"I just . . . I'm still not good at all this.

And . . . and I was so tempted just to keep running. I'm so grateful for what you guys have done for me, but I'm so used to running away."

“Well, I'm glad you didn't run too far. I yelled at Mindy a bit, but she's beating herself up enough, so I stopped early. Jane, never let anyone talk to you like that, even if it's Mindy or Tarloh or or even me. And Mindy told me about the money . . . that was very generous of you. And she told me about your friend Ben. I'm sorry,"

Red finished.

"Me too. I. . . I'm just glad I could be there for him."

"You are too wonderful," Red said.

"Do you think he was telling the truth? About those men?’

"Yeah. I mean, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, ya know?

And sometimes . . . sometimes the people that see the most are the ones most people don't care about enough to hide from. You could probably get someone to go to some homeless shelters and shantytowns.

Homeless people have their own territories and stuff, and there's a lot of drug addiction. If these guys are peddling something so they can feed this ‘dark thing,’ they . . . what?"

Red looked amazed.

"You realize that you just came up with a plan ... full of original thoughts? Don't you? You're going to be absolutely amazing when you actually start believing in yourself a little more.

I think that's a good idea," she added, “and I'm going to have you do it."

Jane's eyes shot open.

"Nuh . . . no way! I can't do that. I can't...

I can barely talk to people! You know that!"

“You talked to Ben," Red reminded her.

“And people might be willing to talk to you because you ARE willing to listen. You aren't particularly good at crime. So why NOT give this a try? I believe in you Jane, even if you don't."

"You do?"

Red pushed Jane back onto the bed and straddled her hips.

"You bet your cute little ass I do."

Jane was biting her bottom lip, but looking up with brilliant, clear eyes.

"Uhm . . . did you want to . . . I mean, I understand if you don't . . . since we did it last night Red had to laugh.

"You are so sweet! She got a look of mock seriousness.