As medical director of Harding Hospital, he presented the request to the hospital administrator and the finance officer. “We’ve never turned away from difficult problems,” he told them. “Harding Hospital doesn’t accept just the easy cases.” On the basis of George Harding’s strong recommendation that this would be an opportunity for the staff to learn, as well as for the hospital to make a contribution to*psychiatric knowledge, the committee agreed to admit William Milligan for the three months mandated by the court.

On March 14, Hill and another officer came to get Milligan. “They want you downstairs,” the guard said, “but the sheriff says you got to go in straits.”

Milligan put up no resistance while they fastened the jacket on him and led him from the cell to the elevator.

Downstairs, Gary and Judy were waiting in the corridor, eager to tell their client they had good news for him. When the elevator door opened, they saw Russ Hill and the guard looking on in open-mouthed amazement as Milligan stepped out of the strait jacket, almost freeing himself completely.

“It’s impossible,” the guard said.

“I told you it wouldn’t hold me. And no jail or hospital can hold me, either.”

“Tommy?” Judy asked.

“Damned right!” he snorted.

“Come on in here,” said Gary, pulling him into the conference room. “We’ve got to talk.”

Tommy shook his arm loose from Gary’s grip. “What’s the matter?”

“Good news,” Judy said.

Gary said, “Dr. George Harding has offered to accept you at Harding Hospital for pretrial observation and treatment.”

“What does that mean?”

“One of two things can happen,” Judy explained. “Either at some future time you’ll be declared competent, and a trial date will be set; or after a certain period you’ll be ruled incompetent to stand trial, and the charges will be dismissed. The prosecution agreed to it, and Judge Flowers has ordered you removed from here and sent to Harding Hospital next week. On one condition.”

Tommy said, “There’s always a condition.”

Gary leaned forward and jabbed at the table with his forefinger. “Dr. Wilbur told the judge that multiple personalities keep their promises. She knows how important promises are to all of you.’

“So?”

“Judge Flowers says if you’ll promise not to try to escape from Harding Hospital, you can be released and sent there right away.”

Tommy crossed his arms. “Shit. I’m not promising that.” “You’ve got to!” Gary shouted. “Jesus, we’ve been working our tails off to keep you from being sent to Lima, and now you take this attitude?”

“Well, its not right,” Tommy said. “Escaping is the one thing I do best. That’s one of the main reasons I’m here. I’m being denied the use of my talent.”

Gary ran his fingers through his hair as if he wanted to pull it out.

Judy put her hand on Tommy’s arm. “Tommy, you’ve got to give us your promise. If not for yourself you’ve got to do it for the children. The little ones. You know this is a bad place for them. They’ll be cared for at Harding Hospital.”