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this side of the room? she wondered suddenly. The vandal had deliberately carried it over before smashing it. Why?

Then the thought flew out of her mind as she saw the blood dripping from the top drawer of the desk.

Oh, God, more?

She didnt want to open the drawer. She wouldnt open it.

She did.

She screamed and jumped back.

A river of blood inside and, in the middle of the sticky pool, a dead rat.

She slammed the drawer shut.

Ive got the box and sheet. Her mother had reappeared. Do you want me to do it?

Eve shook her head. Sandra looked as squeamish as Eve felt. Ill do it. Is Joe coming?

Right away.

Eve took the sheet, braced herself, and then moved toward the cat.

Its all right, Tom-Tom. Were taking you home.

Joe met her on the doorstep of the lab two hours later. He took one look and handed her his handkerchief. Theres a smudge on your cheek.

We just buried Tom-Tom. She wiped her tear-stained cheeks. Moms still with Mrs. Dobbins. She loved that cat. It was her child.

Id want to kill someone if they did anything to my retriever. He shook his head. We dusted but didnt come up with any prints. He probably wore gloves. We did find partial footprints in the blood. Big, probably belongs to a man, and only one set, so Id bet it was a single perpetrator. Is there anything missing?

Not that I can tell. Justhellip; destroyed.

I dont like it. Joe glanced back over his shoulder at the wreckage. Someone took a long time to do that thorough a job. It was pretty vicious and it doesnt look random to me.

I didnt think so either. Someone wanted to hurt me.

Any kids in the neighborhood?

None Id suspect. This was too cold.

Have you called the insurance company?

Not yet.

Better do it.

She nodded. Only the day before shed told Logan she wasnt worried about leaving the lab unlocked. She hadnt imagined anything like this could happen. I feel sick, Joe.

I know. He took her hand and squeezed it com-fortingly. Ill have a black and white keep an eye on the house. Or how about you and your mom coming to my place for a few days?

She shook her head.

Okay. He hesitated. I should get back to the precinct. I want to check records, see if theres been any similar crimes in the area lately. You going to be all right?

Ill be fine. Thanks for coming, Joe.

I wish I could do more. Well question your neighbors and see if we come up with anything.

She nodded. Except for Mrs. Dobbins. Dont send anyone to her house.

Right. If you need me, just call.

She watched him walk away and then turned back to the lab. She didnt want to go inside. She didnt want to see that violence and ugliness again.

She had to do it. She had to make sure nothing was missing and then call the insurance company. She braced herself and then walked in. Again, the blood struck her like a blow. God, she had been so frightened when she had thought that blood might be her mothers.

Dead cats and butchered rats and blood. So much blood.

No.

She ran out the door and sank down on the doorstep. Cold. She was so cold. She clasped her arms around her body in a futile attempt to banish the chill.

Theres a police car parked outside. Are you all right?

She looked up to see Logan standing a few feet away. She couldnt deal with him now. Go away.

Whats wrong?

Go away.

He looked behind her at the doorway. Some-thing happened?

Yes.

Ill be right back. He went past her into the lab. He was back beside her in a few minutes. Very nasty.

They killed my neighbors cat. They smashed Mandy.

I saw the shattered bones on the desk. He paused. Was that where you found them?

She shook her head. On the floor beside it.

But you and your mother werent hurt?

Lord, she wished she could stop shivering. Go away, I dont want to talk to you.

Wheres your mother?

At Mrs. Dobbinss. Her cat Go away.

Not until someones here to take care of you. He pulled her to her feet. Come on, were going to the house.

I dont need anyone to take care He was half tugging her down the path. Let me go. Dont