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"Beg all you want, but turn around and put your hands on the wall." |
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After patting the man down, Conrad stood back and held out his arm. "After you." |
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The goateed man stepped into the suite and surreptitiously scanned the living room. He couldn't believe his eyes. The place was clean! No spells, no protective charmsnothing! He stared at the huge man standing in front of him and wondered, Are these people crazy? They're just asking for it. |
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"Wait here," Conrad said. "I'll get him." |
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On the way up in the elevator, the goateed man had been terrified that he was going to forget the words of the spell to lower the protective shield around Douglas's room. Now he simply walked over and turned the lock and opened the door. |
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The Dark Man slipped soundlessly into the room. He quickly scanned the corners of the room and then looked at his assistant. The goateed man shrugged. |
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The sound of angry voices echoed down the penthouse hallway. |
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"She doesn't know I'm here, moron, so how could she send a messenger?" |
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Bryan swept into the room holding together the front of a black silk kimono with a red dragon embroidered across the back. He saw the goateed man first and snapped, "Who the devil" |
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Bryan saw a black giant in an outrageous feathered cloak standing next to the bar and skidded to a halt. "Who . . ." Then, as he realized who was standing in front of him, his mouth dropped open and the blood drained from his face. "No!" |
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The Dark Man's grin more closely resembled the grimace of a skull. "Oh, yes. Yes indeed." |
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"Hey!" Conrad shouted. "Who let you in?" |
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A .45 automatic magically appeared in the bodyguard's fist, but the Dark Man performed a little magic of his own. He opened his palm and blew a cloud of dust over the big man's face and Conrad stopped dead in his tracks. |
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