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     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-GHFB-IBFH-D

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               ,*APT] #E            #AJA

  ,VICTOR & ,HELGA >RIV$ TGR 9 ,VICTOR'S
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HAIRDO DIDN'T CLE> ! H1DRE/4
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D1D4 ,TD'S ! "D HE & ,APRIL 7 SUPPOS$ TO
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GIVE ! POOR WOMAN A *.E 6ADJU/80
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PLACE UNTIL AF ! CORON] REL1SES ! BODY--
"S"T NEXT WEEK4 ,9 O!R ^WS1 R1D+ ! W N[
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T]MS4 ,HE HASN'T -E "R \ & SD S--T WD 2
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PRIM>Y B5EFICI>Y1 DOESN'T T GIVE ME A
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:5 WE GET \ (! VEHICLE 6G 9SIDE1 TRY TO
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  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80 ,APRIL ASK$4 ,AT
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  8,I'M SORRY WE'RE MEET+ L ?1 ,APRIL10
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  ,ALI'S ^WS SEEM$ 6SAP ALL (! "Y WOM-
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  8,I C'T 2LIEVE ANY ( ? IS HAPP5+10 %E
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BY80
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T ,PAUL'S SU45 D1? M1NT "S?+ 6"S"O--EV5
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AL"O8 ,)\T ?9K+ AB X1 ,ALI SAT D[N NEXT
6! GRIEV+ WOMAN1 LAY+ A -PAS.NATE H& ON
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  ,ALI _H BE5 A HAPPILY M>RI$ TW5TY-TWO-
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GLIOBLA/OMA & DI$ )9 MON?S4 ,ALI KNEW
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V SAME "QS OV] & OV]3 ,:AT W 2COME ( U8
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HAPP5+ 6ME8
  ,DUR+ ^? D>K1 SLEEP.S NI<TS %E _HN'T
"KN T %E WD 2 A# 6MAKE X2 T DESPITE 2+ A
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  8,Y'LL MANAGE10 ,ALI SD1 PATT+ ! WEEP+
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SIBIL;Y IS ALL ON YR %\LD]S & Y'LL ?9K Y
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GO+ 6REWRITE X4 ,HE TOLD ME HE _H1 B :AT
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6! 3DO 9 ,ASP5 ON \R H"OYMOON1 B MY OB-
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DUE DATE4 ,WE 7 GO+ 6DRIVE OV] 6,VEGAS
9/1D40
  8,D Y "K IF X'S A BOY OR A GIRL80
  8,A GIRL4 ,PAUL WANT$ 6"N H] ,SONIA
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8B ,I GUESS ,I'LL USE X ANYWAY4 ,I WANT$
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GUESS ! 5G9E ON ! ,CAMRY 0 / W>M :5 !
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& NE$$1 A PRIME SUSPECT4












                                    #ABF
























               ,*APT] #F            #ABG

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  8,H[80 ,S&Y ASK$4
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  8,"R10 ,TRACY SD4 8,ONLY ) NUMB]S 9/1D
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  8,S :5 WE SET UP =A GAME1 ! GRID IS
MADE UP ( 9DIVIDUAL SQU>ES T >E TWO FEET
ON EA* SIDE1 S A FULL LAY\T IS EI<TE5
FEET P] SIDE4 ,Z ,I SD1 ! T]RA9 %D 2
FLAT 5 6PREV5T PLAC$ M>K]S F ROLL+ ON _!
[N1 B X MAY 2 FLAT OR SLOP$1 GRASSY OR
S&Y--SLI<TLY DAMP S& IS BETT] ?AN DRY4
,L GOLF1 Y M/ PLAY ! T]RA9 Z WELL Z !
BASIC GAME40
  8,"H Y'RE GO+ 6PLAY ON GRASS80 ,S&Y
ASK$4
  ,IF ,TRACY ,MC,LAU<L9 _H A S5SE ( HU-
MOR1 X WASN'T APP>5T 9 ! D1D S]I\S;S ( 8
RESPONSES4 8,T'S "R4 ,! GAME IS PREP>$
0PLAC+ ALL ! M>K]S T5 FEET F ! $GE (!
GRID4 ,! JUDGES W PLACE ! />T+      #ACB
PIECES 9 POSI;N4 ,!Y >E M>K$ ) AN ,9T]-
N,NAL ,ORANGE ADHESIVE TAG & MAY N 2
MOV$ =! DUR,N (! R.D4 ,! REMA9D] (!
PIECES W REMA9 UNT\*$ & ON ! SIDEL9ES
UNTIL ! />T]'S SIGNAL4 ,M>K]S MAY 2 MOV$
AT W DUR+ ! R.D1 B DO+ S M ?AN ONCE W
SL[ ! -PETITOR4 ,M>K]S MAY 2 C>RI$ OR
ROLL$4 ,SPE$ IS ESS5TIAL4 ,S IS A3URA-
CY40
  ,LI/5+ 6HM DR"O ON1 \TL9+ ! RULES1 X
O3URR$ 6,ALI T %E 0 LI/5+ 6AN 5G9E] MAS-
QU]AD+ Z A BODYBUILD]4 ,S&Y'S ATT5;N
SEEM$ 6BE W&]+1 TOO4
  8,S H[ W TD'S MAT* "W80
  8,:AT'S ALL ?80 ,VICTOR ,ANGEL]I DEM&-
$4 ,8 SOTTO VOCE GREET+ 6,ALI PROVOK$ AN
ANGRY FR[N & AN EXA7]AT$ %U%+ MO;N F A
WOMAN ON ! SIDEL9ES ) M TATTOOS & PI]C+S
?AN CLO?+4
  ,ALI ROSE 6H] FEET & HURRI$ 9SIDE ) H]
ATTORNEY ON H] HEELS4 8,MR4 ,MC,LAU<L9
IS \TL9+ ! RULES = ,SUMO ,SUDOKU10 %E
SD1 ONCE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4 8,X'S SUPPOS$ TO
2 ! NEXT BIG ?+40
  ,VICTOR /OPP$ & LOOK$ BACK \ ON   #ACC
! T]RACE4 8,RE,Y8 ,NEXT 6:AT80
  8,B1* VOLLEYBALL1 = ALL ,I "K10 ,ALI
ANSW]$4 8,B F :AT ,I'M HE>+1 ,I'M GUESS+
! _W IS SAFE F ,SUMO ,SUDOKU4 ,:AT AB !
W80
  8,LES J GOT "H10 ,VICTOR TOLD H]4
8,X'S "T40
  ,VICTOR U%]$ H] 96,PAUL'S /UDY--:AT
US$ 6BE ,PAUL'S /UDY4 ,AN UNFAMILI> MAN
0 S1T$ 2H ,PAUL'S ULTRA-MOD]N MIRROR$
GLASS & /A9.S /EEL DESK4 ,HE ROSE :5
,ALI 5T]$ ! ROOM4 8,LES ,JORDAN10 HE SD4
8,Y M/ 2 ,MS4 ,REYNOLDS40
  ,ALI NO4$4
  8,SORRY 6BE MEET+ "U S* UN=TUNATE CIR-
CUM/.ES40
  ,ALI NO4$ AG4 ,%E LOOK$ >.D4 ,USU,Y "!
7 ONLY ?REE EXTRA *AIRS 9 ! ROOM--TWO
CAPTA9'S *AIRS &A L1!R SL+-BACK$ 3TRAP;N
T 0 SUPPOS$LY ]GONOMIC,Y SUP]IOR 6ANY
O!R *AIR 9 ! H\SE4 ,X 0 AL ,ALI'S L1/
FAVORITE4 ,HELGA 0 S1T$ NEXT 6! WALL 9 T
"O4 ,X WD PROBABLY SOON 2 ,HELGA'S L1/
FAVORITE Z WELL S9CE H] FEET B>ELY T\*$
! FLOOR4 ,B TD1 ) F\R LAWY]S ALR    #ACD
PRES5T1 ?REE EXTRA SWIVEL *AIRS F ! GAME
TA# 9 ! FAMILY ROOM _H BE5 CRAMM$ 96!
/UDY Z WELL4
  ,ALI TOOK "O ( ^? :ILE ,VICTOR & ,T$
,GRANTHAM SETTL$ 96! TWO CAPTA9'S *AIRS4
8,I EXPECT ,MS4 ,GA4IS %D 2 JO9+ U ANY
MO;T10 ,MR4 ,JORDAN SD S]I\SLY4 8,IF Y
DON'T M9D WAIT+ '''0
  ,X WASN'T LO/ ON ,ALI T1 :ILE !Y WAIT$
= ,APRIL 6PUT 9 H] APPE>.E1 ,ALI 0 SITT+
9 A ROOM;L ( ATTORNEYS1 ALL ( !M *ALK+
UP BILLA# H\RS AT AN A/ONI%+ RATE4
  ..,& X'S ALL ,PAUL'S .FAULT1 %E ?"\4
..,IF HE _HN'T G"O & GOTT5 HMF KILL$1 IF
HE'D T5D$ 6BUSI;S1 IF HE'D KEPT 8 PANTS
.ZIPP$ '''
  8,WD Y C>E = "S C(FEE80 ,MR4 ,JORDAN
ASK$4
  ,"! 0 "S?+ AB 2+ 9 H] =M] HOME & 2+ (-
F]$ C(FEE 0A VISITOR1 ESPECI,Y A VISIT+
ATTORNEY1 T RU2$ ,ALI ! WR;G WAY4 8,NO
?ANKS10 %E SD4 8,APRIL & ,I _H C(FEE TGR
\ ON ! T]RACE A FEW M9UTES AGO40
  ,X 0 WOR? ! PRICE ( ADMIS.N--:AT"E T
MI<T BE--6SEE F\R ATTORNEYS WAT*+   #ACE
H] 9 DROP-JAW$ AMAZE;T4 ,2F ANY ( !M RE-
PLI$1 H["E1 TWO NEWCOM]S %[$ UP 9 ! LI-
BR>Y DOORWAY4 ,"O 0 A RELATIVELY ATTRAC-
TIVE WOMAN ( 9DET]M9ATE AGE4 ,H] FACE 0
A TI<T-SK9N$ MASK T SPOKE ( TOO _M DOL-
L>S SP5T ON A HI<-PRIC$ PLA/IC SURGEON4
,ALI RECOGNIZ$ ! TYPE--A ,HOLLYWOOD SO-
CIALITE WIFE--OR M LIKELY EX-WIFE--) M
N]VE ?AN M"OY4 ,! B[ TIE-WE>+ MAN AT !
WOMAN'S SIDE WAS1 ,ALI R1LIZ$ AT ONCE1
YET ANO!R ATTORNEY--MAK+ ! GR& TOTAL
FIVE 9 ALL4 ,FIVE TOO _M4
  8,GD MORN+1 ,MRS4 ,RAGSDALE10 ,LES
,JORDAN SD SMOO?LY1 RIS+ 6HIS FEET4 8,-E
IN1 PL1SE4 ,I DIDN'T R1LIZE Y WD 2 "H OR
T Y'D 2 BR++ "S"O ) Y4 ,I'LL S5D \ = M
*AIRS40
  8,WE'LL ONLY NE$ "O10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,MY
DAU<T] WON'T 2 ATT5D+ ? MEET+ AF ALL4
,%E'S N FEEL+ UP 6X40
  8,WELL !N10 ,LES SD1 8) ALL DUE RE-
SPECT1 Y PROBABLY %DN'T 2 "H1 EI1 ,MRS4
,RAGSDALE4 ,CLI5T 3FID5TIAL;Y RULES &
ALL T40
  ,4MISS+ HM )A LOOK1 ,MRS4         #ACF
,RAGSDALE TURN$ AWAY F ,LES ,JORDAN &
A4RESS$ ! O!R P 9 ! ROOM4 8,MY "N'S ,MO-
NIQUE ,RAGSDALE10 %E SD4 8,APRIL ,GA4IS
IS MY DAU<T]4 ,& ?10 %E A4$1 9DICAT+ !
MAN 2S H]1 8IS ,H>LAN ,&]SON4 ,I'VE RE-
TA9$ HM 6BE "H ON ! BABY'S 2HALF--ON
,SONIA ,M>IE'S 2HALF4 ,REG>D.S ( :E!R OR
N WE'RE D1L+ ) AN OLD W OR A NEW "O1
,MR4 ,&]SON & ,I >E "H 6MAKE SURE T MY
GR&DAU<T]'S 9T]E/S >E PROTECT$40
  ,L1V+ ,H>LAN /&+1 %E /RODE 96! ROOM1
SETTL$ H] DESIGN]-CLAD SELF 96"O (! GAME
ROOM *AIRS1 CROSS$ H] L;G HI<-HEEL$
LEGS1 & !N GAVE ,LES A COOL APPRAISAL4
8,% WE GET />T$ !N80 %E ASK$4
  ,ALI KNEW AT ONCE T ,MONIQUE 0 "O T\<
COOKIE4 ,%ORT ( "S"O BODILY ?R[+ H] \ (!
ROOM1 %E & H] ATTORNEY W]5'T L1V+4
  ,LES LOOK$ "Q+LY AT ,ALI4 8,0ALL
M1NS10 ,ALI SD4 8,LET'S GET ON ) X40
  ,LES ,JORDAN SI<$4 ,F/ HE W5T >.D !
ROOM1 MAK+ ALL ! NEC 9TRODUC;NS1 SAV+
,ALI = LA/4
  8,I "K :O %E IS10 ,MONIQUE SD %ORTLY4
8,I'VE SE5 H] 2F4 ,ON ,,TV4 ,N[     #ACG
TELL U AB ! W40
  8,! TRU? IS1 A NEW W 0 PREP>$10 ,JOR-
DAN 3T9U$4 8,X'S BE5 DRAWN UP1 B X 0 N"E
SIGN$4 ,WE EXPECT$ 6F9ALIZE ? AF ! DI-
VORCE HE>+ YE/]"D4 ,OBVI\SLY T DIDN'T
HAPP51 S ! MO/ REC5T LA/ W & TE/A;T1 !
"O T'S / 9 E6ECT1 IS ! "O T 0 DRAWN UP
EI<T YE>S AGO %ORTLY AF ,PAUL'S M>RIAGE
6,MS4 ,REYNOLDS "H40
  ,A FILE FOLD] _H BE5 LY+ ON ! TA# 9
FRONT ( HM4 ,HE OP5$ X N[ & 2GAN 6R1D4
,ALI ONLY HALF LI/5$4 ,%E 0 FAMILI> )!
PROVI.NS4 ,%ORTLY AF ! W$D+1 %E & ,PAUL
_H SIGN$ SIMIL> DOCU;TS4 ,ALI _H LEFT 2H
A TRU/ = ,*RIS4 ,PAUL _H "ND "S *>ITA#
2QUE/S4 ,O!R ?AN ^?1 !Y _H LEFT "EY?+ TO
EA* O!R4 ,ALI REMEMB]$ T !Y _H SIGN$ !
WILLS 9 "S O!R ATTORNEY'S (FICE4 ,AT !
"T1 X _H SEEM$ T ,PAUL 0 GO+ \ ( 8 WAY
6PROTECT ,ALI'S 9T]E/S4 ,N[1 ?\<1 "U ^!
*ANG$ CIRCUM/.ES1 2+ ,PAUL'S SOLE B5EFI-
CI>Y OP5$ S"EAL CANS ( WORMS1 N ! L1/ (
:1 ,ALI R1LIZ$1 WD 2 ,MONIQUE ,RAGSDALE4
  ,Z ,LES ,JORDAN R1D "? ! PROVI.NS--!
*>ITA# 2QUE/S Z WELL Z ! P]SONAL    #ACH
"OS--,MONIQUE 2CAME M & M AGITAT$4 ,!
BOTTOM L9E 0 CLE>4 ,ALI ,REYNOLDS 0 /
,PAUL ,GRAYSON'S WIFE1 & S9CE M* ( :AT
!Y [N$ 0 -MUN;Y PROP]TY1 X W5T 6,ALI4
  8,Y M1N 6TELL ME T ,APRIL & H] BABY
GET NO?+80 ,MONIQUE DEM&$4 8,H[ C T BE8
,Y DREW UP ! NEW W4 ,:Y WASN'T X SIGN$80
  ,LES ,JORDAN 0 EXCE$+LY PATI5T4 8,PAUL
& ,I _H AN APPO9T;T 6SIGN ! W YE/]"D AFN
AF ! DIVORCE 0 F9AL4 ,HE WANT$ 6D X T
WAY4 ,?"\ X WD 2 CL1N] "SH[4 ,WE 7 S*$-
UL$ 6MEET "H AT ! H\SE S HE & ,APRIL CD
BO? SIGN NEW DOCU;TS4 ,OBVI\SLY T DIDN'T
HAPP540
  8,I KNEW ,PAUL ,GRAYSON10 ,MONIQUE
DCLD4 8,HE 0 AN HONORA# MAN4 ,I C'T BE-
LIEVE HE M1NT 6L1VE EI 8 9T5D$ BRIDE OR
8 * UNPROVID$ =40
  .,HONORA#8 ,ALI ?"\ 6H]F4 ,) ,PAUL
,GRAYSON'S LEGAL WID[ SITT+ "R "! 9 !
ROOM &) 8 PREGNANT N-BRIDE SITT+ "S":
UP/AIRS1 T SEEM$ AN ODD ?+ 6SAY4 ,Y CD
CALL ,PAUL ANY NUMB] ( ?+S1 B HONORA#
C]TA9LY WASN'T "O ( !M4
  8,9T5D$ & LEG,Y M>RI$ >E TWO      #ACI
DI6]5T ?+S10 ,JORDAN PO9T$ \4
  8,B /10 ,MONIQUE 3T9U$4 8,! ONLY ?+ T
PREV5T$ HM F M>RY+ ,APRIL 0 8 TRAGIC &
UN"TLY D1?4 ,9 FACT1 ,I HAPP5 62LIEVE
T'S ! :OLE R1SON HE'S D1D4 ,T :O"E KILL$
HM DID S J 6MAKE SURE ! M>RIAGE 2T MY
DAU<T] & ,PAUL ,GRAYSON N"E HAPP5$40 ,!
PO9T$ LOOK %E CA/ 9 ,ALI'S DIREC;N AT !
5D ( T LL SPEE* SPOKE VOLUMES4
  ,ALI'S *EEKS FLU%$4 ,X 0 GALL+ 6H 6SIT
9 ! ROOM & H YR HUSB&'S MI/RESS'S "M -E
"R \ & A3USE Y ( MURD]4 ,ALI 0 AB 6OP5
H] M\? 6DEF5D H]F :5 ,VICTOR T\*$ H] >M4
,)A SLI<T W>N+ %AKE ( 8 H1D HE ADMONI%$
H] 6KEEP QUIET4
  8,WE'RE ALL D1L+ )A GD D1L ( EMO;NAL
UPH1VAL AT ! MO;T1 ,MS4 ,RAGSDALE10 HE
SD SOO?+LY4 8,= "R N[1 ?\<1 ,I ?9K X WD
2 BE/ IF WE ALL REFRA9$ F TOSS+ >.D UN-
F.D$ ALLEG,NS40
  ,LES ,JORDAN NO4$ 9 AGREE;T4 8,MR4
,ANGEL]I IS "R10 HE SD4 8,WE NE$ 6KEEP F
2+ DRAWN 96MAK+ ANY K9D ( A3US,NS4 ,Z =!
BABY1 "! >E LAWS ON ! BOOKS 9 ! /ATE (
,CALI=NIA T >E SPECIFIC,Y DESIGN$   #ADJ
6D1L ) CASES L ?--LAWS T PROTECT ! 9T]-
E/S ( 9 UT]O OR OMITT$ (FSPR+4 ,NO D\BT
"S FUNDS WD 2 MADE AVAILA# F ! E/ATE TO
SUPPORT ! * & MONIES HELD 9 TRU/ UNTIL
HE OR %E--0
  8,%E10 ,MONIQUE SUPPLI$4
  ,JORDAN NO4$4 8,UNTIL %E R1*ES H] MA-
JOR;Y4 ,MO/ LIKELY A GU>DIAN .AD .LITEM
WD 2 APPO9T$ 6PROTECT ! *'S 9T]E/S 9 !
M1N"T40
  8,T'S F9E & GD =! BABY10 ,MONIQUE
,RAGSDALE OBJECT$4 8,B :AT AB MY DAU<T]8
,:AT HAPP5S 6H]8 ,DOES T M1N %E CD 2
EVICT$ & PUT \ ON ! /REET80
  8,NO "O "H IS SU7E/+ ANY S* ?+1 C]TA9-
LY N AT ? "T10 ,LES ,JORDAN SD4 8,B !
TRU? IS1 Z ,I TOLD Y E>LI]1 YR DAU<T] IS
M]ELY AN 9T5D$ WIFE Z OPPOS$ 6A WIFE 9
FACT4 ,UN.S ,MR4 ,GRAYSON HAS MADE "S
K9D ( SPECIFIC PROVI.NS = H]1 "? ! PUR-
*ASE ( LIFE 9SUR.E OR "S?+ ( T NATURE1
,I DON'T "K ( ANY LEGAL REM$IES T WD -E
96PLAY T WD ALL[ YR DAU<T] 6G AG/ ! W4
,T'S N 6SAY "! >5'T ANY1 B N"O -E R1DILY
6M9D40                              #ADA
  8,:AT IF Y W5T AH1D & F9ALIZ$ ! DI-
VORCE80 ,MONIQUE'S "Q 0 A4RESS$ 6,T$
,GRANTHAM4
  8,EXCUSE ME80 HE ASK$4
  ,MONIQUE 0 UNDAUNT$4 8,H>LAN "H HAS
F.D A SIMIL> CASE 9 ,NEW ,J]SEY ": ! DI-
VORCE 0 F9ALIZ$ AF ! HUSB&'S D1?4 ,T
CLE>$ ! WAY =! PROP]TY AGREE;T 6/& 9
C\RT & MADE = SIMPLIFI$ E/ATE PLANN+4 ,!
DIVORCE AL AUTOMATIC,Y NEGAT$ ! OLD W4
,9 ? CASE1 T MI<T "W 6,SONIA'S B5EFIT40
  8,B N 6M9E10 ,ALI SD %>PLY4
  8,? ISN'T AB Y10 ,MONIQUE SD FIRMLY4
8,X'S ALL AB ! BABY40
  8,& :AT AB ME80 ,APRIL ASK$4 8,DIVORCE
OR NO1 X S.DS L ,I'M LEFT ) NO?+40
  ,UNTIL ,APRIL SPOKE1 NO "O ELSE GA!R$
9 ! ROOM _H NOTIC$ H] UNANN\NC$ >RIVAL4
,H[ L;G %E _H BE5 \TSIDE ! LIBR>Y DOOR
LI/5+ 0 ANY"O'S GUESS4 ,%E CLE>LY _H
*ANG$ H] M9D AB GO+ UP/AIRS 6DRESS S9CE
%E /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY / WE>+ H] NI<TG[N &
ROBE4
  ,MONIQUE L1P$ 6H] FEET & HURRI$ 6H]
DAU<T]4 8,Y %DN'T 2 "H10 ,MONIQUE   #ADB
SD4 8,Y %D 2 UP/AIRS RE/+40
  8,I DON'T NE$ 6RE/10 ,APRIL PROTE/$4
8,I DES]VE 6BE "P ( ? 4CUS.N4 ,AF ALL1
X'S MY LIFE1 TOO4 ,I NE$ 6"K :AT'S GO+
ON 9/1D (! BUN* ( Y TALK+ AB X 2H MY
BACK4 ,2SS1 ,I ALR HE>D :AT HE SD4 ,AC
6,PAUL'S W "EY?+ GOES 6H]40 ,%E NO4$ 9
,ALI'S DIREC;N4 8,X'S S N FAIR4 ,H[ C ?
2 HAPP5+8 ,X'S L A NI<TM>E OR "S?+4 ,&
": >E ALL MY FRS8 ,:O S5T !M AWAY80
  8,I DID10 ,MONIQUE SD4 8,& ,I'M SURE
O!RS H CALL$1 B ,I S5T !M ALL 6! ANSW]+
S]VICE4 ,& ,I PO/$ A ,8,D ,N ,4TURB0'
SIGN \ AT ! FRONT DOOR4 ,I DIDN'T WANT P
BO!R+ Y AT A "T L ?4 ,& HAV+ TOO _M P
RUNN+ >.D WD J GET 9 ! WAY (! FILM+40
  8,B ,I .NE$ MY FRS10 ,APRIL RETURN$4
8,I .NE$ ! -PANY M ?AN ,I NE$ ! RE/4 ,Y
_H NO "R 6S5D MY FRS AWAY40
  ,ALL ( : ANSW]$ "O ( ,ALI'S E>LI] "QS
Z 6! ":ABS ( ,APRIL'S FRS4 ,& ,ALI NO-
TIC$ "S?+ ELSE4 ,\ ON ! T]RACE ,APRIL _H
BE5 GRIEV+1 B %E _H BE5 A GRIEV+ GR[N-
UP4 ,N[1 ) H] "M 9 ! ROOM1 ,APRIL SEEM$
6H REV]T$ 6"S *ILDHOOD SCRIPT4      #ADC
,%E S.D$ EV5 "Y] ?AN %E WAS--M L A PETU-
LANT1 DEM&+ TE5AG] ?AN AN ADULT4
  ,IGNOR+ H] "M'S ADVICE1 ,APRIL MADE H]
WAY 96! CR[D$ ROOM1 ": %E SANK 96"O (!
SWIVEL *AIRS4 ,PULL+ ! GAP+ ROBE M TI<T-
LY >.D H]1 %E />$ AT ,ALI4 8,Y 7 NICE TO
ME 2F10 %E SD FLATLY1 8B ,I GUESS ? M1NS
?+S H *ANG$4 ,:5 D ,I H 6L1VE1 2F ! BA-
BY'S BORN OR AF80
  8,NO "O HAS SD A ^W AB YR HAV+ 6L1VE10
,ALI SD4 8,& C]TA9LY N "R N[4 ,)A BABY
DUE 9 A MATT] ( "DS1 Y NE$ 6/AY ": Y >E
UNTIL ! LAWY]S C HELP U GET ?+S SORT$
\40
  8,H[ L;G DOES SORT+-\ TAKE80 ,APRIL
ASK$4 8,& :AT'S "! 6SORT80
  ,S9CE ,LES ,JORDAN _H BE5 E6ECTIVELY
*AIR+ ! MEET+1 ,ALI LOOK$ AT HM = GUID-
.E4
  ,HE %RU7$4 8,UNCOMPLICAT$ E/ATES C 2
SETTL$ 9 A MATT] ( MON?S10 HE SD4 8,COM-
PLICAT$ "OS C TAKE M* L;G] ?AN T1 ESPE-
CI,Y IF O!R MATT]S >ISE--L NE$+ 6LIQUI-
DATE PROP]TY1 = EXAMPLE4 ,& "! >E ALW
O!R LEGAL ISSUES T C CAUSE 9DEFI-   #ADD
NITE DELAYS40
  ,HE DIDN'T SPELL \ EXACTLY :AT K9D (
8LEGAL ISSUES0 HE M1NT1 B ,ALI _H A
PRETTY CLE> IDEA HE 0 ?9K+ AB CRIM9AL
PROCE$+S4 ,%E GUESS$ T "EY"O ELSE 9 !
ROOM1 )! POSSI# EXCEP;N ( ,APRIL H]F1 0
MAK+ A SIMIL> ASSUMP;N4 ,ALI MI<T 2
,PAUL'S WID[ &! MAJOR B5EFICI>Y ( 8 W1 B
%E AL KNEW T %E WDN'T 2 ALL[$ 69H]IT A
DIME Z L;G Z %E 0 3SID]$ A SUSPECT 9 8
D1?4 ,UNTIL %E 0 CLE>$1 SETTL+ ! E/ATE
WD 2 /UCK 9 NEUTRAL--& A3UMULAT+ LEGAL
FEES L CRAZY4
  8,:AT AB ! FUN]AL80 ,APRIL ASK$4
  8,:AT AB X80
  8,I'M TW5TY-FIVE YE>S OLD10 ,APRIL SD4
8,I DON'T "K ANY?+ AB PLANN+ FUN]ALS40
.,I .DIDN'T .EI1 ,ALI ?"\1 ..B ,I FIGUR$
X .\4
  8,Y DON'T NE$ 6WORRY AB ANY ( T10 ,MO-
NIQUE TOLD H] DAU<T]4 8,I'LL H&LE X
ALL40
  8,NO1 Y WON'T10 ,APRIL SD4 ,H] REPLY 0
=CE;L 5 T X TOOK "EY"O 0SURPRISE1 MO/
ESPECI,Y H] "M4 8,S9CE ,I WASN'T    #ADE
,PAUL'S WIFE & S9CE ,I'M N 8 WID[1 X
ISN'T MY PLACE 6H&LE X4 ,& X ISN'T YRS1
EI40
  ,APRIL LOOK$ AT ,ALI Z %E SPOKE4 ,MO-
NIQUE1 ON ! O!R H&1 SEEM$ UTT]LY A/ONI%$
0? SMALL B DRY-EY$ & V DET]M9$ REBEL-
LION4 ,MONIQUE 0 S SURPRIS$1 9 FACT1 T
,ALI WOND]$ IF "! _H "E BE5 ANO!R 9/.E 9
: ,APRIL _H DRAWN A L9E 9 ! S& & TOLD H]
"M NO 9 S* UNEQUIVOCAL T]MS4 ,2F ,MO-
NIQUE _H A *.E 6SAY ANY?+ M1 ,ALI /EPP$
96! BR1*4
  8,MY F/ HUSB& DI$ ( C.ER :5 ,I 0 AB YR
AGE10 %E TOLD ,APRIL4 8,MY SON 0 BORN
TWO MON?S AF 8 "F DI$1 S ,I D "K A LL (
:AT Y'RE GO+ "?4 ,PLANN+ ,D1N'S FUN]AL 0
H>D "W1 B ,I NE$$ 6D X4 ,& Y'LL NE$ 6D
X1 TOO4 ,FUN]ALS >E RE,Y =! LIV+1 B
!Y'RE AL A MAJOR "P (! GRIEV+ PROCESS4
,I'LL 2 GLAD 6HELP Y PLAN X1 IF Y WANT
ME TO40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,MONIQUE OBJECT$4
8,APRIL IS MY DAU<T]4 ,Y C'T J -E HORN+
9 L ?--0
  8,"M10 ,APRIL SD4 8,/OP40 ,&      #ADF
!N1 6,ALI %E A4$1 8,YES1 ,I'D L Y 6HELP
ME4 ,H[ L;G DOES PLANN+ A FUN]AL TAKE80
  8,N T L;G4 ,O!R ?AN *OOS+ A CASKET OR
AN URN & DECID+ ON CREM,N OR N1 Y RE,Y
C'T D M* UNTIL AF ! CORON] REL1SES !
BODY4 ,9 ! CASE (A HOMICIDE1 T CD TAKE
S"EAL "DS4 ,ONLY AF ! BODY IS REL1S$ C Y
E/ABLI% A "T =! S]VICES1 >RANGE = FL[]S1
GET ! ANN\NCE;TS 96! PAP]1 & ALL ( T40
  8,I'VE N"E EV5 BE5 6A FUN]AL10 ,APRIL
SD4 8,": D P HOLD !M8 ,AT A *UR* "S":8
,"H AT ! H\SE80
  8,N AT ! H\SE10 ,ALI SD QKLY4 8,&
,PAUL WASN'T "S"O ,I'D CALL A *UR*GO+
K9D ( GUY4 ,S MAYBE ! FUN]AL HOME WD 2
BE/ =! S]VICE XF )A CAT]$ RECEP;N "H AT
! H\SE AFW40
  8,D Y S5D \ 9VIT,NS OR "S?+80 ,APRIL
ASK$4
  ..,%E RE,Y IS ."Y1 ,ALI ?"\4
  8,NO1 "S"O WRITES AN OBITU>Y ) AN AN-
N\NCE;T AT ! 5D TELL+ ! "T & PLACE (!
S]VICES & :E!R OR N !Y'RE OP5 6! PUBLIC4
,T GOES 96! .,"TS4 ,!N :O"E WANTS 6-E
%[S UP40                            #ADG
  ,APRIL NO4$4 8,Y SD FUN]AL HOME4 ,:
"O80
  ,ALI REMEMB]$ ! =M %E _H SIGN$1 ! "O !
CL]K 9 ! CORON]'S (FICE _H H&$ H]4
  8,:5 ,I W5T 6,9DIO 6D ! ID5TIFIC,N1 ,I
SIGN$ A =M 9 ! ,RIV]SIDE ,C.TY ,CORON]'S
,(FICE4 ,ONCE !Y'RE D"O )! BODY1 X AU-
?ORIZES !M 6REL1SE X 6! ,?REE ,PALMS
,MORTU>Y "H 9 ,B"ELY ,HILLS10 ,ALI AN-
SW]$4 8,I *OSE !M 2C1 YE>S AGO1 !Y H&L$
! S]VICES = ,PAUL'S "M4 ,!Y DID A GD
JOB4 ,! FACIL;Y IS LOVELY1 ! *APEL IS
SPACI\S1 & ,I REMEMB] ! P 7 NICE 6D1L )4
,&! FUN]AL *APEL IS RELATIVELY CLOSE--
ONLY A MILE OR S AWAY1 ON ,SUNSET4 ,B IF
Y'D R USE "S"O ELSE '''0
  8,NO10 ,APRIL SD4 8,I'M SURE !Y'LL 2
F9E40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE1 ,APRIL10 ,MONIQUE 9T]-
JECT$4 8,? IS RIDICUL\S4 ,Y C'T J LET H]
WALK 9 & TAKE OV] "EY?+4 ,= ,GOD'S SAKE1
/& UP = YRF1 ,APRIL4 ,TAKE *>GE60
  8,I AM /&+ UP = MYF10 ,APRIL RETURN$4
8,I'M GO+ 6D ? MY WAY1 & ,ALI IS GO+ TO
HELP40 ,%E LOOK$ >.D AT ! FACES (   #ADH
! LEGAL EAGLES GA!R$ "!4 8,IS "! ANY?+
ELSE80
  ,LES ,JORDAN %OOK 8 H1D4 8,N T ,I "K
(10 HE SD4 8,N AT ? "T40
  8,GD4 ,I'M GO+ BACK UP/AIRS10 ,APRIL
SD4 8,& N[ ,I RE,Y AM GO+ 6GET DRESS$4
,I WANT 6G \ & *ECK ON ! SUDOKU %OOT40
  ,! >MS ON ! GAME *AIR 7 L[4 ,)
,APRIL'S BULG+ BELLY ?R[+ H] C5T] (
GRAV;Y (F-KILT]1 X 0 A /RU7LE = H] 6RISE
6H] FEET4 ,VICTOR /OOD & GAVE H] A H&
UP4 ,ALI EXPECT$ ,MONIQUE 6GET UP & FOL-
L[ H] DAU<T] \ (! ROOM1 B %E DIDN'T4 ,%E
/AY$ "R ": %E WAS4
  8,APRIL IS MY DAU<T]10 %E SD4 8,I'M N
GO+ 6/& 0& LET Y WALK ALL OV] H] & 3TROL
! PURSE /R+S40
  8,NO "O IS WALK+ ALL OV] H]10 ,LES
,JORDAN PO9T$ \4 8,WE'RE SIMPLY APPRIS+
H] (! LEGAL RAMIFIC,NS ( H] SITU,N40
  ,B ,ALI "U/OOD AT ONCE T ,MONIQUE
WASN'T A4RESS+ ! ATTORNEYS4 ,%E 0 TALK+
6,ALI DIRECTLY1 TELL+ H] 6BACK (F4
  8,>E WE D"O "H80 ,VICTOR ASK$4
  8,Z F> Z ,I "K10 ,LES SD4         #ADI
  8,GD4 ,WE'LL 2 GO+ !N4 ,-E ON1 ,ALI4
,HELGA40
  ,ALI ROSE 6H] FEET1 AW>E ( ,MONIQUE'S
GL>E FA/5$ ON H]4 ,%E WALK$ PA/ ,MONIQUE
T[>D ! DOORWAY1 !N TURN$ & CAME BACK4
8,YR DAU<T]'S GO+ "? A T]RI# "T "R N[10
,ALI SD4 8,I H NO 9T5;N ( WALK+ ALL OV]
H]4 ,I'M TRY+ 6HELP40
  8,%E DOESN'T NE$ YR HELP10 ,MONIQUE
9SI/$4 8,:Y WD %E8 ,%E HAS ME40
  .,EXACTLY1 ,ALI ?"\ Z %E FOLL[$ ,VIC-
TOR & ,HELGA \ ! DOOR4 ..,POOR BABY4 ,:Y
WD ,APRIL NE$ ANY"O .ELSE8











                                    #AEJ
























               ,*APT] #G            #AEA

  ,:5 ,VICTOR1 ,ALI1 & ,HELGA EM]G$ F !
H\SE1 !Y 4COV]$ T ,VICTOR'S ,L9COLN 0
BLOCK$ 0A SECOND HUGE ,,RV1 ? "O )! LOGO
..,SUMO ,SUDOKU ,DRAGON-,SLAY] .,T1M4 ,9
! PROCESS ( %OEHORN+ ! SECOND ,,RV 96!
CIRCUL> DRIVE1 ! DRIV] _H TAK5 \ "O (!
GATEPO/S & "O SIDE (! ,,RV Z WELL4 ,JE-
SUS1 ! G>D5]1 &! GUY :O 0 APP>5TLY !
DRIV] 7 9VOLV$ 9 A H1T$ 3V]S,N AB ! 9CI-
D5T )! 5TIRE 4CUS.N TAK+ PLACE 9 HI<-
VOLUME ,SPANI%4
  ,Z ! NEWLY RE9/ALL$ MI/RESS ( ,ROB]T
,LANE1 ,ALI SUPPOS$ %E %D TAKE A H& 9 !
4CUS.N1 B S9CE ,JESUS APPE>$ 6H ! SITU,N
"U 3TROL1 %E DIDN'T4 ,ALI _H 3C]NS T 7
F> M -PELL+ ?AN FIX+ A BROK5 GATE4
  ,%E & ,HELGA GOT 96! ,L9COLN1 & ,VIC-
TOR WAIT$ \TSIDE UNTIL ! DAMAG$ ,,RV _H
BE5 MOV$ \ (! WAY4 ,(F 6"O SIDE (! H\SE1
9 ! Y>D \TSIDE ! POOL H\SE1 ,ALI CAU<T A
GLIMPSE ( P LOOK+ ON Z A FILM CREW FOL-
L[$ ! AC;N (A B>E-*E/$ MAN :O B5T OV]1
R1*$ D[N1 PICK$ UP "O (! SUDOKU ROCKS1 &
!N LU7$ X (F4 ,S ! ,SUMO ,SUDOKU    #AEB
3TE/ 0 "U WAY4
  8,H Y "E HE>D (A PO/MORTEM DIVORCE80
,ALI ASK$4
  8,X'LL N"E HAPP510 ,HELGA REPLI$4 8,=
"O ?+1 WE'D 2 /UPID 6SIGN (F ON X4 ,J
LOS+ ! M>ITAL DEDUC;N WD CO/ A =TUNE 9
E/ATE TAXES4 ,2SS1 ,APRIL'S SM>T] ?AN T
--SM>T] ?AN ,I GAVE H] CR$IT =1 ANYWAY40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,I M1N %E LOOK$ >.D T ROOM FULL (
LAWY]S1 FIGUR$ \ Y 7 ! S(TE/ T\* 9 !
PLACE1 & SNU7L$ "R UP 6Y1 DRIV+ H] "M
CRAZY 9 ! PROCESS40
  8,>5'T Y 2+ A LL CYNICAL80 ,ALI ASK$4
8,APRIL'S 9 A T\< POSI;N4 ,I HAPP5 6"K F
F/H& EXP]I;E :AT %E'S GO+ "? AB N[40
  8,DON'T FALL = X10 ,HELGA 9SI/$4
8,%E'S J BUTT]+ Y UP 2C %E FIGURES Y'RE
! "O :O'LL 2 DOL+ \ ! M"OY = H] BABY40
  8,:AT'S WR;G ) T80 ,ALI ASK$4 8,WASN'T
,T$ ,GRANTHAM TRY+ 6D ! SAME ?+--BUTT]+
ME UP--IN ORD] 6BE SURE T 8 BILL GETS
PD80
  8,T'S DI6]5T10 ,HELGA RETURN$4 8,APRIL
HAS A WAY BETT] H& ?AN ,T$          #AEC
,GRANTHAM DOES4 ,HE ISN'T EI<T &A HALF
MON?S PREGNANT1 & %E IS4 ,2LIEVE ME1
,APRIL IS GO+ 6USE T Z A CLUB4 ,%E'LL
PLAY ON YR SYMPA?Y = ALL %E'S WOR?4
,%E'S GOT Y PE7$ Z 2+ TOO NICE 6?R[ H] \
9 ! COLD4 ,2SS1 %E WON ! F/ R.D FAIR &
SQU>E40
  8,:AT F/ R.D80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,:5 Y SD Y'D LET H] /AY ON 9 ! H\SE
UNTIL AF ! BABY IS BORN4 ,:5 X -ES "T =
H] 6ACTU,Y L1VE1 ,I PREDICT Y'LL H TO
EVICT H]4 ,& ,I AGREE ) ,T$1 0! WAY4
,:ILE SETTL+ ! E/ATE IS 9 LIMBO1 Y NE$
6REQUE/ AN 9V5TORY & APPRAISAL ( "EY?+ 9
! H\SE4 ,I'VE "KN PL5TY ( WOM5 L ,APRIL
,GA4IS 9 MY "T4 ,%E'LL FIGURE \ :AT'S
WOR? /1L+ & :AT ISN'T & %E'LL MAKE (F )
ANY?+ T ISN'T NAIL$ D[N4 ,& REQUIR+ A
PAT]N;Y TE/ WDN'T 2 \ ( L9E1 EI40
  ,X 0 IRONIC = ,ALI 6F9D H]F 9 ! POSI;N
( HAV+ 6DEF5D H] D1D HUSB&'S PREGNANT
GIRLFR 6,HELGA ,MY]H(F1 ,ALI'S [N DI-
VORCE ATTORNEY4 ,%E 0 RELIEV$ & GLAD TO
*ANGE ! SUBJECT :5 ,VICTOR OP5$ ! DOOR &
CLAMB]$ 96HIS S1T4                  #AED
  ,HE LOOK$ OV] AT ,ALI & %OOK 8 H1D 9
SEEM+ 4GU/4 8,:AT "P ( ,8:AT"E Y SAY MAY
2 HELD AG/ Y0' DON'T Y "U/&80
  8,EXCUSE ME80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,YR BLOG10 ,VICTOR SD4 8,MY ASSI/ANT
J CALL$4 ,%E'S BE5 R1D+ YR BLOG ON !
,WEB--R1D+ ALL AB X1 Z !Y SAY4 ,Y H 6"U-
/& X'S N J :AT Y SAY 6! COPS T C 2 HELD
AG/ Y1 ,ALI4 ,X'S :AT Y SAY ANY": 6ANY-
"O4 ,FANG8 ,Y RE,Y CALL$ ,PAUL ,GRAYSON
,FANG80
  8,HE'S BE5 ,FANG 9 MY BLOG =A L;G "T10
,ALI PROTE/$4 8,S9CE L;G 2F "SBODY KILL$
HM40
  8,2LIEVE ME1 ,DETECTIVES ,SIMS & ,TAY-
LOR >E GO+ 6LOVE T4 ,= "R N[1 Y'RE 6SAY
NO?+ M 9 YR BLOG AB ? CASE1 "U/OOD8 ,= Z
L;G Z ? IS AN ACTIVE 9VE/IG,N1 -;T>Y F Y
IS (F ! TA#40
  8,YES10 ,ALI SD4 ,%E FELT /UPID & *A-
GR9$4 8,& AB ,SIMS & ,TAYLOR '''0
  8,:AT AB !M80 ,VICTOR ASK$ %>PLY4
  8,!Y'VE EVID5TLY BE5 9 T\* ) ,APRIL10
,ALI SD4 8,%E TOLD ME AB X E>LI]1 :5 WE
7 \ ON ! T]RACE40                   #AEE
  8,:AT DID %E SAY80
  8,T !Y ?9K ,PAUL'S KILL] ESCAP$ 0L1V+
! C> ON ! RAILROAD TRACKS & !N WALK+ D[N
! TIES F> 5 S HE 0 A# 6EXIT ! TRACKS )\T
2+ DETECT$4 ,!Y'RE SPECULAT+ T HE MET UP
) AN A3OMPLICE "S": 9 ! VIC9;Y & !Y TOOK
(F F "!10 ,ALI SD4
  ,VICTOR EXPELL$ A L;G SI<4 8,: EXPLA9S
:Y !Y DIDN'T F9D ANY FOOTPR9TS AT !
SC5E40
  ,ALI NO4$4 8,YES10 %E SD4
  8,T WD AL M1N T ! KILL] OR KILL]S 7 /
9 ! G5]AL >EA AT ! "T ,PAUL DI$4 ,:1 AC
6! RECEIPTS F ! GAS /,N &! RE/AURANT 9
,BLY!1 WD H PLAC$ Y 9 ! >EA Z WELL40
  ,ALI NO4$ AG4 ,%E LIK$ ! WAY ,VICTOR
IMMLY 3NECT$ ! DOTS EV5 IF %E DIDN'T L !
DOTS HE 0 3NECT+4 8,YES10 %E SD4
  8,MY GUESS IS !Y'RE ALR GO+ AF YR PH"O
RECORDS !N10 ,VICTOR MUS$4 8,TRY+ 6SEE
:O ALL Y'VE 3TACT$ REC5TLY1 6SEE IF !Y C
GET A H&LE ON :O Y MI<T H 5LI/$ Z AN AC-
-PLICE40
  8,MY PH"O RECORDS80 ,ALI DEM&$4
8,ISN'T T ILLEGAL80                 #AEF
  8,X'S ILLEGAL 6LI/5 9 ON YR PH"O CALLS
)\T A W>RANT1 B X'S P]FECTLY LEGAL 6LOOK
AT YR BILL+ 9=M,N 6SEE :O Y CALL$ & :O
CALL$ Y1 Z WELL Z ": Y 7 & :AT CELL PH"O
T[]S 7 9 USE :5 ^? CALLS O3URR$40
  8,!Y C LOOK AT MY PH"O RECORDS UNTIL
!Y'RE BLUE 9 ! FACE10 ,ALI SD4 8,!Y'RE N
GO+ 6F9D ANY?+4 ,!Y'RE GO+ 6H 6LOOK
ELSE":40
  8,IF !Y LOOK ELSE":10 ,VICTOR RESPOND-
$4
  8,:AT D Y M1N1 IF80
  8,SIMS & ,TAYLOR H A HI<-PROFILE CASE
ON _! H&S1 "O _! BOSSES >E GO+ 6WANT
CLE>$ 9 A HELL (A HURRY4 ,!Y AL H A
LIKELY SUSPECT--Y4 ,I ?9K "!'S A GD *.E
T !Y'LL "W L CRAZY 6MAKE :AT"E EVID;E !Y
H FIT :AT !Y ?9K HAPP5$1 R ?AN LOOK+ V
H>D = :AT ELSE MI<T H HAPP5$ OR :O ELSE
MI<T H BE5 9VOLV$40
  8,:AT O!R SUSPECTS >E "!80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,Y TELL ME10 ,VICTOR RETURN$4 8,APRIL
WD H 6BE DUMB Z A /UMP 6KNOCK ,PAUL
,GRAYSON (F )\T "K+ 9 ADV.E T %E 0 GO+
69H]IT40                            #AEG
  8,:AT AB ,APRIL'S "M80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,MS4 ,RAGSDALE MAY BE> LOOK+ 9TO10
,VICTOR 3C$$4
  8,I ?9K S1 TOO10 ,HELGA AGRE$4 8,T
WOMAN IS A PIECE ( "W4 ,! V IDEA ( \R
AGREE+ 6A PO/MORTEM DIVORCE IS RIDICU-
L\S40
  ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 ,VICTOR DROPP$
,ALI (F AT H] HOTEL4 ,A GL.E AT H] WAT*
TOLD H] T1 DEP5D+ ON TRA6IC1 H] "M WD
PROBABLY 2 >RIV+ )9 ! NEXT H\R OR S4 ,%E
W5T UP/AIRS 6AWAIT ,$IE'S >RIVAL4 ,:ILE
,ALI WAIT$1 %E LO7$ ON & F.D H] IN-BOX
ONCE AG BRIMM+ ) MESSAGES4 ,2F %E R1D
ANY ( !M1 H["E1 %E WROTE A PO/ ( H] [N4

_+CUTLOOSEBLOG.COM_:
,SATUR"D1 ,SEPTEMB] #AG1 #BJJE

  ,ALI'S F/ 9/9CT 0 62G9 H] PO/ )! ^WS
8,ON ! ADVICE ( MY ATTORNEY '''0 B !N %E
REMEMB]$ :AT ,VICTOR _H SD3 8,ANY?+ Y
SAY C & W 2 HELD AG/ Y40 ,S %E W5T = "S-
?+ M* LESS DESCRIPTIVE & AL1 6H] WAY (
?9K+1 M* LESS R1L4                  #AEH

  ,=! "T 2+ -;T>Y F ,BABE W 2 SUSP5D$
DUE 6MY 9VOLVE;T 9 A -PLEX P]SONAL MAT-
T]4 ,Z "T ALL[S1 ,I W 3T9UE 6PO/ APPRO-
PRIATE OR 9T]E/+ -;TS F R1D]S4 ,9 ! M1N-
"T1 ?ANK Y = YR LOYALTY & YR 9T]E/4
    ,PO/$ #AA3AB ,A4,M41 ,SEPTEMB] #AG1
    #BJJE 0,BABE

  ,:5 %E 2GAN R1D+ "? ! ;E-MAILS1 MO/ (
!M _H 6D )! PO/+ F ,PHYLLIS 9 ,KNOX-
VILLE4 ,"S CORRESPOND5TS SEEM$ 6AGREE T
,PHYLLIS _H ! "R IDEA4

,DE> ,BABE1
  ,PHYLLIS IS "R4 ,2 NICE 6,TW9K & 2
NICE 6YRF4 ,Z YE S[ S % YE R1P4
    ,ANNA

,DE> ,BABE1
  ,Y SU6]$ A T]RI# LOSS1 TOO4 ,M ?AN "O4
,PL1SE "K T Y'RE 9 MY ?"\S & PRAY]S4
    ,LESLIE 9 ,I[A

                                    #AEI
  ,SURPRIS$ 0! NUMB] ( P (F]+ _! 3DOL5C-
ES1 ,ALI REPLI$ 6ALL ( !M )\T NECESS>ILY
PO/+ !M4 ,N ALL (! NOTES 7 K9D1 H["E4

  ,OH1 GRT4 ,ANO!R ,S\!RN ,CALI=NIA CE-
LEBR;Y MURD] 0ANO!R 8ABUS$0 M$IA WIFE4
,! GOSSIP COLUMNI/S W G NUTS4 ,NO D\BT
Y'LL HIRE YRF "S HI<-PRIC$ ATTORNEY &
GET (F SCOT-FREE4 ,Y P ALL MAKE ME SICK4
,I HOPE Y ROT 9 HELL4

  ,T "O WASN'T SIGN$ & DIDN'T M]IT A
RESPONSE4

,DE> ,BABE1
  ,:5 ,I R1D ! "P AB ! HOMICIDE DETEC-
TIVES 9T]VIEW+ Y1 ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE X1 B
!N ! COPS ALW SUSPECT ! SP\SE1 AL? USU,Y
! KILL] IS ! HUSB& 9/1D (! WIFE4 ,DOES T
M1N !Y ?9K Y DID X8 ,>E !Y GO+ 6>RE/ Y
OR >E Y J A P]SON ( 9T]E/8 ,IF !Y D >RE/
Y1 MY NEPHEW1 ,RI*>D ,DAHLGOOD1 IS AN
ATTORNEY 9 ,L4,A4 ,I DON'T "K :AT HE
*>GES1 B IF Y WANT 6GET 9 T\* ) HM1 LET
ME "K & ,I'LL GIVE Y 8 NUMB]S4      #AFJ
    ,VELMA ;,T 9 ,LAGUNA

  ,ALI WANT$ 6TELL ,VELMA T %E _H ALL !
LEGAL ASSI/.E %E CD H&LE AB !N4 ,%E _H
NO D\BT T ,VELMA'S NEPHEW 0 PROBABLY F>
M AF=DA# ?AN ! HULK+ ,VICTOR ,ANGEL]I4
,B %E 0 PAY+ ! MAN TOO M* 64REG>D 8
ADVICE4 ,%E REPLI$ 6,VELMA )A C>E;LLY
NON-COMMITTAL ?ANK-Y4

,DE> ,VELMA1
  ,?ANK Y = YR 3C]N4 ,PL1SE DON'T WORRY
AB ME4 ,I H ! SITU,N WELL 9 H&4
    ,BABE

  ,! NEXT ;E-MAIL /UNN$ H]4

,DE> ,MS4 ,REYNOLDS1
  ,PL1SE =GIVE ME = 3TACT+ Y "? YR BLOG4
,I TRI$ CALL+ YR HOME NUMB] 9 ,>IZONA4
,I LEFT A MESSAGE "!1 B X SEEMS LIKELY
Y'RE "H 9 ,CALI=NIA AT ! MO;T4 ,MY "N IS
,%EILA ,ROS5BURG4 ,I'M A LOCAL 7,L4,A4-
>EA7 PRODUC] = ,C\RT ,,TV4 ,WE WD L 6BE
9 T\* ) Y :5"E X MI<T 2 3V5I5T =    #AFA
Y REG>D+ A POSSI# 9T]VIEW4 ,MY 3TACT 9=-
M,N IS LI/$ 2L4
    ,%EILA ,ROS5BURG

  ,! V IDEA T ,PAUL'S D1? _H N[ 2COME
FO4] =! 8TRUE CRIME0 NET"W 0 NO?+ %ORT (
*ILL+4 ,IF ,C\RT ,,TV 0 ON ! JOB1 CD
,FOX'S ,GRETA ,VAN ,SU/]5 2 F> 2H8 ,& 9
T FANATICAL CR[D1 ,ALI KNEW PRODUC]S &
-;TATORS CD MAKE Z M* (A /ORY AB :AT
WASN'T SD Z !Y DID AB :AT WAS4

,DE> ,MS4 ,ROS5BURG1
  ,?ANK Y = YR 9T]E/4 ,I'M N GRANT+ ANY
9T]VIEWS AT ? "T4 ,%D T *ANGE1 ,I'LL LET
Y "K4
    ,REG>DS1
    ,ALI ,REYNOLDS

  ,! NEXT "O 0 A /UNN]4

,HEY1 ,ALI1
  ,H['S X GO+4 ,L;G "T NO SEE4 ,I H A
L9E ON A POSSI# JOB (F] = Y T'LL PUT Y
BACK ": Y 2L;G--ON LIVE ,,TV4 ,IF   #AFB
Y'RE GO+ 6BE 9 ,L4,A4 ANY"T SOON1 LET ME
"K & ,I'LL SEE :AT ,I C D 6SET UP AN IN-
T]VIEW4
    ,JACKY

  ,JACKY 0 %ORT = ,JACK ,JACKSON1 ,ALI'S
AG5T--AT L1/ HE _H BE5 H] AG5T4 ,! ^WS T
CAME 6M9D N[ W]E3 M N]VE ?AN A BAD TOO?4
,9 ACTUAL FACT1 ,JACKY _H BE5 ,ALI'S
AG5T =A L;G "T--F H] F/ ON-AIR JOB \ (
COLLEGE 9 ,MILWAUKEE 6H] MOVE F ,FOX
,NEWS 9 ,NEW ,YORK 6! ,L4,A4 AN*OR DESK4
,ALI _H GOTT5 ! ,L4,A4 JOB ON H] [N & )-
\T ANY HELP F ,JACKY1 B HE _H BE5 GLAD
6TAKE 8 CUT (! AC;N4 ,!N4 ,B ONCE %E'D
BE5 LET G--ONCE %E'D BE5 BOOT$ (F ! AIR
& ONCE %E'D MADE X CLE> T %E WASN'T GO+
6TAKE H] AGE-BAS$ FIR+ LY+ D[N--,JACKY
_H 4APPE>$ (F ! FACE (! PLANET4 ,HE _H
/OPP$ TAK+ ,ALI'S CALLS1 _HN'T RETURN$
H] ;E-MAILS1 EI4
  ,%E _H "U/OOD :AT 0 GO+ ON WELL 5\<4
,9 TELEVI.N CIRCLES1 NET"W EXECUTIVES
C.T$ = "S?+4 ,PAUL ,GRAYSON _H BE5 !
EI<T-HUNDR$-P.D GORILLA1 & NO "O    #AFC
_H WANT$ 6PISS HM (F4 ,NO D\BT ,JACKY _H
R1D AB :AT 0 GO+ ON & _H DECID$ 64T.E
HMF1 L1V+ ,ALI & H] /YMI$ C>E] 6H] [N
DEVICES4 ,N[1 ) ,PAUL G"O1 ,JACKY M/ H
R1*$ ! SU45 3CLU.N T ,ALI ,REYNOLDS 0
BANKA# AG4 ,NO D\BT HE EXPECT$ 6BE WEL-
-$ BACK ) OP5 >MS4 ,& 8 ASSUMP;N T %E'D
WANT 6H HM BACK RANKL$ WORSE ?AN ANY?+4
  .,SCREW .Y1 ,ALI ?"\4 .,NO VULTURES
.ALL[$4 ,) T %E DELET$ ,JACKY'S MESSAGE4
  ,! PH"O RANG A FEW SECONDS LAT]--!
ROOM PH"O4 8,"!'S "S"O D[N 9 ! LO2Y :O
WD L 6SEE Y1 ,MS4 ,REYNOLDS10 ! SMOO?
VOICE (! 3CI]GE SD4 8,%E SAYS %E'S YR
"M4 ,WD Y L ME 6S5D H] UP80
  8,YES10 ,ALI SD4 8,PL1SE D40
  ,ALI /OOD 9 ! OP5 DOORWAY ( H] ROOM TO
GREET ,$IE ,L>SON :5 %E >RIV$ A FEW M9-
UTES LAT]1 DRA7+ AN IMM5SE ROLL-ABO>D
BAG 2H H]4
  8,I HOPE X'S OKAY IF ,I BUNK ) Y10
,$IE SD UNC]TA9LY4
  8,X'S F9E10 ,ALI SD1 GE/UR+ T[>D ! K+-
SIZ$ B$4
  8,DID Y "K ,DAVE ,HOLMAN 0 -+80   #AFD
,$IE ASK$4 8,I RAN 96HM D[N 9 ! LO2Y4
,HE 0 GO+ 6R5T A ROOM "H1 B !N HE F.D \
H[ M* !Y CO/ & ALM _H A HE>T ATTACK1 S
HE'S G"O 6F9D "SPLACE ELSE 6/AY40 ,$IE
/OPP$ 9 ! MI4LE (! ROOM & TURN$ >.D1
SL[LY EXAM9+ ! PLU% SURR.D+S4 8,>E Y
SURE Y C AF=D ?80
  8,YES10 ,ALI SD1 ?9K+ BACK 6H] LAWY]-
FILL$ MORN+ &! NEWS T OV] "T %E 0 B.D TO
9H]IT A GD D1L ( ,PAUL ,GRAYSON'S 3SID]-
A# =TUNE4 ,9 FACT1 %E CD AF=D 6/AY "H N[
F> M EASILY ?AN %E CD H 2F4 ,%E CLOS$ !
HALLWAY DOOR & TURN$ 6FACE H] "M4
  8,S H[ >E ?+S80 ,$IE ,L>SON ASK$4 8,&
H[ >E Y80
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5 6CAUSE ,ALI'S EMO;NAL DAM 6BR1K4 ,ALL
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ALL ! TE>S %E _H PUT ON HOLD & _HN'T %$
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BUR/ "? N[4 ,SO2+1 %E LET H]F 2 PULL$
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  8,%U% N[10 ,$IE MURMUR$4 8,X'S GO+ 6BE
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  ,? 0 S TYPIC,Y ,$IE ,L>SON T ,ALI _H
6SMILE "? H] TE>S4 ,$IE'S DAU<T] MI<T 2
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  8,N YET10 ,ALI SD4
  ,$IE H1V$ H] OV]SIZ$ SUITCASE UP ONTO
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,I'LL 2 A# 6?9K BETT] ONCE ,I GET ORGAN-
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  8,:5 Y F9I%1 MAYBE WE C G D[N/AIRS & H
"S?+ 6EAT40
  8,BAD IDEA10 ,$IE SD4 8,WE'D PROBABLY
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  8,H[ -E80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,2C "! >E A LOT ( P MILL+ >.D D[N 9 !
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  8,= ME80 E*O$ ,ALI4
  8,N 0"N10 ,$IE ANSW]$4 8,HE SD !Y 7 "H
2C "!'S A ,8MURD] SUSPECT0' REPORT$LY
/AY+ AT ! HOTEL "R N[4 ,HE SD       #AFF
!Y'RE TRY+ 6GET A GLIMPSE ( H]4 ,? MAY 2
,CALI=NIA10 ,$IE A4$1 8B ,I'M ASSUM+ T
EV5 9 ,L4,A4 "!'S N M ?AN "O MURD] SUS-
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  ,:5 ,ALI _H "W$ ! NEWS DESK1 "O (!
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UNTIL !Y'D ACTU,Y BE5 *>G$ )A CRIME4 ,B
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!Y LEFT ,ROB]T ,LANE4 ,N[1 "K+ !Y 7 "H1
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  8,ROOM S]VICE S.DS GD 6ME10 %E SD4
  ,HALF AN H\R LAT]1 ,ALI'S CELL PH"O
RANG4 8,H[ D P /& ? TRA6IC "D 9 & "D \80
,DAVE ,HOLMAN WANT$ 6"K4 8,& X'S N J
DUR+ RU% H\R1 EI4 ,X LA/S ALL "D L;G40
  8,": >E Y80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,MOTEL #F4 ,T'S A LL M MY SPE$ ?AN !
PLACE Y'RE /AY+40
  8,":80
  8,HI<WAY #AJA & "S O!R FREEWAY1   #AFG
;,I-#BAJ1 ,I ?9K4 ,! GD ?+ IS1 ,I %D 2
A# 6MAKE MY WAY BACK "! F "H ON SURFACE
/REETS4 ,! P DRIV+ ON ! FREEWAYS >E
NUTS40
  ,ALI _H -E 6,L4,A4 F ,NEW ,YORK4 ,!
METRO >EA _H SEEM$ DI6]5T 6H] B N 5TIRE-
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  8,\R ROOM NUMB] IS #GJC10 %E TOLD HM4
8,:5 Y GET BACK "H 6! HOTEL1 -E DIRECTLY
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0"N4 ,MOM SAYS "! >E REPORT]S D[N 9 !
LO2Y4 ,"O ( !M MI<T 2 LI/5+40
  8,NO KI4+10 ,DAVE RETURN$4 8,I MAY 2 A
HICK1 B :5 ,I MET UP ) ,$IE A :ILE AGO
D[N 9 ! LO2Y1 ,I DID NOTICE "O OR TWO
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  8,S WE'LL H LUN* UP "H10 ,ALI SD4 8,F
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/UDY+ H] DAU<T]'S REFLEC;N 9 ! MIRROR4
  8,H Y MET H]80 ,$IE ASK$4
  8,MET :O80
  8,APRIL ,GA4IS10 ,$IE REPLI$4 8,PAUL'S
FIANC@EE40
  8,H[ D Y "K H] "N80 ,ALI ASK$4
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A H&;L ( NEWSPAP]S4 8,I /OPP$ = C(FEE AT
T TRUCK /OP ON ! F> SIDE ( ,PALM ,SPR+S
& PICK$ UP A C\PLE ( NEWSPAP]S10 %E RE-
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,I GOT "H40
  ,$IE LAID ! PAP]S ON ! DESK & !N PULL$
\ A BR&-NEW SPIRAL NOTEBOOK4 ,%E OP5$ !
NOTEBOOK 6! F/ PAGE1 : 0 BLANK4 8,:5
,DAVE ,HOLMAN IS "W+ A HOMICIDE1 ,I "K
HE ALW KEEPS A CASEBOOK10 ,$IE A4$1
PICK+ UP A P54 8,I ?9K WE %D D ! SAME
?+4 ,I'M GO+ 6WRITE D[N "EY?+ S WE DON'T
=GET DETAILS4 ,S TELL ME4 ,:AT'S ,APRIL
L80
  ,"U ANY O!R CIRCUM/.E1 ,ALI MI<T H F.D
H] "M'S BUSI;SLIKE APPROA* AMUS+1 B ?
WASN'T FUNNY4 ,Z ,$IE SAT ) H] P5 POIS$
OV] PAP]1 X 0 CLE> %E WANT$ AN-     #AFI
SW]S4
  8,V "Y1 V PRETTY1 V PREGNANT10 ,ALI SD
F9,Y4
  8,& %E 0 SUPPOS$ 6GET M>RI$ TD10 ,$IE
SD4
  ,ALI NO4$4
  8,IS %E 3SID]$ A SUSPECT 9 ,PAUL'S
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  8,PROBABLY N10 ,ALI SD4 8,NO MOTIVE4
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W 0 R1D ? MORN+1 ,I 0 / ,PAUL'S LEGAL
WIFE & PRIM>Y B5EFICI>Y4 ,IF ,APRIL 0
GO+ 6KNOCK HM (F1 SURELY %E WD H BE5
SM>T 5 6WAIT UNTIL !Y 7 ACTU,Y M>RI$40
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  8,:O ELSE WD H A MOTIVE !N80 ,$IE
ASK$4 ,%E 0 APPROA*+ ! PRO#M 9 H] A3US-
TOM$ MANN]--) NO NONS5SE & PL5TY ( -MON
S5SE4 8,IS "! A *.E "!'S ANO!R MAN 9 !
PICTURE80 %E A4$4 8,IF M"OY ISN'T !
MOTIVAT+ FACTOR1 MAYBE "S?+ ELSE    #AGJ
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ON ,,TV1 J1L\SY "WS40
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,GRAYSON PRIM>ILY 9 T]MS (! TWO ( !M
*1T+ ON H]4 ,! IDEA T !Y MI<T H BE5 *1T+
ON EA* O!R _H N"E CROSS$ H] M9D4
  8,X'S POSSI#1 ,I SUPPOSE10 ,ALI SD DU-
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  8,( C\RSE X IS10 ,$IE DCLD4 8,IF ,PAUL
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:AT YR "F SAYS3 ,ONCE A *1T1 ALW A *1T4
,S ! F/ ?+ WE H 6D IS F9D \ "EY?+ "! IS
6"K AB ,APRIL ,GA4IS40
  8,WE %D ASK ,*RI/OPH] AB T10 ,ALI SD4
8,HE KNEW AB ,APRIL L;G 2F ,I DID4 ,%E'S
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,PAUL Z 8 ADM9I/RATIVE ASSI/ANT1 B ,I
DON'T "K : CAME F/1 ! *ICK5 OR ! EGG--!
JOB OR ! A6AIR4 ,I ?9K X'S LIKELY T HE
GOT H] ! JOB S %E CD E>N 5 M"OY 6SUPPORT
H]F4 ,T WAY "! WDN'T 2 A PAP] TRAIL L9K+
M"OY F HM 6H]40
  8,"R1 A LL PRENUPTIAL NEPOTISM N"E
HURT ANYBODY10 ,$IE OBS]V$4 8,S ,I'LL
ASK ,*RI/OPH] AB ,APRIL40           #AGA
  8,I MET H] "M10 ,ALI SUPPLI$4
  8,APRIL'S "M80 ,$IE ASK$4 8,Y H80
  8,H] "N'S ,MONIQUE ,RAGSDALE4 ,%E CAME
6! H\SE ? MORN+ 6MEET )! ATTORNEYS4 ,%E
CLAIMS %E'S LOOK+ \ =! 9T]E/S (! BABY4
,I SUSPECT %E'S MO/LY LOOK+ \ = H]F4 ,%E
CAME HOP+ WE'D AGREE 6A PO/MORTEM DI-
VORCE DECREE40
  8,Y C'T DIVORCE "S"O AF !Y'RE D1D1 C
Y80
  8,HELGA DOESN'T ?9K S10 ,ALI SD4
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HALLWAY1 & S 0 ,DAVE ,HOLMAN4 ,8 BROAD-
%\LD]$1 MILIT>Y BE>+ 0 "S?+ ,ALI RE,Y
NE$$ AB !N--"S?+ %E WELCOM$4 ,R1*+ PA/ !
WAIT]1 %E GAVE ,DAVE A BRIEF B HE>TFELT
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  8,?ANKS = -+10 %E SD4
  8,WDN'T H MISS$ X10 HE SD4
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NIC] ?AN M9E10 HE SD4 8,"!'S NO ROOM
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  8,J TRY+ 6GET AN IDEA ( :O ALL'S IN-
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  8,GD "W10 HE SD4
  ,ALL "? LUN*1 ,$IE & ,DAVE 3T9U$ 6PEP-
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NOTES4 ,ONCE AG ,ALI RECALL$ :AT ,VICTOR
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  8,:AT IS X80
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LUN*10 HE SD4 8,I DIDN'T GET ! MESSAGE
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  8,( C\RSE10 ,ALI SD4 8,I'LL 2 GLAD
TO40
  8,GLAD 6:AT80 ,$IE ASK$ :5 ,ALI GOT (F
! PH"O4                             #AGC
  8,APRIL WANTS ME 6-E BACK UP 6! H\SE &
TALK AB FUN]AL >RANGE;TS40
  8,) Y80 ,DAVE DEM&$4
  8,YES4 ,) ME40 ,ALI 0 ALR SE>*+ ! ROOM
= H] PURSE & H] KEYS4
  8,H[ -E80 ,DAVE WANT$ 6"K4
  8,2C %E'S TW5TY-FIVE YE>S OLD &
DOESN'T "K H[ 6G AB H&L+ ALL ^? DE-
TAILS40
  8,%DN'T H] "M HELP H] ) T80 ,DAVE
ASK$4
  8,APRIL DOESN'T WANT H] "M 9VOLV$40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,DAVE SD4 8,YR D1D
EX-HUSB&'S GIRLFR IS >GU+ ) H] [N "M AB
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EXPECTS Y 6WALK "R 96! MI4LE ( X8 ,:AT'S
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  8,Y DON'T "U/&10 ,ALI SD4 8,Y HAV5'T
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OPPOSITE DIREC;N40
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MAN1 B HE _H NO IDEA :AT X 0 L 6BE
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  8,APRIL ASK$ = MY HELP4 ,I'M GO+ 6GIVE
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  8,WELL !N10 ,$IE DCLD4 8,IF Y'RE GO+1
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ALL GOES 6HELL1 J REMEMB]--,I TOLD Y S40
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  8,YES10 HE REPLI$4 8,I'M AFRAID "!
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BUILD+ )\T MY 2+ SE580
  8,SURE4 ,I CD -E UP & GET Y 9 ! S]VICE
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KIT*540
  8,WD Y80
  8,( C\RSE40
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  8,HELLO80 ,ALI CALL$4 8,APRIL8 ,ANY-
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  ,"! 0 NO ANSW]4
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  8,ALI10 %E ANSW]$4 8,ALISON ,REYN-
OLDS40
  8,Y J /AY ON ! L9E ) ME1 ,MS4 ,REYN-
OLDS4 ,HELP IS ON ! WAY40






               ,*APT] #H            #AGG

  ,ALI REMA9$ ON ! PH"O )! EM]G5CY OP]A-
TORS :ILE ,DAVE /AY$ ) ,MONIQUE4 ,$IE 0
4PAT*$ 6! UP/AIRS B$ROOMS =A BLANKET TO
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SE>*$ "? ! RE/ (! H\SE 6SEE IF ANY"O
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  8,NO "O'S "H10 %E REPORT$4 8,NO "O AT
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  8,N EV5 ! COOK80 ,ALI ASK$4 8,DID Y
*ECK ! KIT*580
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6%IFT ,MONIQUE ONTO A BO>D 9 ORD] 6LOAD
H] ONTO A GURNEY1 ,ALI SPOTT$ A CELL
PH"O &A KEY R+ LY+ ON ! FLOOR4 ,%E GRA2$
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  8,": W Y TAKE H]80 ,ALI ASK$ "O (!
,,EMT,'S4
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  8,APRIL10 ,ALI SD URG5TLY4 8,X'S ,ALI
,REYNOLDS4 ,CALL ME BACK Z SOON Z Y GET
? MESSAGE4 ,YR "M HAS FALL5 D[N ! /AIRS4
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PH"O 96H] POCKET4
  8,Y %DN'T H T\*$ T10 ,DAVE OBS]V$4
  8,:Y N80 ,ALI ASK$4 8,I NE$$ 6GET HOLD
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  8,IF ? TURNS \ 6BE A CRIME SC5E1 Y'VE
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  8,A CRIME SC5E80 ,ALI REP1T$4 8,:AT
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TOLD ,APRIL 6CALL ME BACK ON ? NUMB] :5
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TWO ( Y C -E 6! HOSPITAL 9 MY C>40
  8,B H[ D WE GET "!80 ,$IE WANT$ 6"K4
  8,DON'T WORRY10 %E SD4 8,USE ! ,,GPS4
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  8,Y'RE A RELATIVE80 HE ASK$4
  ,M5T,Y ,ALI ?"\ "? H] ACTUAL 3NEC;N TO
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