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A woman let out a quiet whimper. There were moans from several others, including men. |
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'I want us to split up into groups,' John said. 'Cassy's told me that the rear door opens out into the alley. It has no handle on the alley side, it's a solid door and it's locked. Our main areas of vulnerability are the windows and the front doors here. |
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'I want a group of men at the doors with me. Steve. You,' he said, nodding at the man who'd called him a pansy. 'You.' He indicated an oriental wearing a chef's floppy cap and holding a meat cleaver. 'And you two,' he said, giving the nod to a pair of husky men from the cocktail lounge. |
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'OK. The rest of you, form into two groups. One group will be stationed in the bar area, one in the dining room. Your job is to watch the windows. Anyone tries to break in, deal with him. Or her. Don't let it stop you if the invader's a female. Remember, it was a woman who killed Chester Benton.' |
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'Equal opportunity maniacs,' said the guy who believed in levity. |
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'If there's any kind of concerted assault, just call out and the rest of us'll come over to reinforce you. Any questions?' |
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'What about getting out of here?' |
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'Yeah. Some of us have kids at home.' |
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'So do I,' John said. 'But we won't do our kids any good if we get killed.' |
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'Won't do 'em any good staying here, either.' |
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'If you want to leave,' John said, 'be my guest. But you've got a street full of bloodthirsty nuts outside, |
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