"Yes. I don't want him to think I'm afraid of him. You're not in
this, Kirby. Esther is my little sister, not yours."

"True enough." A sardonic, mirthless smile touched his face. "But
James Cunningham is my uncle, not yours."

"Your uncle?" She rose, staring at him with big, dilated eyes. "He's
your uncle, the man who--who--"

"Yes, an' I know him better than you do. We've got to use finesse--"

"I see." Her eyes attacked him scornfully. "You think we'd better not
face him with what he's done. You think we'd better go easy on him.
Uncle's rich, and he might not like plain words. Oh, I understand now."

Wild Rose flung out a gesture that brushed him from her friendship.
She moved past him blazing with anger.

He was at the elevator cage almost as soon as she.

"Listen, Rose. You know better than that. I told you he was my uncle
because you'd find it out if I'm goin' to help you. He's no friend of
mine, but I know him. He's strong. You can't drive him by threats."

The elevator slid down and stopped. The door of it opened.

"Will you stand aside, sir?" Rose demanded. "I won't have anything to
do with any of that villain's family. Don't ever speak to me again."