The sessions continued.
SM: You won’t help me. You’re not telling me anything. I thought you were supposed to advise me.
DR.: If I did, what would it look like?
SM: You would tell me what to wear, how much to study, and whom I should avoid. My parents never helped me either.
Dr.: Can you elaborate?
SM: They were busy with their lives, and they figured I had Dewey, so they moved on. We were meant to accomplish something, but they were gone in any real way. I never remember having a serious conversation with either of my parents.
Dr. You and Dewey were each other’s parents and brothers.
Shea was silent and visibly altered in his posture.
SM: You are right. I never thought of it that way. I grew up in an orphanage.
Dr.: I will see you on Friday.
Luden explained his plan to Shea, but he said he would only go through with it if Shea stayed on the sidelines. Shea thought it was strange that he quickly agreed, feeling that social life, therapy, and school were all he could manage right now. Luden knew his bait strategy was dangerous, and he told Shea he wanted Shea out of harm’s way.
SM: But Dr. Luden, you’re a professor, not a cop. How will you handle criminals? You could be an easy target.
HL: Before I became a scientist, I grew up in some tough circumstances. I had to develop a different set of skills. Let’s leave it at that. But I would worry less about myself and more about the bad guys.
Luden’s next move was to meet with Peter Salvatore in the North End. Luden had cash and was ready to spend it. Peter connected him with Sam Garino, who put together a team of men to watch over Luden 24/7. The Professor was confident they wouldn’t be needed for long if things went as he expected.