But seriously, get away for a time. Let Gwen do all the hard work. But make the deal.”“I won’t be a doormat for him.”“No, of course not. But...he doesn’t have leverage.”“I think I’ll call him now and get this out of the way.”“OK. Let me know if there are any issues.”“I will. Who is she?”“Unless I miss my guess, you know.”Stephanie laughed, “I wondered if she’d go for it. All I can say is, enjoy yourself!”“Just you? Or a conspiracy?”“What do you think?”I chuckled, “When the women gang up on me, I. Not too smart, how had the private security been unable to fell this thing? Was it just that they had been taken by surprise? He aimed his rifle at it, his sight scoping in on its black, distended jaws. Its skull was smooth, without any visible sensory organs, and it was ‘big’. He had never seen an animal so large. It was of little consequence, he thumbed his receiver and set the fire mode to burst, steadying the weapon against his shoulder to manage the recoil.“Say your prayers you ugly. "I'm Deputy Sheriff Sam Wicks..." We didn't do nothin!" the boy exclaimed. "Jimmy!" The boy slammed the door closed in Sam's face. Thinking better of it, he instantly reopened it. "Jimmy," he hollered again.Sam peered through the screen door into the darkened interior. The boy had disappeared from view. In a moment, a larger boy appeared. "Hello," Sam repeated."You're the sheriff?" I'm the Chief Deputy Sheriff, yes."What do you want?" the older boy asked. He seemed as frightened as the younger. I walked over to the window, next to Heather, who was sparking up the joint I saw Amanda rolling earlier. She puffed it twice, and handed it to me, blowing the smoke out her window. I stepped forward, inhaled, and blew out the smoke. I took one more hit, sat down, and handed it to Carrie. She went, then Amanda, then Heather. Heather took her hits, and handed it back to me. As I exhaled the second time, those familiar chemicals flooded my eyes and rushed my veins. I passed the joint, and looked.