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'Made good time, didn't he?' Denise picked up the Pepsis and seltzer. 'Do you want to bring the glasses in?' She watched while Kara gathered the glasses, pinning one between her wrist and chest, holding the others in her hands. 'Now, be careful.' |
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'I don't drop things. I'm not like Dad.' |
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The girl followed her into the living room. The doorbell rang again as Denise set down the cans and bottle on the table in front of the sofa. 'Coming!' she called. |
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She hurried for the door, leaving Kara behind to unload the glasses. |
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She slid the guard chain off its track. 'What's the password?' she asked. |
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Tom, face shiny black, lunged across the threshold thrusting the steel tip of his umbrella at Denise's midsection. She gasped and twisted away. The dull point plunged under the placket of her shirt and streaked across her skin. Half the closed umbrella rushed against her belly, slick and wet, before its tip poked a hole through the side of her shirt. As she fell, she grabbed it with both hands. |
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The floor pounded her shoulder and hip. Keeping her hold on the umbrella, she rolled over on it. The weapon was wrenched from Tom's grip and snapped against the tile. |
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He kicked the side of her thigh. |
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'STOP IT!' Kara shouted. 'YOU STOP THAT!' |
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