..I phoned Wanda, just to let her know what was happening. She said there was nothing I needed to know about.Mercy talked to the manager at the Holida... Inn, who cheerfully agreed to have his best assistant, Jodie, all packed and ready to catch the next plane to Vegas.I spoke to Tiny next."I think you need to get out here to the Junction and sort out all the financial issues," I told himTiny chuckled."I was just waiting for an invitation," he replied. "However, I think you don't need both Ben. "Masha shook her head, "I've worked for you forty-four weeks and you've given me nineteen specific tasks."Thule raised an eyebrow, "You want more work?"Masha shook her head, "I want to keep my job. I like my job. But, I can see the writing on the wall. When you were still in school, I told myself that the reason I spent most of my time being useless was that you were busy with school. But, you've been working out of the office for weeks now and you've only asked me to do one thing." I'm not. "Just fucking dig, asshole."I got my laughter under control quickly. This was sure no time to piss her off. As I continued digging—which wasn't as easy as it sounded, the ground was pretty thoroughly packed—I thought it wise to back off. "I'm sorry, honey," I told her contritely."It's OK, darling," she said after a minute. "Look, I was a little rushed. I did it that last night; I'd just finished setting Bobby up with the cops and the reporters and I was on my way to meet him. I was living right. “Happy birthday,” her mom said shrugging. Her father was, as usual, out on a business trip, but would probably call later. That is, if he remembered, Carolina thought contritely. He, or rather, his secretaries.“I don’t think I would need that many secretaries,” she remarked unrelated when she tore open the envelope. “I mean, I’d rather have my appointments in my own head.”Her mom just smiled a tired smile and sipped on her morning wine. “Ah, sweetie,” she said, “they’re certainly not necessary,.