’ Second, your former employee has a case against you on which the court will convict. Especially with one of the best legal firms in the city behin... her. Take the plea bargain. And try to remember this the next time you feel like assaulting your secretary.’ She tossed the papers in front of him and sat down behind her polished desk. Cromwell sat there, feeling numb. He stared past her for a moment, out the second-storey window. The trees lining the street were brilliant in the early autumn. I dream I pursue Marco through a maze of hedges, never quite able to see him clearly. Suddenly I reach the centre and see him savagely pruning a bush down to the ground, feverishly cutting at the stems. I cry out and run forward to stop him, and he turns to me, puzzled at my interference. I look again and the bush is whole, unknown blooms bursting into flower. He carefully clips one, handing it to me and saying This one has no thorns and I take his hand, leaning into him, striving to touch his. Next to that was aslinky black dress, stiletto heels and the rest of the ensemble that hewould soon find himself wearing. The note in the envelope read, "I KnowEVERYTHING," His heart leaped. "Put on everything you see here on thebed and drive to this location, when you arrive you will do exactly whatyou are told by anyone that asks you. Leave your windows rolled downwhen you get there. You will step out of the car to speak to anyone thatasks you. Failure to comply will lead to my leaving. I figured I could make it back before mom and dad got home.As I left the house the overcast sky made me realize that I might need to geta ride home. I did not really want to walk or run home in the rain. I jumpedthe fence at the edge of our yard when I realized that I forgotten to leave anote. Oh well, I did not have time to go back. Jim had said he was only goingto be home for a little while so I had to hurry. I could always call. Mom wasalways on me about not being thoughtful of her and dad,.