Haddix understood.
Alan followed him, stuffing his numb left hand into a pocket of his blouse as a temporary sling. By the time they reached the control cabin, the left side of his blouse was soaked with blood.
"Good dinner, wasn't it?" Bennett Keifer asked Laura.
"Yes," she said.
"Did you like the wine?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad you decided to accept my invitation. Are you?"
"Yes."
"Is that all you have to say, 'yes'?"