`` just let me pay your roommate 's share of the rent until you find a new one . '' `` it 's true , '' a woman 's voice said from the back . she 'd insisted on returning to the states and settling down . dawn did n't like being punched at least , or she did n't used to . the air conditioner stopped blowing cool air through the vent high on the wall . he was like a light-footed predator , quick and sure . 