I told her that I just wanted to workas I had before and I would not be a problem. She thanked me for mycandor and told me that I would hear from her...when it was OK to comeback to work. I shook her hand and walked out. A few people were stilllingering around (trying not to look like they were) and I just walkedby them. Jesse, a girl from my department, came around the corner andwalked up to me. She gave me a warm hug in front of the couple ofpeople still around."WOW, is that really you. He said. “I don’t know how it happened but Stahl knows Decker is dead and he is on his way, much sooner than expected. Are you sure you can fool him and make it stick on those two scapegoat cops?”The masked face showed no reaction but for the first time in a very long time she did not feel very confident. The Old Warrior was not an espionage expert like she was, he was not nearly as old as she was but he still was the only being she truly respected and if she was honest to herself, Stahl was. The two girls said their good byes and went on as did we.“Agnes, what do you want me to do.”“Just be my strong, silent Viking.”I smiled. “Okay, dear lady.”We walked on some more. Agnes met a couple about the age of her parents. The woman said, “Agnes, you’re looking good. Who is your young man?”“He’s Eric, my personal Viking. We go to college together.”“He’s not bad, not bad at all.” She smiled. “Tell your mother we said hello.”“Okay, Aunt June. Bye.”The next meeting was not too good. A guy. On her way back shestopped by the wellness center. Myrtle greeted her and reported that their marriagewas better than it had been in a long time. Lloyd wasin such good spirits and had more energy than sheremembered. Maggie felt very good about the news andthen realized that it was the day she visited Lloyd.Too late to cancel on them now, she thought. Oh well, Phillip wouldn’t mind anyway… even if hadhad any say in the matter. Having been fucked twice inthe past twelve hours and now.