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“It’s our job to know,” Mac said, acting annoyed

Pageant looked as if she were ready to pound them both with a few dozen questions Instead, she said, “Is it safe to go in?”

Randon waited for Mac’s response He scoured the hills behind her house as if he expected the extortionist to show himself “What do you think?”

“I don’t know, et the hell out of here”

“Your old…wait a aze hopped between the to him We just met”

“I’m not paid to think, lady I’ainst the top of the vehicle and backed away “Get inside, otcha covered out here”

“I appreciate it, brother,” Randon said

“I know you do” Mac joined the others already standing post in Pageant’s front yard

“Let’s go” Randon grabbed her hand and pulled her across the bench-style seat before she could protest Still, he could’ve sworn he detected a muted, “but” in there somewhere

Less than a minute later, they were inside the front hall in her quaint, sparsely decorated home He couldn’t help but absorb the interior It was homey and unique Built-in bookshelves lined the short hallway leading to the kitchen He followed her there and stopped short when she whipped around like she’d suddenly caught her second wind “What have you told them?”

“Who?”

“The guys out there”

“Why does it matter?”

She shrugged “In the broad sche case and petty, insignificant details like what you ht have said about me to your biker pals shouldn’t be important”

“Exactly”