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“I like you,” he said “You don’t bullshit”

“That’s true,” Brett said, seely oblivious to the intensity in the room “He’s not a bullshitter for sure”

“No,” Al said, never taking his eyes off me “I would never do that You have my word When this is all done, she is free to choose what she wants to do with her life If she comes back to New York, wonderful But it wouldn’t be for me to pressure her to talk to the families It would be so Sammi has her best friend back, and I could take care of her the way I pro I want her safe”

“So do I,” I said “Again, thank you for co”

Al nodded

“I wish there was so I could do to h First her mother and then her father Now all this It’s h, much less someone as innocent of all this life as her”

“I o for a walk in a bit,” I said “Get some fresh air She seemed to enjoy that the last time we did it”

“Hmm,” Al said “Perhaps, but only if I send a few ofambushed out there”

“Sure It would probably make her feel better anyway”

“It’s settled, then I’ll send Frank and Mario,” he said “That’s theo”

“Are they co in to eat?” Brett asked

“They will do rounds,” Al said “Myto brave the cold to protect Desiree They loved Nico too Everyone did When you go out, send Mario in to eat”

“I will,” I said

“But before that, you should eat,” Al said, coer waggling at me “A man with a stomach full of pasta can face an army My father used to say that I believe it Come Eat If Desiree wants to join us, she can”

“Maybe e get back in,” I said “It looks delicious, though”

Al nodded and stepped back, and I went back into the bedroo a water and holding her head in her hand