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“You bet” She paused “Marc is going to be ure out a way that you can go together I want to kno strong an energy you pick up there—and if it ot from Bitch Doctor”

A Starbucks was just three blocks from the hospital One venti Americano and blueberry scone later, Trix sat down at the round table in the middle of the café Trix put down the snack and pulled out a digital recorder, turning it on and placing it on the table

It was time to collect a sample to test the capabilities of Audio Detracktor Trix needed to know just how accurate the app would be in separating and enhancing even theto hear what noise would be the Starbucks equivalent of a guitar pick bouncing off the stage, just as the Sound on Sound review had described

All the sounds of Starbucks filled the café The squeal of the stea poured fro out freshly war frappuccinos for the local teenagers

Two such teens were at the next table over, taking selfies and shrieking at their iPhones as friends sent theirls’ conversation—soirls joined thees—cotton candy frappuccinos OMG—and Trix heard the sound of their tall green straws as the girls slurped up the diabetes-inducing liquid Talk about a sugar rush Trix pitied their parents But the straw sounds were perfect for the audio test

Satisfied that there was enough material captured, Trix finished the scone, packed up the recorder and began the walk to the subway, Americano in hand

It was Nove shadows everywhere And not even a sliver of ht

Madeline rubbed her arms to warm the internal chill that pervaded her body Then she looked out her bedroomand down at the street for the fifth time in the past hour

The same car was there, parked by the curb A black sedan—maybe a Mercedes or a BMW Madeline couldn’t make it out in the blackness, nor see how many occupants were inside But the vehicle had been in the saht next to a fire hydrant Once, a police car hadspotted the officers, the driver of the sedan had eased away, heading smoothly down the block

Ten minutes later, it was back

It couldn’t be a coincidence The driver of that car atching her apart her

Tre to be rational So a car was parked outside It could be an airport service picking up a passenger It could be soo to a parking garage

Or it could be so her apartment and her

She drew the blinds, telling herself that she was being paranoid Why would so her apartment?