Page 31 (1/2)

Before I could answer, Butch barked twice I guessed he couldn’t read rin, Chance started the car We’d steamed up the s, so he turned on the defroster as we pulled out of the parking lot The wet pave sound beneath the tires

"It’s on the east side," I said "Are we sure this is the smartest course? They killed Lenny with Uzis or AKs or so"

"Why don’t I drop you off at Chuch’s place?"

"And then you’ll go by yourself? No thanks I’d suggest calling Saldana if we hadn’t already given him a mess to clean up today He’s pretty pissed, you know"

Chance nodded, offering a rather wicked s instead of hitting on you I didn’t reat, thanks"

"Don’t hway into town and followed East Del Mar to our address It was farther out in the country than either of us expected, but when I saw the private landing strip, a feeling of dread boiled up As if he sensed it, Butch whined and hid his head A barricade with a NO TRESPASSING sign blocked the drive, though we could move it manually If ere that duo in"

"No," I agreed "It’s private property And I guarantee they’re up to so out here"

"So we’re being sensible?"

"We have a dog to think about now, after all"

In answer, Chance backed the Mustang onto the road and reversed "We need a plan before we go buht as we drove, trying to pinpoint as bothering ain?"

"Good question Storing power for another frontal assault, like at the warehouse?"

"I don’t know And it bothers ht know soh Maybe a steep one"

"I’d be suspicious if it didn’t Where to?"

"San Antonio Butchpoked his head out of my purse and yapped once "You heard him--pull over a minute"

"Yes, dear" His arinned

After the Chihuahua did his business and had a drink, we got on the road The miles went fast, but I didn’t pinpoint why until ere alotten back on our old footing, easy and familiar Most of all, I still liked Chance It didn’t seeiven howpersonal until rapped all this up, one way or another

As we entered the city lie" Chance didn’t need further directions I guessed he knew Texas better than ht was on Main but I couldn’t remember the address, so we cruised a bit before I spotted it "There we go Pull over"

Since it was early afternoon, I doubted they’d be open, but I hoped one of the eh, we found the place locked, but I didn’t let that discourage ed on the door with both fists

Eventually a big guy with a white blond buzz cut calare at me He could be anywhere from thirty-five to sixty "Can’t you read, lady? We don’t open until four"

He started to slam the door in my face

"Wait! I need to locate Twila Or Jeannie" Maybe the ’tender would kno to find Twila "Please, can’t you help? It’s important"

"Are you a friend of Jeannie’s?" Suspicion laced his tone

"Not really I ht and introduced me around I met Twila and--"

"Oh" He opened the door and stepped back "So you’re gifted" He said it so casually that I stu inside "I’m Bucky, Jeannie’s husband Why don’t you come on in, pull up a stool, and tell me about the problee kids in here before we open"

I could see why the guy scared Saldana off even playful flirting His hands looked as big as frying pans and could probably kill a ifted too?" I couldn’t get used to referring to it with such nonchalance I’d spentto be normal

"Made, not born," he said, soate Project from 1979 to 1981 I’m a fully trained remote viewer"

"That’s clairvoyance?" Chance asked

I was glad I didn’t have to