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“That’s different.”
“Is it?” Ling challenged.
“You think he could be a Diviner, like us?” Memphis asked.
“It’s possible,” Evie said.
Sam shook his head. “I don’t think we should get off the trolley. We came here to find out what we could about Luther. That’s all.”
“But what if Conor is onto something?” Evie said.
“Or what if Conor is just plain crazy?”
“Just because he’s sick doesn’t mean he isn’t telling us the truth, or his version of it, anyway,” Henry said, his voice tight.
“Okay, okay. Don’t get hot.”
“Then don’t tell me what to feel,” Henry said through his teeth.
“Why’re you so keen on believing this fella, huh?”
“I’ve got my reasons,” Henry said, stepping up to Sam. “Why are you being such a jackass?”
“I wasn’t being… say, what’s eating you, Henry?” Sam growled.
“I happen to think the people in here are very brave,” Henry said, full of fire. “Imagine living each day and not being able to trust your own mind. Imagine having it lie to you, trick you, tell you you’re worthless or that the world would be better off without you in it. It would be like… like always hearing an awful radio playing inside your head, one that you can’t seem to turn off.” He glared at Sam. “Or maybe I’m just ‘crazy’ for feeling sympathy for them.”
“Gee, Hen, I’m sorry—”
But something had come loose inside Henry. He backed away from the others, hands up. “I need to calm down. Going for a walk.”
“Hen!” Theta called as Henry stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Memphis put a hand on her arm. “Might want to let him cool off a bit. At least, I know when I’m sore I need time to myself.”
“I really am sorry,” Sam said.
“I told you to take notes,” Evie chided. “You can make it up to Henry later. Let’s get back to Conor.” Evie left the huddle. “Conor, can you tell me more about the lady in your head?”
“She’s the one tol’ me to draw the pictures. Sometimes I can hear her. Other times, I can’t. Like something’s keeping her from talking to me. She tol’ me about keeping him out.”
“Is the lady’s name Viola?” Isaiah said hopefully.
Conor shook his head, and Isaiah’s heart sank.
“Is she talking to you right now?” Ling asked.
“Maybe. Maybe.” Conor’s demeanor changed like a sudden wind. “What’d they tell you about me? Did they tell you I was a liar? No. I don’t care. I don’t care, I don’t care! I ain’t sorry I cut up Father Hanlon. I know I’m s’posed to be, but I ain’t. I watched the blood pour over his collar, and I wished him dead a hundred times.”
The air felt charged. Dangerous.
“Told you this was a bad idea,” Sam said to the others in what he thought was a soft voice. “He doesn’t know anything.”
“I ain’t no liar!” Conor’s eyes flashed. And then, quick as a panther, he was up and rushing Sam, pummeling him with fists until Memphis could pull him off and hold him in the chair. Conor’s breathing slowed. A glazed look came over his face.
“I’ll get the attendant,” Theta said, throwing wide the door.
“Conor?” Memphis said, but it was as if the boy had turned the lights out inside himself and was refusing to answer the door.
