Geez, every time I read the first half of this story I end up in tears.  The
second half didn't have that effect on me, but it more than lived up to the
first part (IMO).

A couple of nits to pick (of course ;)

>From the first part:

  The constuction crews had yet to clear away the rubble, and the 
bomb experts had already gone over the mess with a fine tooth 
comb. The sight was roped off, but no one watched over the 
property. Kasumi stepped over the rope, and began to make her way 
across the rubble.

I think you mean to say 'the SITE was roped off'. :)

In the second part:

  "I would talk. You won't like what we'll do if you don't."

  The breadboard in the corner had several notches in it, and a few 
stalks of celery rested on it. She idly wondered what they were for; 
a vegetable stew, perhaps, or a salad...

  "Hurt her."

I can't decide if they are doing this as punishment for not talking, or if
they are trying to get her to talk.  As others have said, if they're trying
to get her to talk, well...  they're awfully stupid.  You're supposed to
make it *painful*, not kill the victim.  Dead people can't talk.  

But it doesn't take away from the kitchen scene at all -- I thought having
Kasumi noticing things about the kitchen while all this was going on was a
nice touch.  And you certainly had an interesting way to handle the
twin-Kasumi "problem"

Well done!

Jeanne Hedge

     jhedge@waterw.com ==================== 75512.1214@compuserve.com

       "Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers."
                                   -- T.S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)

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