Captain's Paradise

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CAPTAI N’ SPARADI SEbyKayHooper Ha g e nSe r i e s#8( 1988) Pr ol ogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Thr e e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Four. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Fi ve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Si x. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Se ve n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Ei ght . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Ni ne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Epi l ogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Pr ol ogue Ha g e nwa sa nnoye d.Hewa sa l wa ysi r r i t a t e dbyde l a ysi nt hee xe c u t i onofhi spl a ns ,a nds i nc et hi swa sapa r t i c ul a r l y vi t a lpl a n,hewa smor et ha nus ua l l ya nnoye d. " Whe r e ? "hede ma nde d,s pe a ki ngf l a t l yi nt ot hemout hpi e c eofhi st e l e phone ,e qui ppe dwi t has c r a mbl e r . " J us tgone ,a n dhi sme nwi t hhi m. "Thevoi c et ha tr e pl i e dt oHa ge n' sque s t i ons ounde dhol l ow be c a us eoft he s c r a mbl e r ,ye tnote ve nt het e c hnol ogi c a lde vi c et opr e ve nti nt e r c e pt i onoft e l e phonec onve r s a t i onsc oul dl e a c hf r omi t a l li ndi c a t i onsofas t r onga nddyna mi cpe r s ona l i t y. " Youc a n' te ve nt e l lmewhe r e ? "Ha ge na s ke d. Ar ue f uls i ghc a meove rt hewi r e ,a ndt hevoi c er e pl i e dwi t ha nu nde r l yi ngl a ye rofmoc ke r yt ha tma deHa ge ngr i thi s t e e t h." No,Ic a n ' t .I ' vebe e nt r a c ki ngt ha tbunc hf ormont hs ,a syouve r ywe l lknow,butt hi st i met he y' vegi ve nmet he s l i p.Sueme .Now,i fyouwa ntt hewome n—" " No, "Ha ge ns a i d,a l l owi nghi ms e l ft ogr i ma c es i nc ehewa sa l onei nhi sof f i c e ." Tha t ' st hequi c ke s twa yof c ommi t t i ngs ui c i deIknow. "Hemut t e r e dt hec omme nt ,buthi svoi c ewa sc l e a ra nddi s t i nc tnone t he l e s s . " Tha t ' swa smyr e a di ngoft hes i t ua t i on.I na nyc a s e ,t heba i tf oryourt r a pi smome nt a r i l youtofr e a c h.I ' l lke e p l ooki ngi fyoul i ke ,butIha vet ot e l lyout hec ha nc e sa r es l i munt i lhede c i de st os ur f a c ea ga i n.Iwoul dn' tbes u r pr i s e d t of i ndouthe ' dg onet ogr ound. " " Wha t ? "Fort hef i r s tt i me ,Ha ge nwa shone s t l ys ha ke n." I mpos s i bl e ! " " Chi e f ,e ve r ys ouli nt ha twhol ebunc hha st e r r i f i ci ns t i nc t s .Youma yt hi nkyourl i t t l et e s t st he s el a s tmont hsha ve be e ns ubt l e ,butwha tyoul e f toutoft hepl a nwa sac ul pr i t . " " The r ewa snone e dt o—" " No? "t hevoi c ei nt e r r upt e ds a r doni c a l l y." Yout hi nkt he ya r e n' tgoi ngt oge ts us pi c i ouswhe ns omeunna me de ne my t e s t st he i rs e c ur i t ymor et ha nonc e ?I fIwe r ei nt hepl a c eofa nyoneoft he m,I ' dbeve r ybus i l yt r yi ngt of i ndoutwha t t hehe l lwa sgoi ngon.You' dbe t t e rt a kei ta saye s —t ha t ' swha tt he y' r edoi ng. " Ha g e nwa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he nof f e r e dwha thekne wwa sawe a kobj e c t i on." The ywoul dn' tl e a vet hewome n unpr ot e c t e d. " " Unpr ot e c t e d?Re me mbe rwha tKi pl i ngs a i da boutt hef e ma l eoft hes pe c i e s ,Chi e f ?Ta ket ha ta saye st oo.Thos e l a di e sne e dpr ot e c t i nga bouta smuc ha saba t t l e s hi pdoe s .Youwa ntmya dvi c e ,you' dbe t t e rba c kof ff orawhi l e . " Ha g e ni gnor e dt hea dvi c e ." Whe r e ' st heya c ht ? " " Cor s ai r ?Nos i gnofhe ri nhe rus ua la r e a .The yma ybea boa r dhe r ,buts hec oul dbei nt heSout hChi naSe af ora l lI know. " " Ha veyouc he c ke dwi t hCa pt a i nSi r a n?Hema y—" " Sor r y,Chi e f .He ' suna va i l a bl e . " Ha g e n' svoi c ebe ga nt ol os ei t sf or c e dpa t i e nc e ." Whyi sheunav ai l abl e ?" " Tookal e a veofa bs e nc ef orpe r s ona lr e a s ons . " " Wha ta r e n' tyout e l l i ngme ? " The r ewa sab r i e fs i l e nc e ,a ndt he nt hevoi c es a i d," J us tt ha tyo uc a n' tc ountonSi r a na tt hemome nt ,Chi e f .Heha s hi sownf i s ht of r y. "

Ha g e nhe a r dmor et ha nt hewor ds .Bl unt l yhea s ke d," Da ni e l ,wha t ' sgoi ngon? " Thes i ght hi st i mewa s n' twr yormoc ki ng;i twa swe a r y." Wha tgoe sa r oundc ome sa r ound.Thec a pt a i nha shi sha nd s f ul lwi t has pe c t e routofhi spa s t . " " He ' sa l one ? " " Hedi dn' te ve ngi vemeac ha nc et oa r guewi t hhi m. " Af t e ramome n tHa ge ns a i d," I fa nyonec a nha ndl ehi ms e l f ,i t ' sSi r a n.Ic oul dha veus e dhi she l p,howe ve r . " " Ye s .We l l ,yourpl a nsa r eonhol df ort het i mebe i ng. " " You' r ea bs ol ut e l ys ur eyouc a n' tl oc a t et he m? " " Af r a i dIc a n' t .Youwoul dn' tt hi nkapubl i cf i gur eofhi spr omi n e nc ec oul ddi s a ppe a rs oqui c kl yors ot hor oughl y,but hedoe ss e e mt oha vet hekna c kofi t .Soyouha vet woc hoi c e s ,Chi e f .Ei t he rwa i tunt i lhes howshi ms e l f —howe ve r l ongt ha tt a ke s —ort r yt of i ndoutwhe r ehei sf r omoneoft hel a dl e s .Thef or me rbe i ngpr e f e r a bl et ot hel a t t e r ,i fyou a s kme . " Ha g e ns wor es of t l y." Agr e e d.I fIs howa nyi nt e r e s ta ta l l ,Ra ve nwi l lbeont oi ti ns t a nt l y. " " Yout r a i nyoura ge nt st oowe l l , "Da ni e lnot e ddr yl y. " Tha twoul dn' tbot he rmes omuc h, "Ha ge nr e t or t e di r r i t a bl y," i fonl yt he y' dr e ma i nmya ge nt s . "Hes i ghe d." Idon' t s upp os eyou' dbei nt e r e s t e d? " Da n i e lc huc kl e ds of t l y." No.Yo ua ndIwoul dnodoubtl oc khor ns .No,t ha nkyou;I ' l ls t i c kt omyownba i l i wi c k. " Uns ur pr i s e d,Ha ge ns a i d," I twa swor t hat r y.We l l ,ke e pmea dv i s e d.And,i fyouhe a rf r omSi r a n,l e tmeknow. " " Ye s . " Thec onne c t i onwa sbr oke n.

One Whe ns hewa spl uc ke d,dr e nc he da nds hi ve r i ng,f r om t hea ngr ygr a ygr e e nAt l a nt i c ,he rf i r s ti ns t i nc t ,he ronl y i ns t i nc t ,wa st oc l i ngwi t ha l lhe rr e ma i ni ngs t r e ngt ht ot hewa r m,we ta r mst ha tha ds a ve dhe r .Andc l i ngs hedi d,l i kea de s pe r a t et hi ng, unt i lt hema nma na ge dt obr e a khe rgr i pa ndwr a phe ri nadr ybl a nke t . Apa r tofhe rc ons c i ous ne s swa sa wa r eofbe i ngs t r i ppe dofhe rwe tc l ot hi ng,s wi f t l ya nde f f i c i e nt l y,ofbe i n gdr i e d br i s kl ya nddr e s s e di ns ome t hi ngl oos et ha twa st hi c ka ndwa r m.Ac upwa she l dt ohe rl i psa ndaf i e r yl i qui df l owe d be t we e nhe rt e e t h ,s t oppi ngt he i rc ha t t e r i ng.The nt hes of t ne s sofbe ddi ngwa sbe ne a t hhe r . Af t e rt ha t ,onl yb l a c kne s s ,buti twa sbl e s s e dl ywa r ma nddr y. He rs l uggi s h,we a r ymi nds ur f a c e daf e wt i me s ,va gue l ya wa r eofaf a i ntl i ght ,oft hel i f t i ng/ f a l l i ngmot i onofaboa t ont hes e a .Butnot hi ngr e a l l yr e gi s t e r e d,nos i ngl ei mpr e s s i onde ma nde dt ha ts het hi nk,a nds os hedi dnot .Shes l e pt . Whe ns hef i na l l ywoket ot hedi munde r s t a ndi ngt ha ts hewa snotwhe r es hes houl dbebutt ha twhe r es hewa swa s be t t e r ,t hes of tl i ghts t i l lbur ne da ndt her oc ki ngmot i onha dl e s s e ne d.I na ni ns t a nts hei de nt i f i e dt het i nyc a bi nofa boa t . Shewa sonaboa t .But...s heh a de s c a pe df r omt heboa t .Te r r ors t i r r e di nhe rs l uggi s hmi nd,t hi c ka nds uf f o c a t i ng. Orha di tbe e nadr e a m? A dr e a m.Al ladr e a m,ofc our s e ,e s pe c i a l l yt heba dpa r t s .I twa ss uc hac omf or t i ngnot i ont ha ts hea c c e pt e di t i ns t a nt l y. " Dr i nkt hi s . " I twa sac omma nd,ut t e r e di naha r dma s c ul i nevoi c e .I nur e dt oc omma ndsde l i ve r e dbyha r dma s c ul i nevoi c e s ,s he obe ye d.Pus hi nghe r s e l fi nt oas i t t i ngpos i t i on,s hea c c e pt e dac upf r om as unbr owne dha nd.Si ppi ng,s hei d e nt i f i e d c of f e el a c e dwi t hbr a ndy.I tt a s t e dgood.Onl yt he ndi ds her a i s ehe re ye st ol ookhe s i t a nt l ya tt hema n. Ther e s tofhi m wa ss unbr owne dt oo,s hes a w.Ands i nc ehewa swe a r i ngonl ys wi mt r unksa nda nunf a s t e ne d wi ndbr e a ke r ,s hec oul ds e eagr e a tde a lofhi smus c l e dbody.I tl ooke da sha r da shi svoi c ea ndobvi ous l ypos s e s s e dt he ki ndofr a ws t r e ngt ht ha tc oul dne ve rha vebe e ne a r ne di nagym.Heha da l mos t bl a c kha i ra nds ha r pe ye sa ndwa s ,s he t hought ,t hemos tha nds omema ns heha de ve rs e e n. St i l l ,s heha dbe e nt ooc l os et oda nge rt oor e c e nt l ynott or e c ogni z ei ti nt hi sma n.I twa sa ppa r e ntnotonl yi nhi st i ght j a wa ndf i r ml yhe l dl i psa ndi nt hes t r a nge ,s hut t e r e dgl e a m ofhi sgr a ye ye s ;da nge rwa sa na l mos tvi s i bl ea ur a s ur r oundi nghi m,e nc l os i nghi m. De t a c he d,s het r a ns f e r r e dt het hought st oi ma ge s ,a nds a ws t e e lf or ge di nawhi t e hotc r uc i bl e ,s t i l lda nge r oust ot he t ouc h. " Wha tt hehe l l , "hea s ke di naqui e t ,r oughvoi c e ," we r eyoudoi n gf l oa t i ngi nt heoc e a nmi l e sf r oms hor e ? " " Whi c hs hor e ? "s hea s ke d,f e e l i ngaf l i c ke rofi nt e r e s t . Hewa ss i t t i ngont hee dgeofhe rbunkl e a ni ngt owa r dhe r .Hi se ye br owss hotupa the rque s t i on,t he ndr e wt oge t he r

I naf r own." Fl o r i da , "hes a i dbr us que l y. " Oh. "Shec ons i de r e dt hei nf or ma t i on,t he na ns we r e dhi sor i gi na lque s t i ons i mpl y." Idon' tknow. " Af t e ramome n thes a i di naf l a tt one ," You' r ec ove r e di nbr ui s e sa ndha veaf e wmi norc ut s .The r ea r enos i gnsofa he a di nj ur y. "Her e a c he douts udde nl y,t a ki nghe rr i ghtwr i s ta nds t r i ppi ngba c kt hes l e e veoft hehe a vyf l a nne ls hi r ts he wa swe a r i ng." J udgi ngbyt he s ea ndyourdi l a t e dpupi l s , "hes a i dha r s hl y," I ' ds a yyoude c i de dt of l ywi t houtwi ngsa nd j umpe dof fs ome body' sya c ht . " Shel ooke ddowna tt hebr ui s e di nj e c t i ons i t e sonhe ri nne ra r m,a ndhe rmi ndf oughtt ot hr owof ft hes l uggi s hne s s . Buti twa sdi f f i c ul t ,a ndt r yi ngt oc onc e nt r a t ema dehe rhe a da c hes i c kl y.Het houghts hewa ss ome one ' spa r t ygi r l ,s he r e a l i z e d,a ndha dt hedi mr e c ol l e c t i ont ha ts he ' dbe e nwe a r i nga ne ve ni nggownwhe nheha dpul l e dhe rf r omt hewa t e r . " Di dyous e eaya c ht ? "s hea s ke d ,me e t i nghi sga z e . " No. "Al mos ta bs e nt l yhepul l e dt hes l e e vedowna nds moot he dt hema t e r i a lbe f or er e l e a s i nghe ra r m." But ,a sIs a i d, youwe r emi l e sf r oms hor e .Andr i ghti nt hepa r t yc r owd' spl a ygr ound. " " I tmi ghtha vebe e naya c ht . "Shef r owne da tt hec upi nhe rha nd,t r yi ngt ot hi nk,t r yi ngt or e me mbe r ." Ibe l i e vei t wa saya c ht .Ab i gone . " Hi sbr e a t he s c a pe ds hor t l yi na ni mpa t i e nts i gh." Wa st hepa r t yi nf ul ls wi ng,orwi l ls ome oneha ver e por t e dyour di s a ppe a r a nc e ? " He rmi ndwa sc l e a r i ngs l owl y." No.No,Idoubtt he r ewa sa nyr e por t . " Hes wor e ,t hes ounda ngr ya nda br upt ." The nI ' l lha vet oa l e r tt heCoa s tGua r d.I st he r ea nyonee l s e —" " Youdon' tunde r s t a nd. "Shes t a r e da thi m,wonde r i ngwi t hapa r a noi ai ns pi r e dbyt hel a s twe e ksi fs hec ou l dt r us t hi m.Whi l ehes t a r e da the ri mpa t i e nt l y,s hema deuphe rmi nd.Shene e de dapl a c et or e s ta ndga t he rhe rt hought s ,t o pl a n.I twa s n' tove rye t ;s hec oul dn' tl e ti tbeove r .Buts hene e de dt i me .I fs hes ur f a c e dt oos oon— " Wha tdon' tIunde r s t a nd? "hede ma nde d. Shet ookal ongs i poft hel a c e dc of f e e .Wha tas t r a ngevoi c eheha d,s hemus e d.Qui e tye tha r d.Shedr e wade e p br e a t h." The r ewoul dn' tha vebe e nar e por t ,butnotbe c a us et he r ewa sapa r t y.The r ewa s n' tapa r t y.The ys a wmego ove r boa r d.The y...t he ys hota tme .Iwa se s c a pi ng, "s hee nde di nar us h. " Wha t ? " Se e i ngt hedi s be l i e fi nhi sf a c e ,s her e a l i z e ddi s ma l l yhow i ta l ls ounde d.Me l odr a ma t i c .Unr e a l .Li kes ome t hi ng be t we e nt hec ove r sofanove lori nc i ne ma t i cTe c hni c ol or . Shel ooke ddowna the rf l a nne l c ove r e da r ma nds pokes of t l y,t one l e s s l y." The yke ptusdr ugge ds owe ' dbequi e t . Butt hedr ugsdi dn' twor konmea tf i r s t .Tha t ' swhyt hebr ui s e s .Idi dn' tknowwha twa sgoi ngonmos toft het i me ,but whe nIc a met oonc e ,t he r es e e me dt obeas t or m.Theot he r swe r es t i l lunc ons c i ous ,butIt houghtIc oul dge the l pi fI c oul dj us tge tof ft heboa t .Eve r yonewa sbus ybe c a us eoft hes t or m.Ima na ge dt oge tt ops i dea nd...a ndj umpe d.I he a r daye l l ,a ndt he nguns ,butt hewa t e rwa sr ougha ndi twa sr a i ni ng....Wi t ha nyl uc k,t he yt hi nkIdr owne d. " Thema ns t a r e da the rf oral ongmome nt ,hi sgr a ye ye sunr e a da bl e ,s ome t hi ngs t r a nge l yt a uti nhi se xpr e s s i on.The n hes t ood,f i l l i ngt hes ma l lr oom,a ndt ookas t e pa wa yf r omt hebunkt or e a c hf orabot t l ea ndgl a s sonane a r bys he l f . Hes pl a s he dl i qui di nt ot hegl a s sa nddr a nk.Onl yt he ndi dhea s kt e r s e l y," Whi t es l a ve r s ? " Shewa ss ur pr i s e da thi squi c kc ompr e he ns i on,a ndwonde r e di fhewa sj us thumor i nghe r .Buts ome t hi nga b outhi s ha r df a c ede ni e dt ha tpos s i bi l i t y.Whe nhet ur ne dt os t a r ea th e ra ga i n,s henodde ds l owl y. " Howma nybe s i de syour s e l f ? " The r ewa s ,s het houghtbr i e f l y,a ne l e me ntofunr e a l i t ya boutt hee nt i r es i t ua t i on—c onve r s a t i ona nda l l .Thi sma n wa snotr e a c t i nga ss hewoul dha vee xpe c t e d;hewa sne i t he rdi s be l i e vi ngnorhor r i f i e d.Nordi dhes e e ms ympa t he t i c a boutwha ts heha dc l e a r l ybe e nt hr ough.I ns t e a d,hi st onewa sbl unta ndma t t e r of f a c t ,hi se xpr e s s i onr e mot e . " The r ewe r ef i veofus , "s hes a i d,t r yi ngt oa na l yz ehi sr e a c t i on,f i ti ti nt os omeni c hei nhe rmi nd." Al lbl onde sa nd— a ndr e dhe a ds . "He rha ndwe ntbr i e f l yt ohe rl ong,t hi c ka ubur nh a i r . " Di dyouknowa nyoft heot he rgi r l s ? " Theque s t i onc onf us e dhe r ,whi c hwa sha r dl ys ur pr i s i ng,s het hought ,c ons i de r i ngt hebe f uddl e ds t a t eofhe rmi nd. " Knowt he m? " " Na me s , "hes a i di mpa t i e nt l y." Age s ,ba c kgr ounds .Di dyouknowa nyt hi nga boutt heot he rgi r l s ? " " No.Notwhe nwewe r ef i r s tt a ke na boa r d.Wewe r es t r a nge r s .Wedi dn' tha vemuc hofac ha nc et ot a l k;t he ys t a r t e d t hedr ugsr i ghta wa y.Iknowt heot he rr e dhe a d' sna mewa sMa r c y. " " Wha ta boutt hebl onde s ? " Shel ooke da thi m,f e e l i ngas t a bofune a s i ne s s .The r ewa ss ome t hi ngwr ongwi t ht heque s t i on,a nds hedi dn' tknow wha ti twa s .Shec oul dn' tr e a dhi sf a c e .Shewonde r e di fa nyonec oul d.I twa sac l os e df a c e ,gi vi nga wa ynot hi ng. Sl owl ys hes a i d," Onewa sna me dSus a n,It hi nk.I ' mnots ur ea boutt heot he rt wo.The ywe r e —we l l ,t he yl ooke dl i ke

mode l s .Mi dt we nt i e s ,l ongf a i rha i r ,a l mos twhi t e .Sunbl e a c he d,Igue s s . " " Bot hoft he m? " " Ye s . "Shes t a r e da thi m,i nc r e a s i ngl ypuz z l e dwhe ns hes e ns e dmor et ha ns a wt hi sr e a c t i ont ot ha t .Shec oul dha ve s wor nhewa sdi s a ppoi nt e d.The nhes hr ugge d,a si ft ohi ms e l f ,ac ur i ous l ywr yt wi s tt ohi sl i ps . " Anyi de awhe r eyouwe r ebound? " " Ic oul dn' tge tt her out e ;t he ydi dn' tt a l kt ha tf r e e l yi nf r ontofus .Butf r omwha tt he ys a i d,Iga t he r e dourde s t i na t i on wa ss ome whe r ei nt heMi ddl eEa s t . " Hi se xpr e s s i onha dgr ownpr e oc c upi e d,hi sga z edi s t a ntwhe nheputt hee mpt ygl a s sa s i dea nds a tont hee dg eoft he bunka ga i n.Af t e ra nunbl i nki n ga ppr a i s a lofhe r ,hes a i ddr yl y," Andj us thow di dyouma na get oge tyour s e l f s ha ngha i e d? " Notqui t er e a dyt obet ha tt r us t i ng,s hes a i d," Iwe ntt oani ght c l ub.I nMi a mi . " Hea ppe a r e dt oa c c e pthe re xpl a na t i on.Sl owl yhes a i d," Is uppos eyou' l lwa ntt onot i f yt hepol i c e —" " No! "Re a l i z i nghows ha r phe rr e s pons eha dbe e n,s hehe l dhe rvoi c ec a l mwi t ha ne f f or t ." No,Idon' twa ntt or e por t i t .Thos eme n...t he ypl a yr ough.I fIwe ntt ot hepol i c e ,I ' db eal oos ee nd,at a r ge t .The yt hi nkI ' mde a d.Iwa ntt o l e a vei tt ha twa y. " Hi se ye sha ds ha r pe ne d,a ndnows e a r c he dhe r sI nt e nt l y." Is e e .You' r epr oba bl yr i ght .Wha t ' syourna me ? "hea dde d, a br upta ga i n. I twa s ,c ur i ous l y,a nout of s yncque s t i on;nor ma l l yi twoul dha vebe e noneoft hef i r s ta s ke d.Shewonde r e da bout t hi sma n' spr i or i t i e s ." I ' mRobi nSt ua r t . " " We l l ,Robi nSt ua r t ,myna me ' sMi c ha e lSi r a n.If i s he dyououtoft hewa t e ra boute i ghthour sa goj us tof fKe yWe s t . I t ' snows i xA. M. a ndwe ' r ea ppr oxi ma t e l yf i vemi l e sof fKe yLa r go,de a di nt hewa t e r . " " He a di ng? " " Mi a mi . " Shenodde d,t r yi ngt os or tt hr oug hhe rt hought s ." Iwi s hIkne wwhe r e. . . " " Whe r et heya c htwe nt ?I t ' l lha vet os t i c kf a i r l yc l os et ol a ndf oraf e wda ys ;i ft he ypl a nne dawa t e rr out ea nywhe r e , t he y' l lha vet opos t ponet het r i porma keot he ra r r a nge me nt s . "Hes ounde dpr e oc c upi e da ga i n,a si fs ome t hi ngdi s t ur be d hi m. " Why? " Hel ooke da the r ,gr a ye ye ss hut t e r e d." Be c a us et heCoa s tGua r da ndva r i ousot he rl a we nf or c e me ntof f i c i a l sa r e pa t r ol l i ngve r yhe a vi l y.Rumorha si tt ha ta ni nde c e nt l yva l ua bl es hi pme ntofdr ugsi sc omi ngi nt ot hec oun t r yvi a wa t e r .Eve r yt hi n gt ha tf l oa t si sbe i ngi ns pe c t e dbowt os t e r n,a ndnobodyl e a ve sore nt e r sU. S.t e r r i t or i a lwa t e r swi t hout duei ns pe c t i onu nl e s st he y' r eve r y,ve r yl uc ky. "Hi se xpr e s s i onwa sunr e a da bl e ." Iwa ss e a r c he dl a s tni ghtac oupl eof hour sbe f or eIf oundyou.I ' dgue s st ha tt hes l a ve r sa r el yi ngl owf orawhi l e . " " Butt ha t ' sj us tague s s , "s hes a i ds t e a di l y." I fi t ' sr e a l t yt ha t —t ha thot ,t he yma yki l lt hegi r l s .Wewe r eont ha tboa t f ora tl e a s tt woda ysbe f or eIgota wa y.The yc a n' thopet oke e pt heot he r shi dde ni nde f i ni t e l y,a ndi ft he yc a n' ts e nd t he mwhe r e ve rt he y' r es uppos e dt ogo. . . " Fort hef i r s tt i me ,af l i c ke rofwha tmi ghtha vebe e ns ympa t hys howe donhi sha r df a c e ;he rs udde ngu i l twa s obvi ous ." Youc oul dn' tha vehe l pe dt he m, "hes a i dqui e t l y. Ro bi ns t a r e ddowna the re mpt yc upa ndc he we dhe rbot t om l i p." The y' r ej us tor di na r ywome n, "s hes a i ds of t l y. " Wi t hor di na r yl i ve s .I nFl or i daonva c a t i on,mos toft h e m.Nof a mi l y,noonet owor r yorma ket r oubl eov e rt he i r di s a ppe a r a nc e . "Shel ooke dupa thi ms udde nl y,s ur pr i s e dbyaf l e e t i ngl ookofpa i nonhi sf a c et ha twa si ns t a nt l ygone , a st houghi tha dne ve rbe e n. " The r ewa snot hi ngyouc oul dh a vedone , "hema i nt a i ne df l a t l y." Yourge t t i nga wa ywa ss he e rl uc k.Ands i nc eyou ne ve rs a wt heya c ht —" " Ma ybeIdi ds e ei t , "s hei nt e r r u pt e d,s t a r i nga thi m,ba nki ngagr e a tde a lont ha tbr i e fpa i ns he ' ds e e n.Ort houghts he ha ds e e n." Andma ybewi t hal i t t l ehe l pIc oul df i ndi t .The nIc o ul dt i pt hepol i c e ,a ndt he yc oul ds e a r c ht heboa t . " Af t e ramome nthes a i dl e ve l l y," Ar oundat hous a ndmi l e sofc oa s ti nFl or i daa l one ,a ndyoue xpe c tt of i ndone ya c ht ? " Shehe l dhi sga z ede t e r mi ne dl y." Oneve r yl a r geya c ht .I t ' sbi g ,Iknowt ha t .Ma nne dbyal a r gec r e w. "Shet ooka de e pbr e a t h." J ud gi ngbywhe r eyouf oundme ,i tl ooksa st hought ha tboa ts a i l e ddowna l ongt heke ys .The i rhe a di ng— woul dyougue s sSout hAme r i c a ? " Af t e ras l i ghth e s i t a t i onhenodde d. " Butt he yc a n' tge ts a f e l youtofU. S.wa t e r snow.Sot he y' l lpr oba bl yhol eups ome whe r ene a rt heTe nThous a nd I s l a ndss out hofCa peRoma no. "

" Youknowt hec oa s t . "I twa sne i t he ra ppr ova lnorque s t i on,buts i mpl yas t a t e me ntoff a c t . Ro bi nwa ss t i l lpur s ui ngpos s i bi l i t i e s ." The r e ' st oomuc ht r a f f i cne a rt heke ys ;t he ywoul dn' twa ntt ha t .Andt he s out he a s tc oa s tofFl or i daofc onge s t e d.Butt he y' dwa ntt or e ma i nf a re noughs out ht or unf ori ti fne c e s s a r y.I tha st o bet hei s l a nds .I ft he ys t i l lha vet hewome n,t he yha vet obet he r e . " Mi c ha e lSi r a ns hookhi she a d." I ti s n' tac a s eofhav et obea nyt hi ng.The yc oul dha ves l i ppe dt hr ought hene t ,got t e n a wa yf r e ea ndc l e a rbe f or et he ywe r es pot t e d.Ort he yc oul dbes a i l i ngc a l ml yupt hec oa s t ,whe r et he y' df i ndapl a ne s ome whe r et of l yt hewome nou t . " " Butt he r e ' sac ha nc et heya c hti sl yi ngl ow,wa i t i ng, "s hei ns i s t e ds of t l y." I s n' tt he r e ? " Hen odde dr e l uc t a nt l y." As l i mc ha nc e .Butnoc ha nc ea ta l loff i ndi ngi t , "hea dde d. " He l pme , "s hes a i ds i mpl y. Her a naha ndt hr oughhi st hi c kda r kha i r ,s t a r i nga the ri mpa t i e nt l y." Di dn' tyouhe a rme ?Youha ve n' tac ha nc ei n he l loff i ndi ngt h a tya c ht !Wi t horwi t houtme .I tc oul dbea nywhe r e .I twoul dt a keda yst os e a r c ht hewe s t e r nc oa s t ,a nd i twoul dn' tbeat hor oughj obe ve nt he n.Andl ooki ngf oraboa ti nt he s ewa t e r s !Eve ni fyouf oundoneyous us pe c t e d, youdon' tha vet heCoa s tGua r d' sa ut hor i t yt oboa r da nds e a r c h. " " I ' l lr e c ogni z ea tl e a s tt hr e eoft hec r e w, "s hes a i df l a t l y,r e pr e s s i ngas hudde r ." I ' l lne ve rf or ge tt he m. " Mi c ha e ls t a r e da the rf oramome nt ,t he ns a i dr oughl y," Thos ebr ui s e s .Di dt he y—" " Ra peme ? "Shes hookhe rhe a d." No,nott ha t .Appa r e nt l you rbuy e r swa nt e dt he i rme r c ha ndi s eunt ouc he d. "He r t onewa sbi t t e r ." Butt he ys e e me dt of e e lt ha taf e wbr ui s e swoul dhe a lbe f or ewewe r ede l i ve r e d.If oughtt hedr ugs , a ndt he m,s oIwa spuni s he daf e wt i me s . " " Al lt hemor er e a s on—"hebe ga n. Ro bi nf e l tde s pe r a t e .Shec oul dn' tl e a vet hegi r l st ot hel e s st ha nt e nde rme r c i e soft hos es l a ve r s .Shej us tc oul dn' t . Sheha dn' tme a n tt hi st obe c omepe r s ona lt ohe r ,buta f t e rs ha r i ngat e r r i f i e d,dr ugge dha z ewi t hyou ngwome nwhoha d noonee l s et oc a r ea boutt he m,t hema t t e rhadbe c omepe r s ona l .Ve r ype r s ona l .Buts hene e de dhe l pi nor de rt ohe l p t he m.Ands ome t hi ngt ol dhe rt ha ti fs hec oul donl ys wa yt hi sma n,hi she l pwoul dpr ovet obei nva l ua bl e . " Pl e a s e , "s hes a i d. Hewa ss ha ki nghi she a d,a nI mpa t i e ntf r owndr a wi nghi sf l yi ngbr owst oge t he r ." No.Eve r ybodyi nt he s ewa t e r si s j umpya she l lr i ghtnow,a ndi t ' snot i met opl a yde t e c t i ve .Look,I ' ms or r y.I ' l lt a keyouba c kt oMi a mi ,a ndt ha t ' sa l lI ' l l do. " Shes e a r c he dhi sf a c ef oramome nt ,l ooki ngf ors ome t hi ngs hedi dn' tf i nd.Nos of t e ni ng,nohe s i t a t i on.Hes e e me d a l mos ta ngr y,de f i ni t e l ybr us que .Hewa sa l s o,s her e a l i z e d,wor r i e da bouts ome t hi ng.a ndhewa st i r e d.Ve r yt i r e d. Ro bi nl ooke ddowna tt hec ups hewa ss t i l lhol di ng.Thec of f e ewa sc ol d." The y' r es oa l one . "Shewa s n' tt r yi ngt o c onvi nc ehi m,j us tt a l ki ng." Wea l lha dt ha ti nc ommon,be i nga l one .Andbe i nga f r a i d.Andt he r ewa s —"Shes t oppe d s udd e nl y,r e me mbe r i ng." The r ewa ss ome onee l s e ,It hi nk.Atl e a s toneot he rgi r l .Ihe a r dhe rc r yi ngoneni ght ,i nt he ne xtc a bi n.Shes ounde da wf ul l yyoung,l i keaki d. . . "He rvoi c et r a i l e dof f ,a nds hebl i nke dba c kt hehotpr e s s ur eof t e a r s .Whe ns hel ooke da tMi c ha e lSi r a n,hi sf a c es e e me dt owa v e r ,t ogr owi ndi s t i nc t . Ro bi nbl i nke dh a r de ra ndf e l the rhe a r tl ur c hoddl y.Hewa sl ooki nga the r ,as udde npa l l orobvi ousbe ne a t hhi s t a nne df a c e .Hi sgr a ye ye swe r ec hi psofs t e e l ,a ndhi sl i pswe r epr e s s e ds ot i ght l yt oge t he rt he ys e e me dc a r ve dof gr a ni t e .Shea l mos ts hr a nka wa yf r omhi m,c ons c i ousofa ni ns t i nc t i vef e a rt ha twa spr i mi t i ve ,a si fs heha ds t e ppe di nt o ac a gewhe r es omes a va gebe a s tc r ouc he di nwa i t . I tt ookonl yt ha ti ns t a ntf orRobi nt or e a l i z et ha thewa s n' ts e e i nghe ra ta l l .I twa ss ome t hi nge l s ehes a w,s ome t hi ng dr e a df ul .Butbe f or es hec oul db e gi ne ve nt ogue s swha ti twa s ,t het e r r i bl ee xpr e s s i onwa sgone . " Al lr i ght , "hes a i df l a t l y. *** Ro bi nwa s n' te nt i r e l ys ur es heha ddonet her i ghtt hi ngi na s ki ngMi c ha e lSi r a nf orhe l p.Some t hi nga boutt hema n bot he r e dhe r ,ma dehe rwa r y.Hene i t he rmove dnors pokequi c kl y,ye tt he r ewa ss ome t hi nga l mos te l e c t r i ca bouthi m, l i k eaf or c eofna t ur ei mpe r f e c t l yc ont a i ne d.Anda l lhe rs e ns e sr e a c t e dt ot ha tf or c e ,e ve ni nhe rda z e ds t a t e ,j us ta st he y woul dha ver e a c t e dt oas t or m.Shewa sa wa r eofhi mons omel e ve lde e pe rt ha nt hought ,c ur i ous l yma demor ea wa r eof he rownbody,he rownbe a t i nghe a r t .Shedi dn' tt r us tt hes e ns a t i on. Shedi dn' tr e a l l yt r us thi m. St i l l ,t he r ewa s n' tmuc hs hec oul ddoa l one ,s ot he r eha dbe e nnoc hoi c e .Buts hewa sdi s t ur be dbyt hee nt i r e s i t ua t i on.I twou l dha vebe e nne r ve r a c ki nge nought ot r yf i ght i nghe rwa yt hr ought hi sme s sa l one ;be i ngune xpe c t e dl y pa r t ne r e dwi t has t r a ngema nwhoha dha das udde na ndI ne xpl i c a bl ec ha ngeofmi nda bouthe l pi nghe rwa se ve nmor e unne r vi ng.Andhedi dn' tof f e rt oe xpl a i nhi sc h a ngeofmi nd.I mme di a t e l ya f t e ra gr e e i ngt ohe l phe r .het ol dhe rs he c oul dj oi nhi m onde c ki fs hef e l tupt oi t ,a ndt ha ts hec oul df i ndc l ot hi ngt of i the ri noneoft hebui l t i ndr a we r s

be ne a t ht hebunk. Le f ta l one ,Robi ns l i dof ft hebunka nds t r e t c he ds or emus c l e s .Shedi dn' tknowhowl ongs he ' dbe e ni nt hewa t e rt he ni ghtbe f or e ;i tha dbe e nda r kwhe ns he ' dj umpe dove r boa r d.Thes l e e pha ddonehe rgood,buts hewa ss t i l labi tt i r e d a ndgr oggy. I nt hebunkdr a we r s ,s hef oundapa i rofc ut of fj e a nst ha twe r ec l os et ohe rs i z e —obvi ous l ynotMi c ha e lSi r a n ' s —a nd abl a c kTs hi r t .Thec l ot he sf i the rbe t t e rt ha nt heba ggys we a t pa nt sa ndf l a nne ls hi r the ' ddr e s s e dhe ri nt heni ght be f or e ,a nds hec ha nge dwi t hr e l i e f .Thee ve ni nggowns heh a dwor nha dbe e nr ui ne dbyt hes a l t wa t e r ;s hef e l tno r e gr e t sa tl os i ngi t ,buts hewi s he dnowt ha ts heha dbe e nwe a r i ngabr a . St i l l ,s hea c knowl e dge dwr yl yt ohe r s e l f ,i tha r dl yma t t e r e d.Af t e ra l l ,Mi c ha e lSi r a nha ds t r i ppe dhe rna ke d.The r e a l i z a t i onma dehe rabi ts e l f c ons c i ous ,a nds hepus he dt hef e e l i nga wa yonl ywi t he f f or t . Shewe nts l owl yuponde c k,f i ndi nghe r s e l fonar e l a t i ve l ys ma l lc a bi nc r ui s e r .Thes unwa ss t i l ll owi nt hee a s t ,a nd s hes a wnoot he rs hi psne a rt he m.Asf a ra ss hec oul dt e l l ,t h e ys t i l lhe a de di nt hedi r e c t i onofMi a mi .TheI nboa r d mot ors t a r t e da ss hes t oodga z i n ga r ound,a nds hema dehe rwa yt owa r dt hes ma l lbr i dge .Shepa us e donl yonc e ,c a t c hi ngs i ghtofa nol ds t yl el i f epr e s e r ve rha ngi ngbe s i det hec a bi ndoor .Thena meoft heboa twa ss t e nc i l e dont hewhi t e doughnuts ha pe , a ndi tma dehe rpa us ei nmor ewa yst ha none . Bl ac kAnge l . Gr e a t .Tha twa sj us tgr e a t .Rob i nwa s n' tove r l ys us pi c i ousofome ns ,buti ts t r uc khe rwi t hac hi l lt ha ts hewa s I n vol ve di nada nge r ouss i t ua t i on,pa r t ne r e dwi t has t r a nge rs heha r dl yt r us t e d,a nda boa r daboa tna me df ort hea nge lof de a t h. Shebl a me dt hec hi l lonhe rs t i l l gr oggys t a t e ,s qua r e dhe rs houl de r s ,a ndwe ntont ot hebr i dge .Hewa sa tt hewhe e l , ga z i nga he a dwi t has l i ghtf r own.Shet ookt heoppor t uni t yt os t udyhi munobs e r ve d,uns e t t l e dt odi s c ove rt ha ts hewa s a br upt l ya wa r eofhe rhe a r t be a ta ga i n.The r ewa ss ome t hi ngc ompe l l i nga boutt hi sma n,s ome t hi ngt ha tke pthe rga z eon hi ml i kei r onf i l i ngst oama gne t .Ta l l ,l e a n,a ndha r d,her e mi nde dhe ra ga i nofas t or m,c a ughti namome ntofs t i l l ne s s , l i k el i ght ni ngi naphot ogr a ph.I twa sha r dt obr e a t hes udde nl y,a nds hef oughtof ft hes e ns a t i onwi t hde t e r mi na t i on. " Ar ewegoi ngt oMi a mi ? "s hea s ke d. Heg l a nc e da the r ,t hebr i e fl ookt a ki ngi nhe rc ha ngeofc l ot hi ngwi t houtc omme nt ,t he nl ooke da he a da ga i n." Ye s . " " Why?Theya c htwoul dn' tha ves a i l e dt owa r dac onge s t e dpor t —" " The r e ' ss ome oneIha vet oge ti nt ouc hwi t h. " Ro bi nwa i t e d,buthedi dn' te l a bor a t e .Shes t i f l e dI mpa t i e nc e ,be gi nni ngt or e a l i z et ha tt hi sma nwa s n' tgoi ngt obe ve r yc ommuni c a t i ve ." Who? " Foramome nti ts e e me dhewoul dn' ta ns we r ,butt he nhes a i d," Some onewhoma ybea bl et ot e l luss ome t hi ng. " Atl e a s theha ds a i d" us , "s het ho ught ." Youme a ns ome t hi nga boutt heya c htIwa son? " " Pos s i bl y. " Ro bi nf ol de dhe ra r msbe ne a t hhe rbr e a s t sa ndl e a ne dba c ka ga i ns tt hedoor j a mb." Fori ns t a nc e ? " Heg l a nc e da the ra ga i n,onee ye br owr i s i ng." Yous ounda nnoye d, "henot e ddr yl y. " Ia ma nnoye d.I ' mnotj us ta l ongf ort her i de ,youknow. " Af t e ramome n thes a i d," Youl os tt hef i r s tboutwi t ht he s ea ni ma l s ;s ur eyouwa ntt ot r yf ort wooutoft hr e e ? " Ro bi nke pthe rvoi c ee ve nwi t ha ne f f or t ." No,Idon' twa ntt odot ha t .Iwa ntt obe a tt he mt hi st i me .Idon' twa ntt he m i nj a i l ,Iwa ntt he munde ri t .Ia s ke df oryourhe l p ,Idi dn' ta s kyout odot hi sa l one .Ic a n—" " Wha tc a nyoudo? "hei nt e r r upt e d." Ca nyouha ndl eagun? " " I fIha dt o,I ' ms ur eIc oul d. " " I fyouha dt o?Li f eorde a t h,youme a n? " " Ye s ,Is uppos et ha t ' swha tIme a n. " " Andwhe nwi l lyouma keupyourmi nda boutt ha t ? " Shef r owne da thi m." Aboutwha t ? " " Aboutwhe nt hi sbe c ome sal i f e or de a t hs i t ua t i on. "Hedi dn' twa i tf orhe rt or e s pond." Youwe r eki dna ppe d, dr ugge d,be a t e n,a nds hota twh e nyout r i e dt oe s c a pe .Nowyoui nt e ndt ol ookf ort hos es a meme na ndputt he ma wa y f ort hedur a t i onoft he i rna t ur a ll i ve s .Ne e dl e s st os a y,t he ywon' ta c c e ptt ha tf a t eme e kl y.The yma yde c i de ,gi ve nt he c ha nc e ,t os hoota tyouabi tmor e .I st ha twhe nyoupl a nt os hootba c k? " " I fi tc ome st o—" Hes wor er oug hl y." Li t t l ef ool . " Ro bi ns t i f f e ne d.Angr i l ys hes a i d," Youha venor i ghtt os a ys uc hat hi ng!Youdon' tknowa nyt hi nga boutmeormy a bi l i t i e s . " Heha l ft ur ne dt os t a r ea the r ,ke e pi ngoneha ndont hewhe e l ." No,Idon' tknowyou, "hea gr e e df l a t l y." ButIknow

t he m.Iknowt he i rki nd.The ydon' tgi veas we e tda mna boutt hes a nc t i t yofl i f e ,Robi n.The ys ol vee ve r ypr obl e mwi t h gunsa ndvi ol e nc e ,a ndt he y' l ls ol vet hepr obl e myoupr e s e ntt hes a mewa y. " Shea l mos tf l i nc he df r omt heha r dne s sofhi svoi c e —e s pe c i a l l ywi t ht heme mor yoft ooma nyot he rha r dvoi c e ss t i l l r a wl ya l i vei nhe rmi nd—butma dehe r s e l fr e ma i ns t i l l .He rc hi nl i f t e d." AndIknowt ha t .I ' mnotaf ool ,wha t e ve ryou t hi nk,a ndI ' mnots t upi d.Butwhe t he ryoul i kei tornot ,I ' mapa r toft hi s .Foronet hi ng,Iknowwha tt ha tya c htl ooks l i k e . " " Doyou?Oneya c htl ookspr e t t ymuc hl i kea not he r . " " Ic a ni de nt i f ys omeoft heme n. " " I fyouge tc l os ee nough. " Ro bi n' sf r us t r a t i ongr e w,a nds het r i e dt oke e phe rvoi c ec a l ma ndl e ve l .Shef e l tc ol di ns i de ,a nda f r a i da nda l one , a ndt het houghtoff a c i ngt hos eme na ga i nt e r r i f i e dhe r ,buts hec oul dn' tl e thi ms e et ha t ." Mr .Si r a n—" " Mi c ha e l , "hei nt e r r upt e d,a ddi ngs a r doni c a l l y," s i nc ewe ' r ei nt hi st oge t he r . " Shei gnor e dt het one ." Mi c ha e l ,youwe r e n' twi t ht hos egi r l s .Iwa s .If e l tt hene e dl e s ,a ndt hec r ue l t y,a ndt het e r r or ofbe i ngki dna ppe d.If e l tt hehor r ora nda ngui s hofbe l i e vi ngI ' dbeboughta ndus e da nds ol dl i keapi e c eof me r c ha ndi s e . "Robi nwa sha r dl ya wa r et ha the rvoi c eha dgonef l a ta nds t e e l y,buti tdi dn' te s c a pet hema nbe s i dehe r . Shet ookade e pbr e a t h." Thi si smyf i ghtahe l lofal otmor et ha ni ti syour s .I ' l ldoa nyt hi ngIha vet odot os t op t hos eme n.Anyt hi ng.Tha t ' ss ome t hi ngyouc a nc ounton. " " Is e e . " Ro bi nwonde r e di fhebe l i e ve dhe r .Shewonde r e di fs hebe l i e ve dhe r s e l f .Shewa ss oa f r a i d.Andt hi st i mehe rf e a r c oul de nda nge rot he r sr a t he rt ha nj us the r s e l f .Thi st i mehe rf e a rc oul dge ts ome oneki l l e d. " Robi n... " Hehe s i t a t e d." Iund e r s t a ndhowyouf e e l .Youwe r ede gr a de d,e ve nde huma ni z e d,bywha tha ppe ne dt o you.Andnowyo u' r ema d,a ndyouwa ntt oge te ve n. " " Iwa ntj us t i c e . " " Behone s twi t hyour s e l f . "Het ur ne dhi she a dt ogi vehe ral ong,s t e a dyl ook." Youwa ntt oge te ve n. " Re l uc t a nt l ys hea dmi t t e d," Tha t ' spa r tofi t .Butnota l l .Iwa ntt ohe l pt hos eot he rgi r l s ,a ndIwa ntt ho s eme n s t oppe d. " Mi c ha e lt ur ne dh i sga z ef or wa r da ga i n." Al lr i ght .Butt hi si s n' taga mef ora ma t e ur s . " He rc ur i os i t ya boutt hi sma nha dbe e ngr owi ng,a nds het ooka dva nt a geoft heope ni ng." Whi c hyoua r e n' t ? " Hewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,a ndt he ns hr ugge d." Whi c hI ' mnot , "hea gr e e df l a t l y. " You' r ea n—e xpe r ta tda nge r ousga me s ? "Whe nher e ma i ne ds i l e nt ,s hepr obe dde t e r mi ne dl y." Youwe r e n' ts u r pr i s e d bywhi t es l a ve r s ;mos tpe opl ewoul dbe .Yout a l ka boutme nofvi ol e nc ea si fyouknowt he m we l l .Yous a i laboa t na me df ort hea nge lofde a t h.Te l lmes ome t hi ng,Mi c ha e l .Wha tdoyoudof oral i vi ng? " Hes mi l e d." Ir unac ha r t e rs e r vi c e . " Ro bi ns i l e nt l ywe i ghe dhi st one ,whi c hwa sf l i ppa nt ,a nds t udi e dt hequi c k,s ome wha tme na c i ngs mi l e .Oddl y e nough,s hewa s n' ta f r a i dofhi m,buts het houghtagr e a tma nyp e opl ewoul dbe ." Ar eyouas muggl e r ? " Mi c ha e ldi dn' ts e e ms ur pr i s e dbyt heque s t i on." No. " " Gunr unne r ? " Hes hookhi she a ds l i ght l y,a nds e e me da mus e d." Inot i c eyo u' vepl a c e dmes qua r e l ya mongt heba dgu ys , "he c omme nt e d. " AmIwr ongi nt ha t ? " Hi sl ookofa mus e me ntf a de d." No.No,t ha t ' swhe r eIge ne r a l l yt e ndt obe .Amongt heba dguys . " Oni mpul s es hes a i d," Butyouwe a rawhi t eha t ? " Heg l a nc e da the r ,a ndhi sf a c eha r de ne d." Di r t ygr a y,ma ybe .Whi t eha t sdon' ts t a yc l e a nve r yl ong,Robi n.Fi l t hr ubs of f . " I twa sadi s t ur bi ngc omme nt ,b utbe c a us eofhe rownba c kgr oundRobi nwa sl e s suns e t t l e dt ha nma nywoul dha ve be e n;s hec a mef r omal ongl i neofpol i c eof f i c e r s ,a ndkne wwha tMi c ha e lme a nt .I twasadi r t ybus i ne s s ,pol i c i ngyour ownpe opl e ,e s pe c i a l l ywhe nt hemi nor i t yoft hos epe opl e ,t hel a wbr e a ke r s ,we r eof t e ni nt hef i l t hybus i ne s sofus i ng t he i rownki nda same a nsf orpr of i t . Bu ti tnone t he l e s sbot he r e dhe rt ha tt hi sma nc oul dwe l lbet heki ndofma npr e va l e nti nhe rownf a mi l y:t het ough, f e a r l e s s ,c onf i de ntki ndofma nwhowa sabor npol i c eof f i c e r .I nt hel a s tf e wye a r ss heha dl e a r ne dt or e s e nts ome a s pe c t soft ha tki ndofma n,pa r t i c ul a r l yt het r a i toff e a r l e s s ne s s .The yma dei tl ooks oe as y ,t hos eme n,a nda tt i me ss he ha dha t e dt he mf ori t . Be c a us ewha tc a mes oe a s i l yt ot he mwa ss ome t hi ngRobi nwoul dha vegi ve na nyt hi ngt opos s e s s :c our a ge . Shel ooke da thi sbi g,powe r f ulha ndsont hewhe e l ,a ndf e l the rt hr oa tt i ght e n,he rmout hgodr y.Damn...Oh,

damn...Shedr a gge dt het r a i t or oust hought sba c ki nt ohi di ng,r e f us i ngt ogi vei nt ot hi sma da t t r a c t i on.Fi e r c e l y,s he c onc e nt r a t e d. " Ar eyouac op? "s hea s ke d,a l mos thopi ngf orane ga t i ver e s pons e . Mi c ha e ls e e me dt oc ons i de rf oramome nt ,t he ns hr ugge d." Some t hi ngl i ket ha t . " " DEA? "s hea s ke d,r e me mbe r i nghi sknowl e dgeoft he" r umor e d"s hi pme ntofdr ugsi nt he s ewa t e r s .I fhewa soneof t hos eme n,s het houghtpa i nf ul l y,t he nhec e r t a i nl yha dc our a geI ns pa de s .Thepe opl ewhowor ke di ndr uge nf or c e me nt ha dt hedi r t i e s t ,mos tda nge r ousj obsofa l l . " I ' vedonewor kf ort he mf r omt i met ot i me .Mi a miha sbe e nknownt obeac e nt e rf ordr ugt r a f f i c ki ng,a ndt hi sboa t gi ve smeac e r t a i na mountofmobi l i t y. " " Ar eyouwor k i ngf ort he mnow? " " You' r eave r yi nqui s i t i vel a dy. " Ro bi nr e f us e dt obeputof f ." Onane e dt oknowba s i s ,It hi nkIne e dt oknow.I st ha twhyyous udde nl yde c i de dt o he l pmef i ndt ha tya c ht ?Be c a us et hos ea ni ma l sc oul dber unni ngdr ugsa swe l la sbe i ngs l a ve r s ? " " I ' mnotwor ki ngf ora nyonea tt hemome nt , "hea ns we r e df i na l l y.Hewa sga z i ngf or wa r d,f r owni ng. " Butyoua r e n' tac a pt a i n. " " Ofc our s eIa m. Ie ve na c c e ptc ha r t e r soc c a s i ona l l y. "Hi svoi c ewa sdr ya ga i n. Ro bi n' sj our na l i s t i ct a l e nt swe r ea tt hef or e f r ontnow,a nds hepr obe dwi t hc a r e f ulc onc e nt r a t i on." Soi t ' sj us ta c ove r ? " " Wha twe r eyoudoi ngi nMi a mi ? "hepa r r i e d. " Va c a t i on.Ar ey ouba s e dhe r e ? " " I fa nywhe r e . Whe r ea r eyouf r o m? " " Sa nFr a nc i s c o.Andyou? " " TheEa s t . " " TheFa rEa s t ? "s hea s ke dge nt l y. Hes mi l e dal i t t l e ." No.Ea s tCoa s t . " Ro bi nr e f l e c t e dt ha thewa sa de pta tnota ns we r i ngque s t i ons ,butt ha tonl yi nc r e a s e dhe rc ur i os i t y." Aboutyour wor k, "s hebe ga nde t e r mi ne dl y, butwa sc utof f . " Mi a mii sal ongwa yt oc omef orava c a t i on, "hes a i ds moot hl y," whe nyou' r ef r omt heWe s tCoa s t .Whyhe r e ? " Shegr i t t e dhe rt e e t h,buthe rv oi c er e ma i ne dc a l m." Youknowwha tt he ys a ya bouts umme r si nSa nFr a n c i s c o;I wa n t e dt oba s ki nt hehe a tdownhe r e . " " L. A.woul dha vebe e nc l os e r . " " Smog, "s hedi s mi s s e dpr ompt l y . " The r ea r eot he rc i t i e sont heWe s tCoa s t . " " Iwa nt e dt ovi s i tMi a mi , "s hes a i di r r i t a bl y,e ve nmor ea nnoye dt ha ts hewa sl os i nghe rc a l m." Look—" " Robi n. "Hi svoi c ewa squi e t ,buti ts t i l lpos s e s s e dt hepe c ul i a rt r a i ts heha dnot i c e dbe f or e ,l i kes ome t hi ngha r da nd da nge r ousc ove r e dwi t hde c e pt i ves of t ne s s . " Ye s ? "Shef e l toddl yunc omf or t a bl e . " I fyouwa ntt het r ut hf r oms ome onee l s e ,you' dbe t t e rnotof f e rl i e syour s e l f . " " Idon' tknowwha tyou' r et a l ki nga bout . " " Don' tyou? "Heha l ft ur ne dt of a c ehe r ,e xpr e s s i onl e s s ." Youa r e n' tdownhe r eonva c a t i on.Youha ves omeki ndof ba c kgr oundi npo l i c ewor k,ot he r wi s eyouwoul dn' tha vea s ke dt heque s t i onsyoudi dwi t hs uc hc a l m.Mos tpe op l edon' t ha vet hef a i nt e s ti de awha tt heDEAi s .Andi fa na ve r a geva c a t i oni ngyoungwoma ngothe r s e l fs ha ngha i e d,ma na ge d t oe s c a pe ,a ndwa spul l e df r om t heoc e a nbyas t r a nge r ,s hewoul dn' tc a l ml ya s khi mi fhewa sas muggl e ro ragun r u nne r .Andi ti s n' tl i ke l ys he ' dde c i det ot a keonhe rki dna ppe r swi t horwi t houthi she l p.Themos tl i ke l yr e a c t i ont o wha tyou' vegonet hr ough,Robi n,woul dbet of i l ear e por twi t ht hepol i c ea ndt he nbol tf orhomea sf a s ta syouc oul d. " Shes t a r e da thi mmut e l y. Mi c ha e lt ur ne dt of a c et hef r onta ga i n,a ddi ng," Sobe f or eyougoonque s t i oni ngme ,whydon' tyoue xpl a i nj us twho a ndwha tyoua r e . " Ro bi nwa ss ha ke n,a ngr y—a ndde f e ns i ve .Buts hec oul dha r dl yde f e ndhe r s e l f ,be c a us ehewa sr i ght .St i f f l ys hes a i d, " I ' maf r e e l a nc er e por t e r .Ius ua l l ywor kt hepol i c ebe a t .AndIc a medownhe r ea f t e ras t or y. " Hen odde d,s e e mi nguns ur pr i s e d." Is e e .As t or yonwhi t es l a ve r y,Is uppos e . " " Ye s .I ta l ls t a r t e dwhe naf r i e ndofmi nei nt r oduc e dmet oagi r lwho' dbe e nki dna ppe da ndha dma na ge dt oge t a wa y. "Re l uc t a n t l yRobi na dde d," Ands he ' ddonepr e t t ymuc hwha tyous a i d,e xc e ptt ha ts hedi dn' tr e por ti tt ot he pol i c e .Shewa st oos c a r e d;s hej us tr a nf orhome .Buts het a l ke dt ome .Shet ol dmea boutt hec l ubs he ' dgonet o—i t ' s

t heSe r e ndi pi t y,byt hewa y.It houghtt he r ewa sas t or y,s oIc a mel ooki ng. " " Al one ? " Ro bi nhe s i t a t e d,t he nr e pl i e d," Is e ntt hei nf or ma t i ont oaf r i e nda ndt ol dhe rt ot a kei tt ot hepol i c ei fs hedi dn' the a r f r ommei nt hr e eda ys . " " Howl onga gowa st ha t ? " " Shewoul dha ver e c e i ve dt hepa c ke tt hr e eda ysa go. " Mi c ha e lha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ." Gr e a t . " Ro bi nf e l tde f e ns i vea ga i n." Look,Iwa nt e ds omei ns ur a nc e .I fIha dn' tma na ge dt oge ta wa y—" " Iknow,Iknow. "Hes i ghe d." I twa sas ma r tmove .Asf a ra si twe nt . " " Ic a nc a l lTe ddy, "Robi ns a i d," a ndl e the rknow I ' mf i ne .The nwec a n—"Shebr okeof fs udde nl y,r e a l i z i ng s ome t hi ng." Youdon' twa ntt hepol i c ei n vol ve di nt hi s ,doyou? " " Noti fIha veac hoi c e ,no, "hea dmi t t e d,f r owni ng. Shes t a r e da thi sa dmi t t e dl yha nds omepr of i l ea ndf r owne dhe r s e l f ,be gi nni ngt oputc e r t a i nt hi ngst oge t he ra she r mi ndbe ga nf unc t i oni ngwi t hs ome t hi ngl i kei t snor ma lc l a r i t y." You' r el ooki ngf ors ome one ,a r e n' tyou?Awoma n. Th a t ' swhyyous udde nl ya gr e e dt ohe l pme . " Af t e ramome n thes a i dl i ght l y," Ei t he rI ' ms l i p pi ng,ore l s eyou' r et oope r c e pt i vef oryourowngood. " Ro bi nwa ss t i l lg r a ppl i ngwi t hhe rt hought s ." Youdi dn' ts howa nyi nt e r e s ti nhe l pi ngmeunt i lIme nt i one dt heot he r gi r lont heya c ht . Theyounggi r lwhowa sc r yi ng.Whoi ss he ,Mi c ha e l ? " " Howc oul dIknow? " " Yout hi nkyouknow.Whoi ss he ? "Whe nhedi dn' ta ns we ri mme di a t e l y,Robi ns a i d," I ' vebe e nhone s twi t hyou.The l e a s tyouc a ndoi st e l lmewha tyouknow. " The r ewa samome ntofs i l e nc e ,a ndt he nMi c ha e ls a i dt i ght l y," Al lr i ght .The r e ' sac ha nc eIknowwhos hei s . " " Andwhomi ghts hebe ? " " Mys i s t e r . "

Two Ont hef i f t e e n t hf l oorofagl e a mi nghi ghr i s ei nNe wYor kCi t yonaf i neSa t ur da ymor ni ng,as e c ur i t yof f i c e rs a ta t hi sde s ka ndl ooke dupe xpe c t a nt l ya st hee l e va t orbe l ldi nge d.Thef i r s tt odi s e mba r kf r om t hee l e va t orwa sa n e xt r e me l yl a r gea nds ha ggyI r i s hwol f houndwhoa mbl e dove rt ot hede s ka nddi s pl a ye da ni mpr e s s i ves e tofc a ni ne f a ngsi na na mi a bl egr i n. Thes e c ur i t ygua r dke pthi spoke rf a c e ,a nddut i f ul l ywr ot ei nhi sl ogt hevi s i t or ' sna mea ndi de nt i f i c a t i onba dge numbe r ,a t t a c he dt ohi sc ol l a r ." He l l o,Wi z a r d, "t hegua r dmur mur e d. " Hi ,Phi l . "For t una t e l yf orPhi l ' ss a ni t y,t hes a l ut a t i ondi dn' tc omef r om t hedogbutf r om hi spe t i t e ,r e dhe a de d mi s t r e s s ,whowa ss e c ondoutoft hee l e va t or . " Mor ni ng,Mr s .St e e l e , "Phi ls a i di ngr e e t i ng,whi l et hewi f eofLongEnt e r pr i s e s 's e c ur i t yc hi e fs i gne dt hel og he r s e l f . " Te ddy,Phi l .I ' vet ol dyoua ndt ol dyout oc a l lmeTe ddy. " " Ye s ,ma ' a m. " The ybot hkne whe ' dgoona ddr e s s i nghe rf or ma l l y. " Ar eRa ve na ndKyl ehe r e ? "Te d dySt e e l ea s ke dt hegua r d. " Ye s ,ma ' a m.I nt hec omput e rr oom. " " Tha nks ,Phi l . " Hes a twa t c hi nghe ra ndhe rc a ni nebuddymovedownt heha l l ,s mi l i ng.Asf a ra sPhi lwa sc onc e r ne d,t hi sha d a l wa ysbe e na ne nj oya bl ec ompa nyt owor kf or ,butt hef a i r l yr e c e nta ddi t i onofs e ve r a lwi ve st ot hee xe c ut i vef l oor s ma d ei te ve nmor es o.Notonl ywe r et he ybe a ut i f ulwome n,butt he yha dbr oughtada s hoft heune xpe c t e di nt oLong En t e r pr i s e s .ToPhi l ' smi nd,t he ydi dn' ts e e mt ot ypi f ye xe c ut i vewi ve s ,buts i nc et he i rhus ba ndswe r e n' tt ypi c a l e xe c ut i ve s ,t ha tj us tma det hi ngsa l lt hemor ei nt e r e s t i ng. Youj us tne ve rkne w,Phi lr e f l e c t e dha ppi l y,wha tt he s ei nt e r e s t i ngpe opl ewe r egoi ngt obeupt one xt .. . . *** Te ddywe nti nt ot hehugec omp ut e rr oomwi t hi t sma s s i vec e nt r a lbr a i na ndda t aba s e ,whi c hwa sc ur r e nt l yde s e r t e d e xc e ptf ort woo t he rwome na tawor kt a bl ene a rt hef l oor t oc e l l i ngwi ndows .Thewoma nne a r e s tTe ddywa st a l la nd l ove l ywi t hs a bl eha i ra ndvi vi dbl ue gr e e ne ye s ;t hewi f eofLuc a s ,LongEnt e r pr i s e s ' c hi e fi nve s t i ga t or ,Kyl eKe ndr i c k pos s e s s e dt hea r i s t oc r a t i cf e a t ur e sa ndba c kgr oundofas oc i e t yde ba ndt hec our a gea ndda r i ngofas t unt woma n.She wa sa l s oe nor mous l yi nt e l l i ge nt .

Thes e c ondwoma n,a l s ot a l l ,ha dbl ue bl a c kha i ra ndme r r yvi ol e te ye s ,wa ss t r i ki ngr a t he rt ha nbe a ut i f ul ,a ndwa s pe r f e c t l yc a pa bl e ,i nhe rhus ba nd' sa bs e nc e ,ofr unni ngt hewor l dwi def i na nc i a le mpi r et ha twa sLongEnt e r pr i s e s .She wa sa l s one r ve l e s s ,da r i ng,s ma r t ,a ndqui t ee xpe r i e nc e di nwa l ki ngt heda r ks i deoft hes t r e e t s .Shewa sRa ve nLong, wi f eofJ os hLong,a ndc ur r e nt l yi nc ha r geofhe rhus ba nd' se mp i r e . " Hi , "Te ddyof f e r e d,s i gna l i ngwi t hhe rha ndf orhe rc a ni nepa lWi z a r dt ol i edown. " Hiyour s e l f , "Kyl er e s ponde d,s mi l i ng." Wha t ' sup? " " I ' vegotapr obl e m, "Te ddyt ol dt he m. Ra ve ngr i nne da the r ." Don' tt e l lme .Za c hhe a r d— s ome how—t ha tyouwe ntwi t hust ot ha tdi pl oma t i cba s hl a s t ni ghta ndi sha vi ngal ongdi s t a nc ef i t . " " Iwoul dn' tbes ur pr i s e di fhehe a r d.Thema nha sbui l t i nr a da rt ha tne ve rf a i l st ot e l lhi mwhe nI ' mbe i ng' s t ubbor n' bys t i c ki ngmyh e a doutawi ndowwi t houtabul l e t pr oofs hi e l d.Hone s t l y!Be s i de s ,i fhedoe sf i ndout ,Ic a na r guet he r e we r emor egua r d si nt ha tpl a c et ha nyouc oul df i ndi nFor tKnox. " " We l l , "Ra ve ns a i dr e a s ona bl y," wi t ht heguysa l loutoft hec ount r y,t he y' r eboundt owor r y.Some bodyha dt os t a y a ndmi ndt hec a s t l e ,a ndt he yc oul dha r dl ye xpe c tust opul lupt h edr a wbr i dgea ndf l oodt ha tmoa twhi l et he y' r egone . " " Ij us twi s ht he y' df i ndouts ome t hi ng, "Kyl es a i d,f r owni ngal i t t l e ." Noe ne mywoul dgot oa l lt het r oubl eoft e s t i ng t hec ompa ny' ss e c ur i t ywi t houtf ol l owi ngt hr ough. "Shes hookhe rhe a da nd,s i nc et he r ewa snot hi nga nyoft he mc oul d doa boutt hef a c tt ha ta l lt hr e eoft he i rhus ba ndswe r ebus ys e a r c hi ngf oraf a c e l e s se ne myhi di ngi ns ha dows ,s het r i e d t os t opt hi nki nga bouti t . " The y' l lbea l lr i ght , "Ra ve ns a i d,a ndi ft hewor dswe r ec a l ma ndc e r t a i n,he rvoi c emi ghtha vewa ve r e dj us tabi t .Of t he ma l l .Ra ve nh a dt hemos te x pe r i e nc eoft heda r ke rs i deofl i f e —a ndoft heda r ke rs i deofhuma nna t ur e ;i na ddi t i on, s heha dt hea dde dbur de nofknowi ngi twa sJ os ht he i rf a c e l e s se ne myha dt a r ge t e d. " Ofc our s et he ywi l l , "Te ddys a i d,ha vi ngI mpl i c i tf a i t hi na l lt he i rme n. Ra ve ns mi l e dqui c kl y." Wi t ht heof f i c epr e t t ymuc hc l os e df ort hewe e ke nda ndnobus i ne s sc r i s e si nt heof f i ng,we ha vet oomuc ht i met obr ood.Wene e ds ome t hi ngt ooc c upyourmi nds .So... "Shel ooke da tTe ddy." Wha t ' syour pr obl e m? " Fr om he rhugea ndr a t he rove r s t uf f e ds houl de rba g,Te ddyune a r t he dal a r gema ni l ae nve l ope ." Af r i e ndofmi ne f r omSa nFr a nc i s c os e ntmet hi st hr e eda ysa go, "s het ol dt he m,a ndbe ga ns pr e a di ngpa pe r soutont hewor kt a bl e . Ra ve n' sme r r ye ye swe ntgr i ma ss hes t udi e dt hepa pe r s ,a nda f t e rs he ' dr e a dt heha ndwr i t t e nnot ea t t a c he d,s he l ooke da tTe ddywi t has obe re xpr e s s i on." Youha ve n' the a r df r omhe r ,It a kei t ? " " No.Notawor d. " " Ba c kgr ound, "Ra ve nr e que s t e d,a ndKyl el ooke dupf r omt hep a pe r sa t t e nt i ve l y. Te ddyputhe rs houl de rba ga s i dea ndl i f t e dhe r s e l fupt os i tont hewor kt a bl e ." Robi na ndIgr e wupi nt hes a me ne i ghbor hood, "s het ol dt he m." Shec ome sf r omal ongl i neofc ops ;he rf a t he r ' sbe e nt hehe a dofs omeki ndofd ome s t i c i nt e l l i ge nc eor ga ni z a t i onf ora boutt e nye a r snow.I t ' sve r yhus hhus h;Iwa s n' ts uppos e dt oknowa bouti t ,butgi r l s t a l k. " Ra ve ns mi l e ds udde nl y." Ah.NowIs e ewhe r et hos e' c onne c t i on s ' ofyour sc omef r om. " Kyl e ,r e me mbe r i nga l s o,s a i d," Ri ght .Whe nKe l s e ywa si nt r oubl ei nPi nna c l e ,Te ddygott hef l oorpl a noft ha t pl a nt . " Te ddynodde d." Ic a l l e dDa ni e lSt ua r t ,Robi n' sf a t he r ,a ndhegott hef l oorpl a nf orme . " " Ani c ef r i e ndt oha ve , "Ra ve nnot e d." Goona boutRobi n. " " Robi na l wa yswa nt e dt obeac op, "Te ddys a i d." Fr omt het i mewewe r eki ds ,t ha twa she ronea ndonl ya mbi t i on. Ands he ' sa l wa y sha dt hene r veofabur gl a r .Ime a n,s he ' ddoa nyt hi ngonada r e ,a nds hewa s n' ta f r a i dofa nyt h i ngt ha t wa l ke d,t a l ke d,ordughol e s . " Ra ve na ndKyl el a ughe d. " Somepr e t t yme a nbe a s t sdi ghol e s , "Te ddya s s ur e dt he ms ol e mnl y. " You' dknow, "Kyl emur mur e d,r e f e r r i ngt oTe ddy' sa f f i ni t ywi t ha ni ma l sofa l ls ha pe sa nds i z e s . Te ddygr i nne d." Anywa y,wea l le xpe c t e dRobi nt oj oi nhe rf a t he r ,br ot he r s ,unc l e s ,a ndGodknowshowma nyot he r r e l a t i ve si nbe c omi ngs omeki ndofc op.Shewa st heonl ygi r li nt hef a mi l ywi t ht ha ta mbi t i on,byt hewa y.Shewa s t a ughtf r omi nf a nc yt oha ndl eguns ,a nds hekne wt hepol i c eha ndbookve r ba t i m.So. . .s hewa sa c c e pt e di nt ot hepol i c e a c a de my. " " And? "Ra ve npr ompt e d. " Shef a i l e dt hewr i t t e ne xa m.Twi c e .Nobodywhokne whe rc ou l dbe l i e vei t .Notonl yi ss hea ss ma r ta sawhi p,but s hek ne wt ha ts t uf f . " Sl owl yRa ve ns a i d," Ma ybes hedi dn' twa ntt obe c omeac op.Ime a ni ns i de ,whe r ei tc ount s . "

Te ddys hr ugge dhe l pl e s s l y." Idon' tknow;s hewoul dn' ts a yawor da bouti tt ome .Thene xtt hi ngIkne w,s he ' dc ut a l lt i e swi t hhe rf a mi l y,move dt ot heot he rs i deoft hec i t y,a ndbe c omeaf r e e l a nc er e por t e r —c ove r i ng,ofa l lt hi ngs ,t he pol i c ebe a t .Ikno wahomi c i dede t e c t i vei nt ha ta r e a ,a ndwhe nIc a l l e dhi ml a s tni ght ,hes a i dRobi nha st her e put a t i on ofbe i ngnotonl yf e a r l e s s ,butr e c kl e s s .Hes a yss he ' l lgoa nywhe r et oge tas t or y,a ndt ha ts heha st henos eofac op. " " Ha veyouc a l l e dhe rf a t he r ? "Kyl ea s ke d. Te ddys hookhe rhe a d." Asal a s tr e s or t ,Iwi l l .Idon' tt hi nkRobi n' se ve ns e e nhi mi ns e ve r a lye a r s .Da ni e li s n' tt he ki ndoff a t he rt opus h;whe ns hema dei tc l e a rs hewa sonhe rown,hega vehe rt hes pa c e .ButIknowhe ' sbe e nwor r i e d a bouthe r .Hes e e mst ot hi nkt ha tRobi nf e e l ss he ' sf a i l e dhi ms o me how. " " Bynotbe c omi ngac op? "Ra ve na s ke d. " Igue s s .Thepoi nti s ,t hough,t ha ts he ' swr onga boutt ha t .Da ni e ldoe s n' tc a r ewha tc a r e e rs hepi c ksa sl onga ss he ' s ha ppy.Ands hea l wa ysa dor e dhi m;her a i s e dhe ra f t e rhe rmot he rdi e df i f t e e nye a r sa go.Toc uthe r s e l fof ff r omhi ms o c ompl e t e l yha dt obel i kec ut t i ngof fa na r m. " Kyl e ,whowa ss t i l lvi r t ua l l ye s t r a nge df r om he rownpa r e nt s ,s pokes l owl y." Ge ne r a l l ywes e eonl yt heout wa r d t r a ppi ngsofar e l a t i ons hi p;i t ' sha r dt oknow wha tr e a l l ygoe son.Noma t t e rhow hef e e l s ,i fRobi n' sc e r t a i ns he di s a ppoi nt e dhi mbyt wi c ef a l l i ngat e s ts hes houl dha vepa s s e d,i tc oul dha vehi the ra wf ul l yha r d.Tha tki ndoff a i l ur e c a nma r kyouf o rl i f e . " Te ddys i ghe d." Al lIknowf ors ur ei st ha ts he ' si nt r oubl e ,a ndI ' mt heones het r us t e d.Iha vet odos ome t hi ng. " Ra ve npi c ke dups e ve r a loft hepa pe r sont hewor kt a bl ea ndl e a f e dt hr ought he ms l owl y." Shedi dhe rhome wor k, " s henot e dt hought f ul l y." Eve nbe f or es hewe ntt oMi a mi ,s he ' dgot t e npl e nt yofi nf or ma t i onont heSe r e ndi pi t y,t he owne r ,a ndmos toft hes t a f f . "Shel ooke dups udde nl y." I ss hea t t r a c t i ve ,Te ddy? " " Be a ut i f ul , "Te ddya ns we r e d." Ands heha st heki ndofc ol or i ngt hos ewhi t es l a ve r sr e put e dl yl ove :a ubur nh a i ra nd gr e e ne ye s .Yout hi nks he ' sl e a r n i nga bouts l a ve r yf r omi ns i dei t ? " " It hi nkIwoul dn' tbe ta ga i ns tt hepos s i bi l i t y, "Ra ve ns a i ds obe r l y. Kyl es a i d," Le tmeha vet hena me sc onne c t e dwi t ht ha tni ght c l ub.I tdoe s n' tl ooka si fRobi nr a nt he mt hr ought o NCI C;ma ybet heCr i meI nf or ma t i onCe nt e rwi l lha ves ome t hi ng. " Ra ve nha nde do ve rt hepa pe r sa ndt he ywa t c he dKyl emovet oac omput e rc ons ol ea ndbe gi nwor ki ng.Al loft he m kne whowt oope r a t et hec omput e r sa ndhowt oa c c e s sa na l mos tunl i mi t e dva r i e t yofda t aba s e s ;t he i rme nha di ns i s t e d ont he i rha vi nga c c e s st oa smuc hi nf or ma t i ona spos s i bl ei nt hee ve ntofne e d.Anda l loft he mha da c c e pt e dt ha tne e d a sade f i ni t epos s i bi l i t ya ta nyt i me .The i r swa sada nge r ouswor l ds ome t i me s . Ast he ywa t c he dt he i rf r i e ndwor ka tt hec omput e r ,Ra ve ns a i dqui e t l y," Af t e rourj a untdownt oKa de i r al a s tt i me ,I gotKe l s e yt ot e l lmea l la boutCa pt a i nSi r a n;hes e e me dl i keagoodpe r s ont oknow.He ' sge ne r a l l yi nt heMi a mia r e a , a ndhewor ksf o rHa ge nonl yoc c a s i ona l l y;of f i c i a l l yhe ' sont hepa yr ol lofa not he ror ga ni z a t i on.Ma ybehec oul dbeour a c e .AndIha vea not he rs our c ed ownt he r e . " " Oh? " " Mmm.Ama nwhoge ne r a l l yknowswha t ' sgoi ngona nywhe r ea r oundMi a mi ,e s pe c i a l l yi fi t ' si l l e ga l .He ' she l pe d meoutwi t hi nf or ma t i onf r omt i met ot i mei nt hepa s t . "Shel ooke da the rf r i e nd." As s umi ngwede c i de dt o,wec oul dbe downt he r ebye a r l ya f t e r noon. " Te ddys mi l e dal i t t l e ." Theguyswon' tl i kei t , "s hemur mur e d." I fwegodownt he r e ,Ime a n. " " The ywon' tl i kei t , "Ra ve na gr e e d." Butt he y' l lunde r s t a nd. " Andt ha twa s ,a f t e ra l l ,t hei mpo r t a ntt hi ng. *** Mi c ha e lSi r a nwa sa nnoye da thi ms e l f .Heha dnobus i ne s sa c c e pt i ngapa r t ne r ,howe ve rt e mpor a r i l y,a nde s pe c i a l l y whe nt ha tpa r t ne rs e e me dt opos s e s sj us te noughknowl e dge ,e xpe r i e nc e ,a nda nge rt oma kehe rda nge r ous .Hedi dn' t doubts heha dpi c ke dupus e f uli nf or ma t i ona sar e por t e r ,butt ha tha r dl yqua l i f i e dhe rt opl a ypol i c eof f i c e rorde t e c t i ve . AndMi c ha e lwa sa l s oa nnoye da thi sowni nc l i na t i ont ot r us the r ,t ot a l kt ohe r .Thatwa saf i net r a i tt ode ve l opi nhi s wor k,awonde r f ult r a i t ;he ' de ndupge t t i nghi ms e l fki l l e d.I twa se s pe c i a l l yga l l i ngs i nc ehekne wwi t houtdoubtt ha t Robi nSt ua r twa shol di ngoutonhi m.The r ewa ss ome t hi ngs heha dn' tc hos e nt ot e l lhi m,a ndhedi dn' tl i kei t . " Howdi dyours i s t e rge the r s e l fki dna ppe d? "Robi nwa sa s ki nghi m. " Thr oughnof a ul tot he r s , "heve r yne a r l ys na ppe d." Shewa s n' tl ooki ngf orahots t or yt hr e et hous a ndmi l e sf r om home . " " Idi dn' tme a n —"Robi nbe ga ns t i f f l y. Mi c ha e lge s t ur e da br upt l y,c ut t i nghe rof f ." Ne ve rmi nd.I ' ms or r yIs a i dt ha t . "Da mn.NowI ' m apol ogi z i ng!He gl a nc e da s i det of i ndRobi nl ooki nga thi mwi t ht hemos tbe a ut i f ulpa i rofgr e e ne ye she ' de ve rs e e n,a ndha s t i l yt ur ne d hi sga z ef or wa r da ga i n.Thi swa s n' tgoi ngt owor k,i twa s n' tgoi ngt owor konebi t ,hec oul dn' te ve nke e phi smi ndon—

" She ' l lbea l lr i ght , "Robi ns a i d,obvi ous l yt r yi ngt or e a s s ur ehi m." The ywon' thur the r .Atl e a s t . . . " " Atl e a s tnotba dl y? "hef i ni s he di nagr i mt one ." Mys i s t e r ' si nadi f f e r e ntpos i t i onf r omt heot he rgi r l s ,Robi n.Li s a wa s n' ts na t c he df ors a l et ot hehi ghe s tbi dde r .Shewa st a ke nt ou s ea sba i t . " Af t e ramome n tRobi ns a i ds l owl y," Ba i t. . .t oc a t c hyou? " " Toc a t c hme , "hea f f i r me d. " The nyouknowwhoha she r ? " " I nama nne rofs pe a ki ng. "I nwa r dl yc ur s i nghi ms e l ff ort e l l i nghe ra l lt hi s ,hehe a r dhi ms e l fgoon." I ' vema deaf e w ba de ne mi e s ,butt he r ewa sonei npa r t i c ul a r .Be c a us eofs omewor kIdi daf e wye a r sa go,t hi sma nwa se xi l e df r omhi s ownc ount r y.Hes wor ehe ' dge te ve n,s wor ehe ' ds t e a lwha tIc a r e da boutt hemos t . " Yours i s t e r . " " Ye s .Li s a . " " I fyoukne wh emi ghtt r yt oge thi sha ndsonhe r —" " Whydi dn' tId os ome t hi ngt opr e ve nti t ? "Mi c ha e lf e l t ,a sa l wa ys ,at i ght e ni ngi ns i dea tt ha tque s t i on,as ur geof e mo t i ont ha twa sc ompounde doff e a rf orLi s aa nddi s gus twi t hhi ms e l f ." It houghtIha d, "hes a i df i na l l y,r oughl y." I puthe ri na ne xt r e me l ypr i va t eboa r di ngs c hooli nEur opet hr e eye a r sa go,a nds he ' sha ds pe c i a ls e c ur i t ya r oundt he c l oc k.Ana r myc oul dn' tha vegot t e nt ohe r .ButSut t ondi d. " " Edwa r dSut t on? "Robi nne a r l yf l i nc he da ss t e e l ygr a ye ye sf i xe donhe r . " Youknowhi m? "Mi c ha e la s ke ds of t l y. Ro bi nc l e a r e dhe rt hr oa t ." Hi swa soneoft hena me sIgotwhi l eIwa snos i nga r oundt heSe r e ndi pi t y. " " Conne c t e dt ot hec l ub? " " Ve r yl oos e l y,a c c or di ngt owha tIhe a r d.The r ewa sahi nthewa smor es t r ongl yc onne c t e dt ot hei l l e ga lga mbl i ng goi ngoni nt heb a c kr oom. " " Di dyoue ve rs e ehi m?Att hec l uboront heya c ht ? " Ro bi ns hookh e rhe a d." Nott ha tIknowof .Ce r t a i nl ynotont heya c ht . " Mi c ha e lwa ss i l e ntf oramome n t ,pi l ot i ngt heboa ta ut oma t i c a l l y,hi smi ndwor ki ngha r d.Heke pthi se ye sof fRobi n. " Ga mbl i ng, "hemus e ds of t l y,a l mos tt ohi ms e l f ." OneofSut t on' shobbl e swa sa l wa yshi ghs t a ke spoke r . "Abr upt l yhe a s ke d," Doyouk nowa nyt hi nga boutboa t s ? " " I ' vec r e we donas a i l boa tt hel a s tt hr e es umme r s . " " Goode nough.Ta ket hewhe e lwhi l eIc ha nge ,wi l lyou? " Ro bi ns t e ppe df or wa r dt oobe y,s udde nl yc ons c i ousoft hec r a mpe ds pa c eont hebr i dge .Shec a ughthe rbr e a t ha she br us he da ga i ns the rbuts t oodgr i ppi ngt hewhe e lf i r ml ya nds t a r i ngs t r a i ghta he a d.Shedi dn' tt r us the rvoi c ee nought o s pe a k. Foramome nt ,ne i t he rdi dMi c ha e l .Heha d,wi t ha ne f f or t ,ma na ge dt oke e phi smi ndof ft hel ove l ybodyheha d s t r i ppe dna ke dl a s tni ght ,butt het i ghtc onf i ne soft hebr i dgema dehe rc l os e ne s sa ndhi ss ur geofme mor i e si ne vi t a bl e . Shea f f e c t e dhi ml i kenowoma nhe ' de ve rme tbe f or e ,bot hphys i c a l l ya nde mot i ona l l y.Emot i ona l l y,he runus ua l c ombi na t i onoft oughne s sa ndvul ne r a bi l i t yt ugge da ts ome t hi ngi ns i dehi m.Phys i c a l l y,hewa sa l lt ooa wa r eofade s i r e f orh e rmor epowe r f ult ha na nyhe ' df e l tbe f or e ,ahunge rhec oul donl yj us tc ont r ol . Hi sa r ms t i l lbur ne df r omt hea c c i de nt a lc ont a c tofhe rbr e a s t ,a ndhi sbe l l yha dknot t e da si faf i s tha dhi thi mt he r e . Hewa nt e dt or e a c hpa s the ra ndt ur nof ft hee ngi ne ,a l l owt heboa tt odr i f twhe r ei twoul dwhi l ehet ookhe rbe l owa nd . . .Hes hookof ft het houghtwi t hi r onc ont r ol . " J us tke e phe ronc our s e , "Mi c ha e lmut t e r e d,a ndl e f t . Oneoft het hi ngsRobi nkne wa bouthe r s e l fwa st ha ts hewa sge ne r a l l ya t t r a c t e dt ove r ys t r ongme n.Shekne wt ha t — a nds hedi dn' tl i kei t .Atl e a s tt wi c edur i ngt hepa s tf e wye a r ss heha dbe e nbr i e f l yI nvol ve di nr e l a t i ons hi pst ha tha d ne ve rgot t e nof ft hegr oundbe c a us es heha dqui c kl ybe gunt or e s e ntt heve r ys t r e ngt ht ha tha df i r s ta t t r a c t e dhe ri na ma n . Shewa sa f r a i di twa sha ppe ni nga ga i n,a ndi tc oul dn' tha vebe e na tawor s et i me .Shedi dn' tha vet hee mot i ona l e ne r gyf ori t ,e ve na s s umi ngMi c ha e lbe c a mea t t r a c t e dt ohe r . " Anot he rhe r o, "s hemut t e r e dbe t we e ngr i t t e dt e e t h,r e mi ndi nghe r s e l f ." Hes a ve dyourl i f ei nt hebe s tt r a di t i onof he r oe s ,a ndnowhe ' sgoi ngt ohe l pyoubur yt heba dguys .Gr e a t .J us tgr e a t .Gi vehi mame da l ,butdon' t ,f orGod ' ss a ke , gi vehi m. . . "Yourhe ar t . I twa sagoodpi e c eofa dvi c e .Robi nj us thope ds hec oul da c c e p ti t . Ast heboa tbe ga nne a r i ngMi a mi ,t r a f f i cont hewa t e ri nc r e a s e d ,a nds hef or c e dhe r s e l ft oc onc e nt r a t e .Shewa t c he d t hec our s es t e a d i l ya ndbe ga ndr a wi ngt i ghta l lt het hr e a dsofs e l f c ont r ols hec oul dmus t e r .Shewa sa f r a i ds he ' dne e d e ve r ye dges hec oul dge t .

*** Mi c ha e lhe s i t a t e dj us tout s i det hebr i dgewhe nher e t ur ne d,wa t c hi nghe rwhi l es hec oul dn' ts e ehi m.Shewa s ha ndl i ngt heboa twe l l ,a ndhewa s n' tc onc e r ne da boutt ha t .Wha thewa sc onc e r ne da boutwa shi sownwi l l i ngne s st o i nvol vehe ri nas i t ua t i ont ha tpr omi s e dt obe c omee ve nmor eda nge r ousbe f or ei twa sove r .I fheha da nys e ns et oa l l , her e mi nde dhi ms e l f ,he ' dma kes ur es her e ma i ne di nMi a miwhe nhi sboa the a de dba c koutt os e a ,pr oba bl yon t omor r owmor ni ng' st i de .Buthewa ss ome howr e l uc t a ntt oa ba ndonhe r . Sheha dve r yl i ke l ybe e nont hes a meya c htwi t hLi s a ;s heha dgonet hr oughmuc ht hes a met hi nga sLi s a ;s hewa sa l i n kt oLi s a .Andt ha twa sa l lt he r ewa st oi t ,hef i r ml yt ol dhi ms e l f ,a ndi ta c c ount e df orhi sf e e l i ngt ha thec oul dn' t a ba ndonhe r . Shet ur ne dhe rhe a ds udde nl yt ol ooka thi m,gr e e ne ye svi vi dbuts hut t e r e da ga i ns tt hec r e a mypa l ec ompl e xi onofa t r uer e dhe a d,a ndhekne whewa sl yi ngt ohi ms e l f .Hewa nt e dRobi n,a ndt ha tha dnot hi ngt odowi t hLi s a .Thi swa s i ns i dehi ms e l f ,ahe a vya c het ha ti nt e ns i f i e dwi t he ve r ypa s s i nghour .Andhedi dn' tknowhowl onghewoul dbea bl et o i gnor ei t . " Howl ongha veyoube e nt he r e ? "s hea s ke d,s oundi ngr a t t l e d. " J us tgothe r e . "Hes t e ppe di ns i det ot a ket hewhe e l ,c ons c i ous l yt r yi ngt oa voi dt ouc hi nghe r —a ndi nc ons e que nc e t ouc hi nghe ra l lt oof i r ml y.Shemove dabi ta wkwa r dl yt oge tha s t i l ypa s thi m,a ndhehe a r damut t e r e d" da mmi t "a s s hepa s s e dwi t hh e rhe a dbe nt . Shef e l ti tt oo,her e a l i z e d,a ndt h a tunde r s t a ndi ngma dei tmor edi f f i c ul tt ha ne ve rf orhi mt oc ont r olhi sde s i r e . Mi c ha e lt ookt hewhe e la nds a i ds udde nl y," Look,Robi n,t hi si s n' tj us taf unga meyous e e mwi l l i ngt opl a y ,a ndi f you' r ewi t hme ,you' r ea smuc hat a r ge ta sIa m.I fSut t onge t son el ooka tme ,we ' r ebot hpr oba bl yde a d. " Ro bi ni gnor e dt ha t .Sheha dt a ke ni nhi sc ha ngeofc l ot hi ng,not i ngt hef a de dj e a nsa ndt heTs hi r thenowwor e unde rhi swi ndbr e a ke r .Wi t hf or c e dc a l ms hes a i d," I fwe ' r egoi nga s hor ei nMi a mi ,Iha ve n' ta nys hoe s . " Heh e s i t a t e d,t he ns hr ugge dwi t har e s i gne ds i gh." Gobe l owa ndl ooki nt hel oc ke rbyt hec a bi ndoor .It hi nkLi s al e f t apa i rofr unni ngs hoe sa ndawi ndbr e a ke rt hel a s tt i mes hewa sa boa r ddur i nghe rs c hoolva c a t i on. " Ro bi ne s c a pe d ,t ha nkf ulont woc ount s :t ha thewa s n' t ,a ppa r e nt l y,goi ngt oor de rhe rt os t a ya boa r donc et he ywe r e i nt hema r i na ,a ndt ha ts he ' dma na ge dt out t e rac ohe r e nts e nt e nc ewhi l ehe rhe a r twa ss t i l lpoundi ngf r om a n une xpe c t e da nds ome wha ts hoc ki ngphys i c a lr e a c t i ont ohi m. Shes t oodoutonde c kf oraf e wmome nt st oa l l owt hebr e e z et oc oolhe rhotc he e ks ,ur gi nghe r s e l ft oove r c omet hi s I d i ot i cobs e s s i onwi t hs t r ongme nbe f or ei tde s t r oye dhe r .The ns hes qua r e dhe rs houl de r sa ndwe ntbe l ow,e me r gi nga l i t t l ewhi l el a t e rwe a r i ngabl a c kwi ndbr e a ke ra ndr unni ngs hoe s . Ass her e t ur ne dt ot hebr i dge ,s hes pokei ns t a nt l y,r e l uc t a ntt oa l l owa nys i l e nc ei nwhi c ht ot hi nki di ot i ct h ought s . " Di dyous a yt he r ewa ss ome oneyoune e de dt os e ei nt hec i t y? " Mi c ha e ldi dn' tl ooka the r ,buthenodde d." I ' vec ha nge dmymi nda boutwho,t hough, "het ol dhe r ." I fSut t on' ss t i l l pl a yi nghi ghs t a k e spoke r ,Iknows ome onewhoj us tmi ghtha vepl a ye da ga i ns thi m. " " Howc oul dt ha the l pus ? " " Thena meofSut t on' sya c ht ,i fwe ' r el uc ky. " Ro bi nf r owne d, t r yi ngt ot hi nk." Buti fyouha vec ont a c t swi t ha nyl a we nf or c e me ntof f i c i a l s ,t he yc oul dge tt h ena me oft heya c ht . "The n,be f or ehec oul dr e s pond,s hea dde d," Oh—nopol i c e .Ri ght ? " " Pa r t l yr i ght .Nopol i c e .Buta nywa y,i t ' sdoubt f ulSut t onr e gi s t e r e dt heya c hti nhi sownna me .Ext r e me l ydoubt f ul . Cha nc e sa r e ,t hepol i c eha venoi de ai t ' shi s .Sut t on' sawa nt e dma n,a ndhewoul dn' tt a kear i s kt ha ts t upi d. " " Sot hepol i c ec oul dn' the l p.Buthowwoul dt hi sf r i e ndofyour sknowt heya c ht ' sna me ? " Mi c ha e ls mi l e ds l i ght l y." I fIknowDa ne ,hepr oba bl yl os tt heya c htt oSut t oni napoke rga me . " Ro bi nbl i nke d." Re a l l y?It hough tt hi ngsl i ket ha tonl yha ppe ne di nt hemovi e s . " " Wi t hDa ne ,t hi ngsl i ket ha tha ppe ne ve r ySa t ur da yni ght .I t ' snota l wa ysya c ht s ,ofc our s e . "Hel ooke dr e f l e c t i ve ." I ha ve n' ts e e nhi mi nac oupl eofye a r s .Thec ountmus tbeupt ot hr e eorf ourbynow. " " Wha ta r ewec o unt i ng? " " For t une s .Da ne ' sma dea nds pe n ts e ve r a lbynow.' Ma de ' be i ngat e r mnott obec onf us e dwi t h' e a r ne d. ' " Ro bi nt houghta boutt ha t ." Hedi dn' te a r nhi sf or t une s ?The nhowdi dhege tt he m? " " Wonpa r toft he m.Pr oba bl ys t o l et her e s t ;I ' vea l wa yss us pe c t e dhe ' saf i r s t c l a s sc a tbur gl a r . " Ro bi nt houghta boutt ha t ." Doe st hi sf r i e ndofyour she l pt hepol i c ef r omt i met ot i me ? " Mi c ha e l ' ss mi l ewi de ne d." Da negoe shi sownwa y.Howe ve r ,t heI nt e l l i ge nc ec ommuni t yi nt hi sc ount r yi sa r e l a t i ve l ys ma l lone ,a nds i nc eDa neha st heuni quea bi l i t yt oune a r t hs ke l e t onsf r oml oc ke dc l os e t s ,hes ome t i me sha s i nf or ma t i ona va i l a bl et oc e r t a i ni nt e r e s t e dpa r t i e s . " " Li keyour s e l f ? "

" He ' sne ve rbe e na bl et obe a tmea tpoke r .AndIa l wa ysc utahi ghe rc a r d.Fors omer e a s onknownbe s tt ohi ms e l f , t ha tma ke shi mi nde bt e dt ome . " Ro bi nwa sgr owi ngmor ea ndmor ea mus e d." Hedoe s n' ts oundl i keaga r de nva r i e t yi nf or ma nt . " " No.Oh,no.Da ne ' soneofaki nd.Ahundr e dors oye a r sa gohewoul dha vebe e napi r a t e .Goba c kf ur t he r ,a ndhe woul dha vebe e naki ng. " " Soi nt hemod e r nda ywor l dhe ' saga mbl e r . " " Tha t ' sonef a c e t .Anoc c a s i ona lwor ddr oppe di nt her i ghtpl a c ei sa not he r .Ma ybehe ' sac a tbur gl a r .Ma ybenot . Ma ybehe ' sr i c ht oda y,orma ybehe ' ss hoot i ngc r a psf orhi sne xtme a l .Wi t hDa ne ,youj us tne ve rknowf ors ur e . " *** I ta ppe a r e dt ha tDa newa sha vi nga nof fwe e k.The yf oundhi ma f t e rs e ve r a lhour sofMi c ha e lque s t i oni ngs omeof t hes ha di e s t l ooki ngpe opl eRob i nha de ve rs e e ni nt hes e e di e s tpa r toft hec i t y.Shewa t c he di ta l lwi t hi nt e r e s t e de ye s , s t i c ki ngc l os et oMi c ha e la ndke e pi ngqui e t .Shewa spr opos i t i one dt wi c ebypa s s e r s by,bot h" ge nt l e me n"r e t r e a t i ng ha s t i l ya f t e roneha r dl ookf r om Mi c ha e l ;s hef i na l l yz i ppe duphe rwi ndbr e a ke rt ohi det hel a c kofabr a ,a dopt e da s l ouc h,a ndt r i e dt ogounnot i c e d. " I ti s n' twor ki ng, "Mi c ha e lt ol dh e ra st he ymove dpur pos e f ul l ydownt hec r owde ds i de wa l k. " Wha t ? " Het ookhe rha n dt ogui dehe ra r oundaf i ne l ydr e s s e dpi mpwi t ha ni nt e r e s t e dl ookonhi sf a c e .Ca l ml yMi c ha e ls a i d, " Youra t t e mptt ol ookl e s sa t t r a c t i ve .Sof a rI ' veha df ourof f e r sf oryou.I tmus tbet hos el e gs . " Shegl a nc e ddowna the rl ong,ba r el e gs ,a nds wor es of t l y." Ic a n' the l pt ha t , "s hemut t e r e d." Thes hor t swe r ea l lI c oul df i nd. "The n,de s pi t ehe r s e l f ,s hea s ke dc ur i ous l y," Wha tdi dt he yof f e r ? " Sol e mnl yher e pl i e d," Thebe s twa sf or t ype r c e ntofyourf ut ur ei nc ome . " Ro bi ndi dn' tknowwhe t he rt ol a ughors we a r .I nt hee nds hej u s ts hookhe rhe a d,gl a nc i nga s i dea tMi c ha e lt of i nd hi ms mi l i ngal i t t l e .Hi ghl yc ons c i ousofhi sl a r ge ,s t r ongha ndf i r ml yhol di nghe r s ,s heha s t i l yc ha nge dt hes ubj e c t . " Di dyouf i ndou twhe r eDa nei s ? " Mi c ha e lt ur ne dt he mr i ghts udde nl yi nt oa na l l e y." He r e .Ihope . "Hel e dhe rdownt heda r ka l l e yf ors omet we nt y ya r ds ,t he ns t oppe da taba t t e r e dwoode ndoort ha twa st heonl yope ni ngi nas a dbr i c kwa l l . Ro bi nl ooke da ti tdoubt f ul l y." Doweknoc k? " " No.The y' dt hi n ki twa sar a i d. " Shef oundhe r s e l fgi ggl i ngne r vous l ybutf ol l owe dc l os ebe hi n da sMi c ha e lr e l e a s e dhe rha nd,ya nke dt hewa r pe d doorope n,a nde nt e r e d.The ywe r ei nwha tl ooke dl i keac l ut t e r e ds t or a ger oomwi t hboxe spi l e dhi gh,a ndma det he i r wa yt oadoor wa yt ha tl e dt oad a r k,na r r owha l l . Af t e rt ha tRobi nl os tt r a c kofdi r e c t i oni nama z eofha l l wa ys ,a l lda r ka nde mpt y.The yc l i mbe dt wof l i ght sofs t a i r s a ndf i na l l ywoundupa tt hee n dofye ta not he rda r kha l l wa ya ndbe f or ea not he rwa r pe dwoode ndoor .Thi st i me Mi c ha e lknoc ke dwi t hwha twa sobvi ous l yar hyt hmi c a ls i gna l . The r ewe r es e ve r a lmome nt sofs i l e nc e ,a ndi twa s n' tunt i lRobi nf e l tt heuns e t t l i ngs e ns a t i onofbe i ngwa t c he dt ha t s henot i c e dt het i nype e phol ei nt hedoor .Whe nt hedoorwa sa udi bl yunl oc ke da ndpul l e dope n,s hef ol l owe dMi c ha e l i nt owha tf e l tdi s t i nc t l yl i keas e tf oragr a deВmovi e . I twa sas ma l lr oom,t hi c kwi t hc i ga r e t t ea ndc i ga rs moke ,a ndda r ke xc e ptf ort hes i ngl es ha de dl i ghtha ngi ngl ow ove rar oundt a b l ei nt hec e nt e r .Ha l fadoz e nme nwe r egr oup e da r oundt het a bl es e a t e di nf ol di ngc ha i r s ,a l li nt he i r s hi r t s l e e ve s .Wi t ht hee xc e pt i o nofoneyounge rma n,t he ywe r emi ddl e a ge d.The r ewa sapr of us i onofgl i t t e r i ng di a mondr i ngs ,uni de nt i f i a bl edr i nksi nt hi c kt umbl e r s ,a nds e ve r a love r f l owi nga s ht r a ys . The r ewa sa l s oapi l eofmone yi nt hec e nt e roft het a bl e ,a ndno neoft hebi l l swa sl e s st ha nahundr e d. Thema nwhoha dl e tt he mi nr e l oc ke dt hedoori ns i l e nc ea ndr e t ur ne dt ot het a bl e ,a ndoutoft hedi mne s s s ur r oundi ngt hel owc i r c l eofl i ghtade e p,be a ut i f ulvoi c es pokes a dl y. " Mi c ha e l ,yourt i mi ngi sl ous y. " Ro bi nc oul dn' ts e et hema n' sf a c eve r ywe l lf r om whe r es hewa ss t a ndi ngbe s i deMi c ha e l ,buts het houghthewa s younge rt ha nt her e s t ,a ndhewa se xqui s i t e l ydr e s s e di nwhi t et r ous e r sa ndve s ta ndne a t l yknot t e dt i e .Hewa si nhi s s hi r t s l e e ve s ,wi t hhi ss ui tj a c ke tove rt heba c kofhi sc ha i r ,a ndhi sha ndswe r ebe a ut i f ul l yl ongf i nge r e da ndgr a c e f ul hol di ngt hec a r ds . " Fi ni s ht heha nd, "Mi c ha e ls a i d. " The nweha vet ot a l k,Da ne . " Ro bi ns t oodbe s i dehi mi nt hes ha dowsne a rt hewa l l ,l i s t e ni ngs i l e nt l ya st heme nc ont i nue dpl a yi ng,t a l ki ngi nl ow voi c e sa st hepi l eofmone yi nt hec e nt e roft het a bl egr e w.I twa sa not he rha l fhourbe f or et heha ndf i na l l ye nde d ,a ndi t ha dc omedownt oj us tt wopl a ye r s :Da nea nda nunna me dma nwi t ha bouts i xdi a mondr i ngsa ndaha r s hvoi c e . " Fourofaki nd, "t heha r s hvoi c es a i d,l a yi ngdownf ourni ne s .

The r ewa sabe a tofs i l e nc e ,a ndt he nDa nes i ghe da nds t a c ke dhi sc a r dsne a t l yf a c e downbe f or ehi m." Myl uc k, "he s a i dmour nf ul l y," s e e mst oha vede s e r t e dmet oda y. " Wi t hnos i gnoft r i umpht hewi nne rr a ke di nhi smone y,a ndt heot he rme nga t he r e dt he i rbe l ongi ngs .I nal oos e gr oupt he ymove dt ot hedoor ,e s c or t e dbyDa ne ,a ndwi t hi nmome nt swe r egone .Da nec r os s e dt her ooma nds na ppe d upt het hr e es ha d e sa tt hewi ndo wsa ndt hes ma l lr oomwa sa br u pt l yf l oode dwi t hl i ght . " I tbe t t e rbei mpor t a nt . "hes a i dc he e r f ul l yt oMi c ha e l . Ro bi nma dehe rwa yt ot het a bl ea nds a nkdowni nt hec ha i rDa neha dr e c e nt l yva c a t e d,s t a r i nga thi m.Hewa sama n wome nwoul da l wa yss t a r ea t ,s hea c knowl e dge ds i l e nt l yt ohe r s e l f ,f e e l i ngabi tnumb.Hewa sa bs ur dl yyoungt oha ve ma d ea ndl os ts e ve r a lf or t une s ,be i ngs ome whe r ei nhi smi dt hi r t i e s ,a nd...God,t hema nwa sbe aut i f ul . Hi ss i z ea l onema dehi mi mpr e s s i ve ,s i nc ehewa se a s i l ys i xa n daha l ff e e tt a l lwi t hs houl de r st oma t c h,a ndhewa s l e a nwa i s t e da nds l i mhi ppe d.Hel ooke da t hl e t i cye tmove dwi t hl a z ygr a c ea si fhec oul dn' tbebot he r e dt os t i rhi ms e l f e nought omovequi c kl y.Hi st h i c k,s hi ni ngha i rwa sbl a c ka sar a ve n' swi ng.Andi nal e a n.t a nne df a c ewi t he ve r y f e a t ur epe r f e c t ,h i se ye swe r eas t r i ki ngvi ol e t .Robi nha dne ve rbe f or es e e ns uc hl a ughi nge ye ss ovi vi dl yf i l l e dwi t h l i f e . " I ti si mpor t a nt , "Mi c ha e lwa ss a yi ng,t a ki ngas e a tt oRobi n' sl e f ta ndwa t c hi ngt heot he rma ns i ta c r os sf r omhi m. " Thi si sRobi nSt ua r t .Robi n,Da nePr e s c ot t . " " He l l o,Robi n, "Da nes a i d. " Hi , "s hema na ge dwe a kl y,a ndt or ehe rga z ea wa yt ol ookdowna tt hec a r dsheha dl e f ts t a c ke dont het a bl e .She pi c ke dupt hec a r dsa ndl ooke da tt he m,buts heha donl yamome ntbe f or ehet ookt he mf r omhe rge nt l ya nds moot hl y a shewa sga t he r i ngt her e s tf r omt het a bl e . " Wha t ' sup? "hea s ke dMi c ha e l . " Eve rpl a yc a r dswi t hEdwa r dSut t on? " Da n es huf f l e dt hede c ki dl y,l oo ki nga tMi c ha e lwi t has l i ghts mi l e .Wi t houts pe a ki ng,hepl a c e dt hede c kf a c e down be t we e nt he m.Mi c ha e lr e a c he douta ndc utt hec a r ds ,pr oduc i ngt heki ngofs pa de sf a c e up.Da nec uta ndgotaj a c k.He s i ghe d. " Ye a h,I ' vepl a ye da ga i ns thi m.Anumbe roft i me s . " " Att heSe r e nd i pi t y? " " The r e .Ando t he rpl a c e s . " Mi c ha e lgl a nc e da tRobi n,t he ns a i ds l owl y," We ' r el ooki ngf oraya c htweha ver e a s ont obe l i e veSut t onowns . " Da n egr i nne d." Ic a l l e dhe rLadyLuc k .Hec ha nge dt hena me ,ofc our s e .She ' dt heDr agonLadynow. " " Anyi de awhe r es hei s ? " " No.Imi ghtkno wwhot oa s k,t hough.Why?Wha t ' syouri nt e r e s t ? " " Pe r s ona l . " Da n el i f t e da ne ye br owa ndwa i t e d. " Di dyouknowhewa si nt owhi t es l a ve r y? "Mi c ha e la s ke d. Thel a ught e ri nDa ne ' se ye sva ni s he d,a ndhi ss l i ghts mi l edi s a ppe a r e d." No.Ar eyous ur ea boutt ha t ? " " As kRobi n. " Ro bi ns qua r e l yme tDa ne ' si nqu i r i ngga z e ,s t i l la dmi r i nghi sl ooksbutgl a dt of e e lnot ugofa t t r a c t i on." Iwa sa tt he Se r e ndi pi t yaf e wni ght sa go.Iha donedr i nk,a ndt he r ewa ss o me t hi ngi ni t .Iwokeupt of i ndmys e l fwi t hf ourot he r gi r l si nt hec a bi nofaboa t ,aya c ht .The yke ptusdr ugge dmos toft het i me ,butIma na ge dt oge touta ndj ump ove r boa r ds ome t i mel a s tni ght .Mi c ha e lpul l e dmeoutoft hewa t e r . " " Sur ei twa sSut t on' sya c ht ? "Da nea s ke d. Mi c ha e lr e pl i e d," Robi n' sar e po r t e r ,a nds hec a meupwi t hSut t o n' sna mei nc onne c t i onwi t ht ha tc l ub.Iknowhe ' si n t hea r e abe c a us ehe ' swa i t i ngf ormet oc ont a c thi m;he ' ss e tat r a pf orme . " " Wha t ' st heba i t ? " " Li s a . " Da n es a i ds ome t hi ngvi ol e ntunde rhi sbr e a t h,a ndt houghs heonl yha l fhe a r dwha thes a i d,Robi nwa s n' ta bou tt oa s k hi mt or e pe a ti t . Mi c ha e lwe ntons t e a di l y." Robi nhe a r da not he rgi r lont heya c h t ,c r yi ng.I t ' st heonl yl e a dI ' vegot ,Da ne . " I mme di a t e l yDa nes a i d," The r e ' sama nwhomi ghtknowwhe r et heDr agonLadyi s .Bi gma n,wi t haf ul lbe a r da nd a boutha l fhi st e e t h.Pe c ul i a rma n,ve r yda nge r ous .He ' sas mug gl e r .The yc a l lhi mJ a c k,a ndonl yGodi spr i vyt owha t hi sr e a lna mei s .Heknowst hewa t e r sa r oundhe r el i ket heba c kofhi sha nd,a ndi fa nyoneha si l l e ga lc a r go,he ' dknow a bouti t .Hes pe ndshi se ve ni ngsi nadi vec a l l e dt heGol dCoa s t .Wa t c hyour s e l fi nt he r e .Anddon' tpl a yc a r ds . " " Why? "

" The ys hoott hewi nne r . " Mi c ha e ls mi l e df a i nt l y." Tha nks ,Da ne . " " Sa yhe l l ot oLi s af orme . " *** Al i t t l ewhi l el a t e r ,a st he yl e f tt hebui l di ng,Robi ns a i d," Il oo ke da thi sc a r ds ,Mi c ha e l .Da neha das t r a i gh tf l us h, a c ehi gh.Hewont ha tl a s tha nd. " Mi c ha e ldi dn' ts e e ms ur pr i s e d." Di dhe ? " " Andt he r emus tha vebe e nf i f t yt hous a nddol l a r si nt ha tpot . "Shewa sbe wi l de r e d." Whywoul dhepr e t e ndt ol os e ? " " I ' ms ur eheha dhi sr e a s ons . " " Wha tr e a s onwoul dheha vet ot hr owa wa ya l lt ha tmone y? " Mi c ha e lt ookhe rha nda st he ye me r ge df r omt hea l l e y." Iknowt heGol dCoa s t ;t he ydon' te ve nope nunt i la f t e rs i x. Whydon' twef i n dade c e ntr e s t a ur a nt —i fwec a na r oundhe r e —a ndge ts ome t hi ngt oe a t .Youmus tbes t a r ve d. " Ro bi ni gnor e das udde npa ngofhunge r ." Youdi dn' ta ns we rmyque s t i on, "s hei ns i s t e d. Hek e ptt he mmovi ngbuts a i ddr yl y," Da ne ' spr oba bl ys e t t i ngupt hema nwhowa swe a r i nga l lt hedi a mondr i ngs , Robi n.Ands i nc ehec a n' thi deh i ss ki l lwi t hc a r ds ,hej us tf a ke sar unofba dl uc k.I t ' sa nol dga mbl e r ' st r i c k.Thema r k wi nsal otofmo ne yi nt hef i r s tf e wga me sa ndf e e l sc onf i de nte nought oke e ppl a yi ng;t he nDa nea r r a nge sonef i na l ga mef orhuges t a ke s ,s a yi nghewa nt st ot r yt owi nba c kwha the ' sl os t .Andhedoe s . " " Doe sDa nec he a t ? "s hea s ke d,di s l i ki ngt het hought . " Hedoe s n' tha vet o.Hewa spr oba bl ypl a yi ngpoke ri nhi sc r i b,a ndhe ' st hel uc ki e s tma nIknow. " " Butyous a i dhe ' da l r e a dyl os ts e ve r a lf or t une s . " " Sur e .Los t ,s pe nt...a nde nj oye d.Da nema ys ome t i me sbedown,buthe ' sne ve rout .Hi sl uc ka l wa ysr e t ur n s .Now, a r eyouhungr y? " " St a r vi ng, "s hea dmi t t e d.

Thr ee The ye nde dupf i ndi ngar e s t a ur a nti nabe t t e ra r e aoft hec i t y,a ndRobi nus e dt het i mebe f or et he i rme a la r r i ve dt o pl a c eac a l lt oNe wYor kt oTe ddy' spr i va t enumbe rf i r s t ,t he nt henumbe rofLongEnt e r pr i s e s ,a nddr e wabl a nkbot h t i me s .The r ewa snoa ns we ra tTe ddy' shome ,a ndt hevoi c ea ns we r i ngt hec ompa ny' sphoneme r e l yr e por t e dt ha tMr s . St e e l ewa souto ft own. Ro bi n,r e me mbe r i ngTe ddy' si mpul s i ve ne s s ,wi nc e da ss hehun gupt her e c e i ve r .He rc hi l dhoodf r i e nd,s her e f l e c t e d a nxi ous l y,wa se nt i r e l yl i ke l yt oa ppoi nthe r s e l ft hec a va l r ya ndc omec ha r gi ngt ot her e s c ue .Andf r omwha tRobi nha d he a r da ndr e a doft hegr oupofpe opl es ur r oundi ngJ os huaLong,agr oupt ha ti nc l ude dTe ddya ndhe rhus ba nd,Za c h, noneoft he mwo ul dbei nc l i ne dme r e l yt or e por tRobi n' sdi s a ppe a r a nc et ot hepol i c e . Wor r i e d,Robi nr e t ur ne dt ot het a bl ewhe r eMi c ha e lwa i t e d. " We l l ? "hea s k e d. " Nogood.Shei s n' thome ,a ndwhe nIc a l l e dt hec ompa ny—" " Wha tc ompa ny? " " LongEnt e r pr i s e s .Te ddy' shus ba nd,Za c h,i ss e c ur i t yc hi e f . " Mi c ha e lwa ss t a r i nga the r ,f r owni ngal i t t l e .The nt hef r ownf a de d,a ndhes hookhi she a d." Thos epe opl e , "he mur mur e di navoi c et ha twa sha l fa mus e da ndha l fwor r i e d. " Youknowt he m? "Robi na s ke di ns ur pr i s e . " I ' ve...we l l ,I ' vee nc ount e r e dt he m,l e t ' ss a y.The yke e pt ur ni ngupi nt he s eki ndsofs i t ua t i ons .I syourf r i e ndl i ke t heot he r s ?Ime a n,t het ypet oc o medownhe r ea ndi nve s t i ga t er a t he rt ha nc a l lt hepol i c e ? " " I ' ma f r a i ds o, "Robi nc onf i r me d." Buts hemi ghtnotha vegot t e nt hepa c ka geIs e nt .Thes wi t c hboa r dope r a t ora tt he c ompa nyj us ts a i ds hewa souto ft own;s hema yha vebe e ngonef orda ysorwe e ks . " " Buts hema ywe l lbeonhe rwa ydownhe r e . " Ro bi ns i ghe d." Shema y,ye s . "Shewa t c he dhi sf a c ei nt e nt l y,al i t t l es ur pr i s e dnott os e ea nge rorune a s i ne s s ;Mi c ha e l s e e me dmor et ho ught f ult ha na nyt hi nge l s e ,a ndi twa sobvi oushewa st hi nki ngha r d." I ' ms or r y,Mi c ha e l , "s hev e nt ur e d a tl a s t . Hi sga z ef oc us e donhe r ,a ndhes mi l e d." Don' twor r ya bouti t .Idon' tknowyourf r i e nd,buti fs hebr i ngsa nyoft ha t c r e wa l ongwi t hhe r ,t he ywon' tbl unde ri nr e c kl e s s l y.The y' r ea l lt oos ma r t ,a ndt ooc a r e f ul .Idi dhe a r ,t hough. . . " " He a rwha t ? " Mi c ha e lhe s i t a t e d,t he ns hr ugge d." Tha tJ os hLonga nds e ve r a lofhi sme nha ddr oppe doutofs i ght .Some t hi ng' si n t hewi ndt he r e ,butIdon' tknowwha t .St i l l ,t he r e ' sa ppa r e nt l yno t hi ngwec a ndobutwa i ta nds e ewhot ur nsup. "

" I s n' tt ha ta wf u l l yr i s ky? " Hi ss mi l ewe ntc r ooke d." Awf ul l y. "Hegl a nc e dupa st he i rwa i t r e s sa ppr oa c he dwi t hl a de npl a t e s ,a ndt he c onve r s a t i onwa sove rf ort het i mebe i ng. Ro bi nwa sa sgr a t e f ulf ort hedi s t r a c t i onofe a t i nga ss hewa sf o rt hef oodi t s e l f .Dur i ngt hee nc ount e rwi t hDa ne ,s he ha dma na ge dt oke e phe rmi ndoc c upi e d,butwhe ne ve rs hea ndMi c ha e lwe r ea l ones hef oundi tmor ea n dmor e di f f i c ul tt oi gnor et het ugofa t t r a c t i ont ha ts e e me dt obegr owi ngs t r onge r .Andi tdi dn' the l pt hi st i me ,knowi nghewa s j us tt heki ndofma ns heha da l wa ysr e s e nt e d.Thi st i me ,he rbodya nde mot i onsr e f us e dt oa c c e ptr e a s on. Shec a ughthe r s e l fs t e a l i nggl a nc e sa thi m,gr a t e f ult ha thes e e me dpr e oc c upi e da nduna wa r eofhe ra t t e nt i on.Shef e l t c ur i ous l y,unus ua l l y,he l pl e s s ,una bl et of i ghtt hi s .Asi fs o me t hi ngi ns i dehe rk ne w,wi t houtdoubt ,t ha ti twa s I n e vi t a bl e .Ands os t r ongwa st ha tc onvi c t i ont ha tRobi nf e l tt e ns e ,ont hebr i nk,wa i t i ng.Heha dn' te ve nt ouc he dhe r e xc e ptc a s ua l l yorbya c c i de nt ,ye the rbodyf e l the a vya ndr e s t l e s s ,f e ve r i s h. Shec oul dke e phe rmi ndont heda nge r ouss i t ua t i ont he ywe r ei nvol ve di n,ye tj us tbe ne a t ht ha tc a l ms ur f a c e s ome t hi ngwa smovi ng,s l owl y,l i kewa t e runde ri c e .Ands hewa sve r ymuc ha f r a i dt ha tt hei c ewoul dc r a c k,s pl i nt e r , l e a vi nghe rc ha ng e df or e ve r . *** Be c a us es heha dn' tda r e dr e t ur nt ohe rhot e l ,Robi nwa swi t hou tmone y,a nds heha dn' tbe e nha ppya bouta c c e pt i ng e ve name a lorc ha ngef orhe rphonec a l lf r omMi c ha e ls i nc es hea l r e a dyowe dhi ms omuc h.Buthe rs ome wha tf i e r c e a s s ur a nc e sofpa y i nghi mba c kwe r eme twi t hgr a vea c c e pt a nc e ,a ndt ha te a s e dhe rmi nds ome wha t . St i l l ,s hec oul dn' the l pbutf e e lt ha tt he i r swa sa nune qua lpa r t ne r s hi p;mor et ha na nyt hi nge l s es hewa nt e dt opul lhe r ownwe i ght .I twa sj us taf e whour sl a t e rwhe ns hegothe rc ha nc e .Shea ndMi c ha e lf i na l l yha df oundt het a ve r nDa ne t ol dt he ma bout . Theba rr e j oi c i ngi nt hena meGol dCoa s tt ur ne doutt obej us twha tDa neha dc a l l e di t —adi ve .Sa ndwi c he dbe t we e n t wopa wns hopswi t hhe a vi l yba r r e dwi ndowsa ndl oc a t e donas i des t r e e ti nt hewor s tpa r toft hec i t y,t het a ve r nwa s da nk,da r k,f i l l e dwi t hs moke ,a nde c hoi ngwi t ht heha r s hs oundsofc oa r s el a ught e r .The r ewe r es e ve r a lr i c ke t yt a bl e s a r oundwhi c hc a r dga me swe r egoi ngon;t hel ongwoode nba rwa ss t a i ne da nds pl i nt e r e d;a ndt heba r t e nde rboa s t e dt he t a t t ooofana ke dwoma nononec or de df or e a r ma ndas hi p' sa nc horont heot he r . St a ndi ngbe s i deMi c ha e lout s i dea ndpe e r i ngc a ut i ous l yt hr oughadi r t ywi ndow,Robi ns hi ve r e di nwa r dl y.Thema n t he yha dc omet os e ewa se a s i l yvi s i bl ea tt hef a re ndoft heba r ,a ndhel ooke dmor eda nge r oust ha na nyot he rma ni n t her oom.J us ta sDa neha dde s c r i be d," J a c k"wa shuge ,ma s s i ver e a l l y,he a vi l ybe a r de d,a ndwhe nheor de r e da not he r dr i nk,s hec oul ds e et ha ts e ve r a lofhi st e e t hwe r emi s s i ng. Shec oul df e e lMi c ha e lt e ns i nge ve nt houghhi sf a c er e ma i ne de xpr e s s i onl e s s ,a ndwhe nhebe ga nt omovet owa r dt he doors hequi c kl ygr a bbe dhi sa r m." Wa l t ! "s hewhi s pe r e d. Hi svoi c ewa sl owa swe l l ." Yous t a yhe r e .Andke e pi nt hes ha d ows .I fa nyt hi ngha ppe nst ome —" Ro bi nwr a ppe dbot hha ndsa r oundhi smus c l e da r ma ndhe l dongr i ml y." Mi c ha e l ,youc a n' tgoi nt he r e .We ' vebe e n s t a ndi nghe r et e nmi nut e s ,a ndt he r eha vea l r e a dybe e nt hr e ef i ght s .The r e ' snowa yyouc a ne xpe c tt ogoi nt he r ea s ki ng s us pi c i ousque s t i onsa nds t i l lc omeouta l i ve ! " Hel ooke ddowna the r ,mout ht i ght e ni ng." Wha tc hoi c edoIha v e ,Robi n? " " You' r enote v e na r me d. " " The y' dki l lmef ors ur ei fIwa s . " " Wa i t , "s hei ns i s t e d,t ur ni nghe rhe a dt ol ookba c ki nt ot het a ve r n." Le tmet hi nkami nut e . " Mi c ha e ldr e wade e pbr e a t h." I twon' tbet hef i r s tt i meI ' vegonei nt oapl a c el i ket hi s .Ic a nha ndl ei t . " " I ' ms ur eyouc a n, "s hes a i da l mos ta bs e nt l y,s t a r i ngi nt ot het a ve r nwi t hhe re ye ss udde nl yna r r owe d." Butt he r e ' dbe s omeki ndoff i ght .You' r et ooda nge r ous ;i ts howst oopl a i nl y.You' dbeat hr e a tt ot he m. " " Robi n—" Shel ooke dba c ka thi mqui c kl y. " Wedon' twa ntt odr a wa t t e nt i ont oour s e l ve s ,dowe ?Tha t ' st hel a s tt hi ngwene e d. " " Agr e e d.Butt he r ei s n' tac hoi c e . " Shel i f t e dhe rc hi na nds t r uggl e dt ohi det het e r r ors hef e l t ." Ye s ,t he r ei s .Ic a ngoi n. " " You? "Hel a ughe ds hor t l y. Ro bi nhope dhewa ss t r onge nought ha thedi dn' tf e e lane e dt opr ovei twi t hma c hos t a ndba c kl l t t l e woma na ndl e t me doi tde t e r mi na t i on.St e a di l ys hes a i d," I ' vedones ome t hi ngl i ket hi sbe f or e .Pl e a s e ,Mi c ha e l ,t r us tme .Iknowwha t I ' mdoi ng.ButI ' l lne e dac oupl eofpr ops . " " Pr ops ? "Hewa ss t a r i ngdowna the r ,f r owni ng. " Ye s .Tha tpa wns hopove rt he r ei ss t i l lope n.Tr yt of i ndane c kl a c ewi t hac r uc i f i xoni t —t hebi gge rt hebe t t e r .And i ft he yha vea nyc l ot hi ng,ge tapa i rofl ongpa nt sf orme ;i t ' l lbebe t t e ri ft he ydon' tf i t . "

Hewa ss t i l lf r owni ngal i t t l e ,bu tunde r s t a ndi ngha dda wne d." Wha ti fi tdoe s n' twor k,Robi n? " Shema na ge daf a i nts mi l e ." The nyou' r et her e s c uet e a m. " Mi c ha e lhe s i t a t e d,butheha dagoodi de aofwha ts heha di nmi nda ndt he r ewa sac ha nc ei twoul dwor k.I fheha d be e npa r t ne r e dwi t haf e ma l ea ge ntona na s s i gnme nt ,hewoul dn' tha vehe s i t a t e da ta l l ; a si twa s ,hewa swor r i e da boutRobi na ndunc e r t a i nofhe ra bi l i t i e s ." Ar eyous ur eyou' vedones ome t hi ngl i ket hi s be f or e ? "hea s ke df i na l l y. " Ye s .Andf ort hes a mer e a s on.Toge ti nf or ma t i on. " " Wa i the r e , "hes a i d,a ndhe a de dne xtdoort ot hepa wns hop. Ro bi nc l os e dhe re ye sbr i e f l ya ndc omma nde dhe r s e l ft os t ops ha ki ng.St i l l ,i tt ookar i di c ul ousa mountoft i met o r e movehe rs hoe l a c e sbe c a us ehe rha ndst r e mbl e ds o.Shea r r a nge dhe rl ongha i ri nt woponyt a i l sa ndus e dt hel a c e st o t i et he mj us tbe l owhe re a r s .Th e ns hebe nta ndr ubbe dhe rha ndsi nt hedi r tt ha tha dc ol l e c t e da ga i ns tt heb ui l di ng; s omeoft hedi r twa sa l s ot r a ns f e r r e dt ohe rf a c e . Mi c ha e lr e a ppe a r e ds udde nl ybe s i dehe r ." Idi dmybe s t , "het ol dhe r ,ha ndi ngove ral ongs i l ve rc ha i na ndabundl e ofda r kc l ot h. Sheputt hene c kl a c eon,s a t i s f i e dwi t ht hebi gs i l ve rc r uc i f i xt ha ts howe dc l e a r l ya ga i ns the rbl a c kwi ndbr e a ke r .The n s hes t e ppe di nt ot heda r kpa nt sa ndpul l e dt he mupove rhe rs hor t s ;t he ywe r et ool onga ndt hewa i s twa sf a rt ool oos e , butt heba ggya ppe a r a nc ewa swha ts he ' dwa nt e d. " HowdoIl ook? "s hea s ke d,ga z i ngupa thi m. Mi c ha e lha da nodde xpr e s s i ononhi sf a c e ,a ndhi svoi c eha dr oughe dge s ." Li ket hel i t t l e s thobo.Robi n—" " Good, "s hes a i d,c ut t i nghi mof f ." I ' l lt r yt obea squi c ka sIc a n. "Shehope dde s pe r a t e l yt ha thec oul dn' ts e eh e rf e a r . Heb e nthi she a ds udde nl ya ndki s s e dhe r ,br i e f l ybutf i r ml y." Bec a r e f ul , "heur ge d. Ro bi nf oundhe r s e l fa tt hedoorwi t houtbe i nga wa r eofmovi ng,t hi nki ngva gue l yt ha ti twa s n' ta ta l lf a i rofhi mt o ha vedonet ha tj u s twhe ns hene e de da l lhe rwi t sa bouthe r .The ns het ookade e pbr e a t ha ndwe nti nt ot het a ve r n. Mi c ha e lwa i t e dt e ns e l ybyt hewi ndow,ne ve rt a ki nghi se ye sof ft hes c e nei ns i de .Hec oul df e e la swe l la ss e ea l l c onve r s a t i ona nda c t i vi t yc e a s ewhe ns hewa l ke di n,a ndhes i l e nt l ya ppr ove dt het i mi dwa ys hegl a nc e da r oun d.Wi t h t heba ggyc l ot hi nga ndha i r s t yl es hel ooke da boutt we l veye a r sol d,a ndi twa sc l e a rt ha ta ppe a r a nc ema det heme n doubt f ule nought odonot hi ngwhi l es hewa l ke ds l owl yt ot hee ndoft heba rwhe r eJ a c ks a t . Te ns i nge ve nmor enow,Mi c ha e la l mos the l dhi sbr e a t ha st hebi gma nl ooke da tRobi n.Shemus tha ves a i d s ome t hi ng,f orJ a c knodde da nds hec l i mbe dupont hes t oolbe s i dehi m,s i t t i ngwi t hhunc he ds houl de r sa ndahe s i t a nt t i l tt ohe rhe a d. I mme di a t e l yt hec r owdofme ns e e me dt ol os ei nt e r e s t ,a ndr e t ur ne dt ot he i rf or me ra c t i vi t i e s . Mi c ha e lf oundhi ms e l fs mi l i ngi na dmi r a t i on.ByGod,s he ' ddonei t !Nowi fs heonl yc oul dge tt hei nf or ma t i ona nd ge toutoft he r ei nonepi e c e . *** Ro bi nha dne ve rbe e ns ot e r r i f i e di nhe rl i f e .I tha dn' te ve nbe e nt hi sba dwhe ns heha dwoke nupt of i ndhe r s e l fi n t hepos s e s s i onofwhi t es l a ve r s .Ands hekne wwhy,ofc our s e .Be c a us et hi st i mes ome onewa sc ount i ngonhe rt oge t t hej obdone .Th i st i mes ome onee l s ee xpe c t e dhe rt obes t r ong. " Whos e ntyout ome ? "J a c ka s k e dhe ri nar umbl i ngvoi c e . Shef i xe dhe rga z eont hebi ggo l dc r uc i f i xhewa swe a r i ng,a nddi dn' tha vet ot r yt oma kehe rvoi c et i mi da nds ha ky. " It hi nkhes a i dhi sna mewa sDa ne .Hes a i dyoumi ghtbea bl et ot e l lmewhe r eIc oul df i ndt heDr agonLady . " " Wha t c hawa ntwi t ht ha tt ub,ki d? " I nve nt i nga ss hewe nta l ong,Robi na ns we r e ds of t l y." Mr .Sut t onof f e r e dmeaj obawhi l eba c k.Ine e dt ot a l kt o hi m. " J a c kwa sc he wi n gont hes t ubofac i ga r ,hi se ye sna r r owe da ga i ns tt her i s i ngc ur lofs mokea shes t a r e da the r . Wi t ha s hor tl a ughhes a i d," Youdon' twa ntnoj obt ha tba s t a r dof f e r syou,gi r l .Doyour s e l faf a vora ndf or ge tt hei de a . " Wi t haf a c i l i t yt ha tha dbe e nhe r ss i nc ec hi l dhood,Robi na l l owe dt e a r st of or mi nhe re ye s ,a ndl e the rvoi c equa ve r . " Iha vet of i ndt h a tboa t .Eddi ewor ksont ha tboa t ,a ndIha vet of i ndhi m. " " Youdon' tl o okol de nought oha vea nEddi e , "J a c ks a i d,buti nt hewor l dwe a r yt onet ha te xpe c t e dbuddi ng a dol e s c e nt st oha veda nge r ousboyf r i e nds ." I nt r oubl e ,e h? " Ro bi nl e the re y e ss ki t t e ra wa yf r omhi s ." Iha vet of i ndEddi e , "s her e pe a t e ddol e f ul l y. J a c ks i ghe da nds hi f t e dt hec i ga rt ot heot he rs i deofhi smout h ." Gi r l ,Sut t on' sc a r r yi ngva l ua bl ec a r go,a ndhea i n' t goi ngt owa ntnoc r yi nggi r l f r i e ndpe s t e r i ngoneofhi sme n. " " Iwon' tpe s t e rhi m, "s hes a i d,a l l owi nghopet oc r e e pi nt ohe rvo i c e ." I ' l lj us ts t a ndbya ndwa i tt i l lEddi e ' ss hi f te nds . Unl e s s...t he y' r ea ts e a ? "

J a c kgr unt e di nb r i e fa mus e me nt ." Noneofusa r ea ts e awi t ht hewa t e r sboi l i ngl i ket he y' r ef r omhe l l , "hemut t e r e d. Ro bi ndi dn' tr e a c tt ohi sa wa r e ne s soft hel a we nf or c e me nta c t i vi t ya l la r oundt hec oa s tbutme r e l yl ooke da thi mwi t h as pa ni e l l i kee xp r e s s i on." Pl e a s et e l lmewhe r et heboa ti s , "s hebe gge d. Al mos ta ngr i l yhes a i d," I t ' snos ki nof fmynos ei fyouwa ntt oge tyours i l l ya s ss hotof f .Sut t onus ua l l ya nc hor si na c oveof foneoft heTe nThous a ndI s l a nds .The yc a l lt ha ti s l a ndt heMa z e ,a ndf orgoodr e a s on. " " Tha nkyou, "Robi ns a i dbr e a t hi l y,s l i di ngof ft hes t ool . " He r e . "Her e a c he douts udde nl ya nds t uf f e ds ome t hi ngi nt ooneoft hepoc ke t sofhe rwi ndbr e a ke r . " Hopabusba c kt oI owa ,orwhe r e ve ryou' r ef r om.Now,ge tout t ahe r e . " Shenodde da ndmove dqui c kl yba c kt ot hedoor ,r e l i e ve dt of i ndnof ur t he ra t t e nt i onpa i dhe rbyt heme ni nt he t a ve r n.I mme di a t e l yout s i det hedoorMi c ha e lt ookhe rha nda nddr e whe ri nt ot hes ha dows . " Anyt hi ng? "hea s ke d. Hi sha ndf e l tve r ywa r m,a ndRobi nkne whe rownwa si c ec ol d." Ye s , "s hemur mur e d,t r yi ngt oge tt hes ha keoutof he rvoi c e ." Ani s l a ndi nt heTe nThous a ndgr oup.I t ' sc a l l e dt heMa z e .Hes a i dSut t onus ua l l ya nc hor si nac ovet he r e . " " Iknowwhe r ei ti s .Goodwor k, "Mi c ha e ls a i ds i nc e r e l y,t he na s ke d," Wha t ' st ha t ? " Ro bi nwa ss t a r i ngi na s t oni s hme nta tt wohundr e ddol l a rbi l l ss heha dpul l e df r omhe rpoc ke t ." He —hega vemet hi s . To l dmet oge tabusba c kt owhe r e ve rIwa sf r om. " Mi c ha e lgr i nne dal i t t l e ." Wha tl i nedi dyougi vehi m? " " Is a i dIwa sl ooki ngf ormyboy f r i e nd,t ha thewor ke donSut t on' sya c ht .He ,t ha ti s ,J a c ka s s ume dIwa spr e gna nt . " St i l lhol di nghe rha nd,Mi c ha e lbe ga nmovi nga wa yf r omt het a v e r n." Youmus tha vet ouc he dhi ss of ts poti fhega ve yout wobi l l s , "hes a i dphi l os ophi c a l l y. " Ic a n' tke e pt hemone y! "s hepr ot e s t e d. " You' l lha vet o.I twoul dn' tbei nc ha r a c t e rt ogi vei tba c k.Be s i de s ,doyour e a l t ywa ntt ogoba c ki nt he r e ? " " No.Buti ti s n' tr i ght . " Pa t i e nt l yMi c ha e ls a i d," The nwe ' l ls t opa tac hur c hs ome whe r ea ndyouc a nputi ti nt hec ol l e c t i onbox. " Ro bi ns i ghe dbu twa l ke dbe s i d ehi m wi t houtf ur t he rpr ot e s t .Shekne ws hewa ss t upi dt of e e lgui l t ya ta c c e pt i ng mone yf r omama nl i keJ a c kunde rf a l s epr e t e ns e s ;i twa spr oba bl yi l l got t e nga i nsa nywa y.St i l l ,he ' dbe e nki ndt ohe r i nar oughwa y, a nds hec oul dn' the l pbutf e e lba da boutI t . " Howdi dyougue s st he ywoul dn' tbot he ryoui nt he r e ? "Mi c ha e la s ke dc ur i ous l ya st he ywa l ke d. " I tma des e ns e . "Hes e e me dt oha vef or got t e nhewa ss t i l lhol di nghe rha nd,a ndRobi nwonde r e dwhys hedi d n' tpul l i ta wa y." Agi r ldr e s s e dl i keIa m,pr oba bl ypr e t t yyounga nddownonhe rl uc k—butwe a r i ngar e l i gi ousme da ls he c oul dha vepa wne d.Ac opt ol dmeonc et ha ts omeoft her oughe s tme ns t i l lha veat e nde nc yt or e s pe c t' good'gi r l s .I t ookt hec ha nc e . " " Yous ur edi d. "Hes que e z e dhe rha ndbr i e f l y." Andyoupul l e di tof f .You' vegotgut s ,I ' l lgi veyout ha t . " St i l lf ool i ngt h e mal l !Robi n' sbi t t e r ne s sgr e wwhe ns her e a l i z e dt ha tt hea f t e r ma t hoff e a rha dl e f the rf e e l i n gwe a k a nds ha ky—a sa l wa ys .Oh,da mn,whyc oul dn' ts hec onque rhe rf e a r ?Whyc oul dn' ts hef i nds omehi ntofc our a ge i ns i dehe r s e l f ? " Tha nks , "s hes a i dt a ut l y,a ndi mme di a t e l yc ha nge dt hes ubj e c tbe c a us es hef e l tl i keaf r a ud." Ar ewegoi ngba c kt o t heboa t ? " " Af t e rwes t opf ors uppl i e s ,It hi nkwe ' dbe t t e r .Andwes houl dhe a df ort ha ti s l a ndr i ghta wa y.Thec r a c kdownon boa t si nt he s ewa t e r swon' tl a s tmor et ha nac oupl emor eda ys ,I ' dgue s s .Onc et hehe a t ' sof f ,Sut t onc oul dde c i det o bol t . " Fort hef i r s tt i me ,Robi nwonde r e dwha thepl a nne dt odowhe nt he yf oundt heya c ht .I fSut t onwa si nde e donol d e ne my,t he nLi s a ' spos i t i onwa sde c i de dl ypr e c a r i ous .Fr om wha tRobi nha dhe a r d,Sut t onwa sj us ta sl i ke l yt oe nt e r i nt oagunba t t l ewi t haCoa s tGua r dve s s e la shewa st os ur r e nde rt ot he m. I nas ma l lvoi c es hes a i d," Wec a n' tj us tt i pof ft heCoa s tGua r da boutt ha tya c ht ,c a nwe ? " Af t e ramome ntMi c ha e ls a i d," Idon' tknow,buti t ' sdoubt f ul .Onehi ntoft r oubl e ,a ndSut t on' sl i ke l yt ot hr owt he gi r l sove r boa r d.Andt he ywon' tbei na nyc ondi t i ont os ur vi vet ha t . " " The nhowc a nwehe l pt he m?Howc a nwege tt he ma ndLi s aof ft heboa ts a f e l y? " " Idon' tknow,Robi n. "Mi c ha e lwa l ke dons t e a di l y,notl ooki nga the r ." Ij us tdon' tknow. " I twa s n' tove r ,Robi nr e a l i z e d,goi ngc ol di ns i dea ga i n.Thewor s twa s n' tove r .She ' dha ds omeva guei de aofa l e r t i ng t hepr ope rof f i c i a l sa nds t a ndi ngbywhi l et hegi r l sa ndMi c ha e l ' ss i s t e rwe r es a f e l yr e s c ue d.Buts her e a l i z e dnowt ha ti t woul dn' tbes oe a s y,ors os i mpl e .Fi ndi ngt heya c htwoul dn' tbee nough. Shef or c e dhe rvoi c et or e ma i ns t e a dy." We ' l lne e ds omeki ndofba c kuponc ewef i ndt heya c ht . " Ast he yt ur ne di nt hedi r e c t i onoft hema r i na ,Mi c ha e ls t oppe ds udde nl ya ndf a c e dhe r .The ys t oodbe f or eat a ve r n

s l i ght l ymor eups c a l et ha nt heoneRobi nha dgonei nt o,a ndt hehe l l i s hgl ow ofar e dne ons i gni nt hewi ndow l i t Mi c ha e l ' sf a c ea n dma dehi sgr i me xpr e s s i ona l lt ooobvi ous . " No,Robi n. " " The r emus tb es ome oneyouc a nt r us t ! " " Tha ti s n' tt hepo i nt . " " Ye s ,i ti s , "Robi ni ns i s t e d,a ndf e l taf l a s hofbi t t e r ne s ss pur r e da smuc hbyhe rowns e l f doubt sa sa nyt hi nge l s e . " Buti tha st obeyou,r i ght ?J us tyoua l one ,a ndne ve rmi ndt ha tyou' r ewa yt hehe l lout numbe r e d. " " Robi n—" Thei c ewa sc r a c ki ng,a ndf e a rwa st her e a s on.Fe a rf orhi m.Not hi ngma t t e r e de xc e ptt hi st e r r i bl ehunge rf orhi m, c l a wi nga the runt i ls hewa sr a wa ndhe l pl e s s .He ' dge thi ms e l fki l l e d,a nde ve r yi ns t i nc ts hec oul dl a yc l a i mt os ur ge d i npr ot e s t .Thef e e l i ngst a ngl e di ns i dehe ri nwi l dc onf us i on. Shej e r ke dhe rha nda wa ya ndf or c e daha r dl a ugh." Iha t eh e r oe s ,Ir e a l l ydo.The yma ket her e s tofusf e e ls o da mne di na de qua t e ! "The n,hor r i f i e dt oha ves a i dt ha ta l oudf ort hef i r s tt i me ,s hes hove dhe rha ndsi nt ot hepoc ke t sof he rwi ndbr e a ke ra ndhur r i e dpa s thi m.Shekne whewa sbe hi ndhe r ,buthedi dn' ts pe a ka nddi dn' ta t t e mptt oc a t c hup. Robi nwa sbl e s s e dwi t hagoods e ns eofdi r e c t i on,a nde ve nwi t hhe rt hought sa nde mot i onsi nt ur moi lwa sa bl et of i nd t hema r i nae a s i l y. Shef oundhe r s e l fa l oneonc es her e a c he dt heboa t ,a ndr e a l i z e donl yt he nt ha tMi c ha e lmus tha ves t oppe d s ome whe r et og e tt hos es uppl i e sheme nt i one d.Mi s e r a bl e ,s hewe ntbe l owa ndt ookas howe ri nt het i nyba t hr oom, ma k i ngus eoft hef i r s toppor t uni t ys he ' dha dt owa s ha wa yt hes a l tofhe re nf or c e ds wi m ofl a s tni ght .Shef ound a not he rpa i rofc ut of fj e a nsa ndas hor t s l e e vegr e e nbl ous e ,t he nwe ntuponde c kt oa l l owhe rha i rt odr yi nt h eni ght br e e z e . Thema r i nawa swe l ll i t ,a nds hes a wMi c ha e le a s i l ywhe nher e t ur ne da l mos ta nhourl a t e rc a r r yi ngt wob oxe sof gr oc e r i e sa nds uppl i e s .Hedi dn' tl ooka the ra shej umpe da boa r da ndt ookt hes t uf fbe l ow,a ndRobi nf e l te ve nmor e mi s e r a bl e . Typi c a lRobi n,s hoot i nghe rmout hof f ,s het hought .She ' dha dnor i ghtt os a yt ha t .Hewa swor r i e dt ode a t ha bouthi s s i s t e r —a ndhewa sa na ge nt ,f orGod' ss a ke ;ofc our s ehewa sc our a ge ouse nought ode a lwi t hSut t ona l one .Hewoul d t oo;s hekne whewoul d.He r oe s ,s ur e .Ands heha dt obea t t r a c t e dt ot he m. Es pe c i a l l ya t t r a c t e dt oMi c ha e lSi r a n. Ro bi ngr oa ne di nwa r dl ya ndr e s t e dhe rf or e he a donhe rupr a i s e dkne e s .Oh,Lor d,s hewa sdoi ngi ta ga i n!Li keor et o ama gne t ,s hec o ul dn' the l pbutgi vei nt ot hea t t r a c t i onofs t r ongme n...onl yt of i ndhe r s e l fr e s e nt i ngt he m,be c a us e s he ,ac owa r d,c oul dne ve rf e e le qua li ns uc har e l a t i ons hi p. Tha twa sa l li twa s ,ofc our s e .Al l .J us ta na t t r a c t i on,a ndt he s eot he rt a ngl e df e e l i ngsdi dn' tme a na nyt hi nga ta l l .She wa sadumbwoma nwi t ha ni ns a nef a s c i na t i onofs t r ongme n.Not hi ngmor e . De s pe r a t e l y,s hewe ntonl yi ngt ohe r s e l f . Eye sc l os e d,s hef e l tmor et ha nhe a r ds of tf oot s t e psont hede c k,a ndbe c a mea wa r et ha tMi c ha e lha ds a tdownont he pa dde dbe nc ha c r os sf r omt heones heoc c upi e d.Shehe a r dt hes na pofal i ght e r ,a ndl ooke dupt of i ndhi ml i ght i nga c i ga r e t t e ,f a c ee x pr e s s i onl e s s . " Youwa ntt ot e l lmewha tt ha twa sa l la bout ? "hea s ke dwhe nt h el i ght e rwa sba c ki nt hi spoc ke t . Shec l e a r e da wa yt hel umpi nhe rt hr oa t ." Not h i ng.I twa s n' ta bouta nyt hi ng.I ' ms or r y;Is houl dn' tha ves a i di t . " " Iwa ntt oknowwhyyous a i di t ,Robi n. " " J us tf or ge ti t ,a l lr i ght ? " " No. "Hel e a ne df or wa r d,e l bowsonhi skne e s ,a ndl ooke da th e rs t e a di l y." The r e ' ss ome t hi nggoi ngoni ns i deyou t ha tIdon' tl i ke ,s ome t hi ngt ha t ' st e a r i ngyouup.Sowha t ' st hi sc r a pa bouthe r oe s —a ndyourf e e l i ngi na de qua t e ? " Shes t i f f e ne d." I t ' snot hi ng.It ol dyou. " Mi c ha e lbe ga nf r owni ng." Robi n,Idon' tknowwha tyout hi nkIa m,buti fyou' vegots omei ma geofa r mo ra nda whi t ec ha r ge r ,youc a nf or ge ti t . " " Nott ha tki ndofhe r o. "Robi nhe a r dhe r s e l f ,a nds hec oul dn' tbe l i e ves hewa ss a yi ngt hi s ;s heha dne ve rt ol d a nybodya bouthe rs t upi df i xa t i on." Nott hes t or ybooks t uf f ,a l lpr e t t ya ndwhi t ea ndbl oodl e s s .Ther e a lt hi ng,Mi c ha e l , t ha t ' swha tyoua r e .Youa ndme nl i keyou. " " Robi n—" " Oh,Iknowa l la boutme nl i keyou. "Shekne whe rvoi c ewa ss ha ki ng,butt hewor dsbur s toutnone t he l e s s ,l i ke wa t e r sf r omf l oodga t e s ." Myf a t he r ,mybr ot he r s ,unc l e s —a l lc ops .Myf a t he r .He ' sac opl i keyou,t heki ndofc opyou don' tr e a da bouti nt hepa pe r s .Hee a r nss c a r si ns t e a dofme da l s ,j us tl i keyoudo,I ' l lbe t .Heha s n' ta nyne r v e sa nd doe s n' tknowwh a tf e a ri s .Li keyou.Pr e s s ur ene ve rge t st ohi m,a ndhene ve rdoubt shi ms e l fa ndhi sa bi l i t i e s ,a ndhe ' s

a l wa ysi nc ont r o l .Li keyou. " " St opi t ,Robi n. "Mi c ha e ls udde nl yr os ea ndc r os s e dt hes ma l lde c kbe t we e nt he m,t os s i nghi sc i ga r e t t eove r boa r d a nds i t t i ngdownont hebe nc hne a rhe rr a i s e dl e gs ." I st ha twha tyout hi nkahe r oi s ,s omeki ndofs upe r ma n?Robi n, youj us tde s c r i be dama c hi ne ,notahuma nbe i ng.Andyous ur ea she l ldi dn' tde s c r i beme . " Hewa st ooc l os e ,t oone a r ,a ndhe rbodywa she a t i ngs l owl y.He rl a ughwa sas ma l l ,hol l ows ound." Di dn' tI ?You' r e goi ngt ot a c kl eSut t ona l onee ve nt houghyou' l lbeout numbe r e da tl e a s tt e nt oone .Wha tdoyouc a l lt ha t ? " " Myonl yopt i on. "Het ookabr e a t h,r e l e a s i ngi ti mpa t i e nt l y." Robi n,i fIt houghtwec oul dge tmor et ha nour s e l ve s a ndt hi sboa ta nywhe r ene a rSut t on' sya c htunobs e r ve d,we ' dha vea na r mya sba c kup.I ' mnott oopr oudt oye l lf orhe l p, buti nt hi ss i t ua t i ononema nha sabe t t e rc ha nc eofge t t i ngont ha tya c htwi t houtr a i s i ngt hea l a r m. " " Andt he n? "He rvoi c ewa st a ut ." Wha t ,Mi c ha e l ?Doyout hi nkyouc a nge tt hos egi r l sof ft heboa tbyyour s e l f ?Or a r eyougoi ngt ot a keac a nnona l ongt ope r s ua dea l lt hos ea r me dme nt ogi veuppe a c e f ul l y? " " Idon' tknowwha tI ' mgoi ngt odoye t , "hes a i d,mor et ha nas ugge s t i onofc l e nc he dt e e t hi nhi svoi c e ." ButI ' l ldo wha t e ve ri tt a ke st oge tLi s aa ndt hos eot he rgi r l ss a f e l youtofSut t on' sha nds . " " Iknow. "Shet r i e da ndf a i l e dt os mi l e ." Tha t ' swha tma ke syouahe r o,Mi c ha e l .Tha t ' swha tf e a r l e s sme ndo. " " Fe a r l e s s ? "Hel a ughe ds hor t l y." Fe a r ' sa nol df r i e ndofmi ne ,Robi n.Andr i ghtnowI ' ms ha ki ngi ns i de . " Shes t a r e da thi m,f e e l i ngaj ol tofs hoc k.Al lt hes t r ongme ns heha dknowna ndnoneha de ve ra dmi t t e dt of e a r . Gr a nt e d,s heha d n' tbr oughtt heque s t i onup;be c a us et he ya ppe a r e dut t e r l yf e a r l e s s ,s heha da c c e pt e dt ha ta st r u t h.But i ft hi sma n,whos es t r e ngt ha ndc our a ges hec oul da l mos ts e e ,l i kea na ur aa r oundhi m,i ft hi sma na dmi t t e dt of e a r... " I tdoe s n' ts how, "s hewhi s pe r e d. Hewa ss t i l lf r owni ng,hi ss ha r pgr a ye ye spr obi nghe r s ." Ofc our s ei tdoe s n' ts how;Idon' tl e tI t .J us tl i keyo udon' t l e ti ts how. " " I ts howsonmel i kear e df l a g, "s het ol dhi m,s t ubbor ni ns i s t e nc ei nhe rvoi c e ." Ande ve r yt i me ,e ve r yt i meIha vet o goi nt oaba ds i t ua t i on,e ve r yt i meIha vet oa tl e a s tpr e t e ndt obes t r ong,t hef e a re a t smeupi ns i de .AndIknowI ' l l f r e e z e .I ' l lf r e e z eup,a ndI ' l lge ts ome oneki l l e d.Tha t ' swhyIc oul dn' tbe —"Shebr okeof f ,hor r i f i e d. Bu ti twa st ool a t e .Mi c ha e lf i ni s he dt hes e nt e nc equi e t l y,ada wni ngunde r s t a ndi ngi nhi se xpr e s s i on." Tha t ' swhy youc oul dn' tbeac op,l i keyourf a t he r . " Ro bi nt r i e dt odr a wa wa yf r omhi m,buts hewa she mme di nbyt hes i deoft heboa ta ndbyt hel ongl e gss t r e t c he dout be s i det hebe nc h.Shec oul dn' tmovea wa ywi t houtt ouc hi nghi m,a nds udde nl ys hewa smor ea f r a i doft ouc hi nghi m t ha nofa nyt hi nge l s e . " Tha t ' si t ,i s n' ti t ,Robi n? " He ra r mst i ght e ne da r oundhe rupr a i s e dkne e s ,a nds hec oul dn' tl ooka wa yf r omt hos ec l e a r ,pe r c e pt i vee ye s ." Iwe nt t hr ought hea c a d e my, "s hes a i da l mos ti na udi bl y." Eve r yones a i dIwa sbor nt obeac op.ButIkne wt het r ut h.Ikne wI wa sa l wa ysa f r a i d.Ikne ws ome onewoul dde pe ndonmes ome da y,apa r t ne r ,a ndI ' df r e e z eup.I ' dbepa r a l yz e dwi t h f e a r ,a ndI ' dge tt ha tpa r t ne r ,ors ome onee l s e ,ki l l e d. " " Di dyoue ve rf r e e z eup? "hea s ke dqui e t l y. " Tha tdoe s n' tma t t e r ,don' tyous e e ?Ikne wIwoul d.AndIc oul dn' tbeac opwhe nIkne wt ha t . " " Wha tha ppe ne d?Di dyoudr opoutoft hea c a de my? " Shes wa l l owe dha r d." No.If a i l e dt hewr i t t e ne xa m,Twi c e .If a i l e di tt wi c e . " Mi c ha e ll ooke da the rf oral ongmome nt ,t he ns a i d," Soyous t uc kt ha tl a be lonyour s e l fa swe l l . " " Wha tl a be l ? " " Fa i l ur e .I st ha twha tyourf a t he rc a l l e dyou? " " No. "Shea voi de dhi se ye s ." Idi dn' tgi vehi mt hec ha nc e .Iha ve n' ts e e nhi mi nt hr e eye a r s .Ac owa r dt ot hee nd. " " St opi t . "Her e a c he dout ,gr a s p i ngbot hhe rs houl de r sa ndhol di ngt he mha r d." Robi n,f e a ri sna t ur a l ;i nada nge r ous s i t ua t i onyou' dbea ni di oti fyouwe r e n' ta f r a i d.Andt ha tf a i l ur eofyour swa s n' ta nhone s tone . " " Iknowwha tIa m, "s hewhi s pe r e d,t r yi ngt oi g nor et heha r ds t r e ngt hofhi sc he s tpr e s s e da ga i ns the ra r ms . Hes e e me da boutt os ha kehe r ,butt he ndr e wabr e a t ha nds poker oughl y." Doyou?We l l ,l e tmet e l lyouwha tot he r s knowa boutyou ,Robi n.Wha tIknowa boutyou,e ve nt houghwe ' veknowne a c hot he rl e s st ha nt we nt yf ourhour s .I knowt ha tyouwe ntt hr ougha ne xpe r i e nc et ha twoul dha vede s t r oye dmos two me n.Youwe r eki dna ppe d,dr ugge d, t r e a t e dl i keapi e c eofme r c ha ndi s e .Butyous t i l lma na ge dt os a veyour s e l fbyge t t i nga wa ya ndj umpi ngove r boa r d. Andt he n,whe na nyot he rwoma nwoul dha ver unt oe s c a pet hos epa i nf ulme mor i e s ,yout e a me dupwi t has t r a nge rt o t r yt os a vet hos eot he rwome n. " Youwe nti nt oapl a c et ha tha l ft hec opsI ' vee ve rme twoul dha vea voi de dl i ket hepl a gue ,f i l l e dwi t hme nve r yl i ke t heone swhoki dna ppe dyou.Andyoudi di t ,Robi n.Youi ns t i nc t i ve l ya s s ume dt heoner ol et ha tpr ovi de dt h es l i ght c ha nc eofs uc c e s s .Andi twor ke d.Youwe nti nf ori nf or ma t i on—a ndyouc a meoutwi t hi t .Yougott hej obdone . "

" Iwa sa f r a i d! "s hec r i e d. " Sowha t ?Yout hi nkc our a gei sme a s ur e dbyt hel a c koff e a r ?No,Robi n,i t ' st heoppos i t e .Cour a gei sdoi n gwha t youha vet ode s pi t ef e a r . " " Idon' tbe l i e veyou, "s hes a i d,t hi nki ngofhe rf a t he r ,a l wa yss mi l i ng,c onf i de nt ,una f r a i d. Mi c ha e ldi ds ha kehe rt he n,butge nt l y.Hi sgr a ye ye swe nts t e e l ys udde nl y,wi t ht hei nwa r dt ur ne dl ookofs e l f a ppr a i s a l ." I ' vebe e ni nt hi sbus i ne s sf ort e nye a r s , "het ol dhe rf l a t l y," a ndI ' mve r ygooda twha tIdo.I ' vewor ke di n t heMi ddl eEa s t ,Sout hAme r i c a ,e ve r ypa r tofEur opea ndAs i a .Di r t yj obs ,mos toft he m,a ndhe l l i s hl yt a ngl e d.I ' ve be e nbe t r a ye dbype opl eIt houghtwe r ef r i e nds ,c a pt ur e d,he l dpr i s one r .And,Robi n...I ' vebe e naf r ai d. " Shes t a r e da thi m,s e e i ngt hena k e dt r ut h." Buti tdi dn' tpa r a l yz eyou, "s hewhi s pe r e d." I tdi dn' ts t opyou. " " No.Andi twon' ts t opyou.Youdoubt e dyour s e l fa ndyoura bi l i t i e si nt hebe gi nni ng,a ndt ha t ' sna t ur a l .Butyou s e e mt oke e pmi s i nt e r pr e t i ngyourownr e a c t i onst oda nge r .Thepoi nti s n' tt ha tyou' r ea f r a i d.Thepoi nti st ha ti tdoe s n' t s t opyou. " " Wha ti fi tdoe soneda y? " " I twon' t . " " Howc a nIbes ur eoft ha t ? " Theha ndsonhe rs houl de r sge nt l e d." Robi n,yous houl dbes ur eofi tnow.You' vea l r e a dyf a c e dda nge r smos tpe opl e ne ve re nc ount e r .Youj us tha vet oa c c e ptt ha tf e a ri st woo' c l oc ki nt he mor ni ngc our a ge . " Fe e l i ngve r ys ha ke n,s hemur mu r e d," I st ha taquot e ? " Hes mi l e dal i t t l e ." Pa r a phr a s e .Looki tups ome t i me .Be c a us et ha t ' st heki ndofc our a geyouha ve .Ther a r e s tk i nd. " Ro bi ndr e wabr e a t h,a wa r es udde nl yoft hequi e toft hema r i na ,oft hege nt l er oc ki ngmot i onoft heboa t .Ofhi m.Hi s l ongf i nge r swe r emovi ngonhe rs houl de r s ,a l mos ta bs e nt l ypr obi ng;hi se ye swe r eda r ke ni ng.Ands hec oul dn' tl ook a wa yf r omhi m.Sheha da na br uptme mor yofj umpi ngof ft ha tya c ht ,ofs i nki ngi nt oda r kwa t e r s ,a l onea nda f r a i d. " Wha ti si ta boutyou? "hemur mur e d,c l e a r l ypuz z l e d." I ' vet a l ke dmor ei nt hel a s tt we nt yf ourhour st ha nIus ua l l y doi namont h. " " You' r e...ve r ya l one ,a r e n' tyou? " " Exc e ptf orLi s a . " Ro bi ns hookh e rhe a ds l i ght l y." Tha ti s n' twha tIme a nt . " " Iknow. "Hi se ye swe r es e a r c hi nghe rf a c enow,s t i l lpuz z l e d,a si fhewe r el ooki ngf ors ome t hi ng." Pr of e s s i ona l l yI r a r e l ywor kwi t hapa r t ne r .Pe r s ona l l yIs uppos eIne ve rt houghti twa sf a i rt obe gi nar e l a t i ons hi pt ha tc oul dn' tl a s t . " " Youme a nf r i e nds hi p?Oral ove r ? " " Bot h.Myl i f ewoul ds t r a i na nyki ndofr e l a t i ons hi p. " Ro bi nwa st r yi n gt oc onc e nt r a t e ,t r yi ngt oke e phe rmi ndof ft hes l ow,i ne xor a bl ea wa ke ni ngofhe rbodya nds e ns e s . " Butyoumus th a vef r i e nds hi ps .Da ne ,f orone . " Mi c ha e lt i l t e dhi she a ds l i ght l y,l i s t e ni ng." Ma ybei t ' syourvoi c e , "hes a i da bs e nt l y,t he nr e s ponde dt ohe rc omme nt s be f or es hec oul dr e a c t ." Da ne ?No,Da nei s n' taf r i e nd.Wedon' tknowe nougha boute a c hot he rf orf r i e nds hi p.I ' m s e c r e t i ve ;he ' se n i gma t i c .He ' st oogoodac a r dpl a ye rf ormype a c eofmi nd.Ande ve nt houghI ' dt r us thi m wi t hmy l i f e —a ndha vei ns omes i t ua t i ons —I ' mnots os ur eI ' dt ur nmyb a c kt ohi m. " Shef e l tas udde npa ng,r e me mbe r i ngwha theha ds a i da boutha vi ngbe e nbe t r a ye dbyt hos ehe ' dc ons i de r e df r i e nds . " Yout wos e e me dt oknowe a c hot he rs owe l l .Andye tyous t i l lf e e ls us pi c i ous ? " Oneofhi sha ndsl i f t e df r omhe rs houl de ra ndbr us he das t r a ndofa ubur nha i rf r omhe rf a c e ,t he nl i nge r e dwa r ml y a ga i ns the rne c k." I ' vea l wa yshe dge dmybe t s ,Robi n, "hes a i dqui e t l y." Be c a us es ur et hi ngss ome t i me ss t umbl e ,a nd t hel ongs hot sc a nge tyouki l l e d . " " Whi c ha mI ? "s hehe a r dhe r s e l fa s kuns t e a di l y." Thes ur et hi ng?Ort hel ongs hot ? " " Idon' tknow. "Hi sha nds l i da r oundt ot hena peofhe rne c k,a ndhebe ga ndr a wi nghe rt owa r dhi m." Butf ort hef i r s t t i mei nmyl i f e. . .Idon' tknowi fIc a nhe dget hi sbe t . " Aga i ns the rc ons c i ousvol i t i on,Robi nf e l the rha ndsl i f t i ngt ot o uc hhi sc he s t ,f e l the rl e gspa r t i ngs ot ha ta shedr e w he rc l os e rs hewa she a vi l ya wa r eoft hewa r mt hofhi sbodyi nt hehol l owofhe rt hi ghs . " Idon' tt hi nk. ..t hi si save r ygoodi de a , "s hema na ge dt os a ya l mos ti na udi bl y. " Ofc our s ei ti s n' t , "hes a i dhus ki l y." Wha tt hehe l ldoe st ha tma t t e r ? " Ro bi nf or gothe robj e c t i onst hemome nthi sl i pst ouc he dhe r s .Shef or gote ve r yt hi ngbuthi ma ndt hevi ol e nts ur geof e mo t i onsr us hi ngt hr oughhe r .Sheha dne ve rf e l ta nyt hi ngl i ket hi s ,a ndt hef or c eofi ts hoc ke dhe r .I tc a mef r o mhi m, t ha tf or c e ,butt h e r ewa sa ne qua l l ys t r ongr e s pons ef r omde e pi ns i dehe r s e l f ,a ndt ha ts t unne dhe r ;s heha dne ve rbe f or e f e l ts uc hpowe r . He ra r mswe ntupa r oundhi sne c ka shepul l e dhe rf i e r c e l ya ga i ns thi m,a nds hef e l thi mdr a woneofhe rl e gsa c r os s

hi s ,s t r oki ngt hes l e nde rt hi ghl e f tba r ebyhe rs hor t s .Wi t hami ndofi t sown,he rbodya r c he di nt ohi s ,dr i ve nt obe c l os e r . Awi l ds oundt a ngl e di nt heba c kofhe rt hr oa ta shi smout hs l a nt e da c r os she r s ,de e pe ni ngt heki s s ,a ndhe a tj ol t e d t hr oughhe rl i kewi l df i r e .Wha tdi di tma t t e r ,s hewonde r e dda z e dl y,t ha tt he r ewoul dha vet obear e c koni ngf ort hi s , t ha ts hewoul dpa yde a r l yi nt a t t e r e de mot i ons .Wha tdi di tma t t e rt ha tt hi st i mes hewa sdr a wnt oama ns t r onge rt ha n a nys heha de ve rknown,wi t haf or c eofwi l lt ha twoul di ne vi t a b l yde e pe nhe rowns e ns eoff a i l ur e . Not hi ngma t t e r e de xc e ptnow,t h i smome nt ,a ndt hef e e l i ngshewa sdr a wi ngf r omhe rde e pe s ts e l f . I twa sMi c ha e lwhopul l e dba c ks udde nl y,hol di nghe ra wa yf r omhi mwi t hi r onha ndsonhe rs houl de r s .Hi sf a c ewa s pa l ee xc e ptf ort heha r df l us honhi sc he e kbone s ,hi se ye sgl i t t e r i ng." Idi dn' tpl a nonyou, "hes a i dhoa r s e l y. Ro bi nwa ss t a r i nga thi m,da z e d.Shef or c e dhe ra r mst ol e tgoofhi m." Oh,da mn, "s hemut t e r e d,r e a l i z i ngonl yt he n t ha ti twa st ool a t ef orhe rt of i gh tt hi s .Fa rt ool a t e ." Idi dn' tpl a nonyoue i t he r . " Her e l e a s e dhe ra nddr e wa wa ys l owl y,r i s i ngt ohi sf e e ta nds t a r i ngdowna the r .Hi se ye swe r evi ol e nt ,buthi sf a c e r e ma i ne dha r da nds t i l l . Ro bi ns pokebe f or ehec oul d,f i ght i ngt ohol dhe rvoi c es t e a dy." Youma ynotknowwhi c hIa m,as ur et hi ngora l ongs hot ,butyouknowwha tt hi si s ,don' tyou? "Shedi dn' tha vet oe l a bor a t e ;hekne wt ha t" t hi s "wa st hee xpl os i ve a t t r a c t i onbe t we e nt he m. Mi c ha e lnodde dwi t hs t a r kc ont r ol ." Iknow.I t ' sal ongs hot .Onec ha nc ei nami l l i on.AndIdon' tbe tonl ongs hot s . " Shewa t c he dhi mmovea wa ya ndbe gi npr e pa r a t i onst ol e a vet hema r i na ,f e e l i nghota ndr e s t l e s s .Andde s pi t ewha t Mi c ha e lha ds a i d ,s hewa ss t i l la f r a i d. Shedi dn' tbe tonl ongs hot s —us ua l l y.AndMi c ha e ldi dn' tbe tont he m—us ua l l y.Buthe r et he ywe r e ,ge t t i ngr e a dyt o s a i lof font hi ss ma l lboa ta l onet ot r yt or e s c uewome nbe i nghe l dbya r me dme nonal a r geya c ht . Andi ft ha twa s n' tal ongs hot ...t he nwha twa s ?

Four I nal uxur i ousc ondohi gha boveMi a mi ' sf a mousgl e a mi ngwhi t es t r i pofbe a c h,Da nePr e s c ot tt ur ne da wa yf r omt he ba ri nt hes unke nl i vi ngr oom a nda br upt l ywe nts t i l l .Se c ondspa s s e d.Hi spr e oc c upi e df r owns l owl yf a de d,as mi l e t a ki ngi t spl a c e . " Fors ome onewho' sr e put e dl youtoft hebus i ne s s , "hemur mur e dt ot hea ppa r e nt l ye mpt yr oom," yous ur ec r e e p a r oundonc a tf e e t .AndI ' vene v e rknownar e t i r e emor ei nc l i ne dt opi c kl oc ksa nddi s a bl es e c ur i t ys ys t e ms . " " Yououghtt oc ha nget ha ts ys t e m, "Ra ve nLongs a i d,s t e ppi ngd owni nt ot hel i vi ngr oom." I t ' sl ous y. " " I ' mague s the r e , "Da net ol dhe rpol i t e l y." Thepl a c ebe l ongst oaf r i e nd. " Ra ve nl ooke da r ound,t he nga z e da thi mwi t hal i f t e dbr ow." Br o ket hi swe e k? "s hea s ke dhi mdr yl y. " No.Butne a re nough. "Hes hr ugge d,di s mi s s i ngwha twa sobvi ous l ya nuni mpor t a ntpr obl e m." Wha tbr i n gsyou downt os unnyMi a mi ?La s tIhe a r d,you' dma r r i e dJ os huaLonga ndha dr e t i r e df r om t hewor l dofs ha do wsa nd s e c r e t s . " " Youknowwha tt he ys a ya boutr e t i r e da ge nt s .The yj us tc a n' tke e poutoft heda r k.Ine e ds omeI nf or ma t i on,Da ne . " " As ka wa y. " " DoyouknowMi c ha e lSi r a n? " " Ye s .Woul dyoul i keadr i nk? " Ra ve n' se ye sna r r owe ds l i ght l y." Wi l lIbehe r et ha tl ong? " " Youmi ght . " " Oka y.Br a ndy. " Hep our e dhe rd r i nk,t he nc a r r i e dI tt ohe ra ndge s t ur e df orhe rt os i tdown.Whe ns heha d,hej oi ne dhe ra tonee ndof t hepl us hgol dgr oupi ngi nt hec e nt e roft her oom." Whya r eyoul ooki ngf orMi c ha e l ? "hea s ke d. " Imi ghtne e dhi she l p.Af r i e ndofaf r i e ndc oul dwe l lbei nt r oubl edownhe r e .Ve r yl i ke l yi si nt r oubl e .Sh eha s n' t c he c ke doutofhe rhot e l ,buthe rt hi ngsa r es t i l lt he r ea nds heha s n' tbe e ns e e nf ort hepa s tf e wda ys .She ' sar e por t e r , a nds hewa sl ooki ngi nt oawhi t es l a ve r yr i ng. " Ra ve ns t udi e dhe rbr a ndyt hought f ul l y." I ' mhe r ewi t hs omef r i e nds .Wec he c ke dt hema r i naac oupl eofhour sa go a ndf oundwe ' dj us tmi s s e dSi r a n' sboa t .Whe r ei she ,Da ne ? " " Unl e s sI ' mmuc hmi s t a ke n, "Da nes a i d," he ' swi t hyourf r i e ndofaf r i e nd.I fhe rna me ' sRobi nSt ua r t ,t ha ti s . " Ra ve nbl i nke d,t he ns mi l e d." Howdi dt ha tha ppe n? "" Se e mss hewa s n' tj us tl ooki ngi nt owhi t es l a ve r y; s hef e l li nt o i t .Ma na ge dt oj umps hi pi nt hede a dofni ght .Byagr e a ts t r okeofl uc k,Mi c ha e lwa si nt hevi c i ni t y.Hef i s he dhe rout oft hewa t e r . " Ra ve ns i ghe d." Te ddywi l lber e l i e ve d. "

" Don' tc e l e br a t eye t , "Da newa r n e dhe r . Ra ve nha l fc l o s e dhe re ye s ." Thes l a ve r s ? " " Af r a i ds o.Mi c ha e la ndRobi nc a met os e emet hi sa f t e r noona s ki nga boutEdwa r dSut t on' sya c ht .The yha dapr e t t y goodi de at ha twa st heboa tRobi ne s c a pe df r om.I ' ds a yi twa sac a s eofout of t he f r yi ngpa nf orRobi n;s hej us t ha ppe ne dt ober e s c ue dbyt heonema nwho' sc a pa bl eof —a ndhi ghl ymot i va t e dt o—putSut t onoutofbus i ne s sf or good.Sut t on' sa nol de ne myofMi c ha e l ' s ,a ndhe ' shol di ngs ome oneve r yde a rt oMi c ha e la sba i tt odr a whi mou t . " " Who? " " Hi ss i s t e r .Mygue s si st ha ts i nc et hi si spe r s ona lt oMi c ha e l ,he ' sonhi sown.Noba c kup. "Da nes hookhi she a da l i t t l e ." He ' ds t or mhe l li ft hede vi lha dhi ss i s t e r ;t ha t ' sa boutwha the ' sdoi ngnow.Theoddsa r e n' tgood,Ra ve n. " " The nwe ' l li mpr ovet he m, "s hes a i dgr i ml y.Af t e ramome ntDa nes mi l e d." Oka y.Wha tdoyoune e df r omme ? " *** I nhi sof f i c ei nal a r ge rEa s tCoa s tc i t y,Da ni e lSt ua r ts l owl yc l os e dt hef ol de ronas ur ve i l l a nc er e por theha dj us t r e c e i ve df r omoneofhi sa ge nt s .Hewa sf r owni ng,a ndhe s i t a t e df oramome ntbe f or er e a c hi ngf orhi ss pe c i a lphone , a nddi a l i ngas pe c i a lnumbe r .Thec a l lwoul dber out e dt hr oughs e ve r a la r e ac ode sbe f or ef i na l l yr e a c hi ngt hemobi l e phonea tt heot he re ndoft hec onne c t i on.I twa sa f t e rmi dni ght .Hehe a r dadoz e nc l i c ks ,t he nt her i ngs i gna l .Atl a s t ,t he phonewa sa ns we r e d. " Ye a h? "avoi c egr unt e d. " Whe r ea r eyou? "Da ni e la s ke dwi t houtpr e a mbl e . " Tooc l os et ohome .Mi a mi . " " Tha t ' swhe r et hel a di e swe nt ? " " Thr e eoft he m.Ra ve nLong,Kyl eKe ndr i c k,a ndTe ddySt e e l e .Oneoft hec ompa nyj e t st ouc he ddownaf e whour s a go.Andt he ya l mos tl os tme ,da mml t . " " Idi dwa r nyout ha tt he ys ome t i me smovef a s t .Anys i gnoft he i rhus ba nds ? " " No,a ndIdon' tt hi nkt he yc a medownhe r et oj oi nt he m.Thewome nc he c ke dt hema r i na ,a s ki ngt heha r borma s t e r a boutt heBl ac kAnge l . " " Mi c ha e l ' sboa t ? "Fr owni ng,Da ni e lr a nl ongf i nge r st hr oughhi ss t e e l gr a yha i r ." Anyi de awhy? " " No.ButIc a nf i ndout . "The r ewa swr yhumori nt hede e pvoi c e ." Ra ve nLongj us tl e f tt hec ondowhe r eDa ne ' s l i v i nga tt hemome nt . " Da n i e lha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ." Thi si sge t t i nghe l l i s hl yc ompl i c a t e d,Skye . " " Te l lmea bouti t . " " I ft hos el a di e sha vet a ke nof fa f t e rMi c ha e l. . . " " Ye a h.We l l ,t he r e ' ss ome t hi nggoi ngon,t ha t ' sf ors ur e .It hi nkt hel a di e sa r eont he i rownt hi st i me ,a ndt he y' r e movi ngve r yf a s t .Ani nt e r e s t i ngs ur ve i l l a nc e ,I ' l ls a yt ha t . " " Fi ndoutwha tyouc a nf r omDa ne . "Da ni e ls i ghe d." Andl e tmeknowi mme di a t e l y. " " Ri ght . " Da n i e lc r a dl e dhi sr e c e i ve ra nds a tf oramome nt ,t hi nki ng.The r ewa snone e d,hede c i de d,t oa l e r tHa ge n;i twa s n' t t hewome nt ha to t he rf e de r a lhonc howa si nt e r e s t e di n.ButDa ni e lf e l tdi s t i nc t l yune a s y.Nonekne wbe t t e rt ha nhewha t Mi c ha e lwa supa ga i ns t ,a ndi ft hos el a dl e swe r et r yi ngt of i ndhi m. . . Hes t a r e da tt hephone ,hopi ngSkyewoul dr e por ti nt ohi mv e r ys oon. *** " Whydi dyouna mehe rBl ac kAnge l ?"Robi na s ke d. Mi c ha e l ,s t a nd i nga tt hewhe e li nt hedi ml yl i tbr i dge ,di dn' ta ns we ri mme di a t e l y.Hewa t c he dt heboa t ' si ns t r ume nt s a ndga z e da he a di nt oda r kne s s .Heha dn' ts a i dmuc hs i nc et he y' dl e f tt hema r i nahour se a r l i e r ,a ndRobi nha dgone be l owt ot r yt os l e e p. Bu ts l e e pha dbe e ni mpos s i bl e ,s os heha dr e t ur ne d,wa t c hi nghi m pi l ott heboa ta ndf e e l i nguns e t t l e d.Shet ol d he r s e l fs hes houl dber e l i e ve dt ha thewa s n' twi l l i ngt obe tont he i rl ongs hotc ha nc e sofar e l a t i ons hi p,buts hec oul dn' t he l pbutf e e lt hei r r a t i ona ls t i ngofr e j e c t i on. Ands hef e l tl one l y,ne e di ngt ohe a rt hes oundofhi svoi c e .Sos het r i e da ga i n." Af t e rt hea nge lofde a t h? " " Tha twa she rna mewhe nIboughthe r , "hes a i df i na l l y. Ro bi nwa sgl a doft ha t ,buthi sa ns we rl e f the rwi t hnor e a s ona bl yi nnoc uouss ubj e c tt ot a l ka bout .Heha ds huthe r outwi t ha ni r onwi l l ,a nde ve nt houghs hekne wwhy,i tdi dn' tl e s s e nt hepa i ns hef e l t ." Howl ongwi l li tt a keust oge t t he r e ? "s hea s ke d. " Byda wni fwe ' r el uc ky. " Ro bi nt r i e dt ot h i nkc l e a r l y;i fhewa she l l be ntondoi ngt hi sa l one ,t he ns heha dt ohe l phi ma l ls hec oul d ." Doe s

Sut t onknowwha tyourboa tl oo ksl i ke ? " " Hepr oba bl yknowst hena mea ndge ne r a lde s c r i pt i on. " " The nwec a n' tg e tne a rhi m. " " No, "Mi c ha e la gr e e d." Butt heMa z ei sc l os et os e ve r a lot he rs ma l li s l a nds ,a ndt hef i s hi ngi s n' tba dt he r e .We s hou l dn' tl ookt o os us pi c i ousge t t i ngi nc l os ee nought os pott heya c ht . " " Andt he n? " " The r e ' sa ni nl e tont heoppos i t es i deoft hei s l a ndf r omt hec ove .Wec a na nc hort he r e . " " Andt he n? "s her e pe a t e de ve nl y. St i l lr e f us i ngt ol ooka the r ,Mi c ha e ldr e wade e pbr e a t h." I ' mt h i nki ngonl yones t e pa he a d,Robi n,a ndt ha t ' sa l l . " " Yous a i dyoun e ve rbe tonl ongs hot s , "s hehe a r dhe r s e l fs a y." Wha te l s ec oul dyouc a l lwha tyou' r edoi ng? " " It ol dyou—Idon' tha veac hoi c e . " Ro bi nde c i de dt odr opt hes ubj e c tf orawhi l e .Le a ni nga ga i ns tt hedoor j a mba ndhi ghl ya wa r eoft heda r k ne s sa l l a r oundt he m,s hea s ke da sl i ght l ya ss hec oul dma na ge ," Howdi dyouha ppe nt oge ti nvol ve di nt hi sbus i ne s sa nywa y? " " Na va li nt e l l i ge nc e .ButIwa s n' tac a r e e rma n,a ndwhe nIgotoutt he r ewe r e...ot he rof f e r s . " " Whe nwa st ha t ? " " Ei ghtye a r sa go. "Hes e nthe ras pe a ki nggl a nc e ,t he nl ooke dba c ka he a da nda dde di nade l i be r a t et one ," Our pa r e nt sha dbe e nki l l e dt heye a rbe f or e ,a ndLi s aha dbe e ni naboa r di ngs c hoolwhi l eIf i ni s he dmyt ourwi t ht hena vy. Shel ove dt hes c hoola ndwa nt e dt os t a yt he r e .I ts e e me dbe s t .Ic oul dn' tpr ovi deas e t t l e dhomef orhe rt he n ,a ndi t wa s n' tl i ke l yt ha ts t a t eofa f f a i r swoul dc ha nges i nc eI ' vene ve rbe e ns ui t e df orani ne t of i vede s kj ob.ButI ' vea l wa ys be e na bl et ot a ket i meof ff orhe rva c a t i onsa ndhol i da ys . " " Howol di sLi s anow? " " Si xt e e n. " " Doe ss heknowwha tyoudo? " Mi c ha e lnodde ds l i ght l y." She ' sha dt o.Notwhe ns hewa syounge r ,ofc our s e ,butIt ol dhe rf ourorf i veye a r sa go.I wa n t e dhe rt oknows he ' dbet a k e nc a r eof. . .i fs ome t hi ngha ppe ne dt ome . " Ro bi nwa ss i l e nt . Hes e nthe ra not he rl ook,a ndhi svoi c egr a t e d." Idi dmybe s t . " Wi t houtt hi nki ng,Robi nr e a c he doutt ot ouc hhi sa r m br i e f l y." Iknowyoudi d.Iwa sj us tr e me mbe r i nghowIf e l t whe nmyf a t he rt ol dmehe ' dgonei nt oi nt e l l i ge nc ewor k.I twa st e nye a r sa go,a ndIwa se i ght e e n.I tha dbe e ne a s yt o a c c e ptt heda nge rofhi sbe i ngac opbe c a us eI ' dgr ownupwi t hi t .Andmybr ot he r sha dbe c omec ops .Buti nt e l l i ge nc e . . .Iunde r s t a ndwha tt ha tme a nt . Eve nt houghhes a i dhewoul dn' tbeaf i e l da ge nt ,Ikne whi mt oowe l lt obe l i e vei t . " " Doe shehe a du pa na ge nc y? "Mi c ha e la s ke ds l owl y. " Ye s .Idon' tknowwha ti t ' sc a l l e d.Buti t ' soneoft hos es ma l la ge nc i e sf or me ddur i ngt hel a s tf i f t e e nye a r st ohe l p r e gul a rl a we nf or c e me nta ge nc i e sc opewi t ha l lt hec r a z i ne s si nt hewor l dt oda y—dr ugs ,t e r r or i s t s ,i nt e r na t i ona lc r i me r i ngs .Al loft ha t . " " Whe r e ' si tba s e d? " Ro bi nl ooke da thi mc ur i ous l y." Ic oul dn' ts a y.Foraf e wye a r sDa dwa smos t l yont heWe s tCoa s t .Af t e rt ha the s e e me dt obef a i r l y...mobi l e .AndIha ve n' ts e e nhi mi nt hr e eye a r s . "Whe nMi c ha e ls a i dnot hi ng,s her e ve r t e dt ot he or i gi na lt opi c ." Li s amus tbeve r ys t r ong. " " Ye s .Buts hes houl dn' tha vet oc opewi t hmye ne mi e s . " " The r ewa snot hi ngyouc oul dha vedonet opr e ve nti t ,Mi c ha e l .Youknowt ha t . " " Shede s e r ve sanor ma ll i f e . " " Wha t ' sanor ma ll i f e ? "Robi ns hookhe rhe a ds l i ght l y." Nor ma li swha tyouge ta c c us t ome dt o. " " Is uppos e , "hea ns we r e d,butt he r ewa snoc onvi c t i oni nhi svoi c e . Shes t udi e dhi mi ns i l e nc ef oramome nt .Thegl owf r omt heboa t ' si ns t r ume nt sc a s tabl uea ur aa bouthi m,t hr owi ng hi sf e a t ur e si nt os t a r kr e l i e f .Hel ooke daha r d,gr i mma n,ada nge r ousma n.Buts hewa sbe gi nni ngt or e a l i z et ha tt he ma ni ns i dewa sd i f f e r e nt . Ani nna t e l yqui e ta ndr e f l e c t i v ema n,hi sa bi l i t i e sa ndba c kgr oundha dl e dhi mi nt oada nge r ouswor l d.Heha d l e a r ne dt obewa r y,t one ve rbe tonl ongs hot s .Heha dl e a r ne dt ot r us tnoonec ompl e t e l y,t owe i ghe ve r ywor d,t o me a s ur et her e a c hofe ve r yout s t r e t c he dha ndof f e r i nghe l p.Thebi t t e r ne s sofbe t r a ya l swa sbur i e di ns i dehi m,a swe l la s t hepa i noff a i l ur e s . Shekne wa l loft ha t .Ands hewa sbe gi nni ngt or e a l i z ehe rl i f e l ongc onc e pt i onof" he r oe s "ha dbe e nbui l tona numbe rofmi s c onc e pt i ons .Shewa sj us ts t a r t i ngt ounde r s t a ndt ha the r oe s ,l i kea l lme n,f e l tt i r e d,a nddi s c our a ge d,a nd a f r a i d.Tha the r o e ss ome t i me sf a i l e d,a nds ome t i me she s i t a t e d,a nds ome t i me sma det hewr ongde c i s i ons .Tha tt he y

we r ehuma n. I twa saj ol tt oRobi ni nmor ewa yst ha none .Asl onga ss he ' dt houghtofhe r oe sa sl a r ge rt ha nl i f e ,a sf e a r l e s sbe i ngs , s hec oul ddi s t a nc ehe r s e l f ,us i ngt hebuf f e rofhe rownf e e l i ngsofi na de qua c y.Butnowt hebuf f e rwa sva ni s hi ng. Al wa ysbe f or e ,whe nhe l pl e s s l ya t t r a c t e dt oas t r ongma n,Robi nha dbe e na bl et owi t hdr a wbyr ous i ngr e s e nt me nt , bya s s ur i nghe r s e l fs hec oul dne ve rhopet obee qua l ;t ha te s c a peha t c hwa sc l os i ngt ohe rnow.Shec oul dbui l dupno r e s e nt me ntf orMi c ha e l . Andt heve r yi de aofi ts e e me dt e r r i f yi ngl yda nge r ous . " Yous houl dge ts omer e s t , "hes a i da br upt l y. " I ' mnott i r e d. "Shes t r a i ght e ne da wa yf r omt hedoor j a mb." Butyoumus tbe .Ic a nt a ket hewhe e lf orawhi l e . " " Youa r e n' tf a mi l i a re noughwi t ht he s ewa t e r s . " " Youha vet hec our s ema r ke dout ,a ndIc a nr e a dt hei ns t r ume nt s .Le tmet a keove rf oraf e whour sa tl e a s t ,Mi c ha e l . I fyoudon' tge ts omer e s t ,youa r e n' tgoi ngt obea bl et ot hi nks t r a i ght .Andt ha t ' sa ne dgewe ' r egoi ngt one e d. " Hec oul dn' ta r gue ,be c a us es hewa sr i ght .Hewa ss ot i r e dhewa sba r e l yt hi nki ngs t r a i ghtnow—a ndt hes unpr omi s e d t obr i ngave r yl ongda y. " Al lr i ght . "Hes t e ppe dba c kt oa l l owhe rt ot a ket hewhe e l ,ma na gi ngs ome hownott ot ouc hhe r ." Ca nyouha ndl ei t unt i lf i ve ? " " Ha r dl ye nought i mef oryout oge tade c e ntr e s t .Ic a n—" " Fi ve ,Robi n.Byt he nwe ' l lbet ooc l os et ot hei s l a ndt ot a kea nyc ha nc e s .Atf i ves hutdownt hee ngi nea ndl e the r dr i f t .Wa kemet h e n. "Hekne wt hee ngi nes hut downwoul dwa k ehi mi na nye ve nt . " Al lr i ght , "s h ea gr e e dr e l uc t a nt l y. *** Da n ePr e s c ot tl ooke dupf r om t hepoke rha ndshewa sa bs e nt l yde a l i ngont hec of f e et a bl e ,a ndgr i ma c e ds l i ght l y. " Youc oul dha veus e dt hef r ontdoor , "hes a i ddr yl y." Ihe a rt hel oc k' se a s ya she l lt opi c k. " Hi svi s i t ors t e ppe da wa yf r omt heope nFr e nc hdoor sl e a di ngoutont ot heba l c ony.Comi ngf ul l yi nt ot her oom,he c r os s e dt ot hegr oupofs of a sa ndma dehi ms e l fc omf or t a bl ea c r o s sf r omDa ne ." Ine e de dt hee xe r c i s e , "hes a i dc a l ml y. " We ' r es i xt e e nf l oor sup.Don' tt e l lmeyouc l i mbe d? " " No.Downf r omt her oof .Youj us tde a l tat e ni nt oal owf l us h.You' r es l i ppi ng. " I gnor i ngt heo bs e r va t i on,Da nega t he r e dupt hec a r dsa ndl i f t e dabr ow que s t i oni ngl ya thi svi s i t or ." Youwe r e s upp os e dt obeupnor t hs ome whe r e . " " Be s t l a i dpl a ns , a nda l lt ha t .Youha da not he rvi s i t ort oni ght . " Wi t hs omef e e l i ngDa nes a i d," I ' vebe e nha vi ngvi s i t or sa l lda y.You' dt hi nkama nc oul dr unade c e ntc onwi t hout a ge nt sc omi ngoutoft hewoodwor k. " Thevi s i t ors mi l e ds l i ght l y." Atl e a s tnoneofusa r ea f t e ryout hi st i me . " " Age nt sa r ene ve ra f t e rme ,Skye .Pol i c es ome t i me s ,butne ve ra ge nt s . " " Ra ve nLong, "Skyepr ompt e d. Da n ec l os e dhi se ye sbr i e f l y." Ik ne wyouwe r egoi ngt os a yt ha t . " *** Atf i veA. M. ,wi t hda wnba r e l ys howi ngi nt hee a s t e r ns ky,Robi ns hutt hee ngi neof fa ndr e l e a s e dt hewhe e l ,a bs e n t l y f l e xi nghe rs t i f fha nds .Thea br upts i l e nc ewa suns e t t l i ng,wi t honl yt hes of ts l a ppi ngoft hewa ve sa ga i ns tt heboa t br e a ki ngt hepr e da wnqui e t .Shes t oodf oraf e wmome nt s ,a dj u s t i ngt ot hea l t e r e dmot i onoft heboa t ,t he ns i gh e da nd l e f tt hec r a mpe dbr i dge . Thea i rwa smi s t ya ndhe l daf a i ntc hi l l ,t heda r kne s ss ha di ngt owa r dgr a y,a ndRobi nf e l tve r ya l one .Shec oul ds e e nos i gnofl a ndora not he rboa t .Ac c or d i ngt ot hec our s eMi c ha e lha dma r ke dout ,t he i rpos i t i onwa sbe t we e nt hr e ea nd f i v emi l e sf r omt heout e r mos toft heTe nThous a ndI s l a ndsa ndt he i ra ppr oa c hf r omt hes out hwe s t . Ro bi ns t oodonde c kf oraf e wmi nut e s ,t he ns l owl yma dehe rwa ybe l ow.Al i ghtf l i c ke donj us ta ss hee nt e r e dt he c a bi n,a nds hef oundMi c ha e ls i t t i ngont hebunka ndl ooki ngc o mpl e t e l ya l e r t . " I t ' saqua r t e ra f t e rf i ve , "s heof f e r e d." Ac c or di ngt oyourc ha r t s ,wes houl dbeaf e wmi l e sf r omt hei s l a nds . "Be f or e hec oul dr e s pond,s hea dde dl i ght l y," I st ha tga l l e ys t ovea sc ompl i c a t e da si tl ooks ?I fnot ,It houghtI ' dha veas hota t f i x i ngbr e a kf a s t . " Mi c ha e lha ds l e pti nhi sj e a ns ,a ndnowr os et opul lhi sTs hi r tove rhi she a d." I ti s n' tc ompl i c a t e d, "hes a i di nac l os e ma t c hofhe rt one ." Thef ue l ' sga s ;i gni t i on' sa ut oma t i c .J us tt ur nt hedi a l s . " Shet houghtt hes ha dowofhi sbe a r dma dehi ml ookl i keapi r a t e .Shet ol dhe r s e l ft os t opt hi nki ngl i ket ha t ." Is houl d bea bl et oha ndl ei t ,t he n.Anypr e f e r e nc e s ? " " No.Butyous houl dge ts omes l e e p,Robi n. "

" Iwi l l .Whe nIwa nti t . "Shet ur ne da wa ya ndt ookt wos t e psdownt hes hor tha l lt ot hee xt r e me l yc ompa c tga l l e y. Th e r ewa sba r e l yr oomt omovei nt he r e ,a nds hef oundt hel i gh ts wi t c he a s i l ye nough.Thef i r s tt hi ngs hedi dwa sput wa t e ronf orc of f e e . AsMi c ha e ls t a r t e dt omovepa s tt hega l l e y,s hea s ke d," Wi l lwebege t t i ngunde rwa ya ga i ns oon?I ' mnots os ur eI c a nc ooki nhe r ei fwe ' r emovi ng. "Shedi dn' tl ooka thi m. " We ' l ldr i f tf orawhi l e .Iwa ntt ot a kec l os e rl ooka tt hec ha r t sbe f or ewehe a dt owa r dt hei s l a nds . " Ro bi nnodde da ndc onc e nt r a t e donf i ndi ngoutwhe r ee ve r yt hi ngwa ss t or e di nt het i nyki t c he n.Tr i e dt oc onc e nt r a t e , a nywa y,buts hewa sa l lt ooa wa r eofhi ss of tf oot s t e psmovi nga wa y.Shedi dn' twa ntt ot hi nka nymor e .Theho ur ss he ha ds pe nta tt hewhe e lha dbe e ns omeoft hel onge s tofhe rl i f e ,a ndha da l l owe df a rt oomuc ht i mef ort hought . Sheha dr e mi nde dhe r s e l fove ra ndove rt ha tt hea t t r a c t i onbe t we e nhe ra ndMi c ha e lwa sj us tt ha t —a na t t r a c t i on.And s i mpl ybe c a us eВf ol l owe dA,i tdi dn' ti ne vi t a bl yf ol l owt ha ta na t t r a c t i onbe t we e nt wope opl eha dt obea c t e don.I t wa st hewr ongt i me ,t hewr ongpl a c e —a nde a c hoft he mha dt ooma nyde monsc ha s i ngt he m. Shet ol dhe r s e l ft hos et hi ngsove ra ndove r .Fut i l e l y.Of f e r i ngt opr e pa r ebr e a kf a s tha dnotbe e ns pa r ke dbyt hedr i ve ofhunge rbutr a t he rbyt hene e dt obebus y,t odos ome t hi ng.Unf or t una t e l ys hewa st oogoodac ookt oha vet opa y a t t e nt i ont owha ts hewa sdoi ng;a ndhe rmi ndwoul dn' tbedi s t r a c t e df r omdwe l l i ngondi s t ur bi ngt hi ngs . He re mot i onswe r ej umbl e d,he rs e l f knowl e dgewa sa s ke wf ort hef i r s tt i mei nye a r s ,a nds hewa spowe r f ul l ydr a wn t oama ns heha r dl yunde r s t ood.Ama nwhodi dn' tbe tonl ongs hot s .Da nge rl a ybe hi ndhe r ,a nda he a dofhe r ,a ndt he r e we r el i ve sa ts t a ke . No r mali swhaty ouge tac c us t ome dt o. He rownwor ds ,s poke nt or e a s s ur eMi c ha e lt ha thi ss i s t e r ' sl i f eha dmos tl i ke l ybe e n,t ohe r ,nor ma l .ButRobi nkne w Mi c ha e l ' sl i f ewa s n' t" nor ma l . "Ama nwoul dne ve rbe c omea c c us t ome dt oda nge r st ha tt hr e a t e ne dt hee mot i onsa ndt he s pi r i ta swe l la st hebody.Ande s pe c i a l l ynoti ft ha tma nga veho s t a ge st of or t unei nt hes ha peofas i s t e r. . .oral ove r . Att hes a met i meRobi na l s okne wt hi swasMi c ha e l ' sl i f e ,byh i sownc hoi c e ,a ndnotl i ke l yt oc ha nge .Me nl i ke Mi c ha e lwoul dn' tc ha ngec our s eof t e n,ore a s i l y.I fhel i ve dl onge nough,hewoul ddoubt l e s soneda yhe a da na ge nc y, l i k ehe rf a t he r ,whe r et hef i e l dwor kwoul dbel i mi t e d.Li mi t e d—butnotnone xi s t e nt .Hi swoul da l wa ysbeada nge r ous l i f e . Re a l i z i nghe rt h ought swe r ebe c omi nge nt i r e l yt oowr a ppe dupi ns pe c ul a t i onont hef ut ur e ,Robi nha s t i l yf or c e d he r s e l ft oc onc e n t r a t eont hec oo ki ng.Buti twa sha r d. Shec a l l e dMi c ha e lwhe nt heme a lwa sr e a dy,a ndt he ya t es i t t i nga c r os sf r ome a c hot he ra tat i nyboot ht ha tt ookup ha l ft hega l l e ys p a c e .Robi nwa ss i l e nt ,hi ghl yc ons c i oust ha the rc ha ot i ce mot i onsc oul de a s i l ypr e s e ntada nge ri nt he c omi nghour s ;Mi c ha e lwa se qua l l yqui e ta ndpr e oc c upi e d. Shedi dn' ts pe a kunt i lher os et oc a r r yhi spl a t et ot het i nys i nka ndr i ns eI t .Thea ut oma t i ca c t i onc a us e dhe rac ur i ous pa ng,a nds het hought .He ' sbe e nal oneal ongt i me . " Mi c ha e l ? " Hewa sr e f i l l i nghi sc of f e ec upa ndl e a ne dba c ka ga i ns tt hedoor j a mbI ns t e a dofr e t ur ni ngt ot heboot h." Ye a h? "he r e s ponde dqui e t l y. " Whe na l lt hi si sove r ,a ndLi s a ' ss a f ea ga i n,wha twi l lyoudo? "Shewa s n' ta boutt os ugge s tadi f f e r e nte ndi ngt ot he t r a gi cs i t ua t i on—a nds hec oul dn ' ts t opt hi nki ngoft hef ut ur e . Hel ooke da the rs t e a di l y." I fyou' r ea s ki ngwhe t he rI ' l lde c i det oge ti nt oa not he rl i neofwor kbe c a us eofwha t ' s ha ppe ne dt oLi s a ,t hea ns we ri sno.Iwoul di fLi s aa s ke dmet o,buts hewon' t . "Hehe s i t a t e d,t he ns a i dr oughl y," Idon' t knowa nyt hi nge l s e ,Robi n.Thi si st hel i f eIwa st r a i ne df or ,t hel i f eIknowbe t t e rt ha na nyot he r .Iwa s n' tna i vewhe nI ma d emyc hoi c eye a r sa go,Ikne wwha ti tme a nt .Idon' tr e gr e tmyc hoi c e . " Sheha dbe e nr i g ht ,buti tdi dn' tma kei te a s i e r ." Is e e .It houghtt ha twa st hewa yyouf e l t . " " Ands o? "I ts ounde dl i kear e l u c t a ntque s t i on,a si fhewe r e n' ts ur ehewa nt e da na ns we r . " Ands o..I ' mn ots ur pr i s e dbyyoura ns we r .Youwoul dn' tbei nt hi sbus i ne s si ft hea ns we rha dbe e ndi f f e r e nt . " " The nwhydi dyoua s k? "Anot he rr e l uc t a ntque s t i on. Ro bi nl ooke da thi ma ndf or c e dawr ys mi l e ." J us tt r yi ngt of i ndoutwha tr e a l l yma ke sahe r ot i c k,Igue s s . " " St udys ome bod ye l s e ,t he n.I ' mnohe r o. " Sher e t ur ne dh e rga z et ohe rc of f e e ,una bl et ohol dhe rownwi t hhi sr e s t l e s sbuti nt e nte ye s .Shec oul df e e ls ome t hi ng ha ppe ni ngi ns i dehe r ,a si fadoorha dope ne d,a l l owi nghe rt os e es ome t hi ngi nhe r s e l fs he ' dne ve rbe f or es e e n.Ha r dl y a wa r eofs pe a k i ng,s hemur mur e d," Ma ybet ha t ' st hec ha r mofr e a lhe r oe s ;t he ydon' tknowt he ya r e . " Mi c ha e ls e thi sc upa s i dea ndt ookones t e pt or e a c ht heboot h,gr a s pi nghe ra r msa ndpul l i nghe ra br upt l yt ohe rf e e t . " Ge ti tt hr oughyourhe a d, "hes a i dt i ght l y." The r e ' snotoneda mnt hi ngt ha t ' she r oi ca boutme ,Robi n.Idot hej obI ' m pa i dt odobe c a u s eIha ppe nt obegooda ti t .I fIwe r egoodwi t hpl a nt s ,I ' dbeaga r de ne r ,goodwi t he ngi ne sI ' dbea

me c ha ni c . " Shes t a r e dupa thi m,t r yi ngde s pe r a t e l yt or e s e ntt hes t r e ngt hi nhi m,t hepur pos e .Shec oul dn' t ." Butyouha ppe nt o begooda tdoi ngda nge r oust hi ngs .Andyoua l mos tne ve rbe tonl ongs hot s . " Amus c l et i ght e ne di nhi sj a w." Ne ve r .Nott hi ski nd. " " Wha tI ft hel ongs hotbe t sonyo u? " " I t ' sonec ha nc ei nami l l i on,Ro bi n,a ndmor et ha noddsa ga i ns tus .You' donl yge thur t . " Ro bi ndi dn' tmovea shet ur ne da wa y,a nds pokeonl ywhe nhewa sa tt hedoor ." Wha ta boutyou? "s hea s ke d uns t e a di l y. Hepa us e df ora ni ns t a ntt ol ookba c ka the r ,hi sf a c et a uta nde ye sbur ni ng." Met oo, "hemut t e r e d,a ndhe a de d t ops i de . Af t e rawhi l es hemove da ut oma t i c a l l yt oc l e a nupt hega l l e y.Shef e l ts ha ke nbywha ts heha ds e e ni nhe r s e l f —a nd bywha ts heha ds e e ni nMi c ha e l .I nbot hc a s e st he r ewa spr e s s u r ebui l di ng,s ome t hi nggr owi ngbe yondt he i ra bi l i t i e st o c ont r oli t .Andt he ybot hkne wi t .Ne i t he rc oul dr un,a ndt he r ewa s n' tt i mee nought oj us ts t opa ndt r yt ot hi nki t t hr ough.I twa sl i kewa t c hi ngas t or m ove r t a ki ngyou,Robi nt hought ,a ndknowi ngyouwe r epowe r l e s st os t opi tor e s c a pei t . St or msof t e nl e f tas ha mbl e si nt he i rwa ke ;s hedi dn' tknowwha tt hi swoul dl e a ve . Ro bi nwa nt e dt os t a ybe l ow a ndt r yt opul lhe r s e l ft oge t he r ,butt hes oundoft hee ngi neofa na ppr oa c hi n gboa t I mpe l l e dhe rt oq ui c kl yc l i mbt ot hede c k.Ands hea l mos twe l c ome dt hedi ve r s i on,e ve nt houghhe rc ommons e n s et ol d he rI tc oul dme a nt r oubl e .Buts heha dba r e l yr e a c he dt hede c kwhe nt heha i lf r oma na ppr oa c hi ngc a bi nc r ui s e rs t oppe d he ri na s t oni s hme nt . " Ahoy ! " " I t ' sTe ddy, "s hes a i dbl a nkl ya sMi c ha e lr e a c he dhe rs i de .Sheba r e l yha dt i met onot i c ehehe l daguni noneha nd be f or ehe ' ds l i ppe di ti ns i det hewa i s t ba ndofhi sj e a nsa tt hes ma l lofhi sba c k." Howi nt hewor l d...? " " Looksl i kewe ' l lge tt hec ha nc et oa s k, "Mi c ha e la ns we r e ddr yl y,s t udyi ngt heboa ta si ts l owe d,a ndf i na l l ydr i f t e dt o c omea l ongs i dewi t hage nt l ebump. Te ddy,he rr i ot ousma s sofr e dha i rf l a mi nga r oundhe rs ma l l ,vi vi df a c e ,l e a ne dove rt hes i deoft hebi gge rc r ui s e r a ndgr i nne ddowna tt he m." Hi ,t he r e . " " Wha t ' r eyoudoi nghe r e ? "Robi na s ke d. " We ' r et hec a va l r y,ofc our s e , "Te ddyr e s ponde d,unpe r t ur be d.Ast woot he rwome nj oi ne dhe r ,s hei nt r oduc e dt he m. " Thi si sRa ve nLong,a ndours ki ppe rhe r ei sKyl eKe ndr i c k. "Shedi r e c t e dhe ri nt e r e s t e dga z et oMi c ha e l ." I ' mTe ddy St e e l e .Andyoumus tbet hec a pt a i n. " " Mi c ha e l , "hes a i d,a ndnodde ds l i ght l ya tRa ve n,t heonl yoneoft het hr e eheha dme tbe f or e ." Mr s .Long. " " Ra ve n, "s hec or r e c t e dhi m,t h e nge s t ur e dt ot heboa t s ." Ca nwel a s ht he s et wobe a s t st oge t he r ?Wene e da c onf e r e nc e . " Fi vemi nut e sl a t e rMi c ha e la ndRobi nha dj oi ne dt hewome nont he i rboa t ,whi c hwa sc ons i de r a bl yl a r ge rt h a nhi s . AndMi c ha e l ,hi ghl yc ons c i ousofpa s s i ngt i me ,di dn' twa s t ea nyofi t . " Idon' tknowhowmuc hyouknow, "hes a i d," butI ' monat i ghts c he dul ea nd—" " TheDr agonLady , "Ra ve ni nt e r r upt e dc a l ml y," i sa nc hor e da tt heMa z e .I t ' sa l lr i ght ;Da ne ' ske e pi nga ne yeoni t . " " Da ne ? " " Sur pr i s e dmet oo, "s hes a i d,s mi l i ngal i t t l ea ss hel e a ne dba c ki nhe rde c kc ha i r ." Is a whi ml a t el a s tni ghta ndgot t hes t or youtofhi m.Wewe r ea boutt ol e a veMi a miac oupl eofhour sl a t e rwhe nhes howe dupa nds a i dhewa sc omi ng a l ong. " Mi c ha e lf r owne d,abi tuns e t t l e d." J us tdon' tt e l lmehe ' swa t c hi ngt heya c hti npl a i ns i ghta ndwe a r i ngoneofhi s f a mouswhi t es ui t s . " " Youwoul dn' tknowhi m, "Ra ve na s s ur e dhi m." He ' si nal i t t l ef i s hi ngboa t ,de c ke doutwi t he ve r yt hi ngf r omaf l yc ove r e dha tt oabot t l ei nabr ownba g.Oc c a s i ona l l yhebur s t si nt odr unke ns ongorc r e a t i ves we a r i ng.The r ea r e ,byt he wa y ,ha l fadoz e not he rs uc hf i s he r me ni nt ha ta r e a ,a l lpe r f e c t l yl e gi t i ma t e ;youc oul dn' tpi c kDa neoutoft hebunc h. " St i l lf r owni ng,Mi c ha e ls a i d," Is t i l ldon' tl i kei t .I ft he r e ' st ha tmuc ha c t i vi t yi nt hea r e a ,Sut t onha st obege t t i ng ne r vous . " " Doubt f ul , "Kyl et ol dhi m." The r eha ppe nst obeaf i s hi ngt our na me ntgoi ngon,a ndi t ' sa na nnua lt hi ng.Someoft he me nonSut t on' sya c htha vedr op pe dl i ne si nt ot hewa t e r :l ooksl i ket he y' r eus i ngt hee ve nta sc ove rt he ms e l ve s . " Mi c ha e lr e l a xe ds ome wha t ." Andwha ta boutyoul a dl e s ? " Te ddygr i nne da thi m." We ' vebe e nz i ppi ngi na ndoutoft hei s l a ndsge t t i ngye l l e da tf ordi s t ur bi ngt hef i s h .Ra ve n s a i dt ha tt hebe s twa yt oge ti nt oas i t ua t i onwhe r eyouc oul dn' the l pdr a wi nga t t e nt i ont oyour s e l fwa st odr a wal otof

a t t e nt i on. " Eye i ngt het hr e ewome ndr e s s e di nbr i ghts wi ms ui t st ha twoul dha vet ur ne dt hehe a dofas t ones t a t ue ,Mi c ha e lha d not r oubl ebe l i e vi ngt he y' ddr a wnagr e a tde a lofa t t e nt i on." Is e e . " " Weknowt hewhol es t or y, "Ra ve nt ol dhi m,s e r i ousnow." We ' r ehe r et ohe l p,Mi c ha e l . " " Look,Ia ppr e c i a t ewha tyou' r et r yi ngt odo. "Heha dnodi f f i c ul t yi ns oundi ngs i nc e r e ." ButSut t onha saha i r t r i gge r f i n ge r ,a ndhi sme na r ewor s e .Youc a n' t —" " Youc a n' tdoi ta l one . "Ra ve nt ol dhi m." Twoa ga i ns ta tl e a s tadoz e n?Noma t t e rhowgoodyoua r e ,youc a n' ti gnor e t heodds .AndSut t ondoe s n' tknowa nyofus ;you' r et her e df l a g. " " I t ' st ooda nge r ous .Ic a n' ta s k—" " You' r enota s ki ng, "Te ddys a i d,s t udyi nghe rf i n ge r na i l swi t haf r own. Mi c ha e ldr e wade e pbr e a t ha nd,wi t houtl ooki nga tRobi n,s a i dt a ut l y," Youc a met ohe l pRobi n.He l pt hebot hofus byge t t i nghe rou toft hi sme s snow,be f or es hege t shur t . " " I ' ds a yi twa st ool a t ef ort ha t , "Kyl es a i dqui e t l y. Mi c ha e lgl a nc e da tRobi na ndwi s he dheha dn' t ;t hehur ti nhe re ye swa sobvi ous .Hef e l tl i keaba s t a r d. Ra ve nl e a ne df or wa r da ndhe l dhi sga z ewi t hvi ol e te ye st ha tha ds udde nl ygoneda r ka ndha r d." Youma ynotknow muc ha boutoura bi l i t i e s ,Capt ai n,butyoudoknowHa ge nha spul l e dusi nt ome s s e sl i ket hi sf ort hepa s tf e wye a r s . Wha twedi dn' tknowi nt hebe g i nni ng,we ' vel e a r ne d.Andi ft ha tdoe s n' tc onvi nc eyou,I ' l lt e l lyous ome t hi nge l s e .I knowe xa c t l ywh a tt hos egi r l sont heya c hta r egoi ngt hr ough.Ex ac t l y .Be c a us eI ' vebe e nt he r emys e l f . Be c a us emys i s t e rdi e da tt heha ndsofs l a ve r s .Ic oul dnomor ewa l ka wa yf r om t hi s' me s s 't ha nIc ou l ds t op br e a t hi ng—a ndt ha tgoe sf ormyf r i e ndshe r e . " Af t e ral ongmome ntMi c ha e ls a i d," I ' ms or r y.Eve rs i nc eIf oundoutSut t onha dLi s a ,a l lI ' vebe e na bl et ot hi nk a bouti showr e s pons i bl eIa mf ori t . "Hes i ghe dr oughl y." Butyou' r er i ght .Al lt hos egi r l sha vet obegot t e nof ft he ya c hts a f e l y.AndIc a n' tdoi ta l one . "Hel ooke da tRobi n,a ddi ng," I ' ms or r y,Robi n. " Shedi dn' tr e t ur nhi sga z e ,butnodde ds l i ght l y. Ra ve ngl a nc e da tt he mc ur i ous l yf oramome nt ,t he ns a tba c ki nhe rc ha i r ." Wedi dn' te xa c t l yc omeupwi t hapl a n, " s het ol dMi c ha e l ," butweha ves t a r t e dac oupl eoft hi ngsi nmot i on. " " Wha tt hi ngs ? " Te ddya ns we r e d." Sut t onwi l ll e a vet heya c hta boutmi da f t e r n oont oda y.Andi t ' sagoodbe the ' l lt a kea tl e a s ta c oupl eofhi sme nwhe nhegoe s . " " Goe s ? "Mi c ha e ll ooke da tt he m." Goe swhe r e ? " " He ' l lha vet ot a kec a r eofabus i ne s sc r i s i s , "Ra ve ns a i dl i mpi dl y. " Howdi dyouma na get ha t ? "Mi c ha e la s ke dbl a nkl y. " I twa s n' tt oodi f f i c ul t .Da nef oundoutt ha tSut t onha sahe l lofal oti nve s t e di nva r i ousga mbl i ngpa r l or si nMi a mi . I twa sf a i r l ys i mp l et oga t he ra l lt hea ddr e s s e st oge t he ra nda r r a n get ot i pt hepol i c e . " " I tc oul dbeda ysbe f or ehe ' df i ndout , "Mi c ha e lobj e c t e ds l owl y. Bu tRa ve nwa ss ha ki nghe rhe a d." Thi st i mehe ' sgoi ngt ohe a ra bouti tbya f t e r noon.Da nes a i dyou' dr e me mbe rt he ma nwi t ht hedi a monds . "Shewa i t e df orMi c ha e l ' snod,t he nc ont i nue d." I ts e e mst ha tma ni sac l os ef r i e ndofSut t on' s , a ndabus i ne s spa r t ne r .Notpubl i cknowl e dge ,youunde r s t a nd.Da neha daga mes c he dul e dwi t hhi mf ort oni ghti none ofSut t on' spl a c e s .Da nea l s oha sat r us t e df r i e ndwho' sgoi ngt oge tame s s a get oMr .Di a mondsbyl unc ht i mewa r ni ng hi mt ha tDa ne ' she a r da l lt hos epa r l or sa r egoi n gt ober a i de dt oni ght .Mr .Di a monds ,byt hewa y,i si nt heha bi tof l ooki ngt oSut t onf orgui da nc e ,a ndheknowsSut t oni sa boa r dt heDr agonLady .Hea l s oknowswhe r et h eya c ht a nc hor s ,a ndSut t on' se me r ge nc yr a di of r e que nc y. " Mi c ha e lwa si mpr e s s e d.I nf a c t ,hewa sde l i ght e d." Howone a r t hdi dyouma na ges omuc hi nj us taf e whour s ?And how,byt hewa y,di dyoua r r i vehe r ebe f or eus ? " Kyl es mi l e da thi m." We ' vebe e nt a ughtanumbe rofde vi oust r i c ks .Wea l s oha ve —be t we e nus —c ont a c t sa l love r t hec ount r y.Wegota l lt hei nf or ma t i ononSut t onbe f or ewel e f tNe wYor k,t ha nkst oRobi n' sve r yc ompl e t epa c ka get o Te ddy.Da nedi dmos toft her e s t . " " Asf orhowwegothe r es oqui c kl y, "Te ddys a i d," I twa si nahe l i c opt e rf r omMi a mi .Aj e the l i c opt e r .Andwe ' ve r e nt e dabi ghous eont hec oa s tn omor et ha nami l ef r omt heMa z e .Thi sc r ui s e rc a mewi t ht hehous e . " Mi c ha e lmul l e dt ha tove rf oramome nt ,a ndi twa sRobi nwhoa s ke dt hene xtque s t i on. " Yous a i dyou' ds e tac oupl eoft hi ngsi nmot i on.Wha t ' st heot he rt hi ng? " Ca l ml yRa ve ns a i d," Thene wswi l lbr e a ks ome t i meaf t e rSut t onl e a ve st heya c htt ha tt hef i s hi ngt our na me nti nt he a r e aha sas pe c i a lpr i z et hi sye a r .I twi l lbea nnounc e dbyt hel oc a lr a di os t a t i on—whi c hSut t on' sme nl i s t e nt o c ons t a nt l y. "

" Wha tpr i z e ? "Mi c ha e la s ke d. " Twe nt yt hous a nddol l a r st ot hef i s he r ma nwhobr i ngsi nt hebi gge s tc a t c h, "Ra ve ns a i d." Wi t hi na nhourt hee nt i r e a r e as houl dbebo wt os t e r nwi t hhope f ula ngl e r s . " " Da mn. "Mi c ha e ll ooke da the rt hought f ul l y." Ands i nc eSut t on ' sme nwi l lknowa bouti t ,a ndwon' tbea bl et owa ve t he i rgunsa r oun dt owa r dof ft hec r owd—" " Apl a us i bl edi v e r s i on, "Robi ns a i ds of t l y." The y' l lbepa yi ngs omuc ha t t e nt i ont ot hef i s he r me n,t he ywon ' te ve n not i c eus . " " Wes houl dbea bl et oge tc l os e , "Ra ve na gr e e d. " Ha veyoua l r e a dya r r a nge dt ha t ? "Mi c ha e la s ke d. " Pe ndi ngyoura ppr ova l , "Te dd yt ol dhi m." Thec ont e s tof f i c i a l sa ndt her a di os t a t i onwi l lbenot i f i e da ss oona s Sut t onl e a ve st heya c ht .Andt hepr i z ei sbe i ngof f e r e d—of f i c i a l l y—byac ompa nyi nt hea r e at ha tha ndl e sf i s hi ng e qui pme nt .I fa nyofSut t on' sme na r es us pi c i ouse nought oc a l la ndc he c ki tout ,t he y' l lf i ndt hede a l ' sl e gi t i ma t ea l lt he wa y . " " Andj us tt oma kes ur ewedon' tf i ndour s e l ve st r i ppi ngove re a ge rf i s he r me n, "Ra ve ns a i dwr yl y," Da newa sbus y be f or et hes unr os e ,c a s ua l l ypa s s i ngt hewor da monghi sf e l l ow f i s he r ma nt ha tt hebe s tf i s hi n gi sa r oundt het wo i s l a ndss out hoft heMa z e .Thos ei s l a ndsa r ec l os ebutnott ooc l os e .So,hope f ul l y,whi l eSut t on' sme na r ewa t c hi ngt he wa t e rt r a f f i ct ot he i rs out h,wec a nc i r c l ea r ound,c r os st hei s l a ndf r om t henor t h,a ndr e a c ht heya c htwhi l et he i r a t t e nt i on' sf oc us e de l s e whe r e . " Mi c ha e ll ooke da tt he mf oramome nt ,as mi l et uggi nga thi sl i ps ." I st he r eaba s eyouha ve n' tc ove r e d? " " Tha twa st hee a s ys t uf f , "Te ddydi s mi s s e d." Thet r i c ki ss t i l lgoi ngt obege t t i ngt hegi r l sof ft heya c ht .Di s t r a c t e dor not ,t hos eme na r ea r me d.Si xofus ,c ount i ngDa ne ,butwec a n' tj us ts wa r move rt heboa t . " " Whe nt hec a t ' sa wa y. . . "Robi nmur mur e ds udde nl yi nat hought f ult one . Ra ve nme the re ye s ,t he nnodde ds l owl y." Ma ybe .I fwec oul dl e a daf e woft hos eguysa s t r a y,ge tt he mof ft heya c ht . . . " " The y' r epr of e s s i ona l s , "Mi c ha e lobj e c t e d,s e e i ngwhe r et hi swa sl e a di nga ndnotha ppya bouti t . " Andt he y' vebe e nunde ragr e a tde a lofs t r a i n, "Ra ve npoi nt e dout ," St uc kont ha tboa ta ndnota l l owe dt ot o uc ht he gi r l s .Thegi r l sa r epr oba bl ydr u gge d;c e r t a i nl yt he y' r el oc ke di nac a bi nort wo.The ydon' tr e a l l yne e da l lt hos egua r ds . Andma ybeaf e woft hos eguyswoul dl ovet obei nvi t e dt oapa r t y. " Mi c ha e lna r r owe dhi se ye s ." I fwes ur vi vet hi s ,yourhus ba ndswi l ll ync hme . " " The y' dbet hef i r s tt ounde r s t a nd, "Te ddya s s ur e dhi mbl i t he l y. " Wha ti ft hegua r dsbr i ngt he i rgunst ot hepa r t y? "Robi na s ke d. Ra ve ns mi l e ds l i ght l y." Te ddybr oughthe rus ua ls uppl yoft r a nq ui l i z e rda r t s :we ' l lbea r me dt oo. " " Idon' tl i kei t , "Mi c ha e ls a i d. Ro bi nl ooke da thi ml e ve l l y." Wha tc hoi c edoweha ve ? " Hen odde ds l owl y,ge t t i ngt hepo i nt ." You' r er i ght .Wha tc hoi c edoweha ve ? "

Fi ve TheBl ac kAnge lr odehe rs e aa nc hore a s i l yont hec a l mwa t e r ,e ngi ne ss i l e nt .Mi c ha e lha dn' tda r e dt a kehe ri na ny c l os e r ,wa r yofr i s ki ngBut t on' sr e c ogni t i onoft heboa t .Norwa shepr e pa r e dt oc i r c l ea r oundt ot h enor t h,l e a vi nghi s e ne mywi t hac l e a re s c a per out et ot hes out h.Hea ndt hewome na gr e e dt ha ti fSut t onmove da ta l l ,hewou l dmos t l i k e l yhe a ds out hs i nc et ha tpr e s e nt e dhi sbe s tc ha nc e sofl e a vi ngU. S.t e r r i t or yqui c kl ya nds a f e l y. Al loft he mkne wt he ywe r eba t t l i ngt hec l oc k.The i rbe s tgue s swa st ha tSut t onha di ni t i a l l ypl a nne dt oha veonl y Li s aonhi sya c h tbyt het i meMi c ha e lc a mehunt i nghi m;t hec r a c kdownonboa t sa r oundt hec oa s tha df or c e dhi mt o ke e pt heot he rgi r l sa boa r dda ysl onge rt ha nwa ss a f eorpr a c t i c a l .Hewoul ds oonbef or c e dt ode c i dewhi c hwa shi s pr i or i t y:r e ve ngea ga i ns tMi c ha e lort heva l ua bl ec a r gooft hegi r l s . Bo t hMi c ha e la ndDa nef e l ts t r ongl yt ha tr e ve ngewoul dc omeoutont op;t he r e f or e ,t he yha dt omovea ga i ns tSut t on be f or ehede c i de dt oc uthi sl os s e s .Hewa sama nwhot ookf e wc ha nc e s ,a ndt hegi r l swoul dne ve rbef r e e da l i ve . Mi c ha e lkne w onl yt oowe l lt ha tt hepl a nhe ' da gr e e dt owi t ht heot he r swa sonet ha tde pe nde donanumbe rof opi ni onsa ndi ns t i nc t s .Andt hel i nc hpi noft he i re nt i r epl a nwa st ha tSut t onwoul dr e t ur nt oMi a mionc ehehe a r doft he da nge rt ohi si nv e s t me nt s .Onl yt he nc oul dt he yhopet ol e s s e nt heoddsa ga i ns tt he m bya t t e mpt i ngt o" di vi dea nd c onque r "t hes e c ur i t yf or c eont heya c ht . Ands i nc ebot hMi c ha e la ndRobi nwe r et he" r e df l a g"a ndt ool i ke l yt ober e c ogni z e dbye i t he rSut t onorhi sc r e w, t he ywe r emor eo rl e s sf or c e dt or e ma i ns e ve r a lmi l e sf r omt hei s l a nds —a ndwa i t . " Wha ta boutSut t on? "Robi na s ke ds udde nl y.The ywe r ebot honde c k,s ha de df r omt het e no' c l oc ks unbya na wni ng,

a ndne i t he rwa sha ndl i ngt hewa i t i ngve r ywe l l . Mi c ha e ldi dn' tne e dt heque s t i onc l a r i f i e d.Ga z i ngof ft owa r dt hei s l a ndswi t hr e s t l e s se ye s ,hes a i d," I fSut t oni s n' ton t heya c htphys i c a l l y,t he r ei s n' tmuc hc ha nc eofbui l di ngac a s ea ga i ns thi mi nc our t .Wec oul dn' tpr oveowne r s hi pof t heya c ht ,a ndunl e s st hegi r l si de nt i f yhi ma sbe i ngi nc ha r ge. . . " " Doyout hi nkt he ywi l l ? " " Idon' tt hi nkSut t on' sgi ve nt he mt hec ha nc et os e ehi m. " " Wha ta boutLi s a ? " " Ma ybe .ButId oubti t .He ' st ooc a ut i ousf ort ha t . " " The nhe ' l lge ta wa ywi t hi t ? "Robi nr e gr e t t e dt heque s t i ont hei n s t a nts hes a wMi c ha e l ' sj a wt i ght e n. " No. " I nt hes t e a di e s tvoi c es hec oul dma na ge ,s hes a i d," You' l lgoa f t e rhi myour s e l f .Onc eLi s aa ndt heot he r sa r es a f e ? " " Onewa yora not he r , "Mi c ha e ls a i ds of t l y," Sut t on' sgoi ngt opa yf orwha the ' sdone . " Shyi nga wa yf r om wha tt ha tmi ghtme a n,Robi nc ha nge dt hes ubj e c t ." Youwe r eve r ys ur pr i s e dDa neI n vol ve d hi ms e l f .Ra ve ns e e me dt obea swe l l . " Mi c ha e ls hr ug ge ds l i ght l y." Fr omwha tIknowofhi m—a ndwha tRa ve nobvi ous l yknows —i t ' sabi toutofc h a r a c t e r . I ' v es e e nhi mt ur ni npe r f or ma nc e swor t hyofa wa r ds ,buthet e ndst oa voi dot he rpe opl e ' spr obl e ms . " " He ' sc e r t a i nl ynota voi di ngt hi spr obl e m.Ma ybehe ' smor eofaf r i e ndt ha nyout hought . " " Orma ybeheha shi sownr e a s ons . "Robi nf e l tapa ng." Youdon' tt r us te a s i l y. " Hewa ss i l e nt . " Doyout r us tme ? "s hea s ke d. Af t e ral ongmome nthes a i dr ou ghl y," Ye s . " " Whydoe st ha tdi s t ur byous omuc h?Tha tyout r us tme ?Be c a us et r us tl e a ve syouvul ne r a bl e ? " " Idon' tt hi nkwewa ntt oge ti nt ot hi s , "Mi c ha e ls a i d. I tha dbe e nami s t a ke ,Robi nr e a l i z e d,f orhe rt oha ver e ma i ne dwi t hhi m.Te ddyha ds ugge s t e dt ha ts hemi ghtwa ntt o he a dba c kt owa r dt heMa z ewi t ht he m,r e ma i ni ngi nt hec a bi noft hel a r ge rc r ui s e r .ButRobi nha dr e f us e dwi t has l i ght s ha keofhe rhe a d,a ndMi c ha e lha ds a i dnot hi ng. Shes houl dha vegonewi t ht he m.Thet e ns i onofwa i t i ng,a dde dt ot het e ns i ona l r e a dypr e s e ntbe t we e nhe ra nd Mi c ha e l ,l e f tt he mbot hwi t hpr e c a r i ousc ont r ol .Andt he ywe r et ooa l one ,t ooc ons c i ousofe a c hot he r .Tha theha dt he s e l f a wa r e ne s st owa r nhe rof ff r om uns t a bl ee mot i ona lgr ou ndwa sr e ma r ka bl e ;Robi nf e l the r s e l fl a c ki ngi nt ha t a wa r e ne s sa tt hemome nt . " Ia l wa ysdi dha vel ous yt i mi ng, "s hemur mur e da tl a s t . Mi c ha e ls t i r r e ds l i ght l y,buts t i l ldi dn' tt ur na ndl ooka the r ." Rob i n... " : " No,i t ' sa l lr i ght .Thewa i t i ng' sge t t i ngt ome ,Igue s s .Andwhe nI ' mne r vous ,Ia s kque s t i ons .Sor r y. " Mi c ha e lwa st r yi ng.Hewa st r yi ngt oi gnor et hebui l di ngde s i r ehef e l tf orhe r ,t r yi ngt of i ghtt het a ngl eofe mot i ons t ha te ve r yt hi ngi ns i dehi m mi s t r us t e d.Butheha dt owa r nhe r ,ha dt oma kehe runde r s t a nd.Sheha dn' tbe e ni na s i t ua t i onl i ket hi s ,a ndc oul dn' tknowhowe a s yi twa st oa l l owt h ec i r c ums t a nc e st odi c t a t ef a rt oomuc h. Het ur ne dhi she a df i na l l y,l ooki nga the r ." I ' ves e e ni tha ppe nbe f or e , "hes a i d. " Wha t ? "Shewa s n' ts ur es hewa nt e dt oknow. " Si t ua t i onsl i ket hi s . "Hi svoi c es ounde dc ur i ous l ys us pe nde d,c a ughts ome whe r ebe t we e nc ont r ola ndc ha os ." So ma n yne ga t i vee l e me nt s .Te ns i on.Da nge r .An xi e t y.Eve nt st ha ta r eI mpos s i bl et oc ont r olori nf l ue nc e .Ti me... dr a ggi ngonemi nut ea ndr a c i ngt hene xt .Li vi ngonakni f e e dge .Andt ha t ' sahe l lofapl a c et o—" " Towha t ? " Si t t i ngt wof e e ta wa yf r omhe r ,e xpr e s s i onl e s s ,Mi c ha e la ns we r e dqui e t l y," Tof a l li nl ove . " Foramome ntRobi nc oul dn' tbr e a t he .Andhe rownvoi c ewa sl o wa ndr us he d." Tha ti s n' ti t . " " No? " " No. "Shet r i e dt os t e a dyhe rvoi c e ,t r i e dt ode nywha theha ds e e n,wha theha dgue s s e d." I t ' sj us tc he mi s t r y,a nd e ve r yt hi ngt ha t ' sha ppe ne dma ke sI tf e e l —s e e m—s t r onge rt ha nI tr e a l l yi s .But —" Hei nt e r r upt e dhe r ,hi svoi c es t i l lqui e t ." AsIs a i d,I ' ves e e ni tha ppe n.Aga i na nda ga i n,a ga i ns ta l lr e a s o n.Two pe opl et hr ownt oge t he ri nas i t ua t i onboi l i ngwi t hne ga t i vee mot i ons ,t hewor s tpos s i bl ef ounda t i onf orl ove .Not i met o s t opt ot hi nk,j us tac ompul s i on. " " I ti s n' tr e a l , "s hewhi s pe r e d. " I t ' sa l wa ysr e a l , Robi n.Buti tr a r e l yl a s t s . " Sher e a l i z e d,t he n,wha thewa st e l l i nghe r ." Andt ha t ' st hel ongs hotyouwon' tbe ton. " Hegl a nc e dof ft owa r dt hedi s t a nti s l a ndsf oramome nt ,t he nl ooke dba c ka the r ." We ' l la l lc omeoutoft h i swi t h

s c a r s ,Robi n.You,me ,Li s a ,t ho s eot he rgi r l s —e ve nyourf r i e ndsa ndDa ne ,We ' l la l lbedi f f e r e nt ,ma r ke ds ome whe r e i ns i de .Si t ua t i onsl i ket hi sa l wa ysma r kyou.I tma ynots howont hes ur f a c e ,bute a c hofuswi l lknowi t ' st r ue .Andi t doe s n' tma t t e rwh e t he rwewi norl os e .We ' l la l lbec hange d. " Hedr e wade e pbr e a t h,r e l e a s e di ts l owl y." Andbe l i e vi ngt ha tl ovebor ni nt ur moi lwi l ll a s t. . .i si nvi t i nga not he r ki ndofs c a r .Theki ndofs c a rt ha tpr oba bl ywoul dn' te ve rhe a l . " Ro bi n,r e a l i z i ng,s a i d," I t ' sha ppe ne dt oyoube f or e , " " Ye s , "hes a i df l a t l y. Hewa s n' tr e a dyt ot a l ka bouti t ,s her e a l i z e d.I fhee ve rwoul dbe .I twa sRobi n' st ur nt odr a was t e a dyi ngbr e a t h. " Pa r tofmeunde r s t a ndswha tyo u' r es a yi ng.Butpa r tofmedoe s n' t .Idon' the dgebe t s . " " Don' tyou? "Mi c ha e ls mi l e dj us tal i t t l e ,a ddi ngge nt l y," Youhe dge dt hebi gge s tbe tofyourl i f e . " " No. "Shedi dn' twa ntt ohe a rwh a thewa sa boutt os a y,butt he r ewa snowhe r et or un. " Be c omi ngac op,Robi n.Youdi dn' tt r us tyour s e l f ,di dn' tt r us tyoura bi l i t yt oc ont r olyourf e a r .Andyouf a i l e dt he e xa m. " " It r i e d, "s hes a i dt i ght l y." Idi dmybe s t . " " Behone s twi t hyour s e l f .I fyouha df a i l e dbe c a us eyour e a l l ydi dn' twa ntt obeac op,youwoul dn' tbei nvol ve di n t hi ss i t ua t i onnow. " Ro bi nl ooke da wa y,una bl et ome e thi ss t e a dyga z e ." Ne a tc ha ng eofs ubj e c t , "s hes a i d,a dmi t t i ngnot hi ng. " Idon' tt hi nks o.Howma nyt i me si nt hepa s tha veyoube c omea t t r a c t e dt os omeki ndofc op? " Shef e l the rt hr oa tt i ght e n,t e ns i onbui l d." Sot ha t ' swhe r eyou' r egoi ngwi t ht hi s , "s hes a i d." You' r es a yi ngt hi s be t we e nusi se ve nmor eunr e a lbe c a us eI ' mi nt heha bi toff a l l i ngf orc ops .Doyous pe c i a l i z ei na r mc ha i ra na l ys i s ? " " Is pe c i a l i z ei ns ur vi va l , "hes a i ds of t l y. Shekne wt ha twa st r ue ;de s pi t et hepr e s e nts i t ua t i on,Mi c ha e lwa sI nde e das ur vi vor .Hewoul dn' tha vel a s t e dpa s t hi sf i r s ta s s i gnme nti nt hi sbus i ne s sot he r wi s e .Ande ve nt houghs hedi dunde r s t a ndwhyhewa sr e f us i ngt ogi vei nt o t hene e dsa nde mot i onsbe t we e nt he m,i thur tt oomuc hf orhe rt obea bl et oi gnor et hepa i na nda c c e pthi sr a t i ona l doubt s . Heha dbe e nr i ghta bouthe rpa s ti nvol ve me ntwi t hc ops ,buts hekne wwi t hac e r t a i nt ys he ' dne ve rf e l tbe f or et ha t t he s ef e e l i ngswe r edi f f e r e nt .Wi t houtt heI l l us i onofa" s upe r ma n, "ane r ve l e s s ,f e a r l e s ss upe r i orbe i ngs t a ndi ng be t we e nt he m,s heha dnodoubt sa bouthe rownf e e l i ngs .Andt houghhi smi s t r us toft hel onge vi t yoff r a gi l ee mot i ons i nada nge r ouss i t ua t i onwa sa l lt oor e a s ona bl e ,s her e a l l yt houghthewa swr onga boutt he i rc ha nc e s .I twa st hewr ong t i mea ndt hewr o ngpl a c e ,butt hef e e l i ngswe r er e a l . Re a l —a ndhewa sgoi ngt oi gno r et he m. I fs hel e thi m. Shel ooke dupt of i ndhi mgone ,a nda f t e ramome ntr os ea ndwe ntbe l ow.Thedoort ot het i nyba t hr oomwa sc l os e d, a nds hehe a r dt h es howe rr unni ngi ns i de .So.Het houghtt hedi s c us s i onwa sove r ,a na gr e e me ntr e a c he d.Hebe l i e ve d s hewa sa swa r yofhur t st ha tl e f ts c a r sa shewa shi ms e l f . Andar e n' tI ? I tdi dn' ts e e mt oma t t e r .Ac ompul s i on,hes a i d?Wa st ha twha ts hewa sf e e l i ng?He rf i nge r smove doft he i rown vol i t i on,unf a s t e n i ngbut t ons ;s hes hr ugge dof fhe rbl ous e ,nudge dof ft hes hoe s ,a nds l i dt hec ut of fj e a nsdownhe rl e gs . The yha dhour s ,a tl e a s t .Ma ybea tmos t .Ands her e f us e dt oa l l owaf e a rofs c a r st os t ophe r .Thi st i mes hei nt e nde d t oma s t e ra tl e a s tonef e a r . Thec r a mpe dba t hr oomwa sf i l l e dwi t hs t e a m,a ndRobi ndi dn' tknowwhe t he rt ol a ughorc r ywhe ns her e me mbe r e d j us thowt i nyt h es howe rs t a l lwa s .Buts heha dgonet oof a rt ol e tl ogi s t i c sde t e r mi nehe rc our s ef r omhe r e .Ta ki nga de e pbr e a t h,s hepul l e da s i det hec ur t a i na nds l i ppe di nt ot hes t a l l . Mi c ha e lt ur ne di mme di a t e l y,s oc l os et ha thi sa r mbr us he dhe rb r e a s ta ndma debot hoft he mI nha l es ha r pl y.Hi se ye s c utt hr ought hef ogofs t e a m,s we e pi ngdownhe rna ke dbody. " Robi n,ge toutofhe r e , "hes a i dhus ki l y. Shes hookhe rh e a ds l owl y,a ndde l i be r a t e l ys t e ppe dc l os e r ,he rha ndsl i f t i ngt or e s tonhi sbr oa dc he s t .Theda r k,we t ha i rc ove r i nghi smus c l e df l e s hwa sat a c t i l ede l i ght ,a ndhe rf i nge r ss t r oke di tc ompul s i ve l y.Sheha dn' tr e a l i z e dhe woul dbes obe a ut i f ul ,buthewa s ,a ndt hes i ghtofhi mmove dhe rmor et ha ns hewoul dha vebe l i e ve dpos s i bl e ." Ic a n' t dot ha t , "s hes a i d. Her e a c he dbe hi ndhi mt ot ur nof ft hewa t e r ,a ndt hes udde ns i l e nc ewa ss t a r k." Robi n—" Sher os eont i pt oe ,he ra r mss l i di ngupa r oundhi sne c k,he rbod ymol di ngI t s e l ft ohi s .Ands hec oul df e e lhi si ns t a nt r e s pons e ,f e e lt h et a utha r de ni ngofhi sbody.Hi se ye swe r eda r ke ni ng,a ndamus c l el e a pti nhi sj a w.Asi fhec oul dn' t he l phi ms e l f ,hi sa r mswe nta r oundhe rda mpbody.

" Da mnyou, "hewhi s pe r e dj us tbe f or ehi sl i psc ove r e dhe r s . Asbe f or e ,Robi nf e l tt hei ns t a nts ur geofhe a t ,t hewi l df i r er unni ngt hr oughhe rve i ns .He rhe a r tha ds we l l e di nhe r br e a s t ,t huddi ngf r a nt i c a l l y,a ndt he r ewa snos t r e ngt hi nhe rl e gs .Shef e l thi sha ndss l i dedownt oc uphe rbu t t oc ks , pul l i nghe re ve nmor ef i r ml ya ga i ns thi m,a nds oundss hedi dn' tr e c ogni z et a ngl e di nt heba c kofhe rt hr oa t . Hewa st a ki nghe rmout h,s her e a l i z e ddi ml y,pos s e s s i ngi t ,de ma ndi ngi twi t haf or c es heha dne ve re nc ount e r e d be f or eme e t i nghi m.Buts ome t h i ngi nhe ra ns we r e dt ha tf or c eo nc ea ga i n,r i s i ngt ome e ti t ,s ur gi ngupf r omde e pi ns i de he r .I ts e e me da l mos taba t t l e ,ac l a s hofwi l l s ,a n ds hedi dn' tknowwha tt he ywe r ef i ght i nga ga i ns t . Orf i ght i ngf or . Whe nhet or ehi sl i psf r om he r ss udde nl y,Robi na l mos tc r i e douti ndi s a ppoi nt me nt .Butt he nMi c ha e ls we ptt he s howe rc ur t a i na s i dea ndgui de dhe routoft hec r a mpe dba t hr oo ma ndt ot hec a bi n.I mme di a t e l yhepul l e dhe rba c ki nt o hi sa r ms .Hi se ye sgl i t t e r e d,a ndt he r ewa sabi t t e r s we e tc ur vet ohi sl i ps . " Youdon' tkno wwha tyou' vedo ne , "hes a i dr oughl y. Ro bi nt houghts hewa sl os ts ome whe r ei nhi se ye s ,a ndt hewor dse s c a pe dbe f or es hec oul ds t opt he m." Youwe r e r i ght .Il oveyou,Mi c ha e l . " " Youwon' tt omor r ow, "hes a i d. Sheha dnowa yofc onvi nc i nghi m.Ands omuc hc oul dha ppe nbyt omor r ow." Ma kel ovet ome , "s hewhi s pe r e d. Mi c ha e lha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ,bute ve nt he nhewa sl i f t i nghe r ,pl a c i nghe ront hebunk,j oi ni nghe rt he r e ." Ikn e wt ha t f i r s tni ghtt ha tyouwe r eda nge r ous , "hes a i d,t hewor dsar oughc a r e s sa shi sl i pse xpl or e dhe rs of tt hr oa t ." Youhe l don t omes ot i ght l ywhe nIpul l e dyo uf r omt hewa t e r ,a nd1di dn' tl i ket hewa yi tma demef e e l . " Shet hr e a de dhe rf i nge r st hr ought hehe a vywe i ghtofhi swe tha i r ,he a r i nghi svoi c ea ndf e e l i ngt het hr obbi ngs ur ge ofhe a ta l lt hr oug hhe r ." Howdi di tma keyouf e e l ? " " Ca ught . "Hel a ughe dt a ut l y." Ca ughtbys ome t hi ngI ' dne ve rbea bl et ol e tgo.Oh,Robi n. . . "Hi sl i pst r a i l e ddown ove rhe rbr e a s t bone ,t he nf e a t he r e dhot l yove ras we l l i ngmoundunt i lhec a pt ur e dhe rni ppl e . Ro bi nga s pe d,ha l fa r c hi nga ga i ns thi m.Sheha dne ve rbe l i e ve ds uc hf e e l i ngswe r epos s i bl e ,a ndkne wnowt ha ts he wa swi l l i ngt opa ya nypr i c ef ort hi s .Shec oul dba r e l ybr e a t he ,a ndt hee r ot i ct ouc hofhi smout hwa sdr i vi nghe rma d. De s pe r a t et ot ouc hhi m,s hepr o be dt hes hi f t i ngmus c l e sofhi sba c ka nds houl de r s ,he rf i nge r sl e a r ni nghi m.Shef e l t s t r e ngt ha ndpowe r ,a ndt hehe a tofhi sda mpf l e s hbur ne dhe r . Mi c ha e lwa nt e dt ol os ehi ms e l fi nhe r ,t oa l l owpa s s i ont oc a r r yt he mbot ht oapl a c ewhe r enoda nge rl ur ke d,whe r e noc l oc kt i c ke da wa yt her e mor s e l e s spa s s i ngofmi nut e s .Shewa si nhi sbl oods t r e a m,unde r ne a t hhi ss ki n,a ndt heonl y r e me dyf ort hema dde ni nga c hewa st hi s .Hekne whewoul dpa yapr i c e ,a nde ve nknowi ngt hec os twoul dbehi she a r t he l dnopowe rt os t ophi m.I twa st ool a t ef ort ha t . Hec oul dn' tge te noughofhe r .Thes of t ne s sofhe rs ki ndr e whi m,t hehe a tofhe rf e dhi sownf i r e ,a ndhe ri ns t a nt , t ot a lr e s pons ec ompe l l e dhi m.Thet ouc hofhe rha ndswa sve l ve t ,wa se xqui s i t et or t ur e .Hi she a r twa spoundi ngoutof c ont r oli nhi sc h e s t ,hi sbr e a t hi ngr a gge d. He rbe l l yqui v e r e da shi sha nds l i ds l owl ydown,a nds hemoa ne dwhe nhee a s e dhe rl e gsa pa r t .Hi st ouc hwa sge nt l e buti ns i s t e nt ,f i ng e r spr obi ngunt i lhef oundt hes l i c khe a t .Robi nwa sha r dl ya wa r eofhe rna i l sdi ggi ngi nt ohi sb a c k;a l l he rs e ns e swe r ec a ughtupi nt hee xqui s i t epl e a s ur ehewa st e a c h i nghe rbodyt of e e ls owi l dl y. Ons omel e ve lofhe rc ons c i ous ne s sRobi nr e a l i z e dt ha tMi c ha e lwa sas i l e ntl ove r .Andont ha ts a mel e ve lofhe r s e l f , s hes a wa ndunde r s t oodt ha thewa shol di ngba c k,t ha thewa s ,e ve ni nt hi sj a r r i ngi nt i ma c y,gua r di nghi ms e l f .Shut I n s i dehi ms e l ff ors ol ong,hec o ul dn' ta ba ndonhi sde f e ns e se ve nhe r e ,e ve nnow. I tma dehe rownne e ds t r onge r ,he rowna ba ndonme ntmor ec ompl e t e .Shet ookf i r ee nt i r e l y,bur ni ng,of f e r i ng e ve r yt hi ngs hewa st ohi ma ndde ma ndi nge ve r yt hi nghewoul dgi vet ohe r .Andwha thewoul dn' tgi ves het r i e dt o s t e a l . Het ookhe rr i ghtt ot hebr i nkbe f or ehef i na l l ymove dove rhe r ,s e t t l i ngbe t we e nhe rt hi ghs ,a ndRobi nt houghts he mi ghtnotbea bl et os ur vi vet hes pi r a l i ngt e ns i oni ns i dehe r .Shef e l tt hebl untpr e s s ur ea ga i ns the ra c hi ngf l e s h,f e l tt he ha r dl e ngt hofhi ms i nki ngi nt ohe rbody,a ndt hes l i ghtpa i nbr o ughtonl yaqui c kga s p. The nt he r ewa snot hi ngbutr i s i ngpl e a s ur e ,unt i ls hewa s n' ta wa r eofa nyt hi nge l s e ,unt i lhe rbodywa sas i ngl e t hr obbi ng,a c hi ngne e d.He rl i mbshe l dhi mwi t ha l lt hes t r e ngt hs hec oul dc omma nd,e ve na she rbodyhe l dhi m,unt i l t hepl e a s ur ee xpl ode di nar e l e a s es ode va s t a t i ngs hef e l ts he ' ds ha t t e r e dI ns i de . Shewa sba r e l ya wa r eofMi c ha e l ' sr a s pi nggr oa n,a ndwhe nhi she a vywe i ghts e t t l e df ul l yonhe r ,s hehe l dhi m t i g ht l y. *** I twa s n' tunt i lhi spul s eha ds l owe dt os ome t hi ngne a rnor ma lt ha tMi c ha e lf oundt hes t r e ngt ht or a i s ehi she a da nd e a s es omeofhi swe i ghtont ohi sa r ms .Shewa sl ooki ngupa thi mwi t ht hos ehe a r t br e a ki nggr e e ne ye s ,a ndhebe nthi s

he a dt oki s she rbe c a us eheha dt o.He rr e s pons ewa si mme di a t e ,a ndt ot a l .Hewonde r e dva gue l yi fheha da nyc ont r ol l e f tt ohi m. " Yous houl dha vet ol dme , "hes a i df i na l l ywhe nhel i f t e dhi she a d. Wi t ha noddl i t t l es mi l es hes a i ds of t l y," The nyour e al l ywoul dha vef oughtme . " Hewa nt e dt os h a kehe r .Hewa nt e dt oki s she ra ga i n,ma kel ovet ohe ra ga i n." Da mmi t ,Robi n. "" He y,I ' m ove r t we nt yone , "s het ol dhi mdr yl y .Heki s s e dt hes mi l i ngmout ha ga i n,una bl et or e s i s t ." Youra geha snot hi ngt odowi t h i t , "hes a i d,ma na gi ngt ohol dhi svoi c es t e a dya nde ve n." You' l lbehur tbyt hi s ,Robi n.Youha ve n' ts e t t l e dwi t hyour ownde monsye t ,a ndnowyou' r er e a dyt ot a keonmi ne ? " He rs mi l ef a de d,a ndt hegr e e ne ye swe ntgr a ve ." Idoha veaf e wki c ki nga r oundi nt heda r k,don' tI ? " " Ye s ,youdo. " " The nhe l pmef i ghtt he m. " Mi c ha e lf oundhi ms e l ft r a c i ngh e rde l i c a t ef e a t ur e swi t honef i nge r ,c ons c i ousofa na bs ur ds e ns eofwonde rt ha the r s ki nc oul dbes os of t ." Hone y,Ic a n' te ve nf i ghtmyown. " " Idol oveyou,youknow, "s hes a i d. Hef e l ts ome t hi ngi ns i dehi mc l e nc hi npa i n. " Toda y. " " Andt omor r ow. "He rvoi c ewa ss t e a dy." Andne xtwe e k.Sha l lIgoon? " " Youdon' tkno wme , "hes a i dt h r ought het i ght ne s si nhi st hr oa t . " Mi c ha e l ,Iknowa l lI ' l le ve rne e dt oknowa boutyou. " " Andwha ta bo utmyl i f e ? "Hec l e a r e dhi st hr oa tr oughl y." I ' mt heonewi t ht hedi r t ygr a yha t ,r e me mbe r ?Tha ti s n' t goi ngt oc ha nge .Homei st hi sboa tmor eof t e nt ha nnot .I ' mnotc utoutf orade s ka ndamor t ga ge ,Robi n. " " Wha tma ke syout hi nkIa m? "Be f or ehec oul da ns we r ,s hea dde dqui e t l y," I ' mnotma ki ngde ma nds ,i ft ha t ' swha t yout hi nk.ButIl oveyou,a ndIwa nt e dyout oknow. " " Al lr i ght . "Hec oul df e e lt hegr owi ngt e ns i oni nhe r ,a ndhedi dn' twa ntt ot a l ka bouti ta nyl onge r .The i rt i me t oge t he rc oul dwe l lbebr i e fhour s ,a ndhedi dn' twa ntt owa s t ea nyofi t ." Al lr i ght ,hone y.We ' l lt a l ka bouti tl a t e r . " Mi c ha e lc oul df e e lt her e ne wa lofde s i r e ,a ndi fhi si nne rs e l fr e mi nde dhi mofj us thowbr i e ft i mec oul dbe ,i fhi s e xpe r i e nc e di nn e rvoi c enudge dhi mwi t ht heknowl e dget ha t" l a t e r "s ome t i me sne ve rc a me ,hec hos et oi gnor ei t .He l owe r e dhi she a da ndki s s e dhe r ,c ons c i ousofhe rI ns t a ntr e s pons ea ndt r yi ngt oke e pt hes ha r pe dgeofde s pe r a t i onout ofhi sown. *** Att woo' c l oc kt ha ta f t e r noont hebi gc a bi nc r ui s e rc ont a i ni ngRa ve n,Kyl e ,a ndTe ddyna r r owl ya voi de dr unni ng downas ma l ll a unc ha si tl e f tt hei s l a ndc a l l e dt heMa z ea ndhe a de dt owa r dt hec oa s t . " Sor r y! "Ra ve ns a ngout ,wa vi ngf r omhe rpos i t i ona tt hewhe e la ndhe a r i ngc ur s e sf r omt hes ki ppe roft hel a unc h. Shea i me dt hec r ui s e rt oc i r c l ea r oundt hei s l a nd,he rnonc ha l a ntgl a nc et owa r dt heha l f hi dde nc ovet a ki ngi nagr e a t de a l . Kyl ea ppe a r e ds udde nl ybe s i dehe r ." I fLucc ome sba c ks oon, "s hes a i d," I ' mgoi ngt oha vet oe xpl a i nt hi sbr ui s e . " " Wha tbr ui s e ? "Ra ve na s ke d. " TheoneIgotwhe nyourl a s tma ne uve rs l a mme dmea ga i ns tt het a bl ei nt hega l l e y.Il oveyou,Ra ve n,butput t i ng youa tt hewhe e lofaboa ti smor et ha nmyne r ve sc a ns t a nd.Ma yIt a keove rnow? " " Ce r t a i nl y. "Uno f f e nde d,Ra ve ns t e ppe da s i de .Shegr i nne df a i nt l y." It houghtt her e s tofyouha dl e a r ne dbyn owt ha t Ic a nj us tba r e l ybet r us t e dwi t hac a r ,muc hl e s sa nyot he rmovi ngve hi c l e . " Thee r r a t i cmot i onoft hebi gboa tha ds e t t l e dt hei ns t a ntKyl et ookove r ,a nds hel a ughe ds of t l y." We l l .Te dd yc a n' t s t e e r ,s oIha dt ot a keac ha nc eonyou.Al e s s onwe l ll e a r ne d. " Ra ve nr e a c he df ort her a di one a rt hewhe e la ndma deabr i e fc a l l ,t he nc r a dl e dt heha nds e t . " Wa st ha tSut t onr us hi ngbyaf e wmi nut e sa go? "Te ddya s ke d,j oi ni ngt he ma nda bs e nt l yr ubbi nghe rhi p. " I nt hef l e s h.Wi t ha tl e a s tt hr e eofhi sme n. " Ra ve nl ooke da tt hebr oa dma s c ul i newa t c honhe rwr i s t ." Andr i ghtont i met oo.Ibe theha sahe l i c opt e rc omi ngt o pi c khi mup.We l lwa i tj us tl onge nought oma kes ur ehedoe s n' ts e ndhi sme nba c kt ot heya c ht . "" The nwec a l lt he c a pt a i na ndRobi n? " Ra ve nnodde d. Thought f ul l yKyl es a i d," Ani nt e r e s t i ngma n,t hec a pt a i n.Doe s n ' tgi vemuc ha wa y,doe she ? " " Notmuc h,no, "Ra ve na gr e e ddr yl y. Kyl es mi l e d,r e me mbe r i ngwhe nRa ve n' se xpa r t ne r ,Ke l s e y,ha ddi r e c t e dt ha ts a mea c c us a t i ona the r s e l f ." Pe opl e wi t ht ha tki ndofc ont r ol , "s henot e dne ut r a l l y," ge ne r a l l ys pe ndye a r se a r ni ngi t .Doyout hi nkhe ' sa sda nge r ousa she

l ooks ? " " I ' ds a yhe ' smor eda nge r oust ha nhel ooks , "Ra ve ns a i d ." Ke l s e yt ol dmewha thekne w,a ndt heups hoti st ha t Ca pt a i nMi c ha e lSi r a ni sade a dl ye ne my...a ndawa r yf r i e nd. " Te ddywi nc e d." Tha tdoe s n' ts ou ndgoodf orRobi n. Orwa sIt heonl yonewhonot i c e dhows hel ooke da thi m? " " Youwe r e n' t , "Kyl es a i d." Al t houghIgott hef e e l i ngt ha tMi c ha e li sf a rf r omi ndi f f e r e nt . " " You' r epe r s pe c t i ve , "Ra ve nt ol dhe rwi t haf a i nts mi l e ." Heha r dl yl e ti ts howa ta l l . " Te ddyc ont i nu e dt owor r y." Oh,da mn,i shea not he rZa c h?Tha tne a r l yki l l e dme . " Ra ve nl e a ne dba c ka ga i ns ta nI ns t r ume ntpa ne l ,he rga z et ur ni nga bs e nt l yt os t udyt heMa z ea st he yc r ui s e da r oundi t . " Thes i t ua t i on' sabi tdi f f e r e nt , "s hes a i d,r e f e r r i ngt ot heba t t l eTe ddyha dgonet hr ought oc onvi nc ehe rownl one wol f wa r r i ort ha ts hebe l onge da thi ss i de ." Robi nknowsc opsi fs heknowsa nyt hi nga ta l l ,a ndf r omwha tKe l s e yt ol dme , Mi c ha e lwa l ksa l onemor ebyha bi tt ha nc hoi c e . " " Shec a nt a kec a r eofhe r s e l f , "Te ddyof f e r e dhope f ul l y." I ' vene ve rs e e na nyonebe t t e ra ti tt ha nRobi n. " " Mmm. "Ra ve ns i ghe d." We ' l lha vet owa i ta nds e e .Thi ngsa r emovi nga wf ul l yf a s t ,a ndt he r e ' sr oughwa t e ra he a d. I ft he yma kei tt hr ough—we l l ,whoknows ? " " I ' l lc r os smyf i n ge r s , "Te ddys a i d,s i ghi nga swe l l . Ra ve ns mi l e da the r ,t he nl ooke da tt he i rs ki ppe r ." Kyl e ,onourne xtpa s s ,s t opbyDa ne ' sboa t . " " Ri ght , "Kyl ea ns we r e d. " Now,hede f i ni t e l ybot he r sme , "Te ddyof f e r e d,f r owni ngal i t t l e ." Ra ve n,di dn' tyouc a l lhi ma ni nf or ma t i onbr oke r ? Th a t ' sha r dl yt hepa r the ' spl a yi ngnow. " Ra ve ns hr ugge d ." Igue s shewe a r st woha t s .Wec e r t a i nl yc a n' tc ompl a i ns of a r . " " Ye s ,buthowwi l lhebewhe nt hepr e s s ur e ' sr e a l l yon?Ime a n,t hewa ywe ' ves e tt hi sup,hea ndMi c ha e lwi l lbet he one sgoi nga boa r dBut t on' sya c ht .Eve ni fwema na get odr a ws omeoft hegua r dsa wa y,t ha ts t i l ll e a ve ss e ve r a lont he ya c ht . " Ra ve ns mi l e dal i t t l e ." Don' two r r ya boutDa ne .I ' ves e e nhi mi naf e wt oughs pot s .Hec a nha ndl ehi ms e l f . " Te ddynodde d,a c c e pt i ngRa ve n' sj udgme nt ." Ha st her a di os t a t i onma det hea nnounc e me ntye t ? " " Shoul dbea nyt i menow, "Ra v e na ns we r e d." Ic a l l e dourguya tt hef i s hi nge qui pme ntc ompa ny,a ndhe ' sonhi s wa y . " " Luc kyt ha tLongEnt e r pr i s e si si nt of i s hi ngge a r , "Kyl es a i d. " Iwonde rwhy , "Ra ve ns a i dmus i ngl y." J os hdoe s n' te ve nl i ket of i s h. " " He r ewego, "Kyl es a i d,c ut t i ngba c kont hes pe e da st he yne a r e dt hei s l a ndc l os e s tt ot heMa z e . Te ddya ndRa ve nbot hhe a de df ort hede c k,a ndbot he nj oye dt hes i ghtofDa nes i t t i nga l onei nhi ss ma l lboa twi t h f i s hi ngpa r a phe r na l i api l e da l la r oundhi m. Hewa spl a yi n ghi spa r tt ot hehi l t ,a sRa ve nha dt ol dMi c ha e l ,c ompl e t e l ywi t haf l yc ove r e dha ta ndabot t l ei na br ownba g.Anyonege t t i ngc l os ee noughmi ghtha venot i c e dt ha tt hebot t l ec ont a i ne df r ui tj ui c e ,buti tc e r t a i nl ys e e me d l i k eapi ntofwhi s ke y.Da neha dn' ts ha ve di npr e pa r a t i onf orhi sr ol e ,a ndt hebl ues ha dowi ngpa r t i a l l yhi dt hec l a s s i c bones t r uc t ur et ha tma dehi sj a wr a t he rme mor a bl e .Wi t hhi sha tpul l e dl ow,r umpl e dc l ot hi ng,a ndt hebo t t l e ,he c e r t a i nl ypa s s e dmus t e ra saf i s h e r ma noutf orar ous i nggoodt i me . Hebe l l owe doutar i ba l dgr e e t i nga st hebi gc r ui s e rf l oa t e dne a r ,butt hei ns t a ntt hee ngi ne swe r ec ut ,hi svoi c e dr oppe dt oI t snor ma lde e pa nda l mos tme l odi ct one s . " Te l lmewhype opl ea c t ua l l ydot hi sf orr e c r e a t i on? "her e que s t e dofRa ve ni napa i ne dvoi c e . Shel e a ne dove rt hes i dea ndgr i nne ddowna thi m." Be a t sme .I ' vea l wa ysc ons i de r e di tar a t he rune qua lc ont e s t . Unl e s s ,ofc our s e ,youc a t c hs ome t hi ngbi gge rt h a nyoua r e . " Heg l a nc e da r oundwi t hmoc kune a s i ne s s ." Don' ts a yt ha t .Is a was ha r kmovi eye a r sa goa ndha ve n' tputat oei nt he oc e a ns i nc e . " " Is a wt hes a memovi e .Butwe ' vegotmor et owor r ya boutt oda yt ha nki l l e rs ha r ks . " " Agr e e d. "Het ookadr i nkf r omhi sdi s gui s e dj ui c ebot t l e ,a ndl ooke ds t e a di l ya the r ,hi se xpr e s s i ons e r i ousnow." I s a wSut t ona ndc ompa nygor oa r i ngby.Whe ndowemove ? " " We ' l lwa i ta b outa nhourt oma kes ur ehedoe s n' ts e ndhi sme nba c kt ot heya c ht ,a ndt ogi vehi mt i met oge twe l lon hi swa yt oMi a mi .The nwe ' l lc a l lMi c ha e la ndRobi na ndha vet he ms t a r tmovi ngt hi swa y. " Da n egl a nc e da thi swa t c h,ac ompl i c a t e dl ooki ngs por t s ma n' swa t c ht ha twa sf a rdi f f e r e ntf r om wha theus ua l l y wor e ." Al i t t l ea f t e rt wonow.Tha tme a nswe ' l lpr oba bl ya l lbei npos i t i onbyf our . " Ra ve nnodde d ." Mi c ha e l ' sboa twi l lc i r c l ea r oundt ot hel i t t l ei nl e tont heot he rs i deoft heMa z e ,a ndme e tyout he r e . Robi nwi l ls t a ywi t ht heboa t —"

" Wi l ls he ? "Da nei nt e r r upt e d. Ra ve na ndTe ddye xc ha nge dgl a nc e s ,a ndRa ve nl ooke dba c ka thi mI nt e nt l y." Wha t ' sonyourmi nd? " " Ca l li tahunc h. "Da nef r owne dal i t t l e ." Igott hef e e l i ngt hel a dyha sal ott opr ovet ohe r s e l f . " " Shewoul dn' te nda nge rMi c ha e l ' ss i s t e ra ndt heot he rgi r l s , "Te ddyobj e c t e d. " No,Ia gr e ewi t hyout he r e .Buts hewon' tl i keMi c ha e lboa r di ngaya c htf ul lofgua r dse i t he r . "Hes hr ugge d." Li keI s a i d,i t ' sj us tahu nc h. " Ra ve nnodde d." Andi t ' sMi c ha e l ' sc a l l .We ' vet a ke nc a r eofa l lt hede t a i l swec oul d;t her e s t ' l lbel uc ka ndt i mi ng. " " Spe a ki ngofwhi c h" —Da nel ooke da tt he ms t e a di l y—" s ur eyoul a di e swa ntt oe nt i c et hos egua r dsof ft heya c ht ? Th a t ' sada nge r ou sga me . " " Wec a nha ndl ei t , "Te ddyt ol dh i mc he e r f ul l y." Onc ewege tt he mbe l ow,t he ywon' tknowwha thi tt he m. " Henodde d,nots omuc hdoubt f ula sune a s y." I fyous a ys o.Wa t c hyour s e l ve s ,t hough.Idon' tr e l i s ht hei de aof ha vi ngt oe xpl a i nt oyourhus ba ndsi fs ome t hi nggoe swr ong. " " Ourhus ba nds , "Ra ve nt ol dhi ml i ght l y," woul dbet hef i r s tt ounde r s t a nd. " Ast he ys t r a i ght e ne da wa yf r om t hes i de ,Da nepr e pa r e dt or e t ur nt ohi sf i s hi ng.Butt he ybot hhe a r dhi smut t e r e d c omme ntbe f or eKyl es t a r t e dt hee ngi ne sa ga i n. " Sur e , "het ol dhi sf i s hi ngr oddr yl y. *** Ro bi nha dn' ti nt e nde dt oc l i ngt oMi c ha e la shehe a de dt heboa tt owa r dt he i rt a r ge ti s l a nd,buthet ookt hede c i s i on outofhe rha nds .Onc et he ywe r eunde rwa y,hes i mpl ypul l e dhe ra ga i ns thi ss i dea ndhe l dhe rt he r e ,ke e pi ngon eha nd ont hewhe e l . Shewa s n' tr e l uc t a nt ,a nds l i ppe dbot ha r msa r oundhi sl e a nwa i s t ." Tha nks , "s hes a i duns t e a di l y." Iwa sf e e l i nga l i t t l es ha ky. " " Soa mI , "hes a i d,ki s s i nghe rf or e he a dge nt l y. " I t ' l lbea l lr i ght , "s het ol dhi mf i e r c e l y,r ubbi nghe rc he e ka ga i ns thi sc he s t ." Li s aa ndt heot he rgi r l swi l lbef i ne . " " Iknow. " Ro bi nbr a c e dh e r s e l fI nwa r dl y." Whe nyoua ndDa nes l i pa boa r dt heya c ht ,I —I ' mgoi ngwi t hyou. " Mi c ha e lha dbe e ne xpe c t i ngt ha t .Hec oul dha vea r gue da l lt hedr a wba c ks ,a nda r gue dc onvi nc i ngl y.Robi nwa s i ne xpe r i e nc e da tt hi ski ndofs i t ua t i on.Shes t r ongl ymi s t r us t e dhe rowna bi l i t i e sa ndwa sc onvi nc e dhe rf e a rwoul d pa r a l yz ehe r .St i l l ,hekne w,s heha dunr e s ol ve df e e l i ngsofgui l tove rha vi nge s c a pe dwhe nt heot he rgi r l sha dn' t ,a nd s hewa sf ur i ous l ya ngr ya tt heme nr e s pons i bl e . I nave r yr e a ls e ns es hewa sat i c ki ngbombt ha twoul de i t he rbes a f e l yde f us e d. . .orbl owup. Andt ha twa swhyMi c ha e lc oul dn' ti gnor ehe rde t e r mi na t i on.I fher e f us e dt oa l l owhe rt oc omewi t hhi ma ndDa ne f ort hes a keofhe rowns a f e t y,he rf e e l i ngsofi na de qua c ywoul dpr ompthe rt ohe a rt hewor ds :Idon' thav eanyf ai t hi n y oue i t he r .It hi nky ou' l lf r e e z e . Hec oul dn' tdos uc hat hi ngt oh e r .Eve nt hought hes t a ke swe r ea goni z i ngl yhi gh,t hes i mpl ef a c twa shec oul dno mor edoa nyt hi ngt ohur tRobi nt ha nhec oul dLi s a .Andi twa st e a r i nghi ma pa r t . " Mi c ha e l ? " Het i ght e ne dhi sa r ma r oundhe r ,dr a wi nghe rc l os e r ." Iknowt ha tt oo, "hes a i df i na l l y,c a l ml y. *** " Youdi dn' tr e por ti na ga i nl a s tni ght , "Da ni e lSt ua r tt ol dhi sa ge nt ." ForGod' ss a ke ,Skye ,wha t ' swr ongwi t hyou? " Thema na tt heot he re ndoft hel i nec l e a r e dhi st hr oa t ." Sor r y,butt he r ewe r eaf e w—e r ,c ompl i c a t i ons ,a ndIha dt o movepr e t t yf a s t . " " Wha tki ndofc ompl i c a t i ons ? "Da ni e la s ke dwi t hde c e pt i vemi l d ne s st ohi st one . Re me mbe r i nghi sme nt a lr e he a r s a l soft hi si nf or ma t i on,Skyer e a l i z e dt ha tt hepr a c t i c eha ddonenogooda ta l l ;he s t i l ldi dn' tknowhowt ot e l lDa ni e lt hewhol es t or y. " Skye ? " " Ye s ,I ' ms t i l lhe r e . " " The nt a l kt ome ,da mmi t .Wha t ' sgoi ngon? " Skyedr e wa na udi bl ebr e a t h." Fi r s t ,Mi c ha e lha sba c kupont hi spe r s ona lmi s s i onofhi s .Thel a di e sI ' vebe e n wa t c hi nga r enow f i r ml yi nhi sc or ne r ,a ndt he y' r epul l i ngs t r i ngsr i ghta ndl e f t .Thi ngsa r eha ppe ni nge ve na swe s pe a k. " " Wha t ?Whywo ul dt he y—" " Wa i t .I ' l lge tt ot ha tl a t e r .The y ' ves e tupada ndydi ve r s i ont odr a wEdwa r dSut t ona wa yf r omt heya c htwhe r ehe ' s hol di ngLi s aa l o n gwi t hs e ve r a lot he rgi r l s . "

The r ewa sal ongs i l e nc e ,a ndt h e nDa ni e la s ke d," I sSut t onas l a ve r ? " " Youc a ughtt ha tqui c ke rt ha nIdi d.Appa r e nt l yhei s .Se e msheha ds e ve r a lgi r l st a ke nf r omanumbe rofc l ubsaf e w da ysa go.Hepr oba bl yme a ntt os hi pt he ms out hbe f or eMi c ha e lc a mea f t e rLi s a ,butt he r e ' sahe l lofaf l a pgoi ngon downhe r ebe c a u s eofa na l e r tf oradr ugs hi pme nt .Thewa t e r sa swe l la st hea i r wa ysa r ehot .Sut t onha dt ohol eupa nd wa i ti tout .The noneoft hegi r l st ookhe rf a t ei nhe rownha ndsa ndj umpe ds hi p.Mi c ha e lf i s he dhe routoft hewa t e r . Shewa sa bl et ot i eSut t ont ot hec l ubwhe r es hewa ss na t c he d.AndMi c ha e l ,gi ve nt heknowl e dget ha tSut t onc oul dbe onaya c ht ,l os tnot i mei nf i ndi n gout —vi aDa ne —t hena mea ndl oc a t i onoft heya c ht . " " MyGod, "Da ni e lmut t e r e d. " Ye a h.Myt hought se xa c t l y.Ata nyr a t e ,t hel a di e sI ' vebe e nwa t c hi ngt e a me dupwi t hDa nea ndhe a de df ort heTe n Th ous a ndI s l a ndsve r yl a t el a s tni ght . " " Wi t hDa ne ?Wha t ' veyoube e ndoi ng? " " Se t t i ngupt hedi ve r s i ona tt hi se nd. " " You—" " Wha te l s ec oul dIdo,Da ni e l ?I ' mat r us t e df r i e ndofDa ne ' s ,a n ds ome bodyha dt odot hel e gwor k. " Fi na l l yDa ni e la s ke d," Dot he yk nowwhoyoua r e ? " " Ofc our s enot . " The r ewa sa not he rl ongs i l e nc e ,a ndt he nDa ni e ls a i d," Idon' tunde r s t a ndhowyourl a di e sgoti nt ot hi s .Theonl yone oft het hr e ewho' se ve nme tMi c ha e li sRa ve nLong.Wha tbr oughtt he mt e a r i ngdownt he r e ? " " Thec onne c t i onwa s n' twi t hMi c ha e l ,Da ni e l .The yj us twe ntl ooki ngf orhi m—a ndf orDa ne —be c a us et he yne e de d i nf or ma t i on.Af r i e ndofoneoft he mha dt ur ne dupmi s s i ng,a ndt he ywe r et r yi ngt of i ndhe r . " Da n i e lSt ua r ts t a r e dbl i ndl ya c r os shi sof f i c e ,t hei ns t i nc t sa ndi nt ui t i onofal i f e t i megoi ngof fl i keabe l l ." Skye ,a f r i e ndofwhi c ho ne ? " " Te ddySt e e l e . " " NotRobi n, "Da ni e ls a i dhol l owl y. " She ' sa l lr i ght , "Skyes a i d." Atl e a s t...Oh,he l l ,Da ni e l ,s he ' swi t hMi c ha e l .Shewa st heonehepul l e doutoft he wa t e r .And,a ppa r e nt l y,s he ' sde t e r mi ne dt ohe l phi mge thi ss i s t e ra ndt heot he rgi r l sof ft ha tya c ht . " " Whydi dn' tyouc ont a c tme ?Ic oul dha ve —" " Wha t ?Fl owndownhe r e ?Thi ngswe r emovi ngs of a s tt he n,youwoul dn' tha veha dahopei nhe l lofs t oppi ngt he m. Be t we e nt he m,Ra ve na ndDa neha dc omeupwi t hapl a nt oc utt heodds ,a ndt he yputt ha tpl a ni nt omot i on,Ihe l pe d, be c a us ei ts e e me dt hebe s tt hi ngt odo.NowSut t on' sonhi swa yt oMi a mi ,a ndMi c ha e la ndRobi nha veave r yt a l e nt e d gr oupa sba c kup. " " I ' mc omi ngd ownt he r e , "Da ni e ls a i d. " Ye a h, "Skyes a i d." It houghtyouwoul d. "

Si x Kne e l i ngbe t we e nMi c ha e la ndDa nei nt het a ngl e dunde r gr owt hoft heMa z e ,Robi ns t a r e da c r os smor et ha nt we nt y f e e tofpl a c i dwa t e ra tt heDr agonLady .Theya c htwa sape a c e f uls i ght ,ac oupl eofl i ght sgl owi ngdi ml yi ns t a r boa r d por t hol e s ,a ndar a di opl a ye dqui e t l y.Thoughi twa sonl yha l fpa s tf our ,t hec ovewa she a vi l ys ha de d,a ndt heya c ht dr i f t e di nt hes ha dowsoft wi l i gh t . " Howl ong? "Mi c ha e la s ke ds of t l y,t e ns i one vi de nti nhi svoi c e . Da n el ooke da thi swa t c h;i nhi sf r e eha ndhehe l das ma l lr a di ot r a ns mi t t e rmuc hmor ec ompa c tt ha nac onve nt i ona l wa l ki e t a l ki e ,a nds e tt oaf r e que nc yt ha twoul dnotI nt e r f e r ewi t hnor ma lr a di ot r a ns mi s s i ons ." Fi f t e e nmi nut e s , "he a ns we r e d,hi svoi c ee qua l l yl ow. Ro bi n,mos tofhe rme nt a le ne r g yi nvol ve di nade t e r mi ne dba t t l ea ga i ns tt hec ol df e a rc r a wl i ngi ns i dehe r ,t r i e dt o ke e phe rt hought sc l e a r .Thebi gc r ui s e r ,wi t hRa ve n,Te ddy,Kyl e —a ndt hr e eofSut t on' sgua r ds —a boa r dwa sa n c hor e d j us tout s i det hec ove ,a nda l la r oundt hei s l a ndss ma l la ndl a r gef i s hi ngboa t sha ds wa r me di nt ot r yt owi nt he une xpe c t e dpr i z emone y. Mor et ha nt we nt ymi nut e sbe f or e .Ra ve na ndTe ddyha dhungove rt hes i deoft hec r ui s e r ,dr e s s e di ns c a nda l ous l y br i e fs wi ms ui t s ,a ndc a l l e doutal a ughi ng,ps e udodr unke ni nvi t a t i ont ot heme nont heya c htt oj oi nt he mf orapa r t y. Af t e rabr i e f ,he a t e da r gume nta mongSut t on' sgua r ds ,t hr e eoft he m ha dl a unc he da ni nf l a t a bl er ubbe rdi nghya nd r o we dove rt ot h ec r ui s e rt oa c c e ptt heI nvi t a t i on.Robi n,Mi c ha e l ,a ndDa newe r ewa i t i ngt e ns e l yf orRa ve nt onot i f y t he mt ha tt hos epa r t yi nc l i ne dgu a r dsha dbe e nputoutofc ommi s s i on. The i rbe s te s t i ma t ewa st ha tt he r ewe r ef ourgua r dsl e f tont heya c ht ,a tl e a s tt woofwhom.Ra ve nha dr a di oe d,ha d dr oppe dl i ne sof ft hepor ts i dei nac l e a ra t t e mptt or e s e mbl ef i s he r me n.

" Shes houl dha ver a di oe dbynow, "Mi c ha e ls a i d. " Shewi l l . "Da nea ppe a r e dunpe r t ur be dbutke ptonee yeonhi swa t c h. The yc oul dha vemove da ga i ns tt heya c htt he n,butne i t he rMi c ha e lnorDa neha de ve nc ons i de r e ddoi ngs o.The y ne e de dt oknow t hos egua r dswoul dnotber e t ur ni ngt ot heya c ht ,a ndt he ywa nt e dt oma kec e r t a i nRa ve na ndhe r f r i e ndsha dnopr obl e msi ns ubdui ngt heme nwhoha dt a ke nt he i rba i t . Qui e t l y,a nds t i l ldi vi di nghi sa t t e nt i onbe t we e nhi swa t c ha ndt heya c ht ,Da nes a i d," Wes houl dt ouc ha sl i t t l ea s pos s i bl eont hey a c ht .Expe r t ss houl dbea bl et oge taf e wofSut t on' sf i nge r pr i nt s . " Mi c ha e lga vehi mas ha r pl ook. " Yout hi nkt hi sc a s ewi l le ve rma kei tt oc our t ? " " It hi nks o, "Da ner e pl i e dc a l ml y." Oneoft hos et hugswi l lbemor et ha nwi l l i ngt ot a l ki fi tme a nss a vi nghi sown s ki n.Theot he rl a di e sa ndIc a nt e s t i f yt ot hef a c tt ha tBut t on' sbe e na boa r dt heya c ht .Myc r e di bi l i t yma ybeal i t t l e s ha ky, "hea dde di nawr yt one ," butt hos el a di e sa r ea bover e pr oa c h.Andt ot opi ta l l ,youf e dsha vebe e nt r yi ngt oge t yourha ndsonSut t onf ors omet i menow.Thi soughtt odoi t . " Ro bi nl ooke dupa tMi c ha e l ." Wi l li tbee noughf oryou? "s hea s ke d." I fSut t ongoe st opr i s on? " Af t e ramome n tMi c ha e lr e pl i e d," We ' l ls e e . " Shekne wwha tt ha tme a nt .Onc et he yf oundouthowLi s aa ndt heot he r sha df a r e d,Mi c ha e lwoul dde c i dewhe t he rt o l e a vej us t i c et ot hec our t s . Da n e ' sr a di ot r a n s mi t t e rwhi s pe r e ds of t l y,a ndt he ya l lhe a r dRa v e n' smut e dbutc he e r f ulvoi c e . " Ourgue s t sa r et r us s e dupni c e l y.I nf i vemi nut e sa l lt hegua r dsl e f tont heya c hts houl dbeont hepor ts i de ,wi t ht he i r a t t e nt i onf oc us e donus .Goodl uc k,guys . " Someoft het e ns i one a s e df r omMi c ha e l ' sf a c e .Al mos tt ohi ms e l f ,hemur mur e da dmi r i ngl y," Nowonde rHa ge nke pt dr a f t i ngt hos epe opl e . " " Ha ge n? "Robi na s ke d,a ndi twa sDa newhor e pl i e d. " Af e de r a lhonc ho. " Mi c ha e lga vehi mal ook." Howdoyouknowa bouthi m? " Da n egr i nne d." Iknowal otoft hi ngs —a ndpe opl e—I ' mnots uppos e dt oknow. " " I l lbe t , "Mi c ha e lr e ma r ke d. Dur i ngt hebr i e fc onve r s a t i ont he yha dbe e nge t t i ngr e a dyf ort hes hor t ,c a ut i ouss wi mt ot heya c ht .Theme nwe r ei n s wi mt r unks ,wi t hanumbe rofwa t e r pr oofe qui pme ntpouc he sb e l t e da r oundt he i rwa i s t s ;s e ve r a li t e msha dc omef r om Mi c ha e l ' sboa t ,t her e ma i nde rDa nea ndRa ve nha da nt i c i pa t e da ndbr oughta l ongf r om Mi a mi .The ye a c hc a r r i e da n a ut oma t i cpi s t ole qui ppe dwi t hs i l e nc e r ,al onghunt i ngkni f e ,s e ve r a ls hor tl e ngt hsofnyl onr ope ,s e ve r a lpa i r soft he pl a s t i cha ndc uf f ss omef e de r a la ut hor i t i e sha dbe gunus i ngi ns t e a dofme t a lone s ,a ndc ompa c tt oolki t s —a l lj us ti n c a s e .I na ddi t i on ,Mi c ha e lc a r r i e dac oi lofr ope ,knot t e da ti nt e r va l s ,wi t har ubbe r t i ppe dgr a ppl i nghookononee nd. Ro bi nwor eas wi ms ui tbor r owe df r omTe ddy,wi t has i mi l a rbe l tc ont a i ni ngas i l e nc e da ut oma t i c ,s e ve r a lpa i r soft he ha ndc uf f s ,a ndaSwi s sAr mykni f e .Al loft he mc a r r i e da ne xt r ac l i pofbul l e t sa sapr e c a ut i on,a nde a c hhope dnota s i ngl es hotwoul dbef i r e d. The ywe r er e a dyt oe xe c ut et he i rpl a n. ForRobi nt hi ss i t ua t i onwa sou tofhe rwor s tni ght ma r e s .Fora l mos tha l fhe rl i f es heha ddr e a de dbe i ngputt ot hi s s or toft e s t .Shewa sa ne qua lpa r t ne rhe r e ,wi t hhe rownr ol et opl a y,he rowns e tdut i e st ope r f or m,a ndi fs hef a i l e di n t hos edut i e s ,pe opl ec oul ddi e . Shewa sapa r toft hi sbyhe rownc hoi c e ,buti twa sonl yMi c ha e l ' sma t t e r of f a c tc onf i de nc ei nhe rt ha tha da l l owe d he rt oc omet hi sf a r .Da ne ' se a s ya c c e pt a nc eha dhe l pe d,buti twa sMi c ha e lwhokne wonl yt oowe l lj us thowa f r a i ds he wa s .Andwi t hhi sowns i s t e r ' sl i f ea ts t a ke... Ro bi nha dne ve rbe e ns oa f r a i d,a nds heha dne ve rbe e nmor ede t e r mi ne dt oc ont r olhe rf e a r .Thes i ngl emos t i mpor t a ntr e a l i z a t i onMi c ha e lha df or c e dhe rt of a c ewa st ha ts hehadhe dge dt hebi gge s tbe tofhe rl i f e .Sheha df a i l e d a ne xa ms hes houl dha vepa s s e de a s i l y,a ndt ha tf a i l ur eha dma r ke dhe r .Thi swa sat e s ts heha dnoi nt e nt i onoff a l l i ng. *** Thes i deoft heya c htne a r e s tt he m,t hes t a r boa r ds i de ,ha dbe e ne mpt yofa c t i vi t ya sl onga st he yha dwa t c he d,but t he ywa i t e dunt i lt he yhe a r dRa ve n' sc l e a r ,me r r yvoi c eha i l i ngt heboa tbe f or et he ys l i ppe di nt ot hewa t e r .Oc c upi e d wi t hs wi mmi nga squi e t l ya spos s i bl e ,t he ydi dn' tc a t c hmuc hoft hes hout e dc onve r s a t i on,buti ta ppe a r e dRa ve nwa s c a s t i ga t i ngt he mf orha vi ngr e dne c kf r i e ndswhowe r ema ki ngas ha mbl e sofhe rc r ui s e r ' sc a bi n. He rl a ngua gewa sde c i de dl yc ol or f ul ,a nds e e me dt oa mus et heme nr e ma i ni ngont heya c ht . Re a c hi ngt heya c hta ndmovi ngc a r e f ul l yt oapoi ntwhe r et he yc oul dc l i mba boa r dunobs e r ve dbyt hegua r d s ,t he y t r odwa t e rf oraf e wmome nt s ,a ndt he nMi c ha e lve r yc a ut i ous l yt os s e dt hegr a ppl i nghookupt ot hebr a s sr a i l i ng.I t c a ug htwi t haba r e l ya udi bl et hud.Wi t hi ns e c ondshewa sc l i mbi ngt heknot t e dr opequi c kl ya nde a s i l y.

Ro bi nf ol l owe damome ntl a t e r , notqui t ea squi c kl ybutwi t hnowa s t e dt i meormot i on,a ndDa nec a meupa f t e rhe r . The ywe r epa s s e da ga i ns tt hewhe e l hous e ,a ndt hes oundsofRa ve n' sc onve r s a t i onwi t hSut t on' sme nwe r ec l e a r e r now;s hewa ss t i l lgi vi ngt he mhe l l ,a ndt he ywe r es t i l ll a ughi nga nde nc our a gi nghe r . Ro bi nf oundh e r s e l fa ut oma t i c a l l yr e a c hi ngf orhe rguna ndt humbi ngof ft hes a f e t y,hol di ngI ti nat woha nde d pol i c egr i pa the rr i ghts houl de r ,poi nt e dupwa r d.Sher e ma i ne dbe s i deMi c ha e la sDa nee a s e dt owa r dt hebow;u nt i ls he gots a f e l ybe l ow,hi sj obwa st oke e pwa t c ha ndma kec e r t a i nt he ywe r e n' ts ur pr i s e dbya na ppr oa c hf r omt hef r ontof t heya c ht .The n,whe nRobi nwa sbe l ow,Da newoul de a s ea r oundt ot hepor ts i dea ndc omea tSut t on' sme nf r omt he bowwhi l eMi c ha e la dva nc e dont he mf r omt hes t e r n. Mi c ha e ls l i ppe da l ongt hewa l loft hewhe e l hous e ,e dgi ngt owa r dt hes t e r nunt i lhec oul dpe e ra r ounda ndl oc a t et he e nt r a nc et ot hec a bi nsbe l ow.Da neha dpr ovi de das ke t c hoft hec ompl e t el a youtoft heya c ht ,a ndt he i rmove me nt s onc et he ygotonboa r dha dbe e npl a nne dc a r e f ul l y. Mi c ha e lwhi s pe r e d," Thegua r dsmus tbeont heot he rs i deoft hewhe e l hous e ;Ic a n' ts e et he m. " " I ' mr e a dy, "Robi nmur mur e d. Mi c ha e lnodde donc ea nde xc ha nge dpl a c e swi t hhe r ,hol di nghi sgunr e a dy." Thr e emi nut e s ,t he nDa nea ndIma ke ourmove .We ' l lbea squi e ta spos s i bl e .Ass oona st hegua r dst ops i dea r edi s a r me d,I ' l lbehe a di ngbe l ow. " " Ri ght . " " I ' l lc ove ryou. "Hel ooke da the r ,hi sha r dgr a ye ye sl i ght e ni ngbr i e f l yi nwha twa sa l mos tas mi l e ." Wa t c hyour s e l f , hone y. " " Yout oo. "Ro bi nma na ge das mi l e ,dr e wade e pbr e a t h,t he ns l i ppe da r oundt hes i deoft hewhe e l hous e .He rba r e f e e tma denos oundont hede c k ,a ndi tt ookonl yt hes pa c eofhe a r t be a t sf orhe rt oc r os st her e qui r e ds pa c et ot hes t a i r s l e a di ngbe l ow. Andt hi swa st hepa r toft hepl a nt ha t ,byne c e s s i t y,ha dbe e nl oos e l yc ons t r uc t e d.Thebe s te f f or t sofDa nea ndt he l a dl e sha dnott o l dt he mhowma nyme n,i fa ny,mi ghtbebe l owde c k.The yha dt he or i z e dt ha tas hi poft hi ss i z e ,wi t ha t l e a s tt e nme nus ua l l ya boa r d,c o ul dha veac ook,e ve nas t e wa r d;t he yha dnowa yofknowi ngi foneoft he" gua r ds " wa sa l s ot hepi l ot ,i foneormor eme nha dr e ma i ne dbe l ows i nc et heya c htha dbe e nunde robs e r va t i on,ori ft he r ewa sa c r e wi na ddi t i ont oSut t on' st hugs . Ro bi n' sj obwa st oqui c kl ya ndqui e t l ys e c ur et hea r e abe l owde c ka nda voi dahos t a ges i t ua t i on;i fs hemi s s e de ve n onema n,t ha tma nc oul dc onc e i va bl yr e a c ht heki dna ppe dgi r l sbe f or eRobi nf oundt he m.Si nc et heme nt ops i dewe r e he a vi l ya r me d,t he ypos e dt hei mme di a t eda nge r .Buti fMi c ha e la ndDa newe r euna bl et oqui e t l ydi s a r mt hos eme n,I t woul ds oundawa r ni ngt oa nyon ebe l ow—whi c hwa st hes ol er e a s ons heha dat hr e e mi nut ema r gi ni nwhi c ht owor k. Thoughhe rme mor i e sofhe rownt i mea boa r dt heya c htwe r ec l oude d,Robi nwa sr e a s ona bl ys ur et he r eha db e e nno gua r dpos t e dout s i det hec a bi ndoorwhe r es hea ndt heot he rg i r l sha dbe e nhe l d;t hedr ugsha da ppa r e nt l yma det ha t unne c e s s a r y.Howe ve r ,t heni ghts heha dj umpe ds hi p,t hes t or mha dr e qui r e dt ha ta l lha ndsbet ops i dea ndbus y,whi c h ha dl e f the re s c a per out ec l e a r . Bu ts hec oul dn' tbes ur et hes i t ua t i onwa st hes a menow.Shec oul dn' tbes ur ea bouta nyt hi nga ta l l . Shewe ntdownt hes t a i r si nal o wc r ouc h,gunr e a dy,t e ns e l yhe s i t a t i ngt wos t e psf r omt hebot t omt os e a r c ht hea r e a vi s i bl ef r omhe rpos i t i ona ndt r us t i ngMi c ha e lt owa t c ht het opoft hes t a i r st opr e ve nthe rf r ombe i ngs ur pr i s e df r om be hi nd.Att hebot t om oft hes t a i r sbe ga nal ong,na r r owLs ha pe dha l l wa ywi t hs e ve r a ldoor sope ni ngont ot hi sf i r s t a r m.Theha l l wa ywa sc l e a ra ndwe l ll i ght e d.Thega l l e r ywa sj us tt ot hel e f toft hes t a i r wa y,t hema i nc a bi n,al ounge , t ot her i ght ,a ndt he n,a c c or di ngt oDa ne ,anumb e rofs ma l l e rc a bi ns . Ro bi nha de s c a pe dt hec a bi nl oc a t e da tt heve r ye ndoft heha l l wa y,a ndLi s aha dbe e ns ome whe r ec l os eby.Butt he c a bi nsi nbe t we e nha dt obec he c ke d,onebyone . Wi t ht hec l oc ki nhe rhe a dt i c ki nga wa yt hes e c onds ,Robi nc a medownt her e ma i ni ngt wos t e ps ,a ndt he npi vot e d, gunl e ve l e d,whe ns hec a ughtagl i mps eofmove me ntt ohe rl e f t . " Don' tmove , "s h eor de r e dve r ys of t l y. Thema ns t a r i ngi nhor r ora the rgundi dn' ts e e m di s pos e dt odi s obe yt heor de r .Hewa ss t a ndi ngi nt hega l l e y, pr e pa r a t i onsf orame a la l la r oun dhi m,a ndhewa sol de nought oha vef e wi l l us i onsl e f tt ohi m. " I ' mnotwi t ht he m, "hema na ge dt hi c kl y." I ' mj us tt hec ook. " Ro bi ndi dn' tha vet i met or e pl yt ot ha t ,buts hekne wve r ywe l lheha dt obea wa r eoft heki dna ppe dgi r l sa nds he wa s n' tf e e l i ngve r yc ha r i t a bl e ." Tur na r ound.Ha ndsbe hi ndyourba c k,f e e ta pa r t .Wi de r ! "Sheha dn' tr a i s e dhe rvoi c e , butt hebi t ei ni tmus tha vec onvi nc e dt hema ns heme a ntbus i ne s s ;hef ol l owe dt heor de r si ns t a nt l y. St a ndi ngwe l lb a c ka ndma ki ngc e r t a i nher e ma i ne dof fba l a nc e ,Robi nf oundt hepa i rofha ndc uf f si nhe rbe l tby t ouc ha ndwi t honeha nds l i ppe dt he mqui c kl yove rhi swr i s t sa n dt i ght e ne dt he m. Br i e f l ys henudge dhi mwi t ht hegunba r r e l ." Onyourkne e s . "Andwhe nheha dobe ye d,s hea dde d," I ' mnota l one

he r e .I fyouma keas ound,ort r yt omove ,you' l ldi e .Unde r s t a nd? " " Ye s . " He rns t i nc tt ol dhe rhewoul dn' tma ket r oubl e ;s heha dnot i met oga ghi m ort a kea nyot he rpr e c a ut i ons .Ea s i ng c a ut i ous l yba c kouti nt ot heha l l wa y,s hebe ga nt omovea wa yf r omt hes t a i r s ,ha r dl ya wa r et ha the rpol i c et r a i ni ngwa s gui di nghe rs t a n c e ,e ve r ymove me nt ,ba r e l yc ons c i oust ha the rf e a r ,f ort hef i r s tt i me ,wa sabur i e dt hi ng.Al lhe rs e ns e s we r epr obi ng,l i s t e ni ng,a l lhe ra t t e nt i onf oc us e donwha tha dt obedone . Shel i s t e ne dbr i e f l ya te a c hdoo r ,t he nope ne donea f t e ra not he rc a ut i ous l ya nds c a nne dt hei nt e r i or soft her ooms . Th e ypr ove dt obee mpt y;s hel e f tt hedoor sope na ss hemove dont ot hene xt ,a ndt hene xt . Thec l oc ki nhe rhe a dt ol dhe rs heha dl e s st ha nami nut el e f tbe f or eMi c ha e la ndDa newoul dma ket he i rmove ,a nd t he r ewe r es t i l ld oor st oope n,c a bi nst os e a r c h. Re a c hi ngt hebe ndi nt heLs ha pe dha l l wa y,s hepr e s s e df l a ta ga i ns tt hewa l la ndpe e r e dc a ut i ous l ya r oun d.The ha l l wa ywa se mp t y.Fi vedoor s ,t het wooft he mne a r e s the r ,t ha nkGod,s t a ndi ngope n.Tha tl e f tonedoorone a c hs i de oft heha l l wa y,a ndonea tt hee nd. Ro bi nope ne dt h edooront hel e f toft heha l l wa yf i r s t ,a nda l mos tl a ughe da l oudi nr e l i e f .Thet i nyc a bi nwa se mpt y e xc e ptf oragi r li nt hes i ngl ebu nk.Obvi ous l yunc ons c i ous ,s heha dda r kbl ondha i ra ndl ooke dpa l e ,buthe rbr e a t hi ng wa sa udi bl e . Li s a . Ro bi ne a s e dt hedoors huta ga i na ndmove ds i l e nt l yt ot hedoora tt hee ndoft heha l l .The r ewa snos oundf r om wi t hi n,a nds heope ne dt hedoors l owl y.Thec a bi nwa sa l mos tpi t c hda r k;Robi nr e me mbe r e dt he nt ha tt hepor t hol e s ha dbe e nc ove r e dove rbyt i ght l yc l os e dl i dsf r omt heout s i de ,pr e ve nt i nga nyl i ghtf r ome nt e r i ngt hec a bi n. Se ns e sf l a r i ng,pr obi ngt heda r kne s s ,Robi ns t e ppe di nt ot hec a b i na ndl i s t e ne d.Br e a t hi ng.But ,ofhowma nype opl e ? Th e r ewa sal i gh ts wi t c h;s her e a c he df ori tc a ut i ous l y. Andt hes i l e nc ewa ss ha t t e r e d,i nane r ve j a r r i ngi ns t a nt ,byt h evi c i ousc ha t t e r i ngofa na ut oma t i cwe a ponont he de c ka bove . Ro bi nwhi r l e d,he rhe a r ti nhe rt hr oa t ,f e a rf orMi c ha e lr unni ngt hr oughhe rbodyl i kei c e .Be f or es hec oul dt a kemor e t ha nas i ngl es t e p,t hel a s tunope ne dc a bi ndoorwa sya nke dope n,a ndabi g.mus c l e dma nwe a r i ngonl yba ggyt r ous e r s bur s touti nt ot heha l l wa y. Hewa s n' the a d i ngf ort hes t a i r s ;hewa sgoi ngf orLi s a ' sc a bi n.Andheha dagun. Ro bi ndi dn' the s i t a t e .I nt hei ns t a ntgr a nt e dt ohe rs hea i me dbyi ns t i nc ta ndt r a i ni nga nds que e z e dof fas i ng l es hot . Th es i l e nc e ronhe rgunmut e dt heus ua lvi ol e nts ounds ot ha ta l lt ha te me r ge dwa sawhi s t l i ngpop,a ndt hema n' sgun c l a t t e r e dt ot hef l oora shef e l lba c ka ga i ns tt hewa l lwi t hagr untofpa i n,hol di ngabl e e di ngha ndt ohi sc he s t . " You! "Ma l i gn a nte ye sf i xe donhe ra sRobi ns t e ppe dc a r e f ul l yf r omt heda r kc a bi n,a ndhes t a r t e dt opus hhi ms e l f a wa yf r omt hewa l l . Ro bi nr e me mbe r e dhi m;s heowe dmos tofhe rbr ui s e st ohi m.Shehe l dt heguns t e a dy,a i me da tt hec e nt e rofhi s c he s t ,a ndme thi sga z es qua r e l ya ss hes pokeve r yqui e t l y." Don' t . " Whe t he rhewou l dha vegi ve ni nt ounr e a s oni ngr a gebe c a meamootpoi ntj us tt he n.Thuddi ngf oot s t e psr a pi dl y a ppr oa c he dt he m,a ndMi c ha e lc a mea r oundt hec or ne rwi t hhi sgunr e a dy.Hi st a utf e a t ur e se a s e di ns t a nt l ya shes a w s hewa ss a f e ,a ndRobi nf e l tar e l i e fs t r onge rt ha na nys he ' de ve rknownma kehe rkne e sgowe a k.Hewa sunhur t . Wi t ht hei nc r e a s e doddsa ga i ns thi m,Robi n' spr i s one rbe ga nmut t e r i ngc ur s e sbutma denof ur t he ra t t e mptt ot r y br ut es t r e ngt ha g a i ns tbul l e t s . Mi c ha e lke ptt hema nc ove r e db uta ddr e s s e dRobi nqui c kl y." Li s a ? " Shej e r ke dhe rhe a dt owa r dt hedoorwi t houtt a k i nghe re ye sf r omt hewounde dma n." I nt he r e . " Heke pthi se ye sa ndgunont hema nunt i lhec oul ds l i ppa s thi mi nt hena r r owha l l wa y,t he ndi s a ppe a r e di nt oLi s a ' s c a bi n. Nott hr e emi nut e sl a t e rDa nec a mea r oundt hec or ne r .Li keMi c ha e l ,hewa swhol ea ndunhur t ,gunr e a dy." We ' r e ba t t i ngat hous a ndt ops i de , "hes a i dc he e r f ul l ybutwi t hawa r ye yeont hewounde dma n." Howa bouthe r e ? " Ro bi nma na ge das mi l e ." He r et o o.Coul dyout a kec a r eoft hi sonewhi l eIc he c kont heot he rgi r l s ? " " Mypl e a s ur e . "Da nes mi l e dge nt l ya tt hema n." Comeon,s por t ,youc a nputaBa ndAi dont ha twoundbe f or eyou j oi nyourf r i e ndsonde c k. " Ro bi nwa i t e dunt i lt he yva ni s he da r oundt hec or ne r ,t he nt ur ne dqui c kl ya ndwe ntba c ki nt ot heda r ke ne dc a bi n.She f l i ppe dt hel i ghts wi t c hon,t he ns a gge di nr e l i e fwhe ns hes a wt wobunksa ndt woc ot soc c upi e dbyf ouryoungwome n. Al loft he ma ppe a r e dt obeunc ons c i ous ,butot he r wi s es e e me du nha r me d. Ta ki ngupwha tl i t t l er e ma i ne do ft hef l oors pa c ei nt hec a bi nwa sat hi r dc ot ,e mpt y. I twa swhe r eRobi nha de xpe r i e nc e dhe rni ght ma r e .

*** Anhourl a t e ra l lofSut t on' sme n,e i t he rt i e dup,unc ons c i ous ,orbot h,ha dbe e nt r a ns f e r r e dt ot hede c koft heya c ht , whe r et hos ea bl et omut t e r e dc ur s e sa nddi r et hr e a t s . Bo t hwe r ei gnor e d. Mi c ha e l ,onc es a t i s f i e dt ha tLi s awa sunha r me dba r r i nghe rdr ugge ds t a t e ,he l pe dDa nei nt het r a ns f e roft heme n f r omt hebi gc r ui s e r .Kyl eha db r oughtt hec r ui s e rne a t l yi nt ot h ec ovea nda l ongs i det heya c ht ,a ndt het wove s s e l sha d be e nt i e dt oge t he rf ort hedur a t i o n. Out s i det hec ovet hef i s hi ngt our na me ntwe nton,t hei nt e ntf i s he r me ngl a dt hec ommot i onwa sove ra ndnotve r y c onc e r ne da boutwha tha dha ppe ne di nt hec ove .As i ngl es ma l lboa tha dwa nde r e di nt ot hec ove ,a ndt hef i s he r ma na t t het i l l e r ,i gnor i ngt hes pe c t a c l eofunc ons c i ousme nbe i ngc a r r i e dont ot heya c ht ,a s ke dKyl e ,whowa sne a r e s tt ohi m, howt hef i s hi ngwa st he r e .Kyl e ,ne ve ra tal os s ,t ol dhi mpol i t e l yt ha ti twa sl ous ya ndnotl i ke l yt oi mpr ove .Hea c c e pt e dhe rwor d ,a ndput t put t e dba c koutoft hec ovewi t ha ni nt e ns el ookonhi sf a c e . " Ta l ka boutbe i nga ddi c t e dt oas por t , "Da nemut t e r e dwi t has ha keofhi she a d,t he nwe ntt os t a ndgua r dov e rt he i r pr i s one r swhi l et heot he r sme ti nt heha l l wa yout s i det het woc a bi nss t i l lc ont a i ni ngf i veunc ons c i ous ,una wa r eyoung wome n. " Mi c ha e l ,you ' r et heonl yoneofuswi t ha nyki ndofof f i c i a ls t a t us , "Ra ve ns a i d." I t ' syourc a l l .Dower a di ot he Coa s tGua r d,orn ot ? " Mi c ha e lwa sl e a ni nga ga i ns tt hedoor j a mbofLi s a ' sc a bi n,hol di ngRobi n' sha ndi nhi sa ndgl a nc i ngi nt ot h ec a bi n f r omt i met ot i met oke e pa ne yeonhi ss i s t e r .Hewa sf r owni ngal i t t l e ,butde s pi t et ha thi sf a c el ooke dmor ea tpe a c e t ha nRobi nha de ve rs e e ni t . " Howl ongi sSut t onl i ke l yt obet i e dupi nMi a mi ? "hea s ke dRa ve ns l owl y. Shes mi l e dal i t t l e ." Da ysi fwe ' r el uc ky.Hour si fwe ' r enot .I fwec a l lt heCoa s tGua r di n,t he y' l lI mme di a t e l yc ont a c t t heFBI ,a ndt he yc a nc ont a c tt hepol i c ei nMi a mionc ewema keours t a t e me nt sI mpl i c a t i nghi mi nwhi t es l a ve r ya nd ki dna ppi ng. " " Tha t ' snogua r a nt e et hepol i c ewi l lbea bl et of i ndhi m, "Mi c ha e lnot e d. " No, "s hea gr e e d." Andwedon ' tknowheha sac ont a c ts c he dul ef orhi sme nont hi sboa t .I fs o,a ndt he ymi s st he c ont a c t ,he ' l lbea l e r t e dt ha ts ome t hi ngi swr ong—a ndhec oul dhe a df orpa r t sunknownbe f or ea nybodyge t sne a rhi m. Wec oul da l s oha vea tl e a s toneofhi sme nwa i t i ngont hec oa s twi t hhi sl a unc hwhoc oul da l e r thi mt oa nyCoa s tGua r d a c t i vi t yi nt hea r e a . "Af t e ramome nts hea dde dqui e t l y," Cha nc e sa r ef i f t yf i f t yt hepol i c ewon' tc a t c hupt ohi mf ort hi s be f or ehe ' ss ome howa l e r t e d.Ont heot he rha nd,Idon' ts e et ha tyourc ha nc e sofc a t c hi ngupt ohi mr i ghta wa ya r ea ny be t t e r . " Mi c ha e lgl a nc e da tRobi n,s mi l e ds l i ght l y,a ndnodde da shel ooke dba c ka tt hef or me ra ge nt ." Tha twa smyr e a di ng. Wedot hi ngsl e ga lf r omt hi spoi nt . " Ro bi nf e l tr e l i e fs we e pove rhe r .Sheha dbe e na f r a i dMi c ha e lwoul dbebe ntonge t t i nghi sownj us t i c e ,a ndhewa s n' t ama nwhowoul dbee a s i l ys t oppe d.Atl e a s thewa swi l l i ngt ot r yt hef or ma lr out ef i r s t . Ra ve nwa snoddi ng." Ri ght .Weha veadoc t ors t a ndi ngbya tapr i va t ehos pi t a li nFor tMye r s .The s egi r l ss e e ma l l r i ght ,butt he y' vebe e nhe a vi l ydr ugge df orda ysa ndi t ' sagoo dbe tt he y' r ea l s ode hydr a t e d.The yne e dt obeunde ra doc t or ' sc a r e .Wec a nt r a ns f e rt he mt ot hec r ui s e r ,a ndKyl ea ndTe ddyc a nha vet he mi nFor tMye r swi t hi nhour s .A s ma l ls e c u r i t yt e a mi sa l s os t a ndi ngbyt opr ot e c tt he m— pa r t i c ul a r l yLi s a —a r oundt hec l oc k. " Mi c ha e l ' ss mi l ewi de ne dabi t ." It hi nkI ' vea s ke dt hi sbe f or e ,bu ti st he r ea nyt hi ngyouha ve n' tt houghtof ? " Shegr i ma c e ds l i ght l y." Ic oul dn' tt hi nkofawa yt oc a t c hSut t onr e dha nde dwi t houte nda nge r i ngt hegi r l s .Orawa y t oc utt hr ought h ef or ma l i t i e s .Tha tme a nst ha tyou,Robi n,Da ne ,a ndIha vet or e ma i nhe r et odoa l lt hee xpl a i ni ng. Da n ea ndIbe c a us ewec a npl a c eSut t onont hi sya c ht ;youa ndRobi nbe c a us eofe ve r yot he rr e a s on,i n c l udi ng ba c kgr oundi nf o r ma t i ona ndt hef a c tt ha tRobi nwa ski dna ppe dhe r s e l f .We ' l lge te noughf l a ka si tI sf orha vi ngs pi r i t e d t hegi r l soutofh e r e ,butwes houl dge tbyont hegr oundsofne e de dme di c a la t t e nt i on. " " Li s awi l lbef i ne , "Te ddya s s ur e dhi m." Some onewi l lbewi t hhe ra l lt het i me ,a ndt hemome nts hewa ke supwe ' l l t e l lhe ryou' r es a f e . " Mi c ha e lgl a nc e dba c ki nt oLi s a ' sc a bi n,a ndnodde d." The nl e t ' sdoi t . " *** I tt ooka l mos ta not he rhourt omovet heunc ons c i ousgi r l sont ot hec r ui s e ra ndma ket he mc omf or t a bl e ,a ndt he n Kyl e ,wi t hTe ddya boa r d,he a de dnor t ht owa r dFor tMye r s . Thes unwa sbe gi nni ngt os e tbyt he n,a ndMi c ha e lwe ntba c ka c r os st heMa z et obr i nghi sboa ta r oundt ot hec ove a f t e rr a di oi ngt heCoa s tGua r da nde xpl a i ni ngt hes i t ua t i on.Heha donl yj us tr e t ur ne da ndt i e dupa l ongs i det h eya c ht whe naCoa s tGu a r dc ut t e ra ndanumbe rofs us pi c i ousof f i c i a l sa r r i ve d.

Ra ve na ndRobi nha dma na ge dt oc ha ngei nt oj e a nsa ndbl ous e sbe f or et hec r ui s e rha dgone ,a ndbot hMi c ha e la nd Da n eha df oundamome ntt oc ha ngea swe l l ,butnoneoft he mha de a t e ns i nc el unc ha ndt he ya l lf oundt heque s t i oni ng pr oc e s se xt r e me l ywe a r i ng.Da r kne s sf e l l ,a nds t i l lt heof f i c i a l swe r et r yi ngt oge te ve r yl a s tde t a i l ,a ndque s t i oni ng a ga i na l lt hos et h e yha d. The ys t r ongl ydi s a ppr ove doft h ef a c tt ha tRobi nha dc a r r i e da ndus e daguns heha dnol i c e ns ef or ; t he ywe r ebe wi l de r e dbyRa ve n' si nvol ve me nt ;t he ys pokes t e r nl ya boutt heki dna ppe dgi r l sha vi ngbe e nr e move d f r om t hes c e neoft he i ri nc a r c e r a t i on;t he ys howe dama r ke d,t houghve i l e d,hos t i l i t yt owa r dDa ne ;a ndMi c ha e l ' s c r e de nt i a l swe r evi e we dwi t hope ns us pi c i on. Ye tnoneoft he mwa sa l l owe dt ol e a vet heya c htort oc ont a c ta n yone . Byt het hi r dho ur ,t hougha l lf ourwe r ea c c us t ome dt ode a l i ngwi t hpol i c ea ndof f i c i a l si nonewa yora not he r , Mi c ha e l ,Robi n, Ra ve n,a ndDa n ewe r ea l lc ons c i ousoft hr e a dba r epa t i e nc e . Thes i t ua t i onmi ghtha vec ont i n ue dunt i ll ongi nt ot heni ght ,b utt he r ewa st hes oundofa na ppr oa c hi nge ngi ne ,a n a br uptf l ur r yoff oot s t e psont hede c ka bove —a ndade e p,c omma ndi ngvoi c ebe ga nt ot a kec ha r gewi t have nge a nc e ., Ro bi n,s i t t i ngwi t ht heot he r si nt hel oungea st he ywe r ebe i ngque s t i one d—a ga i n—byt woFBIme n,s a tups u dde nl y wi t haj e r k,he re ye swi de ni ng. " GoodLor d, "s hee xc l a i me d. Mi c ha e l ,whoha da l s or e c ogni z e dt hevoi c e ,ke pthi sa r ma r oundhe ra ndme the rs t a r t l e dga z ewi t has mi l e ." I f i g ur e dhe ' dbes h owi ngups oone rorl a t e r . " " Youknow? "Shebl i nke d,t he nbe ga nt os mi l e ." He ' syourbos s , i s n' the ? " "' Fr a l ds o, "Mi c ha e lc onf e s s e d." Ima det hec onne c t i onwi t ht hena me sawhi l eba c k,butbe c a us eIha dn' tbe e ni n t ouc hwi t hhi ms i nc ebe f or eyoua ndIme t —" " Youdi dn' tf e e lt hene e dt ot e l lme ? " " Some t hi ngl i ket ha t . " " Wha ta r ewet a l ki nga bout ? "Ra ve na s ke dwi t hi nt e r e s t ,i I gnor i ngt hes us pi c i ouss t a r e soft heFBIme n. Be f or eRobi nc o ul dr e pl y,at a l l ,powe r f ul l ooki ng,s i l ve r ha i r e dma ni nhi sl a t ef i f t i e ss t r odei nt ot her ooma nds e nta s i ngl es we e pi nggl a nc ea r oundt her oomoutofvi vi dgr e e ne ye s .I ft hee a gl e ' sgl a r epa us e donRobi nf ora ni ns t a nt ,i t wa s n' tobvi ous ,a ndpa s s e doni mme di a t e l yt ot het woFBIa ge nt s .Sor a pi e r s ha r pwa st hegl a r et ha tnoonei nt her oom woul dha vebe e ns ur pr i s e dI ft hos es pe c i a la ge nt sha dbe gunl ooki ngf orwoundsont he i rbodi e s . " Wha tt hehe l l , "hea s ke dpol i t e l y," i sgoi ngonhe r e ? " " Thi si saf e de r a li nve s t i ga t i on, "t heyounge roft het woa ge nt sbe ga ni mpor t a nt l y,a ndwa sc utof f . " I tl ookst omel i keabumbl i ngi nve s t i ga t i on, "Da ni e lSt ua r ts a i d,s t i l lve r ypol i t e l y." Iwa snot i f i e dhour sa go,ye tI f i n dwhe nIa r r i vet ha tnowor dha sbe e ns e ntt ot heMi a mipol i c e ,noe f f or tma det ol oc a t ea nda r r e s tEdwa r dSut t on, a ndi ft hi si syouri de aofhowt oha ndl eac r i mes c e ne ,a l lIc a na ddi syouboysa r egoi ngba c ki nt r a i ni ng. " " Look,Idon' tknowwhoyoua r e —"Theyounge ronea ga i nbe ga nt obl us t e r ,butt heol de roft het wobe ga nt ol ook que a s y. Da n i e lr e a c he di nt oa ni nne rpo c ke ta ndpr oduc e das ma l lf ol de dc a s e ,whi c hheope ne da ndhe l doutbe f or et het wo me na te yel e ve l .Ve r ys of t l yhea s ke d," Anyque s t i ons ? " Bo t ha ge nt sha ds t i f f e ne d." No,s i r , "t heol de rones a i dwhi l et heot he rj us tl ooke dmi s e r a bl e . Sna ppi ngt hec a s es huta ndr e t ur ni ngi tt ohi spoc ke t ,Da ni e ls a i d," Fi ne .Youme na r er e l i e ve d.Le a veyournot e s —I a s s umeyout oo ks ome ? —a nda nyr e l e va nti nf or ma t i onwi t hmyme nuponde c k.The nge tyourbut t sba c kt oyour of f i c ea ndwa i t . " Amome ntl a t e rRobi ns a i d," I ' vene ve rs e e ngr ownme ns c ur r ybe f or e . "Sheba r e l yma dei tt ohe rf e e tbe f or ebe i ng e ngul f e di nabe a rhug,a nda dde dbr e a t hl e s s l y," Hi ,Da d. " " Hi ,your s e l f , "her e t ur ne d,hi svoi c eabi tt hi c ke ne dnowwi t hadi f f e r e nte mot i on." Ne xtt i meyoupl a nt os t e a lt e n ye a r sof fmyl i f e ,woul dyoua tl e a s tt e l lmef i r s t ? " Ro bi nhugge dhi mba c k,t he ns mi l e da shehe l dhe ra ta r m' sl e ng t ha ndl ooke dhe rupa nddown." Iha dt opr oveaf e w t hi ngst omys e l ff i r s t , "s hec onf e s s e d." I ' ms or r y.Da d. " I twa sdi f f i c ul tf orhe rt oke e phe rvoi c es t e a dy.Se e i nghe rf a t he rf ort hef i r s tt i mei nye a r s ,i tha dhi the rwi t ha s hoc kj us thowt hor oughl yhe rpa s tf a i l ur e sha ddi s r upt e d—a ndne a r l yde s t r oye d—he rl i f e .Sheha dc uthe r s e l fof ff r om t hef a t he rs hea d or e dbe c a us e ,a sMi c ha e lha ds a i d,s heha dhe dge davi t a lbe ta ndha ds ubs e que nt l yl a be l e dhe r s e l fa f a i l ur e . Shewoul dne ve rdos oa ga i n. " Asl onga syou' r ea l lr i ght . "Hehugge dhe ronc emor e ,t he nr e l e a s e dhe ra nds hookha ndswi t hMi c ha e l ." Andt he ne xtt i meyougot e a r i ngof fa l one ,I ' l ldoc kyourpa y, "het ol dt h eyounge rma nwi t hmoc ks e ve r i t y.

" I ' l lr e me mbe rt ha t , "Mi c ha e ls a i d. " Gl a dt ohe a rLi s a ' ss a f e , "Da ni e la dde dmor es e r i ous l y. " Ic a n' tt a ket hec r e di t . " Be f or et heot he r sc oul dr e a c t ,Da ni e lt ur ne dt ot he ma nds a i d," He l l o,Da ne , "a ndt he ns mi l e da tRa ve n." I ' vebe e n l ooki ngf or wa r dt ome e t i ngyou,Mr s .Long.I ' vehe a r dagr e a tde a la boutyou. " " Fr omwhom? "s hea s ke dc ur i ous l y,of f e r i nghe rha nd. Da n i e la c c e pt e di twi t hmor eofabowt he naha nds ha ke ,age s t ur ehec a r r i e dof fwe l l ." Fr omHa ge na mongot he r s . " Shes hookhe rhe a dwi t has mi l e ." Igue s st hei nt e l l i ge nc ec ommuni t yi se ve ns ma l l e rt ha nIt hought .Pl e a s e ,ma kei t Ra ve n. " Mi c ha e lwa sl ooki ngf r omDa ni e lt oDa ne ,as pe c ul a t i vegl e a mi nhi se ye ." Iwa s n' ta wa r eyout wokne we a c hot he r , " heof f e r e d. I twa sDa newhor e s ponde d,i nava guet one ,whi l ea voi di ngMi c ha e l ' sga z e ." Fe de r a lhonc hosne e di nf o r ma t i on t oo. " " Uhhuh, "Mi c ha e ls a i d. Be f or et ha tc oul dgoa nyf ur t he r ,Da ni e ls a i d," Youa l lmus tbee xha us t e d.Ra ve n,your e nt e dahous eont h ec oa s t , r i ght ? " " Ri ght , "s hea ns we r e d,nots ur pr i s e dbyhi sknowl e dge . " Whydon' ta l lofyougoba c kt he r ea ndge ts omer e s t .We ' l lf i ni s huphe r e ,a ndI ' l lc omet ot hehous ei nt hemor ni ng wi t hyours t a t e me nt sr e a dyt os i gn. " Noonebot he r e dt oa s ki fhekne wwhe r et hehous ewa s . " Wa l tami nut e , "Robi ns a i d,ga z i nga the rf a t he r ." Iha vet oknows ome t hi ng.Tha tI Dyous howe dt hos eguys —wha t wa si t ? " Da n i e lpul l e dt hes ma l lc a s eoutofhi spoc ke ta ndha nde di tt ohe r ,s mi l i ngf a i nt l y. Al lf ouroft he ml ooke da tt hec a s e ,a ndi twa sRobi nwhos a i di na s t oni s hme nt ," Di r e c t oroft heFBI ?Si nc ewh e n? " " Si nc eac oupl eofda ysa go.I tha s n' tbe e na nnounc e dye t . " " Congr a t ul a t i on s ,Da ni e l , "Mi c ha e lof f e r e d. " Tha nks . " Ra ve nl ooke dpa t e nt l yr e l i e ve d,ar e a c t i ont ha twa se xpl a i ne dbyhe rr ue f ulwor ds ." Iwa sa l wa ysa f r a i dHa ge nwoul d ge tt ha tj ob,a ndGodhe l pAme r i c ai fhedi d. " Da n i e lc l e a r e dhi st hr oa t ." Hewa sbe i ngc ons i de r e d.Andhedoe s n' tknowI ' vebe e na ppoi nt e dye t . " Ra ve n' sr e l i e ve de xpr e s s i onbe c a mebl i s s f ul ." Howni c e .Ma yIgi vehi mt hene ws ?Fa c e t of a c e ,s oIc a ns e ehi s r e a c t i on? " Ch uc kl i ng,Da ni e ls a i d," Youma yt e l lhi mWe dne s da ymor ni ng;i t ' sbe i nga nnounc e dt ha ta f t e r noon. " " I ' ml ooki ngf or wa r dt oI t , "Ra ve ns a i dwi t hagr i n. *** Whe nt heBl ac kAnge ls l i ppe doutoft hec oveaf e wmi nut e sl a t e r ,s hel e f tbe hi ndhe raya c htl i ght e df r ombowt o s t e r na ndc r a wl i ngwi t hf e de r a la ge nt s ,t heCoa s tGua r dc ut t e rt ha tDa ni e la ndhi sme nha da r r i ve don—t hef i r s toneha d l e f t —a ndanumbe rofmi l dl ypu z z l e df i s he r me ns t i l lhopi ngt ol a ndapr i z e wi nni ngc a t c hbymi dni ght . Aboa r dt heAnge lwe r ef ourve r yt i r e dbuts t i l lke ye duppe opl e ,a l lf e e l i ngt hephys i c a ll e t downofdi mi ni s hi ng a dr e na l i nea ndt hee mot i ona lhi ghofha vi ngs uc c e s s f ul l ybe a t e nt heodds . Mi c ha e lwa sa tt hewhe e l ,wi t hDa neke e pi nghi mc ompa ny,a ndRobi na ndRa ve nwe r eonde c ke nj oyi ngt hec ool ni ghta i r . " Il i keyourf a t he r , "Ra ve nt ol dRobi nde c i s i ve l y." Andhe ' sapl e a s ur et ode a lwi t h.Es pe c i a l l ya f t e rHa ge n. " " Ca nyout e l lmea boutHa ge n? "Robi na s ke dc ur i ous l y." Da nes a i dhewa saf e de r a lhonc ho,but —" " Da nes a i dt ha t ? "Ra ve nl a ughe ds of t l y." I ts houl dn' ts ur pr i s eme ,Is uppos e .Hes e e mst oha vea ne a rt ot hegr ound whe ni tc ome st oi nt e l l i ge nc eope r a t i ons . Sur e ,I ' l lt e l lyoua boutHa ge n;Is t oppe dke e pi ngt ha tma n' ss e c r e t swhe nhene a r l ygotmeki l l e d. " Sos het ol dRobi nt hes t or y,be gi nni ngwi t hhe rowni nvol ve me ntwi t hHa ge na ndt ouc hi ngr a pi dl yont heva r i ous e ve nt ss he ,he rh us ba nd,a ndt he i rf r i e ndsha dbe c omee nt a ngl e di nduet oHa ge n' sde f tma ni pul a t i on. Byt het i met heAnge lbumpe dge nt l ya ga i ns tt hel ongpi e rj ut t i ngoutf r om Ra ve n' sr e nt e dhous e ,Robi nwa st or n be t we e nhor r i f i e df a s c i na t i ona ndt hei nt e ns ede s i r et ome e tt hi sHa ge nbe f or es ome bodys t r a ngl e dhi m. Tha t ,Ra ve nt ol dhe r ,wa sac ommonr e a c t i on.

Seven Thehous eRa ve na ndhe rf r i e ndsha dr e nt e dwa sabi g,s pr a wl i ngpl a c e ,f i f t yya r dsf r omt hes a ndybe a c ha nds e thi gh onma s s i vepi l i ng s .I twa si s ol a t e d,butt hel i ght st he yha dl e f tbur ni nge a r l yt ha tmor ni ngga vei tawe l c omi nga i r . Mi c ha e ldr e whi sBl a c kAnge lupt ot hel ongpi e r ,a ndt he ya l lhe l pe di nt yi nghe rupbe f or ehe a di ngt owa r dt he hous e .St e psl e dupt oabi gwoo de nde c k,whe r eFr e nc hdoor sa ndf l oor t oc e i l i nggl a s spr ovi de dt hec e nt r a lde nwi t ha c l e a rvi e woft heoc e a n.Thepl a c ewa sc omf or t a bl yf ur ni s he da nde qui ppe d,Ra ve nt ol dt he m,wi t he ve r yne c e s s i t ye xc e ptf ood;s hea n dhe rf r i e ndsha dbr oughtt ha ta l ongwi t ht he m. Al lf ourwor ke dt oge t he ri npr e p a r i ngac a s ua lme a li nt heki t c he n,t a l ki ngi dl y,s t i l lwi ndi ngdownf r omt het e ns i ons a nda c t i vi t yoft heda y.The yha dba r e l yf i ni s he dc l e a ni ngupa f t e r wa r dwhe nt hephoner a ng. Ra ve na ns we r e d,a nda f t e ras hor tc onve r s a t i onhungupa ndt ur ne dt ot heot he r swi t has mi l e ." Kyl es a yst hegi r l sa r e f i n e ;t he yr e a c he dt hehos pi t a lwi t houtapr obl e m,a ndt hes e c ur i t yt e a mi si npl a c e .Thedoc t ort ol dhe ri t ' l lbeda ys be f or ea l lt hedr ugsa r eoutoft he i rs ys t e ms ,a ndhewa nt st oke e pt he munde robs e r va t i on.Mi c ha e l ,hes a i dt ot e l lyou t ha tLi s awa s n' thur ta ta l l —note ve nabr ui s e .I t ' l lbea tl e a s tac oupl eofda ysbe f or es heknowswha t ' sgoi ngona r ound he r .Al s o,t he yh a veave r ygoodt r a umas pe c i a l i s tt ohe l pa l lt hegi r l sde a lwi t hwha tha ppe ne dt ot he m. " " Tha nkyou,Ra ve n, "Mi c ha e ls a i dqui e t l y.Hewa ss i t t i ngbe s i deRobi noneoft het woc ouc he s .Gl a nc i ngf r om Ra ve nt oDa ne ,hea dde d," Bot hofyou.And,Ra ve n,i fIdon' ts e eTe ddya ndKyl ebe f or eyouhe a dba c kt oNe w Yor k—" Shewa ve dt ha ta wa y." Don' tme nt i oni t .Now,t he r ea r ef ourbe dr oomsa ndf ourba t hsi nt hi spl a c e .Eve r ybo dyt a ke yourpi c k.I ' mbe a t ,a ndI ' mt ur ni ngI n. " Da n e ,l oungi ngi nac ha i r ,s a i d," Met oo.I ' veus e dmus c l e st oda yIdi dn' tknowIha d. " Ro bi n,whoha dnot i c e danumbe rofwe l l de f i ne dmus c l e swhe nt he y' da l lbe e nr unni nga r oundi nba t hi ngs ui t s e a r l i e r ,e ye dhi mi na mus e me nt .Buts hes a i dnot hi ng;I fs heha dl e a r ne da nyt hi nga boutMi c ha e l ' swor l d,s heha d l e a r ne dt ha tt hi ngswe r er a r e l ya st he ya ppe a r e dont hes ur f a c e . Whe nt he ywe r ea l one ,s hel ooke da tMi c ha e l ,c ons c i ousoft het e ns i ons t i l lr e ma i ni ngi nhi sl e a nbody.Shekne w I n t ui t i ve l yt ha thef oundi tdi f f i c ul tt or e l a xa f t e rt oda ya nda l lt heda yss i nc eLi s aha dbe e nki dna ppe d.I twa sha r dl y s ur pr i s i ng,s het hought ,c ons i de r i ngwha tki ndofs t r a i nhe ' dbe e nunde rt hr ougha l lt hi s . " Whydon' twet a keawa l kont hebe a c h? "s hes ugge s t e dl i ght l y." Idon' tt hi nke i t he roneofusi sr e a dyt os l e e pye t . " " Goodi de a . " Het ookhi sgunwi t hhi m,wor nt hi st i mei nas houl de rhol s t e r ;i tdi dn' ts ur pr i s eRobi n,nordi ds hef e e lane e dt o c omme ntonhi sc a ut i on. Thet i dewa sgoi ngout ,a ndt he ywa l ke dove rt hewe t ,f i r ml ypa c ke ds a ndj us tbe l owt hehi ghwa t e rma r k.Th e r ewa s af ul lmoonr e f l e c t i ngof ft hewa t e r ,a ndas of tbr e e z ebl owi ng. " Iha ve n' tt ha nke dyouye t , "hes a i ds udde nl ya f t e rt he y' dwa l ke df orat i mei ns i l e nc e . " The r e ' snone e dt o. " " Ye s ,t he r ei s . "Her e a c he df orhe rha nda ndhe l di tt i ght l y." Iknowwha ti tc os tyou,goi ngdownt ha tha l lont he ya c hta l one .Ikn owi twa s —s ome t hi ngoutofyourni ght ma r e s . " " I t ' sf unny, "s hemus e d," buti twa s n' tl i ket ha t .It houghti two ul dbe .AndIwa sa f r a i d.Butonc ewewe r eont he boa t ,t he r ej us t...di dn' ts e e mt obet i mee nought obea f r a i d.Exc e ptwhe nIhe a r ds ome oneonde c ks t a r ts hoot i ng. Wha tha ppe ne d? " " Oneoft hegua r dst ookaf e ws hot sa tDa ne .Butwhe nhes a wIha dhi mc ove r e d,hedr oppe dt hegunf ast . " " Tha tga vemeaba dmome nt , "s hec onf e s s e d." The nt ha tma nt or eoutoft hec a bi n,a ndt he r ewa s n' tt i met ot hi nk. Hewa sma ki ngf orLi s a ,a ndIha dt os t ophi m. " Af t e ramome n tMi c ha e ls a i d," It hi nkt hos ede monsha vef i na l l ys t oppe dc ha s i ngyou. " Ro bi nkne wt he r ewa sonel a s tde mona the rhe e l s ,onef i na lt e s ts heha dt opa s s ,buts hewa s n' tr e a dyf orI tj us tye t . Ands hewa s n' tr e a dyt ot a l ka bo utI tt oMi c ha e l ." Ioweyoual ot , "s hes a i dI ns t e a d. " Youowemenot hi ng. "Hi svoi c ewa ss t e a dy." I ft he r ewa se ve rade bt ,i twa smor et ha npa i dt oda y. " The ywa l ke di ns i l e nc ef ors e ve r a lmi nut e s ,a ndt he nRobi na s ke dt heque s t i ont ha tha dbe e nha unt i nghe r ." Wha t a boutus ,Mi c ha e l ?Whe r edowegof r omhe r e ? " Hes t oppe d,f a c e dhe r .Themoo nl i ghtpa i nt e dha l fhi sf a c ei ns t a r kr e l i e f ,l e f tt her e s ti ns ha dow.Hewa sha l ft he r e , c ur i ous l yi nc omp l e t e .Thehi ghl i ght sa nds ha dowss t ol ea l le xpr e s s i on,l e a vi nghi sf a c eama s k.Shedi dn' t —c ou l dn' t — knowwha thewa st hi nki ng. " I t ' st omor r ow, "s hes a i d." AndIs t i l ll oveyou. " Hi sha ndsf oundhe rs houl de r s ,f i nge r smovi ngge nt l yi na na bs e nt ,pr obi ngt ouc h." Wha ta boutt ha ts t or yyo uwe r e goi ngt owr i t e ? "

Ro bi ndr e wade e pbr e a t h." Igott ooi nvol ve d.Il i ve dt ha ts t or y;Ic a n' twr i t ea bouti t .Notye t . " Hewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns pokea l mos tt e nt a t i ve l y." I ' l lpr oba bl ybea tl oos ee ndsf orawhi l e .Wi t hDa ni e l l e a vi ngt oa s s umet heFBIdi r e c t or s hi p,t he r e ' sboundt obear e s t r uc t ur i ngofoura ge nc y.Unt i lt hedus ts e t t l e s ,Iwon' t begi ve nane wa s s i gnme nt .Eve nt he nIha vet i mec omi ngt ome ;Iwa ntt os pe nds omeoft ha twi t hLi s a ,ma kes ur e s he ' sa l lr i ght . " Ro bi nwa i t e d,wonde r i ngi fhec oul df e e lors e ns ehe rgr owi ngt e ns i on.Theha ndsonhe rs houl de r st i ght e ne d. " St a ywi t hme , "hes a i dhus ki l y." Forawhi l e ,a tl e a s t . " Shewe nti nt ohi sa r mss i l e nt l y,c ons c i ousofr e l i e fmi xe dwi t hpa i n.Hewa ss t i l lhol di ngapa r tofhi ms e l fba c k,s he kne w,s t i l lgua r di ngt hevul ne r a bl epl a c eI nhi she a r twhe r ewoundsne ve rhe a l e da ndt hea c hel a s t e df or e ve r .Eve n knowi ngnomor et ha nbi t sa ndp i e c e sofhi spa s t ,Robi nc oul dn' tbl a mehi mf ort ha t . Shec oul dn' tbl a mehi m,buti th ur t .Het r us t e dhe r ,buthedi dn' tt r us the rl ovef orhi m.AndRobi ndi dn' tknowhow muc ht i mes hewoul dha vet oc on vi nc ehi m. Bu t ,f ornowi twa se nough.Sheha dbe e na f r a i dt ha tMi c ha e lwoul dt r yt os e ndhe ra wa y,a nda nyt hi nge l s ewa s pr e f e r a bl et ot ha t .Anyt hi ng. Wi t honemi ndt he ys t a r t e dba c kt owa r dt hehous e ,Mi c ha e l ' sa r ma r oundhe rs houl de r sa ndhe r sa r oundhi swa i s t . Ne i t he rs a i da nyt hi ngmor ea bou tt hef ut ur ebe c a us et he r ewa snot hi ngmor et obes a i d. Whe nt he ywe r ei ns i dea ga i n,Mi c ha e ls a i d," I ' l ll oc kupdownh e r e . " Ro bi nnodde d,he a di ngf ort heope ns t a i r st ot her i ghtoft hede n.The r ewe r et wos e t sofs t a i r sbe c a us et heuppe r f l o orwa sdi vi de di nha l fwi t ht wobe dr oomsa ndaba t hl ooki ngdownone a c hs i deoft hede n/ ki t c he nc ombi na t i on be l ow.Ra ve na ndDa neha dt a ke nt het wobe dr oomst ot hel e f t , l e a vi ngt heot he rs i def orRobi na ndMi c ha e l . Ro bi nha dbe e nr e uni t e dwi t hhe rl ugga ge ,t ha nkst oTe ddya ndhe rf r i e nds ' t hought f ul ne s si nbr i ngi ngi twi t ht he m f r omMi a mi ,a nds he ' dbr oughta nove r ni ghtba gwi t hhe rwhi l el e a vi ngt her e s tonMi c ha e l ' sboa t .Theot he r sha da l s o br oughtwi t ht he ms omeki ndofove r ni ghtba g. Shewe ntups t a i r swhi l eMi c ha e lc he c ke dt hedoor sa ndwi ndowsdowns t a i r s ,a nda r bi t r a r i l yc hos et heoc e a ns i de be dr oom.Li ket heot he rr ooms ,i twa ss pa c i ousa nda i r y,wi t hawi de ,c omf or t a bl ebe da l r e a dyma deup.Robi nde c i de d onas howe r ,c ons c i ousoft her e s i dueofs a l tf r omhe re a r l i e rs wi m,a ndunpa c ke donl yhe rt oi l e t r i e sba gt ot a kei n t ot he ba t hr oom. Shes t e ppe dunde rt hewa r ms pr a ywi t hr e l i e f ,r e me mbe r i ngwi t hs omea mus e me ntt het i nyba t hr oomonMi c ha e l ' s boa twhe r es heha dbur ne dhe rbr i dge s .Thi ss howe rs t a l lwa sc ons i de r a bl yl a r ge r ,t hee nt i r er oomwa s ,i nf a c t ,a ndaf a r mor ei de a lpl a c ef ora na t t e mpt e ds e duc t i on. Ro bi nwa swa s hi nghe rha i rwhe ns hes a w,t hr ought hes t e a mf ogge dgl a s sdoor ,Mi c ha e lc omei na ndbe gi ns ha vi ng a tt heva ni t y.I tf e l tr i ght ,ne i t he roft he ms e l f c ons c i ous ,c a s ua lt oge t he re ve ni nI nt i ma c y.Shet hou ghta boutt ha t , ha ppywi t ht hei de a ,butr e a l i z i n gaf e wmi nut e sl a t e rt ha twhe r et he r ewa si nt i ma c ya ndde s i r e ," c a s ua l "wa saf l e e t i ng t hi ng. Shewa se ve nha ppi e ra boutt ha t . Mi c ha e ls l i ppe di nt ot hes t a l lwi t hhe r ,e ye sda r ke ne da ndi nt e nt ,a ndt ookt heba rofs oa pf r om he r ." Le tme , "he s t a t e dabi tr oug h l y. Ro bi nc oul dn' tt a kehe re ye sof fhi me ve na she rbodyr e s ponde di ns t a nt l ya ndwi l dl yt ohi st ouc h,a nds her e a c he d f orhi m.Hes e e me dt obeme mor i z i nghe r ,t r a c i nge ve r yc ur vea ndhol l owwi t hhi ss t r ongha nds ,a nds hef oundane w de l i ghti nt hes e ns a t i onofs l i c kmus c l e sunde rhe rf i nge r s .Thenor ma l l yunt hi nki ng,a ut oma t i ca c t i onsofs oa p i nga nd r i ns i ngbe c a meas e r i e sofc a r e s s e s ,he r sa ndhi s ,s e e ki ng,s l i ppe r yt ouc he swhi l et hewa t e rbe a tdownont he m. Mi c ha e lt os s e dt heba rofs oa poutoft hes howe ra ndpul l e dhe ri nt ohi sa r mss udde nl y,t he i rbodi e ss l i di ngt oge t he r i nas e ns uousf r i c t i ona shec ove r e dhe rmout hwi t hhi si nade e p,a l mos tvi ol e ntki s s . Ro bi nf e l thi sha ndt a ngl ei nhe rha i r ,hol di nghe rhe a df i r ml ywhi l ehi smout ht ookhe r sa ndhi st onguepr ob e da nd pos s e s s e d,t hebui l di nghe a ti nhe rwr i t hi ngl i kes ome t hi nga l i ve .I twa sdi f f e r e ntf r omt he i rpr e vi ousl ove ma ki ng,t hi s dr i vi nghunge rofhi s ,a nds her e a l i z e ddi ml yt ha tapa r tofhi se a r l i e rgua r de dne s sha ds t e mme df r omwha tha dt he n l a i na he a doft he m.Heha ds hutal a r gepa r tofhi ms e l fof ff r om he rbe c a us et ha tt r a i ne d,da nge r ouspa r tofhi m,by ne c e s s i t y,ha dc o nc e nt r a t e donr e s c ui nghi ss i s t e ra ndt heot he rgi r l s . Bu tnotnow.Da nge rpa s t ,hi smi ndwa sf ul l yonhe r ,a ndi fhewa ss t i l lgua r de d,i twa saf i na lwa l l ,t hede e pe s t pos s i bl es hi e l dpr ot e c t i nghi she a r t .De s i r ewa suppe r mos t ,a l mos tunc ont r ol l e d,hunge rf i e r c ea ndt ot a l . AndRobi nr e s ponde dt ohi sne e dwi t habur ni ngc r a vi ngofhe rown.Shec oul dha r dl ybr e a t he ,a ndhe rl e gswe r e we a k,s ha ki ng,he rha ndst r e mb l i nga ss hehe l pl e s s l ys t r oke dhi ss houl de r s ,hi sba c k.The nhi sha ndss l i ddownt ohe r but t oc ks ,l i f t i nghe ra ga i ns thi m, of fhe rf e e t ,a ndamoa nc a ughti nhe rt hr oa t . Mi c ha e lwa ss c a r c e l ya wa r eoft hewa t e rbe a t i ngdownont he m.He rf l e s ht a s t e dofs oa pa ndna t ur a ls we e t ne s s ,a nd

hec oul dn' tge te noughofhe r .TheSof t ,unc ons c i ouss oundss h ema dedr ovehi sde s i r ehi ghe ra ndhi ghe r ,f oggi nghi s mi ndwi t hahe a tt ha twa sbur ni nghi m.Hel i f t e dhe rhi ghe r ,hi smout hs e e ki nghe rt hr oa ta ndt he nhe rbr e a s t s ,f i ndi ng ni ppl e st ha twe r ewe ta nds we e t ,t i ghta ndha r dwi t hwa nt i nghi m. Ro bi nhe l dont ohi mf i e r c e l y,f e e l i ngt hec oolwa l la ga i ns the rba c k,f e e l i nghi sbodya ndhi smout h.Shewa sa c hi ng a l love r ,bur ni ng ,a ndi ft he yc o ul dha veope ne dt hes howe rs t a l la ndt umbl e di mme di a t e l yi nt obe d,i twoul dn' tha ve be e nf a s te noughf orhe r .He rl e gspa r t e da ndl i f t e d,wr a ppi nga r oundhi swa i s t . " Now, "s hewh i s pe r e dhoa r s e l y,t hewor de c hoi nghe rde s pe r a t ene e d." Now,Mi c ha e l ,pl e a s e. . . " Wi t hahoa r s es oundhebur i e dhi ms e l fi nhe r ,pi nni nghe rt ot hewa l lwi t ht hef i r s tde e pt hr us t .Fora nI ns t a nt ,a he a r t be a t ,hewa ss t i l l ,hi sbodyr i gi da ga i ns the ra ndi ns i dehe ra shef oughtt oc ont r olhi swi l dne e d.Butc ont r olwa s I mpos s i bl e ,a ndhi sbodyr e c ogni z e dt ha tl ongbe f or ehi sf ogge dmi ndc oul d.Hi spowe r f ult hr us t swe r ea ne r ot i c a s s a ul t ,a nds hewhi mpe r e dwi t ht hei nc r e di bl epl e a s ur eofi t . Thes of t ,t i ghts he a t hofhe rbodywa save l ve tc l a s pa r oundhi m,dr i vi ngMi c ha e lt ot hee dgea ndove r .Hef oundhe r mout h,wi l da ndr ough,c a t c hi nghe rf a i ntc r i e ss ot ha tt he ymi ngl e dwi t hhi sownhoa r s es ounds .Hewa nt e dmor eof he r ,a l lofhe r ,wa nt e dt ome r gehi ms e l fwi t hhe rs oc ompl e t e l yt ha ts hewoul dne ve rber i dofhi m. Shes t i f f e ne da ga i ns thi ma ndut t e r e dar a gge dmoa n,c l i ngi ngt i ght l yt ohi ss houl de r sa swa ve sofe c s t a s yj ol t e d t hr oughhe rbody.Thei nne rr i ppl e sofhe rpl e a s ur ec a ughthi mi nat i ght ,r hyt hmi cc a r e s s ,hol di nghi mde e pl yi ns i de he r ,a ndhegr oa ne dwi l dl y,dyi ngal i t t l e ,vi ol e nt l ya l i vea shi so wnr e l e a s es ha t t e r e dt heunbe a r a bl et e ns i on. Ro bi nc a meba c kt oa na wa r e ne s sofhe rs ur r oundi ngss l owl y,c on s c i ousa ga i noft hes howe rs t i l lbe a t i ngdownon t he m.Shewa ss h a ki ng,a si fa f t e r s hoc ksoft ha ti nc r e di bl epa s s i ons t i l lr i ppl e dt hr oughhe r ,a ndhewa sa swe l l .He rl e gs r e l e a s e dhi mf i na l l y,s l i di ngdownove rhi shi psa ndl e gs ,a ndh el e the rdowns l owl yunt i ls hewa sonhe rf e e ta ga i n. Buthec ont i nue dt ohol dhe rc l os e ,bot hoft he ml e a ni nga ga i ns tt hec oolwa l loft hes howe rs t a l la nde a c hot he r . " Lor d,Robi n, "hes a i d,t ur ni ngh e rf a c eupa ndki s s i nghe rge nt l y,de e pl y. Shema na ge das ha kyl a ugh." Wec oul dha vedr owne d, "s het ol dhi m." Orf a l l e na ndbr oke nourne c ks . " Mi c ha e ls mi l e dal i t t l e ,hi se ye ss t i l lda r ka ndi n t e nt ." Butwedi dn' t . " " No. "As t oni s hi ngl yRobi nr e a l i z e dt ha tne i t he rhe rde s i r enorMi c ha e l ' sha dbe e nc ompl e t e l ys a t i s f i e d.We a r ya s bot hha dundoub t e dl ybe e n,t he i rl ove ma ki ngha de ne r gi z e dt he m.Shec l e a r e dhe rt hr oa t ,a ddi ng," The r e ' sabe di nt he ne xtr oom,youknow. " Mi c ha e lr e a c he dt ot ur nof ft hes howe r ,s t i l ls mi l i ng." Ye s ,Inot i c e dt ha t . " Co ns c i ousofhe rwe a kl e gsa ndt r e mbl i ngbody,buta l s oa wa r eofgl owi nge mbe r si ns i dehe r ,Robi nf ol l owe dhi m f r omt hes howe rs t a l l ,bot hr e a c hi ngf ort owe l s . *** Muc hl a t e r ,l yi ngc l os ebe s i deMi c ha e li nt hec omf or t a bl ebe d,t hes he e tdr a wnove rt he i rc ool i ngbodi e s ,Robi n t hought . I t ' st hemi ddl eoft heni ght .Buts hewa ss t i l lwi dea wa ke ,r e l uc t a ntt os l e e p,a f r a i dofl os i ng...s ome t hi ng. Andhewa sa wa kebe s i dehe r ,onea r ma r oundhe r ,hi sf i nge r st oyi ngwi t hhe rha i r .Shewonde r e di fhewa sa f r a i dof l os i ngs ome t hi ngt oo. " Mi c ha e l ? " " Hmmm? " Ther oomwa sl i tonl ybymoonl i ghts t r e a mi ngt hr ought hebi gwi ndows ,s t a r ka nds l y." Yous a i d— whe nwewe r e t a l ki nga boutl ovet ha tdi dn' tl a s t ,yous a i di tha dha ppe ne dt oyou. " Hed i dn' tt e ns eordr a wa wa y,buts hec oul df e e la swe l la she a rar oughs i ghe s c a pehi m." Ye s ,Idi d. " " Ca nyou...wi l lyout e l lmea bouti t ? " " The r ei s n' tmuc ht ot e l l . " Ro bi nwa ss i l e nt . Hes i ghe da ga i na nddr e whe rc l os e r ,a l mos ta si fi na pol ogyf orhi sbr us quet one .Andhi svoi c ec ha nge d,be c omi ng qui e ta ndc a l ma shes pokea ga i n." I twa sa l ongt i mea go,Robi n.Ye a r sa go.I tdoe s n' tma t t e rnow. " " Ye s ,i tdoe s , "s hewhi s pe r e d. Hewa ss i l e ntf oral ongmome nt ,t he nt ol dhe rt hes t or ywi t houte xpr e s s i on—a ndwi t houta pol ogy. " Iwa sa s s i gne dt oi nf i l t r a t eas muggl i ngr i ng.I twa sat i ght ,we l l or ga ni z e dope r a t i on,a ndwedi dn' tha veahopeof ge t t i ngi nunt i lt hes i s t e rofoneoft heme nI nvol ve dt i ppe dus ;s heha dj us tf oundoutwha the rbr ot he rwa si nt oa nd be l i e ve d—r i ght l yi nt he i rc a s e —t ha thedi dn' tknowhows e r i oust hes i t ua t i onwa s .I nf a c t ,hewa sc ons i de r e dawe a k l i n ki nt hec ha i n,a ndt heot he rme nwe r ea boutt ot a kes t e pst oge tr i dofhi m. " Thes i s t e ri ns i s t e donge t t i ngi nvol ve di nmyope r a t i on,hopi ngt oge the rbr ot he routoft heme s sa l i ve .Ands he woul dn' tt a kenof ora na ns we r .Sheha dma dehe rowni nvol ve me ntac ondi t i oni nt e l l i nguswha tweha dt oknow,a nd Ih a da ni ne xpe r i e nc e dpa r t ne rt oc opewi t h. "

Ro bi nl i s t e ne ds i l e nt l y,s e e i ngt hepa r a l l e l sa ndwonde r i ngi fs her e a l l ywa nt e dt ohe a rt hi s . " Theme ni nvo l ve dwe r et ougha ndpa r a noi d;wewe r ei nda nge re ve r ys e c ondofoure xpos ur e ,t hi ngswe r emovi ng ve r yf a s t ,a ndt he r ewa snot i met ot hi nk.Shea ndIha dnot hi ngi nc ommone xc e ptt hes i t ua t i on,butt ha ts e e me dt obe e ve r yt hi ng.I twa sbi gge rt ha nbot hofus ,a ndi tc a r r i e dusa l ong. " Ro bi nkne w,buta s ke da nywa y. " Wha tha ppe ne d? " " Thewor s tpos s i bl et hi ng—a ndt hemos ti ne vi t a bl e —webe c a mel ove r s ,Robi n.Andi twa sr e al .Forawhi l e .Unt i l a l lt hes hout i ngwa sove ra ndt hedus ts e t t l e d.He rbr ot he rma dei t ,a ndt ur ne ds t a t e ' se vi de nc ea ga i ns tt heot he r s .The a s s i gnme ntwa sc ompl e t e ds uc c e s s f ul l y,a ndwec a meoutwi t hours ki nsi nt a c t .I twa sove r . " " Youa nds he... " Mi c ha e lwa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he na ns we r e dwi t hnoc ha ngei nhi sune mot i ona lt one ." Tha twa sove rt oo.She s a i di twa ss t i l lr e a lf orhe r ,buti twa s n' tf orme .Ihur the r ,Robi n.Iha dbe l i e ve dIl ove dhe r ,butt hes i t ua t i onwa s r e s pons i bl ef ort hos ef e e l i ngs .Onc ei twa sove r ,t hef e e l i ngswe r egone .Shewa s n' ti nmyhe a dormyhe a r t .Idi dn' t e ve nwa nthe ra n ymor e .AndIh ur the r . " Ro bi nf e l the rt hr oa tt i ght e n,f e l tt hes t i ngi nghe a toft e a r sbe hi ndhe re ye s .Shewonde r e dwi t hat hr obofpa i ni fs he wa sl i s t e ni ngt ot hee pi t a phofhe rownl ove .Ands her e a l i z e dnowwha tMi c ha e lha dt r i e dt opr ot e c the rf r omi nt he be gi nni ng.Nott h ef l e e t i ngr e a l i t yofhe rf e e l i ngs —butt hef l e e t i ngr e a l i t yofhi s . Shes pokes t e a di l ypa s tt het i ght ne s sofhe rt hr oa t ." Wha tha ppe n e dt ohe r ? " " Shel e f t . "Hes ounde dr e s t l e s snow." We ntba c khome .Some whe r ei nt heMi dwe s t ,It hi nk. " Ro bi nf oundi ti mpos s i bl et os a ya nyt hi nge l s e .Di dy out e l lhe ry oul ov e dhe r ,Mi c hae l ?Youhav e n' tt ol dme .AndI don' te v e nk nowi ft ha t ' sgoodorbad.Heha dof f e r e dhe rnof a l s epr omi s e s ,ha de ve nwa r ne dhe rt ha ts hewoul dbe hur t .Heha ds a i ds hewoul dn' tl ovehi m" t omor r ow"whe nwha theha dr e a l l yme a ntwa st ha thepr oba bl ywoul d n' tf e e l a nyt hi ngf orhe r ,note ve nde s i r e . Hemove ds udde nl y,l i f t i nghi ms e l fononee l bowa ndga z i ngdowna the rwi t hs ombe re ye s ,t hemoonl i ghtp a i nt i ng hi sf a c es t a r kl yi nama s kofc ont r ol ." Iwa ntt ot e l lyout ha tt h i st i mei t ' l lbedi f f e r e nt .Iwantt o,Robi n.ButIc a n' t .I don' tknow.Ic a n' tl i et oyoua bouti t .Idon' tknowwha tI ' mf e e l i ng—e xc e ptt ha tIwa ntyouwi t hme .AndIdon' twa nt t ohur tyou. " He rha ndl i f t e dwi t hane e dbe y ondr e a s on,t ouc hi nghi sf a c e ,t r a c i ngt heha r dl i neofhi sj a wa ndf e e l i ngamus c l e l e a punde rhe rf i n ge r s .Tha tgua r de dpa r tofhi m,s het hought ,unwi l l i ngt ode f i nehi sownf e e l i ngs ,wa r yofha vi ngt he m di s a ppe a rl i kes moket hr oughhi sf i nge r s . I ta l mos tbr okehe rhe a r t . " Don' t , "hewhi s pe r e ds udde nl yi na na ngui s he ds ound,hi she a dl owe r i ngunt i lhec oul dki s she r .Hi sha ndsf r a me d he rf a c e ,t humbsge nt l ybr us hi nghe rt e a r sa wa y." Don' tl e tmehur tyou,hone y.Idon' tt hi nkIc oul ds t a ndi t . " Ro bi nwa sbe gi nni ngt ounde r s t a ndhi mnow,e ve ni nhe rownpa i n.Hewa s n' tama nwhoc oul dwounda not he ra nd wa l ka wa yunc a r i ng;Mi c ha e lc a r e dt oomuc h.Hebor et hes c a r sofe ve r yhur tI nf l i c t e donhi m,byhi m.Andt ha twa s whyhewa sal one r ,a voi di ngr e l a t i ons hi ps ,wa r yoff r i e nds .Be c a us eoneofl i f e ' si r oni e swa st ha tt hi sc a r i ngma nl i ve d i nawor l dwhe r epe opl ewe r eof t e nhur t ,s ome t i me ski l l e d,a nda l wa ysc a pa bl eofbe t r a ya l . " Robi n,don' t , "h ewhi s pe r e d,t a s t i nghe rpa i na shi st onguec a ug htas i l ve r yt e a rne a rhe rt e mpl e . Shec oul dn' ts t a n dI t ,c oul dn' tbe a rt hi nki nga bouti ta nymor e ;s hewa nt e dt obl oc ki ta l loutunt i li tdi dn' thur t ,a tl e a s t f ornow.Pus hi ngs udde nl ya ga i ns thi ss houl de r s ,s her ol l e dwi t hhi munt i lhewa sonhi sba c ka nds hewa sa bovehi m. Fe ve r i s hl yhe rl i psmove ddownhi sne c ka ndove rhi sc he s t ,t r yi ngt of i l lhe rmi nda nds e ns e swi t hhi m,hoa r di ng me mor i e sa ga i ns tapos s i bl el ong,c ol df ut ur ewi t houthi m. Mi c ha e lc a ughthi sbr e a t ha ndwe nts t i l l ,hi sf i nge r st a ngl i ngi nhe rha i ra shi sbodybe ga nr e s pondi ngt ot heve l ve t t ouc hofhe rl i ps ,t hehotda r t sofhe rt ongue .Hi she a r tbe ga nt huddi ngwi t hgr e a t e rf or c ea nds pe e di nhi sc he s t ,a nd s e ns ua lt e ns i ons e e pe di nt ohi ma shi sbe l l yknot t e d,hi sl oi nsha r de ne d. Hekne wheha da l r e a dyhur the r ,a ndt hi swa sabi t t e r s we e tp l e a s ur ea tf i r s t ,apl e a s ur et ha twa sa l mos tpa i n.But pa s s i onkne wo nl yde s i r e s ,notf e a r s ,a nds oonhewa st ot a l l yc a ughtupi nt hebui l di ngr e s pons eofhi sbodyt ohe r hunge r . Ro bi n' st e a r sdr i e d,a ndt hea c hel oos e ne da r oundhe rhe a r t ,s pr e a di ngout wa r di nhe a t i ngr i ppl e sa sde s i r er e pl a c e d pa i n.Shebe c a mec ompl e t e l yI nvol ve di nwha ts hewa sdoi ng ,f a s c i na t e da nde nt hr a l l e di nt hi sf i r s toppor t uni t yt o e xpl or ehi sbod y.The yha dbe e ns oi nt i ma t e ,ye ts heha d n' tf ul l yr e a l i z e dhow he rs e ns e sc oul de xpa nds o i mme a s ur a bl yi nt hedr i ve nde s i r et ogi vepl e a s ur e . Shec oul df e e lhe rwhol ea wa r e ne s sope nup,unt i ls hewa sc ons c i ousofe ve r ybr e a t hhedr e w,unt i lt hec l e a n,f a i nt l y s a l t yt a s t eofhi ss ki ndr e whe rc ompul s i ve l y.Hi sbodywa sha r da ndhot ,mus c l e st a ut ,hi sbr e a t hi ngr a gge d.He rmout h f oundaf l a tni p pl eI nt hene s tofbl a c kha i ra nddr e wi ti nwa r d,he rt onguet e a s i ngunt i lhegr oa ne ds of t l ya nd

s hud de r e d. Andt he r ewa s ,f a i nt l y,as e ns eofa s t oni s he dpowe ra tt her e a l i z a t i onofhows hea f f e c t e dhi m.As t r okeofhe rha nd ma d ehi mt e ns ee ve nmor ea nds hi ve r ,a ndhe rmout hs e e me dt obur nhi mwhe r e ve ri tt ouc he d.Robi nwa sf a s c i na t e d, a ndhe rownde s i r ewa ss pi r a l i ngi nawi l da s c e nt . He rha ndsa ndl i pst r a i l e ddownhi sbody,e xpl or i nga vi dl y,l e a r ni nghi mc ompl e t e l y.Shewa sba r e l ya wa r eofhe r ownpoundi nghe a r ta nds ha l l owbr e a t hi ng,t ooc ons c i ousofhi sr e s pons et ohe rt ouc ht obec onc e r ne dwi t hhe rown. Shef e l tdr i ve nt opl e a s ehi m,uni nhi bi t e da ndgl or yi ngi nt hef r e e domofi t . I fRobi nha dbe e nt hi nki nga ta l l ,s hewoul dha veunde r s t ooda not he r ,ne e ddr i vi nghe r ,buti twoul doc c urt ohe r onl yl a t e r :I twa shi swi l ls t a ndi ngbe t we e nt he m,hi sf or c e f uls t r e ngt ha nds ur es e l f knowl e dge —a nds hewa st r yi ngt o br e a kdownt ha twa l l . Wi t he ve r yc a r e s s ,e ve r yt ouc hofhe rl i ps ,s hewa sdr i vi nghi mr e l e nt l e s s l yt owa r dt hebr i nk,pa s s i ona t e l ys t e a l i ng e ve r yl a s ta t omofhi sc ons c i ouswi l l ,t a ki nghi ss t r e ngt hi nt heonl ywa ys hekne w,t heonl ywa yi twa spos s i bl et os t e a l f r omas t r ongma na ndma kehi mpowe r l e s st oc ont r olt hene e ds heha di gni t e d.Shewa sa l mos ts obbi nga st hewi l d, c ompul s i vede s i r egr i ppe dhe r ,mi ndl e s si nhe rne e dt obr e a kdownt heba r r i e rbe t we e nt he m. Ands ome t hi ngbr oke ,whe t he ri twa st ha tba r r i e rors i mpl yMi c ha e l ' sc ont r ol .Wi t haha r s h,r a gge dgr oa n,hepul l e d he rupa bovehi m,gui di nghe rwi t hf i e r c ei ns i s t e nc eunt i ls hes e t t l e ddowns l owl ya ndt he ywe r ef ul l yj oi ne d.She l ooke ddowna thi mwi t hc l oude dgr e e ne ye s ,he rbr e a t he s c a pi n gqui c kl yf r ombe t we e npa r t e dl i ps . As i r e n,he rwi t c h' se ye ss ul t r y,he rs mi l eaMa donna ' s . Mi c ha e ll e the rs e tt het e mpo,gr i t t i nghi st e e t ha tt hes ha t t e r i ngpl e a s ur ea ss hemove ds l owl y,he rbodys he a t hi nghi s i nt i ghthe a t ,t hef r i c t i ona l mos tunbe a r a bl e .Hec oul df e e ls hi ve r sofpl e a s ur er unni ngupa nddownhi ss pi ne ,f e e lt he t a uta c heofmu s c l e she l dr i gi di naki ndofbl i s s f ulpa r a l ys i s .Hec oul dha r dl ybr e a t he ,hi she a r tpoundi ngoutof c ont r ol ,hi smi ndha z y,e mot i onst a ngl e di nwi l dc onf us i on. Thepl e a s ur ebui l ti nwa ve sofi nt e ns i t y,hi ghe r 'a ndhi ghe r ,as l ow,t hr obbi ng,a c hi ngvi ol e nc e ,as t or mt r a ppe d i ns i det he ma ndr a gi ngwi t ht hene e dt oe s c a pe .Unt i lMi c ha e lc oul dn' tbe a ri ta nyl onge r ,he rs l ow,l i nge r i ngs e duc t i on s t ol emor et ha nhi swi l l .Hi sha r dha ndsgui de dhe rl i psa shes ur ge dbe ne a t hhe r ,t a ki ngove ra st he ybot hpl unge d he a dl ongt owa r dr e l e a s e . Andwhe nt he yf oundi ta tl a s t ,ne i t he rc oul dma keas ound.Thee r upt i onoft ha ts ha t t e r i ngs t or m he l dt he mi na s t a r k,bl i ndi ngs i l e nc et ha twa se t e r na l ,t ha twa sahe a r t be a t ,t ha twa smor et ha nat i nyde a t h. Ro bi nc ol l a ps e donhi sc he s t ,da z e d,l i mp.Shec oul dn' tha vemove dt os a vehe rl i f e ,a ndMi c ha e l ' sr e a c t i onwa st he s a me .Hi sa r mshe l dhe r ,butwi t hnos t r e ngt h,hi she a r ts t i l lt huddi ngbe ne a t hhe rc he e ka shi sc he s tr os ea ndf e l l j e r ki l y. Ro bi nf e l tpe a c ee nve l ophe rf i n a l l y,f e l the r s e l fdr i f t i ngt owa r ds l e e pa she rc ons c i ous ne s ss l i ppe da wa y.Buti nhe r l a s tmome nt sofa wa r e ne s s ,s her e a l i z e da tl a s twhybot hs hea ndMi c ha e lha dbe e ns oe ne r gi z e d,whyt he yha dma de l oves opa s s i ona t e l ya ndl ongpa s tt hepoi ntt ha ts he e rphys i c a le xha us t i ons hou l dha vec l a i me dt he mbot h. Bo t hoft he mc o ul dha vedi e d.Soe a s i l y.Af ootputwr ong,ami nut es l i p,at i nymi s t a ke .The yc oul dha vedi e d,a nd ha dn' t .The yha ds ur vi ve da ga i n s ta l lodds .The yha de ve nt r i umphe d.Andt hought he i rl ove ma ki ngha dbe e nt h er e s ul t ofs i mpl ede s i r ea ndne e d,de e pe r ,mor epr i mi t i vee mot i onsha ddr i ve nt he mf a rbe yondt ha t . The ywe r eal i v e .Apr i ma la wa r e ne s sofs ur vi va li ns i s t e donac e l e br a t i onoft ha tf a c t ,a ndt he r ewa snomor e i nt i ma t e ,pr i mi t i vet e s t a me ntt ot hel i vi ngs pi r i tt ha nt hea c toft wope opl ej oi ni ngt he i rbodi e s ,mi nds ,a nds oul s t oge t he r . I twa sa na f f i r ma t i onofl i f ei t s e l f . *** Sunl i ghtwokeRobi n,a nds hel i f t e dhe rhe a dt obl i nkt owa r dt hewi ndow i nf a i nta nnoya nc e .The nani ggl i ng une a s i ne s st ol dhe rt hes uns houl dn' tha vebe e ns hi ni ngs obr i g ht l yt hr ought hewi ndow,a nds heponde r e dt ha t .We s t . Th a twa si t ;t hewi ndowf a c e dt heoc e a n,whi c hwa st ot hewe s t . I twa sa f t e r noon.La t ea f t e r noon. Sa t i s f i e dwi t ht hec onc l us i on,s hel owe r e dhe rhe a dt or e s tonc ea ga i nonMi c ha e l ' sc he s ta ndc l os e dhe re ye s .A mome ntl a t e r ,howe ve r ,he rhe a dl i f t e da ga i n,e ye swi dei ns t a r t l e dr e c ol l e c t i on.La t ea f t e r noon.Andhe rf a t he rha ds a i d he ' dbet he r ei nt hemomi ng!Shel ooke dba c kove rhe rs houl de r ,r e l i e ve dt os e et hedoorf i r ml yc l os e d. The n,l ooki ngba c ka the rpi l l ow,s hes wa l l owe dagi ggl e .Ihopenobodyde c i de dt of i ndouti fwewe r eal i v ei nhe r e , s het houghtgi ddi l y. Obvi ous l yne i t he rs henorMi c h a e lha dmove da ni nc hs i nc es l e e pha dc l a i me dt he ms ome t i mebe f or eda wn.Shewa s l yi ngc omf or t a bl yne xtt ohi m,a nds i nc et hes he e tha ds l i ppe dt ot hef l oordur i nghe re xpl or a t i onsofhi sbody,t he y we r ebot hgl or i o us l yunc ove r e d.

Awa kenow,Robi nl ooke ddowna tMi c ha e l ' ss l e e pi ngf a c ea ndf e l the rhe a r tt ur nove r .Compl e t e l yr e l a xe da nd ungua r de d,hel o oke dye a r syou nge ra nda l mos tpa i nf ul l yvul ne r a bl e .I fs hee ve rs a whi sf a c el i ket ha twhe nhewa s a wa kea nda wa r e ,s hekne ws udd e nl yi twoul dbebe c a us ehel ov e dhe r . Pus hi ngt het houghta s i de ,Robi nmove dc a r e f ul l yt os l i pf r omhi sl oos ee mbr a c e .Hema deas of ts oundI nhi st hr oa t butd i dn' tmove ,a nds hewa sa bl et oge tof ft hebe dwi t houtwa ki nghi m.St a ndi ngbe s i det hebe d,s hes t r e t c he d,t he n wi nc e da smus c l e st wi nge di np r ot e s t .He rs t i f f ne s sc oul dha vebe e nduet ot hee xe r t i onsoft heda ybe f or e —ort hos eof t heni ght .Shes mi l e da ss heme nt a l l yde c i de dont hebl a me . Shef oundac ha ngeofc l ot he si nhe rove r ni ghtba g,t he nwe nts of t l yi nt ot heba t hr oomt owa s hhe rf a c ea ndbr us h he rt e e t h,s t i l lt r y i ngnott owa k ehi m.Whe ns hee me r ge df r omt heba t hr oomaf e wmi nut e sl a t e r ,s hewa sdr e s s e di n s hor t sa ndabl ous e ,a ndMi c ha e lwa ss t i l la s l e e p. Sheope ne dt hebe dr oomdoora nde a s e df r omt her oom,c l os i ngi tqui e t l ybe hi ndhe r .Thehous ewa ss i l e nt ,a ndi t wa s n' tunt i ls hewa sne a r l ya tt hebot t omoft hes t a i r st ha ts hes a whe rf a t he r .Hewa ss t a ndi ngoutont hede c kga z i nga t t heoc e a n,butt u r ne da ss hes a whi ma ndc a meba c ki nt ot hehous e . " Uh—hi ,Da d, "s hema na ge d. " He l l o, "her e t ur ne dpol i t e l y." The r e ' sc of f e ei nt heki t c he n. " Ro bi nhe a de di nt ha tdi r e c t i on,wonde r i ngi fs hel ooke da st houghs hene e de di t ." Whe r ei se ve r yone ? "s hea s ke d. He rf a t he rs a tdowna tt hebr e a k f a s tba ra ndl i f t e dhi sownc of f e ec up." Gone .Da neha dt oge tba c kt oMi a mi ,a nd Ra ve nhe a de dt owa r dFor tMye r st or e j oi nhe rf r i e nds . " " Howdi dt he y—" " Ic a l l e daCoa s tGua r dc ut t e rt of e r r yDa ne ;Ra ve nt ookt heoneIa r r i ve di n.I t ' sba c ka tt hepi e rnow; I ' l lha vet obegoi ngi nac oupl eofhour s . " " Oh. "Robi ns i p pe dhe rc of f e ea ndt r i e dt oge tagr i ponhe r s e l f ,abi tuns e t t l e dbe ne a t hhe rf a t he r ' ss t e a dy,a mus e d ga z e ." Sor r ywe —I —s l e pts ol a t e .Mus tha vebe e nmor et i r e dt ha nIt hought . " Da n i e lSt ua r tno dde dgr a ve l y." Mus tha vebe e n.Ra ve nl e f tt heke yt ot hehous e ,byt hewa y;s hes a i dt ot e l lyoui t ' s r e nt e dt hr oughne xtwe e ke nd,a ndt oma keyour s e l fa thome . " Ro bi nl e a ne dba c ka ga i ns tt hec ount e ra nda voi de dhi se ye s ." Oh.We l l ,I ' mnots ur e...t ha ti s ,i twa sve r yni c eof he r , "s hef i ni s he dl a me l y. " Ye s ,i twa s , "hea gr e e d,s e e mi ngl ymor ea mus e dwi t he ve r ypa s s i ngs e c ond. Shef i dge t e damome nt ,t he na s k e d," Ha vet he yc a ughtSut t onye t ? " " No,buti t ' sj us tama t t e roft i me . " " DoyouknowhowLi s aa ndt heot he rgi r l sa r edoi ng? "s hea s ke dhi m. " It a l ke dt ot hehos pi t a lt hi smor ni ng.The y' r ea l ldoi ngf i ne ,t houghs t i l lunc ons c i ous .Howa boutyou? "h ea s ke d qui e t l y. Shewa sal i t t l es t a r t l e d,unt i ls her e me mbe r e dt ha theha dt oknow s he ' dbe e nki dna ppe dhe r s e l f ." I ' mf i ne .No ni ght ma r e s .Igue s she l pi ngt heot he rgi r l se xor c i s e dmyde mons . " Hen odde d,l ooki nga the rs t e a di l y." Tha twa sat ought hi ngyoudi d,Robi n.IhopeyouknowI ' mve r ypr oudofyou. " Shef e l the rt hr oa tc l os eup,a ndhe a r dt hewor dse me r gewi t houtt hought ." I ' ms or r yIf a i l e da tt hea c a de my.Da d. " Da n i e lwa ss ha ki nghi she a d." Youdi dn' tf a l lme ,i ft ha t ' swha tyou' vebe e nwor r i e da bout . " Ro bi nhe s i t a t e d,t he nt ol dhi m,f i na l l y,a bouthe rl i f e l ongba t t l ea ga i ns tf e a r .Anda bouthowMi c ha e lha df or c e dhe r t ounde r s t a ndt ha t —a ndhe r s e l f .Thewor dse me r ge dpa i nf ul l ybuthone s t l y,a ndwhe ns hef i ni s he d,Da ni e lc a mea r ound t heba ra nde mbr a c e dhe r . " Yous houl dha vet ol dme , "hes a i dge nt l y. " Ic oul dn' t .Nott he n.Idi dn' te ve nunde r s t a ndi tmys e l f ,unt i lMi c ha e lma deme . " He rf a t he rl ooke ddowna the rf o ramome nt ,t he ns a i di naqui e tvoi c e ," Youl ovehi m. " " Ye s .Ye s ,Ido. "

Ei ght Si t t i ngont hec ouc h,Robi nwa sha l ft ur ne dt of a c ehe rf a t he ra sbot hs i ppe dc of f e e .Sheha dbe e nhone s twi t hhe r f a t he r ,a ss heha dbe e nwi t hhi mf ormos tofhe rl i f e ;onl yhe rt a ngl e df e a r sha de ve rbe e nke ptf r omhi m." Idon' tknow a boutt hef ut ur e , "s hewa ss a yi ngqui e t l y." Ore ve nI ft he r ei sonef orMi c ha e la n dme .He ' sbe e nve r yhone s ta bout t ha t . " Da n i e lwa swa t c hi nghe rs t e a di l y,r e a di ngt hepl a yofe mot i onsa c r os she re xpr e s s i vef a c e ." Ye s ,Mi c ha e l ' sa nhone s t ma n .Andagoo dma n.But ,Robi n,hei s n' tas a f ema n.Notas a f ema nt ol ove ,Ime a n.Hi sl i f ewi l la l wa ysbe da nge r ous . "

" Iknowt ha t . "Shema na ge das mi l e ,a ndhe rt onewa sf i l l e dwi t hwr yunde r s t a ndi ng." Don' tf or ge t ,myf a t he r ' st he s a meki ndofc op. " Tha tpa r t i c ul a r" c op"nodde ds l i ght l y." ButI st ha tt hel i f eyouwa ntf oryour s e l f ?Theki ndofma nyouwa nt ?I t ' s I mpor t a ntf oryout obes ur e ,hone y,be f or eyouc ommi tyour s e l f .Thel onge ryous t a ywi t hhi m,t heha r de rI t ' l lbeon youbot hi fi tdoe s n' twor kout . " Shes i ghe d." Eve r yt hi ng' sha ppe ne ds of a s t .ButIha ve n' tha da nydoubt s ,Da d,nots i nc eIr e a l i z e dIl ove dhi m.AndI c a n' tputat i mel i mi tont hi s ,t e l lmys e l f111ba i louti fi ts t a r t st ohur tt oomuc h.Idon' tha veac hoi c e ;Ine ve rdi d.I ’ l l s t a ywi t hhi ma sl onga shewa nt sme . " Da n i e ls mi l e df a i nt l y,t hea l mos tbi t t e r s we e tl ookofama nwhoknowshi sda ught e ri sawoma ngr owna ndbe yond hi sc ont r ol ." Ye a h,It houghtyou' ds a yt ha t .I nf a c t ,Iwa ss ur eyo uwoul d.Is a wt hewa yyoul ooke da thi m.ButIha dt o a s k.Fa t he r l ydu t y,youunde r s t a nd. " Ro bi ns mi l e d,l ovi nghi m ve r ymuc hi nde e d." Youwe r ea l wa ysgooda te xpl a i ni ngwhe ne ve ryous a i dordi d s ome t hi ngf ort h a tr e a s on.Fa t he r l ydut y.Whe nyougr ounde dmef oramont h,ort ooka wa ymyc a rke ysbe c a us eI ' d dones ome t hi ngwr ong.Ort ol dmeIc oul dn' tda t eAndr e wMc Ka ybe c a us ehewa sabuddi ngj uve ni l ede l i nque nt ,a nd you' dbeda mne di fyouha dt oge tyourownda ught e routofj a i la tonei nt hemor ni ng.I twa syourf a t he r l ydut yt o a voi dt ha t ,yous a i d. " " Youdi dn' tbe l i e veme , "hes a i d ,pa i ne d. " Oh,Ibe l i e ve dyou.Ij us tdi dn' tl i kei t .Eve nc ops ' da ught e r sha vet ogot hr ought he i rr e be l l i oust e e na geye a r s .Mi ne we r enowor s et h a na nyonee l s e ' s . "Shel i f t e da ne ye br owa the rf a t he r ." Be s i de s ,f ours onsha ds poi l e dyou.Byt het i me Ic a mea l ong,youwe r eduet obes ha ke nup. " Da n i e lc ont i nue dt ol ookpa i ne d,butt he r ewa sl a ught e ri nhi sgr e e ne ye s ." We l l ,da mmi t ,nobodywa r ne dme da ught e r swe r edi f f e r e nt .Yourmot he rt r i e d,butIha vet oa dmi tIdi dn' tknowwha ts hewa st a l ki nga bout .I twa s n' t unt i lyous t a r t e dwe a r i nge yes ha dowt ha ti tr e a l l yhi tme .Andbyt he ni twa st ool a t et ol oc kyoui nat owe r ;I ' da l r e a dy t a ughtyouhowt oha ndl eguns .Al lIc oul ddowa sbi t emyna i l sa ndke e pt hef r ontpor c hl i ghton. " Ro bi nl a ughe d,r e me mbe r i ngda t e sbr i ngi nghe rhomea ndwa l ki nghe rt ot hedoorunde rt ha tbr i ghtye l l owgl a r e . Th e n,s obe r i ng,s hes a i d," I ' vea l wa yshe a r dt ha tmos tf a t he r sf i ndi tdi f f i c ul tt oa c c e ptama ni nt he i rl i t t l egi r l ' sl i f e .I gue s sIne ve rr e a l l yt houghta bouti t ,t hough. " " I ti s n' te a s y, "Da ni e lc onf e s s e dwr yl y." Yout hi nka boutf i xi ngponyt a i l sa ndt yi ngs hoe l a c e sa ndput t i ngBa ndAi ds ons ki nne dkne e s. . . "Hi sha ndr e a c he doutf orhe r s ,hol di ngi ts t r ongl y." Andt he nyougl a nc euponeda y,a nds e ea be a ut i f ulyoungwoma nwi t hha i rs pr a ya ndhi ghhe e l sa ndt heoddr uni nhe rs t oc ki ng.Looki nga ta not he rma nt hewa y s heus e dt ol ooka tyou,t r us t i nga nda dor i ng. " Ro bi nbl i nke dba c ks udde nt e a r s ." Sohowa r eyouha ndl i ngi t ? " Hes mi l e d,hi sowne ye sbr i ght ." Thebe s twa yIc a n.Byr e mi ndi ngmys e l ft ha tIr a i s e dyout ot hi nkf oryou r s e l f ,t o ma k eyourownde c i s i ons .Andbya dmi t t i ngt omys e l ft ha tama ni nt hel i f eofabe a ut i f ulyoungwoma ni sI ne vi t a bl e . J us tl i kede a t ha ndt a xe s . "Hel a ughe dal i t t l e ,s ha ki nghi she a d,t he ns obe r e da br upt l y." I na l lhone s t y,hone y,Ic oul dn' t ha vepi c ke dabe t t e rma nf oryou. " Shel a ughe ds ha ki l y." The nc r os syourf i nge r sa ndhopeIc a npul li tof f . " " Iha vef a i t hi nyou. "Hes que e z e dhe rha nda ndt he nr e l e a s e di t ." Youc omef r omal ongl i neoff i ght e r s ,a ndnotone oft he me ve rga veup.You' l lge twha tyouwa nt . " " Ihopeyou' r er i ght . "He ra t t e nt i ondi s t r a c t e dbys oundsf r omups t a i r s ,s hel i s t e ne di nt e nt l y,t he na dde d," Ihe a rt he s howe r ;Mi c ha e l ' sa wa ke . " " Mmm. "Da ni e lnodde dt owa r dt hec of f e et a bl e ,whe r eas he a fofpa pe r sl a y." You' dbe t t e rr e a da nds i gnyour s t a t e me nt .Yourf a t he rornot ,Iha vet odomos tt hi ngsbyt hebo ok.Andt he n. . .Ine e dt ot a l kt oMi c ha e la l onebe f or eI go. " " SoIs houl dt a k eawa l kont hebe a c h? "s hea s ke ddr yl y,s or t i nghe rs t a t e me ntf r omt heot he r sa ndpi c ki ngi tu p. " I fyouwoul dn' tmi nd.Sor r y,hone y,buti t ' sbus i ne s s . " Ro bi nwa sr e a di nghe rt ype ds t a t e me nt ,a ndr e s ponde da bs e nt l y." I t ' sa l lr i ght .Da d.Idon' tmi nd. "Butwhe ns heha d s i gne dt hes t a t e me nta ndmove dt owa r dt heFr e nc hdoor sl e a di ngt ot hede c k,s hehe s i t a t e da ndl ooke dba c ka thi m. Hec oul dr e a dhe re xpr e s s i vef a c ee a s i l y.Qui e t l yhes a i d," Yourr e l a t i ons hi pwi t hMi c ha e li syourbus i ne s s ,hone y, notmi ne .Iwon' ti nt e r f e r e . " " Tha nks ,Da d, "s hes a i d. *** Af e wmi nut e sl a t e r ,whe nMi c ha e lc a medownt hes t a i r swe a r i ngonl yapa i rofj e a ns ,Da ni e lme thi mwi t hac a l m l ook." Mi c ha e l ,t he r e ' sc of f e ei nt heki t c he n. "

" Tha nks . "Hegl a nc e da r ound." Robi n? " " Wa l ki ngont hebe a c h.Ia s ke dh e rt o.Iwa nt e dt ot a l kt oyoua l one . " Af t e ras l i ghth e s i t a t i onMi c ha e lnodde da ndwe ntt of i xhi ms e l fac upofc of f e e . Ont hec ouc hDa ni e lga z e douta tt hevi e wa ndwa i t e dpl a c i dl y. *** Ro bi nwa l ke dagooddi s t a nc eupt hebe a c h,unc e r t a i nofhowmuc ht i mehe rf a t he rne e de d.I twa sa l mos ta nhour l a t e rwhe ns hene a r e dt hehous ea ga i n,a nds a whe rf a t he ra ndMi c ha e lc omeoutont ot hede c k.Byt het i mes her e a c he d t hepi e r ,he rf a t he rwa swa i t i ngf orhe rt he r e ,whi l eouti nt hewa t e ra ndt i e dupa c r os sf r om Mi c ha e l ' sboa t ,t hebi g Coa s tGua r dc ut t e rs t a r t e di t spowe r f ule ngi ne s . " Comewi t hme ,Robi n, "Da ni e lur ge d,hi se ye si nt e nt ." Weha veal otofc a t c hi ngupt odo,youa ndI . " Shewa sal i t t l es ur pr i s e dbyhi swor ds ,a ndf e l tva gue l yune a s y." I ' l lc omes e eyouonc eyou' ves e t t l e dI nt oyourne w of f i c e .Da d. " " Ic a n' tpe r s ua deyout oc omevi s i tnow? "hea s ke dl i ght l y,e ye ss t i l li nt e nt . Ro bi ngl a nc e dt owa r dt hehous e ,a ndt hema ns t a ndi ngve r ys t i l la nds i l e ntont hede c k,wa t c hi ngt he m.Th e ns he l ooke da the rf a t he r ." Ic a n' t .Youknowt ha t . " Da n i e ll ooke da the rf ora l ongmi nut e ,t he ns i ghe da ndhugge dhe rt i ght l y." Al lr i ght ,da mmi t .I ' vet ol dMi c ha e lI ' d l i k eyout wot os t i c kc l os eunt i lwege tourha ndsonSut t on.Thi si sa sgoodapl a c ea sa ny.Thegi r l swi l lbewe l l pr ot e c t e d,a ndahe l i c opt e rwi l lf e r r yyouupt oFor tMye r st os e et he me ve r ya f t e r noon,i fyoul i ke . " " I s n' tt ha tawa s t eoff ue l ? "s hea s ke dunc e r t a i nl y." Wec oul dj us ta se a s i l ys t a yi nFor tMye r s —" He rf a t he rs hookhi she a d." I ' dr a t he ri twa she r e . " Hehe s i t a t e d,t he ns hookhi she a da nds a i d," Robi n,Sut t onha t e sMi c ha e l .He ' sl i ke l yt oc omel ooki ngf orhi m,unl e s s wec a t c hupt ohi mve r yqui c kl ya ndputhi moutofa c t i on.You' dbes a f e ri fyouc a mewi t hme . " Ro bi ns t a r e da thi mf oramome nt ,t he ngl a nc e dt owa r dt hee ndoft hepi e ra tt heboa t st i e dt he r e .At ,i npa r t i c ul a r , Mi c ha e l ' sboa t .Shel ooke dba c ka the rf a t he ra nds mi l e d,r e a l i z i ngwha twa sgoi ngon." Wha tdoe sMi c ha e ls a y? " Da n i e lgr i ma c e ds l i ght l y." Tha ti t ' supt oyou.Hei s n' tt heki ndofma nt oma ket het oughde c i s i onsf orawoma n,no ma t t e rhowhef e e l sa bouthe r . " Tha tha dbe e nRobi n' si nt ui t i ona boutMi c ha e l ,buts hewa sgl a dt oha vei tc onf i r me d.He rownna t ur ewa sf a rt oo I n de pe nde ntt oa l l owa nyonee l s e —e ve nt hema ns hel ove d—t oma ket hos e" t ough"de c i s i onsf orhe r ." I fI ' dwa nt e d s a f e t y.Da d,Iwoul dne ve rha vef a l l e ni nl ovewi t hMi c ha e l .I ' ms t a yi nghe r ewi t hhi m. " Da n i e lwa s n' ts u r pr i s e d." Tha t ' swha tIt hought . "Hehugge dhe ra ga i n." Wa t c hyour s e l f ,hone y. " " Iwi l l .' Bye ,Da d. " Shes t oodt he r eunt i lt hec ut t e rr oa r e dof f ,t he nt ur ne da ndwe ntba c kt ot hehous e .Mi c ha e lwa ss t i l lont hede c k, ha ndsi nt hepoc k e t sofhi sj e a nsa shewa t c he dhe ra ppr oa c h. Whe ns her e a c he dhi m,hes a i dqui e t l y." Yous houl dha vegonewi t hyourf a t he r ,Robi n. " Sheme thi ss t e a dyga z ewi t houtf l i nc hi ng,e ve nma na gi ngas mi l e ." Shoul dIha ve ?Why?Be c a us eyourboa tt i e dout t he r ei sa sgooda saf l a gi nc a s eSut t onc ome sl ooki ng?Be c a us et hehous ehe r ei sami l eors of r omt heMa z e ,a ndf a r f r omt hegi r l s ,i s ol a t e d,a ndada ndypl a c ef ora na mbus horat r a p?I st ha twhyIs houl dha vegonewi t hDa d? " " Theoddsa r ea g a i ns thi sc omi nghe r e , "Mi c ha e ls a i d." Butt he r e ' sa l wa ysac ha nc e . " " I ' ms t a yi ng,Mi c ha e l . "Shebr a c e dhe r s e l f ." Unl e s syouwa ntmet ogo. . .f orot he rr e a s ons . " Af t e ral ongmome nther e a c he douta ndpul l e dhe ri nt ohi sa r ms ,hol di nghe rt i ght l y." No,Idon' twa ntyout ogo, "he s a i dhus ki l y." Iwa ntyouwi t hme . " Ro bi npul l e dba c kj us tal i t t l ea nds mi l e dupa thi m,c ont e ntf ornowwi t ht hes ma l lvi c t or y." Good.Now,Idon' t knowa boutyou ,butI ' ms t a r ve d.Le t ' se a t . " *** I fMi c ha e lt houghtc l e a r l ya ta l ldur i ngt hene xtf e wda ys ,i twa sa l wa ysofRobi n.Hec oul dn' ts e e mt oge te noughof he r .Andi twa s n' tj us tt he i rl ove ma ki ng,a l t hought ha tgr e wmor eunbe l i e va bl ye xpl os i vewi t he ve r yt ouc h.Ande a c h t i met he yma del ove ,i twa si ft he ye a c hkne w,be yondas ha dowofadoubt ,t ha tt he r ewoul dne ve rbea not he rt i me , e ve r ,f ore i t he ro ft he m.AsI ft he ywe r egr e e dy.Asi ft he yha dbot hl e a r ne dt ha tt heonl yc e r t a i nt omor r owwa st oda y, r i ghtnow,t hi smi nut e . St i l l ,i twa smor et ha npa s s i onMi c ha e lf e l tf orRobi n,mor et ha ns i mpl ede s i r e .Ore ve nc ompl e x,gr e e dyde s i r e .J us t be i ngwi t hhe rs a t i s f i e dahunge rheha dne ve rf e l tbe f or e .Wa t c hi nghe r ,l i s t e ni ngt ohe rvoi c e ,f e e l i ngt hee f f e c tofhe r s mi l ea ndhe rl a ugh.Sheha dgo t t e nunde rhi ss ki ni nawa ynowoma ne ve rha d,a ndwi t he ve r ypa s s i ngda yhef oundi t mor ea ndmor edi f f i c ul tt ogua r dhi ms e l ff r omhe r . Bu thet r i e d,wa r yoff e e l i ngori nf l i c t i ngpa i n,unwi l l i ngt ohur the rorhi ms e l f .Het r i e d.

Thehe l i c opt e rc a meons c he dul ee a c ha f t e r noont ot a ket he mt oFor tMye r s .Robi nvi s i t e dt heot he rgi r l sbutI ns i s t e d Mi c ha e ls pe ndwha tt i mehec oul da l onewi t hLi s a .I twa sl i t t l ee noughr i ghtnow,s hes a i d,a ndhea ndhi ss i s t e rne e de d e a c hot he r . Hed i dn' tpr ot e s t . Att hehous et he ys pe ntt her e ma i nde roft he i rda yst oge t he rge t t i ngt oknowe a c hot he ri nwa yst he yha dn' tbe e na bl e t oe xpl or ebe f or e .Li ke sa nddi s l i ke s ,ha bi t sa ndhobbi e s ;t he yf oundouta boute a c hot he ri nt hewa yspe opl ea l wa ys ha d,byobs e r v i nga nda s ki ngque s t i ons . Thes udde nne s soft he i rr e l a t i ons hi pha dc a ughte a c hoft he m unpr e pa r e d,a ndt heda nge r ouss i t ua t i ont he y ' dbe e n c a ug htupi nha dpr ovi de daki ndofi nt i ma c yt ha tha df or c e dt he mt oa c c e pte a c hot he rmor eorl e s sonf a i t h;be c a us eof t ha tt he r ewe r ef e wi nhi bi t i onsbe t we e nt he m,a ndac a s ua lc a ma r a de r i et ha twa sadi r e c tr e s ul tofwha tt he yha dbe e n t hr ought oge t he r .Thos ef e e l i ngs ,r e c e ntbutunus ua l l ys t r ong,we r eas ol i dba s ef orf r i e nds hi p;t hepa s s i onbe t we e n t he m,e qua l l yr e c e nta ndmor epowe r f ult ha na nyt hi nge i t he rha df e l tbe f or e ,ma det he mI ne vi t a bl el ove r s . Bu te ve nt hought hi ss ha r e de xpe r i e nc eofda nge rha ddr a wnt he mc l os et oge t he r ,ha de ve nma dei ti mpos s i bl ef or ma n yoft heus u a lba r r i e r sbe t we e nvi r t ua ls t r a nge r st oe xi s t ,i tha dc r e a t e dba r r i e r sofi t sown.Andt he ywe r et heki nd ofba r r i e r st ha tc oul dn' tbebr oke nt hr ough;t he yha dt obel owe r e d,vol unt a r i l y,bye a c hoft he m.Tha twa st heha r dpa r t . *** " I t ' sa l mos tl i kepa r a di s e , "Robi ns a i d,t hr e eda ysa f t e rt he yha da r r i ve da tt hehous e ,a st he ys t oodont hede c kga z i ng outove rt heoc e a n. Mi c ha e l ,whoha dbe e na ut oma t i c a l l yqua r t e r i ngt hehor i z on,s e a r c hi ngf ora nyt hi ngt hr e a t e ni ng,l ooke da the rf ora mome nta ndt he nba c ka tt hevi e w,s e e i ngi tt hr oughhe re ye s ." Igue s si ti s , "hea gr e e d,ga z i nga tt hepe a c e f uloc e a n dot t e di nt hedi s t a nc ewi t hs ma l li s l a nds . Shes mi l e dupa thi m,buts a i d," Youdon' ts e epa r a di s eve r yof t e n,doyou? " Het ur ne dhi sba c kt ot hevi e w,l e a ni ngont hewa i s t hi ghr a i l i nga shel ooke da the rs t e a di l y." No.Buthowof t e ni si t r e a l l yt he r e ? " Sheunde r s t ood." Al wa yss omeda r kne s sunde rt hes ur f a c e ?Somes ha dowha ngi ngove ri t ? " " Nota l wa ys .Butt hepot e nt i a li st he r e . " " Yourl i f eha st a ughtyout ha t , "s hea gr e e d. " Wha ta boutyourl i f e ?Wha tha v eyoube e nt a ught ? " Ro bi nt ookt heque s t i ons e r i ous l y,a si twa sobvi ous l yme a ntt ha twa y." Tha tpa r a di s ei s n' tl e s st ha ni t s e l fj us t be c a us et he r e ' sas e r pe ntort wol ur ki ngunde rt hebus he s .Wea l wa yss e e mt owa ntpe r f e c t i oni nt he or y,butwe ' dbe bor e ds i l l ywi t hi ti nr e a l i t y.Andbor e ds i l l ywi t houts ome t hi ngt of i ghta ga i ns t. . .orf or . " Mi c ha e lwa ss mi l i ngf a i nt l y." Di dDa ni e lt e a c hyout ha t ? " " Igue s shedi d. "Shet houghta bouti t ." Bye xa mpl e ,Is uppos e .We ' vene ve rt a l ke da bouti t .Al lt he s eye a r sof f i g ht i ngt heba dguys ,ye tDa dne ve rgotc yni c a la bouti t .Hene ve rt a l ke dt hewa yyouhe a rs omec opst a l k,a boutbe i ng ga r ba geme n,orke e pe r soft hez oo.Hea l wa ysa c t e da ndt a l ke da si ft hewor l dwe r eagr e a tpl a c ewi t hj us taf e w t r oubl e s omes e r pe nt si nt hebus h e s .Nopr obl e ma ta l l .Tha ta ma z i ngopt i mi s ms e e me dt ogi vehi mpa r tofhi ss t r e ngt h. AndIgue s si twa soneoft her e a s onswhyI. . . " " Ha da l lt hos emi s c onc e pt i onsa bouthe r oe s ? "Mi c ha e lf i ni s he df orhe r . Ro bi ns hookhe rhe a dal i t t l eb e mus e dl y,s t i l lc omi ngt ot e r mswi t ht ha tpa r t i c ul a rde mon." We l l ,t hos es e r pe nt s s c a r e dmet ode a t h.I ts e e me ds of e a r l e s sj us tt opi c kupas t i c ka nds t a r tba s hi ngt hes na ke s . " " Tha t ' swha tyoudi dont heya c ht , "her e mi nde dhe r . " ButIdi dn' tt hi nka boutI t —"Shebr okeof fa br upt l y,r e a l i z i ngf ort hef i r s tt i mewha tha dha ppe ne d. Mi c ha e lnodde d." Tha t ' sr i ght .Youdi dn' tt hi nka bouti t .Youj us tdi di t .Youha daj obt odo,a ndyoudi dwha ti t t ookt oge tt hej obdone .Youdi dn' tf r e e z eup;youdi dn' tl e tf e a rpa r a l yz eyou.Wha tyouwe r emos ta f r a i dofne ve r ha ppe ne d,Robi n.Andi tne ve rwi l l . " Si nc et ha tda yont heya c ht ,t he r eha dqui t el i t e r a l l ybe e nnot i met ot hi nka bouthe ra l mos tl i f e l ongf e a roff r e e z i ng up,ofge t t i ngs ome oneki l l e dbe c a us es hewa spa r a l yz e dwi t hf e a r .Robi nha dbe e npr e oc c upi e dwi t hhe rgr owi ng f e e l i ngsf orMi c ha e l ,a nda l t houghs he ' dt ol dhe rf a t he ra boutt hos ef e a r s ,s heha dn' tha dac ha nc et or e e xa mi net he m s i nc et hea s s a ul tont heya c ht . Shel ooke dupa tMi c ha e l ,r e a l i z i ngs ome t hi nge l s es udde nl y." Tha t ' swhyyoune ve rpr ot e s t e dwhe nIs a i dI ' dgo wi t hyoua ndDa ne .Eve nt houghIwa sal i a bi l i t y—" " No,youwe r e n' tal i a bi l i t y.Youha dt hes ki l l s ,t het r a i ni ng,a ndt hewi l lt oge tt hej obdone .Ikne wt ha t ,hone y.But youdi dn' t .Andi twa ss ome t hi ngyouha dt of i ndoutf oryour s e l f . " " Yout ooka na wf ulc ha nc e , "s hewhi s pe r e d." Thos egi r l s...Li s a .Ic oul dha vef r oz e n,Ic oul dha ve —"

" Butyoudi dn' tAndIkne wyouwoul dn' t .I ' ves pe ntt oomuc hofmyl i f ewe i ghi ngpe opl enott oknows t r e ngt ha nd c our a gewhe nIs e ei t . " Be f or eRobi nc oul ds a ya nyt hi ng,hewa sgoi ngon,hi svoi c er oughe ni ngabi t . " Idi dn' twa ntyo uont ha tboa t ,Robi n.Idi dn' twa ntyoui nda nge r .Theha r de s tt hi ngI ' vee ve rdonewa st owa t c hyou di s a ppe a rdownt hos es t a i r s .ButIha dt o.Knowi ngyouwe r ec a pa bl ea nds ki l l e d,knowi ngyouwa nt e dt o—a ndha d t o—t ookt ha tc h o i c eoutofmyha nds . " " Youha dt of i ghtyourown...c hi va l r y? "s hema na ge duns t e a di l y. Hel ooke di nt ot hos ehe a r t br e a k i nggr e e ne ye s ,a ndha dt os wa l l owha r dbe f or ehec oul da ns we r ." No.No,i twa s n' t c hi va l r y.I ' ves e ntwome ni nt oda nge r ouss i t ua t i onsbe f or e .Thi sbus i ne s st e a c he syout ova l ues ki l la nda bi l i t y I r r e s pe c t i veofs e x.Pr of e s s i ona l l yIha dhoqua l ms . " " Andpe r s ona l l y? "Robi nwa sa l mos thol di nghe rbr e a t h,knowi ngt ha tt hi swa si t .Sheha dn' tda r e dpus h,ha dn' tda r e d que s t i on,buti fMi c ha e lwa ss t i l lunwi l l i ngt ol owe rt ha tf i na lba r r i e ra f t e rt he s el a s tda yst oge t he r ,t he ns heha dl os t . " Pe r s ona l l y... "Hec l os e dhi se ye sf orabr i e fmome nt ,t he ns t r a i ght e ne da br upt l ya wa yf r omt her a i l i ng.Hi sha nds r e a c he dt ogr a s phe rs houl de r sha r d,a ndhi svoi c egr a t e dove rt hewor ds ." Thel a s tt hi ngIwa nt e dwa st owa t c ht he woma nIl ove dg oi ngi nt oda nge r . " Foramome ntRobi nc oul dn' tmoveors pe a k.Shes t a r e dupi n t ogr a ye ye st ha tbur ne di nawa ys he ' dne ve rs e e n be f or e — uns hut t e r e d,r a w.Andt he ns hewe nti nt ohi sa r mswi t has oundofj oyt ha twa sa l mos tas ob. " Ibe tont hel ongs hot ,hone y, "Mi c ha e ls a i dhus ki l y,hol di nghe rt i ght l ya ga i ns thi m." Youwe r eonebe tIc oul dn' t f i n dawa yt ohe dge . " " Il oveyou, "s hewhi s pe r e d,he ra r msa r oundhi sl e a nwa i s t ,f e e l i nghi she a r tpoundi nga ga i ns the r . " Il oveyou,Robi n. "Hes we pthe rupi nt ohi sa r ms ,c a r r yi nghe rt hr ought heope nFr e nc hdoor sa ndupt hes t a i r st o t he i rbe dr ooma se a s i l ya si fs hewe i ghe dnot hi ng.Thea dmi s s i onofl oveha dbr oke ns ome t hi ngi nMi c ha e l ,t ha tf i na l wa l l ,c r a s hi ngi tI nt or ubbl e .Andt hought ha ti nne rde s t r uc t i ons e e me davi ol e ntt hi ng,wha ti tf r e e di nMi c ha e lwa sa de pt hoft e nde r n e s sheha dn' tgue s s e dhewa sc a pa bl eof . Hes e the rge nt l yonhe rf e e tbyt hebe da ndbe ga nunbut t oni n ghe rbl ous e ,c onc e nt r a t i ngf i e r c e l yont het a s k.He wa n t e dhe ra swi l dl ya shea l wa ysdi d,ye tt hi st i mes omec o mpul s i ondr ovehi mt or e i nt ha tpr i mi t i vede s i r e .And Robi ns e e me dt os e ns et ha ti nhi m,s e e me dt ounde r s t a nd;t hougha l wa ysi ns t a nt l yr e s pons i vea ndqui c kt or e a c hf or but t onshe r s e l f ,t hi st i mes hes t oodpe r f e c t l ys t i l l ,he rwon de r i nge ye sf i xe donhi sf a c e . Hepus he dt hebr i ght l yc ol or e dbl ous eof fhe rs houl de r s ,c a t c hi nghi sbr e a t ha st hel a t ea f t e r noons unl i ghtpa i nt e dhe r ba r ebr e a s t si ngol da nds ha dows .Sheha dgot t e nus e dt onotwe a r i ngabr a ,s he ' dt ol dhi m,a ndt hef r i l l yt hi ngsi nhe r r e c l a i me dl ugga geha dr e ma i ne dpa c ke d.Hi sha ndsf oundhe rna r r owwa i s t ,a ndhebe nts l owl y,t r a i l i nghi sl i p sdown he rt hr oa ta ndb e t we e nhe rbr e a s t s .Hee a s e dhi swe i ghtdownont hebe da nddr e whe ras t e pc l os e r ,unt i ls hes t ood be t we e nhi skne e s ,t r e mbl i ng,he rbr e a t hc omi ngqui c kl y. Hewa sf a s c i na t e dbyt hepl a yoft hes unonhe r ,byt hes i l kyt e xt ur eofhe rf l e s h,byt hec ont r a s tofda r kni ppl e s a ga i ns tc r e a mypa l es ki n.Hi sha ndsc uppe dhe rbr e a s t s ,hi ss e ns e sf l a r i nga tt hes e ns ua lwe i ght .Ther oughpa dsofhi s t humbsbr us he dhe rt i ght e ni ngni ppl e sr hyt hmi c a l l ywhi l ehi st o ngues t r oke dt hes ha dowe dva l l e ys l owl y.Hec oul df e e l he rha ndst a ngl ei nhi sha i r ,a ndi nhi sha ndshe rbr e a s t ss we l l e d ,f i l l i ngwi t ht hebl oodofpa s s i on. Hi sha ndss l i ddownove rhe rr i bc a ge ,he rwa i s t ,f i ndi ngt her oughma t e r i a lofhe rc ut of fj e a ns ,a ndhi smout hmove d s l owl yove raqui ve r i ngmoundunt i lhec a pt ur e daha r dni ppl ea nddr e wi ts t r ongl yI nwa r d.Hec oul df e e lhe rs hi ve r , he a rt hel ow,t hr oa t ymoa nt ha te s c a pe dhe rl i ps .Hewa shungr y,f i l l e dwi t hawa ntt ha tc oul dne ve rbec ompl e t e l y s a t i s f i e d,a ndt het a s t eofhe rj us ts ha r pe ne dt hec r a vi ng. Hef oundt hes na pofhe rj e a nsa ndope ne di tbl i ndl y,hi smou t hmovi ngs l owl yf r om onebr e a s tt ot heot he r .The s hor t swe r epus he ddownove rhe rhi psa nds l i ppe dt ot hef l oor ,a ndhi sf i nge r sde l i ght e di nt hes l i ppe r yf r i c t i onofhe r s i l ke npa nt i e sb e t we e nhi sf l e s ha ndhe r s .The nt he ywe r ebr us he dge nt l ydownhe rhi ps ,a ndpool e dwi t ht hes hor t s a r oundhe ra nkl e s ,unt i lRobi na ut oma t i c a l l ys t e ppe df r e eoft he m. Mi c ha e l ' sha ndss l i dove rhe rr ounde dbut t oc ks ,s ha pe dt hes l i m hi ps ,t r a i l e ddownt r e mbl i ngt hi ghs .Hi sl i ps r e ma i ne da the rbr e a s t s ,ni ppi ngge nt l ywi t hhi st e e t h,s oot hi ngwi t hhi st ongue ,s uc ki ngt heha r d,a c hi ngni ppl e sunt i l Robi nc oul dha r dl ybe a ri t .He rs ha ki ngl e gsr e f us e dt os uppo r the ra nyl onge r ,a nds hes l umpe da ga i ns thi m wi t ha whi mpe r .I ns t a nt l yhel i f t e dhe runt i ls hewa sa s t r i dehi m,he rkne e sone i t he rs i deofhi m ont hebe d,a ndt hehe a vy ma t e r i a lofhi sj e a nswa sar oughc a r e s sa ga i ns the rs e ns i t i vei nne rt hi ghs . Shehe l dont ohi mde s pe r a t e l y,he re ye sc l os e da swa ve sofhe a ts we ptove rhe r ,f e e l i nghe rve r yc ons c i ous ne s sdi m, na r r owi ni t sf oc usunt i lt he r ewa sonl yhi m,onl yhi ma ndt hei n c r e di bl es e ns a t i onshewa sr ous i ngi nhe rbody. Mi c ha e lhe l dhe rt i ght l ya ga i ns thi m,hi sa r msa r oundhe r ,ha ndsr oa mi ngove rhe r ,c a r e s s i ngwhe r e ve rt he yt ouc he d. Ev e r yt i mehi st e a s i ngmout hc l os e dove rhe rs e ns i t i z e dni ppl e s ,s hec r i e douts of t l ya ndj e r ke d,unt i lf i na l l ys hewa s

wr i t hi nga ga i ns thi m,t hes e ns ua lt e ns i onheha dbui l ti ns i dehe rr e a c hi ngas we e t ,unbe a r a bl ea gony. " Mi c ha e l. . . "He rvoi c ewa sas ha ki ng,he l pl e s spl e a ,be yondt hought . Andher e s ponde di ns t a nt l y.Ha l fr i s i ng,t ur ni ng,het umbl e dhe rba c kont ot hebe d.Hi smout ht r a i l e ddownove rhe r qui ve r i ngbe l l ywhi l ehi sha ndsge nt l e dhe rs ha ki ngt hi ghsa nds l i ppe dunde rhe rt oc uphe rbut t oc ks . Hi smout hwa sf i r eonhe rf l e s h,a ndRobi nwa sbur ni ng,c on s ume d,a nds hewa nt e dmor e .Shec oul dn' thol dhe r bodys t i l l ,c oul dn' tbr e a t he ,c oul dn' tbe ghi mt os t opornott os t op;s hec oul dn' tdoa nyt hi nge xc e ptf e e l ,he rne r ve son f i r e ,mi ndl e s sa r i dl os t .Thea c h i ngt hr obofne e df i l l e dhe rwhol ebe i ng,a ndt he nhi smout hf oundt ha tc or eofpul s i ng he a t ,a ndRobi nc r i e doutwi l dl y,he rbodya r c hi ng.I twa st oomuc h.I twa s n' te nough,he rs e ns e ss ha t t e r e d,f l i ngi nghe r . Andt he ns hewa sbone l e s s ,di s s ol vi ng,l i kes uga rme l t e df orc a ndy. Sheope ne dhe re ye sa tl a s t ,f oc us i ngonhi m,r e a l i z i nghewa ss t a ndi ngbyt hebe da nds he ' dbe e nt ooda z e dt of e e l hi mmove .Hewa ss t r i ppi ngr a pi dl y,hi sbur ni nge ye sf i xe donhe r .He rt huddi nghe a r ts ki ppe dabe a t ,a nds hef e l tt he e bbi nghe a ti ns i dehe rr e ne wi t s e l funde rhi spa s s i ona t ega z e .Be f or es hec oul dmove ,hewa swi t hhe ra ga i n,pul l i nghe r l e gshi gha r oundhi ma nds i nki n ghi sf l e s hde e pl yi nt ohe r s . Ro bi nc a ughta thi sba c k,he rf i nge r sdi ggi ngi n,ga s pi nga tt hei nc r e di bl es e ns a t i ont ha twa ss t i l labr i e f l yunf a mi l i a r one ;I twa sl i ket heme mor yofpa i nt ha twa sat hought ,t her e a ls e ns a t i ona l wa ysune xpe c t e da nds t a r k.Hewa sf i l l i ng he r ,t hr obbi ngI n s i dehe r ,apa r tofhe r . Mi c ha e lt a ngl e dhi sf i nge r si nhe rha i ra ndc ove r e dhe rmout hwi t hhi s ,ki s s i nghe rde e pl ybutwi t hane w,s e a r i ng t e nde r ne s s .Hewa ss t i l l ,bur i e dI ns i dehe r ,t het i ghthe a tofhe rs he a t hhol di nghi mi na nunbe l i e va bl es e c r e tc a r e s s .He c oul dn' ts t opki s s i nghe r ,de l vi ngi nt ot hehot ,s we e tda r kne s sofhe rmout ha ga i na nda ga i n.He rl ongl e gswe r ea r ound hi m,he rha ndss t r oki nghi sba c ka l mos tf r a nt i c a l l y,a ndt heha r dne s sofhe rni ppl e spr odde dhi m. " Ha veIt ol dyouyou' r ebe a ut i f ul ? "hea s ke di nar a w,hus kyt one ,s t i l lunmovi ng,he a vyonhe r . Shes t r uggl e df orbr e a t he nought or e s pond." Idon' tr e me mbe r , "s hema na ge df i na l l y,abi twi l dl y,t hec oi l e dt e ns i on ofhe rbodyhol di nghe ri nat a ut ,bl i s s f ulgr i p. Hi smout hc ur ve d." Youa r e . "Heki s s e dhe ra ga i n,t he na ga i n,a ndhi sbodymove ds ubt l y. Ro bi nga s pe d,a l lhe rs e ns e sf l a r i ng,he ra r msa ndl e gsgoi ngbr i e f l yr i gi da r oundhi m." Oh. . . "Shel i f t e dhe rhe a d a ndbi thi ss houl de ra br upt l y,ma dde ne d. Hi sc huc kl ewa sar oughs e ns a t i ona ga i ns the rt hr oa t ." Be a ut i f ulRobi n, "hes a i d,ki s s i nghe rt hr oa t ,movi nga ga i ni n t ha tde l i c a t ewa yt ha ts e ntaj ol tt hr oughhe re nt i r ebody." Be a ut i f ul ,br a veRobi n.Andmi ne .Mi ne ? " " Your s . "Shemoa ne d." Oh,da mnyou,Mi c ha e l ! " " Mi ne , "hes a i di nar a s pi ngt one ,hi se ye sc l i ngi ngi napr i mi t i vel ookofde e ps a t i s f a c t i on.Hemove da ga i n,t he n a ga i n,t hege nt l e ,s ubt l eundul a t i onsofbe f or ebe c omi ngl ong,s l owt hr us t s .Shec r i e dout ,c l i ngi ngt ohi mf r a n t i c a l l y, he rbodymovi ngwi t hhi s . " Loveme , "hes a i ds of t l y. " Ido. "Thet e ns i onwa sr us hi ngnow,s t or mi ng,ba t t e r i nghe ri ni nc r e a s i ngwa ve sofpl e a s ur e ." Il oveyou. " Mi c ha e lma deal ow,r oughs oundde e pi nhi st hr oa t ,t hec ont r ol soft e nde r ne s sa ndt e a s i ngs pl i nt e r i ngt or e l e a s et he i nf e r noi ns i dehi m.Hewa nt e dmor eofhe r ,wa nt e dt oi mpr i nthe rwi t ht heve r ye s s e nc eofhi ms e l f ,s udde nl yt e r r i f i e dof l os i ngwha theh a donl yj us ta d mi t t e dhene e de ds oc r i t i c a l l y.Robi n.Be a ut i f ul ,br a veRobi n,wi t hhe rhe a r t b r e a ki ng e ye sa ndqui c kmi nd,he rc our a gea ndhe rpa s s i on.Het houghthe ' ddi ewi t hne e di nghe r . Wi t hl ovi nghe r . Thee xpl os i onofe mot i onwa sl i kes ome t hi ngr upt ur i ngI ns i dehi m,ma r ki nghi mi nde l i bl y;i nt hes a mei ns t a n tRobi n c r i e doutwi l dl y,a ndt hehoti nne rc ont r a c t i onsofhe re c s t a s yc a ughthi mi na not he rt e a r i ngs t or m,unt i ls hoc kwa ve sof pl e a s ur et a ngl e dwi t ht hewi l de mot i ons . Andt houghi te me r ge di nahoa r s ewhi s pe ra ndwi t hhi sl a s tou nc eofs t r e ngt h,not hi ngone a r t hc oul dha ves t oppe d hi mf r oms a yi ng," Il oveyou,Robi n. " *** Whe ns hec ou l dmovea ga i n,Robi nma na ge dt or a i s ehe r s e l fona ne l bowa nds t a r edowna thi m." Whe ndi dyouge t s op os s e s s i ve ? "s hea s ke ds ome wha twe a kl y. Heo pe ne donee ye ,t he nc l os e di ta ga i n." Ia l wa ysha vebe e n.Youj us tdi dn' tnot i c e , "het ol dhe r . Ro bi nma deh e r s e l fc omf or t a bl ebe s i dehi ma ga i n,he rhe a dpi l l owe donhi ss houl de r ." Iwoul dha venot i c e dt ha t , " s hes a i dmus i ngl y." Youwe r e n' t .Notunt i lt oda y. " " I tj us tgota wa yf r ommet oda y,t ha t ' sa l l .Doe si tbot he ryou? "hea s ke dpol i t e l y. Shegi ggl e dal i t t l e ,s oe xha us t e da ndbl i s s f ul l ys l e e pys hec oul dha r dl yt hi nks t r a i ght ." Nos ha bbyt i ge r .Mi nei s n' t s ha bbye i t he r ,i nc a s eyoumi s s e dt ha t . " Hec huc kl e d,dr e whe rabi tc l os e r ." Idi dn' t .I nf a c t ,youc l a we dmyhe a r tupgooda ndpr ope r .Got os l e e p,l ove . "

Smi l i ng,s hedi d. *** Mi c ha e lwokes l owl y,hi si nt e r na lc l oc kt e l l i nghi mhe ' ds l e ptonl yac oupl eofhour s .Thes unwa ss e t t i ng,t h r owi ng i t sdyi ngor a ngel i ghtt hr ought hewi ndow.Hewa st e mpt e dt odr i f tof fa ga i n,butani ggl i ngs e ns eofwr ongne s s pr odde dhi munt i lhef i na l l ye a s e da wa yf r omRobi na nds a tup. Shemur mur e ds ome t hi nga ndt u r ne dhe rf a c ei nt ot hepi l l ow,a ndhel ooke ddowna the r ,t e nde r ne s sr us hi ngt hr ough hi m.Oneda yhemi ghtf i ndt hewor dst ot e l lhe rhowmuc hs heme a ntt ohi m,i fa nywor dsc oul d.Oneda yhemi ghtbe a bl et ot e l lhe rt ha the rvi vi dgr e e ne ye swe r et heonl yl i ghthe ' de ve rknowni nt hes ha dowsa l la r oundhi m;t h e yke pt t heda r kne s sa tba y. Oneda y. Hepul l e dhi sga z ef r omhe rr e l uc t a nt l y,l ooki nga r oundt her ooma ndwonde r i ngwha twa swr ong.The nher e a l i z e d. Th egunDa ni e lha dl e f tf orhi sd a ught e ra f t e rt heFBIha dc onf i s c a t e dhe r sl a yont hedr e s s e r ,whe r es heha bi t ua l l yl e f t i t , buthi sownwa smi s s i ng.I tt ookhi mamome ntt or e me mbe r , a ndhec l os e dhi se ye s ,a l mos tgr oa ni ng. Dumb.He ' dl e f ti ti nt hede nwhe nt he yha dwa nde r e doutont ot hede c k,a ndwha twi t honet hi nga nda not he rhe ' d notgi ve ni tas i ngl et houghts i n c e .Andt heFr e nc hdoor ss t a ndi ngwi deope n,abl a t a nti nvi t a t i on.Da ni e l ' st wome n, s t a t i one dout s i dea ndunde rc ove r ,we r ewa t c hi ngt hehous e ,ofc our s e ,butt ha tha r dl ye xc us e dhi sownc a r e l e s s n e s s . Somea ge nthewa s . Hes l i ppe df r omt hebe d,c a r e f ulnott owa keRobi n,a ndbe ntbr i e f l yt odr a wt hes he e tupove rhe r .Shes t i r r e da nd s mi l e di nhe rs l e e p,a ndhef oughtt heur get oc l i mbba c ki nbe s i dehe ra ndwa kehe rwi t hki s s e s ,ma ybee ve n. . . La t e r .Fi r s theha dt oge thi sguna ndl oc kupdowns t a i r s .Hef oundhi sj e a nsa ndpul l e dt he mon,t he nwe nts of t l yt o t hedoora ndoutont ot hewa l kwa ya bovet hede n.Theor a ngel i ghts pi l l i ngt hr ougha l lt hegl a s sdowns t a i r sga vet he pl a c eahe l l i s hgl ow,a ndhenot e dt ha ti dl ya shewe ntdownt hes t a i r s . Hec l os e da ndl oc ke dt heFr e nc hdoor sf i r s t ,t he nt ur ne dt owa r dt heki t c he n.Hi sgunwa sont hec ount e rbe s i det he ot he rdoor ;he ' dputi tt he r ewhe n— Mi c ha e ls t oppe ds udde nl yha l f wa ybe t we e nt hede na ndki t c he n,a l lhi st hought st umbl i ng,s e ns e sf l a r i ng,hi s mus c l e st e ns i ngi na ni ns t i nc t i ver e a c t i ont oda nge r . Hi sgun.I twa sgone . Andt he nama nr os ea br upt l yf r ombe hi ndt hebr e a kf a s tba r ,a ndt he r ewa st hegun,i nhi sha nds ,poi nt e dwi t hde a dl y a c c ur a c ya tMi c ha e l . " He l l o,Ca pt a i n. " " He l l o,Sut t on, "Mi c ha e la ns we r e dhol l owl y.

Ni ne Edwa r dSut t ons mi l e d,a ndi twa s n' tapr e t t ys i ght .Hewa snor ma l l yaha nds omema ni nhi sf or t i e s ,wi t ht hebl ond goodl ookst ha tge ne r a l l ya dor ne dl i f e gua r ds ;t hepa s tf e wda ysobvi ous l yha dn' tbe e nki ndt ohi m.Hi sc l ot he swe r e r u mpl e d,hewa suns ha ve n,a ndt hegl e a mofr e ve ngei nhi sc ol dbl uee ye sha de s c a l a t e dt os ome t hi ngne a rma dne s s . " Youc oul dn' ts t a youtofmyl i f e ,c oul dyou? "hede ma nde d,hi svoi c eha r s h. Mi c ha e lwa st r yi ngt ot hi nkc l e a r l y." Comeof fi t ,Sut t on.Yout ookmys i s t e ra sba i tt odr a wmeout ,a ndwebot h knowi t .Sur e l yy oudi dn' tt hi nkI ' dj us ts i tonmyha nds . "But t on' sba c kwa st ot hewa l kwa ya bove ;Mi c ha e lde l i be r a t e l y l e thi svoi c er i s e . Sut t onnodde dj e r ki l y." Oh,Ikne wyou' dc omea f t e rhe r .Ikne wyou' ds uf f e rbe c a us eIha dhe r .Tha t ' swha tIwa nt e d. Foryout os uf f e r .Thewa yIs uf f e r e da f t e ryoume ddl e dye a r sa g oa ndbr okeupmyc a r t e l . " " Ca r t e l ? "Mi c h a e ll a ughe d,pl a yi ngf ort i me ." I st ha twha tyouc a l l e di t ?Tha t ' sal a ugh.Youa ndyoura s s oc i a t e swe r e bl e e di ngt ha tc ount r ydr y,vi ol a t i nge v e r yi nt e r na t i ona ll a wi ne xi s t e nc e .I fI ' dbe e nyourj udge ,I ' ds ur ea she l lha ve donemor et ha ne xi l eyoura s s ! " Mi c ha e lha dc a ughtaf l i c ke rofmot i onf r omt hec or ne rofhi se ye ,butdi dn' tda r el ookt os e ei fi twa sRobi nmovi ng s i l e nt l ydownt hes t a i r s .I fs hec oul dge ti nt opos i t i ona tt hebo t t om,s he ' dha veac l e a rs hota tSut t on.Hes e tame nt a l t i mel i mi t ,knowi ngs hewoul dn' ts hoota sl onga st ha tgunr e ma i ne dpoi nt e ds qua r e l ya thi sc he s t . J us taf e wmor es e c onds... " ...I ' mgoi ngt oki l lyou, "Sut t o nwa ss a yi ngi naki ndofmonot one ." Iwa nt e dt owa t c hyous uf f e rf i r s t ,butnowI ' l l j us tki l lyou.Th e y' r ea f t e rmea g a i n,t ha nkst oyou,a ndIdon' tha vet i met owa s t e . " " Le s st i met ha nyouknow, "Mi c ha e ls a i d. Sut t onl a ughe dha r s hl y." Thos et woout s i de ?It ookc a r eoft he m be f or eIc a mei nhe r e .Yououghtt oc hoos eyour wa t c hdogsmor ec a r e f ul l y—"

" Nott he m, "Mi c ha e li nt e r r upt e df l a t l y." Doyour e a l l yt hi nkI ' dj us ts i the r ea l one ,wa i t i ngf oryout ot a kemyba i t ? " " Youa l wa yswor ka l one , "Sut t onde c l a r e d,buthi se ye swe r ebe gi nni ngt oda r tne r vous l y. " Nott hi st i me .Thi st i meIha veapa r t ne r .Howe l s edoyout h i nkIma na ge dt oboa r dyourya c hta nddi s a r m your me n ?Iha veapa r t ne r ,Sut t on.Hol di ngagunonyour i ghtnow. " " You' r el yi ng! "Sut t ons hout e d. " No,hei s n' t , "Robi ns a i d.Ands het ooknoc ha nc e s ;t hei ns t a ntt hea r me dma nt wi t c he dt owa r dhe ra ndhi sgunno l onge rc ove r e dMi c ha e l ,s hes hotI toutofhi sha nd. Mi c ha e lr e t r i e ve dt hegunwhi l eSut t onc l a s pe dhi sha ndt ohi sc he s t ,c ur s i ng.Put t i ngabi tofdi s t a nc ebe t we e n hi ms e l fa ndt hewounde dma n,Mi c ha e ls a i dc a l ml y," Tha nkGodf oryourma r ks ma ns hi p;i t ' st wi c eyou' vedonet ha t . " Ro bi n,dr e s s e donl yi noneofh i ss hi r t s ,he ra r m br a c e da ga i ns tt hes t a i rr a i l i nga ndt heguns t i l ls t e a di l yc ove r i ng Sut t on,f l i c ke dhi magl a nc ea nds a i d," Ac t ua l l y,Ime a ntt owa r nyoua boutt ha t .Ma r ks ma ns hi pwa sa l wa ysmywe a k poi nt .Sowe ' dbe t t e rnotc ounto nat hi r df l uke . " Mi c ha e lc oul dha vel a ughe doutl oud,a ndne a r l ydi d.I ns t e a d,gr i nni ng,hes a i d," I fyou' l lke e phi mc ove r e d,I ' l lgo c he c kont heba c kupwewe r es u ppos e dt oha ve . " Ro bi nmove dt oapoi ntha l f wa yi nt ot heki t c he n,c ut t i ngt hedi s t a nc ebe t we e nhe r s e l fa ndSut t on." Sur e .I ' mboundt o hi thi mf r omhe r e . " " Youc oul dhi thi mf r omt he r ewi t haba s e ba l lba t , "Mi c ha e lobs e r ve d,a ndwe ntoutt oc he c kont heba c kup. Sut t ondi dn' tc ha nc ei t . *** Twohour sl a t e rSut t onwa sgone ,t owe da wa ybyt het woFBIme nwhowe r enur s i ngs or ehe a dsa nds ubs e que nt l y di s i nc l i ne dt ovi e wt he i rpr i s one rwi t hki nde ye s .I nf a c t ,t he ywe r er a t he robvi ous l yhope f ulhe ' dt r yt oe s c a pes ot he y c oul ds hoothi m,af a c tt ha tave r ys ubdue dSut t ons e e me dt oa ppr e c i a t e . " It hi nkhe ' l lma kei tt oMi a mi , "Mi c ha e ls a i da shec a meba c ki ns i de ." Atl e a s tIbe l i e vet he ywon' tki l lhi m. " Ro bi nwa ss t a ndi ngbe f or et heope nr e f r i ge r a t ordoor ,pe e r i ngwi t hi n." We ' l lha vet oge tmor egr oc e r i e s .I fwe ' r e s t a yi ngunt i lt hee ndoft hewe e k ,t ha ti s . " " He y. "Mi c ha e lt ur ne dhe ra r oun dt of a c ehi m,l ooki ngdowna the rgr a ve l y. Shes l i dhe ra r msa r oundhi swa i s ta ndhe l dhi mt i ght l yf oramome nt ,t he npul l e dba c ka nds mi l e dupa thi m." I ' m f i n e .Iwa ss c a r e dt ode a t h,t hough. " Re pe a t i ngs ome t hi ngs heha donc es a i dt ohi m,Mi c ha e lde c l a r e d ," I tdi dn' ts how. " " Il oveyou, "s het ol dhi mf i e r c e l y." Al lIc oul dt hi nkwa st ha tIwa s n' ta boutt ol e tt ha tr ot t e n,nogoodba s t a r dt a ke youa wa yf r omme ! " Het ur ne dhe rf a c eupa ndki s s e dhe ra sf i e r c e l ya ss heha ds poke n.Hus ki l yhea s ke d," Re me mbe rwhe nI pa r a phr a s e ds ome t hi nga boutt woo' c l oc ki nt he mor ni ngc our a ge ? " Ro bi nwa sha vi ngt r oubl ewi t hhe rbr e a t hi ng." Umm.Ir e me mbe r .Yous a i dt ha t ' swha tIha d. " " Ther a r e s tki nd .I ns t a nt a ne ousc our a ge .Tha t ' swha tyouha ve ,l ove .You' r et hebr a ve s twoma nI ' vee ve rme ti nmy l i f e ,a ndIl oveyo u. " Some t i mel a t e rRobi ns a i d," Um...whowe r eyoupa r a phr a s i nga nywa y? " " Na pol e on. " Shegi ggl e d. " We l l ,Ic oul dh a veus e dThor e a u,e xc e ptt ha themi s quot e dNa pol e ona ndc a l l e di tt hr e e o' c l oc ki nt he mor ni ng c our a ge . " " Wha t ' sa nhour ,mor eorl e s s ? " " Mys e nt i me n t se xa c t l y. " *** Thr e eda ysl a t e rt heBl ac kAnge lc r ui s e da wa yf r om t hehous ea tt hebe a c h,he a di ngf orFor tMye r s .Li s awa s vi r t ua l l yr e c ove r e d;t heot he rgi r l sha dbe e nr e l e a s e da ndgonet ot he i rva r i oushome s .But t onwa si nj a i la wa i t i ngt r i a l , whe ne ve rf e de r a l ,s t a t e ,a ndi nt e r na t i ona la ut hor i t i e sa gr e e dont heor de ri nwhi c hhi sof f e ns e swoul dbet r i e d.I t de ve l ope dt ha tSut t onha dne ve rt r a ns f e r r e dt heDr agonLadyoutofDa ne ' sna me ,s oDa ni e lpul l e daf e ws t r i ngsa nd gott heya c htr e l e a s e dt ohi m. Mi c ha e ls a i dhe ' dj us tl os ei ta ga i ni napoke rga me .Buthewa ss mi l i ngwhe nhes a i di t ,a ndRobi nt houghtt h e r ewa s mor ef r i e nds hi pb e t we e nt het wome nnow.Mor et r us t .Shewa sgl a dt os e et ha t . Asf orhe rr e l a t i ons hi pwi t hMi c ha e l ,Robi nha dne ve rbe e nc l os e rt oa nyonei nhe rl i f e .Sheha dne ve rg i ve nor r e c e i ve ds omuc hl ove .Andt heve r yf a c tt ha twi t houthe s i t a t i onMi c ha e lha dt r us t e dhe rt wi c et o" ge tt hej obdone "i n da nge r ouss i t ua t i ons ,f i r s tr i s ki nghi ss i s t e r ' sl i f ea ndt he nhi sown,ha dgi ve nhe rmor es e l f c onf i de nc et ha ns hewoul d

ha vebe l i e ve dpos s i bl e .Thede monoff e a rwa sgonenow,a s s i gn e di t spr ope rpl a c ea sana t ur a lr e a c t i ona nda ni mpe t us t odowha tha dt obedone . Bu tt he r ewa ss t i l lal a s t ,s ha dowyde mona the rhe e l s ,a ndRobi nkne wi twa sones heha dt of a c e . Ast heboa tne a r e dFor tMye r s ,s hebe c a memor ea ndmor equi e t ,s t a ndi ngi nt hedoor wa yoft hewhe e l hous ea ss he ha di nt hebe gi nni nga ndwa t c hi nghi mgui dehi sboa t .Shef e l tc ont e nti nhi sl ove ,a nds e c ur e ,buts hewa s n' tc e r t a i n howhe ' dr e a c twhe ns het ol dhi m— " St opne r vi ngyour s e l fupf ori ta ndj us tt e l lme , "hes a i ds udde nl y,wi t haf l i c ke r i ngs mi l e . Ro bi nwa ss t a r t l e d,butnotmuc h." We l l. . . " " I ' l lt e l lyou. "Her e a c he df orhe rha nda ndc a r r i e di tbr i e f l yt ohi sl i ps ,t he ns a i dqui e t l y," Whi l eIpi c kLi s aupa nd he a dba c kt oMi a mi ,you' r egoi ngt of l yt oSa nFr a nc i s c o.Andt a ket ha tt e s ta tt hea c a de my. " Shehe l dhi sha ndi nbot hofhe r s ." Idon' twa ntt ol e a veyou,Mi c ha e l ,e ve nf orawe e k.ButIha vet o.I ' l lbeh a unt e d byt ha ti fIdon' tgoba c ka ndt r ya ga i n. " " Iknow,l ove . "Hedr e whe rt oh i ma nds l i ppe da na r ma r oundhe r ,ke e pi ngoneha ndont hewhe e l ." I ' veknownt ha t a l la l ong.AndIa ppl a ud. " Abi ts ha ki l ys hes a i d," I fyous a i lof fwhi l emyba c k' st ur ne d,I ' l lt r a c kyoudown. " Heb e nthi she a da ndki s s e dhe rt hor oughl y,t he ns mi l e d,hi se ye sgl owi ng." Notac ha nc e .I ' l lbea tt hema r i na wa i t i ngf oryout oc omeba c kt ome . " " Pr omi s e ? " Hi sa r mt i ght e ne da r oundhe r ." Ipr omi s e .Andi fyou' r enotba c kwi t hi nawe e k.I ' l lc omea f t e ryou.Tha t ' sapr omi s e t oo.Iknowagoodt hi ngwhe nIf i s hhe routoft heoc e a n. " Ro bi ns nuggl e dc l os e r ,t ooha ppyf orwor ds .Sheha t e dgoodbye s ,butt hehome c omi ngl ooke dwonde r f ul . *** Thewe e kRobi nha da nt i c i pa t e dt oma kea r r a nge me nt sa ndt a ket ha tf i na le xa ma tt hepol i c ea c a de myt ur ne doutt o bea nopt i mi s t i ce s t i ma t e .Sheha dn' ta nt i c i pa t e dt ha tt hea c a de myof f i c i a l swoul dba l k,i ns i s t i ngt ha ts her e p e a tt he we e ks l ongc our s ei ni t se nt i r e t y.The yr e f us e dt oa c c e pthe ra s s ur a nc e st ha ts hedi dn' twa ntaba dgeorac e r t i f i c a t i on, j us taf i na lgr a deonawr i t t e ne xa m.Shedi dn' twa ntt oj oi nSa nFr a nc i s c o' sf i ne s t ;s hedi dn' twa ntt obeac op. The ydi dn' tunde r s t a nd. Fi na l l y,i nde s pe r a t i on,Robi nc a l l e dhe rf a t he r ,s ha me l e s s l ypul l i ngt hebi gge s ts t r i ngs heha d,a ndwi t hi nhour ss he wa st a ki ngt hee xa munde rt hebe wi l de r e de yeofa ni ns t r uc t or . St i l l ,t hede l a ypus he dhe rr i ghtt ot hel i mi t ,a ndi twa se i ghtda ysa f t e rl e a vi ngMi c ha e lwhe ns hel a nde di nMi a mi , ha s t i l ys t owe dmos tofhe rba gsi nal oc ke ra tt hea i r por t ,a nds e toutf ort hema r i na .Thel a s tt hi ngs hee xpe c t e dt os e e uponr e a c hi ngt hes l i pwhe r et heBl ac kAnge lwa st i e dupwa sDa ne . Hewa sdr e s s e da ss he ' df i r s ts e e nhi m,a l li nwhi t ea ndf or ma l l y,c l e a ns ha ve na ga i n,a ndbr i ght e ye d.Ha l fs i t t i ngon t hes i deoft hebo a t ,her a i s e da ne ye br owa the ra nds a i dl a z i l y, " He l l o,s t r a nge r . " " Wha ta r eyoudoi nghe r e ? "s hea s ke dbl a nkl y. " I ' ma boutt oe s c or tLi s at ot ha tf a nc ys c hoolofhe r s .Shewa nt e dt ogoont heya c ht —whi c hIha ve n' tl os tye t .We ' r e a boutt ol e a ve . " " Whe r e ' sMi c ha e l ? " Da n egr i nne d,b utbe f or ehec oul da ns we r .Li s a ' sbr i ght ,l a ughi ngvoi c edi d. " Outge t t i ngat i c ke tt oSa nFr a n c i s c o. "Shec l i mbe dupf r ombe l owde c k,c a r r yi ngas ma l lba g.He rda r kbl o ndha i r wa sc a ughtupi naponyt a i l ,a n dhe rbl uee ye swe r es mi l i ng." Hes t a r t e dge t t i ngj umpyl a s tni ght ,Robi n,a ndhewa s i mpos s i bl ebyt hi smor ni ng.Bya boutt wohour sa goIt hi nkhewa sc onvi nc e dyou' dbe e ns pi r i t e dof fbyt hes e ve nt h f l e e t ,a ndhe ' dne ve rf i ndyoua ga i n. " " Li s ac a l l e dme , "Da nepi c ke dup," a nd,ofc our s e ,Ic a met ot her e s c ue . " Ro bi nl a ughe d ,buts a i d," Li s a ,p l e a s edon' tl e a veonmya c c ount . " " I ' mnot . "Shegr i nne d." I ' veha dhi mf orawe e know,a ndI ' mr e a dyt ogoba c kt os c hool .I t ' sas hor ts umme rt e r m, t hough;I ' l lbeba c kbyf a l l . " Shewa sobvi ous l ys uf f e r i ngf r om noi l le f f e c ta f t e rhe rki dn a ppi ng,a ndt hedoc t orha dt ol dMi c ha e lt ha twa s unde r s t a nda bl e .She ' dbe e ndr ugge dvi r t ua l l ya l lt het i me ,wi t hnoc ha nc et obe c omef r i ght e ne dbywha twa sha ppe ni ng t ohe r .I nt hee ndt hedr ugsha dbe e nabl e s s i ng. Da n ewa she l pi nghe routoft heboa t ,a ndwhe ns hewa sbe s i det he mhel ooke da tRobi n,s t i l ls mi l i ng." Te l lme ,wa s i tama gi cwa ndorabr ooms t i c k? " Ro bi nl a ughe ds of t l y." I ' mnott e l l i ng.You' l lf i ndoutwhe nyourt i mec ome s . " " I t ' dt a keat hi e ft oc a t c hme ,f r i e nd, "Da net ol dhe r ,ut t e r l yc onf i de nt .

" Ne ve rs a yne ve r , "Robi ns a i d,t he nhugge dLi s at i ght l y." Ha veagoodt r i p. " " Iwi l l .Andt ha nks ,Robi n.Tha nksf ore ve r yt hi ng. " " Se eyou, "Da n eof f e r e d,t uc ki ngLi s a ' sha ndi nt ot hec r ookofhi sa r ma nds t r ol l i nga wa y.Hedi dn' tl ookl i kea bodygua r d,Robi nobs e r ve d,buts hepi t l e da nyonewhot r i e dt ot ouc hLi s awhi l ehewa sr e s pons i bl ef orhe r . Sha ki ngt het houghta wa y,Robi nc l i mbe da boa r dt heboa ta ndwe ntbe l ow.Shec ha nge dqui c kl yf r om he rc a s ua l t r a ve l i ngc l ot he si nt oaba t hi ngs ui t ,t he nwe ntt ops i dea ga i na nds e t t l e ddownont hepa dde dbe nc ht owa i tf orMi c ha e l . Hec a mel e s st ha na nhourl a t e r ,a ndhe rpos i t i onwa ss uc ht ha thedi dn' ts e ehe runt i lhewa sa c t ua l l ya boa r d.And s hef e l the rhe a r tl e a pwhe nhes a whe r ,be c a us ehi sf a c el i tup ,t hef r owndi s a ppe a r i ng.Wi t houthe s i t a t i nghec r os s e d t hes pa c ebe t we e nt he ma ndpul l e dhe rupi nt ohi sa r ms . " De a rLor d,I ' vemi s s e dyou, "hes a i dhoa r s e l ywhe nhepa us e di nki s s i nghe r . " I ' vemi s s e dyout oo, "s hema na ge dbr e a t hl e s s l y. Hi se ye swe r ebur ni ng." I nj us tami nut eI ' mgoi ngt ot a keyout ot hec a bi na ndke e pyout he r eunt i lne i t he rofusc a n wa l kwi t houthe l p. " Shec l e a r e dhe rt hr oa t ." Andt he n? " " The nwe ' r egoi ngt of i ndapr e a c he r . " Wi t ha ne f f or tRobi nma na ge dt oma kehe rf a c ea ndvoi c es ol e mn." Youdon' tha vet oma r r yme ,da r l i ng.I ' m pe r f e c t l ywi l l i ngt os a c r i f i c emymor a l sa nds c r upl e s ,a ndl i vei ns i nwi t hyou. " Hek i s s e dhe r ." Il oveyou,a ndI ' mgoi ngt oma r r yyou.Sa yye s ! " " Ye s , "s hes a i dbl i s s f ul l y. Ha l f wa yt ot hec a bi n,i toc c ur r e dt oRobi nt ha thewa s n' tgoi ngt oa s kI fs he ' dpa s s e dt het e s t .Buti tdi dn' tma t t e r .He kne w. Thede monswe r egonef orgood.

Epi l ogue " I ' vepul l e dmyme nof f , "Da ni e lSt ua r tt ol dHa ge nove rt hephone ,hi svoi c ec a l m." Iowet hos el a di e s ,a ndI ' l lbe da mne di fI ' l lke e pwa t c hove rt he mort he i rhus ba nds ! " " Da ni e l —" " Sor r y,Chi e f .Spi nyourwe bsa l one . " Ha g e nc r a dl e dt hephones l owl ya nds t a r e da ti t .Hebe ga nt of e e lj us tal i t t l ec onc e r ne d.J us tal i t t l e .