I took a deep breath and sighed, “I promise.”“Don’t forget this week’s assignment is due tomorrow. I won’t take a late paper this time. No... hurry up, you’ve still got some time to get to class.”I nodded and left, Addy and I speed-walked to get to class. Pressed for answers I just told her, “I guess I’m not good at cutting class.” I couldn’t tell her. God, I hope Garrett didn’t tell Becky. Oh God, Garrett. The rest of the day passed in a fugue state. I knew the truth of what Garrett thought of. I heard a call that I knew only too well. It was the call of the Sandhill Crane. I scanned the sky for the silhouette of the bird. At first I didn't see anything. Then, much to my delight, I spotted them. There, in the eastern sky, was a flock of at least forty birds. They appeared to be flying at a considerable distance from me. At first it looked like they might travel overhead, but instead, they made a shift in their flight pattern and flew off to the southeast. If they weren't heading south. ‘That’s mine. You got that believing you were rescuing me. It stays.’ She put Peter to bed. That night Jennifer appeared in a pair of her own pajamas and, declining his offer to share his bed, she slipped into the other bed and reached across to hold his hand. ‘A girl wouldn’t be safe in your bed,’ she smiled knowingly. During the following days, Peter enjoyed lying back in bed having Jennifer fuss over him. When he felt comfortable sitting, they sat together on the balcony holding hands and. His steel blue eyes remained focused on my own, and it took me a momentto realize he wasn't wearing those mirrored glasses from before. He musthave noticed my surprise, because his mouth curled into a small, smugsmile."You're not a Body Hopper, Detective," he explained. "So, no need forprotection. Besides, I felt you might be more at ease if you could seemy eyes. Know that I'm telling you the truth. Given your expertise atreading people." He leaned forward and picked up a glass of water fromthe.