,,URBAN ,,%AMAN

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
     ,LUNA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
   ,COPY"R ^C #BJJE 0,C4 ,E4 ,MURPHY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CGC-HJBBC-D

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
  ,RUSSELL ,MILL]1 ,JANELLE ,3/ANT9O1
   ,MIKE ,CAVANAU<1 & ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AAE-BBD

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJH
          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS        ;II
         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

@ 7#D7 A35T M>K
_/ SLA%
^C COPY"R SYMBOL
@& AMP]S&
,' 7#F1 #C7 T]M9,N SIGN

















             ,,*APT] ,,SEV5         #AAE

  ,NO FEW] ?AN EI<T COPS--ALL ( ^: C>S
,I T9K]$ ) REGUL>LY--L+]$ \TSIDE ,MOR-
RISON'S (FICE1 O/5TATI\SLY R1D+ FILES OR
EX*ANG+ /ORIES OV] _! DESKS4 ,E "O ( !M
FELL SIL5T Z ,I C>E;LLY CLOS$ ,MORRIS-
ON'S DOOR & /EPP$ AWAY F ! (FICE4
,BRUCE1 A ?9 BLONDE :O _H NO BUSI;S 2+
AWAY F ! FRONT DESK1 PUT ON A M\RN;L
SMILE4 8,WELL80
  8,! SON (A BIT* FIR$ Y10 ,BILLY GUESS$
2F ,I _H "T 6DRAW BR1?4 ,AN UPRO> MET 8
SPECUL,N1 A WALL ( \TRAGE 5TIRELY ON MY
2HALF4 ,REX1 %ORT & /\T Z 8 "N1 FLUNG 8
HAT ON "S"O'S DESK & /ALK$ T[>D ME4 ,I
BACK$ UP 96,MORRISON'S DOOR1 AL>M$4 ,!
DOORKNOB HIT ME 9 ! BUTT4
  8,GET \ (! WAY1 ,JOANIE40 ,REX S.D$ L
A BULLDOG1 L[-VOIC$ & GR[LY4 8,I'M GONNA
GIVE T BA/>D A PIECE ( MY M9D4 ,HE C'T D
? 6Y6 ,Y 7 ON .FAMILY .L1VE1 = ,*RI/'S
SAKE60
  ,I $G$ 6! SIDE4 8,UM1 ACTU,Y '''0
  ,REX /ORM$ PA/ ME & FLUNG ,MORRISON'S
DOOR OP51 BANG+ X CLOS$ 2H HM AG4   #AAF
,>.D ME1 FURI\S COPS SWORE & WAV$ _! H&S
& L9$ UP1 ,GOD HELP ME1 ACTU,Y L9$ UP TO
2 ! NEXT "O 6TAKE ON ,MORRISON4
  8,ACTU,Y10 ,I MUM#D1 8HE DIDN'T FIRE
ME40
  ,NOBODY LI/5$4 ,I RU2$ MY H& OV] MY
EYES1 SETT+ MY 3TACTS 6TE>+ AG1 & SI<$4
,BRUCE APPE>$ AT MY ELB[ & GUID$ ME 6A
DESK 6SIT D[N4 8,X'LL 2 OKAY1 ,JOANIE10
HE PROMIS$4 8,Y'RE A FANTA/IC ME*ANIC4
,Y'LL GET A JOB 9 NO "T4 ,HECK1 Y CD
PROBABLY KEEP YRF BUSY J FIX+ \R C>S1
HUH GUYS80
  8,I FIX YR C>S ANYWAY10 ,I PO9T$ \4
8,NOBODY PAYS ME = X40 ,BRUCE _H EXACTLY
"O HO2Y3 RUNN+4 ,8 WIFE'S C>1 A #AIHG
,EAGLE /,N WAGON )A MANUAL TRANSMIS.N1
BROKE D[N M (T5 ?AN SOAP OP]A />S4 ,I
WASN'T SURE HE KNEW H[ 6DRIVE X1 M* LESS
FIX X4 8,LOOK1 ,BRUCE1 ,I'M--0
  ,BRUCE PATT$ MY %\LD] REASSUR+LY4
8,ELISE WANTS Y 6-E OV] = D9N] ,FRI"D4
,%E'S GO+ 6RAISE HOLY LIV+ HELL AB Y
GETT+ FIR$40
  ,ELISE MADE ! BE/ TAMALES ,I'D    #AAG
"E _H1 & 0 3V9C$ ,I 0 KILL+ MYF EAT+
MAC>ONI & *EESE = E M1L4 8,ELISE IS AN
ANGEL10 ,I SD1 8B--0
  ,REX BUR/ \ ( ,MORRISON'S (FICE1 *EEKS
B"R R$ ) EX];N4 ,BILLY M>*$ "? ! /-OP5
DOOR4 ,EV5 OV] ! G5]AL NOISE ,I CD HE>
,MORRISON'S1 8,OH1 = .,*RI/'S SAKE60 ,A
MO;T LAT] ,BILLY BACK$ \ (! (FICE1 H]D$
0,MORRISON1 :O /OPP$ AT ! DOOR1 BROAD-
%\LD]$ & IMPRESSIVE4
  8,JOANNE ,WALK] HAS N BE5 FIR$60 HE
BELL[$4 8,ALL ( Y GET ! HELL BACK 6"W60
,HE /EPP$ BACK 96HIS (FICE1 SLAMM+ !
DOOR 2H HM4
  ,EI<T (FIC]S (! LAW TURN$ Z "O & />$
AT ME A3US+LY4
  8,T'S :AT ,I 0 TRY+ 6TELL Y10 ,I SD
W1KLY4 8,HE DIDN'T FIRE ME4 ,HE BU/$ ME
BACK 6FOOT PATROL40 ,=A MO;T ,I WOND]$
IF A ME*ANIC CD TE*NIC,Y 2 BU/$ BACK TO
ANY?+4
  ,"EY"O 0 SIL5T = AB Z L;G Z X TOOK ME
6WOND] T1 & !N ! CACOPHONY 2GAN AG4 ,I
TRI$1 BRIEFLY1 6EXPLA91 !N GAVE UP & LET
,BILLY DEF5D MY DUBI\S HONOR Z AN   #AAH
H"O/-TO-,GOD COP )A BADGE & "EY?+4 ,I
WASN'T SURE ": T BADGE WAS4 ,I REMEMB]$
!Y'D GIV5 ME "O :5 ,I GRADUAT$ F ! PO-
LICE ACADEMY1 B MY BE/ GUESS 0 T X 0 9
MY SOCK DRAW]4 ,OR POSSIBLY 9 ! GLOVE
-"P;T ( MY C>4 ,OR MAYBE 9 ! JUNK DRAW]
9 ! KIT*54 ,I SLUNK \ :ILE ! DEBATE AB
:E!R ,I 0 .RE,Y A COP H1T$ UP4

  ,G>Y & ,M>IE 7 WAIT+ IMPATI5TLY 9 !
LO2Y4 8,Y'RE A COP80 ,G>Y DEM&$ Z ,I
CAME "? ! TURN/ILE4
  8,NO4 ,YES4 ,NO4 ,%IT6 ,:Y80 ,I FLUNG
MYF ONTO A B5* & SCRU2$ MY EYES4
  8,JEEZ1 LADY1 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6ASK A T\<
"Q4 ,:AT HAPP5$ 9 "!8 ,:Y DIDN'T Y .SAY
Y 7 A COP BACK AT ! *UR*8 ,OR ! AIRPORT8
,I ?"\ Y 7 NUTS1 GO9' AF "S BROAD Y SAW
F A PLANE40 ,G>Y T[]$ OV] ME1 H&S ON 8
HIPS4 ,M>IE HOV]$ 9 ! BACKGR.D1 LOOK+ J
Z CURI\S Z ,G>Y4
  8,I'M N A COP4 ,I M1N40 ,I SI<$1 P9*+
! BRIDGE ( MY NOSE4 8,I AM A COP4 ,I
GUESS ,I'M A COP4 ,I'M A .ME*ANIC4 ,T'S
:AT ,I D4 ,EXCEPT N[ ,I DON'T4      #AAI
,N[ ,I WRITE JAYWALK+ TICKETS1 OR "S?+4
,I WOND] :5 ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6BE BACK AT "W4
,%IT40
  ,G>Y & ,M>IE />$ AT ME4 ,AF S"EAL SEC-
ONDS1 ,I MUM#D1 8,I MAKE M S5SE :5 ,I'VE
_H "S SLEEP40 ,I PRI$ MY EYES OP54 ,TE>S
WELL$ UP AG4 ,G>Y 2CAME SYMPA!TIC ALL (A
SU454
  8,ALL "R1 ALL "R4 ,I'LL TAKE Y HOME4
,TN WE'LL GET TGR & FIGURE ? \40 ,HE AC-
TU,Y PATT$ MY %\LD]1 J L ,BRUCE _H D"O4
  8,WE80 ,M>IE & ,I SPOKE TGR4 ,%E S.D$
SURPRIS$4 ,I S.D$ SMALL & PITI;L4
  8,:AT1 Y ?9K ,I'M GONNA MISS \ ON :AT
HAPP5S NEXT8 ,CRAZY DAMES40 ,G>Y %OOK 8
H1D & PU%$ 8 WAY \ (! /,N1 MUTT]+ 6HMF4

  ,G>Y DROPP$ ME (F AT MY A"P;T -PLEX4
,I /OOD ON ! 3CRETE /AIRS & WAV$ Z HE
DROVE (F1 !N /A7]$ UP 6MY A"P;T1 NAVI-
GAT+ 6! B$ROOM )\T TURN+ ! LI<TS ON4 ,NO
"O LIV$ "! B ME2 X 0 A SAFE BET T "!
WDN'T 2 ANY?+ UNEXPECT$ ON ! FLOOR EX-
CEPT F\R MON?S WOR? ( DU/4 ,I 0 "R3
FALL+ FACE-F/ 96! B$COV]S 4LODG$    #ABJ
DU/ & MADE ME SNEEZE1 B NO?+ WORSE
AWAIT$ ME4 ,MY LA/ 3SCI\S ?"\ 0 T ,I'D
=GOTT5 6TAKE MY 3TACTS \4
  ,! A"P;T 0 EMPTY ( UNEXPECT$ ?+S4 ,MY
DR1MS 7 N4 ,COYOTE 0 WAIT+ = ME4 ,HE
LOOK$ W>ILY APPROV+ :ILE ,I FR[N$ AT HM
GRO7ILY4 8,H[ D'Y\ D T80 ,I DEM&$4
8,DOGS DON'T H T M* EXPRES.N40
  8,Y'VE N"E [N$ A DOG1 H Y80 ,COYOTE
ASK$4 8,2SS1 ,I'M N A DOG40
  ,I PUT MY FACE 9 MY H&S1 EYES CLOS$4
8,:AT"E4 ,": >E WE8 ,:AT D Y WANT80 ,I
PEEK$ AT HM "? MY F+]S4 8,>E Y ALW GO+
6BE BO!R+ MY DR1MS80
  8,? ISN'T A DR1M40 ,COYOTE COCK$ 8 H1D
6! SIDE1 LOOK+ >.D4 ,AF A MO;T ,I DID
TOO1 WE>ILY4 ,I _H 6ADMIT ,I'D N"E _H A
DR1M T LOOK$ L ? "O4 ,EV5 FALL+ DR1MS1 :
W]5'T BIG ON DETAIL1 USU,Y _H A GRAY SKY
&A V L;G DROP4 ,? "O DIDN'T EV5 H T M*1
J D>K /ORM CL\DS PU%+ AT EA* O!R ) NO
"PICUL> PATT]N OR 9T5T4 ,I ?"\ ,I PRE-
F]R$ FALL+ DR1MS4
  ,I DROPP$ SU45LY1 A SICK5+ 4T.E 9 NO
"T AT ALL4 ,COYOTE YIPP$1 A %ORT    #ABA
S.D ( ANNOY.E & AL>M1 ,I FL9*$ UP"R1
BACK ": ,I'D />T$4 8,PAY ATT5;N10 HE SD
%>PLY4
  8,I AM10 ,I PROTE/$4 8,:AT 0 T8 ,":
.>E WE80 ,"! 0 NO": = ME 6H FALL54 ,COY-
OTE & ,I DRIFT$1 9 ! MI4LE ( X1 SITT+ ON
NO?+4
  8,Y CALL$ A DR1M UP10 ,COYOTE SD PA-
TI5TLY4 8,WE'RE 9 A PLACE 2T DR1MS40
  8,:Y8 ,I'M S .TIR$40 ,I 0 :9+4 ,I MADE
A SMALL SAD S.D & /RAI<T5$ UP1 TRY+ 6BE-
HAVE L AN ADULT4 ,COYOTE LICK$ 8 NOSE4
  8,Y DID A GD JOB ? MORN+10 HE SD4 ,I
BL9K$ AT HM SL[LY4
  8,IS T :Y ,I CAME "H8 ,S Y CD TELL ME
T80 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6S.D L A SNAPPY1 UN-
GRATE;L BIT*1 ,I 0 J S DAMN$ TIR$4 ,COY-
OTE LET ! T"O BL[ OV] HM4
  8,"PLY10 HE AGRE$4 8,ASK ! BAN%EE TO
HELP Y ) YR %IELDS4 ,Y'RE GO+ 6NE$ !M40
  8,MY %IELDS80 ,I WASN'T US$ 6FEEL+ ?
?ICK4
  ,COYOTE SMIL$4 ,I DIDN'T "K DOGS CD
SMILE4 8,I'M N A DOG10 HE SD1 &1 8%E'LL
"K :AT Y M1N4 ,N[ GET "S SLEEP40    #ABB
,HE DROPP$ A GOLD5-EY$ W9K & 4APPE>$4
  ,OR AT L1/1 ,I C1S$ 6BE AW>E ( HM4
,9/1D ,I 2CAME AW>E ( "S"O P.D+ ON MY
DOOR )! PATI;E & RHY?M (A METRONOME4 ,I
/AY$ V / = :AT FELT L A V L;G "T1 HOP+ !
P.D+ WD G AWAY4 ,X DIDN'T4 ,AF SIX OR
SEV5 YE>S ,I ROLL$ \ ( B$ & CRAWL$ T[>D
! FRONT DOOR4
  ,I MADE X 6MY FEET "S": 9 ! LIV+ ROOM
& 0 REW>D$ = MY MONU;TAL EF=T 0B>K+ MY
%9 ON ! C(FEE TA#4 ,I R1*$ =! DOORKNOB
&! 9JUR$ %9 AT ! SAME "T1 PULL$ ! DOOR
OP51 & SLAMM$ MYF 9 ! =EH1D )! $GE (!
DOOR4 ,COLLAPS+ ONTO ! FLOOR 9 A SNIVEL+
LUMP SEEM$ ! ONLY ?+ 6D1 S ,I DID X4 ,X
0 ONLY :5 TE>S />T$ 6UN/ICK MY EYELA%ES
T ,I R1LIZ$ T ,I N ONLY _HN'T1 B CDN'T1
OP5 MY EYES4 ,I TOOK TURNS RU2+ AT MY %9
& MY =EH1D & MY /UCK-TGR LA%ES4 ,"S": UP
ABV ME1 ,G>Y SD1 8,JESUS ,*RI/1 ,JO4 ,Y
LOOK L "S"O RAN Y OV] & BACK$ UP 6SEE
:AT HE HIT40
  8,NICE 6SEE Y1 TOO1 ,G>Y40 ,N T ,I CD
SEE HM4 ,I PUT A H& OV] MY ?ROAT4 ,I
S.D$ L A BULLDOZ] _H DUMP$ A LOAD   #ABC
( GRAVEL 96MY *E/4 8,:AT "T IS X80
  8,SEV5-?IRTY40 ,HE CR\*$2 ,I CD TELL
0! LOC,N ( 8 VOICE4
  ,I PRI$ "O ( MY EYES OP54 8,NO WAY4 ,I
J W5T 6SLEEP40 ,I TURN$ MY WRI/ OV] &
TRI$ 6FOCUS ON MY WAT*4 ,I CDN'T1 B T 0
OKAY1 S9CE X 0 WR;G ANYWAY4 8,NO WAY40
  8,YEP4 ,SEV5-?IRTY4 ,WE'RE SUPPOS$ TO
MEET ,M>IE 9 HALF AN H\R AT H] PLACE40
,G>Y /RAI<T5$ UP AG4 ,I GOT MY O!R EYE
OP51 & BL9K$ TE>;LLY AT HM4
  8,OKAY4 ,I GUESS1 UH4 ,LET'S G40 ,I
SWALL[$1 TRY+ 6LOOS5 MY VOICE UP "S1 &
"W$ ON GETT+ MY BODY MOV+ 9 A DIREC;N T
FELT L ,8UP0'4
  8,UH10 ,G>Y SD4
  ,I CD ONLY D "O ?+ AT A "T4 ,I /OPP$
TRY+ 6/& & SQU9T$ AT HM4 8,:AT80
  8,Y MI<T WANNA ?9K AB TAK+ A %[] &
*ANG+ CLO!S40
  ,I LOOK$ AT HM )\T -PREH5.N =A :ILE1
!N LOOK$ D[N AT MYF4 ,&1 9 GR[+ HORROR1
LOOK$ "S M4 ,AF A :ILE1 ,I SD1 8,OH
YUCK40
  ,I WDN'T H ?"\ SLEEP+ 9 BLOODY    #ABD
GORY CLO!S CD 2 B1T5 = G5]AL YUCKI;S1 B
A4+ 9 A LAY] ( DU/ OV] ALL T MADE ME A
F9E IMIT,N (A DESI3AT$ CORPSE4 8,-E IN10
,I GRAT$4 8,I'LL %[]40 ,I CRAWL$ AWAY F
! DOOR )\T WAIT+ 6SEE IF HE CAME IN4

  ,! REFLEC;N 9 ! MIRROR 0 M>G9,Y K9D]
FIFTE5 M9UTES LAT]4 ,MY HAIR 0 CL1N &
SLI<TLY GELL$ 96SPIKES4 ,I 0 / PALE1 B
ONLY F LACK ( SLEEP1 R ?AN F BLOOD1 DU/
.& LACK ( SLEEP4 ,I'D MANAG$ 6UN/ICK !
3TACTS F MY EYES & 0 WE>+ AN OLD PAIR (
GLASSES1 ?9 GOLD WIRE FRAMES ) L;G N>R[
OVAL L5SES4 ,! GOLD DID COOL ?+S 6MY
EYES1 OR AT L1/ X DID :5 ,I WASN'T /
SU6]+ F BLOOD%OT-F-HELL EYEBALLS4
  ,I />$ AT MY REFLEC;N1 F+]+ ! ?9 :ITE
SC> ON MY *EEK4 ,X 2GAN J 2H ! GLASSES
L5S1 NEXT 6! CORN] ( MY EYE1 & 5D$ 9 !
FA9T SMILE L9E ABV MY M\?4 ,X WASN'T EX-
ACTLY DETRACT+1 B X SURE Z HELL WASN'T
"S?+ ,I 0 US$ TO4 ,BUMP+ MY F+]S OV] X
DIDN'T MAKE X G AWAY4 ,I F9,Y LOOK$ AWAY
F ! MIRROR & WOVE MY WAY 96MY B$ROOM TO
F9D CLO!S4                          #ABE
  ,! F/ ;,T-%IRT ,I F.D 0 BLACK1 PROBA-
BLY ! WOR/ POSSI# COLOR 6WE> :5 ,I 0 "O
/EP PAL] ?AN D1?1 B X 0 CL1N1 &! ;,V-
NECK DIDN'T MESS UP MY HAIR Z ,I YANK$ X
OV] MY H1D4 ,"S"TS T'S ALL A GIRL C ASK
=4 ,X WD'VE %[N (F MY NEW NECKLACE WELL1
EXCEPT ,I'D _H 6AB&ON T UNTIL X SP5T "S
QUAL;Y "T ) SILV] POLI% & GOO REMOV]4
,BLOOD DID N G WELL ) SILV]4
  ,=A GIRL :O DIDN'T WE> JEWELRY1 ,I
FELT WEIRDLY NAK$ )\T ! NECKLACE4 ,I DUG
UP ! ONLY O!R PIECE ( JEWELRY ,I [N$1 A
COPP] CUFF BRACELET MY "F'D GIV5 ME =
,*RI/MAS :ILE ,I 0 / 9 HI< S*OOL4 ,X W5T
ON MY LEFT WRI/1 HAV+ LEFT ! DYSFUNC;NAL
WAT* ON ! BA?ROOM C.T]4 ,! ET*+S >.D !
\T] $GES (! BRACELET 7 ,CELTIC KNOTS1 :
,I'D N"E R1LIZ$ 2F4 ,=! F/ "T1 ,I WOND]$
IF ,DAD _H D"O T ON PURPOSE4 ,I /OOD "!
/>+ M9D.SLY AT ! BRACELET = F> TOO L;G1
TRAC+ A F+]TIP OV] ! L9E ET*ES ( V>I\S
,*]OKEE-FAVOR$ ANIMALS 2T ! TWO B&S (
KNOTS1 !N %OOK MYF4 ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE
GETT+ DRESS$4 ,I CD H&LE A TASK L T4
,RE,Y4                              #ABF
  ,I CLAW$ "? MY SOCK DRAW] & CAME UP )
SOCKS1 A ;,G-/R+ &! POLICE BADGE4 ,I
?REW ! BADGE BACK 9 ! DRAW] & PULL$ !
;,G-/R+ ON4 ,N MY FAVORITE K9D ( "UWE>1
B SLI<TLY BETT] ?AN GO+ )\T4 ,I TU7$ A
PAIR ( J1NS ON & W5T \ 6! LIV+ ROOM ) MY
SOCKS 9 "O H&4
  ,G>Y 0 ON ! C\* ) "O ( MY SECRET W1K-
;SES3 AN 5T]TA9;T MAGAZ9E1 N[ F\R MON?S
OLD4 ,I SAT D[N ON ! LOVE S1T & PULL$ A
SOCK ON4 8,>E WE GO+ 6BE LATE = ,MA-
RIE'S80
  8,NAH40 ,G>Y LOOK$ OV] ! $GE (! MAGA-
Z9E4 8,%E DOESN'T LIVE TOO F> F "H4
,HEY1 Y DON'T CL1N UP S BAD40
  ,X TOOK A M9UTE 6"W MY WAY "? T4
8,?ANKS4 ,I ?9K40
  8,SURE10 HE SD1 & W5T BACK 6! MAGAZ9E4
,I GOT MY SOCKS ON /RAI<T & W5T LOOK+ =
%OES4 ,ALL MY FAVORITE PAIRS 7 9 MY LUG-
GAGE1 AT ! AIRPORT4 ,I SNA7$ A PAIR (
BOOTS T W]5'T TOO REPREH5SI#1 W5T BACK
96! B$ROOM1 GOT A PAIR ( SK9NI] SOCKS T
WD FIT BETT] "U ! BOOTS1 & LEFT ! "OS
,I'D _H ON 9 ! MI4LE (! FLOOR4      #ABG
,S* >E ! JOYS ( LIV+ AL"O4 ,NO "O C YELL
AT Y = DO+ ?+S L T4 8,OKAY1 ,I'M R1DY :5
Y >E40
  8,J A SEC40 ,G>Y DIDN'T LOOK UP F !
MAGAZ9E4
  8,Y C BORR[ X40 ,I GR9N$ & W5T 96!
KIT*5 =A DR9K ( WAT]4 ,:5 ,I CAME BACK
,G>Y 0 ON 8 FEET1 WAIT+4
  8,DAMN10 HE SD1 & LOOK$ AT MY FEET4 ,S
DID ,I4 ,! BOOTS _H HEELS1 NICE ?ICK
/URDY "OS4 ,CLUDGY1 9 FACT1 B ,I L
CLUDGY BOOTS4 ,I H BIG FEET & C'T WE>
SEXY SK9NY LL %OES1 S ,I ALW W5T =! OP-
POSITE EXTREME4 ,9 ^? %OES ,I 0 E BIT Z
TALL Z ,G>Y WAS1 MAYBE A LL TALL]4 ,I
GR9N$ AT HM4
  8,LADY1 Y SC>E ME10 HE SD1 & OP5$ !
DOOR = ME4 ,I W5T \ FEEL+ PRETTY GD AB
MYF4

  ,M>IE LIV$ B>ELY T5 M9UTES F ME4 ,MY
ALL-"D NAP _H EVID5TLY MADE A D5T1 OR AT
L1/ ,I'D CAU<T ANO!R W9D1 2C ,I TOOK !
/AIRS UP 6H] 3DO TWO AT A "T1 L1V+ ,G>Y
2H4 8,%E SD X'D 2 OP510 HE CALL$    #ABH
Z ,I LOOK$ BO? WAYS D[N ! HALL4 8,NUMB]
"O TW5TY-"O40 ,I TOOK AN >BITR>Y LEFT Z
,G>Y CAU<T UP1 F.D ,M>IE'S DOOR & DID A
/A3ATO RAP 2F PU%+ X OP54
  8,HEY1 ,M>IE1 X'S U40 ,! 5TRYWAY 0 A
%ORT HALL )A L;G] HALL 6MY "R &A KIT*5
6MY LEFT4 ,AT ! 5D (! 5TRYWAY1 9 FRONT (
U1 0 A ,N@EN@E ,?OMAS PR9T1 A WOMAN SUR-
R.D$ 0RAV5S4 8,I L ! PR9T10 ,I CALL$1 &
W5T PA/ ! KIT*51 PA/ ! PR9T & >.D A COR-
N] 96! LIV+ ROOM1 / SMIL+4
  ,M>IE'S V D1D BODY LAY SPRAWL$ ACR H]
LIV+ ROOM FLOOR4











             ,,*APT] ,,EI<T         #ABI

  ,I BACK$ UP & CRA%$ 96,G>Y1 ELB[+ HM 9
! GUT4 ,HE GRUNT$1 (F5D$4 8,:AT ! HELL 0
T =80
  8,%E'S D1D10 ,I :ISP]$4
  8.,:AT80 ,G>Y CR[D$ ME =W>D AG4 8,>E Y
SURE80
  8,PRETTY SURE40 ,I SWALL[$4 ,G>Y DID !
SAME1 "R 2H MY E>4
  ,M>IE LAY ON H] BACK ON ! FLOOR1 "O >M
FLUNG ABV H] H1D1 A CLASSIC FA9T4 ,EX-
CEPT X WASN'T A FA9T4 ,A HOLE _H BE5
TORN "? H] MIDRIFF1 />T+ J 6! LEFT ( H]
BR1/B"O4 ,X ROSE UP AT AN ANGLE1 & X
DIDN'T TAKE M* IMAG9,N 65VI.N ! HE>T
MUSCLE CUT N1TLY 9 HALF 2N ! CRIMSON
BLOOD4 ,"! 7 NO SUP]FICIAL W.DS T ,I CD
SEE4 ,X LOOK$ L "S"O _H WALK$ IN1 J]K$ A
KNIFE UP "? H] *E/ )\T W>N+1 & WALK$ \
AG4 ,I RU2$ MY *E/ ": ,C]NUNNOS _H /A2$
ME1 N]V\SLY4 8,":'S T SWORD80
  8,IN ! TRUNK ( MY CAB10 ,G>Y :ISP]$
BACK4
  8,>E Y SURE80
  8,Y1H40                           #ACJ
  8,I WOND] IF T'S GD OR BAD40
  ,WE /OOD "! />+ AT ,M>IE'S BODY4
8,MAYBE WE %D CALL ! COPS10 ,G>Y SU7E/$4
  ,I PULL$ MY GLASSES (F & RU2$ MY EYES1
!N PUT !M BACK ON4 ,M>IE 0 / LY+ "!1
D1D4 8,%IT10 ,I SD AF A :ILE4 8,I .AM !
COPS40 ,I BACK$ UP AG & W5T LOOK+ =A
PH"O4 ,I F.D "O 9 ! KIT*51 LY+ 2S ! TOO?
,M>IE'D COLLECT$ F ! *UR* P>K+ LOT4
,%E'D CL1N$ ! BLOOD (F X & X LOOK$ 9NOC-
U\S1 L X 0 WAIT+ =! TOO? FAIRY4 ,I PICK$
X UP & />$ AT X1 !N FOLD$ X 96MY POCKET
Z ,I GOT ! PH"O & W5T BACK 96! LIV+
ROOM1 DIAL+ #I-A-A4
  ,WE 7 / /&+ "! TW5TY-FIVE M9UTES LAT]
:5 ! R1L COPS %[$ UP4 ,!Y BU/L$ U D[N 6!
/,N 9 SEP>ATE C>S4 ,I ?"\ IF WE 7 RE,Y
CRIM9ALS1 WE'D H EI AB&ON$ ! PLACE OR
"W$ \ \R /ORY :ILE WE 7 WAIT+ =! COPS1 B
NO "O WANT$ 6LI/5 6MY PO9T ( VIEW4
  ,G>Y _H AN ALL-"D ALIBI2 HE'D BE5 AT
"W UNTIL TWO1 !N AT A S5IOR'S POK] GAME
UNTIL HE CAME 6WAKE ME UP4 ,I _H NO ALI-
BI AT ALL4 ,A COP ,I DIDN'T "K "Q$ ME =
OV] AN H\R4 ,HE KEPT GETT+ HUNG     #ACA
UP ON ! FACT T ,I'D SE5 ,M>IE F A PLANE
9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,"EYBODY 0 HAV+ TR\# ) T
IDEA4 ,I MADE A M5TAL NOTE N 6PLAY ,RES-
CUE ,*ICK F ! AIR AG4
  ,HE LET ME G AF V]IFY+ ,I RE,Y 0 A
COP4 ,G>Y 0 WAIT+ ON ! /,N /AIRS = ME4
,WE /OOD "! WAT*+ SPLATS ( RA9 HIT !
SIDEWALK4
  8,Y ?9K X 0 ,C]NUNNOS80 ,G>Y ASK$ AF A
:ILE4
  8,I DON'T ?9K 8 HORSE WD FIT 9 T A"P-
;T40 ,I SAT D[N H>D ON ! /EPS4 ,G>Y
LOOK$ D[N AT ME 9 SURPRISE4 ,I SMIL$ UP
AT HM W1KLY4 8,I HAV5'T EAT5 ? WEEK40 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ,I 0 EV5 EXA7]AT+4
  8,Y CD EAT80 HE ASK$ 9 HORROR4
  8,EI T OR ,I CD PASS \40 ,I GAVE HM MY
H& 6PULL ME UP4 ,HE DID1 & PUT A /1DY+
H& AT MY WAI/ :5 ,I WOB#D4 ,I SMIL$ DIZ-
ZILY AT HM4 8,Y "K1 ,G>Y1 IF Y 7 =TY
YE>S "Y] ,I CD GET 6L Y40
  8,Y1H10 HE SD4 8,T'S :AT ALL ! GIRLS
SAY4 ,": WE GO+8 ,MY CAB'S AT ,M>IE'S40
  8,"!'S A ,D5NY'S "R >.D ! CORN]40
  8,NO D\<NUT %OP80                 #ACB
  ,I GR9N$ A LL4 8,D[N ! /REET4 ,B ,I
NE$ R1L FOOD40
  8,Y CD EAT10 HE SD AG1 SORT ( ADMIR+-
LY4 ,I NO4$ & TEET]$ D[N ! /REET4
  ,A PLATE ( MOZZA /ICKS1 A GRILL$
*ICK5-)-*EESE-&-BACON S&WI*1 A COPI\S
NUMB] ( FRIES &A *OCOLATE MILK%AKE LAT]
,I CD ?9K AG4 ,G>Y WAT*$ ME EAT ) SIL5T
FASC9,N & DIDN'T S M* Z /1L A FRY4 ,:5
,I ORD]$ A HOT-FUDGE BR[NIE SUNDAE & SAT
BACK 6WAIT = X1 ,G>Y JUDG$ X SAFE 6SP1K
AG4 8,S .D Y ?9K X 0 ,C]NUNNOS80
  ,I PULL$ MY GLASSES (F & *EW$ ON ! E>-
PIECE4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,D ANCI5T ,CELTIC
GODS G >.D MURD]+ P 9 _! A"P;TS80
  8,DUNNO4 ,N"E MET ANY 2F4 ,DON'T "K :Y
!Y WDN'T40
  ,I LOOK$ UP & SQU9T$1 TRY+ 6RESOLVE 8
FUZZY $GES 96"S?+ M SOLID4 ,MY VI.N
WASN'T T BAD--,I CD DRIVE )\T MY 3TACTS1
IF ,I _H TO--B ,I'M NE>SI<T$ & ?+S M ?AN
AB ?REE FEET AWAY TOOK ON ! ,*RI/MAS
TREE-LI<T E6ECT4 8,I ?9K MAYBE WE %D />T
) "S?+ A LL LESS ESOT]IC40
  8,SURE10 ,G>Y SD1 8L A J1L\S      #ACC
RIVAL 9 ! AN?ROPOLOGY DE"P;T40 ,HE />$
AT ME UNTIL ,I WR9KL$ MY NOSE & PUT MY
GLASSES BACK ON4
  8,X CD HAPP510 ,I MUM#D4
  8,CD10 ,G>Y AGRE$4 8,Y ?9K X DID80
  8,NO10 ,I SD RELUCTANTLY4 8,I ?9K ,MA-
RIE 0 96"S?+ WEIRD] ?AN T40
  ,G>Y NO4$1 SATISFI$4 ,! WAITRESS CAME
BACK ) MY SUNDAE & ,I POK$ AT X )A =K1
NO L;G] HUNGRY 5 6EAT X4 8,X 0 TOO CL1N
6BE ,C]NUNNOS40
  8,:A4AYA M1N1 TOO CL1N8 ,DIDN'T Y
.LOOK AT H]80
  8,Y1H1 B40 ,I WAV$ ! =K >.D4 8,?9K AB
8 HO/4 ,DOGS & BIRDS & GUYS ON HORSES4
,D Y ?9K HE GOES >.D KILL+ P ALL 0HMF8
,:AT IF X 0 T O!R GUY80
  8,:AT O!R GUY80
  8,! "O )! KNIFE4 ,%E SD X WASN'T ,C]-
NUNNOS1 B %E'D ?"\ X 0 UP UNTIL ! D9] ?
MORN+40 ,I FR[N$ AT MY BR[NIE1 & TOOK A
BITE4 ,X 0 PRETTY GD4 ,I TOOK ANO!R
BITE4
  8,! HUMAN GUY80
  8,I DONNO4 ,I WOND] IF "! >E      #ACD
ANY HUMANS ASSOCIAT$ ) ,C]NUNNOS4 ,MAYBE
WE %D F9D \40
  8,I DON'T ?9K ! LIBR>Y'S OP5 ? LATE1
,JO40
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP4 8,DOESN'T MATT]4
,I'VE GOT A -PUT] AT HOME40 ,! BR[NIE
RE,Y 0 PRETTY GD4 ,I ATE "S M4
  8,N"E T\* ! ?+S10 ,G>Y SD 4DA9;LLY4
  ,I GR9N$4 8,TRY X4 ,Y'LL L X40 ,I F9-
I%$ MY DESS]T1 PD ! BILL & WE W5T HOME4

  ,I H A LL SIGN ON MY -PUT] T SAYS3 ,ON
,! ,9T]NET1 ,NOBODY ,"KS ,Y'RE ,A ,DOG4
,I DU/$ X (F :ILE ! -PUT] BOOT$ UP4 ,G>Y
/OOD BACK AB F\R FEET1 LOOK+ W>Y4 8,X
ISN'T GO+ 6BITE Y1 ,G>Y40
  8,T DON'T LOOK L ! "OS ON ,,TV10 ,G>Y
ANN\NC$4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,I'M RUNN+ ,L9UX40
  ,G>Y SQU9T$ AT ME4 ,I 9HAL$ 6EXPLA91 &
GAVE X UP Z A BAD JOB 2F ,I EV5 />T$4
8,X M1NS ,I'M A -PUT] GEEK40
  8,"R40 ,G>Y $G$ CLOS]4 ,I OP5$ UP A
WEB BR[S] :ILE HE WAT*$ CURI\SLY4 8,& Y
"K :AT Y'RE DO+80                   #ACE
  ,I GR9N$ OV] MY %\LD] AT HM4 8,WELCOME
6! TW5TY-F/ C5TURY1 ,G>Y4 ,ANY?+ Y WANT1
Y C F9D X ON ! ,NET4 ,X TAKES H>DLY ANY
EF=T 6F9D "O HUNDR$ P]C5T "R ANSW]S1 &
"O HUNDR$ P]C5T WR;G ANSW]S40
  ,HE L1N$ OV] & PLANT$ A H& AG/ ! CORN]
( MY DESK1 PE]+ AT ! SCRE54 8,H[ D Y
TELL : IS :80
  8,P]SONAL PREJUDICE1 "S"TS4 ,B = ? K9D
( /UFF--0 ,I WA7L$ MY F+]S AT ! SCRE5
8--Y C *ECK "? HALF A DOZ5 SITES OR S &
PICK UP ! 9=M,N T'S -MON 6ALL ( !M4 ,T'S
PRETTY CLOSE 62+ TRUE4 ,I M1N1 WE'RE
TALK+ AB ,CELTIC GODS "H1 ,G>Y4 ,I DON'T
?9K "!'S A R1L UN"QA# EXP]T ON ! TOPIC1
Y "K80 ,I CLICK$ "? 6"O (! SITES4 ,G>Y
DRA7$ A *AIR OV] & WE BO? R1D ! SCRE54
  ,"! 7 A LOT ( ORIG9 /ORIES =! ,HUNT4
,"S ( X 0 :AT ,M>IE _H TOLD U ALR1 ?\<
"S ( !M M5;N$ "S"O CALL$ ,H]NE ! ,HUNT]4
,^? "OS SD ! ,HUNT 0 MADE UP ( MORTAL
HUNT]S :O _H "W$ = ,RI*>D ,,II ( ,5GL&4
,! RE/ SU7E/$ X 0 EI ( 8FAERIE10 : LOOK$
L AN OBNOXI\S WAY 6SPELL 8FAIRY0 6ME1 OR
MADE UP ( GRT W>RIORS F ! PA/4      #ACF
,EV5 ,K+ ,>?UR 0 LI/$ AM;G ! RID]S4
  8,HIS PUNI%;T = KILL+ ! *N10 ,G>Y SD
:5 WE GOT 6T BIT4
  8,:AT80 ,I PU%$ MY GLASSES UP1 PE]+ AT
HM4
  8,>?UR _H HUNDR$S ( KIDS KILL$40
  ,I />$ AT HM4 8,I N"E HE>D ANY?+ L T40
  ,G>Y %RU7$4 8,X'S "O (! /ORIES4 ,SORT
( L ! ,PH>AOH KILL+ ALL ! KIDS TRY+ 6GET
6,MOSES4 ,EXCEPT ,>?UR 0 TRY+ 6DE/ROY
,MORDR$4 ,MAYBE HE'S RID+ ) ,C]NUNNOS Z
8 PUNI%;T = KILL+ !M40
  8,":'D Y LE>N ALL T80
  ,G>Y COCK$ AN EYEBR[ AT ME4 8,I'M AN
OLD DOG1 LADY4 ,Y PICK UP A FEW TRICKS
AL;G ! WAY40
  ,GRT4 ,APP>5TLY ,I 0 ! ONLY NONBELIEV]
9 ,S1TTLE4 ,WELL1 ME & ,MORRISON4 ,"SH[
T DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL ANY BETT]4 ,G>Y
R1*$ \ & CLICK$ BACK 6! SE>* 5G9E1 & "?
6ANO!R SITE4 ,I HALF SMIL$4
  8,I ?"\ Y N"E T\*$ ^! ?+S40
  8,DON'T TELL ANYBODY4 ,Y'LL RU9 MY
REP40 ,HE L1N$ =W>D1 JUTT+ 8 JAW AT !
SCRE5 :ILE WE WAIT$ =A SL[-LOAD+    #ACG
PAGE 6RESOLVE4 8,S ! ONLY MORTAL M5;N$ )
,C]NUNNOS IS ? GUY ,H]NE4 ,IS HE \R
GUY80
  ,I SLID D[N 9 MY *AIR1 SI<+4 8,I DON'T
"K4 ,"S (! DESCRIP;NS S.D L !Y MI<T J 2
! SAME P]SON4 ,: DOESN'T D U ANY GD4
,DAMMIT40
  8,:AT'S T80 ,G>Y L1N$ =W>D1 EXAM9+ !
SCRE54 ,BADLY RHYM+ NONS5SE FILL$ ! PAGE
9 A PA9STAK+ H&WRITT5 FONT4

,I CALL ON ! ,EA/ ,GATE 6CLOSE & B9D !E
,I CALL ON ! GODS :O WD LI/5 6ME
,I CALL ON ! W9D &! E>? &! SEA
,I CALL ON FIRE 6HELP B9D !E
,9 ? GOD'S "N ,I SET MY G1S
,T ? B9D+ _C 2 BROK5
,0MY W & 0^! ^WS
,0^! P[]S & 0MY SKILL
,I B9D !E = ET]N;Y4

  8,IN ,C]NUNNOS'S "N ,I SET ? G1S80
,G>Y ASK$1 GR9N+4 ,I R1*$ \ & CLAPP$ A
H& OV] 8 M\?1 />TL+ EV5 MYF4 ,ABV MY
F+]S1 8 EYES WID5$4 8.,WWWF         #ACH
.WNG80
  ,I LOOK$ BACK AT ! *ANT4 ,X / LOOK$ L
NONS5SE1 B ,I %IV]$ ANYWAY1 4COMFIT$4
8,I DON'T ?9K WE %D R1D T \ L\D40
  ,G>Y'S EYEBR[S W5T UP A LL & HE GL.ED
AT ! -PUT] 2F %RU7+4 8,OKAY40
  ,:AT1 T 0 X8 ,J 8OKAY08 ,MY SURPRISE
M/ H %[N ON MY FACE1 2C HE %OOK 8 H1D1
SMIL+4 8,JEEZ1 LADY1 DON'T Y "E G ON GUT
FEEL+S80
  ,I SPR1D MY H&S4 8,NO40
  8,WELL1 T'S :AT Y BE5 GO9' ON S9CE ,I
MET Y4 ,BETT] GET US$ 6X40
  8,GOD1 ,I H BE51 HAV5'T ,I80 ,I LOOK$
>.D = MY GLASSES & PUT !M BACK ON4
8,TM10 ,I SD FIRMLY1 8,I W WAKE UP NOR-
MAL & R,NAL AG40
  8,& H ANSW]S 6ALL YR PRO#MS1 "R80
  ,I SMIL$ HALFHE>T$LY4 8,"R40
  8,S.DS L A GD PLAN 6ME40 ,G>Y SI<$ &
RAN A H& BACK "? 8 HAIR4 ,HE DIDN'T H A
LOT ( X1 & :AT "! WAS1 0 :ITE4 ,X 0 !
ONLY ?+ T MADE HM LOOK "S": >.D 8 AGE4
,EV5 8 WR9KLES 7 SORT ( ,]NE/ ,HEM+WAY
WR9KLES1 L !Y 7 F TOO M* SQU9T+     #ACI
96! SUN R ?AN AGE4 ,!Y MADE HM LOOK DE-
P5DA#1 N OLD4 8,WELL1 LADY1 ,I'M AN OLD
MAN & ,I'VE BE5 UP S9CE E>LY1 S ,I'M
H1D+ HOME4 ,I GOTTA G 6"W 9 ! MORN+40
  8,Y1H1 OKAY4 ,ME1 ,I'M GO+ TO '''0 ,I
TRAIL$ (F & FR[N$ AT ! -PUT]4
  8,GONNA :AT80 ,G>Y PROMPT$4 ,I %RU7$4
  8,I'M GO+ 6F9D \ :O MURD]$ ,M>IE40
  8,NO FAIR HAV+ ALL ! FUN )\T ME4 ,MY
%IFT 5DS AT TWO4 ,I'LL SEE Y !N1 MAYBE40
  8,ALL "R4 ,9 ! M1N"T1 DON'T PICK UP
ANY GUYS ) SWORDS4 ,OH1 HEY4 ,YR C>4 ,Y
WANT A RIDE 6,M>IE'S1 UM1 6": ,M>IE
LIV$1 UM1 6YR C>80 ,I /OOD UP1 DI7+ 9 MY
POCKET = MY C> KEYS Z AN ATTEMPT 6KEEP
MY M\? F RUNN+ (F & MAK+ ME S.D EV5 M
IDIOTIC4
  8,Y DON'T H 6D T10 ,G>Y 4SEM#D1 B ,I'D
J SP5T WEEKS 9 ,IREL&4 ,"!'S A C]TA9
PROTOCOL ,I'D LE>N$ "!4
  ,9 ,IREL&1 Y G 6"S"O'S H\SE1 & %E ASKS
Y IF Y WANT A CUP ( TEA4 ,Y SAY NO1 ?ANK
Y1 Y'RE RE,Y J F9E4 ,%E ASKS IF Y'RE
.SURE4 ,Y SAY ( C\RSE Y'RE SURE1 RE,Y1 Y
DON'T NE$ A ?+4 ,EXCEPT !Y PRO-     #ADJ
N\NCE X .T+4 ,Y DON'T NE$ A .T+4 ,WELL1
%E SAYS !N1 ,I 0 GO+ 6GET MYF "S ANYWAY1
S X WD 2 NO TR\#4 ,AH1 Y SAY1 WELL1 IF Y
7 GO+ 6GET YRF "S1 ,I WDN'T M9D A SPOT (
TEA1 AT T1 S L;G Z X'S NO TR\# & ,I GIVE
Y A H& 9 ! KIT*54 ,!N Y G "? ! :OLE ?+
ALL OV] AG UNTIL Y BO? 5D UP 9 ! KIT*5
DR9K+ TEA & *ATT+4
  ,9 ,AM]ICA1 "S"O ASKS Y IF Y WANT A
CUP ( TEA1 Y SAY NO1 & !N Y DON'T GET
ANY DAMN$ TEA4
  ,I LIK$ ! ,IRI% WAY BETT]4
  8,NO1 RE,Y10 ,I SD4 8,X'S ! MI4LE (!
NI<T & "!'S A CRAZY MAN )A KNIFE 2T "H &
"!1 & 2SS1 ,I NE$ 6/OP AT ! /ORE & GET
"S?+ 6EAT = BR1KFA/ TM4 ,"!'S NO FOOD "H
AT ALL40
  8,WELL1 IF Y'RE SURE10 ,G>Y SD1 & ,I
F"\ BACK A GR9 Z WE H1D$ =! DOOR4

  ,I SAT 9 ! P>K+ LOT AF ,G>Y PULL$ \1
BO? MY H&S ON ! /E]+ :EEL4 ,I 0 TIR$1 B
X 0 ! K9D ( TWILI<T TIR$ ": ,I FELT A LL
LI<T] ?AN AIR & N Q L ,I CD SLEEP4 ,I
KNEW ,I CD1 B Z L;G Z ! FALSE HI<   #ADA
0 ) ME1 ,I ?"\ ,I %D RUN ) X4 ,"S": N V
F> ABV ME 0 A D1D WOMAN :O'D NE$$ MY
HELP1 & "S": 9SIDE MY H1D ?+S _H HAPP5$
T ,I DIDN'T "U/&4 ,I L1N$ =W>D1 FOLD+ MY
H&S ON TOP ( EA* O!R ON ! /E]+ :EEL1 &
RE/$ MY =EH1D AG/ !M4 ,I CD SMELL ! OLD
L1!R ON ! :EEL1 &A FA9T L+]+ SC5T (A P]-
FUME ,I R>ELY WORE4
  ,C>S >E MY REFUGE1 MY -=T FOOD4 ,MY F/
R1L MEMORY IS LOOK+ \ ! W9D[ ( MY "F'S
GRT BIG OLD ,OLDSMOBILE4 ,I 0 AB ?REE1
TOO LL 6"K ,I'D 2 MAK+ A TRIP L T E FEW
MON?S UNTIL ,I LEFT HOME4 ,DAD TELLS ME
T :5 ,I 0 TOO LL 6SEE ! C>S1 ,I'D HE> !M
& G1 8,OOM60 2C T'S :AT ,I ?"\ !Y S.D$
L4 ,HE GOT 96! HABIT ( SAY+1 8,ZOOM60 &
8,VROOM60 6MAKE ME HAPPY4 ,I / D X MYF1
F "T 6"T4
  ,M>IE'S MURD] 0 A LL TOO SURR1L = ME4
,P Y'VE J MET >5'T SUPPOS$ 65D UP D1D
TWELVE H\RS LAT]4 ,I %OOK MY H1D & LET
MY M9D SLIDE (F T =A MO;T4
  ,( C\RSE1 T LEFT ,C]NUNNOS & ,COYOTE
6?9K AB4 ,Y WANT 6TALK AB SURR1L4 ,I
GROAN$ QUIETLY & ?UMP$ MY H1D AG/   #ADB
! :EEL4 ,I %D 2 GO+ HOME4 ,I %D 2 .AT
HOME1 LOOK+ UP ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN LEG5DS
ON ! ,NET4 ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN LEG5DS1 &
DR1M 9T]PRET,N1 &! "N (A GD PSY*OLOGI/1
S9CE X 0 PRETTY CLE> ,I 0 LOS+ MY M9D4
,I RU2$ ! HEEL ( MY H& OV] MY BR1/B"O4
,X KEPT "R ON N HAV+ A HOLE 9 X4 ,I KEPT
"R ON N 2+ D1D4 ,? 0 2Y MORTAL K54
  ,& DAMMIT1 ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE 9 2Y MOR-
TAL K54 ,:AT DID AN A!I/ D IF ,GOD %[S
UP ON ! DOOR/EP8 ,I'D 9VIT$ HM 9 = BR1K-
FA/4
  ,A %>P RAP ON ! W9D[ />TL$ ME 96BOLT+
UP"R4 ,I DROVE ! HEEL ( MY H& 96! HORN4
,A BROAD FACE "U A BLUE HAT L1N$ OV] !
W9D%IELD1 W9C+ QUIZZIC,Y4 ,I PU6$ MY
*EEKS \ & TOOK MY H& (F ! HORN1 OP5+ !
DOOR 6HANG \ ( X4
  8,WAS ,I SPE$+1 ,(FIC]80
  8,DIDN'T "K X 0 Y1 ,JOEY4 ,J WANT$ TO
*ECK & MAKE SURE "EY?+ 0 OKAY40
  8,HI1 ,RAY4 ,DEF9E OKAY40 ,I SMIL$
WANLY4 ,RAYMOND 0 A %ORT WIDE GUY :OM ,I
0 PRETTY SURE CD B5* PRESS A ,BUICK4 ,N
! FA/E/ ON 8 FEET1 B 2T HM &A NU-   #ADC
CLE> BUNK]1 ,I'D TAKE HM E "T4 ,HE /UCK
8 H& \1 & ,I /OOD UP1 L1N+ OV] ! DOOR TO
%AKE X4
  8,HE>D Y GOT YR BALLS BU/$10 HE SD
SYMPA!TIC,Y4 ,BALL-BU/+ 0 ,RAY'S FAVO-
RITE T]M & HE APPLI$ X ) BLI! 4REG>D TO
G5D]-BAS$ IMPROBABIL;Y4 8,GUESS ,I N"E
?"\ AB Y GO+ 6! ACADEMY4 ,B Y'RE A R1L
COP1 HUH8 ,:AT'RE Y DO+ \ "H80
  8,I'M A R1L COP10 ,I AGRE$4 8,SORT (40
,! O!R "Q 0 EASI] 6ANSW]3 ,I PO9T$ A F+]
UP T[>D ,M>IE'S A"P;T4 8,I F.D ! BODY A
FEW H\RS AGO40
  8,-+ BACK 6! SC5E (! CRIME8 ,-MON
CRIM9AL MISTAKE1 Y "K4 ,Y "K ? IS ! FIF?
MURD] L ? 9 ! PA/ C\PLE WEEKS80 ,RAY
%OOK 8 H1D4
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP4 8,I DIDN'T4 ,J GOT
BACK F ,EUROPE40 ,GOD1 T S.D$ PRET5TI\S4
8,:AT D !Y H 9 -MON80
  ,RAY %OOK 8 H1D AG4 8,N M*4 ,DI6]5T
AGE RANGES1 DI6]5T RACES1 DI6]5T "D
JOBS1 DI6]5T G5D]S1 NO PH"O CALLS 6OR F
! SAME NUMB]S1 N EV5 PIZZA JO9TS4
,DI6]5T "PS (! C;Y1 DI6]5T "EY-     #ADD
?+40
  8,NO1 "!'S "S?+ L9K+ !M10 ,I SD ABS5T-
LY4 ,I TU7$ MY GLASSES (F & P9*$ !
BRIDGE ( MY NOSE1 GLASSES DANGL+ F MY
F+]TIPS4 ,A PIECE ( WIRE 3TRACT$ >.D MY
HE>T & ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 TRY+ 6%AKE !
FEEL+ (F4 ,A BRIEF IMAGE (! SPID]WE2$
W9D%IELD FLA%$ 2H MY EYELIDS4 ,I FR[N$1
TRY+ 6%AKE T (F1 TOO4
  8,Y1H8 ,DON'T SUPPOSE Y C TELL ME :AT
X IS40 ,RAY R1*$ UP & TWI/$ 8 HAT ON 8
H1D4 ,8 HAIR 0 VISIBLY ?9N] "R ": 8 HAT
SAT ON 8 H1D1 F DO+ T = YE>S4 ,X O3URR$
6ME T ,I KNEW ! GUYS AT ! DE"P;T 9SIDE &
\1 B ,I CDN'T REMEMB] ! LA/ "T ,I'D _H A
DATE4 ,MY HE>T 0 / TI<T1 ! SPID]WEB IM-
AGE / BO!R+ ME4 ,I PUT MY %\LD]S BACK1
TRY+ 6BR1!4
  8,NO1 B "!'S "S?+4 ,C ,I LOOK AT !
FILES80 ,! WEB 9SIDE ME LOOS5$ A BIT &
,I 0 A# 6CAT* MY BR1?4
  ,RAY TWI/$ 8 M\? 9 M* ! SAME WAY HE
HABITU,Y TWI/$ 8 HAT4 ,X DUG DEEP L9ES
>.D 8 M\?4 ,2+ A COP LEFT XS M>K4 8,I
DON'T "K4 ,Y'RE N A DETECTIVE40     #ADE
  8,*RI/1 ,RAY1 ! WOMAN 0 MURD]$ PRACTI-
C,Y "U MY NOSE4 ,GIMME A BR1K40
  ,RAY FR[N$ AT ME1 !N WAV$ 8 H&4 8,>"R4
,I'VE GOT COPIES 9 ! C>4 ,I ?"\ ? MI<T 2
ANO!R 0! SAME GUY1 S ,I BR"\ 'EM 6-P>E
PICTURES 6! PLACE;T (! BODY40
  8,&80
  ,HE %RU7$4 8,& "!'S NO?+ 6-P>E4 ,"!'S
NO RITUAL 9 H[ ! BODIES H BE5 LAID \4
,!Y'VE ALL BE5 PUN*$ "? ! *E/ )A %>P
W1PON1 B T'S ! ONLY -MON ELE;T4 ,LOOKS L
!Y'VE ALL J BE5 LEFT 6LIE Z !Y FELL40
  8,IS T GD OR BAD80
  8,NEI4 ,! REP1T USE (! W1PON IS GD1 !
LACK ( ANY O!R RITUAL IS BAD4 ,NO?+ TO
PICK UP1 NO?+ 6DEVIATE F4 ,I DON'T L X40
,RAY TWI/$ 8 CAP >.D ON 8 H1D AG4
  8,D Y .USU,Y L HORRI# MURD]S80
  ,RAY EY$ ME4 ,I HELD UP MY H&S 9 SUP-
PLIC,N4 8,C ,I BORR[ ^? FILES80
  8,Y SD LOOK10 HE OBJECT$4
  8,LOOK1 BORR[1 :AT"E4 ,I'LL 2 C>E;L )
!M4 ,PROMISE40 ,I MADE MY EYES ALL BIG &
WIDE & HOPE;L 2F REMEMB]+ !Y 7 BLOOD%OT4
,EWW4                               #ADF
  ,RAY FR[N$ AT ME =A :ILE1 !N TURN$ >.D
& W5T & GOT ! FILES4 8,DON'T LET ,MOR-
RISON F9D \ OR HE'LL 2 BU/+ .MY BALLS10
HE SD Z HE H&$ !M OV]4
  ,I FLIPP$ "O OP51 N RE,Y LI/5+ 6HM4
8,I WON'T4 ,?ANKS1 ,RAY40
  8,Y1H1 WELL1 MY C> NE$S "W40
  ,I LOOK$ UP )A CROOK$ GR94 8,Z SOON Z
,I F9D \ MY NEW "W S*$ULE40
  8,X'S A DATE40 ,HE NO4$ AT ! FILES AG4
8,DON'T M5;N ": Y GOT 'EM40
  8,I WON'T40 ,I WAT*$ HM WALK BACK 6HIS
C>1 WOND]+ IF X RE,Y .0 A DATE4 ,N T ,I
"PICUL>LY WANT$ 6DATE ,RAY4 ,X 0 J T
FIX+ GUYS' C>S SEEM$ 6BE MY IDEA (A
PRETTY GD DATE1 : PROBABLY EXPLA9$ :Y ,I
DIDN'T GET \ M4 ,MAYBE ,I CD />T MY [N
ESCORT S]VICE4 ,OIL *ANGE & D9N]4 ,I'D H
6-E UP )A CAT*Y "N =! PLACE4 ,! ONLY ?+S
T CAME 6M9D 9VOLV$ LUBE JOBS1 & T 0 J
BAD4
  ,I GOT BACK 9 MY C> & W5T HOME 2F ,I
/>T$ TAK+ MYF S]I\SLY4

             ,,*APT] ,,N9E          #ADG

    ,W$NES"D1 ,JANU>Y #E?1 #AB3CJ A4M4
  ,T5 M9UTES LAT] ,I SPR1D \ ! FILES ON
MY KIT*5 TA#1 /&+ OV] !M4 ,"! 0 NO FILE
ON ,M>IE YET1 B ,I'D SE5 T 9 LIV+--OR N
--COLOR4 ,RAYMOND 0 "R4 ,! VICTIMS
DIDN'T APPE> 6H ANY?+ 9 -MON4 ,NO?+ OB-
VI\S1 B "! _H 6BE "S?+4 ,I CD FEEL X
PRACTIC,Y VIBRAT+ 9 MY E>DRUMS4
  ,:AT DID ,I "K AB ,M>IE8 ,%E 0 AN AN-
?ROPOLOGI/ :O />T$ 2LIEV+ 9 :AT %E /UD-
I$4 ,%E _H A TAL5T T LET H] SEE M ?AN !
AV]AGE P]SON SAW1 ?+S T CD 2 POLITELY
LABEL$ ESOT]IC4 ,I YAWN$1 &! WIRE >.D MY
HE>T W5T .SPANG1 REL1S+ S FA/ X HURT4 ,I
SWALL[$ A :IMP] & RU2$ MY *E/ AG4 ,I CD
ALM FEEL SPID]WEB CRACKS S1L+ UP4
  ,ALL "R4 ,:AT IF T 0 :AT !Y _H 9 -MON8
,!Y 7 ALL BAN%EES4 ,! SPID]WEB FISSUR$
AG1 & ,I SI<$4 8,OKAY1 T'S N X10 ,I MUT-
T]$4 8,H[ AB !Y'RE ALL1 UH ''' AW>E (
ANO!R PLANE ( EXI/;E4 ,N ! K9D ( ?+ Y'RE
GO+ 6TALK AB1 "R80 ,! WIRE-WEB RELAX$ &
LET ME BR1! AG4 ,I SC[L$ HUGELY AT !
PHOTOGRAPHS4 ,X 0 ,OH ,GOD ,?IRTY   #ADH
& ,I 0 /&+ 9 MY KIT*5 TALK+ 6HE>TBURN4
,TALK+ \ L\D1 NO LESS4 ,I NE$$ SLEEP4
,OR A DOG4
  8,SLEEP10 ,I SD \ L\D4 8,IF ANY ( Y
WANT 6TELL ME :AT YR GIG WAS1 /OP 0DR1M-
L&4 ,O!RWISE ,I'LL FIGURE Y \ TM40 ,I
TURN$ ! LI<TS (F1 W5T 6B$ & LAY "! A L;G
"T 9 ! D>K1 LOOK+ AT ! CEIL+1 FA9TLY
:ITE 9 ! DIM;S4 ,I US$ 6D ? :5 ,I 0 A
KID1 Z"O \ UNTIL ,I CD FEEL MYF FLOAT+
AB ?REE 9*ES ABV MY BODY4 ,I ALW FELL
BACK D[N 96MYF Z SOON Z ,I NOTIC$4 ,I
FELT L T N[1 V SLI<TLY DETA*$ F MY FLE%4
  ,X 0 N A -=T+ FEEL+ AF A "D L TD4 ,I
TRI$ CLOS+ MY EYES & F.D \ !Y 7 ALR
CLOS$1 B ! CEIL+ / GL[$ FA9TLY :ITE UP
ABV ME4 ,I BL9K$4 ,D>K;S CAME & W5T1 B
,I DIDN'T FEEL MY EYELIDS MOVE4 ,A %OCK
RAN "? ME1 RADIAT+ \ F MY HE>T L ! SU45
REL1SE (A METAL-ON-METAL LOCK1 %>P &
HI<-PIT*$ & T+L+ "? MY :OLE BODY4
  ,& !N ,I 0 FREE1 LOOK+ D[N AT MY %APE
"U ! COV]S4 ,I LOOK$ V -=TA#4 ,I LOOK$
D[N AT MY FEET1 ! "OS ,I 0 /&+ ON4 ,I CD
SEE ! C>PET "? MY TOES4             #ADI
  ,"S?+ TU7$ AT ME1 PULL+ ME UP4 ,I
TURN$ MY FACE UP1 & 4CONNECT$ )! FLOOR
5TIRELY1 FLOAT+ UPW>D4
  ,NEXT "T ,I G =A FLI<T1 ,I'LL G \ "? !
W9D[4 ,EV5 A GLIMPSE ( :AT ! UP/AIRS
NEI<BORS 7 DO+--WELL1 ,I H"O/LY _HN'T
"KN HUMAN 2+S CD GET 96T POSI;N4
  ,! _W \TSIDE GL[$4 ,I 0 SURE "!'D BE5
NO MOON :5 ,I CAME HOME1 B A BRILLIANT
CRESC5T LIT ! SKY ) M WATTAGE ?AN USUAL1
SILV]-BLUE LI<T WEI<T+ D[N TREE BRAN*ES
Z IF X 7 SN[4 ,L1VES GLITT]$ ) COLOR1
R$S & GOLDS & GRE5S T _H M 6D ) NEON ?AN
NATURE4 ,PA?WAYS & /REETS 7 D>K BLUE
/R1KS "U%AD[$ ) "S?+ ELSE1 L AN >TI/ _H
SLAPP$ PA9T ON & LET X SLIDE D[N ! CAN-
VAS 6EXPOSE O!R %>DS ( COLORS 2N X4 ,I
/OOD 9 ! SKY1 LOOK+ D[N OV] ! /REETS Z !
D>K BLUE SL[LY BLURR$ AWAY4
  ,"O EXPOS$ PA? L$ "U AN >* ( TREES T
REM9D$ ME ( ,ANNE ,%IRLEY'S 8,:ITE ,WAY
( ,DELI<T40 ,X TWI/$1 SLID+ "UGR.D1 &
"S": D[N X ,I CD FEEL A H1VY PRES;E
WAIT+ = ME4 ,X FELT L X CD DR9K D[N !
LI<T & ME ) X1 L ! RA2IT HOLE       #AEJ
PULL+ ,ALICE IN4 ,I R1*$ UP 6TUG A L1F
(F "O (! TREES1 WAT*+ X GL[ A S(T SILV]
9 MY PALM4 ,X B"R5$ 96A B1CON Z ,I
SCRAM#D D[N ! PA?WAY4
  ,X MET ! M\? (! CAVE1 SLID+ "UGR.D4 ,I
HESITAT$ AT ! D>K 5TR.E1 LIFT+ MY L1F UP
6TRY 6LI<T ! WAY4 ,I SAW A REFLEC;N1 A
GLIMPSE ( "S?+ B"R1 9 ! 9/ANT 2F A WALL
RO>$ UP1 DAMM+ ! CAVE'S M\?4 ,I PUT MY
H& AG/ X1 ! L1F GL1M+1 B NO?+ *ANG$ EX-
CEPT ! S5S,N (! ?+ WAIT+ = ME4 ,X 0 "S":
2N ! E>?1 & AMUS$1 & PATI5T4 ,I /AY$ ":
,I 0 A FEW MO;TS L;G]1 !N SL[LY TURN$
BACK UP ! ,:ITE ,WAY4 ,! "O :O WAIT$
SU45LY FELT M* M 4TANT1 & !N ,I CDN'T
FEEL X AT ALL4
  ,! _W *ANG$ >.D ME AG1 !N AG1 & AG1
UNTIL !Y CAME S FA/ ,I CD B>ELY 4T+UI%
"O F ANO!R4 ,"S (! P]MUT,NS ,I RECOG-
NIZ$3 GLIMPSES ( ,P>IS & ,NEW ,YORK1
PLACES T LOOK$ Z SOLID Z R1L;Y1 OV]LOOK+
! VIBRANT GL[ T _H NO?+ 6D ) C;Y LI<TS &
A GRT D1L 6D ) ?+S ,I DIDN'T WANT 6?9K
AB4 ,O!RS 7 H>D] 6GRASP1 ,AFRICAN PLA9S
) S1S ( VIOL5TLY PURPLE GRASS1      #AEA
,AU/RALIAN ,\TBACK )A SKY Z BLOODY R$ Z
! /"O 2N X4 ,E "O GOT F>!R AWAY F CIVI-
LIZ,N1 UNTIL ,I EXPLOD$ 96A PLACE ( AB-
SOLUTE /ILL;S )! H>D :ITE LI<T (! />S
PRICK+ MY SK94
  8,WELL1 %E'S NO GD10 A T>T LL VOICE
SD4 8,LOOK AT H]4 ,A BABY1 SPILL+ \ ALL
OV] ! PLACE4 ,Y WANT A COSMIC B$ WETT]
6TAKE C>E ( ?8 ,%E C'T EV5 SEE U40
  8,T'S NO WAY 6SP1K 6\R GUE/10 ANO!R
VOICE SD V FIRMLY4 ,? "O 0 RI* & D>K &
FULL ( V R.D V[ELS1 *OCOLATY1 L ,JAMES
,E>L ,J"OS4 8,%E'S -E A L;G WAY ON NO?+
B FAI?40
  8,%E'S -E A L;G WAY ON .\R FAI?10 !
T>T VOICE SD4 ,X S.D$ L ,GRANNY ,SMI?
APPLES4 8,%E HASN'T GOT ANY ( H] [N40
  8,%E'S A NEWBORN10 A ?IRD VOICE BROKE
IN4 ,HE S.D$ L MELL[ *EESE4 8,%E DIDN'T
M1N 69VITE U1 B %E'S WILL+ 6HELP40 ,TWO
M VOICES *IM$ IN1 "EY"O BICK]+ & SNIP+
AT "O ANO!R UNTIL !Y S.D$ L A FLOCK (
GEESE4 ,I TURN$ >.D 9 A FULL CIRCLE
TWICE1 TRY+ 6SEE ! P ! VOICES 2L;G$ TO4
,! />LI<T JA2$ AT MY EYES UNRE-     #AEB
L5T+LY1 NO %AD[S OR %APES 6G )! VOICES
CL\D+ !M4 ,X SU45LY FELT WEIRDLY FAMIL-
I>4
  ,I _HN'T SE5 ,COYOTE UNTIL ,I 2LIEV$ 9
HM4 ,I _H A S9K+ FEEL+ 9 MY GUT T ,I'D
BETT] 2LIEVE 9 ! VOICES1 2C ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE ,I ._H 9VIT$ !M 6D ''' :AT"E !Y'D
D"O4 ,HAUL$ ME \ ( MY BODY 6"S": T HOR-
RIBLY MURD]$ P HANG \4
  ,MY BRA9 J %UT D[N >.D T ?"\4
  8,LOOK10 ,I F9,Y SD4 ,X GOT V QUIET 9
! /> FIELD4 ,I TURN$ >.D "O M "T 6F9D A
H&;L ( P 2H ME1 ALL />+ AT ME ) WIDE1
CURI\S EYES4 8,Y'RE WR;G4 ,I C SEE Y40
,I WASN'T SURE : "O 0 ! ,GRANNY ,SMI?1 S
,I FIX$ !M ALL )A GIMLET EYE4 8,& ,I'M N
ALL T 9CL9$ 6HELP "SBODY :O CALL$ ME A
COSMIC B$ WETT]1 :5 Y GET "R D[N 6X40 ,A
TALL WOMAN'S L;G NOSE TWIT*$4 ,I GUESS$
H] 6BE ,GRANNY ,SMI? & REMOV$ ! GIMLET
EYE F ! O!RS 6GIVE X J 6H]4 ,H] NOSE
TWIT*$ AG4
  8,SORRY10 %E SD AF 2+ ELB[$ 9 ! RIBS
0A %ORT MAN :OM ,I GUESS$ 6BE ! ,JAMES
,E>L ,J"OS VOICE4 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK   #AEC
ANY?+ AT ALL L ,J"OS4 ,I 0 HIDE\SLY 4AP-
PO9T$4
  8,Y'LL H 6=GIVE ,HE/]10 HE SD4 8,%E'S
N TAK+ WELL 6HAV+ BE5 9T]RUPT$40
  8,9T]RUPT$40 ,MY EYEBR[S FLEW UP4 8,Y
M1N MURD]$80 ,I 0 SURE ^! FIVE 7 ! FILES
,I _H LY+ ON MY KIT*5 TA#4 ,!Y 7 ALL !
"R G5]AL SIZES & %APES1 EV5 IF ,I'D ONLY
SE5 PHOTOS ( _! CORPSES4
  ,HE MADE A M\E4 8,I SUPPOSE S4 ,X'S
RE,Y J AN 9CONV5I;E1 B ,HE/] IS "Y40
  ,I PE]$ AT ,HE/]4 ,%E LOOK$ L %E 0
WELL 96H] FIFTIES1 AT L1/4 ,H] M\? PURS$
UP L %E'D BITT5 96"O (! APPLES %E S.D$
L4 8,N Z "Y Z .? "O10 %E SNI6$4 ,I
SC[L$1 & SU45LY "! 0 AN ENORM\S 4T.E 2T
MYF &! FIVE1 ! /> FIELD 5D.SLY EXP&$4 ,I
CD SEE1 ) %>P-$G$ CL>;Y1 ! AL>M ON ALL
FIVE FACES4
  8,DAMMIT1 ,HE/]10 "O (! O!RS SD1 8Y'RE
GO+ 6PUT H] (F U 5TIRELY 2F %E'LL AGREE
6HELP U AT ALL40 ,H] VOICE 0 ABSOLUTELY
CLE> DESPITE ! 4T.E 2T U1 L %E 0 /&+ ON
A S.D /AGE4 ,X E*O$ FA9TLY4 ,HE/] FL>$
H] NO/RILS1 !N LIFT$ H] *94         #AED
  8,I'M SORRY40 ,X 0 M* LESS GRUDG+ ?
"T4 8,ROG] IS "R4 ,I 0 9 ! MI4LE ( "S?+
IMPORTANT1 & ,I'M N SURE ,I'D D"O 5 TO
MAKE X LA/4 ,B T'S NO R1SON 6BE RUDE4
,Y'VE BE5 EXTRAORD9>ILY G5]\S ) YR 9VI-
T,N ALR1 EV5 IF Y DIDN'T "K X40 ,H]
VOICE 0 / T>T1 B X 0 M L ! T>T ( APPLE
PIE4 ,I 2GAN 6WOND] IF ,I 0 HUNGRY4 8,W
Y /AY L;G 5 6LET U TELL Y :AT WE "K80
  8,WELL1 ,I'M "H10 ,I SD4 ,4T.E 3TRACT$
AG1 S T ! FIVE & ,I 7 ONLY A FEW FEET
A"P1 />S GLITT]+ >.D U4 8,I MI<T Z WELL
LI/54 ,MAYBE Y C TELL ME :AT ! HELL IS
GO+ ON40 ,"! 0 A NOTE ( MIS]A# 3FU.N 9
MY VOICE4 ,I /RAI<T5$ MY %\LD]S & PRE-
T5D$ ,I _HN'T RE,Y S.D$ T PA!TIC4
  8,Y ALM DI$ ? MORN+10 A PETITE BLOND
WOMAN SD4 ,%E _H DUMPL+ *EEKS T W5T )
,E>? ,"M CURVES4 ,I REMEMB]$ F ! FILE T
H] "N 0 ,SAMAN?A4
  8,Y1H1 ,I 0 "! = T "P40 ,I RU2$ MY
BR1/B"O UNCOM=TABLY & SCREW$ UP MY FACE4
  8,D Y "K T NE>-D1? EXP]I;ES (T5 OP5
P'S EYES 6ANO!R _W80
  8,I "K T'S :AT !Y .SAY10 ,I RE-   #AEE
PLI$4 ,SAMAN?A SMIL$ A TOL]ANT LL SMILE4
,X O3URR$ 6ME T MY CURR5T POSI;N 0 A
FRAGILE "O = >GU;T4 8,ALL "R40 ,I GRITT$
MY TEE? & PU%$ ! ^WS \4 8,S MAYBE "!'S M
?AN MEETS ! EYE40 ,I RU2$ ! HEEL ( MY H&
OV] MY BR1/B"O AG & TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
8,ALL "R1 "! .IS M ?AN MEETS ! EYE10 ,I
SD DEF5SIVELY4 8,NORMAL P DON'T />T
BURN+ & SMOK+ :5 Y /ICK A KNIFE 9 !M4 ,!
GUY :O /A2$ ME ? MORN+ 0 DEF9ITELY N
NORMAL40
  ,HE/] SNORT$ FA9TLY4 ,ROG] ELB[$ H]
AG4 8,BE QUIET4 ,T'S Q AN ADMIS.N = H]40
  8,M/ X 2 AN ADMIS.N 6-E >.D 6/AT+ !
OBVI\S80 ,HE/] ASK$4 ,APP>5TLY S\R 0 J
H] NATURE4 ,! MO;T ( GRACE E>LI] M/ H -E
H>D-WON4 ,X _H "W$ 6MAKE ME /AY1 B %E
WASN'T E>N+ ANY BR[NIE PO9TS4
  8,GIVE ME A BR1K1 ,HES10 ,I SD4 ,%E
LOOK$ UP %>PLY4 ,I BET NOBODY _H CALL$
H] T S9CE ?IRD GRADE4 8,YE/]"D ! _W MADE
S5SE & TD ,I'M /&+ 9 A /> PIT TALK+ TO
<O/S40 ,I LOOK$ BACK AT ,SAMAN?A4 8,S
:AT HAPP5$ 6ME80
  8,Y GOT 6MAKE A *OICE4 ,MO/ P     #AEF
DON'T GET TO40
  ,I SPR1D MY H&S4 8,:Y ME80
  8,Y M/ H A LOT 6(F]10 %E SD4 8,_M "TS1
^? :O NE$ ! MO/ H1L+ >E ! "OS :O C 9
TURN H1L ! MO/40
  ,I TOOK A /EP BACKW>D1 A SC[L FALL+
D[N MY FACE L PIT*1 UNTIL ,I 0 GL>+ AT
H] "? MY EYEBR[S4 8,:AT D Y M1N1 NE$ !
MO/ H1L+10 ,I SD4 ,%E 0 CL"E 5 6)HOLD AN
ANSW]4 ,9/1D1 %E SPR1D H] H&S1 A POLITE
MIMICRY ( MY E>LI] GE/URE4
  8,I DID N M1N 69TRUDE10 %E SD S DEF]5-
TI,Y T ! ANG] DRA9$ \ ( ME AG4 8,:AT D Y
"K AB %AMANS1 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+/ICK80
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP & MY JAW W5T D[N
UNTIL MY FACE 0 Z L;G Z A DONKEY'S4 ,MY
"F _H TAK5 "O LOOK AT ! UNPRON\NCEA#
,GAELIC F/ "N MY "M _H 2/[$ ON ME & _H
GIV5 ME ANO!R "O4 ,I'D LOOK$ UP ! PRO-
NUNCI,N :5 ,I 0 A TE5AG]1 B ,I ACTU,Y
_HN'T BE5 SURE T ! BIZ>RE -B9,N ( LRS 0
PRON\NC$ .,%E-VAUN1 N .,SEE-OH-BAWN1 UN-
TIL MY "M US$ ! "N :5 %E CALL$ 6ASK TO
MEET ME4 ,ASIDE F T "O 3V]S,N1 N EV5
%E'D CALL$ ME ,SIOBH@AN4 ,X 0 EV5   #AEG
LESS A "P ( ME ?AN ! ,WALK+/ICK "N ,I'D
AB&ON$ A DECADE AGO4 8,H[ DID Y "K T
"N80
  ,SAMAN?A DREW AN \TL9E >.D ME ) H] F9-
G]TIP1 A LOOSE G5]AL %APE4 8,X'S A "P (
Y T Y'VE BE5 D5Y+ YR :OLE LIFE1 & N[ X'S
SPILL+ OV]4 ,?9K ( X L A FLOODLI<T %9+
ON Y1 ILLUM9AT+ ALL ! 9=M,N Y'VE BE5
KEEP+ FIL$ AWAY4 ,X'S V CLE> 6ANY"O :O
"KS H[ 6R1D X4 ,X'S EAG] 6BE AC"KL$G$4
,Y H A REM>KA# H]ITAGE1 ,SIOBH@AN4 ,Y "\
6EXPLORE X1 N TURN YR BACK ON X40
  ,I /OOD "! & />$ AT H]4 ,AF A :ILE ,I
TRI$ 6CRANK MY JAW BACK UP4 ,"P ( ME
WOND]$ :Y ,I 0 REACT+ PHYSIC,Y :5 MY
BODY1 Z F> Z ,I CD TELL1 0 TUCK$ SAFELY
9 B$1 BACK AT HOME4 ,:]"E BACK AT HOME
WAS1 F "H4 8,"R10 ,I SD EV5TU,Y4 8,? IS
GETT+ A LL TOO ?ICK = ME40 ,X CAME \ EX-
ACTLY "R1 CASUAL BULL%IT4 ,I 0 V PL1S$4
,! ?+ WAS1 "R D[N 9 MY GUT1 ,I 2LIEV$
H]4
  8,Y'RE N A V GD LI>1 >E Y80 ,! FIF?
P]SON F9,Y SPOKE UP4 ,HE 0 TALL] ?AN ME
& _H A WOND];L ,GRECIAN NOSE &      #AEH
BROAD *EEKB"OS4 ,HE _HN'T LOOK$ S GD 9 !
MURD] PHOTOS4 ,X 0 TOO BAD HE 0 D1D1 OR
,I'D H ASK$ HM ON A DATE4 ,8 M\? CURV$ 9
HALF A SMILE1 & ,I _H ! S9K+ FEEL+ HE'D
"SH[ HE>D T4 ,COYOTE & ,C]NUNNOS _H C]-
TA9LY HE>D ?+S ,I _HN'T SD \ L\D4
  8,DON'T WORRY10 HE SD4 8,I WON'T TELL
ANYBODY4 ,B ?ANKS40 ,HE W9K$1 &! HALF
SMILE TURN$ 96A GR94 ,I TOLD MYF ,I
CDN'T POSSIBLY BLU%1 )\T A BODY H&Y4 ,I
?9K X EV5 "W$4
  8,I ALW ?"\ ,I 0 A PRETTY GD LI>10 ,I
F9,Y MUM#D4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,"!'S NO?+ WR;G ) YR
DELIV]Y4 ,B ! TRU? FL>ES UP >.D Y L A
SPOTLI<T4 ,WE PROBABLY DON'T H M* "T1
,JOANNE4 ,LET'S SAVE ! PRET5SES = LAT]40
  8,SUBTLE1 ,JACKSON40 ,SAMAN?A SMIL$4
,HE GR9N$ & %RU7$4
  ,I OP5$ MY M\? 6>GUE1 & LET ALL MY AIR
\ 9 A RU%4 8,OKAY4 ,OKAY4 ,S MAYBE ,I'M
K9D ( ON-PURPOSE D5SE AB ,AM]ICAN ,9DI-
AN--0 ,I WAV$ MY H& >.D 8--/UFF4 ,I J
HATE PLAY+ 96/]EOTYPES1 Y "K80
  8,ACTU,Y1 Y'RE AFRAID ( X10       #AEI
,JACKSON MURMUR$4 ,I /RAI<T5$ MY %\LD]S1
(F5D$4
  8,:AT'S "! 6BE AFRAID (80
  8,P[]10 E S+LE "O ( !M SD4 ,I TOOK A
/EP BACK4
  8,RESPONSIBIL;Y10 ,SAMAN?A SD1 & ,HE/]
SD1 8,*ANGE40 ,ROG] SMIL$ & %RU7$ A LL1
Z IF 6SAY1 :AT C Y D81 & A4$1 8,LOVE10
6! LI/4 8,D1?10 SD ! WOMAN :O'D BE5 QUI-
ET EXCEPT = SWE>+ AT ,HE/]1 & ,JACKSON
BR1!D1 8,LIFE40
  8,I'M N AFRAID ( ANY ( T10 ,I ?REW
BACK4 8,N T ,I'M EAG] 6DIE1 B--0
  8,Y'VE BE5 V CLOS$ (F S9CE Y 7 AB FIF-
TE510 ,SAMAN?A SD1 SYMPA!TIC AG4 ,I FELT
MY /OMA* KNOT UP1 & TOOK ANO!R /EP BACK4
8,! _W 0 A LOT M WOND];L 2F !N1 WASN'T
X80
  ,"O ( ^? CRACKS ,I'D SE5 9SIDE ME TORE
OP51 SURG]Y )A BATTLE-AX4 ,=A MO;T "! 0
NO?+ B PA9 & RAGE &A T]RI# S5SE ( LOSS1
MEMORIES T ,I'D KEPT SAFELY LOCK$ AWAY 9
A SMALL BLACK BOX 9 MY M9D4 8,H[ D Y
KN--0
  ,I CL5*$ MY JAW ON ! ^WS4 ,I 0    #AFJ
N HAV+ ? 3V]S,N ) D1D P 9 A /> FIELD "S-
": \TSIDE ( MY [N BODY4 ,I FELT A LL TUG
>.D MY HE>T & IGNOR$ X4 8,:AT IS X T Y
FIVE H 9 -MON10 ,I SD FLATLY4 8,"! HAS
6BE "S K9D ( PATT]N40
  ,ALL FIVE ( !M EX*ANG$ GL.ES1 & ,JACK-
SON SPOKE UP4 8,SAM ASK$ E>LI]4 ,:AT D Y
"K AB %AMANS80
  ,I %RU7$1 /IFF4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,!Y'RE
M$IC9E M54 ,!Y D MAGIC4 ,:AT D !Y H 6D )
ME80
  8,! _W HAS A LOT ( P &A LOT ( PRO#MS
^! "DS10 ,HE/] MURMUR$4 8,X NE$S M %A-
MANS ?AN "E40
  8,A %AMAN'S JOB IS 6H1L10 ,ROG] SD4
8,:AT"E NE$S H1L+4 ,T'S :AT WE DID1 9
LIFE4 ,MO/ ( U H BE5 DO+ X = _M LIFE-
"TS40
  ,I />$ AT HM =A :ILE1 WAIT+ =! PUN*
L9E4 ,:5 X DIDN'T -E1 ,I RU2$ MY EYES1
NOTIC+ T "H1 ,I CD SEE P]FECTLY CLE>LY
)\T GLASSES OR 3TACTS4 8,S :Y WD "S"O G
>.D MURD]+ COSMIC C>ETAK]S80
  8,P[]10 ! QUIET "O SD WRYLY4 ,%E S.D$
,5GLI%4 ,HE/] FR[N$ AT H]4          #AFA
  8,X DOESN'T "W T WAY40
  8,N \R P[]10 ! QUIET "O SD PATI5TLY4
8,HIS [N P[]4 ,WE'RE ALL P :O CD H F"\
OR HELP$ HM1 & S WE ?R1T5$ 8 P[]40
  8,F"\8 ,Y J SD Y 7 H1L]S40
  ,"! 0 A LL SIL;E :ILE !Y ALL LOOK$ AT
EA* O!R AG4 8,"! >E DI6]5T PA?S10 ,JACK-
SON F9,Y SD4 8,"S ( U >E W>RIORS4 ,O!RS
>E LESS 3FRONT,NAL4 ,! 5D PURPOSE IS !
SAME1 6TAKE AWAY PA91 PHYSICAL & EMO;N-
AL1 6H1L40
  ,V1 V SL[LY1 A LI<T CAME ON AT ! BACK
( MY H1D4 8,T'S N :AT ,I'VE GOTT5 MYF
9TO40 ,I FIGUR$ ? 0 ! MORAL EQUIVAL5T (
ASK+ =A NO4 ,X 0 L ASK+1 8,Y WDN'T WANT
6HELP ME PA9T ! F;E1 WD Y80 ,PUT X T
WAY1 & Y 7 SETT+ UP = D5IAL4
  ,I RE,Y1 .RE,Y WANT$ 6BE D5I$4
  8,WE R>ELY "U/& ! 3SEQU;ES ( \R DECI-
.NS AT ! "T !Y'RE MADE10 ,SAMAN?A MUR-
MUR$1 : DIDN'T S.D M* L ! ANSW] ,I 0
HOP+ =4
  8,I DIDN'T H A LOT ( "T10 ,I SNAPP$4
,ANO!R TUG PULL$ AT MY 9SIDES1 A LL
/R;G] ?AN LA/ "T4 ,I RU2$ MY        #AFB
BR1/B"O ABS5TLY & TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,I
WOND]$ IF MY BODY BACK 9 B$ DID ! SAME
?+4
  8,! IMPORTANT DECI.NS USU,Y -E :5 "!'S
N M* "T 6DEBATE10 ,ROG] AGRE$4 ,I FR[N$
AT HM4 ,HE SEEM$ S NICE & D[N 6E>?1 & ,I
0 UNCONSCI\SLY C.T+ ON HM 6BACK ME UP4
,MY HOPES & DR1MS 7 OBVI\SLY 2+ L9$ UP
6BE CRU%$4
  8,WELL1 ,*RI/1 "!'S GOT 6BE A WAY \ (
?1 DOESN'T "!80
  8,( C\RSE "! IS40 ,HE/]'D 2COME EV5 M
4DA9;L1 : ,I WDN'T H ?"\ POSSI#4 8,IG-
NORE X40
  8,W X G AWAY80 ,I ASK$ HOPE;LLY4
  8,NO4 ,Y'LL KEEP /RU7L+ )! URGE 6HELP
P1 & E "T Y TURN YR BACK1 A LL "P ( Y W
DIE4 ,EV5TU,Y Y TURN 96A PRUNE40
  ,I />$ AT H]4 ,I CD H NI<TM>ES AB
TURN+ 96"S"O L H]4 ,6MY SURPRISE1 %E
?REW H] H1D BACK & LAU<$4 8,OH1 ,I MI<T
RUB .Y ! WR;G WAY1 ,WALK+/ICK1 B "! >E P
:O RESPOND 6ME F9E4 ,LI/5 6?--A %AMAN IS
A TRICK/]4 ,6H1L "S"O1 Y NE$ 6*ANGE _!
WAY ( ?9K+1 IF ONLY =A MO;T4 ,YR    #AFC
>MOR IS FRACTUR$4 ,"O GD HIT--0 ,%E
FLICK$ H] MI4LE F+] AG/ H] ?UMB1 L %E 0
?UMP+ ME 9 ! *E/4 ,! TUG RETURN$1 PA9;L
? "T4 8--,& Y'LL -E A"P 96A ?\S& PIECES4
,KEEP YR PROMISES1 & Y MI<T N %ATT]40
  ,I HAT$ SUSPECT+ P 7 TELL+ ME ,GOD'S
[N TRU?4 ,I GULP$ AG/ ANO!R PA9;L TUG1 &
! FIVE ( !M SU45LY SEEM$ 4TANT4 8,OH1
HELL10 SD ! QUIET "O4 8,WE'VE WA/$ TOO
M* "T4 ,%E'S TOO TIR$ 6/AY40
  8,%E'S V "Y10 ,ROG] REM9D$ H]4
  8,I "K1 & %E'S -E A L;G WAY1 B--0 ,!
QUIET "O BROKE (F & />$ AT ME 9T5SELY4
8,LI/5 6ME--0
  8,WAIT10 ,I SD4 8,M>IE WASN'T A %AMAN1
0 %E8 ,:AT DID %E H 9 -MON ) Y80
  8,I DON'T "K ,M>IE10 ! QUIET "O SD IM-
PATI5TLY4 8,F9D HM1 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+-
/ICK4 ,8 P[] & 8 PA9 W BLE$ (F HM4 ,F9D
! SC5T ( X & FOLL[ HM BACK40
  8,B :O IS HE80 ,MY VOICE S.D$ V ?9 &
4TANT1 EV5 6MYF4 ,! TUG 0 A /1DY PULL
N[1 &! />S 7 /R1K+ 0ME1 4APPE>+ Z ,I
FAD$ AWAY4
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,B HE 3TROLS !--0   #AFD
  ,I TOOK A %>P BR1?1 WOKE UP & ROLL$
OV]4 ,"S?+ CRUN*$ 9 MY PALM4 ,I OP5$ MY
H& & BL9K$ "? ! DIM;S AT ! %IMM]+ L1F
"!4 ,AF A FEW MO;TS ,I SI<$ QUIETLY &
W5T BACK 6SLEEP1 CRADL+ ! L1F C>E;LLY4
  ,X 0 SEV5-?IRTY & ,I'D WOK5 UP 6A /-
D>K SKY 2F ,I REMEMB]$ T X 0 ,JANU>Y &
"! 7 NO L1VES ON ANY?+ B ! "EGRE5S4
















              ,,*APT] ,,T5          #AFE

    ,W$NES"D1 ,JANU>Y #E?1 #H3CJ A4M4
  ,I DON'T G 63FES.N4 ,= "O1 ,I'M N
,CA?OLIC4 ,= TWO1 ! :OLE IDEA ( 2+ AB-
SOLV$ ( YR S9S 0TELL+ A PRIE/ AB !M HAS
ALW /RUCK ME Z A LL /RANGE1 PROBABLY 2C
,I'M N ,CA?OLIC4
  ,ON ! O!R H&1 A PRIE/ ISN'T ALL[$ TO
CALL UP ! LOONY B9 & H Y -MITT$ AF Y
TELL HM ALL YR CRAZY LL /ORIES1 & HE'S A
:OLE LOT LESS EXP5SIVE ?AN A %R9K4
  ,/4 ,JAMES ,CA!DRAL 9 D[NT[N ,S1TTLE 0
! ONLY ,CA?OLIC *UR* ,I KNEW (= C]TA94
,I P>K$ 9 "O (! LOTS AT ! CORN] ( #I? &
,COLUMBIA1 HAV+ MADE X F ! ,UNIV]S;Y
,4TRICT 9 ?IRTY-SEV5 M9UTES4 ,ON A WEEK-
"D MORN+1 T 0 A RECORD-BR1K]4 ,F9D+ A
P>K+ SPOT PUT X (F ! *>TS4
  ,/4 ,JAMES DIDN'T EXACTLY LOOK L X 0
IMPORT$ :OLESALE F ,EUROPE1 B X _H ALL !
IMPRESSIVE DIGN;Y A CA!DRAL "\ TO4
,BUFF-COLOR$ BRICK & TWO V TALL BELL T[-
]S DEF9$ ! PLACE2 T1 &A SIXTY-FOOT >*$
5TRYWAY4 ,I FELT PROP]LY AW$ Z ,I W5T
9SIDE1 CRADL+ MY %IMM]+ L1F 9 MY    #AFF
PALM4 ,I KEPT EXPECT+ X 64APPE> & L1VE
L9ES ( FAIRY DU/ ON MY H&4
  ,I $G$ >.D ! PEWS & UP 6A 3FES.NAL
BOO?1 SLID+ 9SIDE4 ,! L1F GL1M$ SLI<TLY4
  ,"! 0 A ?UMP 9 ! O!R HALF (! 3FES.NAL1
&A GU/Y SI<4
  8,"E _H "O ( ^? "DS80 ! PRIE/ ASK$4
8,": Y'RE D\BT+ "EY?+80
  ,I'D N"E D"O ? 2F1 B ,I 0 PRETTY SURE
T WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6BE 8 L9E4 ,I'D BE5
SORT ( LOOK+ =W>D 6! BIT ": ,I SD1
8,=GIVE-ME-"F-=-,I-H-S9N$10 & HE'D RU9$
! PATT]N ALR4
  8,DON'T GET ME WR;G10 HE SD1 8,I L MY
JOB4 ,B DON'T Y "E GET UP & WOND] IF
Y'VE MADE ! "R DECI.NS8 ,WOND] IF Y'VE
RE,Y GOT A CALL+1 OR IF X'S J ALL "S
SORT ( 9F9ITESIM,Y L>GE JOKE8 ,CA?OLICS
DON'T M9D ! ANCI5T-E>? !ORIES S M*4 ,I C
SEE T ,GOD MI<T CALL A BILLION YE>S A
"D4 ,LIFE IS -PLICAT$ L T4 ,X'S J T E
ONCE 9 A :ILE "S?+ HAPP5S T RE,Y %AKES !
HELL1 EXCUSE MY ,FR5*1 \ ( MY FAI?40
  ,I BLURT$1 8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,HE FLA%$ ME
A SAD LL SMILE "? ! LATTICE4        #AFG
  8,Y HAV5'T SE5 ! NEWS YET1 H Y8 ,"! 0
A MASSACRE ? MORN+ AT "O (! HI< S*OOLS4
,F\R *N 7 KILL$4 ,! RE,Y SICK ?+ IS T X
0 "S LUNATIC )A KNIFE4 ,N A GUN4 ,HE W5T
& TORE E S+LE "O ( _! HE>TS \1 ALL ^?
9NOC5T S\LS4 ,H[ CD ,GOD LET T HAPP580
  8,!Y DIDN'T CAT* HM80
  ,! PRIE/ LET \ A BITT] LAU<4 8,H[ D Y
.N CAT* "S"O :O'S /ICK+ KNIVES 96KIDS8
,B NO1 !Y DIDN'T4 ,_! T1*] 0 KNIF$1 TOO4
,& NOBODY SAW ANY?+40
  8,NO "O SAW ANY?+80 ,_H ,I D"O ?8 ,0 X
V5GE.E = KNIF+ ,C]NUNNOS YE/]"D8 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,H[ L;G DID X TAKE =A GOD
6H1L8 ,:AT POSSI# PURPOSE 0 "! 9 ! D1?S
( F\R KIDS8 ,DID X GIVE HM /R5G?8 ,HE/]
SD P[] DIDN'T "W T WAY4
  8,NO40 ,I SPOKE AL\D1 MY EYES POPP+
OP54 .,%AMANIC P[] DIDN'T "W T WAY4 ,C]-
NUNNOS 0 A GOD1 N A %AMAN4 ,MAYBE 8 P[]
0 "S K9D ( D1? P[]4 ,! ,WEB PAGES _HN'T
SD4
  8,NO10 ! PRIE/ AGRE$ ANGRILY4 8,NO "O
SAW4 ,S :AT'S ! PO9T8 ,I SAW ! %AD[ ( HM
MOVE1 L1N+ =W>D 6PUT 8 FACE 9 8     #AFH
H&S4 8,IF ,GOD C LET ? HAPP51 H[ C ,I H
FAI? 9 ,HM80
  ,I /OOD UP SL[LY4 ,! PRIE/ TURN$ 8 H1D
& WAT*$ ME RISE4 ,8 EYES 7 BR[N & 8 FACE
UNL9$1 9 ! UNOBTRUSIVE 3FES.NAL LI<T4
,HE CDN'T H BE5 M* OLD] ?AN ,I WAS4
8,DON'T WORRY1 ,"F40 ,I TOOK A DEEP
BR1?4 8,IF ,GOD C LET ? HAPP51 !N HE C
PUT P ON ,E>? :O C /OP X1 TOO40
  8,B ": >E !Y80 HE ASK$ S(TLY4 ,I LIFT$
MY H& & PRESS$ MY PALM AG/ ! LATTICE4 ,!
L1F CRUN*$ QUIETLY & %ATT]$ 9 A T9Y
SPLA% ( LI<T4
  8,I'M "R "H40
  ,HE R1*$ UP & PRESS$ 8 H& OPPOSITE
M9E1 SEP>AT$ 0A FEW C5TIMET]S ( WOOD4
,HE 0 QUIET S L;G ,I ?"\ HE MI<T LAU< AT
MY >ROG.E4 ,B !N HE SMIL$1 ! K9D ( SMILE
A PRIE/ "\ 6H1 G5TLE & -PAS.NATE & FULL
( S]5E 3FID;E T "!'S A BETT] PLACE ?AN ?
_W4 8,G ) ,GOD40
  ,HE LEFT ME /&+ AL"O 9 ! 3FES.NAL1 A
FAD+ IMPR9T ( L1F DU/ GLITT]+ ON MY
PALM4
                                    #AFI
  8,!Y 7 %AMANS40 ,\ ( "EY"O ,I KNEW1
,BILLY ,HOLLI"D 0 ! ONLY P]SON ,I WD D>E
SAY T TO4 ,BILLY 0 Z 5?USIA/IC Z ,MULD]1
A TRUE 2LIEV] 9 ! ?+S T W5T BUMP 9 !
NI<T4 ,NEW P ON /AFF ALW GAVE HM %IT AB
X--,GOD "KS ,I _H--B X 9V>IABLY FAD$ 9TO
2+ "O ( ^? A3EPT$ QUIRKS T MAKE P 9T]E/-
+4 ,BILLY _H M ?AN 8 FAIR %>E ( ^?
QUIRKS1 B =! MO;T ,I 0 M OR LESS GRATE;L
"! 0 "SBODY ,I CD TALK 6)\T ,MORRISON
?R[+ ME 9 A NUTH\SE4
  ,I PLUNK$ ! FILES ,RAY L5T ME ON
,BILLY'S DESK1 DO+ MY BE/ 6LOOK TRIUM-
PHANT & 9 3TROL4 ,BILLY BL9K$ UP AT ME1
EYEBR[S CLIMB+ UP 8 =EH1D L CAT]PILL>S4
  8,":'D Y GET ^?80 HE ASK$ F/1 6HIS
CR$IT = KEEP+ ! SECUR;Y (! DE"P;T1 &1
8,:O W]E80 SECOND4
  8,I F.D !M 9 A G>BAGE C40
  ,HE EY$ ! /ACK ( PAP]"W4 8,Y'RE AN (-
FIC]1 Y "K8 ,N A DETECTIVE40
  8,I'VE BE5 )! DE"P;T M ?AN ?REE YE>S4
,I'M UP = DETECTIVE40 ,I WID5$ MY EYES4
,BILLY SNORT$4
  8,Y1H1 "R4 ,:O 7 %AMANS8 ,>E Y    #AGJ
SUPPOS$ 6BE "H80
  8,I DUNNO10 ,I ADMITT$1 GLANC+ 9 ! G5-
]AL DIREC;N ( ,MORRISON'S (FICE4 8,HE
DIDN'T TELL ME :AT %IFT ,I 0 ON4 ,I ?9K
HE EXPECT$ ME 6QUIT40
  8,H Y "E QUIT ANY?+ 9 YR :OLE LIFE80
  8,N M*4 ,%IFT *ANGE IS AT ELEV51 "R8
,X'S T5-?IRTY4 ,I C 2 ALL P]KY & ON "T4
,LI/5 6ME1 ,BILLY4 ,^! FIVE MURD]S 9 !
PA/ C\PLE WEEKS1 !Y 7 ALL %AMANS40 ,I
PU%$ MY F+]TIP AG/ ! FILES4 ,MY KNUCKLE
TURN$ :ITE4
  8,H[ D Y "K T1 ,JOANNE80
  ,I /RAI<T5$ UP1 SQU>$ MY %\LD]S & SD1
FIRMLY1 8,I MET !M DR1M-WALK+40
  ,WELL4 ,X 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE FIRM4 ,X 0 RE-
,Y M ( AN EMB>RASS$ :ISP]4 ,BILLY HELD
MY GAZE = L;G] ?AN ! PRIE/ _H1 UNTIL ,I
TWI/$ MY %\LD]S UNCOM=TABLY & GL.ED
AWAY4 8,LOOK10 ,I SD V QUIETLY4
  8,NO10 HE SD1 8,I 2LIEVE Y40
  ,DESPITE 8 REP1 ,I 0 TAK5 ABACK4 8,Y
D80
  ,HE /OOD UP4 8,LET'S GET "S C(FEE4
,D[N ! /REET40                      #AGA
  ,T 0 ! USUAL CUE =! GD COP 6L1VE !
ROOM :ILE ! BAD COP T]RORIZ$ ! WIT;S4 ,I
DIDN'T USU,Y ?9K ( ,BILLY Z ! BAD COP
SORT1 B ,I SUCK$ MY L[] LIP 96MY M\?
N]V\SLY & /U6$ MY H&S 9 MY POCKETS Z ,I
FOLL[$ HM \ ! DOOR4 ,ON ! /REET1 HE SD1
8,Y'RE AB ! MO/ R,NAL P]SON ,I "K40
  ,I DREW ON :AT LL DIGN;Y ,I _H LEFT4
8,?ANK Y40
  8,I L Y & RESPECT Y EV5 ?\< Y'VE BE5
LAU<+ UP YR SLEEVE AT ME = YE>S40
  ,I W9C$4 8,I GAVE UP LAU<+ AGES AGO1
,BILLY1 ,I J '''0
  8,?9K ,I'M NUTS40
  ,I W9C$ AG4 8,IN A GD WAY4 ,LOOK1 ,I
M1N '''0 ,I SI<$4 8,I M1N1 :Y .D Y BE-
LIEVE 9 T /UFF1 ,BILLY80 ,I'D N"E ?"\1
OR MAYBE D>$1 6ASK 2F4
  ,HE GL.ED AT ME1 M\? DRAWN 9 A ?9 L9E4
8,I _H AN OLD] SI/]40
  8,_H80 ,I TRI$ 6REMEMB] IF ,I KNEW
ANY?+ AB ,BILLY'S *ILDHOOD1 O!R ?AN !
UN=TUNATE "N 8 P>5TS _H GIV5 HM4 ,NO?+
SURFAC$4
  8,%E DI$ :5 ,I 0 EI<T4 ,%E        #AGB
DR[N$40 ,BILLY'S %\LD]S 7 TI<T1 8 VOICE
QUIET4
  8,GOD4 ,I'M SORRY40
  8,ME TOO40 ,HE GL.ED AT ME AG1 /OPP+
\TSIDE ! C(FEE %OP DOOR4 8,:5 ,I 0 ELEV-
EN1 ,I WOKE UP F A DR1M T ,I 0 SU6OCAT+4
,C>OL9E 0 SITT+ AT ! $GE ( MY B$ ) H]
FI/S KNOTT$ 9 H] LAP4 ,%E TOLD ME T MY
BE/ FR1 ,D]EK1 _H FALL5 96! SLURRY A
NEI<BOR 0 P\R+ =! 3CRETE F.D,N 6_! H\SE4
,I WOKE UP ! :OLE H\SEHOLD & WE ALL W5T
RUNN+ OV] "! 9 \R PAJAMAS40
  ,MY [N H&S 7 KNOTT$ AT MY SIDES4 8,&80
  8,MY DAD PULL$ ,D]EK \ (! SLURRY4 ,X 0
HALF-SET & CRU%+ 8 RIBS4 ,MY D1D SI/]
SAV$ 8 LIFE40
  ,I HAUL$ 9 A DEEP BR1? ( AIR & RU2$ MY
BR1/B"O4 8,JESUS40 ,I SMIL$ LOPSID$LY4
8,S Y'RE TELL+ ME Y SEE D1D P80
  ,BILLY %OT ME A LOOK1 SEE+ IF ,I 0
T1S+ HM4 ,I WAS1 B X 0 ! ONLY WAY ,I CD
GET "? ! 3V]S,N4 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6HURT HM1
& AF A MO;T HE R1LIZ$ T4 ,8 %\LD]S RE-
LAX$ & HE SMIL$ BACK1 CROOK$LY4 8,Y1H4
,N L ! KID 9 T MOVIE4 ,N NE>LY T    #AGC
(T54 ,B Y1H1 ,I D4 ,Y REMEMB] ! ,FRANKL9
MURD] A C\PLE YE>S AGO80
  ,I %U4]$4 8,Y1H40
  ,MRS4 ,FRANKL9 _H KILL] H] F\RTE5-YE>-
OLD DAU<T]1 ,EMILY1 AF ! GIRL CLAIM$ %E
CD SEE H] NEW /EP"F'S PA/1 & T HE 0 A
RAPI/4 ,"M & DAU<T] _H A SCR1M+ FI<T1
5D+ 9 ! GIRL'S D1?4 ,MR4 ,FRANKL9'S PO-
LICE RECORD PROV$ ,EMILY CORRECT1 TOO
LATE4 ,X 0 ! SORT ( CASE ! COPS HAT$ 6H
ON ! NEWS2 ! TABLOIDS MADE A HUGE FUSS
OV] X1 :ILE ! CORON]'S (FICE HELD XS
T;GUE AB :E!R ,EMILY _H BE5 SEXU,Y
ABUS$4 ,! NEWS CREWS TOOK ! CORON]'S SI-
L;E Z AN IMPLICIT YES4 ,! POLICE DE"P;T
DIDN'T L 6TALK AB ! FACT T %E _HN'T BE54
,X L$ 6UNANSW]A# "QS AB ! LL GIRL'S AP-
P>5T PSY*IC ABILITIES4
  8,Y1H1 ,I REMEMB]4 ,! :OLE ?+ 0 IN-
SANE40 ,I WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6H BE5 "!4 ,I'D
BE5 \ ) ,BILLY1 TRY+ 6HE> ! HIT* HE
CLAIM$ 0 9 8 5G9E1 :5 HE 0 CALL$ 6! MUR-
D] SC5E4
  8,EMILY ,FRANKL9 0 9 ! CORN] WAT*+ Y !
:OLE "T Y 7 "!1 L Y 7 ! SUN & _H    #AGD
J -E \40 ,BILLY TURN$ & PULL$ ! DOOR 6!
CAF@E OP5 = ME4
  8,EMILY ,FRANKL9 0 D1D1 ,BILLY40
  8,I "K40
  ,HAIRS /OOD UP ALL OV] MY BODY1 L "S-
"O'D DROPP$ AN ICICLE D[N MY BACK4
8,Y'RE TELL+ ME "! 0 A <O/ WAT*+ ME80
  8,! <O/ (A CLAIRVOYANT LL GIRL4 ,%E SD
Y DIDN'T H ANY PA/ AT ALL4 ,%E'D N"E SE5
ANY"O L Y4 ,%E WANT$ ME 6SEE :AT 0 GO+
6HAPP5 6Y4 ,AF A FEW "DS %E LET G1 B
,I'VE BE5 WAIT+ "E S9CE 6SEE :AT HAPP5S
6Y4 ,) Y40 ,HE ORD]$ A L>GE DECA6E9AT$
ESPRESSO & WAV$ 8 H& AT ME 6ORD] :ILE ,I
/>$ AT HM UNHAPPILY4 8,G AH1D & GET "S-
?+40 ,HE DUG 9 8 POCKET = CA%4
  8,HOT *OCOLATE ) M9T & :IPP$ CR1M10 ,I
MUM#D4 ,=GET C>S4 ,I NE$$ R1L -=T FOOD4
8,A GR&E4 ,:Y DIDN'T Y "E TELL ME T1
,BILLY80
  8,WD Y H 2LIEV$ ME80 ,HE PULL$ ! TOP
(F 8 DR9K & BLEW ON X 2F TAK+ A SIP4 ,I
FR[N$ AT ! C.T]4
  8,NO10 ,I ADMITT$4
  ,HE %RU7$4 ,X 0 ANSW] 5\<4 8,S    #AGE
"S?+ F9,Y HAPP5$40 ,HE TOOK A BI7] SIP (
8 DR9K & CURS$1 /ICK+ 8 T;GUE \ 9 AN EF-
=T 6REDUCE ! BURN'S PA94 8,I'VE BE5
WAIT+ TWO YE>S4 ,Y D ? K9D ( AB-FACE1
,I'M PREP>$ 62LIEVE X4 ,Y WDN'T 2 "H IF
Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE X YRF4 ,S TELL ME AB !
%AMANS4 ,0 YR FR "O1 TOO80
  ,I GOT MY HOT *OCOLATE & F.D A C\PLE
DOLL>S 6GIVE HM = X4 8,I DON'T ?9K S4
,%E _H "S?+ ELSE GO+ ON4 ,LOOK1 ": D ,I
/>T1 ,BILLY8 ,I'VE GOT A FEEL+ ,I'VE GOT
A LOT ( CAT*-UP "W 6D4 ,/>T+ "R N[1 &
/>T+ ) "S OLD ,CELTIC GODS40 ,I SD X )A
H>D ;,C1 ! WAY ,M>IE _H1 & ,BILLY LOOK$
BO? SURPRIS$ & IMPRESS$4
  8,I WDA ?"\ Y'D SAY ,8,SELTIC10'0 HE
SD4 ,I WR9KL$ MY NOSE AT HM4
  8,I J GOT BACK F ,IREL&10 ,I PO9T$ \1
LET A B1T PASS1 & ADMITT$1 8,M>IE SD
,CELTIC4 ,I DIDN'T "K BETT] 2F !N40
  8,"!'S NO S(T ;,C 9 ! ,GAELIC LAN-
GUAGE40 ,BILLY TOOK ANO!R SIP ( 8 C(FEE1
!N SET X D[N4 8,OKAY1 TELL ME AB ? '''
GOD8 ,GOD1 ,JOANIE4 ,Y />T 2LIEV+ & Y G
:OLE HAUL1 HUH8 ,I'VE J GOT D1D     #AGF
P40
  8,LUCKY ME40 ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,! GUY
,I F"\ ) YE/]"D WASN'T A GANG MEMB]4 ,HE
0 ''' ,M>IE ?"\ X 0 ,C]NUNNOS4 ,AN AN-
CI5T ,CELTIC GOD40
  ,BILLY SAT BACK1 PRESS+ 8 LIPS TGR4
8,:AT D Y ?9K80
  8,HE WASN'T HUMAN40 ,X 0 /RANGE 6HE>
MYF SAY T4 ,I FELT L AN ALI5 _H TAK5 OV]
MY BODY4 ,BILLY NO4$ SL[LY4
  8,Y ?9K HE'S ! "O :O KILL$ ,M>IE8 ,:O
DID ! O!R FIVE MURD]S80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I HURT HM PRETTY BADLY
YE/]"D1 & ,I DON'T "K IF HE CD H1L F X T
FA/4 ,& !N "!'S ! HI< S*OOL ? MORN+40
  ,BILLY NO4$ AG4 8,SAME ,M4,O4 ,IS X YR
GUY80
  ,I WRAPP$ BO? MY H&S >.D ! PAP] CUP4
8,M>IE ?"\ "! MI<T 2 "S"O ELSE 9VOLV$4
,X DOESN'T FEEL "R 6ME1 P9N+ ? ON ,C]-
NUNNOS40 ,I B>K$ LAU<T]4 8,DOESN'T FEEL
"R4 ,GOD1 LI/5 6ME40
  8,I AM10 ,BILLY SD S]I\SLY4
  ,HOT *OCOLATE SPLA%$ Z ,I SET ! CUP
D[N4 8,& T FR1KS ME \ EV5 M40       #AGG
  ,BILLY /UDI$ ME Z HE TOOK A L;G DR9K (
8 C(FEE4 8,:AT'S X L80 HE F9,Y ASK$4 ,I
DROPP$ MY H1D & LOOK$ 96MY HOT *OCOLATE4
  8,! GD NEWS IS X'S KEEP+ MY M9D (F
HAV+ 6WALK ! /REETS40 ,I SC[L$ AT MY
DR9K4 8,T CAME \ WR;G40 ,I PU%$ ! *OCO-
LATE AWAY & L[]$ MY H1D 6! TA#1 RE/+ X
ON MY =E>MS4 8,Y REMEMB] ! F/ "T "S"O Y
LOV$ DI$1 ,BILLY8 ,X'S L T4 ,I C'T BE-
LIEVE X1 B ,I C'T N 2LIEVE X1 EI4 ,AT !
V L1/ ,I %D 2 9 A HOSPITAL B$ BR1?+ "? A
TUBE4 ,I %D PROBABLY 2 D1D40 ,I SAT UP1
F+]S DRIFT$ 6MY /]NUM AG4 8,X'S L ! :OLE
_W IS A BADLY TUN$ 5G9E4 ,I'M />T+ 6FEEL
:5 X MISSES OR LUR*ES4 ,& ,I'VE GOT ?
/UPID IDEA T ,I C FIX X40
  8,! _W10 ,BILLY SD4 ,I SMIL$ ?9LY4
  8,LET ME J />T ) ,S1TTLE40

  ,I TURN$ UP AT ,MORRISON'S DOOR1 / C>-
RY+ MY HOT *OCOLATE1 AT FIVE M9UTES TO
ELEV54 ,HE />$ AT ME L HE'D N"E SE5 ME
2F4 8,Y DIDN'T TELL ME :5 MY %IFT />T$10
,I SD ) ALL ! APLOMB ,I CD MANAGE4
  ,MORRISON 3T9U$ 6/>E AT ME4 8,I   #AGH
DON'T H A PATROL UNI=M1 EI4 ,I D H MY
BADGE60 ,I DUG X \ ( MY JACKET POCKET &
WAV$ X AT HM4
  ,HE />$ AT X4
  8,S N[ Y PAIR ME ) AN OLD CURMUDGEON1
"R8 ,"SBODY 6%[ ME ! ROPES8 ,"SBODY :O
HATES PAP]"W & FOI/S X ALL (F ON ME8
,T'S :AT HAPP5S N[1 "R80 ,T'S :AT HAPP5S
9 ! MOVIES1 ANYWAY4 ,I FR[N$ AT ,MORRIS-
ON4 8,Y OKAY80
  8,:AT ! HELL >E Y DO+ "H1 ,WALK]80
  ,I /RAI<T5$ UP1 />TL$4 8,:AT'D Y ?9K
,I 0 GONNA D1 N %[ UP S Y'D H AN EXCUSE
6FIRE ME8 ,Y'"K1 ,I MI<T H LOADS ( /U-
PID1 ,MORRISON1 B ,I'M N Q .T BAD40
  8,WALK]40 ,MORRISON WALK$ >.D 6MY SIDE
( 8 DESK1 PAUS+ 6CLOSE ! DOOR4 ,MY HE>T
LUR*$4 8,Y >E A SUSPECT10 ,MORRISON SD1
! ^WS M1SUR$1 8IN A MURD] CASE4 ,WALK]4
,D Y RE,Y ?9K ,I'M GO+ 6PUT Y ON !
/REET80
  ,I SWALL[$ HOT *OCOLATE WR;G1 & C\<$
UNTIL MY EYES TE>$4 ,MORRISON />$ AT ME
IMPASSIVELY4 ,:5 ,I CD BR1! AG1 ,I
CROAK$1 8,SUSPECT8 ,B !Y LET ME     #AGI
G40
  8,X LOOKS BAD4 ,Y *AS$ T WOMAN ALL OV]
HELL & BR1KFA/1 & TWELVE H\RS LAT] %E'S
D1D8 ,! PAP]S W H A FIELD "D4 ,MURD]+
COP PUT ON FOOT PATROL4 ,! DE"P;T C'T
AF=D T K9D ( PUBLIC;Y1 ,WALK]4 ,! ONLY
PLACE ,I WANT 6SEE Y 9 ! NEXT WEEK IS
NO": NE> "H40
  8,IF ,I'M NO": NE> "H H[ C Y SEE--0
,MORRISON'S EYEBR[S %OT UPW>D4 ,I %UT
UP4
  8,S9CE Y'RE "H1 G GET A UNI=M &! RE/ (
! EQUIP;T4 ,!N /AY \TTA MY SI<T UNTIL ?
?+ IS CLE>$ UP40
  8,B--0
  8,GET60
  ,I GOT1 /OPP+ 0,BILLY'S DESK ON ! WAY
\4 8,SW+ %IFT80 HE ASK$4 ,I SNORT$4
  8,NO %IFT4 ,I'M ON TEMPOR>Y L1VE ( DU-
TY UNTIL ? MURD]'S BE5 TAK5 C>E (4 ,MOR-
RISON ?9KS ,I'M ! PRIME SUSPECT40
  8,ISN'T X NICE 6H CO-"W]S :O H FAI? 9
Y80 ,BILLY %OV$ ! PAP]"W ,I'D GOTT5 F
,RAY AT ME1 GR9N+4 8,S G CLE> YRF40
                                    #AHJ
  ,I RETR1T$ 6! C(FEE %OP 6/UDY ! FILES1
R1D+ AB ! MURD]S & TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT !Y
_H 6D ) ,M>IE4 ,N"O ( X MADE ANY S5SE TO
ME4 ,! LA/ (! %AMANS1 ! QUIET WOMAN ^:
"N ,I _HN'T BE5 A# 6REMEMB]1 _H DI$ ON
,NEW ,YE>'S ,EVE4 ,H] NEXT ( K9 0 LI/$ Z
,KEV9 ,SADL]1 & "! 0 A 3TACT PH"O NUMB]4
,MAYBE ,I _HN'T MISS$ ! FUN]AL4
  ,I'D N"E CALL$ UP A /RANG] 6ASK AB A
D1D P]SON 2F4 ,KEV9 ,SADL] _H A QUIET
VOICE & TOLD ME ,I'D MISS$ ! FUN]AL B HE
WD APPRECIATE A VISIT2 ! H\SE 0 V QUIET
& EMPTY N[4 ,N]V\S1 UNCOM=TA# & GLAD ,I
WASN'T 9 UNI=M1 ,I DROVE 6! A4RESS HE
GAVE ME4
  ,! MAN :O MET ME AT ! DOOR 0 Z UNPRE-
POSSESS+ Z 8 VOICE1 ) ?9N+ A%Y BR[N HAIR
& WE>Y HAZEL EYES4 ,HE 0 AT L1/ MY
HEI<T1 B 8 %\LD]S /OOP$ & HE GAVE ! IM-
PRES.N ( 2+ M* SMALL]4 ,DESPITE ! %AD[S
"U 8 EYES1 HE SMIL$ AT ME & (F]$ 8 H&4
8,I'M ,KEV94 ,I DON'T ?9K ,AD9A "E M5;N$
Y1 ,JOANNE40
  ,I %OOK 8 H& & CAME 9 Z HE U%]$ ME4
8,WE ONLY MET ONCE1 V BRIEFLY10     #AHA
,I SD AWKW>DLY4 8,! CIRCUM/.ES 7 UNUSU-
AL40
  ,A G5U9E SMILE FLICK]$ OV] 8 FACE4
8,?+S ) ,AD9A (T5 W]E4 ,C ,I GET Y "S
TEA8 ,I H ! KETTLE ON40
  ,DESPITE MY 4COM=T ,I SMIL$ BACK4 8,IF
Y'RE SURE X'D 2 NO TR\#1 ,I'D LOVE "S
TEA40 ,I FOLL[$ HM 96! KIT*51 LOOK+ >.D4
  ,! ,SADL] HOME 0 T9Y1 SMALL 5 6BE
CALL$ A COTTAGE4 ,! KIT*5 0 C.TRY-/YLE1
) 9NUM]A# CALICO CAT FIGUR9ES1 2SIEG$ )
FL\NCY B[S1 ON WALL RACKS & LITT]+ !
C.T]S4 ,! WALLS 7 BUTT]-YELL[ ": !Y CD 2
SE5 2H P9E CUPBO>DS1 &! C.T]S A *E];L
ORANGE T "SH[ AVOID$ 2+ OV]:ELM+4 ,ONLY
"O SMALL W9D[1 ) PRETTY G+HAM CURTA9S1
GAVE ! ROOM NATURAL LI<T1 B X SEEM$ B"R
& PL1SANT ANYWAY4 ,A CALICO-PR9T$ KETTLE
PU6$ MADLY1 A PROMISE T ANY MO;T N[ X WD
:I/LE &! WAT] WD 2 R1DY4
  8,I ?9K ! F/ ?+ ,I HE>D ,AD9A SAY 0
SWE>+ AT "S"O10 ,I -;T$1 / LOOK+ >.D4
8,I DON'T ?9K ? IS ! KIT*5 ,I WD H EX-
PECT$ F H]40
  ,KEV9 SMIL$ Z HE TOOK D[N TEA-    #AHB
CUPS F A CUPBO>D4 ,!Y LOOK$ L R1L *9A1 )
CATS ON ! SIDES4 8,AD9A LIK$ 6%AKE UP
P'S PRECONCEP;NS4 ,:5 DID Y MEET H]80
  8,I 0 LOOK+ = HELP40 ,I CDN'T F9D A
TACT;L WAY 6SAY 8LA/ NI<T0 6? QUIETLY
M\RN+ G5TLEMAN4 8,I ?9K %E MAY H _H "S
ANSW]S1 B ,I DIDN'T H "T 6ASK H]40 ,!
:I/LE BLA/$4 ,KEV9 TOOK ! KETTLE (F &
P\R$ BOIL+ WAT] OV] TEA BAGS4
  8,:AT DID Y NE$ HELP )80 ,HE R1*$ \ TO
PAT "O (! CALICO CATS ON ! C.T]4 ,X OP5$
XS EYES & PURR$4 ,I L1N$ BACK1 />TL$4
  8,I'M TRY+ 6F9D "S"O10 ,I TEMPORIZ$1
!N SU45LY W5T ON A GUT FEEL+ & CORRECT$1
8,I'M TRY+ 6F9D ! MAN :O KILL$ H]40
  ,ALL ! SMILE W5T \ ( ,KEV9'S FACE4
8,HE'S A V DANG]\S MAN4 ,A LUNATIC40
  8,I "K4 ,B A FR ( M9E 0 MURD]$ LA/
NI<T &! POLICE ?9K X'S ! SAME MAN4 ,F\R
KIDS 7 MASSACR$ ? MORN+1 & ,I ?9K X'S !
SAME MAN4 ,I DON'T--0 ,I TOOK A BR1? &
GULP$ D[N AIR4 8,I DON'T H M* 6G ON4 ,HE
SEEMS 6BE ATTRACT$ 6DI6]5T K9DS ( P[]40
  ,KEV9 GL.ED OV] AT ME4 8,:AT K9DS (
P[]80                               #AHC
  ,DAMN4 ,I 0 GO+ 6H 6SAY X \ L\D4 8,%A-
MANIC P[]4 ,&--& D1? P[]40
  ,KEV9 NO4$ SL[LY4 8,AD9A 2LIEV$ 9 ^?
K9DS ( ?+S4 ,D Y80
  ,I LET MY BR1? \1 RELIEV$ HE _HN'T
LAU<$ & %[N ME ! DOOR4 8,I DIDN'T US$
TO10 ,I ADMITT$1 8B "S PRETTY 3V9C+ ?+S
H HAPP5$ 6ME LATELY4 ,AD9A SD %E 0 A %A-
MAN & T ''' ,I 0 TOO40 ,I DIDN'T L SAY+
X \ L\D4 8,B ,I DON'T "K M* AB X4 ,I'M
RUNN+ BL40
  8,B Y ?9K Y C /OP ? MAN40
  8,I PROMIS$ A PRIE/40 ,I SMIL$ A LL4
8,SEEMS L ! K9D ( PROMISE Y %DN'T RENEGE
ON40
  ,KEV9 SMIL$ BACK )\T X T\*+ 8 EYES1 &
TURN$ AWAY 6TAKE TEA BAGS \ (! TEA4 ,HE
(F]$ ME A CUP4 ,I SIPP$ & WAT*$ HM /RUG-
GLE = ^WS4 8,AD9A W5T BACK EA/ = ,*RI/-
MAS10 HE F9,Y SD4 8,6VISIT H] FAMILY4
,%E CAME HOME E>LY 6SURPRISE ME1 &--0
,HE TOOK A %AK+ BR1?4
  8,HELL (A ,*RI/MAS PRES5T10 ,I MUM#D1
& CLAPP$ A H& OV] MY M\? :5 ,I R1LIZ$
,I'D SD X \ L\D4 ,KEV9 LIFT$ 8      #AHD
T1CUP 9 A MOCK SALUTE1 A <O/ ( AN UNHAP-
PY SMILE ON 8 FACE4
  8,&A ,HAPPY ,NEW ,YE>40





















            ,,*APT] ,,ELEV5         #AHE

  ,I LEFT ,AD9A & ,KEV9'S HOME )A LI/ (
BOOKS 6*ECK \ & NO M 9=M,N AT ALL AB
,C]NUNNOS OR ANY"O :O MI<T 2 "W+ ) HM4
,I /OPP$ (F AT ! ,UNIV]S;Y ,BOOK/ORE ON
! ,AVE41 F.D ALL B "O (! RECOMM5D$
BOOKS1 & W5T BACK HOME 6*ECK MY ;E-MAIL4
,"! 7 TWO MESSAGES PROMIS+ ,I CD LOSE
FIFTY P.DS 9 ?IRTY "DS1 & ANO!R TELL+ ME
,I CD MAKE TW5TY ?\S& DOLL>S 9 ! SAME
AM.T ( "T4 ,MY SPAM FILT] 0 GETT+ SLOP-
PY4 ,I MANU,Y RESI/$ ^! TEMPT,NS & SAT
D[N ) "O (! BOOKS4 ,I 0 / R1D+ :5 ,G>Y
P.D$ ON ! DOOR4
  8,Y LOOK BETT]10 HE ANN\NC$ :5 ,I LET
HM IN4 8,I 0 HALF AFRAID Y'D 2 D1D1
TOO40
  8,GEE1 ?ANKS4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K Y'D -E
BY40 ,I LET ! DOOR SW+ %UT & W5T 96!
KIT*5 6/>T "S C(FEE4 ,G>Y FOLL[$ ME4
  8,LADY1 Y'RE ! MO/ 9T]E/+ ?+ T'S HAP-
P5$ 6ME S9CE ,ANNIE DI$4 ,Y ?9K ,I'M
GONNA MISS \ ON ALL ( ?8 ,S :AT'D Y F9D
\80 ,HE L1N$ AG/ ! C.T] & FOLD$ 8 >MS
ACR 8 *E/1 LOOK+ = ALL ! _W L HE    #AHF
2L;G$ "!4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I'D "E SE5 A
MAN :O LOOK$ Z -=TA# 9 MY KIT*5 Z ,G>Y
DID4 ,HE FILL$ UP ! ROOM 9 ! SAME WAY ,I
IMAG9$ ,S1N ,3N]Y MI<T1 S EASY ) HMF X 0
L ! AIR >.D HM VIBRAT$4
  ,I PUT ! 4TRACT+ B O!RWISE APP1L+ ?"\
( ,S1N ,3N]Y \ ( MY M9D & LIFT$ A H& TO
TICK (F MY A3OMPLI%;TS =! "D4 8,PRIE/S
>E LOS+ FAI?1 ! POLICE DON'T WANT MY
HELP & %AMANISM IS K9D ( 9T]E/+40
  8,%AMANISM40 ,G>Y'S BU%Y EYEBR[S
CLIMB$ UP T[>D 8 REC$$ HAIRL9E1 MAK+
DEEP SOLID WR9KLES 9 8 =EH1D4 8,I L1VE Y
AL"O A FEW H\RS & ,I MISS ALL K9DSA
?+S40
  8,Y H NO IDEA40 ,I FR[N$ AT ! C.T]TOP1
TRY+ 6F9D A PLACE 6/>T4 ,"! 0 A CRACK T
RAN AL;G ! $GE (! C.T]4 ,X _H BE5 "!
S9CE ,I'D MOV$ IN4 ,X _H N"E BO!R$ ME
2F1 B X LOOK$ D>K & UNC>$ = AF ,AD9A'S
KIT*54 ,I BUMP$ MY F+]TIPS OV] X1 %AK+
MY H1D4 8,FUNNY ?+ IS1 A LOT ( ? /UFF
MAKES S5SE 6ME4 ,I M1N1 DRUG-9DUC$ _S
J\RNEYS1 ,I'M N SURE IF ,I ?9K T'S R1L4
,X CD J 2 ! DRUGS4 ,B TR.E-9DUC$1   #AHG
T'S EASI] 6TAKE4 ,X'S N 2+ BR"\ ON 0M9D-
ALT]+ DRUGS1 Y "K8 ,X'S "S?+ YR PSY*E IS
DO+ ALL ON XS [N4 ,B ON ! O!R H&1 H[ M*
( X IS 9FLU;ED 0:AT Y'VE R1D OR BE5 TOLD
OR H HELD 9 YR SUBCONSCI\S "S":8 ,DOES X
.MATT]8 ,IS X ANY M OR LESS R1L 2C X'S
BE5 9FLU;ED 0"S?+80
  8,JO10 ,G>Y SD POLITELY1 8:AT 9 HELL
>E Y TALK+ AB80
  ,I LOOK$ UP & LAU<$4 8,C Y PLAY A
DRUM1 ,G>Y80
  ,HE L1N$ BACK1 EYEBR[S QUIRK$4 8,I C
KEEP A B1T1 SURE40
  8,I WANT 6TRY AN EXP]I;T4 ,I W5T "S":
YE/]"D :5 ,C]NUNNOS /A2$ ME4 ,I WANT TO
SEE IF ,I C G "! AG40
  8,_S J\RNEY10 ,G>Y GUESS$4 ,I NO4$4
8,?"\ Y ,9JUN TYPES KNEW ALL AB T40 ,HE
GR9N$ Z ,I ROLL$ MY EYES4 8,GOT A DRUM80
  8,NOPE4 ,I ?"\ Y CD USE "O ( MY /A9.S
/EEL POTS40
  ,G>Y BL9K$ AT ME4 ,I LAU<$ \ L\D1 & 8
BL9K+ FAD$ 96MILD *AGR94 8,MAK9' FUN (
AN OLD MAN10 HE GRUM#D1 B 8 GRAY EYES
HELD A SP>K ( HUMOR4                #AHH
  8,I DON'T SEE ANY OLD M5 "H10 ,I SD Z
,I W5T BACK "? ! LIV+ ROOM 96MY B$ROOM4
,I HE>D 8 SNORT ( PL1SURE &! CR1K (!
FLOORBO>D Z HE FOLL[$ ME \ (! KIT*54 ,I
CAME \ )A DRUM & H&$ X 6HM1 TRY+ N 6LOOK
PR\D4 ,X M/ N H "W$1 2C HE TOOK X )A GRT
D1L ( GRACE & C>E4
  8,":'D Y GET ?1 ,9JUN80
  ,TRY+ N 6S.D PR\D DIDN'T "W1 EI4 8,X 0
A BIR?"D PRES5T4 ,"O (! ELD]S MADE X =
ME40
  ,I DIDN'T [N M* T QUALIFI$ Z >T4 ,9
FACT1 ! DRUM 0 PROBABLY ! SUM TOTAL4 ,X
0 AB EI<TE5 9*ES ACR1 ?9 /RET*$ HIDE
EV5LY TANN$ & EV5LY PULL$ OV] ! WOOD5
FRAME4 ,A RAV5 ^: W+S %ELT]$ A WOLF &A
RATTLESNAKE 0 DY$ 96! L1!R1 B"R COLORS T
_HN'T FAD$ 9 ! F\RTE5 YE>S ,I'D [N$ X4
,B"O & L1!R /RIPS DECORAT$ ! FRAME1 H&-
C>V$ POLI%$ B1DS DANGL+ D[N F ! 5DS (
/AYS T CROSS$ "U ! H1D 6MAKE A H&LE4 ,!
DRUM/ICK T W5T ) X _H A KNOTT$ L1!R 5D &
A CRANB]RY-R$ RA2IT FUR 5D4 ,I BRU%$ MY
F+]S OV] ! S(T DRUMH1D1 SMIL+4 8,HE SD
,I'D NE$ X "S "D4 ,I ?"\ HE 0       #AHI
CRAZY1 B X 0 ! MO/ B1UTI;L ?+ ANY"O'D "E
GIV5 ME4 ,NO "O "E MADE ANY?+ J = ME
2F40
  ,G>Y GR9N$4 8,N EV5 A VAL5T9E80
  8,I WASN'T "E AT ANY S*OOLS L;G 5 6GET
VAL5T9ES40 ,HALF-TRU?S 7 A LOT EASI] ?AN
:OLE TRU?S1 "S"TS4
  ,G>Y BR"\ ! DRUM & DRUM/ICK TGR )A
DEEP R++ BOOM4 8,LOOKS 6ME L T 0 _!
LOSS40
  8,Y'RE TOO OLD 6FLIRT ) ME1 ,G>Y40 ,I
GR9N$1 ?\<4 ,I'D BE5 -PLI;T$ M 9 ! "D
,I'D "KN ,G>Y ?AN 9 ! PA/ YE> PUT TGR4
  8,LI/5 6H]4 ,A M9UTE AGO %E'S SAY9' %E
DIDN'T SEE ANY OLD M54 ',SIDES1 ! "D
,I'M TOO OLD 6FLIRT IS ! "D !Y NAIL !
C(F9 %UT1 LADY4 ,KEEPS Y "Y40 ,HE R1*$ \
& POK$ ME 9 ! *E/ )! DRUM/ICK4 8,Y "\A
REMEMB] T4 ,? GONNA WAKE UP ! NEI<BORS80
,HE KNOCK$ ! DRUM/ICK AG/ ! DRUM AG4
  8,I DON'T C>E IF X DOES4 ,I H 6LI/5 TO
!M HAV+ K9KY SEX AT TWO 9 ! MORN+4 ,!Y C
LI/5 6MY DRUM AT TWO 9 ! AFN40
  ,G>Y SAT D[N ON ! C\*4 8,H[ D Y "K X'S
K9KY80                              #AIJ
  8,Y DON'T WANT 6"K10 ,I SD F]V5TLY4
8,C Y KEEP A HE>TB1T RHY?M80
  ,! ANSW] 0 A PAIR ( B1TS1 ! S.D (A
HE>TB1T4 ,I SNA7$ A PILL[ (F ! C\* &
/RET*$ \ ON MY BACK ON ! FLOOR1 EYES
HALF-CLOS$4 ,! DRUM _H A DEEP W>M S.D1 &
,G>Y'S RHY?M 0 CLOSE 5 6MY [N HE>TB1T TO
S5D A WA% ( *ILLS OV] ME4
  8,H[ L;G WE PLAY+ =80 ,G>Y ASK$ OV] !
DRUMB1T4
  8,HALF AN H\R AF MY BR1?+ *ANGES40 ,I
ADMIR$ H[ 3FID5T ,I S.D$1 J L ,I KNEW
:AT ,I 0 TALK+ AB4 8,I'LL WAKE UP :5 !
DRUM /OPS40 ,WELL1 T'S H[ ! BOOK SD X "\
6"W1 ANYWAY4
  8,GOT*A10 HE SD1 & ,I DRIFT$4

  ,I KNEW ": ,I 0 GO+ ? "T4 ,I WASN'T
SURE IF ,I CD GET "!1 B ,I KNEW :AT ,I 0
LOOK+ =4 ,! DRUM BUMP$ AL;G /1DILY4 ,I
WOND]$1 BRIEFLY1 AB ! SAN;Y ( 9VIT+ "S"O
,I B>ELY KNEW 6SIT 9 MY LIV+ ROOM & WAT*
ME Z"O \1 B ! IDEA SET (F NO AL>M BELLS
& ,I P]=M$ A M5TAL %RUG4
  ,! ROOM WASN'T Q W>M 5 = ? K9D    #AIA
( 2HAVIOR4 ,I CD FEEL A COOL DRAFT F "S-
":1 & :ILE ,I'D ALW APPRECIAT$ ! BREEZE
9 ! SUMM]1 4COV]+ X :ILE LY+ ON ! FLOOR
9 ,JANU>Y WASN'T Z PL1SANT4
  ,ON ! O!R H&1 ! FLOOR 0 REM>KABLY -=T-
A#4 ,I'D SLEPT ON X = TWO MON?S AF ,I'D
MOV$ 96! A"P;T1 TOO BROKE 6AF=D A B$4 ,!
C>PET 0 S(T 5 6SORT ( S9K D[N 9TO1 L ,I
MI<T FALL "? ! FLOOR4
  ,I .DID FALL "? ! FLOOR1 & 96! COYOTE-
SIZ$ HOLE ,I'D TRAVEL$ 2F4 ,X GOT SMALL]
& SMALL]1 & S DID ,I1 UNTIL ,I 0 M\SE
SIZ$4 ,A /R1M APPE>$ AL;GSIDE ME & ,I
JUMP$ ONTO A PALM]O L1F T BOB#D AL;G !
WAT]'S SURFACE4 ,A MO;T OR TWO LAT] X
DROPP$ OV] ! $GE (A NEWLY APPE>$ WAT]-
FALL1 & ,I SPR1D HAWK W+S 6GLIDE 6! $GE
(! POOL 2F L&+ ON MY [N TWO P]FECTLY HU-
MAN FEET4 ,I FELT DIZZY & EXHIL>AT$ 0!
%IFTS1 EV5 IF ,I DIDN'T "K H[ ,I'D P]=M$
!M4 ,I /RET*$ MY >MS1 FEEL+ L ,I MI<T 2
A# 6SPR\T W+S AG1 !N RELAX$4
  8,Y'RE BACK SOON10 ,COYOTE SD4 ,HE
_HN'T BE5 "! AN 9/ANT E>LI]1 B "SH[ X
DIDN'T SURPRISE ME Z HE TROTT$ UP   #AIB
2S ME & SAT D[N4 ,I SCRAT*$ 8 E>S & 8
T;GUE LOLL$ \ BLISS;LLY :ILE ,I LOOK$
>.D4
  ,! G>D5 0 H1L?I] ?AN X _H BE5 YE/]"D4
,"! _H BE5 A LOT ( FUNC;N1 NO =M1 PRE-
CISE TREES & N1TLY CUT GRASS1 L AN ,5G-
LI% MAZE4 ,! TREES _H BE5 BR[N+1 Z IF !Y
NE$$ WAT]+1 & NO?+ _H BLOOM$1 L ! FL[]+
S1SON 0 L;G OV]4 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ AT H[ M*
,I REMEMB]$4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I'D LOOK$
>.D T M*4
  8,X'S YR G>D510 ,COYOTE SD LAZILY4 8,Y
%D "K :AT X LOOKS L40 ,HE /UCK 8 NOSE 9
MY H& & FLIPP$ MY H& BACK ON TOP ( 8
H1D4 ,I SKRIT*$ 8 E>S AG1 OB$I5TLY1 &
LOOK$ >.D "S M4
  ,X / FAVOR$ FUNC;N1 ) AU/]E /"O B5*ES
& N>R[ PA?WAYS L1D+ F B5* 6B5*1 6! POOL1
& 6FL[]B$S T _H BE5 EMPTY ( LIFE YE/]"D4
,TD !Y 7 GRE5+1 & W9D DU/$ UP FALL5
L1VES1 %U6L+ !M AWAY 9 FAVOR ( GR[+
GRASS4 ,"! W]E1 ,I CD SEE CLE>LY1 TWIGS
/ICK+ \ F ! C>E;LLY CLIPP$ TREES1 S !Y 7
NO L;G] P]FECTLY SYMMETRICAL4
  ,X 0 V QUIET1 ?\<4 8,IS "EY"O'S   #AIC
G>D5 ? QUIET8 ,I DON'T HE> ANY BIRDS OR
SQUIRRELS OR ANY?+40
  8,"S P L X QUIET40 ,COYOTE SNAPP$ 8
TEE? TGR & WA7$ 8 TAIL1 EYE+ MY H& HOPE-
;LLY4 8,I DIDN'T ?9K Y'D -E BACK S SOON4
,:AT HAPP5$80
  ,I SAT D[N CROSS-LE7$ & SCRU6L$ 8 E>S
AG4 8,IS X UNDIGNIFI$ 6SCRAT* A _S
GUIDE'S E>S80
  ,HE ?UMP$ 8 TAIL AG/ ! GRASS4 8,N IF !
_S GUIDE LIKES X40 ,HE LAY D[N & PUT 8
NOSE AG/ MY LEG1 LOOK+ HOPE;L4 ,I GR9N$
& RU2$ ! TOP ( 8 H1D4
  8,I W5T & VISIT$ A BUN* ( D1D P40
  ,COYOTE'S E>S PRICK$ UP 9 AL>M4 8,T'S
DANG]\S40
  8,N[ Y TELL ME4 ,DID Y "K Y 7 MAK+ ME
A ''' %AMAN80
  ,HE SAT UP1 PAWS PLAC$ MA!MATIC,Y 9
FRONT ( HM4 8,I DIDN'T MAKE Y ANY?+4 ,Y
ALM DI$4 ,Y *OSE 6LIVE1 & T WOKE POS-
SIBILITIES 9 Y40
  8,B Y KNEW X 0 GO+ 6HAPP540
  ,HE LAY D[N AG1 *9 ON 8 PAWS4 8,"! >E
S _M P40 ,HE S.D$ SAD4 8,"! >E      #AID
LOTS ( NEW %AMANS1 & !Y MAKE A DI6];E1 B
! ,OLD ,MAN ?9KS HE NE$S "S"O )A LL EX-
TRA P[]40
  ,MY EYEBR[S W5T UP4 8,OLD ,MAN80
  ,COYOTE LICK$ 8 NOSE4 8,GR&"F ,SKY4 ,!
,MAK]4 ,HE HAS A HUNDR$ "NS4 ,BR&-NEW
S\LS >E H>D 6MAKE10 HE SD4 8,HE "W$ H>D
ON Y4 ,I KNEW IF Y *OSE 6LIVE "EY?+ Y
KEEP 9SIDE WD />T 6SPILL \40
  8,DAMN10 ,I MURMUR$4 8,I L MY 9TE/9ES
": !Y >E40 ,COYOTE SNAPP$ 8 TEE? AT ME
AG1 L ,I 0 AN A7RAVAT+ FLY4 8,I "K10 ,I
SD4 8,T'S N :AT Y M1NT4 ,Y M1NT '''0 ,I
TRAIL$ (F AG4 8,:AT .DID Y M1N8 ,"SBODY
.MADE ME8 ,ON PURPOSE8 ,-E ON1 ,COYOTE4
,"!'VE GOT 6BE JILLIONS ( NEW S\LS E "D4
,"!'S LOTS M P ?AN "! "E 7 2F4 ,2SS1 :O
WD MAKE .ME80
  8,! ,OLD ,MAN WD4 ,"! >E _M M P ?AN "!
US$ 6BE1 B "! >E F> M S\LS ?AN "! H "E
BE5 P4 ,!Y RECYCLE40
  8,Y DON'T LOOK L A ,BU4HI/40
  8,IS "! ANY?+ Y 2LIEVE IN80 ,COYOTE
S.D$ IMPATI5T4
  ,I ?"\ AB T4 8,I SUPPOSE ? IS     #AIE
AN 9APPROPRIATE "T 6SAY1 ,8,I 2LIEVE
,I'LL H ANO!R COOKIE40'0
  ,! COYOTE GAVE A V HUMAN-S.D+ SI<4
8,"!'S NO TALK+ 6Y40
  ,I SI<$ BACK AT HM4 8,:AT'S ? GD =1
,COYOTE8 ,:AT D ,I D ) X8 ,:Y .AM ,I !
%9Y NEW S\L80
  ,HE %IFT$ 8 EYEBR[S1 PE]+ UP AT ME UN-
TIL HE 0 C]TA9 ,I 0 LI/5+4 8,! ,OLD ,MAN
WANT$ 6BR+ TGR TWO V OLD CULTURES 6MAKE
A * :O WD BRIDGE BO? ( !M4 ,"!'VE BE5
LOTS ( ,CELTIC-,*]OKEE CROSSBRE$S 2F1 B
HE WANT$ "S"O :O CD GR[ 6H] FULL POT5-
TIAL4 ,Y C'T 2 TI$ D[N )A LOT ( BACK
/ORY1 6D T40
  8,BACK /ORY80
  8,WE C>RY ! SC>S ( \R PA/ LIVES ) U4
,HE ?"\ />T+ FRE% WD 2 BE/40
  ,I PULL$ MY KNEES UP 6MY *E/1 WRAPP+
MY >MS >.D !M4 8,I'VE GOT PL5TY ( SC>S40
  8,I "K40 ,COYOTE'S VOICE G5TL$4 8,I'M
N SURE ! ,OLD ,MAN REMEMB]$ T WE C>RY !
WISDOM ( \R PA/ LIVES ) U1 TOO40
  ,I DIDN'T L ": ? 3V]S,N 0 GO+4 ,I
HUN*$ MY %\LD]S & SC[L$4 8,S :AT    #AIF
D ,I D ) X80
  ,"O ( 8 E>S PRICK$ UP1 L A HUMAN LIFT+
AN EYEBR[4 8,X'S A L"E10 HE SD AF A
:ILE4
  8,Y DON'T LOOK M* L ,>*IM$ES1 ,COYOTE4
,I BET HE 0 TALL] ?AN Y1 = "O40
  ,H[ L;G DOES X TAKE =! HUMAN EYE &
BRA9 6REGI/] "S?+ X SEES8 ,= EXACTLY T
AM.T ( "T1 ,COYOTE 0 ! GOLD5-EY$ ,9DIAN
MAN AG1 /RET*$ \ ON 8 BELLY ) 8 *9 9 8
H&S1 GR9N+ AT ME4 8,N RE,Y10 HE SD1 & X
0 ! COYOTE :O SD X4 ,I BL9K$ AT HM4
  8.,/OP T40 ,HE GR9N$1 A TOO?Y COYOTE
GR91 & ,I RU2$ MY EYES4 8,%DN'T X TAKE M
?AN A BL9K ( AN EYE 6%APE-*ANGE80 ,I DE-
M&$ WASPI%LY4 ,HE LAU<$1 A MIXTURE ( HU-
MAN LAU<T] &A COYOTE'S *E];L YIP4
  8,N :5 Y'VE GOT Z M* PRACTICE Z ,I D40
,HE SAT UP1 L9+ 8 PAWS UP TGR AG4 8,X'S
A L"E1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]4 ,SIOBH@AN ,WALK+-
/ICK4 ,Y .C MOVE ! _W4 ,X WON'T 2 EASY1
B ,I TOLD Y T 2F4 ,Y H ! P[] 6H1L40 ,HE
L1N$ =W>D & BUTT$ 8 H1D AG/ MY %\LD]4 ,X
0 L HAV+ A BLOCK ( FURRY 3CRETE SMACK
ME4 ,I RU2$ MY %\LD]1 FR[N+ AT      #AIG
HM4
  8,B :AT AM ,I1 A PHYSICIAN'S ASSI/ANT
OR A SURGEON8 ,I DON'T "U/& ?1 ,COYOTE40
  8,Y'RE BO?40 ,HE /UCK 8 NOSE "U MY
PALM & ASK$ = M SCRIT*ES :ILE HE SPOKE4
8,H1L ! PATI5T1 ,JO4 ,! PATI5T--0
  ,! DRUMB1T /OPP$ & ,I OP5$ MY EYES ON
A SI<4 8--IS ! _W40
  8,EH80 ,G>Y SET ! DRUM ASIDE & L1N$ =-
W>D1 LOOK+ D[N AT ME4
  8,! PATI5T IS ! _W10 ,I REP1T$1 !N
SL[LY GR9N$ AT HM4 ,! EUPHORIA (! DRUM-
B1T SURG$ "? ME EV5 ?\< X _H 5D$4 ,!
COLORS 7 B"R]1 NOISES %>P]4 ,G>Y LOOK$
DI6]5T4 ,"! 0 AN AIR ( 3T5T;T >.D HM1 K
(A LIFE WELL-LIV$4 8,GOD .DAMN1 ,G>Y1 ,I
FEEL GD40
  ,HE *UCKL$1 L A NICE BIG ;,V-#H 5G9E
PURR+4 ,I BET 8 ,ANNIE _H BE5 A ;,V-#D1
HI<] PIT* 6-PLE;T 8 DEEP] S.D4 ,DIVISI#
NUMB]S1 TOO3 "O W5T 96! O!R4 ,X FIT4 ,I
WI%$ ,I'D BE5 A# 6MEET H]4 ,G>Y /OOD UP
& PUT ! DRUM C>E;LLY ON TOP ( MY -PUT]
DESK4 8,GLAD 6HE> X4 ,Y GET ANY":80
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD4 8,Y1H1 ,I DID40    #AIH
,I GOT UP F ! FLOOR1 :I/L+ 8,I'M ,A ,BE-
LIEV]40 ,G>Y PURS$ 8 LIPS L HE 0 TRY+ TO
FI<T (F A SMILE4 8,Y HU%10 ,I TOLD HM
HAPPILY4 ,ANO!R CRACK FUS$ %UT1 A FEEL+
( H1T & SIZZL+ DEEP 9SIDE ME4 ,I RU2$ !
HEEL ( MY H& OV] MY BR1/B"O & GR9N$ AT
,G>Y4 8,Y HU%10 ,I REP1T$4 8,Y J LET ME
2 GI4Y & WEIRD "H =A M9UTE4 ,I'M JUMP+
2T _WS "H4 ,? IS TOO WILD4 ,Y J HU%40
  ,G>Y LAU<$ & ,I /UCK MY NOSE 9 ! AIR &
W5T 96! KIT*5 6PUT "S WAT] ON = C(FEE4
,G>Y FOLL[$ ME1 L1N+ 9 ! DOOR4 8,TELL ME
"S?+40
  8,:AT80
  8,H[ -E Y DON'T "K ANY?+ AB YR H]I-
TAGE80
  ,I 0 9 A GD 5 MOOD T ! "Q DIDN'T EV5
PISS ME (F4 ,I TURN$ >.D & L1N$ ON !
C.T] :ILE ! C(FEEPOT />T$ UP & LOOK$ =A
PLACE 6/>T4 ,"S (! GD HUMOR FELL AWAY1 B
N 5 6MAKE ME CLAM UP4 8,I 0 AB TWELVE :5
,I TOLD MY DAD WE 7 GO+ 6*OOSE "O PLACE
6LIVE & /AY "! UNTIL ,I 0 \ ( HI< S*OOL4
,MY :OLE LIFE WE'D BE5 PICK+ UP E ?REE
OR F\R MON?S & GO+ "S": NEW & ,I    #AII
0 SICK ( X4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ME L HE'D N"E
SE5 ME 2F &! NEXT "T WE GOT 9 ! C> WE
DROVE 6,NOR? ,C>OL9A1 ": HE'D GR[N UP4
,EA/]N ,*]OKEE ,N,N40
  ,I %OV$ MY H&S 9 MY POCKETS1 LOOK+ AT
! FLOOR :ILE ,I SPOKE4 8,I KNEW HE 0
,*]OKEE1 B HE _HN'T "E TALK$ AB GR[+ UP4
,HE TAU<T ME PRETTY M* MY :OLE PRIM>Y
S*OOL $UC,N1 MA? & SCI;E & ,5GLI%4 ,I
M1N1 ,I W5T 6S*OOL1 B WE 7 ALW MOV+1 S
,I 0 N"E ANY": RE,Y L;G 5 6GET ! CURRIC-
ULUM4 ,ANYWAY1 HE DIDN'T TELL ME ANY?+
AB ! ,P4 ,S ,I GOT 6,NOR? ,C>OL9A & ,I 0
ALR YE>S 2H 9 :AT A LOT ( O!R KIDS _H J
GR[N UP )4 ,& ,I'M ALL HORRI# & PALE L
MY "M WAS4 ,N T "! >5'T O!R ,NATIVE KIDS
:O'RE PALE1 B ,I 0 RE,Y S5SITIVE AB X40
,I SPR1D MY H&S1 LOOK$ AT !M1 ! %RU7$4
8,S ,I "W$ RE,Y H>D ON N LE>N+ ANY?+4 ,N
C>+40
  8,W]E Y BORN 3TR>Y OR DID Y H 6"W AT
X80
  ,I LOOK$ UP4 8,BORN T WAY40
  8,S ": 0 YR MOM80
  ,I SNORT$ & LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD]    #BJJ
6*ECK ! C(FEE4 8,IREL&4 ,I 0 ! UNEXPECT$
PRODUCT (A "O-NI<T /& DUR+ AN ,AM]ICAN
HOLI"D40 ,GOD4 ,APP>5TLY ,I 0 ! DELIB]-
ATE PRODUCT (A "O-NI<T /&4 ,X 0 J T !
DELIB],N WASN'T ON ! "P ( MY P>5TS4 ,I
FELL SIL5T1 TRY+ 6ADJU/ 6T ?"\4
  8,&80
  8,UM4 ,& %E BR"\ ME BACK 6! ,/ATES :5
,I 0 ?REE MON?S OLD1 H&$ ME OV] 6,DAD &
W5T BACK 6,IREL& = GD40
  8,I ?"\ YR DAD 0 ON ! MOVE ALL ! "T4
,H['D %E F9D HM80
  8,T10 ,I SD1 8WAS ! LA/ "T HE SP5T M
?AN FIVE MON?S 9 "O PLACE40 ,G>Y W9C$4
  8,B Y SD Y'D G"O 6H] FUN]AL4 ,S %E
TURN$ BACK UP80
  8,:Y >E WE PLAY+ ,TW5TY ,"QS ,AB ,JO-
ANNE'S ,LIFE80 ,"EY?+ 0 / A LL TOO CLE>1
! SMELL ( C(FEE BREW+ %>P] ?AN NORMAL4
,MY "Q DIDN'T -E \ Z AC]BIC,Y Z ,I'D
M1NT X TO4 ,I FELT TOO GD 6BE RE,Y
BIT*Y1 & ,I 0 / TRY+ 6ABSORB :AT ,COYOTE
_H SD4
  8,I GUESS %E'D BE5 CORRESPOND+ ) MY
DAD = PRETTY M* MY :OLE LIFE4       #BJA
,ONCE E C\PLE YE>S4 ,%E S5T LRS 6HIS P>-
5TS 9 ,NOR? ,C>OL9A & !Y'D =W>D !M ON TO
:]"E WE W]E40
  8,& YR DAD DIDN'T M5;N ?80
  8,NO40 ,I DIDN'T FEEL L A4+ ANY?+ ELSE
6T4 8,ANYWAY1 S ,"M J CALL$ UP "O "D &
SD %E 0 DY+ & %E'D L 6MEET ME 2F %E
KEEL$ OV]4 ,I 0 FURI\S4 ,I M1N1 :O 0 %E
6IGNORE ME MY :OLE LIFE & !N TURN >.D &
PULL "S?+ L T80
  8,YR "M80 ,G>Y (F]$4 ,I SI<$ & NO4$4
  8,T 0 BASIC,Y :AT ,I CAME UP )1 TOO4
,I M1N1 ,I SP5T A RE,Y L;G "T '''0 ,I
W5T QUIET1 *OOS+ MY ^W C>E;LLY4 8,RES5T+
H]4 ,MAYBE EV5 HAT+ H]4 ,%E AB&ON$ ME &
,I 0 L ANY O!R KID :O FIGUR$ H] LIFE
WD'VE BE5 WAY BETT]1 WAY DI6]5T1 IF %E
_HN'T4 ,B 9 ! 5D ,I ?"\1 Y "K1 IF ,I
DON'T G MEET H]1 ,I'LL N"E "K4 ,MAYBE
,I'LL F9D \ X 0 BE/ T WAY40
  8,WAS X80
  8,I / DON'T "K40 ,I L1N$ ON ! C.T]1
DROPP+ MY H1D4 8,H] "N 0 ,%EILA ,MAC,NA-
M>RA4 ,%E LOOK$ A LOT L ME4 ,BLACK
,IRI%4 ,%E LIK$ ,ALTOIDS4 ,UM40     #BJB
,I PRESS$ MY LIPS TGR4 8,WE SP5T F\R
MON?S TGR & ,I FEEL L ALL ,I RE,Y "K AB
H] 0 %E LIK$ ,ALTOIDS4 ,I DIDN'T RE,Y L
H]4 ,I DIDN'T RE,Y 4LIKE H]1 EI40 ,I
T\*$ MY ?ROAT1 ": ! NECKLACE %E'D GIV5
ME WASN'T4 8,%E GAVE ME--,I DON'T "K IF
Y NOTIC$ X4 ,A NECKLACE4 ,I 0 WE>+ X
YE/]"D40
  8,! CROSS ?+1 Y1H4 ,I SAW X40
  8,Y1H4 ,X 0 LIT],Y ! LA/ ?+ %E DID1
GIV+ ME T4 ,I DON'T "K :Y %E DID X1 R1L-
LY4 ,X DIDN'T SEEM V M* L "S?+ %E'D D4
,X 0 ? WEIRD P]SONAL T\* AF MON?S (
HANG+ \ )A /RANG]4 ,%E DIDN'T ASK ME V
_M "QS & %E DIDN'T TALK AB H]F1 ! :OLE
"T4 ,%E 0 A LOT L MY "F4 ,HE DOESN'T L
TALK+ AB HMF EI40
  ,G>Y'S EYEBR[S ROSE4 8,! APPLE DON'T
FALL F> F ! TREE40
  8,:AT80 ,I P\R$ TWO CUPS ( C(FEE1
FR[N+ AT HM4
  8,I M1N1 Y DON'T OP5 UP S EASY1 EI4
,I'M ASK9' Y "QS ALL OV] ! PLACE & Y'RE
R1L C>E;L AB *OOS+ YR ANSW]S4 ,MAYBE %E
CDN'T FIGURE \ H[ 6SAY ANY?+ 6Y40   #BJC
,G>Y TOOK 8 & C(FEE & WAT*$ :ILE ,I LA-
DL$ SUG> & MILK 96MY [N4
  8,%E 0 MY "M10 ,I SD1 FR[N+4
  8,S :AT8 ,T M1NS %E 0 S'POS$ 6BE A# 6J
"K H[ 6TALK 6Y8 ,Y'RE AN ADULT4 ,I BET
X'S PRETTY H>D TRY+ 6TALK 6A KID Y LEFT
2H ALM ?IRTY YE>S AGO40 ,G>Y WAV$ 8 C(-
FEE CUP Z ,I FR[N$ M DEEPLY4
  8,S Y'RE SAY+ X'S MY FAULT ,I DON'T "K
ANY?+ AB H]80
  ,G>Y %RU7$ & WAV$ 8 C(FEE CUP AG4 8,I
A9'T SAY9' ANY?+4 ,:AT'D %E DIE (80
  ,I EXHAL$4 8,BOREDOM1 ,I ?9K40
  ,G>Y LIFT$ 8 EYEBR[S SKEPTIC,Y4 ,I
%OOK MY H1D4 8,NO1 RE,Y4 ,I ?9K %E 0
D"O4 ,%E'D SE5 :AT %E WANT$ 6SEE & %E'D
MET ME & %E 0 D"O4 ,S T'S ! K9D ( P]SON
%E WAS4 ,I DON'T "K4 ,TIDY4 ,FOCUS$4
,CAPA# ( DY+ ( BOREDOM1 OR AT L1/ DY+ :5
%E 0 D"O ) H] *ECKLI/ ( ?+S 6D40
  ,G>Y PURS$ 8 LIPS4 8',SCUZE ME = SAY9'
S1 B ,I ?9K Y'RE / RES5T;L4 ,T'S A BIG
?+ 6GET /UCK )4 ,A MOM :O DIDN'T ?9K Y 7
9T]E/+ 5 6/ICK >.D & GET 6"K80
  8,?ANKS1 ,G>Y1 T MAKES ME FEEL    #BJD
A :OLE LOT BETT]4 ,C WE *ANGE ! SUBJECT
N[1 PL1SE8 ,:AT AB Y8 ,Y'VE GOT KIDS1
"R80
  ,HE CR9KL$ 8 EYEBR[S AT ME4 8,KIDS8
,ME8 ,NO40
  ,I TOOK A SIP ( C(FEE & EY$ HM OV] !
TOP (! CUP4 8,Y SD Y _H 6GET M>RI$ :5 Y
KNOCK$ YR OLD LADY UP40
  8,OH1 T4 ,I 0 TELL9' /ORIES40 ,G>Y
GR9N$ 4>M+LY & SAT D[N AT ! KIT*5 TA#4
,I />$ AT HM1 MOR,Y (F5D$4 8,C'MON SID-
D[N10 HE SD1 / GR9N+4 8,/OP LOOK+ S PUT
\4 ,AN OLD MAN'S GOTTA KEEP HMF 5T]TA9$
"SH[40
  ,I %OOK MY H1D1 MUTT]+ SEMIS]I\S 4MAY
AT HM1 & CAME 6SIT D[N4 8,5T]TA9 YRF )
FIGUR+ \ :AT'S GO+ ON ) ,C]NUNNOS4 ,I /
?9K ,M>IE DOESN'T FIT40 ,I PLANT$ MY EL-
B[S ON ! TA#1 SUPPORT+ MY H1D ) F+]TIPS
PRESS$ 96MY TEMPLES4 ,X GAVE ME A H1D-
A*E4 ,9/1D ( /OPP+ ,I RU2$ LL CIRCLES
AG/ MY TEMPLES & FR[N$ AT ! TA#4
  8,Y SD T40 ,G>Y DRA9$ 8 C(FEE CUP &
GOT UP =A SECOND4 8,IF ! GUY'S A D1?
GOD1 :Y DOESN'T X FIT80             #BJE
  ,I FR[N$ M4 8,2C :Y KILL A BUN* ( %A-
MANS & !N />T TAK+ \ BAN%EES & S*OOL
KIDS8 ,":'S ! 3NEC;N80
  8,I ?"\ Y 7 A COP4 ,>5'T Y SUPPOS$ 6BE
GD AT ? K9D ( ?+80
  ,I LIFT$ MY H1D 6GL>E AT HM4 8,I'M A
.ME*ANIC1 ,G>Y4 ,ME*ANICS .FIX .C>S4 ,=
"S R1SON SOLV+ MURD]S J DIDN'T 5D UP ON
MY R@ESUM@E40
  8,MY G>AGE NE$S "SBODY10 ,G>Y SD4 ,I
LET MY H1D FALL 6?UMP AG/ ! TA#4
  8,I C'T QUIT N[4 ,MORRISON EXPECTS ME
TO10 ,I SD 96! V>NI%4 8,IF ,I C'T HACK X
,I'LL -E TALK 6YR G>AGE4 ,B ? WEEK ,I'D
L 6LE>N H[ 6BE A %AMAN & TRY 6SOLVE A
MURD]1 IF T'S OKAY40
  8,WELL10 ,G>Y SD SL[LY1 8IF T'S ALL Y
?9K Y C H&LE '''40
  ,I LOOK$ UP 9CR$UL\SLY 6SEE A BROAD
GR9 %[+ (F ^? P]FECT :ITE TEE?4 8,Y10 ,I
SD1 8>E A SONNOVABIT*40 ,G>Y PUT A H&
OV] 8 HE>T1 LOOK+ W.D$4
  8,GD ?+ MY MAMMY'S 9 H] GRAVE 6N HE>
T40
  8,YR MAMMY1 MY ASS40 ,I GOT UP    #BJF
6GET ANO!R CUP ( C(FEE4 ,G>Y H&$ ME 8 TO
REFILL4 8,D Y H ! _W'S L>GE/ BLA4]1 OR
:AT80
  8,LOTSA PRACTICE DR9K+ BE]10 ,G>Y SD
SAGELY4 ,I GR9N$ & P\R$ HM ANO!R CUP (
C(FEE4 8,S ,M>IE'S MURD] &! S*OOL KIDS
DON'T FIT1 & Y'RE \ ( C(FEE4 ,N[ :AT80
  8,I DON'T USU,Y H 6MAKE X = M ?AN "O
P]SON40 ,I FR[N$ AT ! SLUDGE 9 ! CUP4 ,I
0 GETT+ A LOT ( PRACTICE FR[N+ LATELY4
8,I ?9K N[ ,I G 6! S*OOL40
  8,S*OOL'S GONNA 2 EMPTY4 ,!Y'RE N GON-
NA KEEP ! KIDS "! AF :AT HAPP5$40
  8,I "K4 ,I PROBABLY %D H ?"\ ( X ?
MORN+4 ,B ,AD9A SD ! GUY :O 0 DO+ ? WD H
A S5SE ( P[] AB HM4 ,MAYBE ,I C GET A
SC5T ( X40
  8,Y'RE A BLOODH.D N[80
  8,I'M PLAY+ 0E>1 ,G>Y4 ,2SS60 ,= ONCE
,I FELT C]TA9 ( "S?+4 8,I BET ,I C TELL
IF X'S ,C]NUNNOS1 IF ,I G OV] "!4 ,I "K
:AT HE FEELS L40 ,T M* ,I 0 SURE (4 ,I
DIDN'T ?9K ANYBODY CD =GET :AT ! HORN$
GOD'S RAW P[] FELT L ONCE !Y'D MET X
H1D-ON4                             #BJG
  8,Y DIDN'T GET T (F ,M>IE40
  8,I DIDN'T "K ,I %D EV5 2 TRY+4 ,N[ ,I
D4 ,IF ,I C GET EV5 AN IDEA AB :AT'S GO+
ON1 ,I %DN'T PASS X UP1 "R80 ,I DRANK "S
(! C(FEE1 %U4]$1 & A4$ M MILK4
  8,GUESS N4 ,:O'S ,AD9A80
  8,"O (! D1D LADIES ,I TALK$ 6LA/
NI<T40 ,I />$ AT ,G>Y OV] ! $GE ( MY
CUP1 J D>+ HM 6-;T4 ,HE %UT 8 JAW ) AN
AUDI# CLICK4 ,I GR9N$ 96! C(FEE CUP &
W5T 6GET MY %OES4













                                    #BJH
























            ,,*APT] ,,TWELVE        #BJI

    ,W$NES"D1 ,JANU>Y #E?1 #C3CE P4M4
  ,:5 ,I 0 AB N9E1 MY "F TOLD ME T =-
GIVE;S 0 EASI] 6OBTA9 ?AN P]MIS.N4 ,I
WOND]$1 EV5 AT ! "T1 AB ! WISDOM ( TELL+
A KID T4 ,9 RETROSPECT1 X 0 SM>T3 ,I
TE/$ ! PREMISE O3A.N,Y1 4COV]$ HE 0 "R &
PROBABLY GOT 9 LESS TR\# ?AN ,I WD H O?-
]WISE4 ,! 5D RESULT1 SEV5TE5 YE>S LAT]1
0 ME WALK+ 96,BLAN*ET ,HI< ,S*OOL L ,I
2L;G$ "!4 ,=GET P]MIS.N4 ,J ACT L Y BE-
L;G4 ,I FELT V SMOO?4
  ,UNTIL X TURN$ \ X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,"O
HALL1 CORDON$ (F ) YELL[ POLICE TAPE1 0
/ PACK$ ) REPORT]S1 P>AM$ICS1 COPS &
TRAUMATIZ$ T1*]S4 ,NO "O 0 PAY+ ATT5;N
6ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I WAT*$ ! ?R;G =A FEW M9-
UTES1 !N TURN$ D[N ANO!R HALL & 2GAN
PAC+ "? ! S*OOL1 LOOK+ = NO?+ 9 "PICUL>4
  ,I _HN'T BE5 9SIDE A HI< S*OOL S9CE
,I'D GRADUAT$ T5 YE>S E>LI]4 ,BLAN*ET
,HI< _H A LOT M M"OY ?AN ! S*OOL ,I'D
G"O 6DID4 ,! WIDE HALLS 7 C>PET$1 &
WALLS ABV TAN LOCK]S GL1M$ :ITE1 L !Y'D
BE5 REPA9T$ OV] ,*RI/MAS BR1K4      #BAJ
,FLORESC5T LI<TS HUMM$1 ALT]+ ! COLOR (
PO/]S CAJOL+ /UD5TS 6TURN \ =! WEEK5D'S
BASKETBALL & WRE/L+ T\RNA;TS4 ,WAT] F\N-
TA9S SEEM$ 6BE AB TWO 9*ES L[] ?AN ,I
REMEMB]$ !M 2+4 ,EI ,I'D GR[N S9CE HI<
S*OOL1 OR ,BLAN*ET 0 FULL ( %ORT KIDS4
  ,I PU%$ OP5 A H1VY DOOR ( SOLID WOOD )
NO W9D[ 9 X1 & /EPP$ 9SIDE A SMALL !AT]4
,X 0 D>K EXCEPT = "O :ITE LI<T 9 ! S.D
BOO?1 & SMELL$ A LL ( MAKEUP & SW1T4 ,I
LET ! DOOR CLOSE 2H ME & WALK$ 9 QUIET-
LY1 TAK+ ! /EPS D[N 6! /AGE 9 NE>-D>K;S4
  8..,L;G COLD NOTE ON A T5OR .SAXO-
PH"O10 A GIRL'S VOICE SD V CLE>LY4 ,I
/OPP$ ": ,I WAS1 HALFWAY 6! /AGE4 ,%E
CAME \ ON X1 NO?+ M ?AN A PALE %AD[ 9 !
D>K;S4 ,%E _H T]RIBLY BLOND HAIR1 L;G &
?9 & /RAI<T1 J L %E WAS4 ,%E WORE A PALE
SW1T%IRT T A4$ BULK 6H] N>R[ =M1 & H]
LEGS FAD$ 96D>K;S1 N EV5 A %AD[4 ,DIM
T5NIES 7 ON H] FEET4
  8..,LIFE'S BRIEF C&LE1 A MO;T 9 ! D>K
> LAID D[N 2N ! BLADE ( .S.D40 ,%E KNOT-
T$ H] >MS >.D H] RIBS1 L %E 0 HOLD+ H]F
IN4 ,H] VOICE 0 Z ?9 Z %E WAS1 A    #BAA
CLE> SOPRANO T ROSE & FELL Z %E DELIV]$
! POEM4 ,:5 %E QUAV]$ 9 SP1K+1 %E DIDN'T
TRY BULLY+ "? X1 J LET H] VOICE %AKE1
^WS FALL+ 6A :ISP]4
  8..,LET ME FOLD A ?\S& PAP] CRANES >
L;G+ =A WI% T _C .BE40 ,HAIRS /OOD UP ON
MY >MS1 & ,I %IV]$4 ,I _H NO "R 6LI/5 6!
GIRL'S PRIVATE GRIEF1 B ,I 0 AFRAID TO
MOVE & W>N H] ,I 0 "!4 8..,LOSS IS PURE
9 XS F/ H\R1 JAD$ 0."T40 ,%E SANK D[N
ONTO ! /AGE1 WRAPP+ H] >MS >.D H] LEGS &
BURY+ H] FACE 9 H] KNEES4 ,BLOND HAIR
FELL OV] H] >MS Z A *OK$ SOB BROKE ! SI-
L;E4
  ,I TURN$ & LEFT ! !AT] Z QUIETLY Z ,I
CD4

  ,\ 9 ! HALL1 "U ! FLORESC5T LI<TS AG1
! AIR 0 ?ICK1 L ,I 0 BR1?+ 9 SAD;S4 ,I
L1N$ AG/ A WALL & KEPT MY EYES CLOS$ UN-
TIL ! TE>S /OPP$ L1K+ & MY HE>TB1T SL[$
D[N A LL4 ,I CD FEEL "S?+ 9SIDE ME1 A
KNOT ( APPALL+ RAGE1 FUEL$ 0! GIRL'S
SORR[ &! R\< POEM4 ,X LIT UP ALL MY [N
SC>S1 ALL ! CRACKS 9 MY W9D%IELD1   #BAB
& ?REW !M 96%>P RELIEF UNTIL !Y ?RO2$ )!
NE$ 6BE ANSW]$4 ,I SLID D[N ! WALL1 L[]+
MY H1D & LAC+ MY H&S 2H MY NECK4 ,I FELT
L A B1CON1 FL>$ UP ) T]RI#1 UNFOCUS$ FU-
RY T BURN$ "? ! WALLS ( "EY?+ ELSE4 ,I
CDN'T REMEMB] ! LA/ "T ,I _H BE5 S AN-
GRY1 HORROR MIX$ ) SORR[ & 4BELIEF1 &!
RAGE PULL+ 9 E O!R EMO;N AF X1 DR[N+ !M4
  ..,? HAS 6BE ./OPP$4 ,! ?"\1 UNN]V+LY
CLE> "? ! ANG]1 MADE ME LIFT MY H1D1 />+
SI<T.SLY ACR ! HALL4 ..,? HAS 6BE
./OPP$1 &1 ..,I C /OP .X4 ,I GRASP$ !
IDEA ) SU45 "U/&+1 M* DEEP] ?AN ! PROM-
ISE ,I'D GIV5 ! PRIE/4 ,= "O 9/ANT X 0
PA9;LLY OBVI\S4 ,ANG] 0 A TOOL1 & "! 0 A
*OICE 9 H[ 6USE X4
  ,! ,GORDIAN KNOT ( RAGE 9SIDE 2GAN UN-
RAVEL+1 B"R ORANGE & YELL[ L5G?S ( ROPE
SPR++ \ 6RUN "? ME 9/1D ( TY+ ME UP4
,>.D ! RAGE W.D PALE BLUE1 ?ICK ROPY
/R&S ( -PAS.N1 FE$+ (F FURY4 ,X ALL HAP-
P5$ 9SIDE ( AN 9/ANT1 & !N ,I CD BR1!
AG4 ,! UNLOCK$ C5T] ( ME GOB#D X UP1
/OR+ ALL ! BURN+ 5]GY = LAT] USE4
  ,I CD / FEEL ! ANG] PULS+ "?      #BAC
ME1 SELF-"RE\S & =?"R FURY T "S"O CD D
:AT _H BE5 D"O4 ,-PAS.N TEMP]$ X1 ?\<1
DELIV]+ ME ! "O /EP ( 4T.E T *ANG$ :AT
,I NE$$ 6D F V5GE.E 6H1L+4 ,:OM"E _H D"O
?1 :E!R X 0 ,C]NUNNOS OR "S"O ELSE1 0
T]RIBLY SICK1 & SICK;S CD 2 H1L$4
   8,JOANIE80 ,BILLY'S VOICE 9T]RUPT$
ME1 DEEP & WORRI$4 ,I />TL$ & LOOK$ UP4
,HE 0 CR\*$ "R 9 FRONT ( ME1 BIG H&S
DANGL+ OV] 8 KNEES1 EYEBR[S BEETL$ D[N 9
3C]N4 8,Y ALL "R8 ,I SD YR "N AB ?REE
"TS40
  8,SURE40 ,I BL9K$ AT HM1 !N %OOK MY
H1D & NO4$4 8,Y1H4 ,Y1H1 ,I'M F9E1
?ANKS40
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80
  8,:AT >E .Y DO+ D[N "H8 ,! "PY'S AT !
O!R 5D40 ,IF ,I HOP$ X WD SIDETRACK HM1
,I 0 WR;G4
  8,TAK+ A LOOK >.D4 ,X'S MY JOB40 ,SUB-
TLE EMPHASIS ON ! LA/ ^W4 ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES4 8,X'S N10 HE PO9T$ \1 8YR JOB4
,Y10 HE A4$ HELP;LLY1 8>E SUSP5D$40
  8,?ANKS =! REM9D]1 ,BILLY4 ,I HE>D X
ALL YE/]"D40 ,_H X BE5 YE/]"D8      #BAD
.,!Y SD HITT+ ! GR.D RUNN+ 0 ! BE/ WAY
6D1L ) JET LAG4 ,I BET .,!Y'D N"E _H TWO
"DS L ,I'D _H4
  8,T 0 ? MORN+40 ,HE /OOD UP1 (F]+ ME A
H&4
  8,I 0 AFRAID ( T40 ,I TOOK 8 H& & /OOD
UP4
  8,HAV5'T CAU<T UP ON SLEEP YET1 HUH80
  ,I SMIL$ ?9LY4 8,"! HASN'T RE,Y BE5
"T40
  ,HE NO4$4 8,:AT'RE Y DO+ D[N "H80
  ,DAMN4 ,I _HN'T 4TRACT$ HM 5\<4
8,SNI6+ >.D40
  8,= :AT80
  ,I %RU7$ /I6LY4 8,"S S5SE ( :O'S DO+
?4 ,TRY+ 6SEE IF X'S ,C]NUNNOS4 ,TRY+ TO
GET A FEEL+ = 8 '''0 ,I SWALL[$1 UNCOM-
=TA# ) :AT ,I 0 SAY+4 8,HIS P[]4 ,8 '''
:AT"E'S DRIV+ HM40
  ,BILLY FOLD$ 8 >MS ACR 8 *E/ & FR[N$
AT ME4 8,Y ?9K Y C D T80 ,HE S.D$ SKEP-
TICAL4 ,I CDN'T BLAME HM4
  8,FIGUR$ ,I CD TRY4 ,I'VE GOT 6/>T "S-
":40
  8,Y'RE N SUPPOS$ 6/>T ANY":1      #BAE
,JOANIE40 ,HE J]K$ 8 H1D D[N ! HALL &
/>T$ WALK+4 8,C'MON40
  ,I FOLL[$ SULL5LY4 8,:AT1 ,I W>RANT A
POLICE ESCORT F ! BUILD+80 ,BILLY LOOK$
OV] 8 %\LD] AT ME & KEPT WALK+4 ,X TOOK
ME A M9UTE 6R1LIZE WE 7 H1D+ =! CRIME
SC5E1 N ! FRONT DOOR4 ,I BL9K$ & JO7$ A
FEW /EPS 6CAT* UP1 N "Q+ ! DECI.N4
  8,/ GOT YR ,,ID80 HE ASK$1 LIFT+ !
YELL[ TAPE = ME 6DUCK "U4
  8,MORRISON TOOK MY BADGE AWAY10 ,I
MUTT]$4 ,X FIGUR$4 ,"O M9UTE ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6BE A COP &! NEXT ,I 0 SULK+ 2C ,I
WASN'T4 8,B ,I'VE GOT MY /,N ,,ID40 ,I
DUG MY WALLET \ ( MY POCKET & FLIPP$ X
OP5 6! ,,ID PHOTO4 ,A COP ,I DIDN'T "K
GAVE X A CURSORY GL.E & WAV$ U BY4 ,X
SEEM$ L HALF ! ,NOR? ,PREC9CT 0 "!4 ,X
O3URR$ 6ME ? WD 2 A GD "T 6P]PETRATE O!R
CRIMES1 IF ,I 7 ! SORT ( P]SON :O DID T4
  ,"W+ =! POLICE 9 ANY CAPAC;Y _H CLE>LY
BE5 BAD = ME4 ,I N"E WD H ?"\ T1 BACK 9
! "D4 ,A C\PLE GUYS ,I KNEW LOOK$ SUR-
PRIS$ B GREET$ ME1 & ,BILLY W5T 6TALK 6A
HULK (A MAN :O /OOD \TSIDE !        #BAF
CLASSROOM DOOR4 ,I /OOD >.D WAT*+ ! RE-
PORT]S1 :O PRACTIC$ LOOK+ GD = "O ANO!R1
& WAIT$ = ,BILLY 6-E BACK4
  ,HE DID1 LOOK+ GRIM4 8,MORRISON'S
GONNA H MY EYETEE? IF HE HE>S AB ?10 HE
MUTT]$1 8B -E ON4 ,I TOLD !M Y'RE ON !
S]IAL KILL] CASE & Y'RE -+ 9 6SEE IF
"!'S ANY 3NEC;N ) ^! KIDS40
  8,Y S.D L Y'VE D"O ? 2F1 ,BILLY40
  ,HE ?REW A TI<T GR9 OV] 8 %\LD] & L$
ME 96! CLASSROOM4

  ,AFN SUNLI<T /R1M$ 9 ! W9D[S1 GL>+ (F
:ITEBO>DS4 ,R$ & GRE5 & BLUE M>K] PR9T$
\ CLASS ASSIGN;TS M N1TLY ?AN ,I REMEM-
B]$ *ALK DO+4 ,! T1*]'S DESK 0 9 FRONT (
! BO>DS1 & R[S ( "O-PIECE *AIR-&-DESK
UNITS 7 SETTL$ 9 UNEV5 R[S4
  ,=A SECOND1 X ALL LOOK$ P]FECTLY NOR-
MAL4
  ,& !N ! SMELL HIT ME4 ,SWEET & TANGY &
%>P ALL AT ONCE1 ! AIR 3DI;N+ FILT]$ "S1
B N 5\<1 ( X AWAY4 ,I BL9K$ "O "T &!
HAPHAZ>D R[S ( S1TS RESOLV$ !MVS 96A
MI%MA% T PU%$ \ F ! C5T] (! ROOM4   #BAG
,?REE (! UNITS 7 OV]TURN$1 HALF BLOCK$ F
SI<T 0! DESKS >.D !M4 ,F ": ,I /OOD1 / 9
! DOORWAY1 ,I CD SEE ! BEIGE C>PET'S
4COLOR,N Z BLOOD DRI$4
  ,I DIDN'T WANT 6SEE M4
  8,JOANIE80 ,BILLY TOOK A /EP BACK T[>D
ME1 A H& EXT5D$ & 8 EYEBR[S LIFT$4 ,I
%IV]$4
  8,I'M OKAY10 ,I LI$1 & WALK$ =W>D4 ,"!
7 FOOTPR9TS ( BLOOD ON ! FLOOR1 DRI$
T5NIS-%OE %APES1 F ": ! O!R *N _H RUN F
! ROOM4 ,I CD ALM HE> !M SCR1M+4
  ,?REE /EPS F>!R 96! ROOM ANY ILLU.N (
NORMAL;Y T 0 LEFT 4SOLV$4 ,F\R BODIES
LAY SPRAWL$ ON ! FLOOR1 ?REE BOYS &A
GIRL4 ,?REE ( !M LAY T\*+1 >MS SLUMP$
OV] ANKLES4 ,ALL ( !M _H DI$ ) EXPRES.NS
( MIX$ 4BELIEF & T]ROR4 ,! GIRL _H L;G
BR[N HAIR1 BLOOD /I65+ X 6BLACK4 ,E "O (
!M _H DI$ ! WAY ,M>IE DID1 ) "O VICI\S
KNIFE ?RU/ F ! RIB CAGE UP "? ! HE>T4 ,I
/OPP$ AG1 TRY+ 63TROL MY BR1?+4 ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6VOMIT ALL OV] ! CRIME SC5E4
,X SMELL$ 5 Z X WAS4
  8,JOANIE80 ,BILLY ASK$ AG4        #BAH
  8,I'M ALL "R10 ,I SD1 M %>PLY ?AN ,I
9T5D$4 8,J GIVE ME A SECOND "H40
  ,HE NO4$ & FELL BACK A C\PLE ( /EPS1
LETT+ ME WALK =W>D AL"O1 : 0 AB ! LA/ ?+
,I WANT$ 6D4
  ,I DID X ANYWAY4 ,A SECOND R.D ( PO-
LICE TAPE CIRCL$ ! BODIES1 AT AB KNEE-
HEI<T1 WRAPP$ >.D ! DESKS4 ,I /OPP$ &
/>$ 96! CIRCLE ( TAPE4 ,I RE,Y1 RE,Y
DIDN'T WANT 6D :AT ,I HE>D MY VOICE ASK+
IF ,I CD D4 8,C ,I CROSS ? L9E1 ,BILLY80
  8,D Y NE$ TO80
  ,I NO4$ ME*ANIC,Y4 ,I CD .FEEL X1 MA-
LEVOL;E S CLOSE IF ,I PUT MY H& \ X WD 2
L T\*+ A WALL4 8,:AT K9D ( %OES >E Y
WE>+80 HE ASK$4 ,I LOOK$ AT MY FEET4
  ,?ICK-SOL$ BOOTS1 NO HEELS ? "T4 8,ALL
MY CLO!S >E / AT ! AIRPORT10 ,I R1LIZ$ \
L\D4 8,!Y'RE MADE 0"SBODY CALL$ ,5DURA4
,WIDE %OES = WOM54 ,SIZE T5 &A HALF40
  8,GOT X10 "SBODY ELSE SD4 8,G ON IN40
  ,I /EPP$ ACR ! POLICE TAPE & 96!
BLOOD4

                                    #BAI
  ,NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,I 0 %OCK$ 5 6TAKE A
/A7]+ HALF /EP BACKW>D4 ,BILLY1 =! ?IRD
"T1 N[ AL>M$1 SD1 8,JOANIE80
  8,X'S OKAY10 ,I SD 4TANTLY4 ,I CD HE>
,COYOTE'S VOICE1 FA9TLY3 ..,ASK ,M>IE TO
HELP Y ) YR %IELDS4 ,Y'LL NE$ .!M4
  ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ,I'D FIGUR$ \ %IELDS
ALL ON MY [N4 ,I / FELT ! MALEVOL;E1 ALL
>.D ME1 N Q A# 6T\* ME4 ,& ,I KNEW ,I 0
! "O KEEP+ X AWAY4
  ,GRT4 ,I'D FIGUR$ \ H[ 6%IELD4 ,H[ DID
,I TAKE ! BLOCKS D[N8
  ..,IMAG9E Y'RE A .C>4 ,COYOTE'S AD-
VICE1 AG4 ,I ALM LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD] =
HM4 ,9/1D ,I CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,A C> ) "S?+
BLOCK$ T ,I _H 6GET TO4 ,_H 6BE 9 ! DA%-
BO>D1 ^? 7 ! WOR/ BIT* 6OP5 UP & PUT
BACK TGR4 ,I 5VI.N$ SE>*+ \ SCREWS1 &
ALL ! DAMN$ F9E WIR+4 ,I DRA7$ ! DA%BO>D
OP51 ! MORAL EQUIVAL5T ( UNH++ ! TOP (
MY SKULL & FLIPP+ X BACK4
  ,ALL SORTS ( HELL BROKE LOOSE 9 MY
BRA94

                                    #BBJ
  ,= :AT FELT L AB FIVE HUNDR$ H\RS1 PA9
& RAGE & *AOS SWAM TGR 9SIDE MY H1D1
TRY+ 6TE> MY M9D A"P4 ,!Y SCR1M$ TGR1
TELL+ ME ! HORROR ( D1? &! GLORY ( MURD]
&! %E] UNADULT]AT$ JOY ( P[]4 ,"S": AL;G
! L9E MY C> ANALOGY BROKE D[N1 2C N[ ,I
0 DR[N+4 ,"! 0 BLACK;S1 /R1K$ ) SILV] &
GRAY1 ! N-COLORS RU%+ UP 2Y ME Z ,I FELL
D[N & D[N & D[N4 ,! WEI<T ( DESPAIR PU%$
ME F>!R & FA/] UNTIL X SEEM$ ,I WD POP \
! O!R SIDE (! E>?4 ,I TRI$ 6CAT* ! /R1KS
( LI<T4 ,": ,I T\*$ !M1 !Y TURN$ CRIMSON
& BL$1 COLOR /ICK+ "U MY F+]NAILS1 B ,I
KEPT FALL+1 & !Y KEPT SCR1M+4
  ,I _H 6/OP FALL+4 ,9 ! ,COYOTE DR1M1
ALL ,I _H 6D 0 3C5TRATE & ,I /OPP$ FALL-
+4 ,"H1 ,I CD H>DLY HE> MYF ?9K1 M* LESS
3C5TRATE1 & "! WASN'T M* PO9T ANYWAY1 2C
,I 0 CLE>LY GO+ 6DIE1 J L ! KIDS _H4 ,I
FELT !M >.D ME1 COLD FRAGILE WRAI?S1
NO?+ L ! %AMANS ,I MET DR1M-WALK+4 .,^?
D1D M5 & WOM5 GRASP$ ! CYCLE ( LIFE4 ,^!
KIDS / ?"\ !Y 7 IMMORTAL1 &! %OCK ( D1?
TURN$ !M 96%AD[S4 ,N EV5 S M* Z %AD[S1
ALL _! ESS;E DRAWN AWAY 0! MURD]-   #BBA
]--
  --..0! SON (A BIT* :O _H .KILL$ *N--
  ,ALL ! COLORS ( D>K;S /OPP$ )A %OCK S
H>D ,I B\NC$4 ,= "O B.S$ MO;T1 "! 0 SI-
L;E4
  8,OH1 NO10 ,I SD 96! QUIET4 8,Y DON'T
GET 6TAKE ME T EASILY40
  ,&! H[L+ />T$ AG1 B ,I WASN'T AL"O
ANYMORE4 ,F\R *N1 LESS ?AN 9SUB/ANTIAL1
/OOD >.D ME1 WAT*+ ) PL1D+ 9 :AT 0 LEFT
( _! S\LS4
  8,I'LL F9D HM40 ,MY VOICE CUT "? !
H[L+ S %>PLY ,I KNEW !Y'D HE>D ME4 ,"O
0"O !Y GAVE ME ?91 <O/LY SMILES1 & "O BY
"O !Y FLEW UP L ! SILV] & GRAY _H FL[N4
  ,? "T ,I FOLL[$ !M4

  ,I TOOK "O /A7]+ /EP & OP5$ MY EYES1
EXPECT+ ! SUNLI<T 6BE G"O1 EXPECT+ ! PO-
LICE GU>D 6H *ANG$1 EXPECT+ ! _W 6BE
-PLETELY DI6]5T4
  ,X 0 EXACTLY ! SAME4 ,BILLY DIDN'T SAY
MY "N ? "T1 B ,I FELT HM /&+ LESS ?AN AN
>M'S L5G? AWAY1 J ON ! O!R SIDE (! YELL[
TAPE4 ,GOOSE BUMPS /OOD UP ON MY    #BBB
>MS & ,I %IV]$1 LOOK+ D[N AT ! F\R BOD-
IES4 ,I FELT HM1 ! MURD]]1 CD FEEL :AT
HE'D D"O4
  8,!Y 7 LUCKY10 ,I HE>D MYF SAY V
QUIETLY4 8,"S?+ /OPP$ ! CIRCLE F 2+
-PLET$40 ,I CR\*$ & T\*$ ! HAIR (! LA/
BOY1 ^: \TFLUNG >M & SPRAWL$ LEGS 7 9*ES
AWAY F ! LEGS (! TWO CLOSE/ HM4
  8,LUCKY80 ,BILLY ASK$1 N Z 9CR$UL\SLY
Z ,I WD H "U ! SAME CIRCUM/.ES4
  8,X 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE A P[] CIRCLE ( "S
K9D10 ,I :ISP]$4 8,I C FEEL 8 EXULT,N AT
! LA/ D1?4 ,& !N RAGE4 ,"S?+ /OPP$ HM F
ALIGN+ !M PROP]LY4 ,NOR?1 EA/1 S\?1 7
ALL CLOS$4 ,WE/ WASN'T CLOS$4 ,HE TOOK
_! LIFE ESS;E40 ,MY VOICE %OOK & ,I
CDN'T /OP X4 8,DRA9$ !M4 ,B HE M1NT TO
TAKE _! S\LS4 ,B9D !M TO '''0 ,I %OOK MY
H1D & /OOD UP UN/1DILY4 8,I DON'T "K40
,I 0 CRY+4 8,B ! CIRCLE WASN'T CLOS$1 &
_! S\LS ESCAP$40
  ,"S"O LET \ A V G5TLE BR1?4 ,X *ANG$ !
CURR5T 9 ! ROOM = J A MO;T1 4PLAC+ AIR-
3DI;N$ AIR1 A4+ MOI/URE & W>M?4 ,I FELT
X Z POT5TIAL1 L ! BUTT]FLY :O       #BBC
MAKES A /ORM 9 ,*9A4 ,I CD FEEL "EY?+
LIV+ 9 ! ROOM1 AN AW>E;S A LL BI7] ?AN
MY SK94
  8,C Y RECOGNIZE ? GUY'S P[] AG80 ,BIL-
LY'S "Q 0 QUIET1 B 9T5SE1 SPOK5 J 2H ME4
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 TA/+ COPP] ON !
AIR1 TA/+ D1? & P[] &! LA/ BURN+ EMO;NS
(! MURD]]1 8 GLEE & 8 FURY4 8,Y1H4 ,I'LL
"K HM :5 ,I FEEL X AG4 ,I'LL "K ! FUCK-
]40














                                    #BBD