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When he got out of the cab, he found hilass panel that never seemed to remain closed for more than a few seconds at a ti wo behind a reception desk, dealing with visitors’ queries

Seb approached one of them, who smiled when she saw the roses “Can I help you?”

“I’ for Samantha Sullivan”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know that na to a colleague who had just come off the phone

“Samantha Sullivan?” she repeated “You’ve just hter from school She’ll be back at ten tomorrow”

Daughter, daughter, daughter The word rang in Seb’s ears like a discharged bullet If only he’d known, he wouldn’t—

“Would you like to leave a e for her?”

“No, thank you,” he said, as he turned and headed back toward the door

“You ht still catch her at Jefferson Elementary,” said the voice behind him “They don’t come out until four”

“Thank you,” repeated Seb, as he pushed his way through the door, but he didn’t look back He walked out of the building and went in search of another cab One immediately drew up by his side He climbed in and was about to say Union Station, but the words came out as “Jefferson Elementary School”

The driver eased out into the afternoon traffic and tucked in behind a long line of cars

“I’ll double whatever’s on the et me there before four”

The driver switched lanes, ran the next light, and shot through gaps so tight that Seb had to close his eyes They drew up outside awith four minutes to spare Seb looked at the ot out of the cab and quickly disappeared behind several little pockets of chattingto appear Shielded by a tree, he checked out the nized But he didn’t see her

At four o’clock, a bell rang and the doors opened to disgorge a gaggle of noisy young girls dressed in white shirts, criing by their sides They ran down the steps and straight to their netism

Sairls They must have been around five, but how could that be possible when Sao? And then he saw his little sister charging down the steps The same mop of wavy black hair, the saet He wanted to run to her and take her in his arms, but he renition, changed direction, and ran toward her mother