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The deadly threat, delivered with a light touch, registered with finality Her headache forgotten, she searched the crowd, looking for the Voice of Doom on the other end of the line No one looked her way No one held a phone She spun on her heels and hurried toward Hank, toward help
“Oh, Sugarplu? No one can help you,” thefor me People only see me when it’s too late”
The phone slipped in her clarip Petrified, she tried to speak but only a choked coughing sound came out
“Good girl Noant her phone and flash drive I want them immediately or you’ll pay like she did”
Her body went nuround and bounced off the asphalt Claire gaped at it for aon instinct, she swooped up her cell
Pressing the phone hard to her ear, she feared her shaking hands would drop it again “Whose phone and flash drive?”
“Why, the dead girl’s, of course, Ms Klutz I had hoped they were in her handbag, but I rong I hate being wrong—it always means more work for me”
Desperate, she wished Hank would look at her With this psycho’s eyes on her, she couldn’t wave her arms for help She stared at the back of Hank’s head Muscles tense, she willed him to turn around No luck
“I don’t have the tone would work He’d rescind his threat and life would go back to normal
“Too bad I’d hoped to do this without it having to get all messy—for you, that is”
His words blasted her fragile hope to pieces Her only alternative was to get help Someone else had to notice her distress
“But you’re lucky It’s late and I’ht Suffice it to say she had a lot ht in her than expected” He chuckled
At her wits end to find another way to gain someone’s attention, she raised her voice “Who are you? How’d you get my number?”
Engrossed in their jobs, no one glanced up Defeated and alone in a parking lot filled with law enforcement, Claire sank down to the curb
“Silly girl, I can read Your naenius to find a cellphone number I love the Internet Don’t you?” He paused as if expecting her to answer When she didn’t, he carried on “But, back to the ive you until noon to find what I want You’ll be hearing from me And let’s just keep all of this to ourselves, shall we? I’d hate to have to find a Duh for you and your whole family”