“This is all so incredibly complicated. After thirty five years the trail might be too cold to lead anywhere.”

“It’s a long shot but one that Greg and Peter are determined to pursue. Greg has even suggested that mother consider hypnosis.”

Will that help?”

“Greg seems to think so and Emma agrees. They say that in their experience hypnosis has helped some amnesiacs to recall select memories especially if the Hypnotist knows what questions to ask without making suggestions that could bias the recollection. There’s no guarantee but under hypnosis she might get a bit more clarity around the actual events.”

“Has she agreed to do it?”

“She’s thinking about it, if for no other reason than to get some peace of mind. Greg and Emma are consulting with a colleague whose specialty is in this area. They’ll arrange a consultation between Maxine and the doctor after the holidays. She’s also going to spend some time in Philadelphia with Peter to work out the legal issues of getting her identity reestablished. Greg thinks that being in familiar surroundings might also provide a stimulus.”

“It had to be difficult for her to hear how much more involved she was with Phillips than she remembered.”

“It has been a trying day for her. I’m not surprised she had a short temper with me earlier. She’s also thinking a lot about the driver that lost his life and has some guilt feelings about that too. She says that she was so self-involved after the accident with her recovery, taking care of Greg, making a new life for herself and building a career to support them that she never thought to contact his family; not even to express her condolences.

As far as she knows the police report puts the blame on the driver for the accident. She regrets that so much time has gone by but she wants to contact them now to put that claim to right. She also feels that the family deserves to know the circumstances surrounding his death. If anything comes of the investigation and if Phillips is alive he will be brought up on murder charges for the driver, along with attempted murder, rape, extortion, and who knows what else. The driver’s family might also have grounds to bring a civil suit against Phillips for wrongful death. Of course there is no way to ever compensate for the loss of a loved one but if there is anything that she can do for his family monetarily or otherwise she’s willing to do it.”