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inwards – good line.’
    ‘Yea, read it
in a book. Would you contact Adam and ask him to come and pick me
up? Could run the whole 200 mile but may attract a bit of
attention.’
    ‘ Ok, will
do… Madeline, be careful, ’ said Barton still emotionally
recovering.

Chapter 13:
Everyone loves Madeline
     
    There were two
significant things to go on - the timely event of everyone hating
Madeline and the name Mark Titoo. Whoever he was, somehow he knew
the precise moment to send the brainwashing signal to turn everyone
into Madeline haters. Whoever he was also most probably also now
knew that he was her next target. An inside man was the only
possible answer.
     
    There was a
slim chance. It all depended on whether Paul Brownsword – Turner at
the time, had time to complete his paperwork. Had he filed the
names on the Residents of Wardate list on to a data base? She type
in the word Wardate and crossed her fingers. It wasn’t there. Of
course it wasn’t, a data base containing the world’s most evil
people? That would be something instantly deleted by a
strategically place member of the brotherhood. But surely
Turner/Brownsword wouldn’t have discarded the priceless
information. Would he have filed the names under something else?
Madeline entered: ‘Brownsword’ – nothing, ‘Turner’ – nothing, ‘Tara
Gogli’ – nothing. Madeline emerged from her inner world, left the
quiet corner of the inn and went over to the bar.
    ‘Have you a
vacant double room?’ Madeline asked.
    ‘Yes Madam, one
night?’ said the rather miserable obese barman.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Do you want to
see it?’
    ‘No, I’m sure
it’ll be fine.’
    ‘Can I have
your name please?’
    ‘Madeline
Bull.’
    The sheer
mention of this name transformed the appearance of the Barman. A
penetrating paternal smile radiated from his former sad face.
    ‘ The Madeline Bull?’
    ‘Why do you
know me?’
    The barman had
to think about that question, he obviously didn’t but somehow he
adored her, trembled in her presence and would walk to the moon and
back for her. He had no idea why he felt like he did. A rather long
awkward silence ensued before Madeline thanked him and returned to
her seat. The next couple of hours were insufferable for Madeline
in the nicest possible way. Naturally the Barman told every visitor
to the inn, who was sitting in the corner. None of the visitors had
ever set eyes on her but for some unfathomable reason they all
adored her, even dogs came up to her wagged their tails. Hopefully
these effects wouldn’t last but clearly the adverse effect of
making the whole world instantly loath you for a few minutes was
that the world then flipped into worship mode.
     
    Adam arrived -
tears streaming down his face. He ran to Madeline, hugged her,
kissed her and cried some more.
    ‘Adam,
sweetheart, what’s wrong,’ asked Madeline sweetly.
    ‘A few hours
ago something really weird happened. In an instant I detested you.
So much so that I tore up all are photos, that favourite shirt you
bought me, I cut it up. I started to send you a hate text and then
it was all over. I suddenly loved you again, I don’t think I’ve
ever realised how much I do love you.’
    ‘It will pass…
I think?’
    ‘What do you
mean, pass? Why would I want this feeling to stop?’
    ‘Listen, I know
this is hard to believe but you’ve been affected by a mind altering
signal. You’re not the only one who’s been under the influence.
Even Barton was emotional… look around – everybody is stalking me,
they all… apparently adore me. It’s really embarrassing.’
    Madeline told
Adam everything: About the mysterious man’s name, Mark Titoo, who
naturally he had heard of, about the ultrasound - tinnitus signal,
about the fifteen bullet holes in her clothes and about running
four miles in five minutes. Eventually after four pints of Guinness
and one untouched red wine she told him about the double room she
had booked. Fortunately by now, the effects