Riza frowned slightly. What was a cancer doctor doing on temporary assignment at a mental institution? "It would seem they aren't being honest with any of us," she said, almost to herself. Was he lying to her? Or was he truly on the same side of this mystery as the patients? "I don't mean to diminish what you are trying to do here, doctor, but surely your patients at this . . . Teaching Hospital need you more than we do."

She leaned forward as she went on, though with interest, not menace. "As a cancer doctor, then, what is your plan? How will you convince me that this is more real than everything I know?"