Chapter 9 - The Labels
Why label all three keys CALLUM?
That became evidence of intent.
Ambrose did not label other kennel keys with Baxter’s name.
His explanation:
“I needed to distinguish the keyed-alike set from the ordinary equipment keys.”
“Why Callum?”
“Because those locks were installed for the training plan.”
There.
He actually used phrase.
Training plan.
The detective asked:
“What training?”
“Desensitization.”
“For a child?”
“For fear.”
Ambrose had read enough psychology to be dangerous.
Exposure therapy can help phobias.
True.
But professional exposure therapy is structured, consensual at developmentally appropriate level, graduated, and never built around humiliation or confinement by a family member using punishment.
Ambrose instead created:
Fear stimulus.
Containment.
Wait for crying to stop.
Release.
He called it:
“learning regulation.”
No clinician approved.
No therapist knew.
When asked why he did not tell Dr. Bell:
“She would have objected because therapists monetize gradualism.”
That sentence destroyed most sympathy in the room.
He believed professional caution was weakness.
Three keys.
Three enclosures.
One private program.
May you like
Callum had become a project.
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