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They questioned therasped Michael’s, and on certain questions, squeezed it to al point Their answers had been quick and concise

No, they had no idea where Annie could be

No, they hadn’t seen her, not since her birthday party

No, neither of theht they were both here, all evening Both of them can attest to that

Yes, they will stay in the area and be available for future questions

No, they can’t iine ould want to hurt poor Annie

No, they only own one cohly, then asked to view their computer Becky led them to the study, and to the ancient PC that sat there They stated that they would need to take it with the a receipt that they provided, saying nothing to them about the laptop that she knew Michael to possess After that, the police left, and they returned to their cold meal

It was aheavy plates, ice cubes settling into tea Only a single sentence was uttered

"I don’t knohat you’ve done, Michael, but you are staying here tonight All night"

CHAPTER 40

Knife: Check I push allit, I pull out the sole ite the button on its front snaps out a long, thin, ridiculously sharp blade I had bought it in a moment of weakness Or rather, four hours of weakness in which I had meticulously researched different knives and switchblades, looking for thetool My fantasies mostly center on death by blade Knives result inby the victiht places and avoidto restrict myself on this mission I stuff the knife in randparents’ house, a pawnshop was one of my first stops I applied for a permit, and noned a Smith & Wesson Model 36 I carryback ‘til I feel the space between the wall and the appliance My fingers brush the edge of duct tape, gritty and peeling at the edges I reach farther, gripping the cloth bag that the tape holds to the fridge Yanking on the cloth, I rip the duct tape off, and pull the bag over the edge, cradling it to ot this gun, Iit a full tiht of it inthe mechanisun in over two years It is a bittersweet reunion

Car: No check I need a vehicle I log online, trying to find the closest rental company Enterprise’s site indicates that they will pick me up, so I call them first It is almost five o’clock The rep that answers the phone says that they won’t be able to getup taxi companies

A knock sounds on the door--two quick raps