She stopped. And stared. She watched him as others might watch a trainwreck.

"Parker," she told him once he'd spent himself. "Before you say anything more to me, I want you to stop yourself and draw a breath to focus on the single most important piece of information that you mean to tell me, or a single question that you mean to ask. Express to me that single item. And then stop until I have a moment to react or respond. If you understand, demonstrate that understanding to me now."