ies was nothing like the small ap

d been designed by someone who thought comfort was less important than looking expensive. There

tice the three smal

s most grown-up voice. "We would

. She looked at the children like they

s know you're h

on," Alex said again. He d

just walk in here. This is a pr

Ben interrupted, pointing at th

you c

ready walking t

around her desk. But she was slow,

hed open

the whole city. And sitting behind an enormous desk

And

rozen lake. For a moment, he didn't say anything. He just stared

let you in h

Alex. This is my brother Ben and my sist

. Not even a little bit. He just s

e said. His voice was qui

d. He was small and five years old, but he sounded o

rents sent you to con me, didn't they? I've seen this before. Poor people bringing

a button

ickly, before security arrived. "Her name

hat looked like recognition. But it was gone so

ay," Sean said. His voice was

e of paper-the one with Sean's name written on t

stiff. He grabbed the

ou get this?

bag," Claudia

t Sean held up his hand. "Wait outs

r a long time. His jaw was very tight. A muscle in his

ally. "This could be fake. You cou

aid. "We can barely write. And

ldren. Really looked a

dn't deny w

k hair. They had the same way of standing, with their chins slightl

fe. I have never had physical contact with a woman that w

mmy. You might not remember, but your body must remember. Yo

A is like... it's lik

nds were shaking a little. He looked out at th

s your mother want?

laudia said. "We want to know

k in. You need to leave this building and never come back. A

until you tell us the truth. Not until you t

because nothing happened! There is nothing to r

e button on h

he children, Alex saw something. A tiny scar on Sean's bac

ex had felt in h

dia as the guards guided them toward the door. "H

hem go. And for just a moment, he closed his eyes like he w

ing im

hat changed