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One of the youths spoke. "That's far enough." |
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Chris glanced up at his father, who ignored the words and kept walking. |
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Suddenly one of the boys clamped a hand on Brian's shoulder and spun him around. Another grabbed Marianne, and the third grabbed Chris. |
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"No!" Chris shouted as he reached for his parents. A hand slapped across his mouth, crushing his lips against his teeth. He tasted blood, warm and metallic, on his tongue. |
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"Shut up, kid. Just shut the hell up." |
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Chris did as he was told. He didn't like the sound of that voice. |
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The teenager who held his mother also put a hand over her mouth. The third boy pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed the weapon at Chris's father. |
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"Hand over the wallet, Pops. Then we'll be on our way." |
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Brian withdrew his wallet and tossed it toward the youth. The kid smiled and caught the leather billfold in midair. "Thanks." Opening the wallet, he glanced inside. "Thanks a lot." He motioned with the gun. "Now the watch, the ring.'' A glance toward Marianne. "Hers, too." |
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Brian didn't take his eyes from the youth who led the trio. "Give him what he wants, Marianne." |
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Chris's breath came in hot, hard gasps of fear against his captor's hand. He watched, wide-eyed, as the kid released his mother so she could remove her jewelry. |
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Her watch and necklace came off with easedainty gold chains lit with diamonds. Chris recalled |
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