The elevator stopped on the top floor and the bronze doors opened. The café was beautiful, with an amazing view off the twenty-foot building. Allison led him to a table by the edge of the roof. He almost felt vertigo, glancing down the side of the building in the bright sunlight. Everything was so much brighter than he remembered but just as beautiful. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPOGoEIjQR
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"Hello Tex," a waitress said. "Who's the new guy?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcHGlHz6ix 維尼
"Jennifer, this is David," Allison said. "David, Jennifer. He's on my team, a General Catcher." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWalI6jgsO 維尼
"I'm from Parle City, volunteering this week," Jennifer said, gesturing to her gold tag. "Consulting Detective." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWbwin4f5z 維尼
"So there isn't always this many people?" Carson asked. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdQKmUhevm 維尼
"Every break, I'm here," Jennifer said. "It's the safest place to be since we take care of our own." 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vnnEItTMb
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"You'll be right at home here, David," Allison reassured. "I'll have a coffee. And you?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqZ8gR9mO6 維尼
Carson coughed. "Um, a bagel?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7kjV09L2 維尼
"I'll be right back," Jennifer said, walking back to the café's bar. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0WN0BI5G4 維尼
It's okay, Officer, Goldie said. The world is a strange place, but it's the same world you've been in this whole time. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnc0DmMLDl 維尼
That's so helpful, Carson bit back sarcastically. This world was never safe, as far as I remember. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡzako8xSRw0 維尼
You're doing just fine, Goldie reassured. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡighini1Dkf 維尼
"So tell me, David, why are you here?" Allison finally asked. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbrFNm3YdC 維尼
"Tex, I'm sorry," Carson said. "It was an accident, I swear–" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfdYTBsNHd 維尼
"No apologizing," Allison said flat out. "You're already here. Apologizing won't bring them back." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyPHAq6v9Z 維尼
"Oh, of course," Carson replied, taking a deep breath. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡf670PktMNa 維尼
It's okay, Goldie said suddenly. I don’t think she's going to kill you. In fact– 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2eFPJ256x 維尼
Shut up! Carson screamed internally. He was still getting used to Goldie and all her souls trying to offer him advice. "It was Goldie Rose, my most recent case." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8HRVVxwpB 維尼
"The 'missing' one?" Allison asked. "Makes sense. That was a smart move. It won't raise any alarms." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcrJbWe4Ug 維尼
"What about you?" Carson asked. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlJfHql5Fv 維尼
Just then, Jennifer returned with Allison's coffee and Carson's "bagel." It wasn't an old-world bagel, but Carson was pretty sure those didn't exist anywhere anymore. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡumUhcgplLv 維尼
"I'm from the war," Allison said after Jennifer left. "I was a marine in the USA, fighting for all that government stood for. During the war, I killed enough high stakes targets to make me practically immortal." Allison tensely laughed, taking a sip of coffee. "I guess you could say the vets from the war are the biggest Time Thieves." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyuKpNCQk1 維尼
"Wow," Carson breathed. "I would have never guessed. You don't have the look." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡitMYu9rWu5 維尼
Allison chuckled. "You know, the look is a myth. But yes, we can teach you how to lose the look that some Catchers associate with Time Killers. How long are you staying?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfSWCYmS8F 維尼
"Two weeks," Carson said. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZirw0FZma 維尼
"That should be enough time for you to take some courses from our retired TKCs, the ones with the silver name tags," Allison said. "If you need any more time here, just let me know." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdVi380P5s 維尼
"Great!" Carson said. Maybe he could learn to blend, to get used to life before he was back to pretending. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUKQ1NsABK
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"Oh, how are you coping with the voice?" Allison asked 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59MCn2DoPG 維尼
What about your promise? Goldie asked. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7skWCNgQQ 維尼
"I can't make her go away," Carson sighed. "And I have a problem." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAfMAc3nuC 維尼
Well, you're doing great so far, Goldie said. Don't worry about me. He drowned her voice in his bagel. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPzVYIZgle 維尼
"After a month or so, the voice will fade. She'll get bored and she'll only respond when you call her." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe9FP4poQV 維尼
"That's not the only problem," Carson admitted. "I promised someone I'd revive their girlfriend." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡhylkpaRKWL 維尼
"What?" Allison gawked. "You do know that means you'll have to kill someone? A life for a life." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoXSdqswdj 維尼
Carson nodded. "I know, but that was the only way I could find this place. Help me, please." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡapbCygb4ks 維尼
Allison sighed, finishing her coffee. "Do it quietly. If you are caught, even I cannot save you. And whatever you do, do not commit suicide." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3vyKrtA9Z 維尼
It was Carson's turn to be surprised. "What?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc7dBg9jWv 維尼
"With all this time, committing suicide will only send all of it flying out in an explosion," Allison explained. "I suppose those scientists were up to something there." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1ip4PY3NE 維尼
Carson popped in the last bite of his bagel. "Wait. So you're okay with it. More killing?"8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kBOnYMh8V 維尼
"Well, pick a prolific Time Killer, obviously," Allison said. "It'll be another missing, I guess. I mean, never anger a murderer. That would be the stupid option." Allison stood up and paid the bill. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Z50MvUvZ 維尼
"Oh, yeah, of course," Carson said, following her to the elevator. "So I'll go back to work?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsx5LeVF6a 維尼
"Yes, but before that, we need to discuss housing," Allison said. "You going to stay at the Ephemera for your two weeks?" 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQbClIRnOP 維尼
Carson shrugged. "Maybe? I guess, yeah." The elevator dinged and they got in. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRBcbLQGAK 維尼
Allison pressed the tenth floor. "Let's go organize that," Allison said. The door closed in front of them, the bronze showing their reflections. Allison, the strong, confident blonde. Carson, the nervous, dark haired cop. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ljXdVhXk 維尼
"Don't worry," Allison said. "You're going to make the best of this." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqQGOvZDyV 維尼
That night, Carson sat awake on his new bed in his new room, the room he was going to have for the next two weeks. Allison had signed him up for a few "beginner" classes for his time there. She had assured him, again, that things were going to be all right. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlvNa9YYeC 維尼
The world is a strange place, buddy, Goldie said. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡYawqvdqJ4J 維尼
"You will soon be gone," Carson replied. "That's what Tex said." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTZMUxaD77 維尼
Not gone, Goldie argued. Bored. And you know I never imagined you'd be so boring. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9rOePpumt
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"That's reassuring that you're not doing anything weird to my body," Carson sighed. "I can't believe it. Actual murder." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl4U9XXTqz 維尼
It's just a trade, Goldie reassured. Just pick someone totally despicable. Then you'd be doing a great service to the world. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAFMPFIuQK 維尼
"Shut up. I need some sleep. It's been a long day." 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1r2SJA292 維尼
I agree. Night-night, Officer, Goldie replied. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9M30bi3SF
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"You are such a bag of kittens, aren't you, Goldie?" Carson jested. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WwUXoACh7
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No, my girlfriend's the cat, Goldie clarified. Oh, I miss dear Fauny so much. I wonder what's she's doing without me. 8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡWueOThIUKT 維尼
Ah, yes. She wears the cat ears, Carson realized before drifting into dreams. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6MMEeuEmP
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