at him. 'See you in the morning.' She paused in the doorway and looked back. In a talking-to-herself voice she said, 'Damn, I wish I knew what to call you.'
'I'm Malcolm.' It was a dry croak, barely more than a whisper, but to Holly it was like a shout.
'Malcolm?' she repeated, trying not to sound too excited.
He nodded.
'That's a good name. Do you remember mine?'
The green eyes watched her.
'It's Holly,' she said. 'Holly Lang.'
'Holly,' the boy said in the same dry whisper.
'That's right. Do you have a last name, Malcolm?'
The boy looked confused.
'Well, that doesn't matter now. We have one name. That's enough to start with. Do you want to talk some more?'
The boy's eyes drifted off to a corner of the ceiling.
'That's all right,' she said. 'You get some sleep, and tomorrow we'll start fresh.'
Malcolm looked back at her and nodded again. Holly left the room elated.
She was in early the next day, eager to begin with Malcolm, but as she passed the reception desk the young woman there called her over.
'Dr Qualen said for you to come to his office as soon as you got in.'
Holly frowned. 'Did he say what for?'
'Not to me.'
Dr Qualen stood up behind his rich-mahogany desk and greeted Holly formally. 'Ah, Dr Lang. Good of you to stop by. I won't take much of your time.'
She hid her impatience, waiting for him to get to the point.
'How are things going with the boy?'
'I've learned that his name is Malcolm.'
'I see. Not what we'd call a significant breakthrough.'
'That depends. I still have today.'
'I wonder if perhaps another approach might speed things up.'
'Apparently Dr Pastory has talked to you.'
'As a matter of fact, he has. He tells me you were rather abrupt with him yesterday.'
'I was ticked off. He was upsetting my patient.'
'The very point I wanted to make. The boy is not officially anyone's patient. As I told you, I am not convinced that the case falls under our jurisdiction.'
'I remember. You mentioned the Youth Authority.'
'That remains an option, however, Dr Pastory has some thoughts of his own on the boy.'
'What does he want to do, dissect him?'
'That's not very professional, Doctor.'
'No, I suppose it isn't. I'm sorry. Is the case still mine, at least through today?'
'Yes, of course. I hope there won't be any more friction between you and Dr Pastory.'
'I'll do my best.'
'Fine, fine. I'm glad we had this little talk.'
Holly swallowed her opinion of their little talk and left the office.
The boy was waiting for her.
'Good morning, Malcolm.'
The boy turned away from Aquaman on television and looked at her. 'Good morning, Holly.'
'You remembered my name.'
'I always knew it.'
'Well, good.' She came over and sat down. 'Today let's see what else you can remember.'
A tiny frown line creased the boy's brow.
'Don't worry, I'm not going to hook you up to a machine or give you shots, or anything like that. We're just going to relax and talk.'
Gavin Ramsay stuck his head in the door. 'Is it safe to say good morning?'
'Hi, Gavin,' Holly said. 'Come on in and meet Malcolm.'
Ramsay gave her a brief questioning look, then came into the room and walked to the foot of the bed.
'Hi,' he said to the boy.
Holly said, 'Malcolm, this is Sheriff Ramsay.'
The boy looked to Holly for reassurance, then back at Gavin.'Hello, Sheriff.'
Ramsay stuck out a hand. The boy took it and they shook hands gravely.
'Glad to see you're talking again, son.'
'We were just about to find out what else Malcolm can remember.'
'Oh?'
'I thought we might try hypnotism. Do you know what hypnotism is, Malcolm?'
'You put somebody to sleep.'
'Not exactly. It's just a way to relax and let things come back that we misplaced somewhere.'
'Does it hurt?'
'Not a bit. In fact, a lot of people say it makes them feel better. Do you want to try it?'
The boy looked at Ramsay. 'Is he going to stay?'
'Not if you don't want him to.'
Malcolm considered for a moment. 'It's all right, he can stay.'
Ramsay pulled a chair back against the far wall and sat down out of the way.
'Now, Malcolm,' Holly began, 'I want you to take three deep, deep breaths. All the way in and all the way out. That's good.' She breathed in and out with him. So did Ramsay. 'I bet you're feeling more relaxed and comfortable already. I know I am.' She spoke in a low, soothing tone.
'We're going to start our relaxing way down there with the tips of your toes. Think about your toes. Do you have a picture of them in your mind? Now if you try, you can feel them start to tingle and relax, one at a time. Little toe first, then the next, and the next, and the next, and now the big toe. Doesn't that feel good? Nice and comfortable. Now your feet, Malcolm. Relax your feet, and let that nice warm feeling flow slowly up your ankles. It's like easing your legs into a tub of nice warm water. So comfortable… so relaxed… '
Ramsay was leaning back, enjoying the relaxed, comfortable feeling in his legs when Milo Fernandez stuck his head through the door and hissed at him.
'Sheriff… hey, Sheriff.'
Holly looked over and put a finger to her lips. Ramsay got up and stepped out into the hall. In a moment he returned and spoke softly to Holly.
'I've got to go.'
'Trouble?'
'It could be. I'll talk to you later.'
When he was gone Holly turned back to Malcolm who sat propped against the pillows, a dreamy expression on his face.
'All right, Malcolm, let's go back now into the forest. There are trees all around. Tall and cool. A soft wind is blowing, making the branches sway and rustle. Let's go back there and remember, Malcolm. Listen to the sounds. Sniff the air. Remember the forest…
Chapter Four
