Assassin's Apprentice: Chapter 37

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Terry Elfman searched Thomas’s clothes and body with an invasive thoroughness. His slender hands expertly patted, kneaded, and probed into every possible hiding place. Harper thought he was a little rough around the crotch area, but Thomas showed no reaction. Finally, he ran his fingers through Thomas’s hair, as they do at prisons, looking for nails and razor blades. When he was through, he grabbed a handful of Thomas’s hair and yanked backwards hard. Thomas’s head snapped back but he made no sound. Terry held up the one gun and a small pocketknife as if disappointed.

“Traveling light these days, Tommy?” he taunted. Then he gestured at Harper. “In more ways than one, eh?”

Harper didn’t feel insulted. Terry Elfman, child sitcom star, was right. In the present company, Harper was merely a fly on the windowsill. Easily brushed aside or squashed, depending upon the whim of those wielding the swatter.