Chapter 11: Margaret

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, for her and for Margaret," says Alice. She ushers Isadora out of the room.

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"Don't worry Mrs Hannigan - everything will be alright." says Henry, but his words lack conviction.

[Starspawn338]

Harrison will leave with the others. "That wasn't very enlightening." He says.

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"Poor woman. I'm not sure how we can help her - dispatching Mrs Carmichael not being an option."

[HoneyDog]

Keyes locks the door behind the companions. Dr. Hardstrom comes up to them.

“What did she say?” he asks, trying to mask his eagerness.

[Mr. Handy]

"She was surprisingly open and forthcoming," says Alice, "though I think she was putting on an act. She freely admitted to killing her husband because she believed he was having an affair with the woman in the walls, who she's now convinced is Isadora."

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"Have you ever known such a case Dr Hardsrom?"

[HoneyDog]

“Well, yes” says Hardstrom. “It's not so uncommon. This appears to be a classic case of insanity due to depression. Margaret’s mental decline has been prolonged and has eventually led her to kill her husband. The story of the woman in the walls and the city are a fabrication – a way to justify her crime to herself and others.”

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"I see. I see. But her story really is quite novel isn't it? Is there any hope of a cure?"

[HoneyDog]

Hardstrom shakes his head.

“It’s not novel. It’s commonly seen affliction. Homicidal delusions brought on by insanity. There’s no cure, I’m afraid.”

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"I mean the actual story - the woman in the walls - I've never heard such a tale and I write this kind of stuff."

[Mr. Handy]

"So did Margaret," says Alice. "It was a good creative outlet for her. It's a shame her husband wouldn't allow her to write any more. That may have contributed to the tragedy."

[HoneyDog]

Hardstrom frowns as he considers his answers.

“Yes, I’m aware of her history of writing. Dr. Dwight informs me that she has always had an active imagination, ever since her youth. No doubt this may well be the reason for the intricacy of the fantasy she has constructed.”

He turns to Henry.

“Individuals construct their own worlds, based on their own experiences. Henceforth, every story is different. No, I haven’t heard Margaret’s story about the woman in the walls before. But I’ve heard stories like it. It’s pure paranoia.”

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"Will we ever understand the workings of the human mind I wonder?"

[Starspawn338]

"I wonder if that's all this is in the end. A sad case of a man mistakenly doing what he thought was right for his wife and it ended in tragedy." Harrison ponders out loud.

[Mr. Handy]

"What else did you learn from Dr. Dwight?" asks Alice.

[HoneyDog]

“Well, yes” says Dr. Hardstrom. “I wouldn’t usually discuss a patient in such detail you understand,” he says quickly, “but I think the circumstances warrant it. Dr. Dwight told me about the treatment that Dr. Hannigan had proscribed, and I must share his view that it is likely to have exacerbated Margaret’s condition.”

He looks thoughtful. “I believe he did make several bad decisions, decisions he wasn’t qualified to make.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, I think we're all in agreement there," says Alice. "How does Margaret regard Dr, Dwight?"

[HoneyDog]

"I'm sorry" says Hardstrom. "I've really no idea. She has never talked about him to me."

[Mr. Handy]

"Have you ever been to the Bosworth house, Dr. Hardstrom?" asks Alice.