"No, Broom, that won't be necessary," Paul said. "We won't be needing you. You can go back to sleep

"No, Broom, that won't be necessary," Paul said. "We won't be needing you. You can go back to sleep

"Sleep? You wake me up in the middle of the night and you expect me to get some sleep? How am I

supposed to sleep with all the comings and goings around here all the time?"

"What's going on?" asked Kira. She stood at the head of the stairs, unself-consciously wearing nothing

but a torn black T-shirt and a pair of very brief panties.

"I'm sorry, honey," Paul said quickly, trying to meet her eyes and give her a warning look. "This is Lt.

Joe Loomis of the police. And Ms. Fairchild here is a reporter. They came to see Michael. Apparently,

there's been some sort of mix-up. Ms. Fairchild seems to think that Michael isn't what he claims to be,

that he's impersonating a police officer."

"Michael?" Kira said, picking up her cue. She came down the stairs, brushing her hair back out of her

eyes and looking not quite awake. "Michael's not here. Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Oh," said Paul. "Sorry. I'm forgetting my, manners. Joe, Ginny, this is my friend Kira."

"I'm sorry I'm not dressed," she said. "I was asleep."

"We're sorry to disturb you," Loomis said, noticing with interest the fingerless black glove she wore, but

not remarking on it. "Where is Mr. Cornwall?"

Kira shrugged. "Out, I guess. What's this about him impersonating a police officer, Paul?"

"I'm not really sure," said Paul. "Ginny says she checked with someone at Scotland Yard and found out

that they didn't have anyone named Michael Cornwall working for them. Obviously, it's some sort of

mistake—"

"It's no mistake," said Ginny.

"Didn't he say he was going back home to get some rest?" asked Loomis.

"Yes. Yes, he did say that," said Paul.

"Do you mind if I look around?"

"No, not at all. Be my guest."

"Well, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to go back and get some sleep," said Kira. "Unless you want to

check my bedroom," she added. She looked at Loomis and winked. "I'm sure Paul would want to know

if Michael's hiding in there."

Loomis cleared his throat and glanced at Paul uneasily. "If you have no objections?"

"Oh, for God's sake, Joe," said Paul with a sour grimace. "Hell, go ahead."

Loomis went up the stairs.

"I'd better follow him," said Kira. She smiled at Ginny. "Wouldn't want him to plant any dope or