"I could break your neck you know?"
"Well, you could try." Casino bellied up to the other man, daring him to make good on his threat. "But you better remember who I work for, and who trained me."
"Throwing names around isn't going to save you wise guy. Besides," his voice was confident, but he couldn't stop himself from stealing a glance at the door. "He's not around."
"Yeah… Well, the Warden doesn't need to be around, see, 'cause he doesn't hold things back when he's trainin' somebody just so he can beat 'em later, like some I could name." Casino watched Preston's eyes turn from confident to not so sure, and then harden again. He was ready for him. When the Army officer made his move, he blocked him with an upraised arm. But he had back up too. Chief grabbed a handful of Preston's hair and pulled his head back. The blade was out where the other man could see it. Actor had thrown his book aside and rolled out of his chair, and even Goniff had struggled up off the sofa, clutching the neck of the cane, turning it from a support for his injured leg into a weapon.
"Here now!"
For a moment no one moved then, slowly, Chief released his hold on the visiting lieutenant and sheathed the knife. Goniff plopped back down on the sofa and Actor retrieved his book and went back to his chair. Only Casino and Preston were left standing… staring. And then Casino turned lightly on the balls of his feet to face Rawlins.
"Just a little demonstration a teamwork, Sarge. Nothin' to worry about."
"That's right, Gilbert. Nothing for you to worry about." Preston turned on his heel and left the room but the threat hung in the air behind him for their consideration.
"Crazy bastard," Casino declared as he went back to his game of solitaire.
"And what was that all about?" Rawlins asked, but he was met with indifferent shrugs and stony silence.