“Let go of me, please,” she asks.Indifferent, the man maintains his grip.“I said let go of me!” She cries.“Very well!” the man shouts. “...ou are all tease. You dress like whores and then you don’t go all the way!”Jasmine’s face is all red from screaming. Fortunately, there aren’t many people out in the scorching midday sun. At that moment, the door opens and Jasmine takes the opportunity to rush inside. Someone pulled on an old rope and opened a way to a narrow staircase.“Close the door and go. .." His voice trailed off.When he started talking again his voice had turned quite firm. "You want to know if Linda had started drugs or running with a bad crowd. Lord, I can't believe it! She was always home! Linda was always studying for school or reading her medical textbooks, or typing at her computer. Some days she'd stay late at school and use the biology lab, the microscopes and stuff."Linda was looking forward to doing a science fair project in the spring, a warm-up, she called it for. What can I do for you?" I ... I need to talk to you. Privately," I said."I'm pretty busy today, can it wait?" Not really." Do you have a bit of time right now?" Sure." Great. I'll be done with the couple I'm showing this place to by the time you can get here. Why don't you come over?"She gave me the address. I drove over there, letting my anger seethe while I thought about what I'd say to her. I parked in front of the house, right behind Teresa's car. I walked up to the front door, and found it. She bent down and slid the painting back intothe box, tossed it in the trunk. "That's that. Forgettaboutit." Shegrabbed Leslie about the shoulders and led her into the house. "You'reback among friends Leslie-chan." Leslie tried hard not to look back at the Geo as they walked into the house.She didn't like being ripped off, and had no idea why that woman - Rebeccawas it? - screwed her over. Was it some payback for not going out with her?But on a deeper level, the calmer right side of her brain.