InSight

long-term effects on the brain, although some people experience recurring hallucinations. But there’s a certain class of antidepressants that can be dangerous when mixed with DMT. If Scanlon experimented with these inhibiting drugs, and combined them with deep hypnotic manipulation, well, anything could happen.”
    “They used Stewart as a guinea pig, didn’t they?”
    “If we find that to be the case, I will personally see that Scanlon’s put away for a very long time. That said, we have no proof he’s engaged in any such practice. Given his medical history, whatever Stewart says is suspect.”
    “I know. Something’s not right, though. I need to talk to him. Tell me where he is.”
    “You told me not to.”
    “Things have changed. Luke is missing, and I need Stewart to help me get him released. That’s if it’s not too late.”
    * * * * *
    A bby knew of Dayton , a small, private psychiatric hospital near Columbia . Don Weston admitted Stewart under an alias to safeguard his identity, but that showed up only on the entry form. Stewart was confused enough that he shouldn’t have to answer to another name. The staff expected her.
    They left Daisy in the car, and Jeff led Abby inside. She never thought she’d want to spend extended time alone with Stewart, but that’s exactly what she planned. The psychiatric nurse on duty led her to Stewart’s room.
    “What’s he doing?” Abby asked before entering.
    “Gazing out the window,” the nurse said. “He does that a lot, but he’s calm.”
    “Has he had any episodes? Anything I should worry about?”
    “That first day was tough, but he’s been docile since. Of course, he’s medicated. He has moments of lucidity; other times he’s incoherent. Hopefully, today is the former.”
    Jeff took Abby’s arm. “Do you want me to stay?”
    “No. Is there a chair near him?”
    “I’ll pull one up,” the nurse said.
    “I’ll be right here,” Jeff said. “One sign he’s losing it, and you’re out of there.”
    Abby nodded and the nurse brought her inside.
    Before she could say anything, Stewart said, “Hello, Abby.”
    His voice always triggered painful memories, but Abby had conditioned herself to be prepared. The nurse left after positioning Abby in the chair she pulled next to Stewart. She turned on her recorder. “Are you feeling better, Stewart?”
    “I’m tired. I’ve slept a lot since I’ve been here.”
    “I need to ask you some questions, and I want you to try to remember. Can you do that?”
    “I think so.” She heard him change positions. His leg brushed hers. “I like it better when I’m sick. When my thoughts are all jumbled and I can’t remember anything. There’s peace in the confusion. I know that sounds crazy.” He stopped talking for a minute, and when he began again, the pain in his voice cut deep. “When I’m like this, clear, the agony is far greater because I know what I’ve done. I wish we could turn back the clock. I wish…”
    “ Stop. P lease stop. I can’t go there.” Not now. Not ever.
    “I know. I know we can never go back. I know.”
    She needed to maneuver him back on track. “Tell me why you left the hospital in Charleston .”
    “Because I didn’t want to kill myself there. Not in that place. I took a supply of pills. I thought I’d take them all or maybe quit taking them altogether. Whatever did the trick. Anything to stop the chaos inside my head. Do you understand?”
    She felt his hand on hers, and she had to force herself not to pull away. His touch was warm and shaky, then he stilled.
    “Yes. I do.” She remembered feeling much the same way eight years ago. Just a different chaos. “What did you do then?”
    “I bribed an attendant to help me escape.”
    “But how? You didn’t have any money.”
    “I gave him a painting. Of you. One of my best, I thought. I said it was worth a lot of money and would be worth more when I—”
    “Don’t!” Abby marveled at Stewart’s ingenuity. Even in his madness, he’d retained a certain presence of mind. “Let’s go back to when you left the hospital.”
    “Yes, the hospital. I put on a doctor’s jacket and walked out. The attendant watched. No one paid attention. He gave me some money and the keys to an old car parked nearby. I thought I’d drive to Asheville .” He paused. “Beautiful place, Asheville. But I never made it. I got tired near Saluda . Couldn’t keep my eyes open. I bought a paper and found the cabin. It seemed