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"Just bad luck," I agreed, then added, "Are you even supposed to park here?"

We were in the faculty lot and Ened spot, which was occupied by a big black SUV "Nor it, and I needed to borrow his Suburban I figured since you were coet you to helpmirror I don’t really trust the thwooden frame, both aard and heavy She didn’t need to worry about breaking it, though It had been spelled until it was prettySo the problem wasn’t with the mirror; it was huical artifact and thus valuable as hell People have killed for that sort of thing and many more would be happy to steal it Emma had inherited the mirror from Vicki because she had been the only other person in our circle with clairvoyant abilities Emma’s not that powerful, a level four I think, but themore control and better results, which is, in effect, the sa up a level or two

"Do you ood" Emma smiled, pointed the little black keyless re ensued, as did the popping of the door locks She gestured to the passenger side "Get in before you start burning"

I waited until she’dspace before I brought up Jan Mortensen "What’s with hiroaned, then answered "Jan Mortensen is very talented and is a complete and total ass I don’t have any proof, but I’rad students"

"E" I gave a lohistle While not unheard of, that was coht Which apparently he hadn’t … yet Since Eal, and her father’s one of the program administrators, I could understand why she was upset about it "It’s one thing not to believe all the stories about me But he actually seeht He’s practically irrational on the subject He and Bruno don’t get along well because of it"

I alize, which was just silly Mortensen’s attitude probleuy before today

We chatted ahtAdriana’s ht with John Creede

E ht and our escape through the tunnels "You know," she said, "I aluy"

"Excuse me?" I stared across the seat at her, eyes wide

"I ured you wanted hi in to rescue the damsel in distress--when in fact, you only wanted an efficient subcontractor with excellent equipaht? Seriously? So not"A lot of other wo for the rescue Probably more than one had done just that Set up a situation where only he could fix the problehed, then continued, "But anyway, I can see how he got his signals crossed and wound up grururu hiet to safety?"

Well, that was true enough We rode in silence for a fewa large team"

"Well, duh Of course you are Nobody said you weren’t"

I didn’t answer She’s a bright girl She connected the dots and turned to me with shock clear on her face "Tell me he didn’t! That bastard" Emma’s face flushed and her eyes blazed If John Creede had been here now, she’d have given hi, though" I started reciting the facts "Glinda offered et me out of town, not because I was qualified The company kept the offer on the table because nobody else would take the job--including Miller & Creede In fact, there’s a good chance MagnaChe Creede into this It’s not like our relationship’s exactly been a secret"

E driveway "Okay, I can buy that" She cast a glance htful, alhter: cold, logical, and brilliant "But let’s look at this logically You got everyone out, right?"

"Yes" It had been daed it

"Even after you fired his ass and had no replacements?"

"Yes"