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"Which is e aren’t going to the police," Royce said "They won’t be ive anyone else the idea of lashing out at you"

"Maybe this was to confuse us," Luke said "To give us a lot of suspects"

"I’ve never questioned why I do what I do," Lauren said "Not until no I don’t knohat I’hed without hu criminals behind bars? Stalked and threatened and twisted in knots? What if I had kids or siblings or a husband? I’d be terrified they’d be in danger Maybe ht Maybe this is fool’s work"

Royce squatted down beside her "You’re one of the brave and caring people who try tofoolish about that"

Luke cleared his throat "I’ll leave you two alone"

Lauren looked at hi, Luke I ave her a bow "My pleasure And for the record, I’ive into the monsters or they’ll take over"

"Oh, God Julie What if he targets Julie?"

"I already thought of that," Luke said "I have her being watched"

Lauren sighed "Oh, thank you, Luke"

He gave her a salute and headed out of the kitchen

"I’ to eat," Royce said "Then you’re going to take a pain pill and sleep"

"I’ry"

"You need to eat a little so" He kissed the tip of her nose The phone on the wall rang and he smiled "Some of us still use our house phones"

"I plan to ripto answer it?"