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RYAN WAS IN his lair with the encrypted files he’d stolen He was at his desk, about to start working on trying to crack the encryption process, when Claire knocked and walked in

“Bad time?” she asked

“Good ti his chair around to face her “I was just about to get into these files I took from the hospital” He waved the USB drive at her “But I haven’t shoved this baby in yet, so I’ the upset expression on Claire’s face “What’s wrong?”

“I just spent fifteen rant me Sort of like a follow-up visit for a patient with a cold”

“What did Bitch Doctor say?” Ryan asked He could see that Claire was more than upset She was pissed

“Bitch Doctor is right” Claire folded her arms across her chest “I’ve met more than my share of nonbelievers It’s a downside ofwasn’t just a nonbeliever She went out of her way to insultapart the very idea of claircognizance, clairvoyance, clairsentience, clairaudience, clair—”

“Okay, I get it,” Ryan interrupted “She beat the shit out of every clair in existence Does that really surprise you?”

“Actually, yes” Claire inhaled deeply, and then blew out her breath to cal comments I’ve never ”

“Yeah, that is kind of extre was that Bitch Doctor lives up to her nicknay about your skills”

“Untrue” Claire shook her head “I picked up on lots of things I’m on my way upstairs to see if Casey is here so I can to talk to her Sorry I interrupted your co I just needed to blow off steam”

Ryan stood up, and walked over to Claire He tipped up her chin, lowered his head and kissed her “Don’t let Sharon Gilding get to you She probably needs to get laid”

“Oh, no, she doesn’t She’s getting plenty of that already I just need to figure out by whom”

“Wow” A corner of Ryan’s uy, whoever he is Now you’ve really piqued my interest I’d come up with you to see Casey and hear all the sordid details, but I’ve got to get started on these files It could take a long time to crack”

“Then get started” Claire reached up and brushed her lips against Ryan’s “I’ll fill you in later”

“I’ you to that”