"Who'd you tell about him?"

"I didn't—"

"Who, I said! Mawson? Your brother?"

"Thigpen, I didn't tell anyone! I couldn't! You only mentioned the man once. I didn't even remember his name till just now, when you reminded me."

"We'll try it again, then—"

A knock sounded on the outer door.

Veta opened her mouth to scream.


Like lightning, Ross hammered a blow to her jaw, then caught her limp body before she could spill to the floor.

The knock sounded again. A man's voice called, "All right, you, in there! Open up."