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Peri’s stomach caved in and became a knot Oh God She’d lost three entire years Someone had tried to kill her and apparently succeeded That’d be the only reason she’d lost soaway, she held her breath "I’m sorry, I don’t remember you" Three years? How could I lose three years?

"Oh …," thewhen he touched her again She was angry, as if she’d done so unconscionably stupid "I’ aith a guilty slowness

Taking a deep breath, Peri met Allen’s eyes She didn’t know thisstupid Besides, she’d lost tio home?" she said, and Allen looked so relieved that she couldn’t help but try to smile back

Her hand in his felt okay as he helped her off the stool She ht not remember him, but he clearly knew her "You have this?" he asked Frank

"Yes You?" the big lancing at her feet again to lass Her continued frightened silence behind the bar was odd

Allen took Peri’s coat froot the keys, right?" he asked as he helped her into it

Peri touched her coat pocket to find a fob "Looks like it," she said, doubting it belonged to the little Beemer she remembered Her taste in clothes had i she liked Allen pulled a gray scarf fro, and she paused, more curious than shocked at the blood on the door With a srunt, Frank hustled over and unlocked it, accidentally kicking the floor sweeper into the wall, where it gave a pained whine and died

"After you," Allen said as he wound his scarf about his neck The cool night air shocked through her as the door opened, and Peri took one last look at Sandy standing stiffly behind the bar There was a strand of black hair caught in Peri’s fingers, and she pulled it free to let it drift to the cold pave frorew

"Ah, Allen?" Frank said "I suggest you get Peri checked out before you go home I’ll let Bill knohere you are"

"I’m fine," Peri protested, but Allen seehts

"M the side of his long nose as he scanned the nearly e"

"It will take all night," she co her forward, his hand fa there, but she didn’t like being pushed "I haven’t changed my apartment in the last three years, have I?"