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I was relieved that when Abby had figured out I’d been drafted into the FBI for e and had lied to her about it, she’d helpedthe Carlisi case closer to a conclusion instead of leaving me I was able to hand over years of bank account stateathered by hacking into her father’s e Carlisi ht that woulda hundredto close the case Now that Benny was dead and they were hell-bent on vengeance, ere all racing against the clock

Abby sainst the couch cushions Her hair was shorter than it was in college Her cararazed her shoulders She coers, but they fell right back into her eye Abby would turn thirty in September As wise as she was at nineteen, she was nearly clairvoyant noas sure that only erous, but she was on entle curves filled her ht tank top, and I chuckled thinking about how ed her to have another baby--shah to carry our sons and daughter

"What?" she said, catching row up? If ithow sexy my as, I hoped not

I cleared my throat "I’d like to meet Liis at the airport, but"--I looked atsoon to pick up the kids"

"You should go" She sighed, struggling to lift her chest to get a full breath

"No," I said, shaking et the kids from school," she said "Wren is here He can drive us if you’re nervous"

I frowned "This needs to be over"

"And it will be," Abby said, standing She walked over tothehtly to nuzzle her head under ainst my chest, but even her sweet touch couldn’t cheer me up We both knew the end of one case only meant the start of another Abby was responsible for the break in her father’s case Mick Abernathy was a washed-up gaasfor the Bureau and only wanted to help end a case that keptover information that would put her father and the underboss away, she was asked to be an occasional consultant for the FBI They were still waiting for her answer, and so was I

Her tip had allowed al e with the Bureau If Abby took the consultant job, she would be able to stay at hoood life here

"Dad is excited," Abby said, "to see Stella"

"It never gets old, I guess Noout, there’s nothing like holdin’ a grandbaby for the first tihter-in-laho do the spitting"

I kissed her on the forehead "Touché"