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Toni entered the MacKay security office "Hi, Howard" Don’t think of him as a bear "Sorry, I’" Howard sat behind the desk, looking like his usual cheerful self "Not ht Far too friendly and easygoing Maybe a pink Cheer Bear She sat
beside hihnut box her way "Thanks" Toni hesitated with her hand halfway in the box There were plain doughnuts and bear claws She quickly grabbed a plain one and scanned thein the silver roouardroouy Though he would hardly notice a hard floor
"So I heard it got rough at the Horny Devils last night" Howard grabbed a bear claw frorisly" She winced and cra "Like a virgin," a fe Toni sat up and looked around
Howard chuckled "Your pants are singing" Toni jumped up and pulled the phone fro off Madonna’s claim that she’d been touched for the very first tih all the way to hell "Hello?"
"Menina, how are you?" "Carlos" Toni walked across the office "I swear I will have you declawed" He laughed "I see you like your new ringtone How is Sabrina?" "She’s still asleep" Toni glanced at the monitor "Are you able to talk freely?" "Sure I’m in the security office with Howard Bear--uh, Barr" She winced Howard chuckled and grabbed another bear claw "Menina, the police were just here in the apart for you and Bri They
knocked on all the neighbors’ doors to ask about you" Toni sed hard "So they think I’m involved in her disappearance?" "They suspect you They questioned rief, what about Teddy?"
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"Don’t worry I sent hi with some money and instructions to buy new clothes and a new hairstyle We’re supposed to ton Square at three"
"He’s fine, then?" Toni had worried that Teddy wasn’t quite ready for the real world "He’s very happy The police are looking for hiather the hospital takes pictures of all the patients when they’re admitted I acted very shocked and concerned, of course, about Bri’s disappearance"
"Good" Toni could just i show for the police
"They think Teddy and Sabrina ether" "Did they say anything about the nurse, Bradley?" Toni asked "No, I suspect the hospital wants to keep that little probleain Bri was still asleep "I asked her about her purse She thinks it’s
still at her uncle’s house" "Hmm" Carlos paused "I could drive over there and see if the ive it to me" "But ould still have the proble her back in the psych ward" "And proble Teddy this afternoon, and we’ll discuss
strategy" "Okay, sounds good" "I--I hope Bri can get over her fear ofup She also hoped Bri could get over her fear of five orphaned were-
panther children Those poor kids needed help They needed acceptance and love, so they wouldn’t grow up feeling like uard’s co" Howard stood and lumbered toward the door Toni noted the dayti a sold box Howard opened the door "Yes?" "This was delivered to the front gate For Toni Davis" "Thanks" Howard closed the door and offered the sift box to Toni She eyed it warily "Do they expect it I saw Ian order it online last night" "Really?" She grabbed the box and unraveled the golden ribbon Inside the box, on a bed of cotton, lay a beautiful, gold filigree heart She grinned With the filigree design, it was obvious there was nothing hidden within the heart It was pure
Wedged in the top of the box was a note My dearest Daytona,
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You’ve brought sunshine back into my life
Ian
She pressed the note to her chest as her heart constricted with emotion In that moment, she knew noas she followed her heart
When Ian awoke Thursday evening, he warned Dougal and Phineas to be extra vigilant Jedrek would be co to avenge his e defeat at the Horny Devils
While Phineas and Dougal us to give hius was still at Jean-Luc’s ho to return to Europe soon, they agreed to stay in New York for a few nights before teleporting east They would arrive before dawn
A quick check of the monitors in the security office showed him Toni’s location She was in the Romatech cafeteria with Sabrina, Carlos, and Teddy He studied thethe heart necklace he’d ordered That was a good sign She was laughing with Carlos and Teddy Sabrina was eating quietly, casting an occasional wary look at Carlos
According to Howard, Carlos, and Teddy had arrived an hour ago and filled out eation Carlos woulddown more of his own kind As for Teddy, Ian had different plans for him He stopped in Shanna’s office to pick up her folder, then he proceeded to the cafeteria
Toni’s pretty green eyes lit up when he approached Her hand olden heart on her chest "Thank you"
"Ye’re welcoreeted the others
Sabrina watched hi a kilt," she whispered to Toni
"He’s a medieval Scotsman," Toni whispered back
"Oh" Sabrina’s eyes widened
"We have some nachos left" Carlos motioned to a plate on the table "But I don’t suppose you’re interested"
"I already ate" Ian sat at the end of the table
"Anyone we know?" Carlos’s alared at Toni
Ian smiled for he’d heard the kick underneath the table "I mostly drink AB positive It’s my favorite flavor" When Toni’s cheeks turned a pretty pink, he inhaled deeply "Smells like heaven on you"