Lauren was pleased that they had been some of the first off the plane as a queue built up stretching out of the room and back out along the corridor. ...he customs officer was bedraggled with a straggly beard and bushy black eyebrows. His uniform was tattered almost beyond repair with more holes than buttons and peeling gold braid that Lauren thought his mother would be embarrassed about. Even though it was late evening the room was stifling and she felt beads of perspiration breaking out on her. He produces a thin leather rod from behind his back. I can see the leather shining in the lamplight. He takes two steps towards me. I stare at him and lines from The Canticle of Menkeret come into my mind. I recite them silently, “Gaze into the light For it may not shine again. Revel in its sight For it will soon fade away To pure darkness at midday.” I fix my gaze upon the lamp on the wall as the Darrakhai strikes my side. I feel a little pain but the words of the canticle echo through my mind. What if she told her father?“I hope you will be discreet about your prostitution,” I told her as I led her into my bedroom.“Discreet?”“With your father.” I twisted her nipple. “He doesn't need to know just how much of a slut you are. He's already ashamed enough that you're a little whore without knowing you're selling your body to other men.”“But... Doesn't he want to know how I'm helping the family?”“He wouldn't accept the money if he knew how you earned it.” I rolled her nipple between my. And I don't mind you asking whatever question you feel you have to ask. I realize that you're only doing your job." Do you have any idea where Mrs. Parsons went this afternoon?"He shook his head, "The maid said she went shopping, that's all I know. Her car is in the garage so I don't think she went shopping. The maid won't be in until tomorrow and I don't have any idea where she lives. My wife takes care of all that." Senator, we'll put out an APB for your wife immediately. We're going to.