(I forgot to post this last night. It's a deleted scene, from the end of the third novel. It was abandoned when I decided to do the last four chapters in Marshall's first person, since, for obvious reasons, it's a conversation which wouldn't ever have happened if Marshall had been there. Ray's feelings were touched on here, but they were not mentioned in the third novel, at least as far as I can remember. Oh, and there are more developments in the mystery story here.)

Tammy threw her long arms around Sam. Neil caught Ray's expression and smiled. "What's tickling you, Stone?" he demanded.

"Just wondering if you're happy or sad that the boyfriend is back on the scene. And wondering if what you did was voluntary or not."

"Voluntary? Are you kidding? Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

Ray lit a cigarette. "I haven't, actually. I've always found her to be rather scary."

"Exactly," Neil said, slapping him on the back (and nearly knocking him over). "Those are the ones to go after. Always." He shrugged. "Don't get me wrong, to answer your other question. I'm not sorry Sam is here. I had no desire for anything ongoing with her, and neither did she. But it was worth doing, that's for sure. That's an attractive family, and she's even more so than her daughters."

"I don't think they're available to you anyway."

"I'm sure not. Jan is devoted, obviously, and Vicki, even apart from her preferences, is too young. I have a daughter that age. Besides, maturity is worth waiting for." He laughed, and Ray flinched, as if expecting another slap on the back. "Anyway, would you have sex with a married woman who is in constant telepathic contact with her husband? One stray thought and the game is up."

"I don't think it's constant," Ray said, "but you're right. Of the three–"

"Oh, come on. I've seen how you look at our young leader. I'd never mention it to anybody else, but it is pretty obvious."

Ray sucked on his cigarette and looked down at the ground.

"Of course, you have no idea what I'm talking about."

Ray nodded. "I assumed that went without saying."