〃As long as you can do what needs doing without getting caught；〃 Brutal said。
Dean looked offended； and I clapped him on the shoulder。 〃As soon after you clock in as you can 。。。 all right？〃
〃You bet。〃
My wife popped her head through the door as if I'd given her a cue to do so。 〃Who's for more iced tea？〃 she asked brightly。 〃What about you； Brutus？〃
〃No； thanks；〃 he said。 〃What I'd like is a good hard knock of whiskey； but under the circumstances； that might not be a good idea。〃
Janice looked at me； smiling mouth； worried eyes。 〃What are you getting these boys into； Paul？〃 But before I could even think of framing a reply； she raised her hand and said； 〃Never mind； I don't want to know。〃
3。
Later； long after the others were gone and while I was dressing for work； she took me by the arm； swung me around； and looked into my eyes with fierce intensity。
〃Melinda？〃 she asked。
I nodded。
〃Can you do something for her； Paul？ Really do something for her； or is it all wishful dreaming brought on by what you saw last night？〃
I thought of Coffey's eyes； of Coffey's hands； and of the hypnotized way I'd gone to him when he'd wanted me。 I thought of him holding out his hands for Mr。 Jingles's broken； dying body。 While there's still time； he had said。 And the black swirling things that turned white and disappeared。
〃I think we might be the only chance she has left；〃 I said at last。
〃Then take it；〃 sh