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           Hepulledtheplug,letthewateroutofthesink,andfilleditwithcleanwateragain,towhichheaddedacloudysplashofliquiddisinfectant:thesharpantisepticsmellseemedsoutterlysensibleandmedicinal,aremedyfortheoddnessofhissituation,andhisvisitor.Thegirlleanedoverthesink,andhesplashedwarmwateroverherarmandshoulder.

           Richardwasneverassqueamishashethoughthewas.Orrather,hewassqueamishwhenitcametobloodonscreen:agoodzombiemovieorevenanexplicitmedicaldramawouldleavehimhuddledinacorner,hyperventilating,withhishandsoverhiseyes,mutteringthingslike"Justtellmewhenit’sover."Butwhenitcametorealblood,realpain,hesimplydidsomethingaboutit.Theycleanedoutthecut—whichwasmuchlessseverethanRichardremembereditfromthenightbefore—andbandageditup,andthegirldidherverybestnottowinceintheprocess.AndRichardfoundhimselfwonderinghowoldshewas,andwhatshelookedlikeunderthegrime,andwhyshewaslivingonthestreetsand—

           "What’syourname?"sheasked.

           "Richard.RichardMayhew.Dick."Shenodded,asifshewerecommittingittomemory.Thedoorbellrang.Richardlookedatthemessinthebathroom,andthegirl,andwonderedhowitwouldlooktoanoutsideobserver.Suchas,forexample..."OhLord,"hesaid,realizingtheworst."Ibetit’sJess.She’sgoingtokillme."Damagecontrol.Damagecontrol."Look,"hetoldthegirl."Youwaitinhere."

           Heshutthedoorofthebathroombehindhimandwalkeddownthehall.Heopenedthefrontdoor,andbreathedahugeandquiteheartfeltsighofrelief.Itwasn’tJessica.Itwas—what?Mormons?Jehovah’sWitnesses?Thepolice?Hecouldn’ttell.Thereweretwoofthem,atanyrate.