he was flat on the floor in a heartbeat , my hands around his neck . the only thing i ca n't see is the face behind the wheel , the face of the person who stole my car and tried to run us down . cass hurries up the steps as she hangs a velvet rope across the staircase entrance . is that what this is , romance ? something heaved its way through the door . her first memory of darling was when she 'd been five and he nine . for a second , i thought about following him . 