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"Of course Sorry we didn’t tell you sooner, but I never hborhood"

"Why was she worried about the neighborhood?"

"We had soot a neighbor down in the cul-de-sac He’s what you ht call a bike enthusiast Every da to sleep in, he starts riding his bike up and down the street Teeks ago I saw hi on the curb Someone had crushed his bike and all of his cars I saas left--it looked like someone stepped on them"

You don’t say "When was this?"

"Last Monday But the worst thing was last Thursday We decorated for Shift Day There are a lot of kids on our street"

Shift Day was a new holiday, born froo On the anniversary of it, people put out decorations: streamers made with ribbons, crosses, crescents, the Star of David They lit blue lights and little kids went up and down the street knocking on doors and handing out little chare for cookies and candy It was a way to celebrate life on the anniversary of the day when one-twelfth of the Earth’s population died

"We had all the decorations out, the ribbons, the wireThe whole subdivision was decorated Then overnight everything disappeared" Mr Oswald cleared his throat "All of it gone in the entire neighborhood, like it was never there I talked to Arnie across the street and he says he was coht He drove past the decorations, pulled into the garage, and then rerab the mail, so he walked back out We are serious about the decorations at our house We’d wrapped our tree in ribbons It took the kids a good hour Arnie e, but when he caone on the entire street What kind of ic can ic that turned a noriant Last Thursday was February 24 Eduardo disappeared on Monday, February 28 "Mr Oswald, could you think back for me When did you talk to the o," he said

"Was it before or after that Thursday?"

He frowned "It had to be before I left on Friday, so it must’ve beenIt was Wednesday I remember it was Wednesday, because I took the trash to the curb"

"And you don’t knoho ht be behind this?" I asked

"No idea But I hope you find the bastard Well, I better get going"