He got up, crossed the office on silent feet, opened the door of Executions, went down a bare, silent hall. At the levelators he waited a moment for the platform, took it down, got off again at Portal Waiting, and crossed to the foyer.
She was there, just as she'd been on the screen upstairs, only clearer, more vivid, something witnessed instead of second hand, something with dimension to it. She was in a big chair that could have accommodated two like her. She had her legs tucked under her and her brown eyes that looked up at Tony's approach weren't any larger than two full moons.
He said, "Are you Mrs. John Haley?"
The girl nodded. "They—they've got Johnny...."
"I know." Tony dropped into a chair opposite the girl. "It's late," he said softly. "You shouldn't be here this time of night, Mrs. Haley."
The girl thought about that. "You're Mr. Radek, aren't you? In the Execution Office?"
"Call me Tony, Mrs. Haley."
"All right, Tony. Yes, it's late. I hadn't noticed, but I suppose you're right."
"You should go home, Mrs. Haley." He stopped, then lied a little. "They'll let you know. You don't have to worry."
You don't have to worry. They're bringing the guy up now, little girl, but you don't have to worry. Old hell-hips is getting a ritual rose now, little girl, but you don't have to worry.