Page 3 of Confessions of the Dead

Sordello:

Okay. I have a vital feed coming in. Transmission seems to be okay. For the record, Deputy Maro has a resting heart rate of 102 beats per minute, blood pressure is 132 over 81. While these appear to be slightly elevated, this is understandable considering … recent events. Blood oxygen and brain patterns are normal.

Maro:

You said you were a special agent, but you didn’t say with who.

Sordello:

We’ll get to that. Would you like me to have them administer something to help you calm down?

Maro:

No. I’ll be fine. I’m just, you know, trying to wrap my head around everything.

Sordello:

I’m hoping to help you with that.

Maro:

If you want to help, how about telling those guys to lower their guns. I’m not going to do anything.

Sordello:

I’m afraid I can’t. We need to follow protocols.

Maro:

You have protocols for this? Has it happened before?

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