"Perfectly normal!" Mel said before Hazel shooshed him.
Dex was insistent: "Any cop knows at least something about his
motorcycle. Was I right about the superconductor?"
"Yes. Now, get out of here, idiots, before there's no one left to form
the company!"
Hazel, perspiring freely, red hair shimmering, kissed me. "We figured
you out real, real early. We aren't ever wrong, and I'm glad we stayed
with you, Mr. Venus." She laughed joyously, "First time I've ever kissed
a Venusian!"
Frank, head close to mine, said softly, "I'm terribly sorry I said those
things, but you had to believe I was angry, so I could call the
others--"
"And I did everything possible to get you out...."
We were silent; then I said what I'd been fighting not to, for so long.
"Frank ... Francis?"
She understood, and stared horrified at me. I'd lost. Bowed my head,
feeling like the damned fool I was.