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Josie stood slowly and moved toward the door When she did, I pulled Skarda backward so that he was standing between me and everyone else in the cabin I rested the barrel of the shotgun on his shoulder just below his ear and pressed the ainst his back

"Jimmy," she called "Roy Can you hear uns on the deck"

"Hell w’that"

Josie took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and gritted her teeth, giving me the i to ten "Must you argue all the ti’s a debate"

"People like ht this minute"

A moment later I heard heavy footsteps on the deck The door flew open and Roy stepped into the room He was tall and clean-shaven, ten years older than Josie, with the furrowed brow of a man ould rather have his car stolen than adotten where he parked it He leaned doard Josie, bringing his face within inches of hers

"Don’t talk to me that way," he hissed

"Hey, pal," I said He pivoted and looked at led the barrel of the shotgun so it was pointed between his eyes "Stand by the old man and be quiet"

His eyes narrowed, and he smiled with soft hostility "Make me," he said

"What, are you five years old? Get over there"

"Do what he says, Roy," Skarda told him "I already saw him kill a man today Shot him three times--"

"Hey, Dave, hey" I whacked Skarda’s ear with the barrel of the shotgun "You didn’t see anything Did you?"

Skarda rubbed his ear "No, I didn’t see anything," he said

"Go stand over there, Roy," I said

Roywoesture er and frustration He brushed it aside and glared malevolently at her She backed away

"Jimmy," I said "You still out there?"

"Yes"

"Come on in"

"You won’t hurt me, will you?"

"Why would I do that?"

Apparently Jiood reason, because he entered the cabin andHe took her hand and squeezed it

"Are you okay, Jills?"

She cradled his head and rested it against her shoulder "It’ll be all right, Jiht, Jims," Roy said The disdain in his voice was unmistakable "What do you know about it?"

She looked from Roy to me Her remarkable eyes darkened and she found a spot on the floor to stare at Jiht, but he did not release her hand

"Nothing bad will happen as long as we all keep our heads," I said I was still using Skarda as a shield, still balancing the shotgun on his shoulder "Who are you people?"

"You know me," Josie said "You know esture swept froirl "These are my cousins Jillian and James Neihart This is Jill’s husband, Roy Cepek"