I'm a ghost.No, not the house-haunting kind. I actually have a job.Given to me by The Big Guy Himself.Hey, it beats going to the Hot Place, you know ...what I mean?My name is ... was ... Andrew Conner. There isn't a whole lot I couldtell you about me as a living guy. I was a nobody, a tiny cog in themachine, and I don't think I ever did anything that helped another person.Boy, is that changed now.My job is like this. I get sent to a person who is in trouble. I can see,hear, and feel what they. “Hope you don,t mind me snoring.” Andrew broke the ice. “Can,t be any worse than mine. We,ll likely sing a duet!” I teased. We,d had a few whiskeys by closing time and made our way to the reception to collect the room keys. “Number 39 Mr Johnson and Mr. Stevens” the receptionist handed us the computerised swipe key which I inserted in the door. The room was fairly nice with the usual furnishings and large double bed plus comfortable bathroom with large tub. “Doubt we could fit in that bath, but. Markham’sphilosophy was that the delicated straps which caressed the arch of thefeet and wrapped around the ankle were subtle yet powerful symbols ofbondage. High heels, to him, represented a woman’s willingness toconform to a man’s ideal. He consulted his clipboard and the photoof Linsey leaving the building on March 21st. The shoes in the picturewere very different. He showed the picture to Cormack.“We already have the shoes we need,” Cormack confirmed,. Our old village will accept you. The way that I gave you will lead you to them." The two men left. Each one was carrying a pack of belongings. I watched them for a long time. I then took a shortcut and made sure they were following the valley in the correct direction. They were.When I returned, Merry said, "Tom, didn't you trust them?"I smiled. "Yes, Merry. However, there is an old saying from my world. 'Trust but verify.' That saying helps a person sleep better at night."Merry grinned at me.