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"It only lasts a day or two at rinned "You’re looking very well, by the way I have no idea why there’s a big uproar about your safety, since no one’s bloody told , but don’t worry your little head about security Tyler arrived in the wee hours of thisbut the very best protection for you We willyou" If Danny hadn’t figured it out froone unnoticed after all He knew me and my voice

"Thanks, Danny I appreciate that I hope the whole thing will be short-lived and we can go back to noret any eous face Best for us to keep vigilant so we have a lot visits ongoing This will likely be the highlight ofday"

I chuckled "How is it possible you never change, Danny Walker? At least you didn’t co with your buhed "I haven’t been eating biscuits, but that does sound darabbed on to my door handle "I hate to break up our reunion, but we should end this illicit ood to see you, Danny I mean that Thanks for the backup I appreciate it"

"It’s er salute "Hope our paths cross again soon" He turned and left like the professional he was But not before he snuck a glance over his shoulder to check outas I slaave a deep, disgruntled gruht and I needed coffee, but it would have to wait I was already late My s wasn’t far fron, and I made it in under five minutes

I pulled into the side lot, closest to the door The low concrete complex hosted a variety of other businesses--dental, insurance, and chiropractic Very unnoticeable Our offices were on the main floor

I swung open the opaque glass door,"Hannon & Michaels Investigations," and walked in

Marcy pushed back her chair and stood "Well, well, well, look who the cat finally dragged in" Sheclock on the wall

"I know, I’ht I need a new charger; my old one is one of the many casualties of my ransacked apartment No alarm But I bet you knew that already How many times did you try to call?"

"Contrary to what you think, O blessed taskht it best to let you sleep I’ roles include--but are not lial pal, the beautiful chirpy sidekick, and your brilliant bookie And I can be all those things because I’ifted" Marcy walked around to the front of her desk

"I haven’t gambled a day in ht you were all work and no play"

"Nope, that, irl" She wrapped her arms around th, her bony fingertips digging into my shoulders "And if you ever scare ain I will quit this job I swear Forever" She shook rasp and headed back around her desk

"Marcy," I chided "Your deep concern about ly inside"

"I don’t care It just see people isn’t funny I al ain" She sat down and pulled her chic glasses out of her rich red curls--hair I could only dream about--and drew a sheet of paper off the stack in front of her, back to the day’s agenda "You have so case The one you finished last week The warlock wants soh the details "Oh, yes, and the new potential client, the one I talked to you about yesterday, his name is Colin Rourke Sounds like a solid case, plus he sounded totally cute" She shuffled through a stack of notes ht you and Nick are slated for another Drake surveillance run While you were gone, Nick hired Gary to watch hi on your desk Oh, and Nick wanted ets her ass out of bed tell her I will be out of the office all day trying to figure out that raffiti,’ end quote" She handed oddess like no other" I grabbed the notes and quickly flipped though them "This looks like it will keep , because I’ outside for you"

I started for my office "Oh, and by the way" I turned "I need an enormous amount of food delivered here as soon as possible--and I ers, fries, shakes, Chinese, whatever And while you’re at it, let’s relocate the coffeepot closer to my desk Like on top of it"