After fifteen minutes of arguing with Arthur, she noticed the glazed look in his eyes. He leaned back in the chair. When he leaned forward, the voice was different, the expression casual and friendly.

“You can t tell,” he said. “You made a promise, and that’s a sacred thing.”

“Who am I talking to now?” she whispered.

“Allen. I’m the one who talks to Judy and Gary most of the time.”

“But they only know Billy Milligan.”

“We all answer to Billy’s name so the secret won’t get out. But Billy’s asleep. He’s been asleep for a long time. Now, Mrs. Turner—You mind if I call you Dorothy? Billy’s mother’s name is Dorothy.”

“You say you talk to Judy and Gary most of the time. Who else have they met?”

“Well, they don’t know it, because Tommy sounds a lot like me. You met Tommy. He’s the one they can’t keep the strait jacket or the handcuffs on. We’re a lot alike, except I do most of the talking. He gets kind of nasty and sarcastic. Doesn’t get along with people like J do.”

“Who else have they met?”

He shrugged. “The first one Gary saw when they booked us was Danny. He was scared and confused. He doesn’t know much about what’s going on. He’s only fourteen.”

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

She sighed and shook her head. “All right … ‘Allen.’ You seem like an intelligent young man. You understand that I’ve got to be released from my promise. Judy and Gary have to be told whats going on so they can defend you properly.” “Arthur and Ragen are against it,” he said. “They say people will think we’re crazy.”

“But won’t it be worthwhile if you can be kept from going back to prison?”

He shook his head. “It’s not up to me. We’ve kept this secret all our lives.”

“Who is it up to?”

“Well, everyone, really. Arthur is in charge, but the secret belongs to all of us. David told you, but it really shouldn’t go any further.”

She tried to explain to him that it was her job as a psychologist to make these things known to his attorney, but Allen pointed out that there was no guarantee it would help, and then with all the publicity and newspaper headlines, it would make life impossible in prison.

David, whom she had come to recognize by his little-boy demeanor, came out and begged her to keep her promise.

She asked to speak to Arthur again, and he came out frowning. “You are persistent,” he said.

She argued with him, and finally she had the feeling that she was wearing him down. “I don’t like arguing with a lady,” he said. He leaned back with a sigh. “If you feel this is absolutely necessary, and if the others agree, I give my permission. But you must get the agreement of each one.”

It took hours of arguing as she explained the situation to each one who came forward, never ceasing to be amazed when a transformation occurred. On the fifth day, she confronted Tommy, who was picking his nose: “So you do realize I have to tell Miss Judy.”