And when the worker had half crossed the room, Parr drew a heavy, black line through the name. He had memorized it.
The pencil lead broke under the pressure.
And at that moment, the pressure in his mind vanished.
In automatic relief, he relaxed his shielding for the first time in what seemed years, and before he could rectify the error Lauri hit him with everything she had, catching him just as the shield began to reform.
Pain roared in his mind. From the force of the blow he knew that she must be near the warehouse.
It had been one quick thrust, leaving his mind throbbing and he sobbed in impotent hate and anger.
The pressure was back.
And slowly and surely she was closing in on him, compensating. She had struck prematurely, realized her mistake, and was narrowing the range, holding the final assault until assured of victory.
He stood up weakly and hurried to the door, brushing through a group of startled workers.