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“You know she was gone before the shit hit the fan, right?”

Prax shook his head He wasn’t about to let reality forgive hiot some money And I was stupid It was her last chance, and I was stupid about it”

“Yeah, well You’re new at this, Doc”

“She should have had a better dad She deserved a better dad Was such a good … she was such a good girl”

For the first tiripping hi Prax’s spine until it was straight Amos’ eyes were more than bloodshot, white sclera ent, the platonic ideal of a sailor on a shore leave bender But his voice was sober and steady

“She’s got a fine daddy, Doc You give a shit, and that’s more than a lot of people ever do”

Prax sed He was tired He was tired of being strong, of being hopeful and deter for the worst He didn’t want to be himself anymore He didn’t want to be anyone at all A away into darkness All he wanted was to be let go

“She’s gone,” Prax said It felt like a good excuse An explanation “They took her away froet her back, and I don’t understand”

“It ain’t over yet”

Prax nodded, not because he was actually comforted, but because this was the oing to find her”

“You’re wrong”

The door chimed and slid open Holden stepped in Prax couldn’t see at first as different about hied … was uned Prax had the uncanny h a lecture on ht?”

“Little bumpy,” Amos said Prax saw his own confusion mirrored in Amos’ face They were both aware of the transforet laid or soood on you if you did,” Aet laid,” Holden said hesitantly The sot fired”

“Just you got fired, or all of us?”

“All of us”

“Huh,” Aht”

“I need to talk to Nao connections from me Do you think you could track her down?”

Discomfort pursed A to pick a fight,” Holden said “We just didn’t leave it in the right place And it’sout down in that one bar Sam told us about last time The Blauwe Blome But you make a dick of yourself and I’m not the one that told you”

“Not a problem,” Holden said “Thanks”