Using all of the control that he had learned during the last four months, he steadied his voice and continued his conversation with the demoness."You ...eem to offer me your hand in partnership. Am I to act as your consort here on earth?"Her smirk grew wider and she replied with a shrug of her shoulder."Hmmm ... I suppose. You are a most passionate lover as I have witnessed in your couplings with the woman you hold in your arms. I suppose I could find someone better, but I could do much worse. I. .."Some things never change," she laughed. The sound of Amanda's laughter broke a lot of our tension. I think I'd been waiting to exhale, since this whole fiasco began."Where are we?" she asked."We're somewhere in Illinois," I said. I'm staying away from major cities. I just wanted to get us out of Michigan, as quickly as possible."She nodded her head and looked under her blanket, and started laughing again."What?" I asked."You're, trying to kill me too," she laughed. "No wonder I'm so cold.. "What was that all about?" asked Bernie."Um, maybe she didn't like me kissing you." Oh, yes, s'pose so. I've been thinking all day about more than kissing you. Come on."She held my hand and practically dragged me up to her room. Once inside she opened her handbag and got out a rubber wedge which she kicked under her bedroom door."No more interruptions tonight babes!" she laughed. "I nicked it from the hospital!" Bernie, you are so terrible!" Yes I am aren't I," she laughed, "But my need is. We’ve got your resumes, and we’ll contact you if anything else opens up. Feel free to call me early next week, when I’ll have a better idea of what our needs will be.’ Chris stood up and stepped towards Ms Lawton who shook his hand and smiled pleasantly. She spoke a few words of encouragement to Kristen as she shook her hand, then turned and walked over to the receptionist and began chatting with him. Kristen picked up the briefcase she had been carrying while Chris retrieved his portfolio..