"A most interesting case. I will be happy to take it. And now, Ms. Ixchel, if you would accompany me back to my office, I have several devices which w...ll help me ascertain who is attacking you, and how."Hana insisted on writing a check for Eresh's fees. Zulie was on guard duty that morning. Freya needed to stay home to take care of John Junior. Rati had a practice scheduled, and Brandy and Bas were deep in the middle of some arcane research they couldn't delay. But Tiennie and I insisted on. "Veronique will be back in a minute."Sandra walked around the workbench, and then noticed that Nicole wasn't alone. There was a guy sitting next to her, but he had been obscured by a computer screen. His eyes got bigger, the second he noticed Sandra walking towards them. Sandra thought that he had to be close to his forties already. He had black hair, but it had thinned out at the front. And his eyes had a few wrinkles in the corners. However, for the rest, he looked rather fit and also well. Threading between gorse, spiky grasses and hillocks, they reached the soft white sand of this deserted section of beach. Sweat ran down Ray’s face, dripping off the end of his nose and chin. “God, I’ve never known it so bloody hot,” he said, placing his cargo on the sand. Helen, with only a few beads of perspiration on her top lip and throat, smiled at him. “Yep, this is some summer we’re having. C’mon, let’s cool off in the sea.” “Great idea,” said Ray, peeling his damp shirt over his head. Josh jumped up and posed like a statue. "I'm Michelangelo's David."Cassie lay down in front of him. "I'm Bathsheba on the roof."Whitney, who had just arrived from basketball practice, walked in to the midst of everyone and started stripping. We all watched and even clapped along as she did her little strip tease."I'm your Private Dancer," she said finally. Elaine quickly hopped up on Whitney's back and reached up toward the ceiling."I'm naked ambition." I'm made from all natural ingredients,".