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Page 97
thing's not fine! The place is falling apart. Corners being cut, curtness to customers . . . Look, I'll be in the office tomorrow. I'll want to learn exactly what's going on. Make sure Lowell and you are both available." He slammed down the receiver.
Stalking out in a rage, he set out after Abby.
He found her in the bookstore. Her arms were filled with maps, and she was looking at a newspaper with an expression of awe on her face. He was surprised to find his ill temper soften. She was so lovelyyet she acted so strange, like an alien dropped from outer space, if he believed in such things. He wanted answers from her, but he knew better. In his experience, women and the truth went together like sticky-fingered employees and profits.
What would he do with Abby when he returned to L.A.? He should leave her with the Barstow police. But despite his mistrust of her, he would worry about her. Somehow he did not want her just to disappear from his life.
He wondered what she would think of L.A.
He was so distracted by his own thoughts as they reached the Bronco that he failed to turn off the alarm before opening the door. An awful sirenlike sound filled the air till he pushed the right button. "Sorry," he muttered. Abby looked unnerved but said nothing.
She remained quiet on their drive back to the cabin, which was fine with Mike; he had a lot on his mind after his visit to the restaurant.
Still, he kept glancing at her. He enjoyed

 
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