Page 28 (1/2)

Author: Robyn Carr

"Will it upset theether? A couple? In love?" he asked her, s We all need to move forward"

That was all Devon wanted, to move forward and with each day she put Jacob and the commune farther and farther behind her She wanted a new life, this life She loved the doctor’s office, loved Gabriella, the town, the beach, anda real part of this Thunder Point fa a family with Spencer and Austin

School started and Austin was the new kid and friendless for about two hours after which Spencer’s house and the beach hosted new friends on bikes The Tuesday after Labor Day school resuiving, but there would be football ga most weeks Devon had not been this excited about how she’d spend her tih school herself

But before she could attend her first football game the first week in September, a dark-colored sedan pulled up in front of the clinic one ed and came inside

"Devon McAllister?" one of them asked

She felt her face lose color She nodded fearfully She was alone in the clinic

The man who had asked her nalas Free to have to come with us"

Fourteen

"Why?" Devon asked weakly

"We’d like to ask you some questions There must be someone here who can cover for you"

"Not today, I’encies"

"Why don’t you go ahead and give him a call, Miss McAllister Let hiency in your schedule and you’re going to be away from the office"

"What is this about?"

"I think you know We’d like to ask you about your last residence"

"Will I be long?" she wanted to know, and helpless, she began to trelas Free seen the car parked in the street, Mac walked into the clinic, hoisting his gun belt as he entered "Gentlee flashing, but Devon went to hi me somewhere They won’t say if I’ll be back Mac, what about Mercy? What does this hter, Miss McAllister She’ll be taken care of"

"I don’t want her to be taken care of by strangers in a strange place!" She turned to Mac and whispered, "Are they putting me in jail?"

Mac took a deep, irritated breath "Cohten up If you just want to ask her questions, tell her where you’re taking her and when you’ll bring her back" Then he looked at Devon and said, "They’re probably just taking you to an FBI Field Office or o with them unless they arrest you, but if you want to cooperate with theave the agents a brief glare "They’re just trying to intilared back "We don’t need your assistance, Deputy"

"This wohbor!" he snapped "She came to me with information that I passed on to the sheriff, who I presuoddamn Men in Black Devon is kind and cooperative and responsible Tell her how long you’ll need her today And you’re welcome to use my office if that will help"

"We have a location And Miss McAllister will be brought back if she wants to cohter is here!"

"All right, look--there’s no reason for all this anxiety Tell ents

"This is our investigation, Deputy"

"Understood And I’ht you Devon’s information If you want more infor you Where are we going?"

They exchanged looks "Coquille sheriff’s departlas Freeman said

"Well, that’s easy I could have saved you some time Excuse me" He plucked his phone out of his pocket and called one of the deputies orked for him "Steve? I have business out of town Can you cover the town? Thanks, I owe you one" Then he called the dispatcher and signed out for Coquille, leaving Deputy Pritkus in charge

Devon used her cell phone to call Scott "Dr Grant, I’ me somewhere to be questioned about you-knohat Can you make sure Mercy is with you or Gabriella? I don’t kno long I’ll be, but I’ll keep in touch I’ to be back here as soon as possible What should I do with the clinic?" And then she said "okay" a few times, a thank-you and disconnected

"That wasn’t quite as cryptic as I would have liked," one of the agents said