“Mary?” Raven shouts, once more pounding on the front door.
“Edward? Are you there? Can you hear me?”
He's creating such a cacophony of noise he thinks it must be enough
to wake the whole street, never mind the two ageing residents of this
one house. But when he stops there's no response, from this house or
any other. When he listens closely, Raven can still hear a general
hubbub coming from somewhere beyond the hall, just past the door, but
details elude even his sensitive ears.
Curly stands some way behind Raven, showing little interest in
Raven's assault on the door. “Why don't you try lying down,” he
says to no one in particular, “Have yourself a little nap.”
“There's no time for that,” Raven replies, “Too many wheels in
motion.” He bangs the door once more, then waits. When nothing
continues to happen, Raven grasps the door handle, takes a deep
breath, and starts to turn it.
