"Are they?" asked Erskine, mouth twisted into an uncertain smile. "I'd have thought the headaches would be horrendous. How did you come into work this morning?" He hesitated, glanced at Doe, and his expression flattened. "And if you're about to tell me God gave you a hangover cure, I'll drive you into a door this time."

Ahead of them, China had accepted Solomon's arm with a gracious smile, and they were the first ones up the stairs to the main level. China, to Erskine's considerable surprise, moved slowly and with great care, guiding Wreath along each step with a confidence that said she did this sort of thing every day. In hindsight, maybe it shouldn't have been so surprising; China was nothing if not courteous. He'd just never really thought of her as courteously helpful before.

She spoke to Dex as they walked, throwing the words gracefully back over her shoulder. "How big is it? Anything you can tell me of the layout would be helpful."

Erskine, meanwhile, fell into step beside Doe. "I wasn't going to ask," he assured the man, "but why 'John Doe?' It's bothering me."