He sat down, crossing one leg over the other, and rested the folder on his knee.

“We have never met,” I said, my voice shaking despite my efforts to keep it steady.

“In your current state, you might not recall our session last week in Sacramento,” Dr. Vale said. “Memory gaps are quite common during acute manic episodes.”

“That is a lie,” I said. “I was in Fremont all of last week, and Ana can prove it.”

Dr. Vale sighed, a soft, patronizing sound that made my skin crawl.

“Agitation and paranoia are also classic indicators,” he said, tapping the folder. “I have detailed notes here from our consultation on the twelfth.”

“The twelfth?” Ana intercepted. “Alana was signing estate documents at my office at the exact time you claim to have evaluated her.”

“I have three signed affidavits from staff members at my clinic who witnessed her arrival,” Dr. Vale replied.

He opened the folder and turned a page, his manicured finger tracing a line of text.

“According to my assessment, Miss Darcy is suffering from severe persecutory delusional disorder, exacerbated by substance abuse.”