I didn't move away, but as with Taylor, neither did I encourage her. "I have a lot of work to do yet tonight, Abbie." True. I was in no state to do any of that work right now, but I could forgive myself that one small omission.

"Oh, fine. C'mon, C-dawg, let's get you out of here." She stood, then hauled me up behind her. I brushed the dust off my butt.

"Thank you again. Before we go, though, I wondered if you might permit me one small question."

"Go for it."

"Taylor told me a lot of things. About how she'd been your boss all along, the stuff she...