A few ducked out the fire door at the back of one side of the room. Then there was an abrupt and profound silence. Everyone stood stock-still and stared at the doorway—they stared at me.
At the back table, Walter Payton regarded the doorway with his passionless, money-colored eyes. He was not smiling. Mr. Hendricks, beside him, was glaring at me, his single eyebrow lowered far enough to threaten him with blinding.
Spike was tight-lipped and pale. Gimpy stared at me in pure horror. None of them made any moves or any sound. I guess seeing a wizard cut loose can do that to you.
"Little pig, little pig, let me in," I said, into the silence. I planted my staff on the ground and narrowed my eyes at Payton.
"I'd really like to talk to you for a minute, John."
Payton stared at me for a moment, then his lips twitched up at the corners.
"You have a singular manner of persuasion, Mr. Banks."
