A bolt of lightning fizzed through the sky, followed by a deafening thundercrack and the hiss of rain on the hot pavement. She ran up the hospital steps to the portico and stopped, shaking her wet hair. An orderly stood by the door, smoking a cigarette. He gave her a sympathetic look.

“Cats and dogs,” he said. “Stay dry, kid.”

He stubbed out his cigarette and went inside. She smoothed her wet hair, then the front of her grubby white shirt, and took a deep breath. She pulled open the heavy door and entered the lobby.

It smelled like the Infant Incubators, of carbolic soap and Bon Ami. Everything was very brightly lit. Voices echoed from upstairs, the clatter of footsteps and the rattle of typewriting machines. Pin stood up straight and marched toward a long desk in the center of the room, where a tall nun stood behind a spectacled man who sat writing in a registry book. He raised his head at Pin’s approach.

“Can I help you, son?”

“I’m looking for someone,” Pin said. The nun’s thin lips pursed disapprovingly.

The man blotted his pen. “A patient? It’s not visiting hours, I’m afraid.”

“No. He works here. Henry…”

“Henry?” the nun broke in. “A dozen Henrys work here. Who is it?”

“Dargero. Or no, Darger.”

“Henry Dargero? Don’t know him.” The man turned to the nun. “Do you know him, Sister Rose?”

“Darger?” The nun squinted at Pin. “Henry Darger. Is that who you mean?”

Pin nodded. At the man’s blank expression, the nun snapped, “That crazy janitor.”

“Oh! Right.” He nodded at Pin. “Yes, he works here. Why do you need to see him?”

“I have to give him a message.”

The nun stepped forward to peer suspiciously at Pin. “Who are you?”

“His nephew.”

“Is that for him?” The nun pointed at the package. “You can leave it here with me.”

Pin shook her head. “This is mine. I only need to see him for a minute.”

“You can’t do that. Visiting hours aren’t till five.” The nun’s black eyes burned into Pin like she wanted to set her on fire. “And that’s only for patients, not employees.”

The deafening buzz of an electrified bell rang out, signaling a shift change. Doors slammed as a white-clad army surged down the stairs and emerged from behind countless doors. Scores of nurses and orderlies hurried toward the desk.

“Good night, Mr. Gregorson! Good night, Sister Rose!”

“Sister Rose, Dr. Hudson asked if you’d sign this, I’ll run it back upstairs before I go.”

“Mr. Gregorson, here’s the bandage request for West Four-A.”

“Sister Rose, I lost my time punch card.”

“Mr. Gregorson…”

“Sister Rose…”

Pin backed away, breaking into a run when she reached the staircase. By the time she reached the second floor, the corridor was almost empty.