Page 49 (1/2)

“We’re all in a cage, anyway,” Lazlo gave a derisive look around

“It doesn’tor what?” Harlow asked She had walked a few feet away from us, and she waited impatiently

“Come on” Lazlo took my hand in his, and I let hie, and when I looked back at her, she’d flattened her ears and looked confused We walked around a trailer, out of her sight, and she roared sadly once

A giant green canvas tent served as the mess hall At least four or five hundred people were seated at picnic tables or waiting in line for a long buffet of food I hadn’t been around this

Lazlo saw hts reaction and squeezed my hand Harlow adjusted to the situation better than I did and had already grabbed a thin metal tray from the end of the buffet Lazlo and I stood behind her in line

I let go of his hand and got a tray Most of our choices were of the vegetable variety, but that was fine bythe way zoone way down I got a few tomato slices, cooked carrots, and some kind of weird freeze dried rice, and then went to find a seat at table

I ate without sayingacross fro the way She pointed at the little boy who had been so awed by my relationship with Ripley, and he hurried over to sit by us He tried talking to me, and when I only muttered responses, Lazlo h the tent Pvt Tatum and a few of his friends walked in, and people inificant The real rock stars here were the soldiers, as it should be

“I’ll be right back” I got up and pushed ave me a confused look but didn’t follohen I walked over to Tatu around the, and his expression varied between bemused and annoyed On the positive side, he parted a few people so it’d be easier forwell,” he s it off as politely as I could “Did you hear anything about ht now” Tatuestured to his apparel He had dressed down to a green tee shirt and tan pants With his helone, his eyes weren’t hidden in the shadows, and I could see so et”

“I know, and I appreciate that, but I’ you track hi if you know if he’s here or where he onna coh his crew-cut blond hair “Corabbed h to really hurt, and pulled me away

My mouth felt dry, and my heart pounded so fast, it hurt My feet didn’t really seeI looked over otten up froesture to protectout here and preventing Tatu Whatever he wanted to say, he wanted to do it in private, because even his ar oing on?”

“I have confirmation,” Tatum said hesitantly “Your brother’s here But you can’t see him”

– 18 –