“She’s real. Richard, I recognize her. I’ve seen her before. I thought it was a dream at first, when I saw her years ago, but maybe not. Go look for yourself—her portrait is hanging in the gallery at Seaton Hall, second from the end in a little oval frame. She’s real, Richard, trust me—and somehow she’s connected to my family. Only, no one can tell me where she is or anything about her. I can’t do a thing about any of this until someone breaks me free of here. Oh, and listen to this—the head doctor has a patient file. Meaning, he might be a patient here. Or was one. I saw it myself, with his name. Look into him—his name’s Thornhill. Thomas Thornhill. I couldn’t get a look inside his file, but I saw it. I know I did. You have to tell them who I really am and get me out of here.”

“I already mentioned your name, and they didn’t seem to believe it.”

“Because they already know. Or don’t care.” I shook my head. “Someone’s set me up, and they have no plans of letting me go.”

“I’ll look into it.”

“No! Richard, there isn’t time. Something’s amiss and I’m afraid of what they’ll do. Someone here—someone—is out to get me.”

He frowned, working his jaw. “Very well then, I suppose we’ll have to sneak you out. But I’m not helping you chase down this missing ward.”

“Agreed.”

Thus, our escape plan began. In two days’ time I would find my way to the cellar as the sun went down and hide in the morgue under a sheet. When it grew fully dark, Richard and Lew, who’d apparently already offered to help when he’d delivered the note, would sneak me through the ventilation system that led to fresh air—and freedom.

“I can’t believe I’m about to do this.” He heaved a sigh. “Wait, yes I am. It’s you.”

“I owe you, Richard.”

“Yes, you do. But even more so now.” A wicked smile gleamed in his eye. “Good thing you’re worth the trouble.”

I relaxed into a small laugh and felt myself at last.

“It’s good to see your smile again, Vivvi.”

I closed my eyes, letting his voice wash over me. Dear Richard, who sounded like the music of home. “Thank you for rescuing me, Richard.”