three men in front of them he concluded it was likely the middle man who had climbed in the window. Probably slapped a cloth soaked in drugs or something worse over Misty's mouth before hauling her out of there.
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Though chubby, he was tall, and leaner than the fat ass at his side and he didn't have that sense of authority the boss did. In fact, maybe while the boss was at the front door, the guy had stolen Misty away through the backyard. She was tiny, after all, and couldn't weigh more than a hundred pounds if she tried, but she had a good set of lungs on her. Once they put her out, they could have just passed her from one man to the other.
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It didn't surprise him that Major wouldn't have raised the alarm unless it was a real ruckus. He was so old and deaf, he was sleeping his way through his last days. He could barely walk as it was.
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But then why come to the front door, wake John and ask him to see if everyone was accounted for and in bed? Or had that been John's idea?
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Lost in thought, he barely noticed the light tap on his leg. When Gem smacked him harder, he glared at her. "What?" he hissed.
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She nodded to the doorway. The three strangers walked with John into the living room where the four teens sat.
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"Did anyone see Misty tonight?" John asked the group at large.
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Gem piped up. "Not after she went to bed."
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That was the truth, or at least part of the truth. Mark almost snorted. Gem was the master of misdirection. He nodded at the three strangers. "Who are they?"
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"Government authorities. From the Environmental Protection Agency." John ran a hand through his hair, worried and distraught but trying hard to keep it together. He buried his fist in his faded jeans pocket. Beside him, his caring wife, Doris, huddled lower in her chair, her purple housecoat a bright spot against the severe, dark colors of the strangers. Why did all older women seem to wear purple anyway?
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Not that it mattered. Mark liked this couple. They had heart. Something he'd seen little enough of in his life.
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"What about the EPA? Why would they be here?" asked Gem boldly.
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Good for her. Gem didn't take well to most authority. Or take orders for that matter. In fact, Gem didn't do well with anything that curtailed her activities. She did what she needed to do to get along, but wouldn't give an inch once her back was up.
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"What?" John struggled to understand her question.
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"I'd like to see their identification." She stood up, defiant as always. "For all we know," she gestured to the two hired big dudes, "Humpty and Dumpty here could have snatched Misty themselves."
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Doris gasped in shock at Gemma's rudeness. John stared at her, stunned. Gem kept her eyes on the strangers. Mark did too. He immediately figured out which of the two men she'd nicknamed. The leader pulled something from his pocket, and held it up for the others to see. Gem stood and reached for it, but he wouldn't let her hold it.
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Gemma read aloud, "Tom Rickets, Senior Environmental Officer from Eâ"
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The badge was withdrawn. She frowned at him.
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"Gemma, that's enough," John said firmly. "They have identification on them. I've already checked it with the sheriff. They are looking for a couple of kids that caused trouble by the creek tonight."
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She stiffened then relaxed and retook her seat beside Mark. Mark felt, rather than saw the subtle shift in her posture. She raised one eyebrow but stayed silent, her suspicious gaze locked on the group of strangers. Mark observed them, noting the way they studied Gem.
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After a moment, she excused herself. "I need to go to the bathroom." As she slipped past the doorway, the suit motioned to Dumpty to follow her. Uh oh. Mark narrowed his gaze, then stood up to follow Gem and the stranger out of the room.
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He didn't know what was going on, but he had to admit, Gem's suggestion about these men being responsible for Misty's