Page 85 (2/2)

“This is irlfriend, Emery,” I started

Tiffany’s eyes widened with concern, because Eertips pressed to her teht?”

“No,” I said “She’s had a raine come on just now”

“Oh, no” Tiffany gave Eh Emery’s eyes were closed

“Do you mind if I take her in the house,” I said, “and let her rest in one of the guest roo better? I’d take her home, but I think the car ride would make it worse”

E the lie “I took some medicine, and it usually conks me out for a few hours”

Tiffany considered the request only for atoward her home “Of course”

We followed her up the path to the house, and Eht She was so good at it, I had to re pain

The staffat the back door listened dutifully as Tiffany explained one of the guests wasn’t feeling well and she was escorting us upstairs to someplace quiet to rest The house was supposed to be off-lioers, but a Lah h and we climbed the steps

Wayne and Serena’s bedroouest bedrooms Either one that Tiffany selected would put us within fifty feet of her father’s safe, and it was harder to keep my excitement at bay So much of this was in Emery’s hands, but I was here for her and kneithout a shadow of a doubt she could do it

I’d gotten the sa the cal to win No other outcome was possible

Tiffany stood at the doorway to the guest bedroorays, and she asked it ofto keep her voice down and not cause Emery more pain “How’s this?”

I reat, thanks”

She went to the far side of the roo the sun I eased Emery down to sit on the bed and then bent to take off her shoes, helping her get ready to ‘rest’ She set her purse beside her, but the duvet cover was silk and her purse was heavy, and when it slipped off and landed on the hardwood floor with a loud thump, my heart stopped

All her equip her sophisticated and sensitive amplifier that couldn’t be housed in its protective case because it was too big for her already questionably large purse My gaze snapped to Emery, and behind her frozen expression, I saw the terror She had the saed, she wouldn’t be able to hear the necessary clicks of the wheels, and this was over before it even started