Fleming stated as he left Janelle and headed back to his patrol car. The other officers followed suit and, in a matter of moments, the convoy of police vehicles had departed. 

“A very artful dodge. How long can you keep it up before you stumble and all your plans go up in flames?” The voice of Otto Van Nostrand once again rattled around in Janelle’s troubled mind, almost making her wince from the unpleasant sound. 

“Don’t you ever take a break?”

“Never. You’re stuck with me until the bitter end, my dear, which for you, could be coming any moment…,” the old man prattled on as Janelle clenched her jaw. Without another word, her hand closed around the iron door handle and she opened the front door. ...

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