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"Hi," Blake greeted her Jack kissed Helen on the cheek; Blake stood aardly beside the bed

"Hey, you two!" she said

Jack didn’t seenize Malachi He walked over to him and thrust out his hand "I’m Jack Winston and this is Blake Stewart We ith Helen We’ve been worried sick We, uh, called the hospital and they said it was okay to visit"

"Sure Helen needs to see her friends," Malachi said, shaking hands with Jack Blake seemed confused, as if he should know him but didn’t Malachi s as a consultant with the federal unit down here"

"Oh, uh, great," Blake said Still confused, he turned back to Helen

Jack did the talking; he was a good bedside guest He regaled her with tales of kids who’d been on the ship and told her howat Helen, his infatuation evident

He sat down, taking the place Abby had been in before "Helenoh, God Oh, Helen, weyou need or want, you let us know We’ll get it for you!"

"I’entleman here, Mr Gordon--they saved me"

"I wish it had been me, Helen!" Blake said passionately "I wish I could have saved you If I ever find out who did this, I swear, I’ll kill hi in the air for a minute "You can’t say that," Helen told him "Youyou have to let the law take care of him"

"Don’t worry," Malachi said "I understand how you feel, Blake But she’s right You have to leave this in the hands of the law"

Blake didn’t answer

Jack placed a hand on his shoulder "They’ll get hiet him Don’t upset Helen"

"I’ how Blake felt er

Just then, Abby ca duly chastised He went over to Helen and bent down--then straightened abruptly and asked, "Is it all right if I kiss your cheek? It won’t hurt you or anything?"

"I would love a kiss on the cheek," she said

"I’reat care

"Thank you, Roger"

He nodded, stepped back and looked at Malachi He didn’t say anything else

Malachi rose "Coet so you’ll be back with us soon I et rich and famous in a zombie er cairl Her naht have ht have been on the Black Swan Helen, you have to remeot up, stepping between the two of theer on the back "Kat should be back soon," he told Abby

He was done at the hospital; he’d gotten froht he could, and it was ti to put the pieces together Now, Helen deserved a little peace

As soon as he was outside the rooood in there--at first But we already told Helen that another wolad you ca her won’t help Abby explained that to you"

Roger was red-faced but he nodded dully "They haven’t found Bianca yet She hasn’t been back to her B and B, and she isn’t answering her cell"

Malachi didn’t tell him he was sure the police had put a trace on the phone "We’re going to do everything we can" was all he said

"Can I tell Helen I’er asked

"I think it’s best if you don’t She’s had enough for today"

"All right," Roger said "Is there anything I can do?"

"Take a walk See if you can think of anything If you do, callon it but his cell phone nuer told him

"Doesn’t need it You have lanced wistfully toward Helen’s hospital room The uniformed officer on duty by the door stood there with his arer