“I can’t be a good therapist as I am now. I can provide some advice and perspective, but that’s all I’ll be doing. I’ll be available for absolute emergencies, if you need me.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Take care of yourself.”

“I’ll try,” she said.

So formal, so rote. All so careful, like neither of us wanted to step on the other person’s toes.

“Are you here to talk to Colt or Love Lost?”

I turned toward the prison, looked at the rows of high-tech cells, glass and chickenwire, all see through walls with only some panels up for privacy. Vents seemed to direct warm air into the individual cells.

“In part,” I said. “Partially to get away. Other stuff.”

“Do you want company?”

I shook my head.

“Good excuse for me to go home?” she asked. She made it an offer, light, friendly.

“Yeah,” I told her. “Safe travel, you know? It’s messy out there.”

“It’s going to be hard, and it’s going to be tense, as we see how this unfolds. I hope it doesn’t hit you too hard.”

It already hit pretty hard. I feel like a lot of relationships and connections have been fucked with, even though people are ninety percent sure it’s fake, now.

I didn’t say it. Instead, I told her, “Tattletale is dishing on what we uncovered today. She’ll have details she’s figured out that she hasn’t shared with me. It might be worth picking up a copy of any transcripts.”

“I’ll do that,” she told me. “Good luck with Colt and Love Lost.”

“Thank you,” I said. I thought for a second, then impulsively added, “Mind telling Vista and Sveta to stay put for a minute?”

She gave me a quizzical look. The sore spot where I’d been doubted so much still smarted, even from that simple look.

“It’s for a good reason,” I told her, even though I wasn’t sure.

“Then I will,” she said.

She walked past me, toward the headquarters and the two girls. I walked past her to the prison.

Being deceptive felt shitty, especially leveraging her guilt. But Jessica didn’t need more to deal with, and I was worried she’d stop me if I told her the unvarnished truth.

There were guards on duty, but they were caught up in their own business. One or two looked at me as I made my way down the hall, but my interaction with Jessica or Vista vouching for me seemed to give me a pass. They didn’t stop me either.

“Hi,” Colt said.

“Hi,” I replied.

“I have a court appointment tomorrow,” she said. “Mrs. Yamada thinks I have something in my powers messing with my head. If it’s true, it might change things.”

“Good luck,” I said.

“Thank you.”