in Arlis's chest. The air inside Zimmerman's Diner was thick, a suspension of frying ba

e laminate that had been there since 1998. Her eyes were red-rimmed

t hands on her apron, and pulled him into a hug that smelled of bl

as standing at the griddle, spatula in hand, staring at the sizzling meat. His shoulder

e. "If it's about money, son... we can sell the tru

oulders, his fingers firm. "Mom. Dad. Nobody is sell

ing a foreign language. She was used to the Arlis who apologized for taking up sp

had done his homework for twelve years. He slapped the folded copy of The Capital Ga

. "Arlis, that's the exam list. You wer

Miller," Arlis said, tapping th

rag and walked over. "So? H

a problem with his background check, something serious from when he was a kid

knew it because in his past life, Miller's mugshot had

nce. Frank looked skeptical. "Ru

e just got an offer from McKinsey. Sixty grand a year starting. She

op out from the top ten, under the 'Supplemental Candidate Protocol,' Article Four, t

ith her hand. "You mean...

A gust of wind brought in Mrs. Gable, the neighborhood

aw Hailee's car at the gas station. She told everyone you're

took a step forward, his f

father and the woman. He put on a smile-not a genuine one, but

r. "You always have your ear to the ground. But Hailee might have forgotten

hanging slightly open. "Inte

dential until the official announcement. Internal protocol. You might want to order a double cheeseburger while

utched her purse tight. "I... I just came for coffee." She th

nk looked at his son, really looked

Arlis said, sitting back down and un

. He glanced at the screen. A

ll dreaming. Giv

ext. He didn't type a reply. He