"Read this," is all she said as she handed it to me. I opened it carefully and read:My Dear Lucy,If you are reading this, I will not be coming back ho...e. My sister had instructions to mail it if she was informed I was killed in combat.I can never forget the time I stayed at your home. I can never forget you. The memories have warmed many a lonely night at a forward airbase.There is something I could never say in person, mostly because you were married to a fine man who helped build the planes. "I miss Sarah. I hope she?s okay without us," Manami added."You know, there?s no reason Kate, Ann, and either Jenna or Manamicouldn?t start out towards the atoll. they?d probably beat us back,"Julie suggested."I?d prefer not to have such a small group of mermaids in the open oceanalone," Janice countered. "I know we can take care of ourselves, butwithout the extra protection a merman provides, I?d be worried." Thank you," Brian said. "It?s nice to be appreciated." Oh please, we ?appreciate? you. She was right there, in the city.Three blocks away was the entrance to the alley. She couldn’t see it yet, but it was there. Waiting for her. A cave. With a monster in it. With a NI—Brave.Strong.Fearless.And so she was.Laurie straightened herself. She tugged at her tank-top (there’s a fat roll and my tits are TOO SMALL) and smoothed her miniskirt (I have goddamned saddlebags) and observed her shoes (they’re scuffed and shitty and I don’t even like my feet)—STOP.VR-Laurie had something to say to. "You can't stay in here. One of my friends gave me a heads up. There's another warrant out for your arrest. I am convinced the whole idea is to take you in for a questioning and its doubtful you would survive the experience. Just what the hell is going on here? I can't see any reason for the amount of pressure Creel has put on you. It doesn't make any sense. What are you not telling me?" What if Creel happens to be in the pay of a group of Arabs? What if he is hand in glove Hwith the White.