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stuck with her full time.”
    “She likes me. I bring her Xanax.” Kate smiled. “Dr. Reynolds wanted you and me to get together this afternoon and kind of coordinate. I guess I need some guidance on what a full-time nurse is supposed to do. I keep picturing a lot of wasted time, sitting around waiting for her to ring a little bell or something.”
    Scott smiled back. Smiling at Kate Billings was easy. “Unfortunately, I think you may have a pretty good handle on it. Basically, she's rich, she's spoiled, and she wants her backside kissed full time.”
    “Dr. Reynolds told me that one of the reasons he asked for me was because I wouldn't be intimidated.”
    “Patricia Hunter wanting her ass kissed isn't the same as us wanting you to kiss it.”
    “That's good.” Kate held her purse under one arm while she pulled on gloves. “Is it true that her teenage stepson killed himself after she seduced him?”
    “News to me, but I'm just her analyst.” He added, “I know that sounds bad. But she's utilizing a bed here that could be occupied by someone who really needs it.” He paused. “Seduced her own stepson, huh?”
    “Probably gossip.” She glanced in her purse to make sure her keys were there. “I hear you had your Jeep stolen.”
    “It's an old Land Cruiser. Looks a little like a Jeep Wrangler on steroids. I got it back.”
    “How'd that happen?”
    “No one knows. Made me look like an idiot for reporting it. Pretty spooky, too. These two kids carjacked me at knifepoint out in the middle of nowhere, south of here, then just brought it to my apartment last night and left it.”
    “Probably got scared, found your address in the car somewhere, and brought it back.”
    “I guess.”
    “Anyway.” Kate smiled that great smile again. “Gotta go. Hot date to get ready for.”
    “Good luck.” It was something to say.
    Kate glanced back over her shoulder as she headed for the elevators. “All I hope for now is a decent dinner and a movie without having to hear about his job or his ex. And, believe me, that takes some luck these days.” She paused and turned back. “Dr. Thomas?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I was thinking. Why don't you take me out some night and see what kind of luck you have?”
    Scott was still trying to think of a response when the elevator doors opened and Kate Billings disappeared inside.

CHAPTER 5
    Scott's rhythmic breathing sent puffs of fog into the morning air. His apartment lay three hundred yards behind him now. His muscles were warm, his breathing deep and easy. Concrete—cracked and chipped by New England winters—spun beneath his feet. Frigid air burned his lungs, and his mind cleared. Other stocking-capped joggers moved stiffly in the morning air, and, as always, the movement and rhythm of running helped Scott to order his thoughts, to separate childhood demons from the pleasures of his work. After all, he was in the doctoral program in psychology at Harvard. He smiled and felt the hard, metallic taste of cold against his teeth.
    Unbelievable.
    Cutting through campus, he made his way to the Starbucks on Harvard Square, where he stood in line with the full weirdness of Harvard University, ordered a blueberry muffin top and a large cappuccino, and picked up a Saturday
New York Times
at the register. He ate standing until a stool opened up in front of the plate glass facing Church Street.
    As Scott placed his purchases on the counter, a young man with a pierced eyebrow reached over and shoved at Scott's folded newspaper. “She's coming back.”
    Scott looked at the guy, then turned to see the teenage girl who'd just vacated the stool push through the crowd and leave by the street door. “I don't think so.” He sat on the stool.
    “I said she's coming back.”
    Scott took a sip of his coffee. “Doesn't look like it.”
    The guy pushed to his feet. “Listen, asshole—”
    Scott swiveled on the stool to meet the guy's eyes. “If your friend comes back, I'll be happy to give her my