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That hen I knehat I had to do Actually, I’d known the night before It had just taken , and headed out into the cold, gray day, taking the subway don to the office Sam was in his usual spot at the front door "Hey, doll," he said in greeting "I didn’t expect to see you here today"

"I just want to wrap up a few things," I told hi desperately that I didn’t run into anyone else I knew along the way I kneould be far too easy to be blown off course To do this, I’d have to focus on my resolve, and I couldn’t do that if I had to face anyone I really cared about

"You’re right on time," Trix said to ht in" Merlin’s office doors opened forthe threshold

"Good , Miss Chandler," Merlin said when he saw ?"

"I’ic pretty well, and they don’t seees about what I did under Ari’s influence"

"I’estured me toward a chair, and then sat in the chair next to me "I believe you handled the situation ad find the solution You even helped salvage the operation by capturing our prisoner"

"I was highlyto let theo"

His expression darkened "Yes, that is a concern He cares for you, and that can be dangerous under these circureater good I’m also worried about his loss of control That isn’t like him, from what I’ve seen"

It was exactly what I’d been thinking, but I didn’t like hearing it confirmed I had to take a couple of deep breaths before I could bring ht be in the way Whatever I bring to the table in terhed by the fact that the bad guys no that Oill choose to saveto stop theet rid of the tremor that had taken overin"Maybe I should take ht be the best option," he replied soht in my throat I hadn’t really wanted him to take me up on the offer I’d hoped he’d say it wasn’t necessary, that he had a plan for dealing with the situation, and then I could stay, guilt-free He wasn’t supposed to agree with ed

"I’m primarily concerned for your safety Mr Palmer can take care of himself, and I have full confidence that he will eventually prevail But now that our enemies can be sure where you stand in his priorities, that et in the future"

"Okay, then I guess I could go back to Texas for a while, at least until things settle down here My parents will be glad to see s will ever truly settle down Not around here I do hate to see you go, for I’ve found your input quite valuable, but you’re right, it would be best for you to be away Kiet by without you" And there she’d done it She had e ardless of the consequences

But this was for the greater good, I reminded myself It wasn’t about how valuable I was It was about beating the bad guys, once and for all Maybe when that happened, I could coet from Texas to New York once before, when I hadn’t knohat I’d be facing in the city, and with nothing to draw e roo here--well, other than the various ti the bad guys, and all that Uh, do I need to hand in a fornation?"

"That won’t be necessary" He stood and gave lad he left it at that, without any long good-bye speech I wouldn’t have been able to hold off the tears ood idea to cry in front of your boss--or ex-boss Lucky for me, Trix was on the phone when I left, so I just waved at her as I passed I could send her an e-mail later, I knew