he ran three fingers lightly down the table , over the layers of smooth hard varnish , dark with age . the guard checked over his shoulder and lowered his voice . for a moment she believed that is was blood raining from the sky . he was really just dumping her there ? we always picks up a target on the first day of school . she looks down and licks her spoon clean . either he 'd tried to hide it or she 'd been willing to ignore it . watch my back , that kind of thing . '' 