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"Yes, that’s h to him once already Let me tell you he wasn’t happy about it, either"

"You did, and I appreciate it And you’re right, he wasn’t interested in talking tosound "That doesn’t surprise ," Beth ventured carefully, "would it be possible, would youMr Hamlin?"

Her request was received with an eerie silence until Beth was convinced the line had been disconnected "Hello?"

"I’et me fired?" the woman asked incredulously

"No, never--"

"Is this a setup?" she demanded next

"No, I swear" This wasn’t going well, and Beth instantly regretted asking the favor

"These young girls the fir the phone these days aren’t worth near what I aot it out for me"

"I’m sorry," Beth said "I didn’tis because I know soo Someone he loved and who loved hi her voice

"Nearly thirty years ago"

"And you know this person how?" she demanded

"I’m her niece," Beth supplied

After a short hesitation, Sondra whispered into the phone "I can’t talk here Too many ears, if you knohat I mean Give "

Excited now, Beth quickly relayed the phone number "There’s a two hour tio and I’m not out of school until three-thirty, so please don’t phone until after six your time"

Her words were met with a short hesitation "Just how old are you, child? You still in school?"

"I’?"

"No, not at all"

Her voice dipped again "You do realize this could get me fired"

Beth’s hopes did a tumble "If you’d rather not, I understand and I won’t bla cautious"

"My husband would have disapproved, but he’s been gone three years so I do what I want these days That’s one of the co a "

"You’d risk your job to talk to onna tell anyone it was me?"

"No" And she wouldn’t Beth fully intended to keep her pro to accept full responsibility for whatever fallout came from their conversation

"Then I’ll talk Mr Hamlin needs help and if this person … your aunt, can take that gruff edge off him, then it will be worth the risk"

"Thank you," Beth whispered in gratitude

"Don’t thank me yet"

Beth kept her phone within easy reach as soon as she walked out of the school building When it rang, Beth jumped with the anticipation of it

"Hello," she said excitedly, seeing that the area code was froo "This is Beth"