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you're awake. I didn't mean to hurt you, you know." |
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"I know," Abby said, trying to sound as calm as Mike. "I'll bet if you let us go, Mike will listen to your ideas, won't you, Mike?" |
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"I told you not to patronize me!" The gun swung wildly around from Mike's stomach to Abby's and back again. "Get up, Abby. Get over here where I can keep an eye on you both." |
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She tried to rise, but the movement made her throbbing head swim. |
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She forced herself to sit, then kneel, ignoring her dizziness. Slowly she drew herself to her feet. |
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She heard a voice inside her head. "Abby, run." |
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She glanced at Mike. He stared at her, a look of intense concentration on his face. His fists were clenched; obviously he was preparing to spring, to create a distraction if she bolted as he wished. |
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But she wasn't able to move very fast. Nor would she abandon Mike to this pathetic madman. |
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She made her way to Mike's side. He glared at her fiercely, but she gave a gentle smile of reassurance. |
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"Good," Lowell said. "You've certainly been an elusive target," he told Mike. "I hoped Philip would do the job for me. That's why I kept him informed about your whereabouts. But the wimp was all talk.'' He sighed, shaking his head. "At least I learned a lot about mechanical things, be- |
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