" I know, Rita, but I do have a business to run and I just cannot afford any more time. As it is, to do what I've offered is going to have an impact. ...lease don't press me, love. I'm deeply grateful for the van and want to help but I can't be at three places at once."Rita could hear the strain in her voice. The signing of catalogues was not going to make a huge difference to Brain Bros sales but it would keep the lucky retailers happier."OK, love," she said. "I'll check with Nell, have another. She danced very well though and I tipped her a few ones for the effort, but she wasn’t what I was looking for.I couldn’t believe that I was still the only guy sitting by the stage at this point. I mean why even come in here if you’re only going to hide in the corner. There were only about seven or eight guys in the place. Were they all just too cheap to tip the dancers? I didn’t know what their problems were. Fuck ‘em all anyway. I was perfectly happy to have each of the dancers all to myself.. . I'm so damn sleepy too...Flashback – Masha – In MoscowI hated to leave my Jack in the hospital because I know he would be very sick until I administered the antidote. However, I needed to resolve the situation with the Sedankinas and Jack would be an unplanned obstacle.I sent many messages to Miranda but didn't yet have any replies; I hoped I would not have to travel to her location to rectify the situation.Flashback – Major M – Undisclosed baseI was not happy at all about Sgt. Reynolds being. For the past five years, he casually looked after his mother while working odd jobs to supplement his income as convenience store manager. The homeowner, Mrs. Anna Pearson was a few feet away, working on her roses. A broad hat protected her from the sunlight, but her tall frame was already bronzed from many hours of dedication to her flowers. She wore a white, baggy, sleeveless blouse, and red shorts that reached almost to her knees, one foot was encased in a walking boot and she leaned on two.