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I began to wonder if the supposedly dead security cameras in the office and around the facilities were actually on

I did try to go see Clancy a few tiize, but he always sent ot the sense he was punishing me, but I wasn’t sure what I had said or done to warrant it In any case, it quickly became clear that I needed him in ing pride, made me feel even worse

It was a Wednesday, only an hour before Lia to discuss a new cay, before Clancy was finally ready to seehis hand at breakfast "I’ll just be a few minutes late"

But when I walked into Clancy’s office and saw the state of it, I wondered if I should have come at all

"Hey, come in--just watch your step Yeah, sorry about the mess"

Mess? Mess? His office looked like someone had detonated a boeable remains There were piles of paper everywhere, printouts, torn maps, boxes…and then there was Clancy hi the same rumpled white shirt I had seen the day before

In the weeks I had known hi less than iether he was I’m sure some of it had to do with the way he was raised That even if his father hadn’t taught him himself, some crotchety old nanny had waxed poetic on the value of tucking your shirt in, polishing your shoes, and coes

"Are you okay?" I asked, shutting the door behindto coordinate a hit for med supplies" Clancy settled down into his chair but was back on his feet aon just a sec"

I toed one of the paper piles on the floor, trying to peek at ritten on it

"Those are reports of the usual nightly activity at a nearby truck stop," Clancy said, as if reading ue intelligence about PSFs in that area It seeovernment to protect their shiped "They’re the largest overnanized"

"I guess thatsymbol on the laptop lid reminded me of Chubs "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Only if you let ize first"

I sat down and studied et it ever happened?"

"No, not this time," he said "Hey, will you look at me?"

The expression on his face alone erous how handsome he was, but today his pained look was absolutely lethal

He does care, a little voice ins I said about your friend Suzume, and I definitely didn’t "