e said； buttoning the front of my new fall coat。 It had been in the closet since my birthday at the beginning of September； but this was only the third or fourth time I'd actually worn it。 〃Take it。〃
And she practically pushed me out the door。
4。
I clocked in that night … in many ways the strangest night of my entire life … at twenty past six。 I thought I could still smell the faint； lingering odor of burned flesh on the air。 It had to be an illusion … the doors to the outside； both on the block and in the storage room； had been open most of the day； and the previous two shifts had spent hours scrubbing in there … but that didn't change what my nose was telling me； and I didn't think I could have eaten any dinner even if I hadn't been scared almost to death about the evening which lay ahead。
Brutal came on the block at quarter to seven； Dean at ten 'til。 I asked Dean if he would go over to the infirmary and see if they had a heating pad for my back； which I seemed to have strained that early morning； helping to carry Delacroix's body down into the tunnel。 Dean said he'd be happy to。 I believe he wanted to tip me a wink； but restrained himself。
Harry clocked on at three minutes to seven。
〃The truck？〃 I asked。
〃Where we talked about。〃
So far； so good。 There followed a little passage of time when we stood by the duty desk； drinking coffee and studiously not mentioning what we were all thinking and hoping： that Percy was lat