“Frank, holster your pistol and get Pam loose from that bench and cover her.” He moved quickly. One of the men moved toward me. In a quiet voice, ... said, “You will be in severe pain if you try something and you might die.” He stopped. I continued, “You are each evil, vile kidnappers and hurting any or all of you would be the only pleasure I expect to get out of this evening.” The woman who had the whip started to say something.I looked at the man who had started for me. “Strip!”He shook his. An' 'alno knows. An'..." Bessa hesitated."What? What is it?"Bessa sighed. "'alno knows 'bout yew and ... that yew don't like girls."Marris' eyes widened. He uttered a sigh and slumped against the wall. "No, that can't be right. He would have terminated me." Norlan don't want yew sacked 'cause 'e wants t' know wot this other Ambassador's up to. Yer bein' watched, Marris." You mean just now in the corridor, when I thought--" That was me. I ain't as good at it. But 'alno's got people who can do it. I touch a finger to your chin to lift your head, and for the first time notice the expression in your lips. So soft, and so full, they are just slightly parted. I believe I can feel you panting, my dear! Your warm breath comes faster than I remember, perhaps in anticipation...?The blades of the scissors close quickly, and I watch you jump, scared that I may have done something decisive. But no, my love, I could never injure you. I have simply cut the elastic garter belt which holds those. Maybe that was harsh, but when I was trying to fumble myway along the maze of Kirsty's life I didn't need his take on it all.People, from my work and his, had been giving him shit about hisbehaviour and most wished he'd just leave. I had my share of abuse overthe whole thing as well; some women coming up to the till had refused tobe served, "by that slag" but I didn't rise to the provocation - whatwas the point? I was spat at a couple of times walking home, someKennedy clones gave me vile.