had it out； Percy loved that hickory stick。 As for me； I was sitting in what would be Wharton's home until it came time for him to check into the hot place…first cell on the right as you headed down the corridor toward the restraint room。 I had my clipboard in my hands and was thinking of nothing but making my little set speech and getting the hell out。 The pain in my groin was building up again； and all I wanted was to go into my office and wait for it to pass。
Dean stepped forward to unlock the door。 He selected the right key from the bunch on his belt and slid it into the lock。 Wharton came alive just as Dean turned the key and pulled the handle。 He voiced a screaming； gibbering cry … a kind of Rebel yell … that froze Harry to temporary immobility and pretty much finished Percy Wetmore for the entire encounter。 I heard that scream through the partly opened door and didn't associate it with anything human at first； I thought a dog had gotten into the yard somehow and had been hurt； that perhaps some mean tempered con had hit it with a hoe。
Wharton lifted his arms； dropped the chain which hung between his wrists over Dean's head； and menced to choke him with it。 Dean gave a strangled cry and lurched forward； into the cool electric light of our little world。 Wharton was happy to go with him； even gave him a shove； all the time yelling and gibbering； even laughing。 He had his arms cocked at the elbows with his fists up by Dean's ears； yanking the chain as tight a