Dark-clad shapes moving in the street outside, ringing her – onlookers studiously not looking. They were Asian, and that came as no surprise. They stood in their semi-circle and regarded her. She looked at their faces. Only a couple were unscarred. She said, "Black never goes out of fashion." One of the men, older than the others, stepped forward. "You are to come with us, please," he said. "Or else?" she said. For a moment, the man looked confused. "Or else what?" he said. "You're supposed to say or else," she said, "and then tell me what you'll do if I don't come with you." "Oh," he said, nodding. "Thank you, yes. Come with us or else we'll kill you and throw your body into the river, please," he said. "Well, since you put it so nicely," she said. She looked back at the door of the Speckled Band. It was shut. "I can't say I'm that surprised to see you," she said, speaking to the one who seemed to be their leader.
