"Y-yes, sir. Of course, sir."

I stumbled over to the door and turned away to hide my surprise. I thought his visit was all banter and a bump-off, but without the latter I found myself not wanting to take guesses on just what was going to take its place.

As the keys jiggled in my hand I idly wondered just how much of my dread was really show.

"There- there you go, it's- it's all-- All locked, sir."

I put my hands back up and let the keys slide off my finger, not looking down to watch them hit the floor.