty hand went up. “I understand that you prefer to stay out of the public eye, Herb, but this one is different.”

He winced. “It’s pronounced, Erb. How so?”

The doctor led him halfway down the main hall, and opened a wooden door on their right: Conference Room A. “After you, detective.”

Inside the long space, a small group of other professional-looking dignitaries had already congregated. A brunette in a green skirt and jacket sat to Herb’s left. To his right, sat a short stalky red-haired gent in a white shirt. A fiery ring of facial hair encompassed his mouth.

“Detective Halbert,” Sprider said, “May I introduce you to Commissioner Judy Jones and Warden John Lipscomb.” Both nodded.

Lipscomb extended his hand to the head of the table. “Please, have a seat, detective.”

“Much obliged.” Herb set his briefcase and fedora on the table. “What brings us all together?”

Sprider occupied a chair on the far side of the commissioner. “We need a hand with a high profile patient, Mr. Halbert.”

Herb propped his head on his hands. “I’ve perused the files. Young female, murder, arson, theft, and so on.”

Judy crossed her slender arms. “This woman is a coldblooded killer. The state needs to make the right call. Hiding behind insanity won’t change that.”

Herb studied her body language with a piqued interest. “Right call?” He glanced around the table. “What’s the right call, fellas?”

Lipscomb cleared the crud from his wide throat. “The State Supreme Court has sentenced the convicted here for life, Mr. Halbert.”

Herb scoffed. “The convicted? She’s just a kid.”

The commissioner’s guise radiated frigidity. “Multiple counts of deliberate and brutal murder, detective. Justice should be served. She needs to be convicted as a felon and executed for her crimes.”

“Yeah,” Herb said, “but the chair?” He set his forearms on the tabletop. “Isn’t that a bit much?”

“That’s why you’re here,” Sprider said. “If there is more to her story, we need to know. We’re asking for your expertise in a thorough re-examination of the patient.”

Herb tossed up an open palm. “What good’s all of this song and dance gonna do?”

The warden rocked in his chair. “If you can get a confession from her, then we might be able to transfer her to the state prison while we build a trial and recommend execution to the governor.”

Halbert rubbed his eye sockets with his palms. “She’s here for a reason. Isn’t she protected?”

“People here,” Lipscomb said, “are a drain on our society and resources.”

Herb saw the argument. “So, there is no real protection for a killer either way. Just an overflow lot, huh?”

Lipscomb leaned his chair forward. “If you get a confession, she can be transferred to my state prison. We push for execution, given light of your investigation.”

The doc snapped his fingers. “Correct.”

Lipscomb laced his hands over his chest. “We’re counting on you to give us the proof we need, Mr. Halbert.”

Judy grumbled. “Our folks need closure on this.”

Halbert set his hands on his briefcase. “Where’s the patient?”

Sprider ran a hand through his blond spikes. “We have a padded room reserved for your interviews.”

Judy stood and offered a handshake. “If there’s nothing further for now, I’ll leave you to it, Mr. Halbert.”

Herb rose from his seat and took her hand. “A pleasure, Commissioner.”

Lipscomb exchanged farewells and followed Judy out the doorway. “When should I expect to hear from you again, detective?”

Herb slid his right hand into a pocket of his slacks. “Tomorrow afternoon sound fair?”

“Fair enough.” Lipscomb held the front door ajar for Judy. “Good day, gentlemen.”

Sprider met Herb in the hall, and led him deeper into the belly of the asylum. “I’ll take you to meet her. Be warned, though, detective. This patient can be very manipulative.” He halted Herb in front of a thick steel door. A singular window served as its sole relief. “I pray you can find sense in all her madness – for Ms. Gale’s sake.” He scurried off down a side hall. “Wait there. I’ll be right back.”