Violet walked slowly over to the sofa, where she sat down heavily. "You know, Mr. Justice, when my acquaintance suggested I contact you to help me defend my poor, bedridden nephew, I thought it was an excellent idea. And I can see that you have at least two brain cells to rub together."

There was a rustle of her long black skirt as she pulled a shotgun from between the couch cushions.

"That's two more than you vultures usually have, you pointy-haired little cockroach."

Boy, that sure didn't sound like a little old lady. Heiji dove behind an end table as the gun went off, impossibly loud in the closed-off space of the waiting room. Little bits of wood exploded everywhere, pelting him with small splinters and dust.

Um. Run for it?