“I can’t make you do anything during hypnosis, Mr. Wolfe. I can only suggest. You want to get to the bottom of this. If you didn’t, you would have ignored my suggestion for the coat.”

“How did the coat just appear?”

“You made it appear. This isn’t real life. It’s in your mind. You can make anything appear in your mind. As an artist, you know that better than anyone.”

“If I wanted to get there, why did I stop?”

“It’s a normal response,” she said. “You’ve buried this thing for so long that it will be difficult for you to find it. Part of you wants to take the easy route. Keep it buried. But part of you wants very much to find it, to deal with it and be rid of it. It’s that part that I try to bring out of you.”

“But we failed.”

“Hardly. You did much better than a lot of my patients in their first session. You actually got through the barrier. That says a lot about you and your determination, Mr. Wolfe. I can’t make any guarantees, but I think you’re going to be successful.”

“Can we go on?” I asked. “Finish this tonight?”

“You’ve been here for two hours. This takes a lot out of you. You need some rest.”

As if on cue, my face split into a giant yawn. Right. I hadn’t slept in over a day. I probably did need to rest.

“But I want to keep going. I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want to find myself in the forest again.”

“You may very well find yourself in the forest again, but like I said, you’ll have an easier time getting out.”

“When can I come back?”

“We’ll set something up with Nanette on the way out. I’ll get you in as soon as I can.”

“I’ll come anytime. Money is no object.”

She laughed. “Not for a Wolfe, I’m sure. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.” Then she stood. “Shall we?”

I followed her out of her office.

Feeling better than I had in some time.

45

Charlie

I jerked when the door to Dr. Woolcott’s office finally opened. Roy followed her out, his eyes sunken and fatigued but oddly brighter than I’d seen them in a few days.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“Hey, silver.”

Dr. Woolcott walked toward the reception desk. “Nan, what do we have available in the next couple days for Mr. Wolfe?”

“You’re busy all day tomorrow. There’s Sunday, but that’s your only day off.”

“Hmm.” She looked over Nan’s shoulder at the computer. “I don’t usually work on Saturday evenings, Mr. Wolfe, but since you did so well today I’ll make an exception if you’re willing to come back tomorrow, same time. Of course, I’m sure you already have plans.”