Iman shoots a sharp look at Rush, halfway between vindication and bewilderment. There is something here, something the cat can speak to.

"What is it?" she asks. Maybe something polite will get through. Might not be the right way to phrase it, though. She tries again: "Who are they?"


"But I-" Jay looks from the woman to the cat. "They're trying to help me," he says, hating the pleading note that gets into his voice, or the idea of his voice, desperation mingled with frustration. Are cats going to show up whenever he gets close to being perceived?