Charlie shook her head at Hammer. Then she swallowed, clearing her throat. “I don’t know.” When she did speak, it came out in a whisper. “I don’t know.”
Ajmal still sobbed and whimpered behind them. Hammer turned to him impatiently.
“Shut up!” he roared, and Ajmal fell silent instantly. When Charlie looked at him, his eyes were wide and glassy again.
He was still seeing the fire. The dancing flames.
“What can I do?” Hammer asked her. “What can I do to make you okay?”
“I don’t know,” Charlie said again, more slowly. “I don’t blame you for anything. I need time.”
He nodded, and Charlie did not miss the fear that crossed his face. What was Hammer afraid of? Hammer turned to look at Ajmal again. The tenderness with which he had looked at her vanished, replaced by an ugly snarl, and Charl
