She didn't dare look at the two pickers in case it triggered a rebellion. Don't give them the chance to refuse, she told herself. «Lenny, you and Blake take his legs, you'll need to be careful. Jane, help me with his shoulders. We'll take him into the kitchen, put him on the table. It'll be easier to treat him there.»

The pickers moved hesitantly, expressing their reluctance through complete silence. Amanda climbed up into the back of the pick-up and crouched down beside the injured man. As she slid her hands under his back ready to lift him up she felt a hard lump inside the waistcoat, larger than a fist. Her hand reached automatically towards it.

The stranger's eyelids flipped open. His hand caught her wrist. «No,» he grunted. «Do what you said. Patch me up. Then I will go. It is the best for us both.» He glanced round at the figures clustered over him. A sharp frown appeared as soon as he saw Lenny's black and silver skull cap.

Jane and Lenny exchanged a knowing glance at that.

«I cannot help with you crushing my wrist,» Amanda said levelly. It was everything she'd dreaded: his reaction to the pickers, his injuries, his weapon. What must he have done to have dogs set on him? The thought made her afraid for the first time. He wasn't an inconvenience any more, he was an active threat, to the farm, to Guy.

Between them, they hauled him into the kitchen. He made no sound during the whole process, not even when one of his legs was knocked against the doorframe. Amanda knew she would have cried out at such pain. Such control made her wonder at what electronic implants he was using. Nerve fibre regulators were not cheap, nor did ordinary citizens have any use for them.

«I'll fetch my bag,» Lenny said, once the stranger was lying on the big old wooden table. He hurried out.

Amanda looked down at the man again, uncertain what to do, his eyes were tight shut again. Even Blake's confidence had ebbed in the face of such robotic stoicism.

«If I could have some water,» the man said huskily.

«Who are you?» Amanda asked.

His eyes fluttered open as she filled a glass at the sink.

«My name is Fakhud. I thank you for bringing me into your home.»

«I didn't.» She handed him the glass.

He took a sip and coughed. «I know. But I still thank you. I have many friends in the city, influential friends, they will be grateful to you.»

«I bet you've got friends,» Jane muttered softly.

«It's the bank we need help with,» Blake said with a dry smile. «Those bastards are bleeding us dry with their interest rates. Not just us, all the farms are suffering.»

«Blake,» Amanda said. He scowled, but kept quiet.

Fakhud grimaced, and took another sip of the water.

«What happened to you?» Amanda asked.

«I fell from my horse.»

«And the bite wounds? Lenny said it was probably a dog.»