She had popped for a case of Panda’s instant meals, the more expensive brand not made from OmniSoy, and a small white teddy bear. With one parcel under each arm, she approached the police line around The Ruin. Because she had zoom in her purse, she had half a mind to invisibility her way past the cops this time to avoid the hassle. Of course, they’d not be as dim-witted as the jewelers; they would notice their cameras burning out. All it would take was one lapse of concentration and she’d seem to appear out of thin air among them. That would invite unwanted attention. The voices in her head argued about whether she should pitch her head down and tolerate the derision she deserved, or avoid it altogether. Before she could come to an accord, a voice ahead of her shouted. “That’s her.” Her heart stopped. She looked up to see a half-dozen police, two female, with rifles aimed. The little white teddy bear trembled with her.
