It still seemed deserted. He started forward.
Only then, before he could so much as cross the threshold, something gouged into his back. A familiar, too-dulcet voice said, "No, Thigpen."
Ross stopped short. "Astrell—!"
"Of course." The woman laughed gaily. "You see, Thigpen, I get what I want. I have that kind of perseverance."
Ross said nothing.
"Back, now. Close the door and lock it," Astrell continued. And then: "Aren't you wondering how I got here, dearest? Just this once, haven't I surprised you?"
Ross shrugged.
But apparently no answer was needed or expected. Astrell went on talking anyhow:
"Let's go back where the lights are, Thigpen. I'm dreadfully tired of standing in the dark. And—oh, yes, I found that address on Sanford Hall's closet door too. I must have been right behind you. I'd arranged in advance to meet Sanford, you know—that's why he'd stolen the catalyst, so I'd give him money to buy all the starak he needed for the rest of his life. So I figured out the message, of course, since I'd been to Calor City often years ago, and knew all about Triangle Square. My cruiser put me down here even before you. In fact, I was watching when you broke in—"
Abruptly, Astrell stopped talking long enough to push Ross into the lighted office. She gestured to the black cube with one puffy hand. "Is that it? Is that the catalyst?"