Fred was still sitting at his big desk, still not waiting to hear from Laura.

He was in a trance when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." He answered softly to the door, never expecting it to be anyone else. Shirley was so Shirley.

Shirley came to his office looking for him?

Fred was surprised. He thought he and Shirley were just a passing acquaintance, but it turned out to be more than that.

He was surprised, but Shirley acted as if she were looking for an old friend and smiled at him, her mouth curling slightly.

To be sure, the two men had known each...