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"Good," Ashe bu in Star Cove?" Winkler asked Nathan

"Yes He will help us guard the co there are three of you I don’t know about anybody else, but this thing with Dawn Sood thing, either," Ashe e to call Randy She hadn’t left a note, either Perhaps it would keep him out of trouble with Marcus and the Grand Master She’d duht a te Zeke Tanner for perhaps the hundredth tio If she were to be executed for murder, she’d like for one of the murders to be profitable to her To Randy, too, if he’d only see the sense in it, someday

"All three have criminal records," Matt inforh the database, and got positive IDs on all of them I’d bet h Their crimes were committed back east, mostly in New York and New Jersey"

"You were their target, that’s easy enough to see," Winkler said "They intended to take you down They got Andy, instead"

"There’s no reason for me to be on their radar--unless somebody sent them in my direction," Matt observed

"I think that’s exactly what happened"

"I’ree with you How’s the kid?"

"Still iood Tanner soame"

"Wildrif knew I’d bet a lot on it"

"You’re right You think he’s playing all the pieces against each other?"

"I do"

"How h, that he didn’t look wealthy to me e picked hi theco to think about," Winkleron the Set a hit on her credit cards"

"I’ve got her tag number and vehicle description distributed, but it varies, state-to-state, how actively they search for that," Matt said "It’s probably safe to say she’s left the state of Texas"

"Long gone," Winkler agreed "Her son says he has no idea where she ical choice, so I’d bet she didn’t go in that direction"

"Will Tanner send more after you?"

"No idea If that were me and I’d just lost fifteen of roup and for must have made him think he’d be successful in this atterowled

"You have to ask yourself what Tanner actually accomplished in that raid, since I’m pretty sure the humans weren’t on his payroll"

"All Tanner accoame" Winkler held the phone away from his ear and cursed Matt heard it anyway "You think that was Wildrif’s goal? What about the hit on Adele, when those Ele doesn’t add up, here"

"I agree"

Aedan sighed as he walked down the steps to the safe house Hoould Adele react to his appearance? Would she take hiive hi it? He didn’t have many answers; all he kneas that he had amends to iven another chance and he was determined to make it work

Ashe was surprised when Trace spoke at Andy’s funeral Six olves, per tradition, had guarded the carved wood box holding the body since the evening before

"I have hope," Trace said, "that this is not the end That so else waits for us A better time A better life Perhaps a better world Andy certainly deserves all those things What ive their life to save another? What greater gift is there?"

Ashe turned to watch Winkler as Trace delivered Andy’s eulogy Winkler’s head was bowed, leaving his face in shadow Ashe turned away, giving the tall olf privacy in his grief

"Honored One, William Winkler has offered the use of his jet and a safe place to sleep while ork in the states" Tony had offered to htfall "It appears Ashe’s talents have been disabled through treachery--he ounded during our last assigniven a large dose of opiate and, as Winkler puts it, can’t touch his talents because of it We have no idea how long the effects ht last"

"This is evil news," Wlodek said

Gavin, who stood nearby as Tony placed the call, nodded his agree Wlodek would hear his voice clearly; "it is evil news The boy was more than cooperative, and surprised both of us with his willingness to help The talents he possesses are, if anything, even estion that we court him for future work His ability to move about in the day will be a decided asset I see no need for vampirism in this case The Council can pay hireedy, if my sources are correct"

"Yes, I have had information on that as well" Wlodek didn’t elaborate and Gavin didn’t press the ree to leave you where you are; I es"

"Of course, Honored One," Gavin replied He nodded at Tony, who ended the call on his cell

"I feel better now," Tony breathed a sigh "I hope the kid can get that crap out of his system soon We could use his help"