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She wondered idly where she was, but so told her not to worry so much She kept her eyes closed as she listened to the deep, war ain

Lillian opened her eyes when she realized so young Hispanic woside her

A nurse? Lillian thought But no It couldn’t be The woreen- white- and- red Mexican-soccer shirt over yoga pants, with bright-pink-and-white Nikes Her highlighted brown hair was pulled back in a tight, all-business ponytail

Lillian blinked, quickly trying to wipe the last of the cobwebs fro her situation

She was in a dark, paneled room, some kind of office ood blinds pulled down There were bookshelves on one ith no books in thee leather office chair, her array duct tape

She re in

Jesus, God, no, she thought as she began to shake hysterically, trying to break free No, no, no Just no

“Relax,” the athletic young woent’s ar to hurt yourself My naent Mara Or shall I call you Lillian?”

“What do you want?” Lillian sobbed “Letthis to me?”

“There are many reasons But for noe’ll concentrate on one,” Vida said, lifting a stern finger “Our o

rganization is looking for aWe believe that he may be in California His name is Michael Bennett Do you know him?”

“No,” Lillian said, staring at the woent, but I run the white-collar division I don’t know anything”

“That truly is a sha on the heel of one of her pink-and-white Nikes and lifting so froe, yellow-handled, heavy tool with an ax on one side and a sledgeha maul

The young woman hefted it neatly

“No!” Lillian screaehammer side of the maul back and up and then doith authority onto Lillian’s left elbow, pulverizing it into splinters