ANGELA AND QUINLAN.

Angela waited until Quinlan moved through the arched doors into the book part of the store before reaching for her cell phone.

"Mary? I need to talk fast. Do you have a minute?"

"Go ahead, I'm listening," Mary said.

"Good. Look, tell George it didn't work. I thought I saw a glimpse of something here at the gallery, but she shut it down. Completely."

"Nothing?" Mary asked.

"Nada."

"Then, we'll move forward," Mary said.

"Okay. I just wanted to double check. Talk to you soon."

Quinlan sat at the coffee bar staring into her cup of coffee, her propped up elbow holding her chin.

"Good news!" Angela said, dropping onto a nearby stool. "Just got a call from Mary and guess what? You get your certificate of completion." Angela paused a half-beat. "Surprise!"

"What?" Quinlan bolted from her seat. Her dismal mood magically evaporated.

"That's right," Angela said. "After we leave here we'll go to my office and you'll get your certificate."

"I don't believe it!" Quinlan hadn't felt so exhilarated since being granted the return trip. "What happened?"

"Nothing really. Sometimes the rest of the session is, you know...." Angela's eyes dropped to the floor. "Waived...a time-saving measure." Pause. "Sort of."

"Great, let's go!" Quinlan felt her mood approach manic.

"Can I finish my latte?" Angela swirled her coffee with a small stir stick.

Quinlan shifted from one foot to the other, unable to sit. Her wheels were already spinning a new mental "to do" list.

"Now, there're still a few things you'll need instruction on." Angela took a sip of her steaming brew.

"Yes. Like how to access Gracie." Quinlan felt instantly awake. Straight adrenaline mainlined through her veins.

"Listen to me." Angela's tone stern. "I'm serious."

Quinlan felt like a young child waiting for the recess bell. "Okay, what?"

"I know you've been sent back to a.s.sist your daughter."

Quinlan's eyes met Angela's deep glare.

"Just try and remember what you've learned. Can you do that?"

"Yes. Of course." Quinlan took a huge gulp of latte and immediately spit the scalding liquid back into the cup.

"Ouch. That had to hurt." Angela took another sip of coffee and stood. "I'll just make this to-go before you do any permanent damage to yourself."

Quinlan nodded, fanning her mouth with her hand.

Back in Angela's office, Quinlan held the precious certificate as if it had been dipped in gold. I've done it! she thought.

"Hang on to that. I'll send a copy to Mary." Angela pulled a blue folder from her desk. "Okay, quick review."

She tried to sit still, but couldn't keep her heels from tapping the floor.

"Chill, will you?" Angela flipped to the summary tab at the back of the folder.

At the command, she inched slightly backwards in the chair, but still close enough to bolt as soon as Angela gave the word.

"To review." Angela cleared her throat. "Our purpose here is what?"

Quinlan, glad she had memorized her notes, blurted, "A-C-G-I-P."

"I beg your pardon?"

"A-C-G-I-P. It's alphabetical," Quinlan said. "That's how I remember. Always have." Quinlan rattled off, "a.s.sist, control, guard, intercede, protect."

"COMFORT!" Angela yelled, pushing Quinlan back in her seat. "C is for comfort, not control!"

"Right." Oops.

Angela narrowed her eyes. "For the purpose of?"

"Personal growth and development." The words fired out almost before the question left Angela's mouth.

"Isn't that P-G-D?" Angela's mouth curved upward in a sly smile.

"Actually, it would be D-G-P." She had no patience at the moment for Angela's humor or lack of alphabetizing skills.

Angela barely shook her head as if shooing a fly off her nose, then continued. "And, under no circ.u.mstances, do we...."

Quinlan sucked in blank air. What don't we do? She wet her lips. "I know it. Just give me a minute." She scoured the corners of her brain.

Angela waited.

"Under no circ.u.mstances do we, ummm...." Quinlan felt the agony of defeat creep in. She'd come so close....

"Interfere with free will," Angela offered.

"Interfere with free will." Quinlan felt a thin moustache of sweat on her upper lip.

"Lessons or challenges to be...."

Seconds clicked by in Quinlan's head, louder than her heel tapping. "Learned!" she shouted. "There. I told you I knew it."

Angela blinked hard. "Let's move on."

"Yes, let's." Quinlan edged up on her chair again.

"Do you have your ID bracelet with you?"

Quinlan rummaged through both pockets of her jacket before handing the shiny blue bracelet to her ground patrol.

Angela pa.s.sed the bracelet over a small laser pad on the corner of her desk, which immediately produced a blue glow in the middle of the bracelet panel. She handed it back.

"Open it at the clasp," Angela said.

The lock easily disengaged under Quinlan's touch.

"Find the arrow on the panel, push down and pull."

Quinlan placed a shaky finger over the pointer. The end cap released. Lines formed between her eyebrows. "This looks like a jump drive thingy."

"It is a jump drive thingy."

"What's it for?" Quinlan turned it over in her hand.

"Take it to the library on the third floor of the station building. You're to access one of the blue computers with your jump drive thingy." Angela smiled. "Follow the directions on the screen and you'll be on your way."

"That's it?"

"Pretty much."

Quinlan snapped the cap back on the jump drive. "Can I go now?"

"If you like."

She stood and turned toward the door.

"Oh...wait," Angela said.

What now? It took all Quinlan's pent-up energy to keep her eyes from rolling.

Angela placed a square white box on her desk and pushed it toward Quinlan. "A little something from me."

Quinlan lift the lid, her puzzled expression transformed into a smiley face. Nestled between lacy pieces of parchment paper were layers of luscious desserts.

"Your favorites, I believe." Angela smiled a knowing, playful grin. "The Tiramisu wouldn't have traveled well." She paused. "You'll have to settle for extra baklava."

She briefly drooled over the lavish treats before forcing the box lid shut. "This is so thoughtful. Really. And thanks for everything." Quinlan shoved the box under her arm.

Angela tilted her head, eyeing the sideways pastry box.

Respectfully rearranging the box to a more upright position, Quinlan offered an apologetic smile. "Good, I may need your help." She bolted from Angela's office and thought she heard, "Yes, I a.s.sume you will." before the door slammed behind her.

CHAPTER 33.

QUINLAN.

Rushing back to her living quarters, Quinlan tossed the pastry box on the bed. She ran a comb through her hair, smeared on lipstick, glanced in the mirror out of habit, and headed out the door.

Ten minutes later, panting heavily, Quinlan stood in front of the over-sized double doors of the station building. She slapped her blue "gold" card against the sensory panel, which allowed her access to the building. As the doors opened she plowed through, mowing over something or someone. She stepped back. It couldn't be one of the patina walls, she wasn't even inside yet. Her eyes focused on a person sprawled in a crash-like position on the floor. "Eddie!"

"h.e.l.lo." He stood, brushing his hands down his uniform.

She ushered him clear of the door. "I'm so sorry. Remember me? Your old pal Quinlan?"

"Yes ma'am." Eddie's reply was distant.

She hoped the black-rimmed gla.s.ses held together at the bridge of his nose with duct tape were temporary. They resembled badly aged safety goggles. "Did I hurt you?"

"No."

"You been doing okay?" Quinlan asked.

"Fine." Eddie shot a glance over his shoulder.

Quinlan offered a warm smile. "Will you be heading back soon?"

"Yes."

Eddie's short and direct answers reminded Quinlan of his lack of social skills.

"Well, I just want to...." Words locked in her throat and her face flushed when she spotted the handsome Mr. Clean walking up behind Eddie.

Either her scarlet cheeks or the feeling of someone breathing down his neck caused Eddie to hunch over. His head sunk into his body like a turtle. "Someone behind me?" he mouthed.

Quinlan nodded, inhaling the scent of cotton candy.

"Edward." Thomas's voice boomed, firm but gentle.