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'OK,' he muttered. Then he raised his voice. 'Could I have your attention, please?' |
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'We need to get organized, here. You're probably all aware that a guy broke through a window a few minutes ago and killed Mrs Benton. Well, apparently there's quite a crowd outside.' |
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'Just how many are we talking about?' asked a stocky, florid man near the front of the group. |
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'I just took a quick look out the window,' Steve said. 'I didn't have time to make an accurate head count, but I'd guess anywhere from twenty to thirty.' |
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'Oh, dear God,' a woman muttered. |
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Other people moaned, shook their heads, moved closer to their spouses or friends, whispered. |
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'They were scattered along the sidewalk in front,' Steve went on. 'There was a pretty good bunch right outside the doors.' |
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'Why are they doing this?' asked Tina. Her boyfriend Andy squeezed her shoulder. |
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'They're after the fine cuisine,' said a small guy in a plaid jacket. |
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'This is no time for levity,' Dr Goodman pointed out. |
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'Levity in the face of disaster is a hallmark of the American character.' |
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'Oh, shut up,' said a woman John figured must be the guy's wife. |
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'They're outside,' Cassy said, 'because they want to come in and kill us. That's pretty obvious, isn't it?' |
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