This was not the first time I had seen her this way. Talking wasn't going to do any good. Only time would have any effect.

And she couldn't get any more angry.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, darling. Midge, take good care of her."

The cousin who had not come inside nodded. Sweat fell from his forehead. He gave up a huge sigh of relief, suddenly sure that he would not have to become the first casualty in a war so small it wouldn't be noticed while it was going on.

I tried to kiss Tinnie. She wouldn't have it. I backed away. "I do love you. But you can't own me."

She managed to keep from saying something really awful.

I got in. The coach rolled before I settled the back of my lap on the plush opposite Belinda.

Time had been kind. She was as striking as ever. Her best feature was her long, glossy black hair. It accentuated her pallor and the red she used to paint her lips.

But today her hair was unkempt, stringy, in need of washing. Her complexion had gained a sickly yellow-green cast--though maybe that was the light. She did not wear any of her usual makeup, crafted to create a vampire look. And she had given little attention to her clothing.

I guessed she hadn't changed in days. She had that air.

Being an accomplished observer, I sensed that she was deeply upset. "Talk to me."

"Somebody took a run at Morley Dotes."

"You said."

Morley had been my best friend for so long that I couldn't recall when he hadn't been. Well, not before the war. But almost forever. I hadn't seen much of him lately. Tinnie didn't approve. Her disapproval was not ethnic, or social, but intellectual. Morley Dotes had the capacity to distract her special guy from what she wanted him focused on: Tinnie Tate.