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Zach and Eddie laughed

“Just wanted to prove my point is all,” Kipp said

Kipp’s resolve hadn’t appeared yet, but at least his clothing had ain I turned my back so Brody couldn’t see and pointed at hihost business, then stop,” I glanced back at Zach and Eddie, atched with equal a what you did”

“Is that what you really want?” He grinned

I considered the thought “Well, no, but just later, all right?” As I turned around, Brody had Duke leashed as they trotted over

Zach headed

toward the forest Eddie and Brody followed in behind, with Duke at Brody’s side as he sniffed the ground

Kipp stoodclearly had upset him I tried to think back over the last fewsaid should have bothered him “Are you okay?” I whispered

He said nothing, merely shook his head and walked away

It moed up to reach the others Being alone in a dark forest didn’t appeal to ination

I’d only taken two steps into the forest before I realized what I had said Well, no, but just later, all right? There wasn’t going to be a later It hurt to be reminded of that fact, but I sed it back and refocused Personal matters would just have to wait

The hike into the forest see I kept ht out in front ofthe darkness was my best bet, since I didn’t want to look like the weak little woman here

My ankles were deep into slop—leaves h” It ht have been a stall tactic earlier, but I hadn’t been lying I loved these boots, and to see the to owe me new boots”

“If we find Hannah’s body, I doubt he’d object to buying you a new pair,” Kipp told me

Eddie laughed “If your assistance here solves the case, I’ll buy you them myself”