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Lou tossed and turned ht

just as unsure of herself as she had the night before She rose, dressed, and put on tennis shoes for her , dark hair and put it in a ponytail Today was Saturday so she wasn’t expected to make breakfast for the hands but still rose early She poured a bowl of cereal for Sarah and kissed Sadie on the cheek as she went out the back door for her run

She looked around for Brody as she stretched against the fence but didn’t see any sign he was even up yet It was probably better He ain

She checked her watch and started jogging slowly through the winding path she always used She found a good rhythood on her body and the exertion was always good for stress She forgot time and place, and concentrated on her footfalls and her breathing About ten minutes into her run, she rounded a corner and ca in her path She slowed to a walk and shielded her eyes with her hand, trying to see if it was Brody who had sootten ahead of her

She walked a few steps closer and got a good glimpse of the man It certainly wasn’t Brody But who else would be out here? She walked a few steps in reverse but then the man called out

“Why don’t you stay right where you are, Mary Lou?”

“Pardon me?” she asked, certain she had not heard him clearly

“I said, I think you need to stay right there so we can have a talk,” the man said quietly He took a few ar on the breeze as he lifted it to his lips The face looked vaguely familiar

Ball cap Five o’clock shadow The tehts dashed inballs set loose inside her head She tried to grab each one as it bounced around but had no luck He had just called her by her given name

“Do I know you?” she asked tentatively

“No But you know my boss Or at least he knew your ” He took a draw on the cigar

“What are you talking about?” Lou asked defensively

He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and threw it at her She caught it against her chest and opened it with shaky fingers Photos fell out that Lou had never seen They showed herin front of their trailer Herat the kitchen table Lou gasped as she looked through them all

“Where did you get these?” she asked, her voice hoarse with emotion

“We have sources,” he replied