Patricia was on her feet. She grasped an antique bronze candle-holder and darted toward the now fallen chair and to where Ross was wrestling desperately on the floor. Crowley was attempting to shout, but was largely smothered.
Patricia held the candlestick at the ready, trying to find an opening, trying to locate the invisible Crowley’s head.
Frederick Braun staggered to his own feet, bewildered, shaking.
A voice from the door said flatly, “Okay, that’s it.” Then, sharper, “I said cut it out. You all right, Mr. Crowley?”
It was Larry. His thin black automatic was held almost negligently in his right hand. He ran his eyes up and down Patricia, taking in the candlestick weapon. His ordinarily empty face registered a flicker of amused approval.
Patricia gasped, “Oh, no,” dropped her blud
