“The white spots are mostly scarring, the markings of some sort of disease or injury. The black area is a place where the disease is more advanced.”

David turned away and studied the wall, trying to keep his nausea under control. “What does this mean?”

“It means,” O’Leary said, placing the instrument back on the tray, “that she was sterile.”

“And you think this has something to do with the tumor on her neck?”

“Almost certainly. I would say that the scars on her ovaries were caused by a similar condition, perhaps cancer. A tumor this size doesn’t normally grow over- night.”

“Does this happen a lot, with cats?”

“Not really. A tumor like this is relatively rare, and it’s usually caused by something harmful in the ani- mal’s environment. You see it more frequently in strays that hang around manufacturing plants, areas where heavy spraying is going on, that sort of thing.”

“Jesus. Should I be worried?”

“I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions just yet,” O’Leary said. “Look, I don’t know why you chose to tell me that story about the cat being a pet. I guess you had your reasons. But I wouldn’t panic. I’ll send the sample in to be examined. If there’s something to find, they’ll find it.”

Helen walked back through the door and into the doc- tor’s examining room, leaving Jessie with the receptionist. She seemed happier, and had begun talking again, which was good. But even so, Helen felt her palms begin to sweat and her neck tense up with nervous energy. It didn’t really matter how Jessie looked to her; it was Dr. Mudd’s opinion that really counted, and she was afraid of what he might say.

The man sat on the edge of the examining table, and looked up when she walked in.

“Hello, Mrs. Pierce,” Dr. Mudd said. “Please, sit down.”

Helen took a chair in the corner. He got up and closed the door, then turned to face her.

“I’m not sure exactly what to say to you about Jes- sica,” he said, walking up and down the tiny space between the sink and door in front of her. “I will begin by saying that I don’t believe she’s lying about these dreams.”

“Of course not,” Helen said. “Why would she?”