"It impresses me. You've been a good president. But that doesn't mean you know more than I do about your daughter's condition. If you want me to treat her, I have to be the boss."

He stared thoughtfully at her. She was quite small and her short, curly blond hair and luminous complexion made her look much younger than her thirty-two years. But there was intelligence in those brown eyes and an incisive boldness in her manner that definitely was not childlike. "I'm not accustomed to taking a backseat, Dr. Riley."

She smiled, the aggressiveness gone." I know. It's very difficult for you. But you've got to accept it."

"How do I know you're right? How do you know you're right?"

"I don't. We can study, guess, and second-guess, but the mind is still a mystery to us. But I've been through this many times before and I have a better chance than you of hitting on the answer."

"You think she's fully aware?"

She nodded. "More than aware. I've found in cases like this the senses become terribly acute. It's as if rejecting the outside world and turning inward releases some power that's usually inhibited."

"The other doctors never mentioned anything like that."

"I can only tell you what I've experienced."

"With your sister?"

"With Mellie and others." She rubbed her temple. "You knew I was a bit of a maverick when you hired me. I can only do my best based on what I've learned. If that's not good enough, then fire me. But don't try to take control. Conflict might send Cassie deeper and further away from us."

He didn't speak for a moment, then said gruffly, "I…didn't mean to go against your instructions in there. You have no idea how different she is now. I've never known a stronger child than my Cassie. She's the last kid anyone would pick to go under like this. There was nothing fragile about her. She was always such a fighter. When I saw her all curled up like a-I felt so damn angry that I-"