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“Yes,” Bosch said. “There are things to follow up on.”

“Stokely?” she asked.

“Stokely for sure. If he’s still around.”

“Did you know him back then?”

“I knew to steer clear of him. He was big and he was one of the bullies. A kid who didn’t need a reason.”

“A reason for what?”

“To be violent.”

“Did they often double up like that? Put two kids in the QR at the same time?”

“Yeah. If two kids got in a fight, they’d both go in. They were told to work things out.”

“Did that happen to you?”

“Not that I remember. I wasn’t a fighter.”

“Interesting.”

“How so?”

“You say you weren’t a fighter, but you ended up a policeman. I’m sure there were times you had to fight then.”

“That was different.”

“Tell me, do you ever dream about the hollow?”

“Uh, sometimes. The hollow was kind of like a tunnel. I dream about tunnels.”

“Fascinating. Tunnel dreams are usually about transition. A journey toward the unknown.”

“That’s what my therapist tells me.”

“So you’re in therapy?”

“Not really. I have a partner who’s a therapist. Sometimes I feel like I’m in one long therapy session with her.”

“Well, I hope she’s helpful. And I hope the session with Mr. Bishop helps you find your answers.”

“Thank you. I think it will.”

Sears walked Bosch out. At the front door of the institute, she stopped him.

“Would you consider allowing me to hypnotize you at some point?” she asked.

“Me?” Bosch said. “Why?”

“It seems to me that you’re troubled by your time in that place. MacLaren. It might be good to explore your feelings further.”

“I’m not sure I want to remember what I can’t remember. Know what I mean?”

“Yes, but just because you can’t remember something doesn’t mean it isn’t bothering you. The subconscious is powerful. I’m sure your girlfriend has told you this.”

Bosch nodded. He had not called Carmen Hinojos his girlfriend. It was a strange descriptor to use for people their age.