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Page 198
A fireman approached. His badge identified him as Frendz, and he appeared to be in charge. "It was confined to one bedroom," he said. "We'll leave a couple men to watch, but the rest of the place should be all right." He nodded toward Abby, who was coughing lightly. "The guys will run her to the hospital now."
She shook her head vehemently, stopping her cough despite the tickle in her throat. "No. Thank you."
"They'll just check you over, miss. Make sure you're all right."
"I'm fine. Really."
"But . . ."
She looked at Mike, then Hannah. She did not want to leave this place. Most especially she did not want to answer questions strangers might ask, such as who she was and where she was from.
"We'll get her to a doctor if she seems any worse," Hannah said.
Abby held her breath as Mike studied her. What if he used this opportunity to turn her over to someone else?
She closed her eyes briefly in relief as he said to Frendz, "Thanks for your help, but we'll keep an eye on her." The fireman reluctantly agreed and walked away. Then Mike turned to Hannah. "We'll put Abby in the room next to the one I'm in now. We could all use some rest."
"I doubt I'll sleep a wink," Hannah said but nevertheless went inside.
Although she still smelled like smoke, Abby in-

 
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