taking out a roast, and a tray of biscuits.
"Close!" he said, "Almost burned them." He put what he'd been mixing
into containers, sat them on a tray, and put them in the oven,
adjusting the temperature. "You know, I'm becoming a half decent cook!"
he laughed. "It's kind of fun!"
156 Bullet wondered if the children would hear them. "Want to tell me
about it?" he asked.
157 "Her mate was a local Guardian," the prisoner explained, "about a
season and a half ago he busted a big Hood operation, put several of
them in here. He was coming in one night and she met him in the gate. A
car came by and they opened fire with machine rifles. He was hit eight
or nine times, went to The Lords instantly. She was hit instantly and
it tore her up inside. They fixed what they could, but there were some
things they had to remove. She's probably adjusted more than I have.
And I'll assure you, she's NO piece of ice!"
158 Bullet understood. "So you keep her company," he said, "and are the
male influence the children need."
159 The male prisoner nodded. "I guess we can forget about your
complaint," agreed Bullet.
160 There was the sound of a key in the lock. The door opened and a
quite beautiful woman came in. She took off her cap and started to undo
her jacket when she saw Bullet. She looked at the prisoner.
161 "That complaint I wrote," he explained, "just afterwards. He's
investigating it. Everything's all right. I had a problem, though, with
the young man, but it's been taken care of."
162 The woman finished removing her jacket, walked through the common
room, and seated herself at the table. "Everything IS all right," she
asked, looking at Bullet, "You won't recommend they transfer him, will
you?"
163 "No," assured Bullet, "I think he's needed right where he is."
164 The prisoner sat down beside her, and took her hand.