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"I don’t believe it," Drew said "I knew and worked with Marcus for years But if he did go back to drugs, well Hell, that’s not what you want for yourselves Found dead in a ditch Anyway, he shouldn’t be remembered for his relapse, if there was one He should be reht--for people and animals!"

Delilah stepped between Dustin’s booth and that of the group The boys ordered, and when they spoke again, they were subdued In another few ht out Dustin’s order "Enjoy!" she said She rolled her eyes toward the boys and Drew at the end of the dining car and hurried back around the counter

The food was good, the corn bread as excellent as Ellie had told hi, Dustin stood and walked over to the group’s table "Hello," he said "My na about the Horse Farm My first day there is tohly of the place"

Drew started to rise in greeting but Dustin urged hireat facility," Drew responded "I’h I’ers there, and these are a few young s out up there, too Joey Walters, Matt Dougal, Sean Modine and Nick Stevens I take thehts a week and then we have a bite here--and maybe we’ll see a movie If they’re polite, that is!"

The boys shook hands very politely, grinning all the while They wanted to go to the movie, he was pretty sure But they were quiet and respectful and they obviously paid heed to Andrew, even without bribery

I hope these guys are the ones who reat," Joey said "The Horse Fars we do"

"It’s really cool when you get to actually ride horses," Sean added

"It’s cool even when you don’t--especially if you get Liv" Nick led sound; Dustin realized that Joey had kicked hih to get back there," Matt said He was a lanky kid with long hair He’d spoken last and alo back?" Dustin asked him

Matt flushed uncomfortably

"Yes, why?" Drew echoed "Is there a problem?"

Matt looked as if he wished he’d kept his words to hi me back home and send me somewhere in Minnesota," he ad the place couldn’t stay clean, what chance is there for kids like us?"

This was followed by a brief silence

"I’ic loss of the Horse Faruy A daood man," he said quietly "Whatever anyone says" He raised his head "It’s a wonderful place I hope things work out I believe they will," he said "Anyway, Mr Blake--"

"He’s an agent Agent Blake FBI!" Sean said excitedly He gri your na about you IWe’re at a place where the feds send their guys!"

"Thanks," Dustin uess"

"Hey, did you shoot somebody?" Sean asked "Is that why you’re here?"

Dustin shook his head "Nothing like that," he said

"So, why’d they send you?" Nick persisted

"They figure we all need a break now and then We see too much," Dustin explained

"Wow, cool Who have you hunted down?" Matt asked

"I’m here to not think about it for a while," Dustin told hi open, and a woman of about thirty-five stepped into the coffee shop She was in jeans and a blue deni beautiful She s at the table "Hi" She walked straight to Dustin and offered hient Blake"

"I ahton, and the pleasure is mine Oh, I’m sorry, I must seem so rude I work at the Horse Farm--I’ in tonight and that you’d be at the Horse Far out with a sroup first"