I've known Betsy almost as long as Madge, but we were just friends, not good friends, if you know what I mean, but I'd never met her husband until now... As we were introduced I had the distinct impression that he was sizing me up, but I put the thought out of my mind when I got a good look at Betsy. She had changed - dramatically. She'd lost a good sixty pounds and you could see evidence of a lot of time spent in a gym. She was, what some of my younger co-workers would call, a 'hard body'. Her. A tear welled from one eye and fell down her cheek and onto her thigh. Only a few times in her life had she felt this terrified, during those special training session endured back at Nychiezu. She wondered numbly if this was perhaps a test placed by her Great-grandmother. Or was it maybe a punishment? Had the Council of Elders decided the chase for Ranma had taken too long? Had they taken her back home? Was this her penance for failing again? Shampoo sat all the way down and brought her knees. I hoped he would wake up from that, since many times the guy getting hit with the hard metal object didn't, but I needed to get him out of the picture fast.The house was still mostly unchecked and while there were three guys accounted for and three cars, that was the kind of math that could get me killed. There was no way of knowing how many people were actually in the house. I needed to clear the rest of it before I did anything else.Taking his gun with me I stalked from room to room, checking. .. ?" Scott Simmons," he answered extending a hand for shaking. He winced as I gave him our usual firm shake in return. Not much muscle tone there. "This is Marcus Thibideau and..." I'm pleased to meet you, Scott, and Marcus," I interrupted, "but it has apparently been a long ride for you folks, and I'll never remember all of your names if you introduce everyone right now. I assume you are the leader of this bunch?"Simmons nodded, a little put off by my brusqueness. Good. If there was business.