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"What was in the hat?" I’ that hat? Why was it torn apart when I found it? What was in the hat, Palakon?"

"Mr Ward, Victor, I pro I’ll explain," Palakon says "But we simply don’t have ti "You have s to do? Ion and-"

"We have other photos to show you," Palakon interrupts, handing three glossy 8 x 10s toon a foamy shore Yards and yards of wet sand The sea rests behind thes above the couple Because of their hair you can tell it’s windy He’s sipping a drink fro fro a swan Bobby Hughes stands behind her, s (also ihes is kneeling behind the girl, helping her pick a tulip

The girl in all three photos is Lauren Hynde

I start weeping again

"That’s Lauren Hynde"

A long pause, and then I hear someone ask, "When did you last have contact with Lauren Hynde, Victor?"

I keep weeping, unable to hold it to ether

"Victor?" Palakon asks

"What is she doing with him?" I sob

"Victor met her while they were students at Caues, an explanation that doesn’t acco, but I nod silently to myself, unable to look up

"And after that?" someone asks "When did you last have contact with Lauren Hynde?"

Still weeping, I e, "I met her last month in Manhattan at a Tower Records"

Russell’s cell phone rings, jarring all of us

"Okay," I hear hi off he io," Russell says "It’s time"

"Mr Johnson, we’ll be in touch," Delta says

I’ ," Crater says, not at all sincerely

"Here" Ignoring Crater, I hand Palakon the printout of the WINGS file "This is so I found in the computer in the house I don’t knohat it means"