“The doctor said,” he managed, “the doctor told us you couldn’t move.

That you couldn’t…” “The doctor,” Raymond said, “has said a great many false things lately.” He lifted the cane and pointed it at the empty chair across from him.

“Sit.” Christopher’s eyes darted toward the front door, and one of the officers shifted his weight, unhurried, to stand in the way of it.

And Raymond began, quietly and without mercy, to lay out what he knew.

“A week ago, you were certain I would be dead before Sunday.