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Killers ranks, which currently only includes about twenty-five of the one hundred plus Kazaks. That'll get your name engraved on the Assassin Killers board in the recreation room and on the Hill. I'll want a report on what happened, and you'll need to be debriefed by the available Kazaks in the area. It's beneficial for us to trade experiences, especially when it involves Assassins."

CHAPTER SIX
    They let me out of the hospital the next day and I called Clare, the reporter who'd been my test client on the Hill. "Hi, Clare, how would you like a visitor for a couple of days?"
    "Hi, Lynn, it's been a long time since we talked. I'd love to put you up for as long as you want. Maybe you'll let me interview you, as I'm your loyal friend and president of your fan club."
    "Only if you keep my fans away from me." I couldn't help but smile. I only had two friends, having spent most of my last nine years on the top of a mountain. Clare and I had lived together, day and night, for six months and had become close friends. It was like we had known each other for years.
    ***

    Clare had taken the day off to meet me at Denver International. She stood there waiting, looking like a typical healthy outdoorswoman with her rosy cheeks, short blond hair, and long slender body. She stood at least a head taller than me.
    "You look terrible ... You were in that Capitol Hill shoot-out!" she grabbed me by my shoulders and jumped up and down, laughing. "And you're here with me."
    "I'm going to shoot you, if you don't stop shaking me." She stopped and stepped back, looking a bit pale.
    "I'm sorry, Lynn. Are you hurt any place else? Why do you need a cane?" She came closer and started poking me in different spots, looking for more wounds. "Ouch." She had poked my underarm holster with its Glock.
    "Let's go to your place before you get arrested for molesting me." I was glad I had come. I realized that I liked Clare a lot and enjoyed her company. On the way to her condo, I gave her an edited version of the incident. I probably should have waited until we got to her place, because we barely avoided three accidents with other cars. Only my screaming saved us.
    "Clare, I don't need any more excitement or injuries." In spite of my doubts, we made it to her condo without incident.
    "Lynn, you'll never believe it. My experience with the Kazaks turned into a series. I described the training the Kazaks received, the obstacles you had to overcome to be the only woman at the school, and the five challenges. The series was picked up nationally. Because of that, I received a promotion to editor of investigative reporting."
    We talked late into the night. Over the next few days, she took me to fancy restaurants, theaters, and a Bronco's football game where she had somehow acquired reserved seats.
    "Lynn, I know I'm taking advantage of a friendship ... and I won't mind if you say no, but would you consent to giving me an exclusive interview? Please." She looked like a young girl asking for her first bra. I couldn't help but laugh.
    "So you've been bribing me all week," I said with a frown. Before she could choke out a response, I smiled. "I'll do it for my one and only friend, who is the president of my fan club."
    The next morning she took me into the main offices of the Denver Post and informed her boss I had agreed to an interview. The place came alive. Before I knew it Clare and I had a room full of spectators. I had told the managing editor that I agreed, on the condition that they took no pictures of me and I be he , not she , when referring to me. He understood my concerns and agreed. Clare conducted a tape recorded interview, which lasted for over an hour. She made me feel like a national celebrity.
    "Thank you, Lynn. You're my best friend, and I'd love for you to visit more often. Although you've single-handedly propelled my career to new heights, I'd prefer seeing you when you're not recovering from job-related injuries. Maybe we can trade off? I'll come visit