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twerp wears the same NASA T-shirt every day of the week. You should hear the kinds of things he talks about. Aliens. The Illuminati. Personally, I think it’s his way of trying to get people to notice him when all the attention goes to me and my buddies on the team. He probably finally had enough of it and ran away, using the school thing as an excuse. He’s smart, but he’s also a total wuss. Trust me when I say he can’t handle himself in a fight. Not exactly terrorist material. If you ask me, he’s probably hunting for Sasquatches in the woods somewhere. That’s where I’d try to find him, at least.”
    I take a big swig of my soda and glance over at Sarah, who’s looking at me with a mixture of disgust and confusion. I give her a little kick under the table, and she manages a smirk.
    I take a chance and lean forward, grabbing Sarah’s hands in mine. They’re soft and tremble slightly. I have to hold them still against her initial urge to pull away.
    “Isn’t that right, babe?” I ask, flashing the toothiest grin I can muster her way.
    “That’s probably true,” she mutters.
    “Well, that’s very enlightening , Mr. James,” Agent Walker says.
    “I think I’m ready to go now,” Sarah says, scooting towards Walker.
    The agent doesn’t move.
    “But you haven’t even eaten yet,” she says. Agent Noto still hasn’t so much as breathed as far as I can tell.
    “I’m not hungry,” Sarah says.
    “Why don’t we talk a little more?”
    “Oh, are you charging us with something?” I ask.
    “What would we have to charge you with?” Walker says with a smile that’s just a little too forced.
    “Nothing.” I shrug. “I just know you can’t keep us here unless you are actually going to arrest us or something. That’s how my father’s always said the law works.”
    Walker gives a few short laughs, which seem to say, “How very cute that you think that’s how things work around here.” Still, she slides out of the booth. Agent Noto follows her.
    “If you happen to remember anything,” Walker says, pulling a business card from her suit pocket and holding it out to Sarah, “do let us know. We’ll be in touch.”
    In a flash, Sarah’s left the booth and headed for the door. It takes me a little longer to get out, and Walker’s standing in my way when I stand.
    “That girl is trouble,” she says, still holding up the card. “Don’t let her take you down with her.”
    We stare at each other for a moment. Her eyes are light and intense. Finally, I take the card and slip it into my pocket then push past her. On the way out, ourwaitress rounds the corner with our steaming pizza.
    “Hey, where are you going?” she asks, clearly ticked off.
    I shrug and point to Agent Walker.
    “Red’s taking care of our lunch,” I say. And then I’m gone.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    SARAH’S WAITING FOR ME ON THE SIDEWALK A few stores down. When I get close, she starts to walk away quickly, and I have to jog a few steps to catch up to her.
    “What was all that about?” she asks.
    “You’re going to have to be a little more specific,” I say.
    “All that stuff about Sam, for starters.”
    “I was just trying to cover my ass if they didn’t already think he was with John after I stupidly said his name. Trying to throw them off the trail.”
    “Okay, then what about holding my hand. What was that?”
    I stop and turn to her. We’re on the corner. The wind whips her hair back and forth across her face, and she looks like tears might fall from her eyes at any moment. I have no doubt that the agents are still watching us, soI step to the side to make sure that they can’t see her face from inside the pizza place.
    “Sarah, if they think you’re his girlfriend, they’re going to keep watching you,” I say softly. “You know that. I was just trying to throw them off you as well.”
    “I can look out for myself,” she says.
    “I know you can. But you shouldn’t have to. John shouldn’t have—”
    “I