"I wonder why he's not answering," I said.

"It's hard to say why. I can't do a physical examination of him through a door, of course, so I'll have the rest of the men help me open it when they get a chance."

I nodded as he staggered out, then I threw the rest of the ruined noodles away with a wet splat. While fresh ones boiled in a new pot, I wandered out to the empty dining room and put my ear next to the wall that separated me from Randolph's room. I didn't expect ...