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Three
Andtobemagnificentlyfrank,MisterMayhew—andI’msureyouwantmetobefrank,don’tyou?—wereIyou,Iwouldnolongerworryabouttheyounglady.Herdaysarenumbered,andthenumberinquestionisn’teveninthedoubledigits."
"Whyareyoucallingme?"
"MisterMayhew,"saidMr.Croup,helpfully,"doyouknowwhatyourownlivertasteslike?"Richardwassilent."BecauseMisterVandemarhaspromisedmethathe’spersonallygoingtocutitoutandstuffitintoyourmouthbeforeheslitsyoursadlittlethroat.Soyou’llfindout,won’tyou?"
"I’mcallingthepolice.Youcan’tthreatenmelikethis."
"MisterMayhew.Youcancallanyoneyouwish.ButI’dhateyoutothinkweweremakingathreat.NeithermyselfnorMisterVandemarmakethreats,doweMisterVandemar?"
"No?Thenwhatthehellareyoudoing?"
"We’remakingapromise,"saidMr.Croupthroughthestaticandtheechoandthehiss."Andwedoknowwhereyoulive."Andhehungup.
Richardheldthephonetightly,staringatit,thenhestabbedtheninekeythreetimes:Fire,Police,andAmbulance."Emergencyservices,"saidtheemergencyoperator."Whatservicedoyourequire?"
"Canyouputmethroughtothepolice,please?Amanjustthreatenedtokillme,andIdon’tthinkhewasjoking."
Therewasapause.Hehopedhewasbeingputthroughtothepolice.Afterafewmoments,thevoicesaid,"Emergencyservices.
