Where do we stand on the footage drilled? Are we anywhere close to the schedule?”Ernie came back on the satellite phone connection in just a few sec...nds, but it was obvious from the tone of his voice that things were not all rosy at the drilling site 250 miles north of Thunder Bay. “I guess things are going as well as can be hoped. Number three is at least two days behind schedule, but it’s not the crew’s fault. The hydraulic pump keeps acting up, just like always.”Matti had heard about this. Even Joyce seemed withdrawn and distant from me. I'd been warned by the doctor that there would be residual resentment and mistrust. I knew some of the problems that had occurred because of my other identity's previous actions and words. I wanted to shout to all of them that it hadn't been me, but I couldn't do that, because I now knew that it had been me. It hadn't been the me I wanted to be, but it was the me I was at that time. It was frustrating and more than a little emotionally deflating. " How about this? Karl is competing in the Iron Man Triathlon tomorrow, swimming, biking and running. Let's pack a picnic lunch and cheer him on. That'll get you out of here for the first time in weeks and give us a chance to talk about some other ideas in a fresh environment." I'd like that. I'd like getting out and supporting a friend. Let's do it."The next morning, Jaclyn and Courtney, dressed inconspicuously and armed with a large thermos of hot coffee, braved the dawn chill to witness the. I put it on one of the clothes hooks. Sure enough, she was a redhead. Her hair was short and she wore it one of those tousled-on-purpose styles, swoops of thick red hair going this way and that. Reminded me of a 1920's flapper girl cut. With her triangular pixie face, oversize eyes, and pouting lips, she was very pretty and very enticing. I knew I wasn't finished yet.Leaning forward, I kissed her, long and slow and deep. A languid kiss of spent passion, but also with the promise of more to.