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"My initial thoughts," he says, pausing as if in thought, before continuing with, "This could be a wounded-princess routine ht she’d have made sure you saw it before now, if that were the case"

"It’s not been all that long ago that wethat she didn’t have a long ga, but it’s doubtful at this point"

"Why?"

"I still think she would have made sure you saw this apartment, if it was part of a setup But that said, this doesn’t mean she told the truth on the phone, either"

"She’s telling the truth," I say, no hesitation in ht have been desperate, on the run, and in need of money and/or her new identity Therefore, she was ripe for the picking for your faainst you"

"Her brother set up her identity"

"She says," he argues "Think about it, Shane Who knohat sheout the truth, especially if she was threatened Or rets her choices and just doesn’t want you to knohat they were Maybe she was promised money she desperately needs, and she loses the h," I snap "I’m quite clear on the possibilities behind her actions but I’ve looked into her eyes, and you have not Not like I have She is running scared, but not fro but facts, I cut off the conversation "Let’s search the apartet back on the streets" I cross the rooalone, and now on the run, is cuttingly clear

I yank open the middle drawer, and stare down at the velvet box inside the otherwise e down at the delicate chain of a bracelet, E in my mind: It’s all I have left of her

"Shane"

I shut the box and slip it insideSeth

"We located her"

A mix of relief and dread washes over me that I don’t analyze or express "Where?"