It was the money that kept them awake.

Hardan had the gun, and he would not let them sleep. Within the house they watched and waited, while outside the snow drove down and the wind wailed a dirge.

The sleeplessness ate at them and a kind of wildness engulfed them all.

There was: Marla, black-haired and made for love. Her husband, Hall, who lived on a diet of brandy and hatred. Her sister, Leona, swaying on the edge of madness. The two bandits, tough, relentless, who had tracked Hardan down. And Hardan, who had the gun.

It was in the cards that someone must die.