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I stepped back to the desk, watching her. Charming, relaxed, smiling, touching her hair.
Taking her time too. I opened my mouth to mention this fact—just as her arm snapped down. There was a muffled shriek behind me and I turned and ducked.
It was all over. Plum coat had lost his striped hat—and his pistol as well which was lying on the rug. He was reaching for the knife that projected from his upper arm, making little scrabbling motions. Then Angelina was at his side, chopping his neck and lowering his unconscious figure to the floor.
"Holiday world, indeed," she sniffed, but I knew she was enjoying herself.
"You'll get a medal for this, my sweet. The Corps will take care of this lad and I imagine they will extract information about his home planet, which will be a relief." I turned back to Otrov.
"Thanks for saving my life."
"Not at all, sir. I always believe that it is the little extra services that count. Now—may I show you your room?"
"You may, and a drink as well. You'll join us in a glass won't you?"
"Well, just this once, seeing as how it is a special occasion. And I must say that you are a lucky man to have a wife who shares your same enthusiasm and talents."
"It was a match made in crime and some day I may tell you all about it."
I looked on fondly while my Angelina neatly wiped her knife off on the unconscious man's shirt, then stowed it back among the diapers. I was sure that when the children got older they would appreciate her talents.
She was the sort of mother every boy should have.