She sounded like Szandor. That might have made X smile, under different circumstances. Belligerent stubbornness was one of many different defence mechanisms people developed against the world, and its effectiveness was deceptively limited.

It said a lot, in fact, that the officer obeyed her, however reluctantly.

"If by 'handled'," X replied carefully, "you mean violently, then yes. I have no doubt you could have handled that yourself." He took a step forward, scanning not the building but all the people standing in front of it. "No one's still trapped in there?"