The Hutch that now sat across from Tom was a changed man. Miriam Blaylock had been severed from his control and there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. Too late he had realized the importance of the case. Not only had he lost status at Riverside, he had lost something else—something Tom himself couldn’t have borne to lose—his authority.

“I want to help,” he said.

Tom was shocked. In Hutch’s position he himself would have resigned on the spot. “OK,” he said, “be my guest.”

“We’ll pretend to be teammates for a little while longer, if it’s all right by you.”

What was he implying? “Of course,” Tom said with an assurance he no longer felt. He never underestimated the enemy. That was his cardinal rule.

“I worry about Sarah,” Hutch said.

“So do we all.”

“Why doesn’t she check in for observation? Let’s not forget that we have a top-flight hospital attached to this place.”

“I’ve discussed that with Geoff and we both feel it would be better not to alarm her. Anyway, she’d never go.”

“Intervene. You can convince her.”

“Short of an armed guard—”

“Then get one! She’s in trouble. I’d expect that you of all people would want to help her!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t you realize what’s happening to Sarah?”

“Sarah’s busy with her work. And she’s not reporting any symptoms. Geoff’s going to do a blood exchange within the hour.”

“Didn’t you see the effect that . . . thing had on her when they were together?”

“She was awed. I think that’s a very appropriate reaction. Miriam Blaylock is awesome.”

“She was seduced! It wants her, Tom. Surely you can see that!”

“Wants?”

“Didn’t you feel it? Sarah was being hypnotized or some such thing. I’d put Sarah in the hospital for observation and I’d post guards—”

“Commit them both? Come on, that’s absurd.”

Hutch leaned forward, gripped the edges of the desk. Tom had never seen him so agitated. “I would post guards to keep that creature away from her. At all costs!”

Tom could only shake his head. He had always suspected Hutch of a paranoid streak. Now, under pressure, the weakness was surfacing. That was always the way when people faced pressure. Some of them caved in, others did their best work.

“Look, I’ll take all this under advisement. But the project group is due to meet at eight and I want to make sure everybody’s on schedule.”