Ripley stood in the doorway, surveying the mess hall, which had gone completely silent at her entrance. Her eyes saw everything, met no one’s. Stepping over to the food line she studied the identical trays distastefully. The prisoner on serving duty gaped at her unashamedly, his manipulator dangling limp from one hand. Taking a chunk of cornbread 63

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from a large plastic basket, she turned and let her gaze rove through the room one more time, until it settled on Dillon.

Andrews and his assistant were as absorbed in the silent tableau as the prisoners. The superintendent watched thoughtfully as the lieutenant walked over to the big man’s table and stopped. His knowing expression was resigned as he turned back to his food.

?As I thought, Mr. Aaron. As I thought.?

His second-in-command frowned, still gazing across the room at Ripley. ?You called it, sir. What now??

Andrews sighed. ?Nothing. For now. Eat your food.?He picked up a fork and dug into the steaming brown mass in the center of his tray.

Ripley stood opposite Dillon, behind Boggs. The four men picked at their meals, resolutely indifferent to her presence.

?Thanks for your words at the funeral. They helped. I didn’t think I could react like that anymore to anything as futile as words, but I was wrong. I just want you to know that I appreciated it.?

The big man gazed fixedly at his plate, shoveling in food with a single-minded determination that was impressive to behold. When she didn’t move away he finally looked up.

?You shouldn’t be here. Not just on Fiorina … you didn’t have much choice about that. But in this room. With us. You ought to stay in the infirmary, where you belong. Out of the way.?

She bit off a piece of the cornbread, chewed reflectively. For something with a dehy base it was almost tasty.

?I got hungry.?

?Clemens could’ve brought you something.?

?I got bored.? 64

Frustrated, he put down his fork and glanced up at her. ?I don’t know why you’re doing this. There’s worse things than bein’ bored. I don’t know why you’re talking to me. You don’t wanna know me, Lieutenant. I am a murderer and a rapist. Of women.?

?Really.?Her eyebrows, which she had thinned but not shaved completely, rose. ?I guess I must make you nervous.?

Boggs’s fork halted halfway to his mouth. Rains frowned, and Golic just kept eating, ignoring the byplay completely. Dillon hesitated a moment, then a slow smile spread across his hardened face. He nodded and Ripley took the remaining empty chair.

?Do you have any faith, sister??

?In what??She gnawed on the cornbread.

?In anything.?

She didn’t have to pause to consider. ?Not much.?