The Phlogiston Theory

His hand engulfed hers, like shaking hands with a gorilla. Faith wasn't easily intimidated, but this cop had the physique of an overgrown gym teacher.

He's already sweating in the warm El Paso sun. Wiping his brow, "In this world where Malaysian jets disappear off radar and're gone in a blip, you must have your reasons looking for two street kids," continued to talk, leading her inside the police station, "robbing somebody at knifepoint. Stealing their motorcycle isn't enough to bring you all the way to Texas."

"No," said Faith, "but add in a million dollars of stolen drug money."