Rogue

Actually one of my favorite parts of the book and again I laugh at myself because every part is my " fave " part is when Gideon and Corinne are in the Crossfire lobby both dressed in black - the symbolism here is hilarious; and here comes Eva through the revolving doors dressed in YELLOW and her blonde hair shining looking like an ANGEL ; Gideon's eyes LOCK with hers and Corinne doesn't have a chance SHE actually has to grab Gideon's chin to get his attention back on her and what does she do? She tries to plant a kiss on his UNWILLING mouth Gideon actually JERKS away and Corinne must have felt like the junkyard dog . It was the ULTIMATE REJECTION...

It's also key to remember that this probably isn't the first time Corinne has seen Gideon ignore her / stop dead in his tracks at the sight of Eva. A week or so previously, at the end of RIY (and possibly the night Gideon told Corinne they could no longer spend time together) Gideon spotted Eva on the street and froze. Now we know Corinne continued on into the car, but I'm sure she was confused when Gideon didn't immediately climb in beside her. It's likely she looked out, saw him frozen, staring across the street. Naturally she would have looked to see what had caught his attention and seen Eva flipping him the bird. She was probably thrilled if she witnessed this encounter believing she had won once and for all. Until later that night/a few days later Gideon told her they could no longer be anything more than long distance friends.

This is possibly the point at which Corinne snapped because while I doubt Gideon mentioned Eva while cutting off contact with Corinne, if she witnessed this encounter, she'd have known his aim was to reconcile with Eva.

Hi Gigi,

I get where you are coming from and agree your theory is plausible, im just not convinced - but I'll certainly enjoy my large helping of Arnaldos crow pie if im wrong

Also just occured to me tho, no-one but Corinna could know (when Gideon finds out about the attempt) just how many pills she'd taken. We saw the Drs report to the family while Eva & Gideon were at the hospital so presume that was when they gave the most information.

Even if they found an empty pill bottle beside Corinne, no-one but her could know how many pills were left in that bottle when she began the suicide attempt. We have no idea if the number of pills she took caused her to lose consciousness / miscarry etc... it is implied that the treatment for the overdose caused the miscarriage and not the overdose itself.

Also if for example, JFG told Corinne about the engagement, she ran off to the bathroom, locked herself in and threatened to commit suicide. With someone else in the house who she knows will get her immediate medical attention, the risk (of death) is low (she may have only taken a few pills for effect) but the chances of getting Gideon back to her side are huge because of his past - it is the perfect manipulation.

Hi Claudine,

I read your comments and I can completely respect where you are coming from. I think at the end of the day, we know that Corinne was depressed, was becoming unstable because of her crying fits (as mentioned by Gideon when confronted by Eva about the situation), and then her attempted suicide.

I don't know what this character was thinking, I only know what Sylvia wrote and it was written that Corinne swallowed an entire bottle of pills. According to mental health standards CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research), Corinne's suicide attempt would have been classified as a serious attempt. It doesn't seem like an attention getting scheme (like say swallowing 5-10 pills). I think that maybe Corinne lost all hope in life and couldn't see any other reason to live.

I don't know what your specialty is per say (in this field), so I called CAMH a leading Hospital in Canada that specializes and deals with various mental illnesses and addictions only. As it was explained to me by CAMH, a person can't be severely depressed (as it seems that Corinne became eventually), mentally unstable and also manipulative. She wouldn't necessarily have the cognitive faculties to do both (she would have to be in charge of her faculties in order to manipulate). When one talks about the level of depression that Corinne seemed to be suffering from, it would be difficult to believe that she would able to see past herself and her situation (which would have been utterly hopeless in her eyes).

I would be all ears to hear about your perspective on this situation. I can only say from mine, that when people I knew who tried to kill themselves, didn't do it for attention, they tried to kill themselves because they were severely depressed and didn't honestly think that anything would change for the better. What do you think? What have your experiences been with situations like this?

Hi Gigi,

If your contact said that Corinne could not be both severely depressed and manipulative, I think we need to assume that she was not severely depressed but mentally unstable instead.

Just a few days (maybe a week tops) before the suicide attempt Corinne tries several manipulative stunts with Gideon. Crying on the phone, trying to guilt him into seeing her.

Calling repeatedly, both him and his family, for the aame reason.

And the biggest one of all, when she shows up at his office to force him to see her, she tries to kiss him to manipulate Eva into thinking Gideon is with her and to play on her insecurities.

If someone with severe depression is not capable of manipulation, Corinne is not severely depressed. She is the queen of manipulative stunts.

I personally think her suicide attempt was another manipulation to get Gideon back to her side. I get what you are saying about her swallowing an entire bottle of pills but...

It doesnt actually say the word entire. Now this may be me being pernickety but I think this is more just a "turn of phrase". What I mean is, when Eva asks what happened, Gideon doesnt say Corinne attempted suicide, he implies it by saying she swallowed a bottle of pills. That doesnt mean she actually swallowed the whole bottle though.

Do you get what I mean?

Ok I see it what you mean. Its also possible that the damaged child inside Gideon felt "dirty" for F(&^*** his rapists sister.

What I don't understand about Anne taking revenge on Gideon though is all he did was confront his attacker and threaten him with legal action if he did it again. Something I am sure most psychiatrists would recommend as a form of closure.

Hugh committing suicide was a result of his own guilt and a fear of reprisal, something someone who is, like you said, exceptionally skilled at recognising mental/emotional vulnerabilities would easily recognise.

Sure, as a sister she would probably want revenge on the person who hurt her brother. But as a psychiatrist, she must recognise that Hugh's own actions were the real cause of his death. If he'd chosen to never touch another child again, he could have lived a long life without fear of reprisal from Gideon.

I think Anne pursued Gideon for the same reason every other woman did - because he was HAWT. Her grudge I think began the day Gideon dumped her - same as all the others!

Not to mention, Anne was married... who breaks their wedding vows to get revenge on someone? As I said before, there are other ways to get revenge on someone. I would assume a married woman would not automatically opt for the revenge method without first trying another option.

Also she was going to leave her husband for Gideon and he rejected her. What was her plan? Where's the revenge?

I was actually wondering about Dr Anne Lucas as where I am listening to the Audio again, I am at the part where Gideon tells Eva about his abuser and said "It was not until I met you that I understood" "Dr Lucas loved his wife as much I love you and he would do anything for her, forgive her cheating and hide what her brother did to save her the embarassment of knowing what he did"

This statement from Gideon actually made me wonder if in fact Anne did know what her brother did as if Terry is hiding it from her how would she know.

I agree Sheens, I took this to mean she didnt know as well. Anne knowing just doesn't make sense to me.

You're right, the fact that Anne was married is one reason for him to feel guilty. But Anne may have deliberately manipulated that guilt -- much like Corrine certainly has manipulated Gideon's guilty feelings he's somehow to blame for her marriage not working out. The difference with Anne is that Anne would be exceptionally skilled at recognizing mental/emotional vulnerabilities and exploiting them.

Especially if Anne guessed correctly Gideon was sexually damaged by her brother. Gideon showered after every encounter with Anne but could never feel "clean" enough. So she made him feel "dirty" -- tapping into deep sexual shame?

As soon as Nathan left Gideon's office, having shown Gideon images of Eva being sexually victimized, the first thing Gideon did was take a shower. To our knowledge, that's the only time he's ever used his office shower. Trying to feel clean, because the damaged child inside him felt "dirty"?

Ok I see it what you mean. Its also possible that the damaged child inside Gideon felt "dirty" for F(&^*** his rapists sister.

What I don't understand about Anne taking revenge on Gideon though is all he did was confront his attacker and threaten him with legal action if he did it again. Something I am sure most psychiatrists would recommend as a form of closure.

Hugh committing suicide was a result of his own guilt and a fear of reprisal, something someone who is, like you said, exceptionally skilled at recognising mental/emotional vulnerabilities would easily recognise.

Sure, as a sister she would probably want revenge on the person who hurt her brother. But as a psychiatrist, she must recognise that Hugh's own actions were the real cause of his death. If he'd chosen to never touch another child again, he could have lived a long life without fear of reprisal from Gideon.

I think Anne pursued Gideon for the same reason every other woman did - because he was HAWT. Her grudge I think began the day Gideon dumped her - same as all the others!

Here's a case for Anne having eventually found out about her brother, Hugh - and about the Gideon connection:

• Pedophiles frequently are repeat offenders. Rarely can they stop on their own after having been caught.
• The whole family works in the mental health field, and through training and practice, their senses of observation would be especially acute. At least someone -- possibly several someones -- would have picked up on signs.
• Hugh never ended up going into practice though (we know this because Gideon told Eva he's threatened to legally ruin him if he did). Was it is Hugh's family that had, even years before the adult Gideon did so, tell him essentially, "Don't even think about going into practice as a child psychologist"?
• Among the many things the celebrity Gideon is known for is supporting charities for abused children. It is high society fundraising dinners for charities like those that Gideon used to go out on "dates" -- walking the red carpet with some stunning woman, most often Magdalene but sometimes others (per the dossier Cary assembled before Gideon took Eva on their first date to one such event.)
• Anne began her pursuit of Gideon at a fundraiser.
• Anne kept chasing him at such events after he'd thrown her onto the discard pile (he'd hooked up with Deanna because she was at an event where Anne was making him uncomfortable, so he used Deanna to deflect Anne.)
• The Lucases move in similar social circles as the Vidals.
• Terry also knew the Vidals professionally - because he was hired to examine Gideon as a child.

Two possible scenarios for Anne making the connection between Hugh and Gideon:

• Terry became jealous when Anne started to show interest in Gideon. Perhaps he broke confidentiality and told Anne some half truths, including Hugh's "diagnosis" of Gideon as a disturbed young teen?
• Elizabeth Vidal confided in Anne about her (Anne's) husband and brother having both treated Gideon as a child - not details, but just the fact the pair of them had worked with her son. Perhaps under the guise of seeking advice from Anne about possible ways to bridge the chasm that existed between Gideon and his mother?

With all this in mind, what if Anne's sexual pursuit of Gideon was really her revenge f****** him? And manipulating his psyche during their sexual encounters?

Gideon felt dirty after each encounter. He told Eva in North Carolina that no matter how long he showered afterward, he never felt clean. This is a departure from his cold shutting down after sexual activity with a long string of other women.

Anne's pursuit of Gideon is kind of weird if she knew about what Hugh had done. First of all, she's clever enough to know that Hugh was the one at fault, not Gideon.

All Gideon is guilty of is confronting his rapist and threatening him with legal retribution if he does it again. Hugh's action beyond that (his suicide) stemmed from his guilt / fear of reprisal. Anne should understand that if she knows the full story.

Also, if Anne knew about Gideon's abuse and felt that Gideon was responsible for Hugh's suicide, F(&^*** him is a strange way to get revenge! ! There are plenty of ways to get revenge on someone that don't involve taking them to bed!

As for Gideon feeling dirty after his encounters with Anne, I took this to be because of his guilt over the fact that she was married. From his conversation with Eva about it in RIY, I got the impression that Gideon did not make a habit out of F(&^*** married women. I think this explains the different reaction between Anne and his other conquests.

I believe that if Gideon hadn't taken Corinne to dinner the Monday after the 6/9 concert, Eva would never have seen Brett again.

He would have called on Tuesday from the lobby of the Crossfire and she would have simply taken the call, told him she was sorry about Friday, but she was in a relationship with Gideon and said goodbye.

Gideon created this whole mess by not being honest with Eva. She used Brett to get back at Gideon about Corinne, and not just once, several times. If anyone is to blame for Brett's actions its Eva and in part Gideon for making her act crazy.

However, after what happened to Corinne at the end of EWY, I think Eva knows what she has to do with regard to Brett. I also think he deserves an explanation face to face. I know Eva's hands were tied about being fully honest with him, but she could have just cut him off. She was the one who used him to make Gideon jealous!

Hi Rogue,

I read your comments and you have given me a lot to think about. I just had one question though; when Brett kissed Eva, he pursued her, Eva tried to get away from Brett. She knew that he wasn't good for her. Eva kept trying to back up and avoid Brett but he lunged forward and caught her by the arms (thereby removing her ability to walk away from him). Brett also initiated the kiss.

You are correct, Eva kissed him back. What I was wondering was but for the fact that Brett chased, grabbed and kissed Eva, do you think that under normal circumstances, Eva would have initiated a kiss with Brett or would have even stopped to catch up and shoot the breeze with Brett given her past?

Hi Gigi,

Eva and Brett's previous "relationship" ended by her running away from him. When he saw her that night at the 6/9 concert, she was doing the same. Brett didn't know she was now in a relationship. All he knew was the girl he'd been thinking about/missing for the last 4 years was standing in front of him. He finally had a chance to talk to her/try to get her back (something he'd been thinking about for a long time - he said so) and she was running again. He wasnt going to let her run again without talking to her. He kissed her to see if she still felt something and because he finally had her close enough to do so, again something he'd been dreaming of for quite some time!

As for Eva, no I don't think under other circumstances she would have initiated contact. She knows and has always been honest with herself that her previous relationship was bad for her, and I dont think she has any desire to be that person again. However, Eva is a damaged person, and her relationship with Brett is part of what damaged her. She wanted him so badly back then, he used her and she let herself be used. All she wanted 4 years ago was for Brett to want her the way she wanted him. It must have been quite a head trip to realise that what she'd wanted all those years ago was now a possibility - even though she is now in a better place and knows Gideon is the one for her, the hurt 20 (?) year old Eva inside of her is soothed and excited by the fact that Brett wanted her after all.

Does that make more sense?

Actually I'm still carrying a bit of a torch for Brett. I'd like to see him beat the sh*t out of Sam and apologize to Eva. Maybe even shake hands with Gideon and accept defeat. I'd like there to be a peaceful, if regretful resolution to the struggle over Eva. Just hoping...

I'm with you on this one Nrock. Brett hasn't actually done anything wrong at this point except persue an ex who may or may not be involved with someone else.

The first time they see each other in 4 years - he kisses her AND she kisses him back

When he calls on her a few days later - she invites him to lunch. When he asks her about her relationship status with Gideon she is vague (she is unsure of the answer herself as Gideon had dinner with Corinne the night before and avoided talking to her) although she says she is in love with Gideon.

The next time he calls - he knows for a fact (at least he thinks he does) that Gideon and Eva are finished and Gideon is back with his ex. He's sure he has a chance now, and Eva agrees to go out with him. Sure she says she just wants to be friends but she'll come around.

The night of the Golden event - this is the night that Gideon and Eva publicly reunite. As far as Brett or anyone else knows this is the first time they've spoken in weeks. From Brett's point of view, if Eva is willing to give Gideon another chance after what he's done, she should be willing to give him one too. And she must like him, she agreed to this date didnt she?

Up until the end of EWY, every time Brett & Eva are in contact, Eva's relationship with Gideon is unstable (at least publicly) Brett has every reason to think that she'll eventually get tired of the way Gideon treats her and she'll give him another chance.

I truly believe once Eva can finally be truthful with Brett, and tell him just how serious she and Gideon are (engaged/married) and he will bow out gracefully. And if he doesn't, I have no doubt that Eva will Krav Maga his Arse!!!

All of the above and is this order:

• Eva needs to tell her Dad face-to-face she's marrying Gideon (or perhaps to tell him the truth -- they are already married but planning a second, formal wedding for family purposes.
• Cary needs to see Dr. Travis -- his whole life turned upside down when Tatiana told him she's having his baby.
• Eva feels the need to talk to Brett face to face about the sex tape. (NO!!!! You don't need to be talking to the guy, Eva!!! And most certainly not seeing him fact to face anymore.)

I actually totally disagree with you about #3. When having a conversation about something as sensitive as a sex tape, Eva needs to be able to gauge Brett's reactions It is much harder to tell if someone is telling you the truth (especially someone you don't really know that well) when you cannot see their face and their instant physical reaction to what you tell them.

If it was me, I could never fully trust what Brett told me over the phone about such a sensitive subject. There would always be doubt in my mind as to his honesty. However if I could look into his eyes and judge his immediate reaction (shock/horror/guilt/shame) I would know the truth.

Just as Eva knew the truth the day she confronted Corinne at her apartment - "I saw the answer on her face. It was lightning quick, there and gone, but I saw it.

Both of those suggestions are absurd, she said."

If Eva had phoned Corinne that day rather than confront her face to face, she would never have been as sure of the truth.

Question 2: Are you nuttier than a fruitcake?

LMAO :D

No I agree I think he leaked it and he will tell Eva it was because of the sex tape but it was actually more for Brett Kline!!! Poor Gideon he is actually eating some crow pie himself Brettbwill always be around and as Eva stated he might never give up!!

I dont think Brett will always be around - Eva is married now and while she does want to keep Brett as a friend, she will not jeopardise her marriage to do so. If Brett doesn't get the message that friendship is all that Eva is offering, she will cut him off as coldly as Gideon tried to with Corinne.

I think if Brett tries to make a move on Eva once he knows she is engaged/married to Gideon, that will be the final straw for her. She has seen what Gideon did to Corinne by leading her on, she has already told Brett once that she doesn't want to do that to him.

I think a subconscious part of Eva was punishing Gideon for his actions with Corinne, by continuing a friendship with Brett. However, after Corinne's latest stunt, Eva will stop playing games (subconscious or not) people are getting seriously hurt here, and Gideon most of all.

I've heard a number of people specuating on here that Anne Lucas goes by her maiden name in her professional life and that is why Gideon took so long to connect Hugh and Terry, and I totally agree this makes perfect sense.

What doesn't make sense is if Anne does go by her maiden name professionally and she was indeed Lizard's therapist - the whole Vidal family would have known instantly that Hugh and Anne were brother and sister. It seems impossible to me that if Gideon accuses the doctoral candidate of rape, the therapist he was accompanied by must have been aware of those accusations, whether she believed them to be true or not.

Gideon says in EWY that Lucas covers up Hugh's crime to protect his wife, Hugh's sister from the truth about her brother. If she was Lizard's therapist, she would know about it.

Also, I said before that I find it difficult to believe Gideon could forget the face of anyone directly or indirectly responsible for what happened to him. He remembered Dr Terry Lucas - who he met once during that time, surely he would remember the woman who accompanied his tormentor to his house on a weekly basis!!

Ah! But you see Gideon was only 10/11 when the shrink came to the house. And Lizzy took up nearly all her time, leaving Hugh with the boys. Moving on 15 years at a guess, would Gideon remember what Anne looked like straight off. I reckon he didn't recognise her at first, as his mums shrink. He was h e l l bent on f*cking her because she was Terry's wife. I think she used her maiden name for her practice. But hey, I am eating crow pie if wrong!

I don't think Gideon was h e l l bent on F(&^*** Anne because she was Terry's wife. She came on to him and he turned her down until he realised who she was. I think he took advantage of the situation when it arose, but I doubt he persued her. Ive said before that I think Gideon had an alternative means of revenge in store for Dr Terry Lucas (why else does he own the building where Terry's practice is located) but when Anne threw herself at him and he learned her identify, he revisited and revised

Also, considering what he went through because of those therapy sessions of his mother, I'd be amazed if Gideon forgot the faces of anyone involved. That therapist is in some small way to blame, as Gideon was her original patient and she brought a monster into his house with her! He remembered Lucas, why wouldn't he remember the therapist?

Ok LN

I got a query.

In Reflected. When Eva went to see Dr Petersen on the Thursday Nathan got murdered. The Dr said Gideon didn't make his appointment on the Tuesday page 257. Two appointments missed that week.

In Entwined Gideon said he only missed one appointment, page 77. Eva thought "when he killed Nathan"

Now the only thing I can think of is, that was when Gideon was moving to the apartment next door. Or could it be something else? What do you think.

Hi Julie,

That confused me too the first time I read it. The more I thought about it though, I took it to mean Gideon missed only one of his individual appointments. Obviously he's missed quite a few more of his couple therapy appointments as Eva cancelled those.

Baring in mind that the comment about it being when he killed Nathan was just a thought in Eva's mind - the first thing that popped into her head when Gideon said he'd only missed one appointment. What does everyone else think?

Am I the only one who found Monica's reactions to Gideon a bit strange in this book. In the first 2 books she was constantly prodding Eva for information on the situation with Gideon and giving (unwanted) advice on how to keep him.

However after the break up in RIY she stops asking. She also doesn't seem as enthusiastic (to me anyways) when she learns they are back together and she makes a strange comment about Gideon having secrets when Eva admits to telling him about the tracking device in her watch.

Maybe its just because of the strain already present in her relationship with Eva but I think she might know something about what Gideon did. Maybe she gave Clancy the information about the bracelet - so he'd know what to plant on the fall guy.

Did anyone else get this impression?

Hi Rogue,

I agree with you in that Magdalene knows Gideon better than Corinne did, but I believe that the only person who has ever truly known Gideon is Eva. In order to really know someone, you have know at least some of their dark secrets. If not, then all that person is seeing is the exterior and not the complete person. Do you know what I mean?

Hi Gigi,

I do get what you mean and I don't disagree. However my point was more that Magdalene understands how Gideon operates, she recognises his patterns and she understands a large part of his character. She may not know why he is the way he is, bit she gets who he is.

Corinne on the other hand, I can't figure out who she is in love with because she doesn't seem to know Gideon at all!! Its like she is in love this image in her head of who she thinks Gideon is / should be.

Hi Everyone,

I was reading everyone’s posting on Clancy and my question would be; if Clancy knew about what was going on, then why didn’t he do something to prevent Eva’s abuse? I guess at what point did Clancy know, what he knew and what did he do to correct the situation if any?

Hi Gigi,

Clancy works for Stanton, Monica's 3rd husband.

Eva was abused by the son of Monica's 1st husband. Neither Clancy nor Stanton knew either Monica or Eva until several years after the abuse ended - we know this because Monica was married to someone else before she married Stanton.

OK, Rogue I'll let you, but only if you vow to try to make him forget Eva Cross (er, shhhh, we're still supposed to be calling her Eva Trammell.)

And you're more than welcome to keep him -- ahem -- "occupied." Go for it!!!! I hear he's got a thing for smokin' hot quickies in bathrooms. Just be certain to check for hidden cameras, first

Deal... it'll be Eva who by the end of the night

Nope, nope, nope -- I'm invoking hostess prerogative here. The following people are on the persona non grata list:

Christopher Vidal Jr.

Lizzie Vidal

Dr. and Dr. Lucas

Mr. and Mrs. Grioux

Brett Kline

Deanna Johnson

Tatiana Cherlin

Maggie Perez can come but only if she's on her best behavior and brings her new boyfriend, Gage.

Aww please can I bring Brett?? I'll keep him occupied so he doesn't go anywhere near Eva

I couldn't see Nathan ever turning Eva over to sex traffickers. The mere thought of another man touching her triggered his crazy bad enough to go postal on Cary. That pervert considered Eva to be some sort of private sexual property of his.

Thus I think the Russia truly was framed -- he had nothing to do whatsoever with Nathan, but someone set him up by planting evidence connected to Nathan (the bracelet plus copies of some of the recent stalker photos Nathan had taken of Eva, just like the pictures found in his hotel room along with his dead body.)

Whoever it was -- Angus with his past history working for the British foreign spy agency, Clancy with his brother working for the FBI -- either man (or both cooperating together) had the means to get inside information about the Russian Mafia.

Totally agree with everything ypu say about Nathan.

I don't think that Angus has anything to do with the cover up though. He knows Gideon is worried about it and investigating it. He wouldn't sit back and say nothing - Angus knows that Gideon has enough problems in his life, he wouldn't leave him worried about something so serious! !

France!!!!

Ship Deanna back to France along with Mr. and Mrs. Giroux, please and thank you. Though not on the same plane, please -- Deanna's already had her cheap shot at Corrine (those photos of Gideon seeking out Eva in Times Square.)

Gideon has got five private jets. Surely he can spare separate planes for his brunettes.

LMAO :D

I'll captain team "Corinne didn't know". Even though you all have done a good job of making me question my belief.

I'll enjoy my crow pie if I'm wrong but only if Arnoldo makes it

But Magdalene had her hair cut before the event where Corinne blindsided everyone. I'd be surprised if Magdalene knew she was back before that night as if Corinne wanted to catch Gideon off guard (which she did) telling a close friend of his / rival for his affections, she ran the risk that Magdalene would warn Gideon she was back.

I think Magdalene made the comment about imitating the one who got away as a dig to Eva, as she wasn't at this point sure who Gideon was going to choose - Eva or Corinne.