Thomas smiled, her hint coming through loud and clear. She was no Lara, who had him looking for death in two words uttered in passing in the hallway, but Alice wouldn't give him away. It was good to know someone was going to be on his side.

"You're stuck with me, I'm afraid," he said. "How will you ever survive with someone this gorgeous around your neck?" He squirmed out from beneath Alice and nodded at the door. "Didn't the crew mention something about you having a date at Starbucks tonight that you should be primping for for the next hour or so?"