“I prefer the term ‘sexual deviant’ myself,” Saiman said.”

“The pervert.""He prefers to think of himself as sexual deviant.""Semantics.”

“I had an appointment with a sexual deviant and I didn’t want to be late.”

“Give me an opportunity to fail," Saiman said. "I promise my corpse won't interrupt your 'I told you so' speech.”

“Screwy," I said. "Is that a medical term?" "Of course.”

“I sighed and put Slayer between the front seats. "Stay here. Guard the car."Saiman shut the door. "Is the sword sentient?""No. But I like to pretend it is.”

“Saiman picked up a coffee mug, stared at it, and hurled it against the wall. It shattered into a dozen pieces. We looked at him. “Your date appears to be hysterical,” Rene told me. “You think I should slap some man into him?"Saiman stared at me, speechless. I had to give it to Rene—she didn't laugh. But she really wanted to.”