Bob was impressed by Dr. Hirlung's resolve to keep Isabel at his facility. The promise of a large ongoing grant was not sufficient. Bob had to arrange a conference call with his lawyers to convince the doctor that ultimately he had no choice in the matter. He looked so sad that Bob found himself consoling him, promising that if she again required institutional care, he would bring her right back to him.
Isabel was waiting by his Mercedes. Would she continue to be a step ahead of him? It didn't matter, as long as she was going in the right direction.
She sat cross-legged in the passenger seat. Bob buckled her in. As he turned the ignition, she asked, "Where are we going?"
He was surprised. Didn't she know? Why would she care?
"We're going to the Messiah," he answered, "and we're going to tear him down."
Isabel smiled out the window.