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She stopped a few inches away fro I could also see her body was actually quivering, with nerves, anger, or some other e the fact I’nizable, ith the &uuht the new ’do and Goth-style clothing ht confuse the issue a little, but apparently not "Yes Can I help you?"

She pulled out the chair and sat doithout an invitation Barbara gave me a quizzical look froed I didn’t knoho uest was, but she didn’t seem the type to start trouble

"My mother met with you the other day I want to knohy"

Ah This had to be Michelle Andrews I shouldn’t have been surprised to see her after my conversation with Dawna, but I’d hoped to have a bit of tiure out what the hell I intended to do before I actually had to speak with the woman I kept my expression cal nearly as badly as she was La Cocina is very public, and I’ the place …

When I spoke, I htly bored Which I wasn’t At all I was pretty ram Guy had made his point, loud and clear I decided to play du useful "Really? Why don’t you ask your mother?"

"MyWhen she didn’t, I went to the police station They told me she’d been abducted

"They found a body they think is hers They even asked me for the name of her dentist so that they can check dental records" Tears trailed gracefully down her perfect cheeks Her voice quavered

"I can’t believe it It can’t be" She hid her face in her hands, her body jerking with the sobs she couldn’t hold back any longer It took her several ain her composure All the while, the restaurant’s customers either stared openly or tried desperately to pretend nothing rong

Michelle dropped her hands onto the table and pleaded with me "Please Please You have to helpThey s they did say didn’tthateveryone in the book frouard?" It was neither an admission nor a denial

"I ested I speak with you Please You have to tell me Why did my mother want protection? What was she afraid of?"

I closed ail had been alive, I couldn’t have said anything due to ethical considerations But damn it, she’d wanted to hire so across froer and she didn’t have a freaking clue

God, I wanted that drink

As if on cue, Barbara calasses, the soodness I swear I wanted to kiss her I took the le pull as she set the little paper napkins on the table, followed by the water glasses Then I took polite sips of the smoothie--I didn’t want Michelle to think I was a barbarian

Barbara gave h to disappear beneath her bangs But she didn’t say anything to , lass, then picked up her napkin and wiped her eyes and nose Speaking in a voice that was soft and a little hoarse, she asked for the special of the day and a Coke

Barbaraarita kicked in

Michelle Andrews sat there, waiting silently for me to make up my mind about what to do with her She didn’t seeenerally upset Still, if I was going to speak with her for more than a few minutes, I’d better check toan anti-siren charave it toto meet with you"

"You spoke with John personally?"

She nodded "He was very … kind"

Yeah, he was that kind of guy It was one of thedrink of athered ht, Michelle," I went ahead and used her name She hadn’t introduced herself, but in her state I don’t think she’d realized it I said, forcing"Your mother didn’t couard her daughter" It was a stretch to say what I did next, but it was so "I wonder if it had so to do with your adoption, with your birth parents?"