"Too bad. I'd rather he got it by his own machinations."
"He tried to stop me—"
"Uh-huh. Maybe it's better the way it is," Tom laughed in spite of the load of uncomfort he was carrying. He wiped some of the oil and tar mixture from his face and continued. "The instantaneous feeling of horror at the idea of seeing you glucked over with this mess must have given him some shock. No doubt he thought that whatever would happen would happen to the holder of the epicenter locator."
"Now what are you going to do?"
"Me?"
"Yes. You're going to clean up, aren't you?"
"Not me."
"How are you going to ... to—?"
"Cause his return?"
"Yes."