Death Match by Lincoln Child Read Free Book Online

was located on the Hudson River about forty-five minutes north of Manhattan. No doubt beautiful, with impeccable architecture: the center was a darling of both hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, and was lavishly funded.
    â€œChris!” came Goodkind’s cheery voice. “I can’t believe it. I haven’t heard from you in, what, six years?”
    â€œMust be that long.”
    â€œHow are you enjoying private practice?”
    â€œThe hours are better.”
    â€œI’ll bet. I always wondered when you’d give up riding with the cavalry, settle down in some nice, lucrative town. You’re practicing in Fairfield, right?”
    â€œStamford.”
    â€œYes, of course. Close to Greenwich, Southport, New Canaan. All full of rich, dysfunctional couples, no doubt. Excellent choice.” Old U. Penn classmates like Goodkind had been divided in their opinions on Lash joining the FBI. Some seemed envious. Others shook their heads, unable to comprehend why he’d willingly take on such a stressful, physically demanding, potentially dangerous job when his doctorate entitled him to something a lot cushier. When he did leave the FBI, he’d been careful to let them believe greed was the motivating factor—rather than the tragedy that so abruptly ended both his law enforcement career and his marriage.
    â€œYou hear much from Shirley?” Goodkind asked.
    â€œNope.”
    â€œShame you two split up. It didn’t have to do with, what, that Edmund Wyre business, did it? I read about that in the paper.”
    Lash was careful to keep his voice from betraying the pain that, even three years later, mention of that name could evoke. “No, nothing like that.”
    â€œHorrible. Horrible. Must’ve been rough on you.”
    â€œWasn’t easy.” Lash began to feel sorry he’d called. How could he have forgotten Goodkind’s curiosity, his love of prying into the personal affairs of others?
    â€œI picked up that book of yours,” Goodkind said. “
Congruency
. Excellent stuff, though of course you were writing for the unwashed.”
    â€œI wanted to sell more than a dozen copies.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œSold two dozen, at least.”
    Goodkind laughed.
    â€œI read your recent article, too,” Lash went on. “In the
American Journal of Neurobiology
. ‘Cognitive Reappraisal and Agenerative Suicide.’ Nicely argued.”
    â€œOne thing about my position here at the center is I can specialize in the research of my choice.”
    â€œI was also interested in some of your other recent papers. ‘Reuptake Inhibitors and Elder Suicide,’ for example.”
    â€œReally?” Goodkind sounded surprised. “I had no idea you were keeping such close tabs.”
    â€œI infer from the articles that, in addition to the lab research, you’ve interviewed quite a number of suicide attempters?”
    â€œWell, I haven’t had a chance to talk with too many suicide
completers
.” Goodkind chuckled at his little joke.
    â€œIncluding survivors of double suicides?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œThen there’s something I’m looking into that might interest you. In fact, I could use your advice. These friends of a patient of mine, a couple. Committed double suicide recently.”
    â€œSuccessfully?”
    â€œThere are some unusual aspects to the pathology.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    Lash pretended to hesitate. “Well, what if we turned it around, and you speculated—based on your research, of course—what the motivating factors might have been. Perform a psychological autopsy on the couple. I’ll fill in the blanks.”
    There was a brief silence. “Sure, why not. What were their ages?”
    â€œEarly thirties.”
    â€œEmployment history?”
    â€œStable.”
    â€œPsychiatric history? Mood disorders?”
    â€œNone known.”
    â€œSuicidal