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fast.
    “No, sir, not around San Antonio. That’s where 34

    Whisper

    your brother is.”
    “So, you think he was just sleeping?”
    “We don’t know anything for certain, so let’s just believe that until we hear otherwise. Okay?”
    “Can I have another piece of cake?” She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. “Not right now. You finish your homework, and do your chores. After I go to work, Mark will get you another slice.”
    He beamed. He sure did love chocolate chip cake with chocolate fudge frosting. Corey’s best friend, Jade had a birthday. He’d never had a birthday cake or party growing up. They’d made it a royal celebration. No child should go without a party until they turned seventeen. She’d learned an awful lot lately about the world and what experiences a normal child should have.
    “I’ll do the spelling so when Keith calls, I’ll have all the words nailed tight.”
    She did love his verbal expressions. For that matter, all of them had some colorful ways of saying things. When Billy left, she stood and gave Mark her attention. He remained in the doorway, a hand resting on his hip. He looked a lot older than twenty.
    At around six feet, with long brown hair and deep brown eyes, he was a very attractive young man. He looked a lot like his eldest brother. Perhaps the worried expression made him appear older.
    “He didn’t oversleep.” Mark’s voice remained low as he glanced around. “Something’s wrong. I’ve been calling his cell. No answer.”
    He appeared pale and she hated seeing him upset. He was smart, strong and very brave. She stepped close and placed a hand on his shoulder. His expression softened.
    “He’s never missed a call before?”
    “Once. They worked him a double shift and he couldn’t get out of the tunnel to phone home.” 35

    Kathleen Lash

    “Well, that’s what happened this time. You said he works like a fool.” She couldn’t give him any concrete answers. Short of flying to Texas, there wasn’t a thing they could do. “How about if I stay home tonight and keep you company? We’ll wait together.”
    “I’ll pay you.” He quickly explained, “I can only guess what it’ll cost you to miss work. I don’t want you to lose income because—”
    “I think that’s about enough, Mark.”
    “You and Heather count on the money.”
    “I have plenty.” Over the past few months, she’d managed to gather a nest egg in the event of another disaster. They wouldn’t be caught again without some cash.
    “Then why don’t you find a different line of work?”
    She took a step back, shocked and appalled at his audacity.
    “I’m not sorry I finally spoke up. You shouldn’t be working in that shit hole.” She’d let her guard down and he’d gotten too close. Before she could formulate a retort, he grasped her arms. “Please, Whisper, don’t be mad at me.” She shook and her voice barely worked. “You and Nomad won’t be my taxi service any more. I told you when this started that I didn’t need or want your help.”
    A quick move and a jerk gained her freedom before he caught her again. She could tell by his grip, she wouldn’t get lucky a second time. His expression forced her not to react. He looked physically ill. “Whisper, please. I meant every word, but let me explain.”
    “You went inside!”
    “No. Not when you were working, but I’ve been inside before.”
    He knew exactly how she’d been making money .
    36

    Whisper

    She felt sick. She’d discounted the fact that, at twenty, Mark was grown.
    “No one should look at you like that. You’re not like the others.”
    Fury and embarrassment made her tremble.
    “Let me educate you, little man. One of the women is there to pay medical bills for her mother. Another has two kids and a drunk for a husband. One has to pay off rehab because a lousy boyfriend got her into a mess of trouble. Not like them? God, boy, grow up!”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
    “You’re not supposed