He put on his cap and Deane walked to the door with him.
“Rio,” she touched his arm, “tell Martin I need to see him. Will you?”
“I’ll tell him, Mrs. Idara.” Deane’s hand against his arm upset him. He wanted to kiss her. That moment he hated Martin. “I’ll tell him,” he repeated, and walked down the hall, looking surprised.
Martin was sleeping when Rio returned. He awakened and saw the big sailor looking down at him.
“What’s the news?” he asked.
“I seen Mrs. Idara. She wants to talk to you.”
“You saw Deane?” Martin sat up.
“She wants to talk to you,” Rio repeated.
“You’re high-handed.” Martin shook his head. “What about the Steeldeer, now that you’ve seen me over the bumps?”
“You ain’t over the bumps, and I don’t want the Steeldeer. There’s a boomer in next week, and no goo-goos in the messroom. I’ll see then.”