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“How about Tina?”

Detective Harris drew a big sigh “We’re doing everything we can to find her She wasn’t at the ”

My heart sank Where could she be? “And her father? How’s he doing?”

After a pause, she said, “I’m afraid he’s dead”

The news hit ut punch With her parents dead and her uncle headed to the slammer for murder, ould happen to Tina?

Duvall had an important surveillance job the next day, and I wasn’t about to keep him from it

“Go,” I said “You can’t be my full-time babysitter”

“I suppose” He looked reluctant “I’d put this off if I could, but unfortunately”

“Please You have a business to run, and for that matter, so do I Do what you have to I’ll see you later”

“All right,” he said “Promise me you’ll be careful Stay home today”

“The last time I saw Diesel, he’d broken intoto do I should probably go to a library or a coffee shop Some public place where he won’t be able to harm me”

He nodded “That’s a thought But watch your back”

“Don’t worry, Dad I won’t take any candy froers”

My dismissive remark made him smile, but did little to calm my own nerves