i took a step toward him , and suddenly i felt it , too . what are you anyway , the fat police ? now , half a continent away , there was a woman who was ready to leave her life and come west to meet him . i released a deep sigh and headed back out into the hall . he was afraid her ankle was at least cracked if not broken , and he hoped that she did n't have other broken bones as well . `` very interesting , '' his companion observed , studying the hand at close quarters . 