“I did so hope you would say that, darling,” she said.

The nurse looked in, beckoned.

“Well, here’s the tyrant again,” I said, getting up. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Take it easy. We have a lot to look forward to.” I kissed her lightly, touched her hand, went out.

There was another nurse waiting in the corridor.

“Miss Spence is asking for you,” she said.

“Okay,” I returned, looked at her. “How’s she making out?”

The nurse shook her head. “She was dreadfully burned,” she said. “I don’t think it will be long now.”

I followed her along the corridor to Lois’s room. A cop paced up and down outside. He nodded to me as I went in.

Lois was lying flat. Her face hadn’t been touched. They had told me that hot oil had flowed over her chest. She looked practically done.

I stood over her, waited.