I nodded and headed down the short hallway. I breathed a sigh of relief as I spotted the thick oak door guarding her office. I knew the heavy barrier ...would be nearly soundproof and I smiled, certain now that nothing we did would be audible to any nearby staffers."Come in," she called out almost immediately as I knocked on the door and I wondered how I was able to hear her voice so well. Was it possible the room was not as private as I had hoped? I began to panic and reached out to turn the. "Bill, take the weights, please." Patti, I'm sorry, I guess my mind wandered off there for a second." No problem, I understand. Next is the bench press; can you help me add another ten pounds on each side?" Patti, that's going to be over two hundred pounds, the best I'll be able to do is help you re-rack the bar if you get in trouble." I know; I'll be careful. I want to go for a new personal best and I need a spotter to do it."We added the weight and I stood behind the bench as she reversed. “Give me liberty and family life!”All of us at the table raised our tankards and drank with him.He threw his arm over the back of his chair and raised his mug at me. “You, Sir, run a disciplined group of men and women. I salute your aid today in drawing the Raiders away, and yesterday’s work too. In Princess Wyrd Chaney’s name I thank you.”I tipped my head to him. “Neighbors help one another against such men.”“Yes, but the Count tells me you aren’t from Conquest Point,” he added, gazing around. She had posed for Parasols magazine, posed with her belly sticking out at eight months pregnant. Valerie had offered Stephanie a thousand dollars for the four hour photo shoot, and because Stephanie had been the cover girl, she’d been given another thousand dollars. At the time, that two thousand dollars had been a very welcome windfall. Her roommate and former best friend was getting married and moving out, Stephanie’s mother had let Stephanie know, under no circumstances, was she moving back.