Chapter 5

           ItwasnearlydarkwhentheyreachedAthensandturnedoffthehighway.ThementalhospitalwasacomplexofVictorianbuildingsonasnowyhilloverlookingthecampusofOhioUniversity.Whentheycrossedthewideavenueandturnedupthenarrow,curvingroad,Dannybegantotremble.Thetwoofficersledhimoutofthevanandupthestepstotheancientredbrickbuildingwithitsthinwhitepillars.

           Theyusherednimdirectlythroughtheoldentrancecorridorintotheelevatoranduptothetnirdfloor.Astheelevatordooropened,thepolicemansaid,"Yougotprettydamnedlucky,mister."

           Dannystartedtohangback,buttheofficerpushedhimthroughaheavymetaldoormarkedadmissionsandintensiveTREATMENT.

           Insteadofaprisonorhospital,thewardresembledalonglobbyofasmallresidentialhotel,withcarpeting,chandeliers,drapesandleatherchairs.Bothwallswerelinedwithdoors.Thenurses’stationlookedlikeareceptiondesk.

           "JesusChrist,"saidtheofficer."Aregularresort."

           Alargeelderlyladystoodattheentranceofanofficeontheright.Herbroad,friendlyfacewasframedinblackringlets,asifshe’djusthadahairdyeandpermanent.Shesmiledwhentheysteppedintothesmalladmissionsofficeandsaidsoftlytothepoliceman,"CanIhaveyourname?"

           "Iain’ttheonebeingadmitted,lady.