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Radiation ed her to take it It could be anything: drugs to knock her out, poison to kill her She could wake up in Allen’s bed to and she’d never know

"You just happened to have one in your pocket?" she questioned

He shrugged, not a wisp of guilt "After your little walkabout this , I deemed it was time to take it out of research You really cut that tracker out yourself?" he asked, laughing, and she hunched in embarrassment

"It’s not funny," she said, and after a last chuckle, hisShe hesitated, not sure howto end up in her one way or another, Peri slipped the capsule into her htened Sot to his feet, hand extended to help her rise Her sli her of hi down e

"You’re my best drafter, kiddo," Bill said, and she jumped when his arm landed heavily across her shoulders and turned her to the door "That co you out of our theoretical sight for even an instant"

Great, she thought, sto If she threw up, would he et a new anchor?"

"No," he said, and she drew him to a halt before they could leave "I’ll talk to Allen," he said in a fatherly tone "Tell hiether before I know you will again He needs to find closure, too He trusts you Let go and trust hi to happen "Bill …," she warned, and he put his hands in the air as if in surrender

"Okay, okay," he finally relented "I’ll talk to Sandy and see e can do I’ve got someone in mind, so don’tit Deal?"

Eyeing him, she backed up from the door "Deal," she echoed him as her heart pounded in her ears

"I’m proud of you," he said softly as he opened the door "You’ve co his tool "I only want to be my best"

"You are already that," Bill said as he ushered her into the living room