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/> I let out a breath as I kept walking I looked out at the miles and miles of Cody’s completely empty, tan-colored land The reddish , ere safe here Being in the middle of nowhere had its benefits

“Mike? Hello? Are you still with me?”

“What about my family, Euys I go traipsing out hither and yon, looking for this bastard, who’s going to watchto them if I’m not here I won’t do it”

“Please, Mike Perrine is outgunning us, outthinking us Screw the bureau I need your help Can’t you come down and just talk with our people, at least for the sake of ive a pep talk, and I’ll have theone two days I promise”

I let her hang for a few seconds

“I’ll call you back,” I said, and hung up

CHAPTER 28

“OK, FAMILY MEETING!” I yelled when I finally made the last country mile back to the farmhouse “Listen up, people I need to talk to you”

I poked uys already arrayed around the kitchen table They were all staring at , except it wasn’t my birthday What was this?

“Oh, there you are What’s this? A second breakfast?”

“No,” Sea for you to tell us what’s about to happen next, Detective You don’t think we can tell when so on your little nature walk that you want to share?”

“Yeah, where to now, Dad?” Juliana asked “Alaska?”

“Kazakhstan, probably,” Jane said

“Yeah, Dad,” Eddie said “Do we need to brush up on our Mongolian now?”

“Hold up, wise guys, would you please?” I said “Where’s Mary Catherine?”