The elevator operator looked at him curiously on the way up, and he realized for the first time that he hadn’t shaved in two days, and that he probably looked like hell.The motion of the elevator tugged at his stomach, and he thought he was going to be sick again. He held on grimly, his teeth clenched, until the doors flew open on the tenth floor. He nodded briefly, then, and stepped out into the carpeted hallway. He heard the doors slam shut behind him, hesitated for a moment while he got his bearings. He passed the potted palm on one side of the elevator bank, walked quickly to the apartment at the end of the hall.Barbara Cole, the little white card said. He reached out and pressed the button over the card.Muted chimes sounded from within the apartment, and he heard the sound of feet padding to the door. The peephole flew back, then clinked shut immediately. The door opened.Babs held out both hands. “Ray. Come in.”He took her hands and she led him into the apartment.“You’re home,”
