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“What would you say? Walk away? Just give up and let your dad rot in there alone?” Winona knew the one too far “I’m sorry I didn’t mean that”

“You’re always sorry lately” Vivi Ann released a heavy sigh “Do you think I don’t drea beside him?”

“I know you do”

“Part of et to talk to hiive me?”

“He loves you,” Winona said

Vivi Ann flinched at that, but like a fighter taking a blow, she kept“He’s in there and you and I and Noah are out here That’s the way it is The way it’s going to be”

Winona could tell as co and she shook her head, as if thewords

“I’o The DNA test was a good move, and you took it and it failed We both knoas all over for Dallas years ago It doesn’t matter whose DNA was left behind”

“I can’t—” Winona stopped suddenly She looked up at Vivi Ann “What did you say?”

“It’s tio It doesn’t matter whose DNA it was”

“Jesus,” Winona said, rushing back to her desk She began pawing through the paperwork, looking for the DNA lab work Finding it, she grabbed the file and then pulled Vivi Ann into her arenius”

“What—”

“I’ve got to go Thanks for stopping by Tell Noah I’ll come visit this weekend”

“Are you hearingto help you”

“And I’ to help you,” Winona said, and then ran out of her office