Chief Mike, the hospital’s security chief, entered as the voices rose.

“Help me,” Vivian cried.

“She’s gone insane.

She tried to hurt the baby.”

One guard moved his hand toward the equipment at his belt.

I could not know what he intended, but I saw the motion and felt how quickly a frightened patient’s objection could be turned into another person’s description of her.

“Stop,” I said.

“She took him without permission.”