"All I really need," he continued, "is for you to act as a deterrent." "A deterrent?" she choked out. "A human shield, if you will." "I cannot be left alone with that woman," he said, and he felt no remorse at the low desperation in his voice. "Please, if you have any care for your fellow man." Her lips clamped together in a suspicious line. "I'm not certain what I get out of the equation." "You mean besides the joy of my delightful company?" "Yes," she said, with an impressive lack of inflection, "besides that."