' Shepaused. 'But which would they think was the lie, that Carl committedthe robbery or that he didn't? The foul little man was dead, dead byCarl's...hand, and didn't that just make things worse?'"I... Mrs. Carson is mistaken. He tried to get familiar with me, but I-Iwouldn't allow it. When I got the chance, I ran inside to get awayfrom him." Why were you with him in the first place?" Cecelia accused. "Wherewere you, and what sort of sinful behavior were the two of you up to?" I-I can't. It was sometime after the demon had gone upstairs to check on the time. She had walked practically all night, stopping at one point to catch a few hours sleep in a tree, and have breakfast. She was a little tired, but ready for a fight.The gate, a heavy affair carved from stone and set with steel bars, was neatly sliced in two, the upper half now lying flat on the white stone walk beyond, washed pink and purple in the new morning light. Bells guessed that this must be the work of her. No one moved to raise a hand against the two women.Word of events there would spread across the Islamic world. The interpretation of what had just occurred would be debated by Imams for years. It would be argued that the laws had been overturned by the actions of Saint George. It was unclear if the changes applied to clothes, the need for an escort, or with both clothes and escorts.Oscar stepped over to Georgia and looked down at the body of the old man. The crowd stared at Oscar and then at. Satisfaction. I get to do things that matter. Please, we'll talk about this later, but I must go. I can't let my fellow deputies go out tonight with so few people. If something happens, someone could die because they didn't have backup."Kissing the palm of Jeff's hand, she took his hands in hers for a moment. "I always keep a uniform in the trunk of my car, just in case. We all do lately. And I had my gunbelt with me when I started out to my makeshift range, before someone I know — she smiled.