“No, I reckon not,” he drawled between half shuttered eyes.
She moved toward the door, but he was there before her. With a turn of his wrist he had locked it.
“This interview quits at my say-so, honey. Think after so many years of absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder you’re going to trample over me like I was a kid? Guess again.”
“Unlock that door,” she ordered.
“When I get good and ready. We’ll have our talk out first.”
Her eyes blazed. She was white as paper though she faced him steadily. But her heart wavered. She dared not call out for fear her brother might 186 hear and come to her assistance. This she must forestall at all costs.
A heel clicked in the alcove. For the first time Norris, or Boone as the Southern girl had called him, became aware of a third party in the room. Melissy was leaning out of the window. She called down to a man standing on the street.
“Jack, come up here quick. I want you.”
Boone took a step forward. “You here, ’Lissie Lee?”
She laughed scornfully. “Yes, I’m here. An unexpected pleasure, isn’t it?”