"Loubar," croaked Mira.
Loubar turned. "What?" he asked.
"Once and for all," said Mira, "why do you think the disk is in here?"
He swore. "Why?"
"We'll help you find it," said Rollie, jumping in.
Loubar laughed out loud. "You!" he exclaimed. "Rollie Tyler,
the Lord's little helper, mister big explosion, mister 'Oh, I'll help Mira
and Leo solve another crime 'cause I'm such a sweet gentle person', mister
perfect!
Ha! I laugh at you, Tyler! Haven't you ever done
something nasty, huh? Yeah, sure, you use your little tricks to bend
the rules. But you're sooo honest ... come on!
Look at me! I'm Victor Loubar, asshole! I'm your worst enemy,
remember? You hate me. You despise me.
You wouldn't help me even if -- even though your life depends
on it! Stop playing around! Your little games won't
fool me! What would you do if we did find the disk together?
Pretend to let me escape, then you and your little police friends can come
ambush me later? I see you scheming in that overgrown outback mind
of yours. Well, Tyler, please excuse me, but I find it doubtful you'd
give me it if you found it."
Rollie frowned mentally as Loubar ranted. He was really going on.
This wasn't like Loubar at all. And then there was Angie ...
He stood up slowly. Loubar backed up. "Don't touch me," said
Loubar. "I'm warning you."
"Rollie, don't go near him!" said Angie.
"Why?" said Rollie, suddenly, turning to her.
"He has a gun, stupid!"
Rollie froze.
"Yeah, I have a gun, stupid!" said Loubar.
Rollie began moving again, closer to the doorway.
Loubar stiffened, then straightened his shoulders. "Sit down,"
he
ordered.
This was more like Loubar, thought Rollie. But Rollie didn't stop.
"Rollie ... !" exclaimed Mira, worriedly.
"I know what I'm doing," said Rollie.
"We have to stay in here!" said Angie.
"Yes, AN-GEL-A," said Rollie, accenting every syllable in Angie's
name sarcastically.
"I'll shoot you!" exclaimed Loubar.
"No you won't."
"I ... I will!"
"There is no disk," said Rollie, stopping. "At least, It's not here."
"Rollie, what are you doing?" said Mira, alarmed.
"It was a good performance, Loubar," said Rollie. "I was really afraid
for my life. You could only hold your part for so long, though you
played your part rather well."
Loubar looked scared.
"That goes for you too, Angie," continued Rollie.