In a Clean White Room

“I’d be delighted t’force you to kill me over a new jacket,” Rush purred.

Telford laughed aloud—half delight, half wild-edged despair—and, for a brief moment, under a setting, alien star, the guy was very close to likable.

No. Just no.

“Felicitations,” Rush said dryly. “Be sure you tell Kiva just how on fire I set everything.”

Both his kidnapper and his cat were still sleeping. That was nice. For them.

Maybe Dale from the Sixth House was a nice guy.

"Oh, pretentious, are we?" Rush purred. "Did you learn that word for me? I'm flattered."

“It’s going to be a long, bad day,” Telford whispered.

Aren’t you an astrophysicist? Aren’t frames of reference fundamental to every waking moment of your professional life?

P=NP, eh?

…and there is no space there.