“That’s it, ba ... Buddy,” I said. I let the tears run for a bit. “Everything I had. That’s what’s left.”He reached over, consoling me w...th a touch.“I’m sorry, Mimi.”I sniffled, “Let me call the landlord.” I picked up my phone, ran through the contact list, punched his number. Got his receptionist.“Tell him that he can clear it ALL out. The insurance company’s getting pictures. They should pick up the car next week, too.”“I’m so sorry, Mizz Clemons,” the lady said.“Thank you. Stuff happens, I. I had a hard time paying attention to loading her luggage, it was so overpowering, but I was glad I did."Did you know that he--?"She was talking trash about one of the guys, little knowing that the guy she was talking about was one of the girls huddled with her now. There was silent laughter across the web, because everyone knew that the stories were false. The sad thought was passed around: she's still trying a power-grab, now by divide-and-conquer.The girls didn't say anything to contradict. "I filled him in on the circumstances surrounding the early retirement of Walter Trimble. I also produced the recording I had made of his termination meeting."So, as I understand it, you didn't simply fire him, you gave him options which would allow him to retire with dignity intact and at full pension. Is that correct?" Yes. Of the two options, that was the more favorable to him, but he did have a choice."Rand was making copious notes as we talked. I liked the guy right from the start. No. Dinner over we retired to our own rooms to change. This was easy for me as I strapped on my shoulder holster complete with a gun and a waist coat with my characters name on it. In my case I became Mickey. Our hosts who were not part of our circle ushered us into a large room with bookshelves around the walls. We were told that The Grande did have some secret passage ways which we could use if we found them. The men sat in large arm chairs while the women found their respective partners. We sat.