How much more could possibly happen? Oh, shit.Robb thought. I asked. Do I want to know the answer? His head was amaelstrom. Too many things, too many ...hings."Sorry, just don't feel like myself and..." Robb looked up, smiled andthey both dissolved into laughter. Robb's laughter sounded tinged withnervousness. A slight pain in his abdomen, a dull ache that ebbed andflowed."You don't even have to try to be a smartass, do you?" Melanie smiled.Robb scrunched up his face. Melanie laughed."Well, I've. "Mr. Hanes, I did what I was ordered to do. Oh, my life hasn't been an example of piety, but once I began working more closely with Mr. Moreau, there was no other choice. I had been planning to try to escape the compound when a casual acquaintance there apparently made a run for the wall during the night. The sniper was in the tower waiting for him with a .50 caliber. I heard the gun go off well after midnight. I never saw Carl again. Mr. Moreau bragged that he knew I was thinking about. “Where did you get that idea, Adelphe?’ he said.“I’ve looked at your scrolls, Younos,” she said, simply.He started, and then was lost in thought for a moment. “I know you practice magic, but I want to know what your designs are, brother?” she said.He had a look that Arabian horses often got when they sighted packs of jackals in the desert. It was a look of panic mixed with determination. “You entered my room?” he said.“This is my house, brother,” she said, keeping her voice even but very. The man, embarrassed, stood up, “Bitch,” he spat and stormed off. The girl that had seen her from across the pool came over to her. “Just saw what happened. You alright?” she asked, so nonchalant about Victoria’s exposed body. It made her feel normal, and okay about being out naked. She smiled, “I am fine, thank you.” The female held out her hand. “Jessica.” “Vikki, or Victoria,” she answered and gently shook Jessica’s hand. Jessica hurried away and grabbed her towel and bag and walked back,.