Page 39 (1/2)

"We will verify, of course," Jackson said

"Please do"

"We have another question," Jake told hianizer and said, "We’re looking to find sos Can you help us?" He handed the organizer to Benjamin Austin so that he could read benzodiazepine and chlorzoxazone himself

To Jake’s surprise, the man seemed stunned His face became white

"What is it, doctor?" Jackson asked

"I had a robbery--but it was"I have a nurse anesthetist on ht here in the office Our nearest hospital is a bit of a trek," he explained "The muscle relaxants area lot of drugs"

He saw the way they were looking at him

"I filed a police report--you can check on that, too," he said "Oh, God…this killer s he stole from me?"

"So it appears, Dr Austin So it appears," Jackson said On that slightly ominous note, they bid him farewell

Beth had chosen to wait for the?" she asked

"Maybe," Jake said She stared at his were used on the victi on; you probably know that"

"Then--oh, my God, it was him? The doctor?" Beth asked

Jake shook his head "He said that his office was broken into--over a year ago"

"I’ on that," Jackson said, and Jake knew that he was dialing Detective Colby

Jake, driving, tried to listen, but he couldn’t hear Mack

Jackson hung up "Good Dr Austin sees stolen, and he did give a speech at the Best Western Mack is checking with the hotel to find out if he had roo else--if he was seen I believe the , that’s for sure," Jake said

Ashley didn’t know if her eyes were just closed, or if she had dozed She heard her oords from the recesses of her mind

Help me

I’m here, he told her

I need to see the battle

No, you don’t Battle is ugly and horrible, and no one should see it

I need to see, please

Soal was in front of her, shouting at her, telling her to get the children and get the, and she was shocked, because he didn’t speak to her like that

But then he paused She felt his passionate kiss on her lips, and then he held her away, torment in his eyes "The children, Emma, please--protect our children"

She turned as he’d ordered and hurried the children up the stairs When she reached the attic, she made the little ones hunch down by the wall

And she went to the garret atch

First she saw the black powder; it exploded and filled the day The howitzer round, but it didn’t hit the buildings

No

She heard the squeal of the horses Shouts came from the area of the stables; then she saw the defenders rush out and head toward the ceain She saw Marshall retreat behind the walls, calling his ed closer to the house The e point, high above the roofs of their faan to surround her husband He brought one doith a direct hit fro after one another with bayonets Marshall was a fighter Twoa warning and rushing in, Marshall was stabbed himself She saw her husband’s eyes as he returned the blow The last of the men in the cemetery was dead Two more rushed in but saw the three dead in their own colors They turned and fled, and in seconds she heard the sounds of horses’ hooves as they rode away Six Yankees altogether; four dead and two running

"Nancy, stay with the children!" she pleaded, calling to her house down the attic stairs and out to the cemetery She pushed by her husband’shis head onto her lap He opened his eyes once He mouthed the words, "I love you I’m so sorry"

And then he died

They caently to her feet "He’s gone, now, Eone, please…"

She was blinded by her tears She was barely aware as she was led into her house, led to her room "Drink this Drink this, Emma--it will steady your nerves"

She had no nerves; she had nothing Marshall was dead