its eyes were large and black , as were the six-inch claws on its hands . he turned to the court officers . her gaze had locked with his for one electric moment , making him think of summer storms and silvery rain . `` you were gentle with my daughter , were n't you , beast ? that was why hed called frantically on ned and jennifers home phone line after i failed to answer my cell . if no one 's willing to commit murder , they all starve . '' 