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"Is not here," he finishes

"I know she is"

"No, you don’t"

"I’ot not to grab him by the throat and squeeze the answers out "Are you FBI? Are you with the Marshalls? Your depart her safe" My cheek twitches "Bang-up job they’re doing, Skippy"

"I have no inforo Now"

"Is she alive?" My voice sounds like a captive who’s been tortured for intel, and is finally broken "Just give me that, for fuck’s sake"

I don’t care about the rest--her hair, her face, her ars--they don’tas she’s still breathing As long as she’s still her

Stone-face gives iven to i that there is an active case, but if there was--you are no one’s i you to leave again"

I et in his face, but Sofia’s hand onto help Let’s go"

I let her pull ainstdamn it!"

Was this what it was like for my parents after my accident? While they waited for the doctor to come out to tell them if I’d made it?

It’s like there’s a hot poker under s,me alive slowly, from the inside

I dropback in to talk to that agent I’ll et arrested Not the way to go, rind my jaw so hard the sound echoes in my eardrums

Jake puts his hand on"Brent, pull it together You have resources: take a breath and call them"

I’ve always hated assholes who use their money and connections to exert undue influence--and believe me, I’ve known a lot of therateful for my last name Because it opens doors

I take my phone out and dial "Dad? I need your help Do we know anyone in the US Marshal’s Service?"

When he replies, o up "The director, huh? That’s convenient Can you call him for me?"

• • •

Tenroom "Brent Mason"