Turtle stopped and considered this, stroking his thick red beard. He was shorter than average but broad, a man of great physical strength, as well as character. Upon coming to a conclusion he was not fond of, he vigorously ran his hand across the short, red stubble of his scalp.

“Damn it,” he said, walking past his beautiful wife, back into the hall. “Damn it!”

Helen only smiled at this, seeing that her persistence had finally broken through. But she hoped he was right. She hoped her fears were unfounded.

She said another prayer for Randal. Only time would tell.