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"Padgett, put up your gun and they'll follow your lead." "Have him sit down," Padgett said, voice even and very serious. "Teddy," I said softly, "sit back down, very slowly, no sudden moves." "I haven't done anything," he said. "Doesn't matter, just do it, please." He sat back down under the watchful eyes of half a dozen guns. He put his big hands on his knees, palms down showing he was unarmed. Like he'd had practice trying to look harmless. "Now put your gun up, Detective," I said. Padgett looked at me for a second. I thought he wasn't going to do it. I looked into those big blue eyes and saw something dangerous. A fear so deep and wide that he needed to destroy the thing he feared. He put the gun up, but that one moment of nakedness in his eyes had been enough. I'd talk to Dolph and see if Padgett had any shapeshifter kills to his credit. I'd almost have bet that he did. Cleared of charges didn't always mean innocent. I patted the top of Lorraine's head. "It's all right. Everything's all right." I had to get them out of here. The good guys were almost as big a threat as the bad ones. She looked up at me, eyes puffy, nose running. Real crying is like real sex. If you really do it, it isn't pretty. "I didn't mean to hurt him," she whispered. "I know." I glanced at the police up and down the hallway. Some of them avoided my eyes. I shook my head and helped her stand. "I'm taking them into Stephen and Nathaniel's room with me, Detective Padgett. Any objections?" He just shook his head. "Great. Come on, Teddy." "I can stand up?" he asked. I looked at Padgett. "You think you and your people can hold the Rambo routine?" "If he behaves himself, sure." Padgett wasn't trying to be charming anymore. I think he was embarrassed about the show. I knew he was still angry, maybe at me, maybe at himself. I didn't care as long as he didn't start shooting. "You got a uniform inside the room?" I asked. He gave one curt nod. "Is he as trigger-happy as the rest of you, or can I open the door without being shot at?" Padgett strode to the door and knocked on it. "Smith, it's Padgett. Detective coming in." He opened the
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