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I did an internal cheer as I headed into the bathroothe finishing touches on ate and pressed the intercoht out," I announced and went to pull onpale blue jeans and a white polo shirt I’d left my best blazer in Rizzoli’s truck with a bunch ofbut unavoidable I have a couple of different backup jackets, but none that I like as well Still, since I didn’t have any business o with a deni loops for stakes and inside pockets that I used for spell disks and One-Shot brand holy water guns The backup holster that fit in the small of my back wasn’t quite as comfy as my usual, but it was adequate, as were rabbed my floppy hat, and went out to face the world

Daaiting in das Hu that had happened in the last few days, I was glad to see that she’d brought the tank, even though I knew she’d done it because Chris insisted I’m not short, but I had to use the little chroer side to clie

"Hi, Dawna"

"Celia" Dawna reached across the seat to give"I’ve been so worried about you Are you all right?" Her beautiful features were drawn and there were dark circles under her eyes More telling, she wasn’t wearing a bit of makeup and was dressed in plain white T-shirt and jeans We aloes out without

"I’reat But I’d definitely been through worse "How are you?"

"Been better," she admitted

"What’s up?"

"I don’t even knohere to start" She checked her mirrors, then pulled out of the driveway and onto the road "Your knives and ring are in the backseat I ran into Bruno at Starbucks He was going to bring them himself, but when he found out I was headed here he asked "

"Daet a chance to see him"

"Don’t be I’m not sure what’s up, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone that angry before He scared me"

I was shocked Bruno has always liked Dawna I couldn’t iHe was very quiet, very polite" She shuddered "It scared the shit out of me"

"Oh" I knew exactly what she --be utterly cordial and freaking terrifying at the same time Still, I felt like I should defend hiuys did to me--and who knohat kinds of spells they put onuy, and he comes froave me a wide-eyed look "You’re a brave woman"

"You know he’s not usually like that," I protested "And you’d better believe that Chris can be that way if he needs to"

She chewed lightly on one lip for ayou?"

"I need to rent another car I left the last one at a diner in Furnace Creek"

"I could drive you out to get it," she offered

"Nah" I smiled at her "Thanks, but we don’t have time We need to be local in case all hell breaks loose"

"Do you think it will?" she asked as she turned the corner and started down Oceanview

"God, I hope not But it’s better to be careful, just in case"

She switched lanes, passing an old wo well below the speed limit "That makes sense And there really is a lot to do First, before I forget, you need to sign some more checks I used the last one for the lease on the safe house Oh, and we natures policy When you’re out of reach, it would be really handy for n on my own Anyway, payday is tomorrow, and Bubba, Kevin, and Talia ant their money I need some, too--reimbursement for money I had to advance Kevin out of my personal account so they could set up at the safe house You know, groceries, that sort of thing And I’ve got to pay the preroup health, life, and disability It’s a special package that we qualify for It’s a little pricey but definitely worth it--especially if you’re not going to stay enrolled at the university"

Holy crap We qualified as a group I suddenly felt very grown up, very responsible, and utterly terrified I fought doave of panic that rivaled anything I felt while facing down bad guys and gave Daas probably a fairly sickly attempt at a smile "Fine Where’s the checkbook?"

"In the box with the knives"

"How’s Michelle?"

"According to Kevin, now that they’re out in theas hell Just the way he likes it, he said He is not at all sorry he ested you al fees"