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Soun And if Nikki were there, it would have been a likely guess that he ith her
What about Julian?
Odd ive Nikki away? Julian had known her since childhood Knew her better than anyone else
Knew the ceunmen would hunt them down but not harm him?
His mind raced Julian had excelled in theater arts But he was Oscar material, beyond a doubt, if he had pulled off the fear he’d shown that night
If not Julian, then who?
He re by Mada up to Nikki, giving her a warning
Was the wo to keep Nikki alive?
At that moment it had been Nikki, Max, Julian, himself… and Madame D’Orso
His footsteps quickened
He hurried toward the station, anxious to find Nikki, and even more anxious for Massey or Joulette to eant called "You Nikki DuMonde?"
Nikki nearly tripped over Julian as she hurried over to the et to answer "She’s Nikki Yup, that’s her"
The sergeant frowned at Julian, shaking his head "I got a call frouy you’re waiting for is going to be tied up with theo home with Julian" He arched a brow as he looked at Julian, who had evidently driven hi "I take it you’re Julian"
"Just go home, with Julian?" she said
"Yeah, I’ll have a couple of uniforms drop you off" He called out to two cops who had just co worn-out
"Stevens Hurst Need an escort for these folks See that they get to the lady’s apart "Thanks," Nikki said "We could just walk I don’t live that far"
"I said I’ll arrange a safe escort hoeant said firue, Nikki nodded "Thanks"
"Yeah, thanks, we’re outta here," Julian said
One officer, whose badge identified him as Hurst, opened the door Nikki and Julian thanked hiht there," Hurst said, indicating the car almost directly in front of the station The second officer opened the rear seat for the two of them, and in seconds they were headed for Nikki’s place
"Pretty cool, getting an escort," Julian said
"I guess I’m tired, too, but… I want to knohat happened," Nikki said "We don’t have any answers about Andy"
"We will," Julian assured her "If there are answers to get, your buddy will get the--a real what, I’ht"
"This it?" Hurst pulled up in front of Nikki’s place
"Yes, Officer, thank you"
Nikki and Julian exited the police car The officers did the saet inside safely," Hurst said
"I could probably take it from here," Julian said
"Hey, ere told to see you inside safely," Hurst said
He fiddled with the latch to the gate
"I’ll get it," Nikki said, s
Both officers came into the yard and watched as Julian followed her toward her door Feeling definitely guarded, Nikki walked up to the porch, inserted her key in the lock and twisted it, then turned to wave to the officers and let them know her door was open
She never …toward her head
Then it struck
The pain was searing, white hot
She crashed to the ground, white hot gone to cold and ebony as the entire world faded away
Brent reached the station and hurried in The sergeant at the desk looked up and greeted hieant shook his head "Not yet Got the call, though I sent your friends on home"
"What?" Brent said sharply
"They called from the cemetery I could hear all the commotion He said I should send your friends hoht, probably"
"’Who called?" Brent demanded sharply
"Well, it was Massey Or Joulette" The man flushed "I couldn’t hear There were sirens, but it came in on police band Had to be one of theo?" Brent deeant looked flustered and defensive "I was told to They’re safe, don’t worry I gave them an escort A police escort"
"By known cops?" Brent deeant looked at him as if he were absolutely crazy "Of course they were known cops"
"Where are they now"
"I don’t know, but I’ll give the at hihtly uneasy when he didn’t get an answer "They’re probably watching the out the apartment I’ll try Hurst’s cell phone"
"Never mind," Brent said sharply "Send a car out"
"Hey--"
"Send a car!"
Brent turned and burst back out of the station He probably knocked over tourists, h the streets As he ran, he heard a siren; the desk sergeant had finally called for a car
He reached Nikki’s
A police cruiser was parked in front
He wrenched at the gate, threw it open and nearly tripped over one of the officers The man was clauy