Concerned, Jack returned to Laurie’s door. He raised his hand to knock but wavered. Given the closed door, he worried about interfering, but then he heard a distinctive slew of swear words and another percussive thump. Then he heard Laurie’s voice in a pleading tone say, “Please!”

Prompted by instinct more than thought, Jack knocked and opened the door at the same time. Laurie was backed up against the wall next to the file cabinet. She wasn’t cowering, yet her face reflected a mixture of fear and indignation. Paul Sutherland stood in front of her, dressed in a dark business suit. His tanned face was flushed and his right index finger was no more than six inches from Laurie’s nose. Jack’s entrance had seemed to freeze him in place.

“I hope I’m not interfering,” Jack said.

“But you are interfering!” Paul snapped, coming to life. “That’s why the goddamn door was closed.” He faced around toward Jack and challengingly perched his fists on his hips.

“I’m awfully sorry,” Jack said. He bent slightly to the side to have a better look at Laurie around Paul’s stocky silhouette. “Laurie, do you feel the same way?”

“Hardly,” Laurie said. “I think this discussion, if you can call it that, was getting out of hand.”

“Get out of here!” Paul snarled. “Laurie and I are going to have this out here and now.”

“This is neither the time nor the place,” Laurie said. “I already told you that.”

“Well, it seems there’s a disagreement here,” Jack said lightly. “I don’t mind offering my services as an arbitrator.”

“I’m warning you!” Paul said. His eyes narrowed. He took a threatening step forward.

“Paul, please!” Laurie said angrily. “I think you should leave! “

Paul did not take his eyes off Jack. “Get the hell out of here! “ he repeated.

“I heard you the first time,” Jack said airily. “But this is Dr. Montgomery’s office, and her wishes reign. I think it’s time you left, unless you’d like to discuss the issue with Sergeant Murphy downstairs.”

Paul lunged forward in an attempt to hit Jack with a roundhouse blow. Anticipating the punch, Jack leaned back out of reach. Then, taking advantage of Paul’s momentary loss of balance, Jack grabbed a handful of his silk suit and yanked him out through the open door, into the hall. The maneuver was accompanied by a distinct ripping sound.

Paul quickly regained his footing and assumed a crouched position with his fists raised by his head, giving Jack the impression he knew how to box. Recognizing his own limited abilities in the sport, Jack debated whether to run or envelop the man in a protective bear hug. Luckily, Jack did not have to make a decision. A yell sounded from down the hall as Chet came running at them, an open bag of potato chips and a can of pop in hand.