had n't ted latched the gate securely when he brought in the last load of lumber yesterday ? i 'm never cheap when it comes to matters like that . they exist among us , but they never actually live . '' people could still rescue me if by chance i could n't actually rescue myself . `` my life burns faster , '' she said , pressing against him . im just the bait to get you here . thank you , she said , about to pin the badge to her shirt . 