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down and prodded Adam into the kitchen to change the subject. “Can I get you a coffee?”
    “Sure.” He sat at the table and watched her make two cups of coffee. “I just can’t figure you out,” he said.
    “What’s to figure?” Magda sat across from him. “I’ll get you your dress and boots while you’re here.”
    Adam shrugged. “Next time. You might have need of them again.” He put his chin in his hands. “Kat said you were abducted from the dance floor by hairy weirdos last night. She was all for calling the police until I told her you were in a cult.”
    “You didn’t!” Magda stared at him.
    He chuckled. “No. I just told her I’d look you up and make sure you were okay, seeing as your address was in your purse. I respect your privacy. Especially where the press is concerned.”
    “Thanks.” Magda sipped her coffee.
    “Are you okay?”
    She nodded.
    “You don’t look it.”
    Magda shrugged. “This is my life. I can handle it. I’m on a mission to get Preacher off my back this afternoon.”
    “How will you do that?”
    “Repent loudly.”
    Adam made a face. “Why? Why not just leave?”
    Magda sighed. “You know why. What happened last night will just keep happening. Preacher’s daughter can’t leave the Congregation. He’d lose all credibility.”
    “You need to live your life for yourself, honey, not some dried up old God botherer.”
    Magda tilted her head and listened to sounds in the house. “They’re here,” she said. “You won’t get a good reception. Oh, and sorry, but I need this.” She took his coffee and hers, tipped them down the sink and washed the cups.
    “Magdalene?” Preacher walked into the kitchen and stopped. The look on his face was priceless; Magda leaned against the sink and did her best not to laugh.
    “Preacher, meet Adam,” she said. “He seems very nice. I lost my bag last night. He brought it back.”
    “Sodomite,” Preacher said through clenched teeth. “Magdalene, do you not know who this is?”
    Magda gave him an innocent look. “Is he a friend of yours?”
    Adam chortled. “Hello Preacher, lovely to see you again. Haven’t we got another engagement coming up soon?”
    “Get out of my daughter’s house,” Preacher said.
    John appeared in the doorway. “Oh, Adam, this is my husband, John McAllister,” Magda said.
    “Fabulous.” Adam stood, pushed his chair in and walked over to John with an exaggerated mince; Magda pressed the back of her hand against her mouth. Adam had never minced once yesterday. This was a lot more fun than she’d expected.
    Adam shook John’s hand. “My, aren’t you a big fellow.” He squeezed John’s upper arms. “He’s everything you said he was, Magda.”
    John looked like a rabbit trapped in a set of headlights. He looked at Preacher for help.
    Preacher’s hands shook and his eyes bugged out of his face. A vein throbbed in his neck. “Get out, you unholy creature!” he yelled. “Out, Satan!”
    Adam threw up his hands. “Okay darling, I’m going. See you at the news studio tomorrow.”
    Magda hurried across the room. “I’ll see him out,” she said. She hustled Adam past John and to the front door, which she closed behind them.
    “Well, you’ve met the family,” she said.
    “Mags darling, if ever you need a place to go, just call me.” Adam’s smile had disappeared. “I know what it’s like to live with assholes. Trust me, I’ve been there. I programmed my number into your phone, okay? Us children of Satan have to stick together.” He winked, patted her on the cheek and left.
    Magda went back inside. She took a deep breath and went back into the kitchen.
    Preacher glared at her. Not a good start. She put on the kettle and made chamomile tea in her best imitation of a meek little wife.
    “Did you know who he was?” he demanded.
    “No Preacher, and I’m still not sure. Was he someone I shouldn’t talk to?”
    “Most assuredly, Magdalene. That is Adam Seymour, Hailstone’s