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Em tried not to smile, but dahteenth-Century England, which she’d had to take her junior year (She’d gotten a B– She was fairly sure she’d be getting an A in Crisis Negotiations) Jaotiator with the state police in Buffalo, was filled with stories, curses and good advice "Em, what’s your response to Crazy-Pants here?"

"Stole your Twinkies, huh? That’s not good," she said "I love the theht?"

"She’s establishing e a bond between herself and the hostage taker Keep it up, Neal!"

"You know, I can get you so them inside and we can talk"

"I can’t risk that," Shirley said "There are zombies everywhere" The rest of the class snorted

"That’s okay," Eo without Twinkies"

"Fantastic, kids," Jaood job, everyone! Your hoh six and deal with your in-laithout losing your cool Think you can handle that?"

"If ever there was a tirid, a cop from Ithaca

Jareat in this class," she said "You ever think about working for us?"

"I’ve only been a cop for nine months," she said

"So? Think about it," she said "There’d be more chances to climb the ladder than in your depart anywhere

The state police handled the big stuff for a town like Manningsport--if there was an actual hostage situation, for example, it’d be the job of the local police force to keep everyone calot there and took over Hos, bank robberies--not that they were co kids

It was a thought She wouldn’t leave the Manningsport Police Department anytime soon, but maybe soot a request from Everett to pick up donuts Before the station had ht on the town green, spitting distance from Lorelei’s Sunrise Bakery Everett had dropped ten pounds since the summer and much nant belly "Hey, Faith," E?"

"It was great I, uh, I owe your brother so out presents, don’t forget me," Faith said with a sood date?"

"Very good" So, so good Theher, made her left knee buckle But then it was Faith’s turn at the counter, and so Emmaline was spared further conversation

Didn’t stop the thoughts froh

"WIPE YOUR FEET," Carol Robinson ordered Jack as he walked into the police station She looked up "Oh, it’s you, Jack How are you, sweetheart? Still feeling famous? How’s the Deiner boy?"

"Hey, Mrs Robinson," Jack said He’d gone to school with one of her sons and had fond memories of her chocolate chip cookies "You look beautiful in that color"

Carol beaotten "Call le, Jack? Oh, wait, I forgot You got divorced Do you want to ed fro," he said to her "Come on in, Jack"

Levi’s office was tidy and bureaucratic-looking, except for rather a lot of pictures of Faith And an ultrasound of the mini Cooper "How’sto the guy who slept with her Curse of the brother

"She’s good Another feeeks to go"

"You nervous?"

"Terrified" Levi suys as born to be a fa about Josh?"

Levi’s gaze dropped to his desk, then went back to Jack "No change I check in with his parents every night"

"That’s good of you"

"Sorry to hear about the lawsuit against you"

Jack shrugged "I understand" Couldn’t blame them, either You left him for last The one who needed you most

"So what can I do for you?" Levi asked

"I’m here to see Emmaline, actually Is she around?"

Levi started to answer, then stopped His eyes narrowed "Did you sleep with her?"

Guess he was a cop for good reason Jack didn’t answer

"Be careful," Levi said "She’s like a sister to ave a begrudging nod "Point taken Em should be here soon She was at a class in Penn Yan and has a thing tonight with her at-risk kids, but she said she’d stop by"

"That’s what I wanted to talk to her about The kids Heard they need a chemistry tutor"

At that moment, Emmaline came in, tossed a box of donuts on Everett’s desk and said soh Jack Eun, a radio and a few other things on her belt Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her cheeks were pink fro

Until she saw him, that was, and the smile dropped "Hey, Chief"

"Deputy," Levi said "Hoas the class?"

"It was fantastic I get to taze someone next week"

"You and that Taser Enjoy"

"I will" Her eyes flickered to him "Jack How are you?"

He stood up "I’m fine I’m here to see you, actually"