thanks for seeing me , '' he offered breathlessly as he climbed the final few steps to meet her.the woman was a short redhead with straight , flat hair cut short.marlene sported a zigzag part in her hair , tucking the lifeless strands behind her ears.this was the look of the twenty-first century.brian did not understand it.the workout shorts and sport bra indicated that he had postponed her trip to the gym.she looked as though she spent a lot of time there .