When she'd filled her plate high, she said, "I want in. Whatever you need me to do."

I paused the gravy ladle, and some plopped to the table instead of my biscuits. "Huh?"

"You're going after Ryze, right?"

Around us, conversations stalled again, and wide eyes connected to us.

"Yes," I admitted.

Suddenly everyone appeared to be listening and watching. Even the skulls hanging from the chandelier above aimed their empty eye ...