,,JU/ICE ,,D5I$

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

 ,PUBLI%$ 0,H>P]LUXE1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
      ,COPY"R #BJJG 0,J4 ,A4 ,J.E
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #IGH-J-JF-ABEIEJ-J
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-JF-ABEIEJ-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
      ,C>OLE ,MOORE1 ,3NIE ,WOODS1
    ,J5NY ,LUKE1 ,JANELLE ,3/ANT9O1
           & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AAC-BAF

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























               ,*APT] #F            #AAC

  ,"O (! ?+S ,MEL & ,I %>E 9 -MON IS T
WE'RE BO? T]RI# COOKS4 ,YES1 WE C MAKE
C(FEE4 ,& TOA/ ON O3A.N4 ,&1 AC 6,RON
,PET]S'S GIRLS1 ,I CD BREW A M1N CUP (
HOT *OCOLATE 9 MY "D4 ,S WE DON'T EAT AT
HOME1 UN.S X'S C>RY-\ OR C>RY-IN1 Z !
CASE MI<T BE4 ,MO/LY WE G \4 ,=TUNATELY1
S9CE ! ,D5NY ,REGRADE IS FULL ( RE/AU-
RANTS1 TR5DY & O!RWISE1 WE'RE 9 NO DANG]
( />V+ 6D1?4
  ,\R CURR5T FAVORITE IS A LL ,FR5*
PLACE CALL$ ,LE ,P'TIT ,BI/RO TWO BLOCKS
UP ! /REET4 ,I "K1 ,I "K4 ,OV] ! YE>S
,I'VE DEVELOP$ A WELL-DES]V$ REPUT,N =
UNSOPHI/ICAT$ D9+1 & "S ( MY OLD ,DOG-
H\SE PALS WD *OKE AT ! V IDEA ( ME HANG+
\ 9 A ,FR5* D9+ E/ABLI%;T4 ,B N[ T !
,REGRADE HAS MORPH$ 96,BELLT[N1 T'S H[
M* ?+S H *ANG$ >.D "H 9 ! PA/ FEW YE>S4
,MAYBE T'S H[ M* ,I'VE *ANG$1 TOO4
  ,I'M GUESS+ ,LE ,P'TIT ,BI/RO -ES
CLOSE 62+ ! ,FR5* APPROXIM,N ( AN OLD-
FA%ION$ D9]4 ,! FOOD DOESN'T PUT ON
AIRS1 & NEI DOES ! WAIT/AFF4 ,J =   #AAD
! RECORD1 R1L M5 D EAT QUI*E--& CREPES1
TOO1 = T MATT]4
  8,MAYBE ,I %D /AY 9 ,BELLEVUE :ILE !
KIDS >E "H10 ,MEL SU7E/$ Z %E SIPP$ A
GLASS ( R$ W9E4 ,I 0 HAV+ ,P]RI]4 ,Z ,I
SD1 ! PLACE IS ,FR5*4
  ,X 0 ALM Z ?\< ,MEL _H IMPLANT$ A LIS-
T5+ DEVICE 9 MY H1D & OV]HE>D MY 4TURB+
3V]S,N ) ,KELLY4 8,NO WAY60 ,I RESPOND$4
  ,MEL IGNOR$ ME4 8,)! FUN]AL & ALL10 %E
3T9U$1 8EMO;NS >E B.D 6BE RUNN+ HI<1 &
DAU<T]S C 2 ''' WELL1 LET'S J SAY !Y C 2
A LL T]RITORIAL40
  8,DID ,KELLY SAY "S?+ 6Y AB ?80 ,I DE-
M&$4
  ,MEL %RU7$4 8,N 9 S _M ^WS10 %E RE-
PLI$4 8,%E DIDN'T H TO4 ,I GOT ! MES-
SAGE40
  ,T'S ANO!R ?+ AB WOM54 ,Y'RE DAMN$ BY
:AT !Y D SAY & Y'RE DAMN$ 0:AT !Y DON'T
SAY4 ,=A GUY1 X'S LOSE_/LOSE EI WAY4 ,X
WD H BE5 NICE 6BE A# 6*ANGE ! SUBJECT AG
--6TALK ) ,MEL AB "S?+ EASY1 L MURD] &
MAYHEM & :O BLA/$ ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S TO
SMI!RE5S1 B T WD H GOTT5 ME 9       #AAE
TR\# ) ,ROSS ,3NORS1 S ,I SOLDI]$ ON4
  8,LOOK10 ,I SD1 8X'S BAD 5 T WE H TO
PLAY HIDE-&-SEEK )! GUYS AT "W1 B ,I'M
DAMN$ IF ,I'M GO+ 6PLAY ! SAME GAME ) MY
KIDS4 ,Y'RE 9 MY LIFE 2C ,I WANT Y 9 MY
LIFE4 ,"EYBODY'S J GO+ 6H 6GET US$ 6X--
,KELLY & ,SCOTT 9CLUD$40
  ,"U ! CIRCUM/.ES T SEEM$ L A P]FECTLY
R1SONA# ?+ 6SAY1 B ! NEXT ?+ ,I KNEW
,MEL 0 CRY+1 MOPP+ AWAY TE>S & MASC>A )
H] CLO? NAPK9 :ILE ! LADY :O'S ! CO-[N]
(! RE/AURANT %OT DA7]S AT ME F H] /,N 2H
! DESS]T CASE4 ,"S "DS Y RE,Y C'T W94
  ,MEL 0 PRETTY QUIET--MAKE T D1D-QUIET
--! RE/ (! "T WE 7 EAT+4 ,I ?"\ ,I 0 9 M
TR\# ) H] ?AN ,I 0 )! LADY AT ! RE/AU-
RANT4 ,ON \R TWO-BLOCK WALK BACK 6,BELL-
T[N ,T]RACE1 H["E1 ,MEL SLIPP$ H] >M "?
M9E1 !N L1N$ 96MY %\LD]4 8,I ?9K T'S "O
(! NICE/ ?+S ANYBODY'S "E SD 6ME10 %E
SD4
  ,WE W5T HOME4 ,X 0 / E>LY1 B WE W5T TO
B$ ANYWAY1 & N 6WAT* ,FOX ,NEWS ,*ANNEL1
EI4 ,LAT]1 ) ,MEL NE/L$ COZILY AG/ MY
SIDE & SLEEP+ P1CE;LLY1 ,I LAY      #AAF
AWAKE =A L;G "T4 ,I R1LIZ$ T "! 7 _M ?+S
,I 0 M ?AN WILL+ 6GIVE UP =! SAKE ( MY
*N1 B ,MELISSA ,SOAMES WASN'T "O ( !M4
,)A SMILE ON MY FACE ,I F9,Y DRIFT$ (F
6SLEEP Z WELL4
  ,MY "M 0 P]PETU,Y :IPP+ \ LL APHORISMS
9 ! HOPE1 ,I SUPPOSE1 ( TURN+ ME 96AN
UP"R CITIZ54 ,"S ( !M >E / IMPR9T$ 9 MY
BRA93 8,SAVE ! SURFACE & Y SAVE ALL40
8,A /IT* 9 "T SAVES N9E40 8,GOD HELPS ^?
:O HELP !MVS40 ,AT F\R O'C ! NEXT MORN+1
:5 ,I 0 WIDE AWAKE & ,MEL WASN'T1 ! SAY+
T CAME MO/ R1DILY 6M9D 0 8,E>LY 6B$2 E>-
LY 6RISE '''0 ,I 0 UP E>LY1 ALL "R4 ,N
WANT+ 6AWAK5 ,MEL1 ,I BAIL$ \ ( B$4 ,\ 9
! LIV+ ROOM ,I DR$G$ MY LAPTOP \ ( MY
BRIEFCASE1 BOOT$ UP1 & LO7$ ON4
  ,LESS ?AN TWO MON?S AGO ,I _H BE5 D[N
9 ! MORGUE AT ! .,S1TTLE .,PO/-
,9TELLIG;ER P]SON,Y -B+ "? BRITTLE ROLLS
( OLD MICROFI*E ON ! TRAIL (A CASE T _H
BE5 COLD = M ?AN FIFTY YE>S4 ,2T !N &
N[1 ?\<1 ,,SHIT _H 5T]$ ! 9=M,N AGE4
,ROSS ,3NORS _H SPRUNG = AN AG5CY-WIDE
SUBSCRIP;N 6,LEXIS,NEXIS1 : M1NT    #AAG
T ) MY SECRET PASS^W 7WELL1 MAYBE 8DOG-
H\SE0 ISN'T ALL T SECRET71 ! :OLE _W (
CYB] NEWS & PUBLIC RECORDS 0 OP5 6ME )\T
MY HAV+ 6D ALL ! SE>*+ MYF4 ,)A CLICK (A
M\SE1 Z !Y SAY4
  ,9 R1L;Y X TOOK A LL M ?AN T1 B 2F L;G
,I _H ! 9=M,N ON ,LA,%AWN'S PAY\T F !
/ATE--4#BEJ1JJJ4 ,N T M*1 3SID]+ HE'D
BE5 WR;G;LLY IMPRISON$ = SEV5 YE>S4 ,&
M* LESS :5 Y TOOK 96A3.T ! FACT T 8 AT-
TORNEY PROBABLY WALK$ (F ) HALF ! SET-
TLE;T4 ,ETTA ,MAE _H TOLD ME H] SON _H
SP5T 8 M"OY ON FIX+ UP H] H\SE4 ,! H\SE
ON ,*UR* ,/REET WASN'T L>GE1 B REMODEL+
ANY?+ CO/S A BUNDLE ^! "DS4 ,X SEEM$
SAFE 6ASSUME T "! PROBABLY WASN'T A :OLE
LOT ( ,LA,%AWN'S W9DFALL LEFT = ANY"O TO
FI<T OV]4 ,: PROBABLY TOOK M"OY \ (!
MURD]-MOTIVE EQU,N4
  ,NEXT ,I W5T LOOK+ = ,ELA9E ,MANN+1
,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S GIRLFR AT ! ,K+
,/REET ,MIS.N4 ,%E _H BE5 S5T;ED 6PRISON
9 ,NOR? ,C>OL9A = RO2+ A ,KRISPY ,KREME4
,A D\<NUT %OP1 = ,GOD'S SAKE8 ,& !N1 AF
"S K9D ( DI6ICULTY 9SIDE ! PRISON   #AAH
9 ,RALEI< &= "S 9EXPLICA# R1SON1 %E 0
%IPP$ (F 6,WA%+TON ,/ATE 6-PLETE H] S5-
T;E4 ,P :O WAT* .,COPS ON ,,TV >E ALW
AMAZ$ T ! CROOKS >E S AMAZ+LY /UPID4
,X'S NO SURPRISE 6ME4 ,& "S"O :O WD USE
A W1PON 6ROB A ,KRISPY ,KREME MO/ LIKELY
WASN'T A M5TAL GIANT4
  ,ON 6,PA/OR ,M>K ,GRANG]1 ! H1D (!
MIS.N4 ,8 /ORY 0 A LL LESS TYPICAL 2C HE
0 MAYBE A LL SM>T] ?AN T4 ,CAME F A GD
MI4LE-CLASS BACKGR.D4 ,GOT SCREW$ UP ON
DRUGS 9 COLLEGE & W5T 6PRISON = SECOND-
DEGREE MURD] F A DRUG D1L G"O BAD :5 HE
0 TW5TY YE>S OLD4 ,GOT A MAIL-ORD] DE-
GREE--IN DIV9;Y1 ( ALL ?+S--:ILE HE 0 /
9 PRISON4 ,S ,PA/OR ,M>K RE,Y 0 A PA/OR4
  ,X TURNS \ "! >E LOTS ( ,K+ ,/REET
MIS.NS 9 ? C.TRY4 ,! "O 9 ,S1TTLE 0 H\S$
9 :AT _H ONCE BE5 A D]ELICT FLOPH\SE NE>
! RAILROAD4 ,9 ! MID-N9ETIES X _H BE5
PUR*AS$ & REFURBI%$ 0AN \TFIT CALL$
,GOD'S ,^W1 ,,LLC4 ,MY SE>*ES ON !M L$
ME F "O BL R1L E/ATE TRU/ 6ANO!R4 ,ONLY
LAWY]S' "NS APPE>$ ON ! DOCU;TS ,I 0 A#
6TRACK D[N4 ,:O"E 0 2H ,GOD'S ,^W   #AAI
0 ANONYM\S & FULLY 9T5D$ 6/AY T WAY4
,GOODY ,TWO-%OES EX-CONS >E SUSPICI\S
5\<1 B ,I C A3EPT T !Y EXI/4 ,ANONYM\S
D-GD]S8 ,N LIKELY4 ,^? >E1 AG Z MY "M WD
H SD1 SC>CE Z H5S' TEE?4
  ,I 0 / LOOK+ = TRACES ( ,GOD'S ,^W :5
,I HE>D ! TOILET FLU%4 ,X'S "O ( ^? NEW-
FANGL$ P[]-ASSI/$ ?+S T S.D L "SBODY IS
/RANGL+ A CAT4 ,! RACKET GAVE ME 5 W>N+
T ,I 0 A# 6LOG (F ,LEXIS,NEXIS4 ,0! "T
,MEL />T$ ! C(FEE & CAME 96! LIV+ ROOM1
,I 0 P]US+ ! ONL9E EDI;N (! .,S1TTLE
.,"TS4
  8,GD MORN+10 %E SD1 KISS+ ME HELLO4
8,Y'RE UP E>LY4 ,:Y D Y 9SI/ ON R1D+ ^?
?+S ONL9E8 ,! PAP]'S "R \ 9 ! HALL4 ,ALL
Y H 6D IS OP5 ! DOOR1 PICK UP ! PAP]1 &
TAKE (F ! RU2] B&40
  8,I SEEM 6REMEMB] Y PREF] F9D+ YR
NEWSPAP]S 9 PRI/9E 3DI;N10 ,I REPLI$4
8,I'M ONLY ?9K+ ( Y40
  8,?ANKS10 %E SD4
  ,:5 X -ES 6LY+1 ,I'M GETT+ BETT] ALL !
"T4
  ,MEL COLLECT$ H] PAP]S4 ,!N %E    #ABJ
W5T OV] 6! W9D[ S1T1 WRAPP$ A ?R[ >.D H]
%\LD]S1 & SETTL$ D[N 9 "O CORN] 6R1D !
H1DL9ES & AWAIT ! 5D (! C(FEE-BREW+ CY-
CLE4 ,ON A CLE> "D "S"O SITT+ 9 ! W9D[
S1T C SEE ,M.T ,RA9I] 6! S\? & EA/ &!
,OLYMPICS 6! NOR? & WE/1 )A VA/ 4PLAY (
WAT] &_/OR C;Y 9 2T4 ,? 0 ,M>*4 ,! ONLY
?+ VISI# 0 RA9--LOTS ( X4
  8,DID Y GET ! FL[]S80 %E ASK$4
  ,! PUZZL$ LOOK ON MY FACE M/ H BE5 AN-
SW] 5\<4
  8,= ,B"ELY'S FUN]AL10 %E REM9D$ ME4
8,Y 7 GO+ 6ORD] M1 "R80
  8,"R10 ,I SD4 8,B ,BALL>D ,BLOSSOM
ISN'T OP5 "R N[4 ,X'S TOO E>LY4 ,I'LL H
6CALL LAT]40
  8,& !N Y %D PROBABLY DRAG HOME "S GRO-
C]IES4 ,! KIDS W 2 "H AT L1/ "P (! "T40
  8,:AT K9D ( GROC]IES80 ,I ASK$4
  8,Y "K4 ,! USUAL4 ,SODAS1 C]1L1 MILK1
BR1D1 P1NUT BUTT]1 ANIMAL CRACK]S40
  8,": ! HELL D !Y KEEP ANIMAL CRACK]S
^! "DS80
  8,SAME PLACE !Y ALW H1 B :5 Y GET 6!
/ORE1 ASK10 %E SD PATI5TLY4 8,"S-   #ABA
"O "! W 2 A# 6TELL Y40
  ,MEL LEFT = "W A LL PA/ SEV54 ,I W5T
BACK 6SURF+ ! NET1 ": ,I 0 / TRY+ 6TRACK
D[N PR9CIPALS 9 ,GOD'S ,^W :5 ,ROSS
,3NORS CALL$ ME AT HOME A LL AF EI<T4
  8,SORRY 6HE> AB YR GR&"M10 HE SD4
8,H>RY TOLD ME Y W]5'T -+ IN40
  ,S9CE HE _H CALL$ ON MY HOME NUMB] & N
ON MY CELL1 ,I _H ALR FIGUR$ T \4
8,?ANKS10 ,I SD4 8,B ,I'M / "W+4 ,X WD 2
A HELL (A LOT EASI] ON ME IF ,I CD TALK
6,MEL AB ? ,TOMPK9S SITU,N4 ,I DON'T L
SN1K+ >.D ON H]4 ,X FEELS L *1T+40
  8,9DULGE ME10 HE SD4 8,I'M N R1DY 6/>T
3NECT+ ! DOTS YET4 ,:AT H Y F.D \ ON
,LA,%AWN S F>80
  8,AC 6,DETECTIVE ,JACKSON AT ,S1TTLE
,,PD1 X CD 2 NO?+ M OR LESS ?AN AN OLD-
FA%ION$ LOVE TRIANGLE ) BO? ,LA,%AWN &
,PA/OR ,M>K F ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N GO+ AF !
SAME GIRL40
  8,:O AL HAPP5S 6BE MISS+ AT ! MO;T10
,ROSS SUPPLI$4
  ,9 O!R ^WS1 ,I WASN'T TELL+ HM ANY?+
HE DIDN'T ALR "K4 ,S :Y DID HE      #ABB
NE$ ME8
  ,ROSS ANSW]$ ! "Q )\T MY ASK+ X4 8,F9D
H]10 HE SD4 8,"! IS NO?+ T WD MAKE ME
HAPPI] ?AN 6"K ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S IS D1D
2C HE FELL 9 LOVE )! WR;G GIRL40
  ,? 0 N A ?R[AWAY -;T4 ,"! 0 AN URG5CY
9 ,ROSS'S VOICE T ,I RECOGNIZ$4 ,"S?+ 0
GO+ ON--"S?+ ,ROSS 0 N YET PREP>$ 6DI-
VULGE--& ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S MURD]1 IN-
3SEQU5TIAL Z X MI<T SEEM 9 ! BIG S*EME (
?+S1 0 "SH[ ! TIP ( T ICEB]G4
  8,Y "K10 ,I SD1 8X MI<T 2 EASI] 6FIX ?
PRO#M IF ,I KNEW :AT ! HELL 0 RE,Y GO+
ON40
  8,J F9D ! GIRL10 ,ROSS SD4 8,F9D
,ELA9E ,MANN+4 ,MAYBE ? IS NO?+ M ?AN
:AT ,K5DALL ,JACKSON SAYS X IS1 A LOVE
/ORY G"O AWRY1 & MAYBE ,I'M J OV] !
HILL1 FULL ( CRAP1 & PU%+ PANIC BUTTONS
= NO R1SON4 ,T'S :AT ,I'M HOP+40
  ,I KNEW = C]TA9 T ,ROSS ,3NORS 0 ANY?+
B OV] ! HILL & FULL ( CRAP1 S ,I KEPT MY
M\? %UT4 ,:5 HE HUNG UP1 HE LEFT ME )!
SURE K T ,I'D BETT] HIT ! ROAD & D :AT
,I'D BE5 ORD]$ 6D--F9D ,ELA9E       #ABC
,MANN+4 ,&! F/ PLACE 6LOOK 0 ,K+ ,/REET
,MIS.N4
  ,= YE>S ,ROSS ,3NORS HAS BE5 A BIG-"T
POLITICAL PLAY] 9 ! /ATE ( ,WA%+TON4 ,T
M1NS HE -ES -PLETE ) LOTS ( 3NEC;NS--
POLITICAL1 F9ANCIAL1 & O!RWISE4 ,! FACT
T ,GOD'S ,^W WASN'T UP-FRONT AB :O ALL 0
9VOLV$ MADE X SEEM LIKELY 6ME T WE 7
D1L+ ) "S PRETTY H1VY HITT]S4 ,O!RWISE
:Y WD ,ROSS 2 WORRI$--OR P]SON,Y 9VOLV$8
  ,S ,I CLOS$ ! -PUT]1 %[]$1 DRESS$1 &
H1D$ \ =! ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N4 ,X'S N !
K9D ( PLACE Y /UM# 960A3ID5T4 ,! ONLY
WAY 6GET "! IS ON PURPOSE--2C T'S ": Y
M1N 6G4
  ,! MIS.N 0 SITUAT$ 9 A SQUAT1 UNIMPOS+
OLD BRICK BUILD+ SET 9 A MO/LY 9DU/RIAL
& DY+ W>EH\SE >EA T 0 S F> \ (! D[NT[N
CORE T P>K+ 0 ACTU,Y FREE4 ,X FAC$ A G5-
],Y FREI<T-BE>+ RAIL SPUR4 ,) XS BACK
PRESS$ UP AG/ ! NOISY RO> ( ;,I-#E'S
S\?B.D LANES1 ! BUILD+ XF Z WELL Z !
NEI<BORHOOD Z A :OLE WD PROBABLY DEFY
ALL EF=TS ( G5TRIFIC,N = G5],NS 6-E4 ,X
0 LOCAT$ TOO F> F ! EASY PANH&L+    #ABD
( T\RI/-TEEM+ ,PIONE] ,SQU>E &! SPORTS-
CRAZ$ FANS T POPULATE ! >EA >.D ,SAFECO
& ,QWE/ FIELDS4 ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N 0
CLE>LY A PLACE = P S]I\S AB RECOV]+ F
:AT"E AIL$ !M4
  ,! H&-LR$ SIGN OV] ! FRONT DOOR1 COM-
PLETE ) CROSSES ON EI 5D1 EXHORT$ NEW >-
RIVALS TO 8,AB&ON ALL DOPE YE :O 5T]
"H40 ,I TOOK T 6M1N ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N 0
PROBABLY "O ( ^? TR5DY FAI?-BAS$ ORGANI-
Z,NS T SETS \ 6REHABILITATE FOLKS ! /ATE
GAVE UP ON L;G AGO--PROBABLY = GD R1SON4
,"! 0 NO /&-AL"O A%TRAY NEXT 6! \TSIDE
DOOR & NO SCATT] ( NE>BY CIG>ETTE BUTTS1
EI4 ,! "O OR TWO ,I SAW 9 ! GUTT] _H
PROBABLY -E F PASS+ VEHICLES4 ,I REMEM-
B]$ :AT ,DETECTIVE ,JACKSON _H SD AB ,K+
,/REET N TOL]AT+ SMOK+4 ,F ! LOOKS (!
FRONT 5TR.E ! P 9SIDE 7 MAK+ T RULE /ICK
BO? 9SIDE & \4
  ,I /EPP$ 96A B"RLY LIT MULTIPURPOSE
ROOM T S]V$ Z D9+ ROOM1 LO2Y1 & LIBR>Y4
,! :ITE TILE FLOOR 0 POLI%$ 6A HI< 5 %E5
T X WD H PUT MO/ HOSPITAL CORRIDORS TO
%AME4 ,AT "O 5D (! ROOM 0 A S]IES   #ABE
( TA#S EQUIPP$ ) S"EAL DESKTOP -PUT]S4
,2H !M 7 %ELVES L9$ ) BOOKS &A S]IES (
C\*ES & EASY *AIRS4 ,IF "SBODY _H BE5
SELL+ LATTES1 T "P (! ROOM CD H PASS$ =A
,/>BUCKS FRAN*ISE4 ,AT ! O!R 5D 0 A D9+
>EA ALR SET ) TWO DOZ5 OR S PLACES4 ,2H
A PAIR ( SW++ DOORS CAME ! S.DS (A KIT*5
CREW H>D AT "W1 MO/ LIKELY PREP>+ :AT WD
2 ! NOON M1L4
  ,DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( ME 0 A BATT]$ HO-
TEL DESK T LOOK$ Z ?\< X _H BE5 "? S"EAL
W>S4 ,2H ! DESK SAT A "Y D>K-HAIR$ WOMAN
:O MI<T H BE5 ATTRACTIVE _H X N BE5 = H]
M\?--! MISS+ & BLACK5$ TEE? & SWOLL5
GUMS T >E R\T9ELY CALL$ ME?-M\? ^! "DS4
,H] "N TAG SD %E 0 ,CORA4 ,H] AW;L VIS-
AGE MADE ME GLAD ,I DON'T D ME? & T ,I
SEE MY D5TI/ REGUL>LY4 ,X AL MADE ME
WOND] :AT ELSE %E _H D"O T _H L&$ H] F/
9 PRISON & !N "H4
  8,"S?+ ,I C D = Y80 %E LISP$ "? H]
MISS+ TEE?4
  8,YES10 ,I SD4 8,I'M LOOK+ = ,PA/OR
,M>K40
  8,HE'S 3DUCT+ A ,BI# /UDY "R      #ABF
N[10 %E SD4 8,Y'RE WELCOME 6WAIT4 ,HE %D
2 D"O 9 T5 M9UTES OR S40
  8,I'LL WAIT10 ,I SD4
  ,CORA RETURN$ 6H] -PUT] KEYBO>D4 ,%E
DIDN'T EXACTLY PUT A PRETTY FACE ON !
,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N'S MIS.N1 B !N MAYBE %E
0 EM#MATIC ( :AT !Y 7 DO+--&! K9D ( RAW
MAT]IAL !Y />T$ \ )4 ,^! P 7 -+ F WAY 2H
.,G4
  ,! WALL NEXT 6! FRONT DESK 0 L9$ )A
S]IES ( BULLET9 BO>DS4 ,I W&]$ OV] 6!M &
/UDI$ ! 3T5TS4 ,"O 3TA9$ :AT LOOK$ L A
DUTY RO/] & 9CLUD$ ?+S L COOK+ %IFTS1
SWEEP+1 BA?ROOM CL1N+1 G>BAGE TAKE\T1 ET
CET]A4 ,S ? 0 A COOP]ATIVE EF=T4 ,P :O
LIV$ "H 7 EXPECT$ 6KEEP ! PLACE CL1N &
RUNN+4 ,T 0 REFRE%+4
  ,"! 0 AL A S*$ULE ( CLASSES--COMPUT]
SKILLS1 R@ESUM@E WRIT+1 ,,GED1 LIT]ACY1
ET CET]A1 AL? ,I'M N SURE H[ "S"O :O 0
ILLIT]ATE WD H F.D 8 OR H] WAY 6T LA/
CLASS4 ,"! 7 AL ?REE DI6]5T ,BI# /UDIES
--"O ,OLD ,TE/A;T & TWO ,NEW--ON E "D (!
WEEK3 MORN+1 AFN1 & EV5+4 ,& "! 7 ,,AA &
,,NA 7,N>COTICS ,ANONYM\S7 MEET+S   #ABG
Z WELL4 ,? 0 A V BUSY PLACE1 ) SUPPOS$LY
UPLIFT+ /UFF HAPP5+ AT ALL H\RS (! "D &
NI<T4
  ,A H&WRITT5 NOTE NEXT 6! CLASS & MEET+
S*$ULE ANN\NC$ T AN IN-H\SE MEMORIAL S]-
VICE WD 2 HELD ,?URS"D AT #G3JJ ,P4,M4
,I MADE A NOTE ( T1 B ,I ALR KNEW ,I _H
A 3FLICT 9 T]MS ( MY GR&"M'S S]VICES4
,MAYBE ,K5DALL ,JACKSON CD COV] X4
  8,FUN]AL S]VICES = ,BRO!R ,LA,%AWN W 2
HELD ON ,FRI"D F #B3JJ 6#D3JJ ,P4,M4 AT
,AFRICAN ,BI# ,BAPTI/ ON ,,MLK ,JR4
,WAY10 ! PO/+ 3T9U$4 8,ANY"O NE$+ BUS
TRANSPORT,N 6OR F ! FUN]AL %D SIGN UP ON
! %EET 2L40
  ,X 0 ONLY ,W$NES"D MORN+4 ,ALR FIFTE5
"NS APPE>$ ON ! LI/4 ,I WOND]$ IF P 7
PLANN+ ON ATT5D+ ,LA,%AWN'S FUN]AL 2C !Y
WANT$ 6G1 OR _H !Y BE5 ORD]$ 6ATT5D '''
OR ELSE8
  8,MAY ,I HELP Y80
  ,I TURN$ >.D 6SEE ,PA/OR ,M>K /&+ 2H
ME4 ,HE _H >RIV$ S.D.SLY 9 A PAIR ( :ITE
T5NIS %OES T 7 A />K 3TRA/ 6HIS BLACK
PANTS1 BLACK %ORT-SLEEV$ %IRT1 &    #ABH
/IFF CL]ICAL COLL>4 ,8 GRAY+ HAIR 0
PULL$ BACK 9 A PONYTAIL4 ,8 WIRE-FRAM$
GLASSES GAVE HM ! JAUNTY LOOK (A )-X
COLLEGE PROFESSOR4 ,! >RAY ( JAILH\SE
TATTOOS T CASCAD$ D[N BO? B>E >MS TOLD
ANO!R /ORY4
  ,I HELD \ MY H&4 8,MY "N'S ,B1UMONT10
,I SD4 8,J4,P4 ,B1UMONT4 ,I'M AN 9VE/I-
GATOR =! ,WA%+TON ,/ATE ,ATTORNEY ,G5]-
AL'S ,(FICE4 ,I 2LIEVE ,I SAW Y YE/]"D
AT ,MRS4 ,TOMPK9S'S HOME1 B WE 7 N"E
PROP]LY 9TRODUC$40
  8,Y'RE A COP80 HE ASK$4
  ,3SID]+ ,PA/OR ,M>K'S DIV9;Y DEGREE 0
(! JAILH\SE V>IETY1 8 "Q 0 5TIRELY "U/&-
A#4 ,EX-CONS & COPS H A WAY ( RECOGNIZ+
"O ANO!R ON SI<T4 ,WE T5D 6RUN 9 ! SAME
CIRCLES4
  ,I NO4$4
  8,!N ,I'LL NE$ 6SEE YR ,,ID10 HE SD4
  ,HE /UDI$ X =A L;G "T4 8,SPECIAL ,HOM-
ICIDE ,9VE/IG,N ,T1M--,,SHIT4 ,? IS A
JOKE1 "R8 ,B X'S A LL TOO E>LY = ,APRIL
,FOOL'S40
  ,4PLAY+ MY ,,SHIT ,,ID T5DS 6H    #ABI
T E6ECT ON P4 ,ONCE !Y G D[N T ROAD1 X'S
H>D 6GET !M 6TAKE Y S]I\SLY4
  8,X'S NO JOKE10 ,I SD4 8,I'M LOOK+ =
,ELA9E ,MANN+40
  8,I'M AFRAID ,I C'T HELP Y1 !N10 ,PAS-
TOR ,M>K REPLI$4 8,SI/] ,ELA9E'S N "H40
,"S?+ /EELY CAME 96HIS T"O4 ,I RECOGNIZ$
T Z WELL4
  8,Y H NO IDEA ": %E MI<T BE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,N"O AT ALL40
  8,:5 DID %E L1VE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"S"T ,SATUR"D MORN+4 ,I'M N SURE
:540
  8,& :AT AB ,FRI"D EV5+80 ,I 3T9U$4
8,": 7 Y >.D SEV5 ,P4,M4 OR S80
  ,K5DALL ,JACKSON _H TOLD ME T 0 ! AP-
PROXIMATE "T ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S _H BE5
%OT4
  ,PA/OR ,M>K GAVE ME A SL[ B 3FID5T
SMILE--A ,*E%IRE CAT K9D ( SMILE1 Z ?\<
HE KNEW WAY M ?AN ,I DID4 8,I 0 "R "H10
HE SD4 8,I 0 "H ) "EY"O ELSE EAT+ D9N]
2T SIX & SEV54 ,SEV5 %>P IS ! 2G9N+ (
,EV5+ ,BI# ,/UDY1 : ,I 3DUCT$ MYF T
EV5+4 ,NEW ,TE/A;T1 ,BOOK (         #ACJ
,JOHN1 *APT]S SIX & SEV54 ,CORA C GIVE Y
A LI/ (! P :O 7 AT D9N] Z WELL Z ! P 9
MY /UDY SES.N IF Y WI%4 ,2Y T1 H["E1
,I'VE BE5 ADVIS$ 6ANSW] NO A4I;NAL "QS
)\T MY ATTORNEY 2+ PRES5T4 ,& N[1 IF
Y'LL EXCUSE ME1 ,I H "W 6D40
  ,CL]ICAL COLL> OR N1 ,PA/OR ,M>K
,GRANG] 0 AN EXP]I;ED B O4LY POLI%$ EX-
CON1 A FELON :O KNEW EXACTLY :5 X 0 "T
6LAWY]-UP4 ,I NOTIC$ "S?+ ELSE AB HM1
TOO4 ,"UN1? T POLI%$ EXT]IOR LURK$ A
SEE?+ ANG] T HE MANAG$ 6HOLD 9 *ECK--B
ONLY J B>ELY4 ,& M5 L T--! "OS ) EXPLO-
SIVE TEMP]S LURK+ "R 2N ! SURFACE-->E (-
T5 ! MO/ DANG]\S1 ESPECI,Y :5 ?W>T$ 9
ANY WAY4
  ,"K+ ALL T1 RECOGNIZ+ ! RE=M$ ,PA/OR
,M>K = :AT HE RE,Y WAS1 ,I CDN'T HELP
WOND]+ H[ X 0 T ,ETTA ,MAE ,TOMPK9S _H
MANAG$ 6S5D ! MAN PACK+ 9 FULL RETR1T !
"D 2F4 ,X CD H BE5 ! P[] ( H] 3SID]A#
"RE\S;S4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 X CD H BE5 DUE TO
MY TURN+ UP J :5 X DID4 ,! \TCOME MI<T H
BE5 5TIRELY DI6]5T _H ,I N >RIV$ ON !
SC5E DUR+ _! "S:AT H1T$ 4CUS.N4     #ACA
  ,"! >E "TS ,I DESPAIR ( "E 2+ 9 ! "R
PLACE AT ! "R "T1 B MAYBE T WASN'T TRUE
REG>D+ MY VISIT 6,ETTA ,MAE ,TOMPK9S'S
H\SE4 ,NO1 ON T "O O3A.N AT L1/1 ,I _H
"SH[ MANAG$ 6/UM# 96>RIV+ AT EXACTLY !
"R MO;T4
  ,"S"TS ?+S J "W \4

















                                    #ACB
























               ,*APT] #G            #ACC

  ,P :O G MISS+ ( _! [N VOLI;N USU,Y D S
2C !Y'VE GOT "S?+ 6HIDE4 ,P :O G MISS+
AG/ _! W USU,Y 4APPE> 2C "S"O ELSE HAS
"S?+ 6HIDE4 ,AT T PO9T ,I _H NO IDEA : (
^? CAUSES APPLI$ 6,ELA9E ,MANN+4 ,B IF
,I 0 GO+ 6F9D H]--Z ,I _H BE5 ORD]$ 6D--
!N X MADE S5SE 6/>T ASK+ "QS 9 ! LA/
PLACE %E'D BE5 SE54
  ,ON MY WAY 6! ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N ,I _H
BE5 3C]N$ AB :AT ,I'D SAY 6! ,S1TTLE
HOMICIDE COPS ,I 0 LIA# 6RUN 96:O WD AL
2 "! "W+4 ,TURNS \ ,I NE$N'T H WORRI$ ON
T SCORE4 ,NO "O 0 "!4 ,X 0 ,W$NES"D4
,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S _H DI$ ON ,FRI"D4 ,8
D1? MAY H MADE A BIG M$IA SPLA% OV] !
WEEK5D1 B 0,W$NES"D 8 D1? 0 OLD NEWS4 ,N
ONLY T1 ! CLOCK _H TICK$ F> 2Y ^? F/
CRITICAL =TY-EI<T H\RS :5 A CASE IS MO/
LIKELY 6BE SOLV$--IF X'S "E GO+ 6BE
SOLV$4 ,HOMICIDE COPS DON'T NECESS>ILY H
A %ORT ATT5;N SPAN1 B POLICE DE"P;TS C &
D1 ESPECI,Y IF "S?+ ELSE -ES UP 9 ! M1N-
"T4
  ,S ,J4 ,P4 ,B1UMONT _H ! ,K+      #ACD
,/REET ,MIS.N PRETTY M* 6HMF4 ,:5 ,PA/]
,M>K TURN$ 8 BACK ON ME & !N 4APPE>$ 9TO
AN (FICE ON ! F> SIDE (! FRONT DESK1 HE
DIDN'T TELL ME ,I %D MOVE AL;G4 ,S ,I
DIDN'T4 ,I W5T 96"Q+ MODE1 />T+ )! ALM
TOO?.S ,CORA4
  ,ON ! "O H&1 X 0 H>D 6LOOK AT H]4 ,ON
! O!R H&1 X 0 H>D N 6/>E4 ,= H] "P1
,CORA SEEM$ 6BE TOT,Y UNA6ECT$ 0H] TRAG-
IC,Y FLAW$ PHYSICAL APPE>.E4 ,%E _H F9-
I%$ DO+ :AT"E %E _H BE5 DO+ ON ! -PUT]4
,AN OP5 ,BI# N[ LAY ON ! DESK 9 FRONT (
H]4
  8,I'M LOOK+ = ,ELA9E ,MANN+10 ,I SD4
,CORA GL.ED CAUTI\SLY OV] H] %\LD]1 Z IF
6MAKE SURE ,PA/OR ,M>K'S DOOR 0 CLOS$ 2F
%E ANSW]$ MY 9QUIRY4
  8,L ,PA/OR ,M>K SD10 %E TOLD ME1
8,SI/] ,ELA9E LEFT40
  8,DID %E SAY ": %E 0 GO+80
  ,CORA %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO4 ,%E J TOOK
(F40
  8,>E Y "H AT ! DESK MO/ (! "T80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,OH1 NO4 ,J TD4 ,X'S MY *ORE =   #ACE
! "D--M9D+ ! FRONT DESK40
  8,& :O 0 M9D+ X :5 ,MS4 ,MANN+ LEFT80
  8,SI/] ,ELA9E1 Y M1N4 ,T 0 ,SATUR"D
MORN+4 ,Z X HAPP5S1 ,I 0 ON ! DESK !N1
TOO4 ,I _H LUN*-COOK+ DUTY & ,I TRAD$ )
,BRO!R ,SAMUEL4 ,I HATE COOK+40
  8,:AT "T 0 X80
  8,"R AF BR1KFA/4 ,>.D N9E OR S4 ,!
COPS _H -E 0! NI<T 2F & TALK$ 6,PA/OR
,M>K4 ,!Y TOLD HM :AT _H HAPP5$ 6,BRO!R
,LA,%AWN4 ,! RE/ ( U DIDN'T HE> AB X UN-
TIL BR1KFA/1 :5 ,PA/OR ,M>K MADE ! (FI-
CIAL ANN\NCE;T40
  8,& H[ DID ,SI/] ,ELA9E REACT 6T
NEWS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,AB ! WAY Y'D EXPECT4 ,%E 0 V UPSET1
CRY+ & "EY?+10 ,SI/] ,CORA SD4 8,B !N WE
ALL W]E4 ,BRO!R ,LA,%AWN 0 J ! NICE/ P]-
SON Y'D "E HOPE 6MEET40
  8,& ,MS4 ,MANN+ LEFT "R AF T80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,ALM "R AF10 ,CORA V]IFI$ )A NOD4
8,%E LEFT ! TA# :ILE ! RE/ ( U 7 / "!4
,:5 %E CAME BACK D[N/AIRS1 %E _H A
SUITCASE ) H]4 ,WELL1 N A SUIT-     #ACF
CASE1 ACTU,Y1 A DU6EL BAG4 ,%E W5T 9TO
,PA/] ,M>K'S (FICE & TALK$ 6HM =A FEW
M9UTES4 ,I 0 SITT+ "H AT ! DESK 0!N1 S
,I HE>D !M--_! VOICES1 ANYWAY1 N EXACTLY
:AT !Y 7 SAY+4 ,!Y 7 YELL+4 ,I HE>D H]
SAY "S?+ AB H[ D>E HE D "S?+ OR O!R1 B
,I DIDN'T HE> ! RE/ ( X40
  8,CD X H BE5 RELAT$ 6,MR4 ,TOMPK9S'S
D1?80
  ,SI/] ,CORA %RU7$4 8,I SUPPOSE S10 %E
SD4 8,A FEW M9UTES LAT] ,SI/] ,ELA9E
CAME \ & ASK$ ME 6CALL H] A CAB4 ,!N %E
LEFT40
  8,DID %E HAPP5 6M5;N 6Y ": %E 0 GO+ OR
": ! CAB WD 2 TAK+ H]80
  ,SI/] ,CORA %OOK H] H1D4 8,%E J SD
,8,GET ME A CAB10' & ,I DID4 ,X 0 GRE51
,I ?9K40
  ,B ,I HAPP5 6"K T CAB -PANIES H REC-
ORDS4 ,!Y KEEP TRACK ( ": & :5 !Y PICK
UP F>ES2 !Y AL "K ": !Y DROP !M (F4
  8,TELL ME AB ,FRI"D NI<T10 ,I SD4
8,W]E Y "H AT D9N]80
  ,SI/] ,CORA NO4$4 8,WE ALL W]E4 ,!
ONLY EXCUSE = MISS+ D9N] IS IF      #ACG
Y'RE "W+ AT AN \TSIDE JOB4 ,) ,BRO!R
,LA,%AWN X 0 DI6]5T1 ?\<4 ,HE 0 TAK+ C>E
( 8 "M1 S T 0 ALL "R4 ,HE _H AN EXCUS$
ABS;E1 B "EY"O ELSE 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE "H1 &
!Y W]E40
  8,H[ _M P IS T80 ,I ASK$4
  8,)\T ,BRO!R ,LA,%AWN & ,SI/] ,ELA9E1
WE'RE D[N 6?IRTY-SIX4 ,WE C HOLD =TY
MAX40
  8,! ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N ISN'T EXACTLY ON
! B1T5 PA?4 ,H[ D P F9D ? PLACE80 ,I
ASK$4 8,H[ D !Y "K 6-E "H80
  8,MY P>OLE (FIC] TOLD ME AB X10 %E SD4
8,PRAISE ,GOD = T10 %E A4$4 8,O!RWISE
,I'D PROBABLY 2 D1D 0N[40
  ..,B ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S IS .D1D1 ,I
?"\4 ,S T 0 SMALL -=T4
  8,H[ DOES ? PLACE "W80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"W80 %E ASK$4
  8,D Y PAY R5T1 OR :AT80
  ,SI/] ,CORA %OOK H] H1D4 8,"!'S NO
R5T10 %E SD4 8,B WE H 6OBEY ALL ! RULES4
,IF Y BR1K "O1 Y'RE G"O--,O-,U-,T40
  8,&! RULES >E80
  8,NO BOOZE4 ,NO DRUGS4 ,NO CIG-   #ACH
>ETTES4 ,Y D YR ASSIGN$ *ORES4 ,Y ATT5D
CLASSES1 "W AT ! ?RIFT /ORE1 D :AT"E
NE$S 6BE D"O4 ,WE'RE "H 6BETT] \RVS4 ,TO
LE>N 6MAKE BETT] *OICES40
  8,H[ L;G D P /AY80 ,I ASK$4
  8,Z L;G Z X TAKES10 ,SI/] ,CORA AN-
SW]$4 8,"S"TS X'S ONLY A C\PLE ( MON?S4
,"S"TS X'S L;G]4 ,I'LL 2 L1V+ 9 ANO!R
MON? OR S1 AF ,I GET MY NEW TEE?40
  8,NEW TEE?80
  8,I GET FITT$ = !M NEXT WEEK4 ,A D5TI/
VOLUNTE]$ 6FIT ME = FREE4 ,I C H>DLY
WAIT40
  ,)\T TEE? ,SI/] ,CORA LOOK$ L AN OLD
WOMAN1 AL? %E 0 PROBABLY ONLY 9 H] MID-
?IRTIES4 ,I TRI$ 6IMAG9E H[ %E'D LOOK )
NEW TEE?4 ,%E'D MO/ LIKELY / LOOK L %E'D
BE5 RODE H>D & PUT UP WET1 B N Z BAD Z
%E DID "R N[4
  8,:AT AB M"OY80 ,I ASK$4 8,IF Y'RE DO+
ALL ? VOLUNTE] "W & TAK+ CLASSES & /UDY+
! ,BI#1 :AT D Y D = SP5D+ M"OY80
  8,WE DON'T NE$ SP5D+ M"OY10 %E SD SIM-
PLY4 8,! ,"L PROVIDES = \R NE$S :ILE
WE'RE "H4 ,WE E>N CR$ITS =! *ORES   #ACI
WE D &= H["E _M CLASSES WE TAKE4 ,IF WE
D "W AT \TSIDE JOBS1 WE TURN T M"OY OV]
6! TR1SUR]1 :O HOLDS X UNTIL WE L1VE4
,!N1 :5 X'S "T 6G1 WE H T M"OY & :AT"E
IS 9 \R CR$IT A3.T 6USE 6GET />T$ \TSIDE
--= AN A"P;T DEPOSIT OR :AT"E4 ,X'S L A
LL SAV+S A3.T40
  .,YES1 ,I ?"\4 ..,AT ! BANK ( ,PA/OR
.,M>K4
  ,I WOND]$ :AT K9D ( 9T]E/ RATE ! GD
PA/OR PD1 OR IF HE PD ANY AT ALL4 ,SI/]
,CORA'S IMP5D+ TEE? NOT)/&+1 ,I KEPT
TRY+ 6FIGURE \ IF ? WASN'T "S K9D (
SCAM4 ,MAYBE ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N 0 ! SORT
( PLACE ": IF ,PA/OR ,M>K DIRECT$ ! RES-
ID5TS 6SWILL D[N A CUP ( >S5IC-LAC$
,KOOL-,AID1 !Y WD ALL SAY 8,BOTTOMS UP0
& GUZZLE AWAY4
  ,! FRONT DOOR OP5$4 ,A MAN 9 A SUIT &
PROP]LY KNOTT$ B[ TIE SLAMM$ 8 WAY 9 "?
! DOOR & !N /RODE ACR ! ROOM4 ,I _H HM
PE7$ = AN ATTORNEY L;G 2F HE OP5$ 8 M\?4
  8,IS ? MAN 4TURB+ Y1 ,SI/] ,CORA80 HE
DEM&$4
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM 9 "S 3FU.N4 8,N   #ADJ
AT ALL1 ,MR4 ,RAMSEY4 ,HE 0 J ASK+ A FEW
"QS40
  ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! "N4 ,T WD 2 ,DALE ,RAM-
SEY1 ( ,RAMSEY1 ,RAMSEY1 & "S?+ ELSE1 A
"N ,I VAGUELY REMEMB]$ F "S (! PUBLI%$
LEGAL PAP]S REG>D+ ,GOD'S ,^W1 ,,LLC4 ,:
M1NT ,PA/OR ,M>K _H RUN UP ! FLAG = HELP
& "H 0 ,MR4 ,RAMSEY RID+ 6! RESCUE4
  8,I'M AFRAID Y'LL H 6L1VE N[1 ,MR4
,B1UMONT10 HE SD4 7,PA/OR ,M>K'S C>E;L
/UDY ( MY ,,ID _H OBVI\SLY ALL[$ HM 6RE-
MEMB] MY "N ) UNCANNY A3URACY4 ,HE _H AL
DULY REPORT$ X47
  8,SI/] ,CORA HAS "W 6D10 ,RAMSEY 3T9-
U$4 8,Y'VE KEPT H] F X L;G 5\<4 ,FUR!R-
MORE1 ,PA/OR ,M>K TELLS ME T Y'RE F !
ATTORNEY G5]AL'S (FICE4 ,\R P H SP5T ALL
WEEK5D ANSW]+ "QS = 9VE/IGATORS F ,S1T-
TLE ,,PD 3C]N+ ! UN=TUNATE D1? ( ,BRO!R
,LA,%AWN4 ,UN.S ,ROSS ,3NORS'S (FICE HAS
"S R1SON = HORN+ 9 ON "S"O ELSE'S JURIS-
DIC;N1 ,I SEE NO R1SON = ? 63T9UE40
  ,RAMSEY 0 PU%Y 9 A /ILT$1 (FICI\S1 &
OV]LY =MAL WAY4 ,X'S NO WOND] ,I TOOK AN
9/ANT 4LIKE 6! MAN4 ,B = ,ROSS      #ADA
,3NORS1 D5IABIL;Y 0 / "EY?+4 ,IF ,I MADE
EV5 ! SLI<TE/ OBJEC;N1 PH"O CALLS WD 2
MADE 6,S1TTLE ,,PD D[NT[N4 ,"QS WD 2
ASK$4 ,ATT5;N WD 2 PD4
  8,( C\RSE10 ,I SD1 EQU,Y =M,Y1 & B[$
SLI<TLY 9 ,SI/] ,CORA'S DIREC;N4 8,Y'VE
BE5 MO/ HELP;L40
  ,PA/OR ,M>K EM]G$ F 2H 8 CLOS$ (FICE
DOOR 9 "T 6WAT* ME L1VE4 ,) 8 TATTOO$
>MS FOLD$ ACR 8 *E/1 HE /OOD & SMIL$--
SMIRK$1 RE,Y--AT MY 2+ EJECT$4 ,I NO4$ &
S5T MY [N HALF-BAK$ SMILE 9 8 DIREC;N1 J
6MAKE SURE WE 7 EV54
  ,X DOESN'T MATT] IF WE'RE TALK+ B>S OR
MIS.NS4 ,I DON'T L 2+ RUN \ ( PLACES 2F
,I'M R1DY 6G4 ,X RUBS ME ! WR;G WAY4 ,9
? CASE X MADE ME ?9K T ,GOD'S ,^W1
,,LLC1 _H "S?+ 6HIDE4 ,B ?ANKS 6,SI/]
,CORA1 ,I WASN'T WALK+ AWAY EMPTY-H&$4
,I KNEW : ,S1TTLE CAB -PANY _H GRE5
CABS1 & S9CE !Y KEEP RECORDS1 T M1NT T1
:E!R ! FOLKS AT ,GOD'S ,^W LIK$ X OR N1
,I AL _H A L1D ON ,ELA9E ,MANN+'S ":ABS4
  ,I _H LEFT MY CELL PH"O 9 ! C> :ILE ,I
VISIT$ ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N4 ,I _H     #ADB
BE5 9SIDE = F> L;G] ?AN ,I _H ANTICIPAT-
$1 & AG ! PH"O 0 AWA% 9 MESSAGES4 ,I
HURRI$ "? !M "O 0"O4
  8,HI1 ,DAD10 ,SCOTT SD *E];LLY4 8,MEL
WANT$ ME 6CALL Y ) \R FLI<T 9=M,N1 B
WE'LL 2 R5T+ A C>1 S Y DON'T NE$ 6WORRY
AB -+ 6PICK U UP4 ,0! "T WE GET \R LUG-
GAGE1 X'LL PROBABLY 2 CLOSE 6SIX-?IRTY
OR S4 ,>E "! D9N] PLANS8 ,%D WE G "! DI-
RECTLY OR J *ECK 96! HOTEL & WAIT = M>*+
ORD]S80
  ,! NEXT CALL] 0 ,MEL3 8,": >E Y80 %E
ASK$4 8,:Y >5'T Y PICK+ UP8 ,DID Y RE-
MEMB] 6ORD] ! FL[]S80
  ,NEXT 0 "O F MY SON-IN-LAW3 8,HELLO4
,X'S ME4 ,J]EMY40 ,HE S.D$ N]V\S1 & ,I C
"U/& :Y4 ,WE H>DLY "E TALK ON ! PH"O4
8,WE'RE 9 ,SALEM AT ! ,BURG] ,K+10 HE
3T9U$4 8,KELLY'S 9 ! RE/ROOM *ANG+
,KYLE'S DIAP]4 ,WE'LL PROBABLY 2 9 ,S1T-
TLE >.D TWO OR S4 ,I GUESS WE'LL 2 -+
/RAI<T 6! H\SE4 ,I ?9K T'S :AT ,KELLY
WANT$ ME 6TELL Y4 ,IF X ISN'T1 ,I'LL
CALL BACK40
  ,IF ,KELLY _H *>G$ H] HUSB& )     #ADC
CALL+ ME1 DID T M1N %E & ,I W]5'T SP1K+1
OR AT L1/ %E WASN'T SP1K+ 6ME8 ,IF T 0 !
CASE1 X WD MAKE ! O3A.N ( MY GR&"M'S FU-
N]AL M ?AN A LL AWKW>D4
  ,MEL AG3 8,H>RY WANTS 6"K IF ! FUN]AL
IS A PRIVATE A6AIR OR IF X WD 2 ALL "R
IF "S (! ,,SHIT GUYS CAME AL;G10 ,MEL
SD4 8,I TOLD HM X 0 F9E1 B N[ ,I'M WON-
D]+4 ,%D ,I H *ECK$ ) ,L>S8 ,D WE "K H[
_M P RE,Y >E -+8 ,_H WE BETT] ORD] "S
FOOD & RES]VE ! "PY ROOM8 ,CALL ME40
  ,AWKW>D & -PLICAT$4 ,? 0 2G9N+ 6S.D L
PUTT+ ON A W$D+--M9US ! BRIDE & GROOM4
  ,NEXT 0 ,M5'S ,WE>H\SE3 8,MR4 ,B1U-
MONT1 :5 Y 7 9 ON ,MON"D1 WE 7 TOLD T Y
NE$$ YR TUX 9 "T = ,FRI"D4 ,X'S R1DY N[4
,CD Y PL1SE /OP 0AT YR 3V5I;E & TRY X
ON8 ,T WAY1 IF ANY A4I;NAL ALT],NS >E
REQUIR$ '''0 ,*ECK+ ON A TUX = ,FRI"D
SEEM$ L A V L[ PRIOR;Y4
  ,MEL AG3 8,I'VE BE5 TRY+ 6?9K ( ": WE
%D G 6D9N] )A NEW BABY & ALL4 ,I F9,Y
DECID$ T WE'D 2 BETT] (F EAT+ AT HOME4
,S ,I'VE CALL$ T NEW CAT]+ PLACE1
,MAGICAL ,M1LS1 & ,I'VE CLE>$ X )   #ADD
! DOORMAN4 ,!Y'LL DELIV] A ROA/ BEEF D9-
N] ) ALL ! TRIMM+S 6! 3DO1 -PLETE ) "S"O
6S]VE & CL1N UP4 ,!Y'LL 2 AT ! H\SE AT
SIX4 ,IF Y ?9K T'S A BAD IDEA '''0 ,9
FACT1 X SEEM$ NO?+ %ORT ( BRILLIANT4
  ,!N A MESSAGE F ,L>S3 8.,JA1 SURE10 HE
SD4 8,IF Y H "T1 GIVE ME A CALL '''0
  ,I _HN'T BE5 WRIT+ ANY?+ D[N1 & 0!N MY
H1D 0 SP9N+4 ,I CALL$ ,L>S BACK F/4
8,:AT'S UP80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I T'9K ,I'D L 6G 6ANO!R MEET+10 HE
SD4 8,IF X'S N TOO M* TR\#40
  8,I'M ON MY WAY10 ,I SD4
  ,I CALL$ ,MEL BACK & BR1!D A SMALL
?ANK-Y :5 ,I R1*$ H] ANSW]+ MA*9E 9/1D (
H]4 8,BUSY ) ,L>S10 ,I SD4 8,TAK+ HM 6A
MEET+4 ,D9N] S.DS GRT40
  ,I =GOT AB ! TUX1 B ON ! WAY 6,QUE5
,ANNE ,G>D5S ,I REMEMB]$ 6CALL ! FL[]
%OP & GOT ! FL[]S ORD]$4 ,S"EAL DI6]5T
>RANGE;TS4 ,BIG "OS4 ,SP>E NO EXP5SE4 ,S
,I MAY N 2 GRT1 B AT L1/ ,I'M N 5TIRELY
USE.S4 ,9 2T ALL T ,I EV5 MANAG$ 6CALL !
CAB -PANY & />T$ ! PROCESS ( TRAC+
,ELA9E ,MANN+'S ,SATUR"D-MORN+      #ADE
RIDE4
  ,L>S CAME \ 6! C> LOOK+ L D1? W>M$
OV]4 ,I'D MANAG$ 6F9D ANO!R NOON"T MEET-
+1 ? "O OV] ON ! EA/ SIDE AT A PLACE
CALL$ ,ANGELO'S4 ,I'D BE5 "! 2F1 YE>S
AGO4 ,S _H ,L>S4
  8,?ANK Y10 HE SD1 ONCE HE GOT 9 ! C>4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,I ASK$4
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I _C 2LIEVE T'OSE
WOM510 HE SD4 8,! F/ "O KNOCK$ ON MY
DOOR ? MORN+ 6SEE IF ,I NE$$ "S"O 6HELP
ME ) BR1KFA/4 .,JA1 SURE1 ,I C EAT MY [N
BR1KFA/6 ,& X'S BE5 T WAY ALL "D L;G1 "O
( !M AF ANO!R40
  ..,>E WE GO+ 6A MEET+ J 6GET AWAY F A
BUN* ( PU%Y .WOM58 ,I WOND]$4 ..,OR IS
HE AFRAID "O ( !M W HAUL \ A BOTTLE (
BOOZE & SLIP "S 6.HM8
  ,S WE W5T 6! MEET+4 ,!N1 2C ,L>S 0 9
NO HURRY 6G HOME1 WE W5T 0& PICK$ UP MY
TUX4 ,& !N1 2C HE / DIDN'T WANT 6G BACK
6,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S1 ,I TOOK HM AL;G ON
A JAUNT "? ! GROC]Y /ORE 6/OCK UP ON ES-
S5TIALS & !N HOME 6,BELLT[N ,T]RACE )
ME1 ": HE SETTL$ 96MY RECL9] &      #ADF
SNOR$ L A JACKHAMM] =! REMA9D] (! AFN4
  ,I DID MY BE/ 6"W >.D HM4 ,! 4PAT*] F
! CAB -PANY CALL$ 6SAY ,ELA9E ,MANN+ _H
BE5 DROPP$ (F AT ! ,,YWCA ON ,FIF?4 ,I
CALL$ "! & MADE 9QUIRIES1 B 6NO AVAIL4
,X'S A LOT EASI] 6TELL "S"O 6BUZZ (F :5
Y'RE TALK+ 6!M ON ! PH"O ?AN X IS :5
!Y'RE /&+ "R "! 9 FRONT ( YR DESK4 ,S ,I
FIGUR$ ,I'D TRY TALK+ 6! LADIES AT !
,,YWCA ANO!R "T :5 ,I DIDN'T H ,L>S
,J5SS5 "UFOOT &A :OLE 3T+5T ( -PANY BE>+
D[N ON ME F E PO9T (! -PASS4
  ,!N1 2C ! H\SE 0 / QUIET--RELATIVELY
QUIET DUE 6,L>S'S ,OLYMPIAN SNOR+--& 2C
,I CDN'T ?9K ( ANY?+ M 6D AB ,LA,%AWN
,TOMPK9S "R !N1 ,I CALL$ UP ,LEXIS,NEXIS
"O M "T &1 J =! HELL ( X1 TYP$ 9 ! "N
,AN?ONY ,DAVID ,COSGROVE4
  ,ALL "R4 ,S ,I -PLA9$ AB -PUT]S =
YE>S4 ,RESI/$ US+ !M4 ,GRIP$ AB HAV+ TO
USE !M4 ,B N[ ,I'M A 2LIEV]4 ,)9 SECONDS
( TYP+ ! "N1 "! X WAS--A :OLE LI/ ( HITS
3C]N+ ,AN?ONY ,DAVID ,COSGROVE4 ,6MY
SURPRISE "O ( !M 0 ONLY TWO MON?S OLD4
,X CAME F AN OBSCURE MAGAZ9E        #ADG
CALL$ .,ELECTRONICS .,5G9E]+ .,J\RNAL4
,X 0 A L;G1 AMAZ+LY DULL >TICLE ON COR-
RUP;N & PAY(FS AM;G DEF;E 3TRACTORS4 ,!
REF];E 6,COSGROVE CAME NE> ! 5D (! >TI-
CLE4

  ,AC 69DU/RY ANALY/ ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN1
PAY(FS ) DOLL> SIGNS ON !M >E ! "OS T
GA9 BIG H1DL9ES1 B PAY(FS T RESULT 9 JOB
(F]S >E ALM /&>D OP]AT+ PROC$URE4 ,"O (!
E>LIE/ ,DORTMAN RECALLS HAPP5$ AT ,BOE+
9 ! E>LY EI<TIES4 ,9 T 9/.E *>GES CAME
6NO?+1 H["E1 :5 ! ALLEG$ :I/LE-BL[]1
ELECTRONICS 5G9E] ,AN?ONY ,DAVID ,COS-
GROVE1 4APPE>$ 9 ! ,M.T ,SA9T ,HEL5S EX-
PLO.N4

  ,T 0 X4 ,B /1 X 0 9TRIGU+4 ,! MISS+
P]SONS REPORT _H SD NO?+ AB ,COSGROVE 2+
9VOLV$ 9 ANY K9D ( AT-"W 9VE/IG,N4 ,&
,DE,ANN _HN'T M5;N$ ANY?+ 6ME AB X EI1 B
%E _H BE5 A LL GIRL AT ! "T4 ,"S?+ CD
WELL H BE5 GO+ ON AT "W )\T H] HAV+ ANY
K ( X4 ,! WIFE WD H "KN1 H["E1 & ,I 0
9T]E/$ 6SEE T %E _H MADE NO M5;N    #ADH
( X4
  ,I JOTT$ D[N ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN'S "N4
,IF1 Z HE CLAIM$1 HE _H P]SONAL K ( :AT
0 GO+ ON AT ,BOE+ 9 ! E>LY EI<TIES1 MAY-
BE HE _H P]SONAL K ( ,AN?ONY ,DAVID
,COSGROVE Z WELL4
  ,! NEXT LI/+ = ,AN?ONY ,COSGROVE PRE-
DAT$ ! PREVI\S "O 0ALM TW5TY YE>S4 ,X
TURN$ \ 6BE ! #AIHH ANN\NCE;T 9 : ! MAN
0 DCLD LEG,Y D1D4 ,X SEEMS 6ME T 2+ DCLD
LEG,Y D1D WD 2 5 6GET YR "N REMOV$ F A
MISS+ P]SONS LI/1 B BUR1UCRACIES RE,Y >E
BUR1UCRACIES1 &! "R H& (T5 HAS NO IDEA
:AT ! LEFT IS DO+4
  ,I WD H PL[$ ON4 ,I 0 AB 6PUT ,DORT-
MAN'S "N 96MY SE>* 5G9E :5 ! PH"O RANG4
  8,OKAY10 ,DETECTIVE ,K5DALL ,JACKSON
SD4 8,?"\ Y'D WANT 6"K T Y'VE FLUNK$
,MISS ,3G5IAL;Y "O M "T4 ,Y'RE BACK ON
"EYBODY'S BAD LI/ AG40
  8,ME80 ,I ASK$ ) FEIGN$ 9NOC;E4 8,:AT
H ,I D"O ? "T80
  8,/EPP$ ON "SBODY'S TOES H>D 5 T WE'VE
BE5 TOLD WE'RE N 6%>E 9=M,N AB ,LA,%AWN
,TOMPK9S'S MURD] ) ANY"O1 MO/ ES-   #ADI
PECI,Y ANY"O )! 9ITIALS ,J4,P4 ,S :AT
DID Y F9D \80
  8,I F.D \ T ! ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N GIVES
ME ! CREEPS10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,I HE> Y L\D & CLE> ON T "O10 ,JACK-
SON SD4
  8,& ,I WDN'T TRU/ ,PA/OR ,M>K ANY F>!R
?AN ,I C ?R[ HM40
  8,DITTO ON T10 ,JACKSON AGRE$4
  8,I LE>N$ T ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N W 2
HOLD+ A MEMORIAL S]VICE = ,LA,%AWN ON
,?URS"D NI<T1 & ,I "K ,I C'T ATT5D40
  8,NO PRO#M10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,HANK & ,I
ALR H T "O COV]$40
  ,I _H SAV$ ! BE/ = LA/4 8,& ,I'VE
TRAC$ ,ELA9E ,MANN+ Z F> Z ! ,,YWCA ON
,FIF? ,AV5UE1 >RIV+ AT T5-OH-SIX ON
,SATUR"D MORN+4 ,I H NO IDEA ": %E W5T F
"!40
  8,T'S "S?+ ,I DIDN'T "K10 ,JACKSON SD4
8,?ANKS =! H1DS-UP4 ,I'LL *ECK X \40
  8,S Y & ,I >E / GD1 !N80 ,I ASK$4
  8,Z F> Z ,I "K10 HE REPLI$4 8,YR "N'S
,B1U ,B1UMONT1 "R8 ,N"E HE>D ( ANY"O "ND
,J4,P40                             #AEJ
  ,DETECTIVE ,K5DALL ,JACKSON 0 9DE$ MY
K9D ( GUY4
  ,AB !N ,I ?"\ "EY?+ 0 9 GD %APE1 B 2F
,I CD RETURN 6,LEXIS,NEXIS1 ! PH"O RANG4
,X 0 ! DOORMAN CALL+ 6LET ME "K T MY
DAU<T] & H] FAMILY 7 D[N/AIRS4 ,CD HE
S5D !M UP8
  8,( C\RSE10 ,I SD4 ,AF T1 "EY?+ W5T
/RAI<T 6HELL4 ,9 A H&BASKET4
  ,I EXPECT$ ,KYLE 6BE A H&;L4 ,AF ALL1
HE 0 ONLY A MON? OR S OLD4 ,& ,L>S8 ,(
C\RSE HE WD NE$ ATT5;N4 ,8 WIFE _H J
DI$4 ,& ,KAYLA8 ,%E'S F\R4 ,:AT CD Y EX-
PECT1 ESPECI,Y 3SID]+ ! FACT T MY P5T-
H\SE 3DO IS ANY?+ B KID-PRO(4 7,!N AG1
:5 X -ES 6F\R-YE>-OLDS1 IS ANY?+ "E RE,Y
KID-PRO(87 ,:AT ,I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE 0 T
,KELLY WD 2 M (A PA9 9 ! NECK ?AN ALL (!
RE/ ( !M PUT TGR4
  ,2C1 Z ,I _H GA!R$ F \R NONPH"O 3V]SA-
;N1 %E RE,Y WASN'T SP1K+ 6ME4 ,%E SPOKE
6,L>S4 ,%E SPOKE 6,J]EMY1 :O LOOK$ Z ?\<
HE WD M* PREF] 2+ ANY": ELSE 9 ! UNIV]SE
62+ COOP$ UP 9 8 "F-IN-LAW'S DOMICILE4
,KELLY SPOKE 6,KAYLA4 ,:5 %E W5T    #AEA
96! GUE/ ROOM 6FE$ ,KYLE & PUT HM D[N =A
NAP1 ,I W5T GUNN+ = ,J]EMY4 ,I F.D HM
HID+ \ 9 ! FAMILY ROOM ) ,KAYLA1 :O 0
WAT*+ A C>TOON AB "S"O "ND ,ELM] OR ,EL-
MO--"S?+ L T4 ,KAYLA & ,L>S 7 BO? EN-
GROSS$ 9 WAT*+ ! ,,TV4 ,J]EMY 0 DOZ+4 ,L
,KELLY1 HE1 TOO1 _H T DIM1 *RONIC,Y
SLEEP-DEPRIV$ LOOK :1 Z ,I REMEMB]1 IS
"P & P>CEL ( HAV+ A NEWBORN 9 ! H\SE4 ,I
WOKE HM UP4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON ) ,KELLY80 ,I ASK$4
  ,J]EMY %OOK 8 H1D & %RU7$4 8,B1TS ME10
HE SD MIS]ABLY4 8,ALL ,I "K IS ,I C'T D
ANY?+ "R40
  8,T MAKES TWO ( U10 ,I SD4
  ,AT : PO9T ,KELLY SU45LY REAPPE>$ 9 !
DOORWAY4 8,LET'S G10 %E ANN\NC$4
  ,J]EMY SD1 8,":80
  8,6! HOTEL10 ,KELLY SD4 8,OBVI\SLY T'S
"SBODY ELSE'S ROOM6 ,I WDN'T WANT 6BE 9
! WAY40
  8,NO6 ,KAYLA WAIL$4 8,I DON'T WANT TO
G60
  ,9 ACTUAL FACT1 X 0 "S"O ELSE'S
CLOSET4 ,MEL DIDN'T USE ! B$ROOM    #AEB
AT ALL1 B ) ,MEL'S CLO?+ & MAKEUP CLE>LY
EVID5T 9 BO? ! BA?ROOM &! CLOSET1 ,I CD
SEE H[ ,KELLY MI<T H GOTT5 T MISTAK5
IDEA 96H] H1D4
  8,I ?"\ WE 7 GO+ 6/AY = D9N]10 ,J]EMY
OBJECT$4
  8,WE'LL EAT AT ,MC,DONALD'S10 ,KELLY
SD FIRMLY4 8,KAYLA W L T BETT] ANYWAY40
  8,I DON'T WANNA G60 ,KAYLA SD4 8,I
WANT 6/AY "H4 ,) ,GUMPA40
  ,L>S SD1 8,IS "! A PRO#M80
  ,DUTI;LLY ,J]EMY 2GAN COLLECT+ ?+S--!
DIAP] BAG1 ! BABY C>RI]1 & ALL ! O!R LL
NECESS>IES T G ) 2+ P>5TS ( "Y *N--:ILE
,KELLY SIMPLY H1D$ =! DOOR )! BLANKET-
SWA4L$ ,KYLE 9 H] >MS4 ,0!N ,KAYLA 0
WAIL+ AT ! TOP ( H] LUNGS & /AMP+ H]
FEET4 8,DON'T WANNA G4 ,DON'T WANNA G40
  ,AT : PO9T ! TELEPH"O RANG AG4 8,YR
CAT]] IS "H10 ! DOORMAN ANN\NC$4 8,%D ,I
S5D H] UP80
  ..,:Y ! HELL .N8 ,I ?"\4 8,0ALL M1NS10
,I SD4
  ,KAYLA 0 / SCREE*+ Z ! ELEVATOR H1D$ =
! LO2Y4 ,X 0 5 6MAKE ME L;G =!      #AEC
OLD "DS &! RELATIVE P1CE & QUIET (! ,SE-
ATTLE ,,PD HOMICIDE SQUAD--EV5 IF ,CAP-
TA9 ,PAUL ,KRAM] 0 ! GUY RUNN+ ! %[4





















                                    #AED
























               ,*APT] #H            #AEE

  ,! CAT]$ D9N] 0 N A HUGE SU3ESS4 ,9
FACT1 AL? ! FOOD XF 0 EXCELL5T1 ! -PANY
0 LACK+4 ,KELLY & ,J]EMY DID N ATT5D4
,L>S WASN'T HUNGRY4 ,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE %[$
UP AN H\R &A HALF LAT] ?AN EXPECT$ DUE
6_! ,S1TTLE-B.D AIRCRAFT HAV+ _H "S K9D
( ME*ANICAL PRO#M :ILE X 0 / ON ! GR.D
AT ,,SFO4 ,_! FOOD 0 COLD4 ,MEL DIDN'T
%[ UP = D9N] AT ALL4 ,& %E DIDN'T CALL4
  ,? %D PROBABLY 2 FIL$ "U ! H1D+ ( 8,J
,DES]TS10 2C IF MY EX-WIFE ,K>5 7 /
ALIVE1 ,I'M SURE %E CD REC.T1 *APT] &
V]SE1 ! _M "TS ,I MISS$ M1LS--& DIDN'T
CALL1 EI4 ,B "K+ X 0 PAYBACK "T DIDN'T
MAKE ME FEEL ANY BETT]4 ,AB #I3JJ
,P4,M41 :5 ,I CAME BACK F RETURN+ ,L>S
6HIS DIGS AT ,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S1 ,MEL 0
HOME4 ,I F.D H] AT ! D9+ ROOM TA#4 ,/
DAMP F TAK+ A %[] & CLAD ONLY 9 A ROBE1
%E 0 *[+ D[N ON LEFTOV]S4
  8,H['D X G80 %E ASK$4
  8,CD H BE5 BETT]10 ,I MUTT]$4 8,":'VE
Y BE580
  8,CRIME SC5E10 %E REPLI$4 8,\     #AEF
0,M.T ,SI4 ,WE 7 \ 9 ! BOONIES F> 5 T WE
5D$ UP 9 A TELECOMMUNIC,NS BLACK HOLE4
,CELL PH"OS DON'T "W "!40
  8,:AT K9D ( CRIME SC5E80 ,I ASK$4
  8,HOMICIDE10 %E SD4 8,:AT DID Y ?9K X
WD BE80
  ,B>R+ UNUSUAL CIRCUM/.ES1 ,,SHIT ISN'T
(T5 CALL$ 9 ON HOMICIDE CRIME SC5ES4 ,F/
RESPONSE USU,Y FALLS 6LOCAL AG5CIES &
JURISDIC;NS4
  8,^: CASE IS X80 ,I ASK$4 8,& H[ -E Y
TOOK ! CALL80
  8,X HAPP5$ 9 RURAL ,K+ ,C.TY10 ,MEL
EXPLA9$4 8,B X TURNS \ ! VICTIM IS "O (
M9E--"O ( MY REGI/]$ SEX (F5D]S1 T IS4
,S WE'RE RUNN+ A JO9T 9VE/IG,N4 ,! GUY'S
"N IS ,KATES--,ALL5 ,*RI/OPH] ,KATES4
,T'S / T5TATIVE1 EV5 ?\< X'S BAS$ ON
,,ID WE F.D ON ! BODY4 ,WE'LL NE$ D5TAL
RECORDS 6GET A POSITIVE1 & WE WON'T H ^?
F ! ,DE"P;T ( ,CORREC;NS UNTIL TM AT !
E>LIE/40
  ,! CALL = D5TAL RECORDS IMPLI$ T !
BODY _H BE5 "! =A :ILE4 ,I'VE BE5 6GRIM
CRIME SC5ES L T4 ,! FACT T ,MEL     #AEG
CD -E F A SICK5+ HOMICIDE 9VE/IG,N ) H]
APPETITE = D9N] / 9TACT SD A LOT AB :O
%E WAS--& :Y ,I LIK$ H]4
  8,KATES LIV$ 0HMF 9 A LL CAMP] %ELL \
9 ! WOODS1 SORT ( L ! GUY D[N 9 ,ORE-
GON10 ,MEL 3T9U$4 8,HE WASN'T BIG ON FRS
& FAMILY1 S9CE HE'D BE5 D1D =A MON? OR
L;G] 2F ANY"O BO!R$ 6REPORT HM MISS+40
  8,ME? LAB80 ,I ASK$4
  ,P :O LIVE 0!MVS 9 ! WOODS (T5 "PICI-
PATE 9 ! MANUFACTUR+ SECTOR4 ,MIX+ UP
BAT*ES ( ME? IS A GR[? 9DU/RY 9 RURAL >-
EAS ALL OV] ! C.TRY4
  8,NOPE10 ,MEL SD4 8,NO SIGN ( ME?4 ,HE
0 GR[+ PL5TY ( GRASS1 H["E40 ,& %E
DIDN'T M1N ,B]MUDA4
  8,:AT DID HE DIE (80 ,I ASK$4
  8,A S+LE BULLET W.D 6! H1D4 ,X 0 FIR$
F PO9T-BLANK RANGE4 ,BLEW \ MO/ ( 8
SKULL40
  8,SELF-9FLICT$80 ,I ASK$4
  8,N LIKELY10 %E ANSW]$1 8S9CE NO W1PON
0 F.D AT ! SC5E40
  8,& H[ DID Y GET DRA7$ 96X80
  8,L ,I SD1 HE 0 "O (! GUYS ON     #AEH
MY LI/4 ,I HAPP5$ 6BE *ECK+ ON HM AT !
SAME "T "S"O ELSE 0 BUSY F9D+ ! BODY40
  8,T MAKES :AT1 N[--?REE ( YR GUYS1 Z Y
CALL !M--D1D8 ,"O 9 ,OREGON1 "O 9 ,BEL-
L+HAM1 & N[ ?80
  8,M L SEV510 ,MEL SD Z %E /OOD 6CLE>
H] PLATE & C>RY ! REMA9+ 3TA9]S ( ROA/
BEEF1 MA%$ POTATOES1 & GRAVY BACK 6!
FRIDGE4 8,I ?"\ ,ROSS WANT$ ME 6V]IFY
A4RESSES ( LIV+ SEX (F5D]S4 ,I _H NO
IDEA S _M ( !M WD H CROAK$4 ,&! D1D GUYS
>E ALL OV] ! MAP--LIT],Y4 ,TWO N[ 9
,WA%+TON1 "O EA* 9 ,IDAHO1 ,OREGON1 &
,MONTANA1 & TWO M 9 ,>IZONA40
  ,X DIDN'T SURPRISE ME 6?9K T ANY GIV5
LI/ ( EX-CONS1 VIOL5T SEXUAL PR$ATORS OR
O!RWISE1 WD H A HI< MORTAL;Y RATE4
,!Y'RE N EXACTLY ! K9D ( FOLKS :O AVOID
:AT 9SUR.E ACTU>IES L 6CALL 8RISKY 2HAV-
IOR40 ,A3ID5TAL OV]DOSES ( ILLEGAL DRUGS
R\T9ELY TAKE \ F> M BAD GUYS ^! "DS ?AN
EXECU;N]-ADM9I/]$ LE?AL 9JEC;NS "E W4
  8,S YR GUYS >E DY+ L FLIES4 ,:AT (80
  ,MEL SMIL$ AT MY 9ADV]T5T RHYME4
8,?REE C> A3ID5TS10 %E SD4 8,!      #AEI
GUY ON ,*UCKANUT ,DRIVE &! TWO 9 ,>IZO-
NA4 ,RIC>DO ,F]N&O ,H]N&EZ & ,FELIX ,AN-
DRADE ,MOR5O 7 CELL MATES 9 ,MONROE &
LAT] ROOMMATES D[N 9 ,PHOENIX4 ,_! VEHI-
CLE 5D$ UP UPSIDE D[N 9 AN IRRIG,N CANAL
\TSIDE ,PHOENIX4 ,H]N&EZ 0 2H ! :EEL &
DRUNK4 ,T "O'S BE5 RUL$ AN A3ID5T4 ,IDA-
HO & ,MONTANA 7 BO? OV]DOSES1 MO/ LIKELY
SUICIDES1 AL? NO NOTES 7 F.D40
  8,MAYBE !Y CDN'T WRITE10 ,I SU7E/$4
  8,& MAYBE "! 0 TOO M* PRESSURE10 ,MEL
SD4 8,AT L1/ T'S H[ X LOOKS = "S ( !M4
,ONCE !Y'RE \ (! SLAMM] !Y'RE REQUIR$ TO
REGI/] ) LOCAL AU?ORITIES & _! 9=M,N IS
PO/$ ON ! ,9T]NET4 ,! GUY 9 ,POCATELLO1
,FR$]ICK ,JAMISON1 LO/ 8 JOB & 0 2+
EVICT$ ONCE 8 9=M,N 2CAME PUBLIC4 ,PRET-
TY M* ! SAME ?+ HAPP5$ 6,RAY ,RAMIREZ 9
,HEL5A1 ,MONTANA4 ,"! 0 A HUGE PUBLIC
\TCRY F ! NEI<BORS AB HM -+ BACK "! TO
LIVE ) 8 P>5TS40
  8,P>DON ME :ILE ,I DON'T G ALL W>M &
FUZZY OV] A BUN* ( LOS] SEXUAL PR$A-
TORS10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,& :AT'S ! MATT] )
Y8 ,S.DS L Y'RE SAY+ ,8EVIL1 NOSY   #AFJ
NEI<BORS0' & ,8POOR1 PITI;L SEXUAL PR$A-
TORS40'0
  ,MEL LOOK$ TR\#D4 8,I'M N SAY+ ANY?+ (
! K9D1 B X DOES /RIKE ME Z ODD4 ,I'VE
ONLY "W$ MY WAY "? A HUNDR$ & FIFTY "NS
OR S1 & SEV5 D1D /RIKES ME Z A PRETTY
HI< NUMB]4 ,^! >E R1SONABLY "Y GUYS1
MO/LY 9 _! ?IRTIES & =TIES4 ,I ?9K "S-
?+'S AMISS "H1 & ,I DON'T "K :AT4 ,I AL
?9K T'S :Y ,ROSS HAS ME LOOK+ 96X--2C1 Z
Y SD1 !Y >E DY+ L FLIES40
  ,I 0 />T+ 6FEEL BETT] 0!N1 LULL$ 0!
SIMPLE NORMAL;Y ( TALK+ %OP ) ,MEL1 (
4CUSS+ ! NUTS & BOLTS ( H] S"EAL CASES4
,I H NO D\BT T MY VISIT 6! ,K+ ,/REET
,MIS.N WD H B5EFIT$ F A DOSE ( ,MEL
,SOAMES'S 9SI<T;L ANALYSIS1 TOO1 B ASK+
= H] HELP ON T "O WD H M1NT ADMITT+ ,I 0
"W+ A CASE :5 ,I 0 SUPPOS$LY (F "W ON
2R1VE;T L1VE & LOOK+ AF ,L>S4 ,! SAME
W5T = ,AN?ONY ,DAVID ,COSGROVE4 ,S9CE ,I
WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6BE "W+1 ,I DIDN'T BR+ T
"O UP1 EI4
  ,WE W5T F ! TA# 6! W9D[ S1T1 ": ,MEL
MOV$ A CU%ION & UNE>!D "O ( ,KAY-   #AFA
LA'S TOYS1 A R$ H& PUPPET T LOOK$ A LOT
L ! C>TOON "* %E'D BE5 WAT*+ ON ,,TV E>-
LI] 9 ! AFN4 ,OBVI\SLY ,J]EMY'S RU%$
TOY-COLLEC;N MIS.N _HN'T BE5 5TIRELY
SU3ESS;L4
  8,ELMO10 ,MEL SD1 SLIPP+ ! PUPPET ONTO
H] H&4
  8,I N"E HE>D ( HM10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,H[ D
Y "K ? GUY'S "N IS ,ELMO80
  ,MEL LAU<$4 8,I'M A DETECTIVE1 REMEM-
B]80 %E SD1 :ACK+ ME PLAY;LLY ON ! NO79
) ,ELMO'S SEMI-H>D H1D4 8,I GET PD = "K+
?+S4 ,ACTU,Y1 MY NIECE LOVES ANY?+ ,EL-
MO4 ,:AT'S YR EXCUSE = N "K+8 ,& ": DID
"EYBODY G8 ,I EXPECT$ 6-E HOME 6A H\SE;L
( -PANY40
  ,& S ,I GAVE H] A BL[-BY-BL[ DESCRIP;N
( MY 4A/R\S 8FAMILY0 AFN & EV5+1 9CLUD+
! "P AB ,KELLY DECAMP+ 9 A HUFF ONCE %E
F.D ,MEL'S P]SONAL ITEMS LURK+ 9 ! GUE/
ROOM CLOSET & BA?ROOM4
  8,S.DS L %E'S SU6]+ F A SEV]E CASE (
SEP>,N ANXIETY10 ,MEL SD4 8,%E'S AFRAID
( LOS+ Y 6ME40
  8,T'S RIDICUL\S10 ,I >GU$4        #AFB
8,KELLY ISN'T LOS+ ME4 ,I'M N GO+ ANY-
":40
  8,%E J _H A BABY10 ,MEL PO9T$ \4 8,I'M
GUESS+ H] HORM"OS >E ALL \ ( :ACK AT !
MO;T4 ,Y NE$ 6BE PATI5T40
  8,%E'S ! "O :O CD USE "S PATI;E10 ,I
GRUM#D4
  ,%AK+ H] H1D1 ,MEL *ANG$ ! SUBJECT4
8,DID Y "E GET >.D 6MAK+ "S K9D ( >-
RANGE;TS =A PO/-FUN]AL RECEP;N = ,L>S80
%E ASK$4
  ,I _H BE5 PLAY+ SOCIAL DIRECTOR ALL
AFN1 B ? "O RESPONSIBIL;Y _H "SH[ FALL5
(F ! RAD>4 8,DAMN60 ,I SD4
  8,I TAKE T 6M1N NO80 ,MEL ASK$4
  ,I NO4$4 ,%E IMMLY R1*$ = H] CELL
PH"O4 8,I'LL CALL ,RITA1 !N10 %E SD4
8,I'M SURE %E'LL D X40
  8,:O'S ,RITA80 ,I ASK$4
  8,RITA ,DAV5PORT4 ,%E RUNS ! SAME CA-
T]+ -PANY T S]V$ D9N] TN4 ,%E & ,I >E
BO? BO>D MEMB]S ( ,,SASAC4 ,T'S H[ ,I
KNEW 6CALL H]4 ,:Y DON'T Y *ECK )! MAN-
AG] ON "PY ROOM AVAILABIL;Y4 ,I'LL SEE
:AT ,I C D AB R.D+ UP "S FOOD40     #AFC
  ,LUCKILY1 ! "PY ROOM 0 OP5 = E>LY
,?URS"D AFN4 ,:ILE ,I RES]V$ X VIA ! L&-
L9E1 ,MEL MADE >RANGE;TS = ,MAGICAL
,M1LS 6PROVIDE FOOD & B"EAGES4 ,9 LESS
"T ?AN ,I WD H ?"\ POSSI#1 ,B"ELY ,J5S-
S5'S PO/-FUN]AL RECEP;N 0 A D"O D1L4
  8,Y D GD "W10 ,I TOLD ,MEL :5 %E PUT !
PH"O BACK D[N4
  8,?ANK Y10 %E SD1 TURN+ 6GIVE ME A
L;G1 9VIT+ KISS4 8,I'M ACTU,Y A MULTI-
TAL5T$ GIRL40
  ,& T 0 ABSOLUTELY TRUE4
  ,I AWAK5$ ! NEXT MORN+ 6! SMELL (
BREW+ C(FEE & 6,MEL'S VOICE ON ! TELE-
PH"O TELL+ ,H>RY ,I4 ,BALL 9 NO UNC]TA9
T]MS T ,ALL5 ,KATES OR NO ,ALL5 ,KATES1
,MEL 0 TAK+ ! "D (F4
  8,! MAN'S ALR BE5 D1D = M ?AN A MON?10
%E SD4 8,IF ,K+ ,C.TY -ES UP ) ANY?+ TD1
,I'M SURE !Y'LL 2 M ?AN HAPPY 6BR+ ME UP
6SPE$ TM40
  ,H>RY ,IGNATIUS ,BALL 0 FE>.S1 EXCEPT
:5 X -ES 6D1L+ ) IRATE WOM54 ,HE'S LIA#
6SAY "S?+ POLITIC,Y 9CORRECT 9 !
PROCESS1 B HE ALW CAPITULATES4 ,?   #AFD
0 NO EXCEP;N4 ,H>RY BUCKL$4
  8,N[ T ,I'M N GO+ IN10 ,MEL SD1 H&+ ME
MY C(FEE1 8D WE H A S*$ULE80
  ,WE DIDN'T1 B ,MEL MANAG$ 6ORGANIZE "O
9 %ORT ORD]4 ,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE 7 4PAT*$
6,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S 6COLLECT ,L>S & BR+
HM 6! ,%ANTY ON L[] ,QUE5 ,ANNE =A FAMI-
LY BR1KFA/4 ,DESPITE ! RISK ( O3A.N,Y
RUNN+ 96,MAXWELL ,COLE1 ,I'VE -E 6APPRE-
CIATE ! ,%ANTY 9 ! PA/ FEW MON?S4 ,X'S
OLD 5 = ME 6FEEL -=TA# "!1 & ,I "K ,L>S
LIKES X1 TOO4 ,X _H ! A4$ ADVANTAGE ( 2+
)9 EASY WALK+ 4T.E (! KIDS' HOTEL4
  ,I EXPECT$ BR1KFA/ 6BE ANO!R 4A/]1 B X
WASN'T4 ,MEL 4>M$ ,KELLY'S EMO;NAL ,MO-
LOTOV COCKTAIL 0*>M+ ,KAYLA )A POCKET;L
( /ICK]S & 0HOLD+ ,KYLE & COO+ OV] HM 9
A WAY T WD H DUMBF.D$ H] FELL[ ,,SHIT (-
FIC]S1 ,H>RY ,I4 ,BALL 9CLUD$4 ,& :ILE
,MEL & ,I LOOK$ AF ! KIDS1 ,L>S _H "EY"O
ELSE'S UNDIVID$ ATT5;N Z HE PASS$ >.D
,B"ELY ,PI$MONT ,J5SS5'S TR1SUR$ SCRAP-
BOOKS4
  ,ON T "PICUL> "D1 T COLLEC;N ( YELL[$
NEWSPAP] CLIPP+S S]V$ Z MY GR&-     #AFE
"M'S "P+ GIFT 6ME--& AN 9CR$I# B.S+4 ,X
AM.T$ 6PRETTY M* A H>D-COPY ,LEXIS,NEXIS
REPORT ON ! LIFE & "TS ( ,J4 ,P4 ,B1U-
MONT1 B ? "O _H BE5 D"O ! OLD-FA%ION$
WAY1 ) SCISSORS & ,ELM]'S GLUE4
  ,BACK 9 ! "DS :5 "NS M1NT BUSI;S = LO-
CAL -MUN;Y NEWSPAP]S1 ,B"ELY _H CULL$
ALL K9DS ( BITS & PIECES ( MY LIFE F !
PAGES (! N[-DEFUNCT .,BALL>D .,4PAT*4
,"! 7 ITEMS AB ,CUB ,SC\T ACTIVITIES &
HI< S*OOL A?LETIC EV5TS1 ALL ( !M C>E;L-
LY CLIPP$ & DAT$4 ,I DON'T ?9K EI (!
KIDS _H "E SE5 ,K>5'S 5GAGE;T PHOTO OR
\R W$D+ ANN\NCE;T4 7,\R DIVORCE ANN\NCE-
;T 0 "!1 TOO1 B T 0 M* LAT]4 ,B"ELY
WASN'T "O = $IT+ \ BAD NEWS47
  ,LAT] ON1 ! /ORIES %IFT$ AWAY F !
.,4PAT* & ONTO ! PAGES (! .,S1TTLE .,"TS
&! .,P-,I1 Z MY C>E] Z F/ A ,S1TTLE ,,PD
B1T COP & LAT] Z A DETECTIVE TOOK (F &
O3A.N,Y 2CAME NEWSWOR?Y4 ,"! 7 SECRETS
LURK+ AM;G MY GR&"M'S TR1SURES T NEI (
MY *N _H "E "KN OR SUSPECT$ AB _! "F4 ,X
TURN$ \ ,B"ELY _H MANAG$ 6GL1N ?+S AB
,KELLY & ,SCOTT Z WELL--_! PUB-     #AFF
LI%$ BIR? ANN\NCE;TS1 = EXAMPLE4 ,B"ELY
_H 3T9U$ KEEP+ H] LOV+ L;G-4T.E VIGIL
EV5 AF ,I _H RECONCIL$ ) H] & MY GR&"F4
  ,& AT ! V LA/1 TUCK$ 96! F/ EMPTY PAGE
9 ! MO/ REC5T NOTEBOOK1 0 ! C>DBO>D-
FRAM$ HOSPITAL PHOTO ( ,KYLE4 ,I'M SURE
,L>S PUT X "! =! SIMPLE R1SON T HE NE$$
6PUT X AWAY4 ,I DON'T "K IF 8 *OICE (!
NOTEBOOK 0 DELIB]ATE OR A3ID5TAL1 B ,I
GAVE HM CR$IT =A /ROKE ( PURE G5IUS :5
,I SAW ! TE>;LLY GRATE;L LOOK ,KELLY %OT
9 MY DIREC;N :5 %E F.D X4 ,! LOOK 0 UT-
T]LY PRICE.S--& DUE 5TIRELY 6,MEL'S EF-
=TS R ?AN MY [N4
  ,0! "T WE LEFT ! RE/AURANT X 0 ALM "T
6G 6! FUN]AL HOME4
  ,I DON'T L FUN]ALS1 PROBABLY 2C ,I'VE
BE5 6F> TOO _M ( !M 9 MY "T4 ,& ,I EX-
PECT$ ? "O 6BE BAD NEWS4 ,I R1LIZ$ X 0
GO+ 6BE DI6]5T1 H["E1 Z SOON Z WE WALK$
96! *APEL1 ": AN 9VISI# ORGAN 0 PLAY+
8,LOVE ,IS ,LOVELI] ! ,SECOND ,"T ,>.D40
,! BACK TWO R[S 7 PACK$ ) P--MO/LY WOM5
& "O L"O MAN--F ,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S4 ,AL
NE> ! BACK 0 ! 3T+5T F ,,SHIT--     #AFG
,H>RY &! TWO O!R GUYS F ,SQUAD ;,B1
,BRAD ,NORTON & ,A>ON ,OLIV]4 ,CLOSE 6!
FRONT 7 MY FRS ,RON & ,AMY ,PET]S1 AL;G
) _! ?REE KIDS4 ,RALPH & ,M>Y ,AMES 7 AL
9 ATT5D.E4
  ,! :OLE FRONT (! *APEL 0 >RAY$ ) FLO-
RAL >RANGE;TS4 ,MAYBE ,I _H OV]D"O X A
LL1 B N T M*4 ,Z ,B"ELY _H SPECIFI$1 "!
7 TWO SEP>ATE BOXES ( CREMA9S ON ! ALT>4
,2T !M /OOD A COLOR PHOTO (A B1M+ ,B"ELY
,PI$MONT ,J5SS51 DRESS$1 = ONCE 9 H]
LIFE1 9 SP>KL+ =MAL ATTIRE4
  ,! PHOTO _H BE5 "O ( ^? %IPBO>D RITES
( PASSAGE TAK5 PRIOR 6! =MAL-NI<T D9N]
ON ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE DUR+ _! H"OYMOON
CRUISE 6,ALASKA4 ,SEE+ ,B"ELY'S V SO-
PHI/ICAT$ UPSWEPT HAIRDO1 ,I REMEMB]$ !
FIREFI<T T _H RESULT$ :5 ,L>S _H MADE !
TACTICAL BL"U ( -P>+ ,B"ELY'S HAIRDO 6!
F5D] ON A #'EG ,CADILLAC4 ,IF Y /UDI$ !
PHOTO CLOSELY1 Y CD SEE ! $GE ( ,L>S'S
GLASSES ": "S"O1 US+ "O ( ^? -PUT]IZ$
PHOTO-$IT+ PROGRAMS1 _H EXCIS$ HM F ! =-
MAL POSE4
  ,L>S L1N$ OV] ME4 8.,JA1 SURE10   #AFH
HE SD4 8,YU/ LOOK AT ALL ! FL[]S4 ,:O D
Y T'9K S5T !M80
  8,NO IDEA10 ,I SD4
  ,ROB]T ,/AUNTON1 ! *APLA9 F ,QUE5
,ANNE ,G>D5S1 (FICIAT$ AT ! C]EMONY &
DID A CR$I# JOB ( X4 ,X 0 CLE> F 8 RE-
M>KS T HE KNEW ,L>S & ,B"ELY WELL1 & T
HE _H LIK$ & RESPECT$ !M4 ,:AT HE _H TO
SAY 0 9 FACT A CELEBR,N (! LOVE & C>+ !Y
_H BR"\ 6EA* O!R LATE 9 LIFE4
  ,T[>D ! 5D (! S]VICE ,/AUNTON OP5$ !
PROCE$+S = -;TS F FRS & FAMILY4 ,I 0
SURPRIS$ :5 ,KELLY H&$ ,KYLE OV] 6,J]EMY
& /EPP$ UP 6! MICROPH"O4
  8,I DIDN'T MEET MY GRT-GR&"M AT ALL
UNTIL J A FEW YE>S AGO10 ,KELLY SD4 8,B
,I "K %E LOV$ U EV5 :5 WE W]5'T TGR1 &
,I'M GRATE;L 6H "KN H] AT ALL4 ,& ,I'M
GRATE;L 6,L>S = MAK+ H] S HAPPY40
  ,T PRETTY WELL SD X = ME4 ,"! WASN'T A
S+LE ?+ ,I CD H A4$ 6T /ATE;T1 S ,I
DIDN'T TRY4
  ,:5 X CAME "T 6L1VE ! *APEL1 ,L>S H&$
! TWO BOXES ( CREMA9S OV] 6,SCOTT =
SAFEKEEP+4 ,!N HE PICK$ UP ! PHO-   #AFI
TO & C>RI$ X ) HM =! REMA9D] (! "D1
CLUT*+ X 6HIS *E/ Z ?\< X 7 A TALISMAN T
WD DRIVE AWAY ! S"EAL ELD]LY WOM5 :O DID
T5D 6CLU/] >.D HM4 ,Z F> Z !Y 7 3C]N$1
H["E1 ,L>S ,J5SS5'S OP9ION 6! 3TR>Y1 ,I
N"E SAW ANY?+ AT ALL 9 ! WOM5'S 2HAVIOR
T 0 ! L1/ BIT 9APPROPRIATE4 ,!Y SEEM$ L
NICE1 ORD9>Y WOM5 :O 7 CLUCK+ 9 ORD] TO
EXPRESS S9C]E 3C]N = "S"O :O _H LO/ 8
MATE4 ,P]IOD4 ,IF "O ( !M 0 D1D SET ON
MANEUV]+ ,L>S 96! SACK1 ,I DIDN'T SEE
ANY EVID;E ( X4
  ,SCOTT & ,J]EMY LOAD$ ALL ! FL[]S 96!
BACK ( ,SCOTT'S R5T$ ,TAURUS 6TAKE BACK
6,BELLT[N ,T]RACE =! RECEP;N4 ,Z !Y 7
DO+ ! LOAD+1 ,L>S 0 BUSY OBSESS+ AB H[
HE'D MANAGE 6WRITE ALL ! ?ANK-Y NOTES4
  8,N 6WORRY10 ,MEL ASSUR$ HM4 8,I'LL
H&LE X40
  ,?US SAV+ MY BACON "O M "T4
  ,WE MADE X "? ! RECEP;N 9 FAIRLY GD
%APE4 ,I _H BE5 PREP>$ 6TAKE ! :OLE GR\P
\ 6D9N]1 B ,SCOTT LET ME "K T WASN'T
NEC4 8,J]EMY & ,*]ISSE HAV5'T SP5T M* "T
9 ,S1TTLE10 HE SD4 8,&1 AC 6!M1     #AGJ
,KAYLA SP5T H] :OLE "D'S WOR? ( GD 2HAV-
IOR AT ! FUN]AL4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6G \ = PIZZA
& !N TM WE'RE GO+ 6G SI<TSEE+4 ,IF Y
WANT 6-E AL;G '''0
  ,"SH[ ! IDEA ( MY KIDS' SP5D+ "S ADULT
"T TGR 2C !Y WANT$ TO1 )\T SQUA2L+ & )\T
P>5TAL 5=CE;T1 0 AN IDEA T W>M$ ME4 8,I
?9K ,I'LL TAKE A PASS ON PIZZA & SI<T-
SEE+10 ,I SD4 8,B MAYBE WE C H D9N] TGR
TM NI<T40
  ,MEL CAU<T MY EYE4 8,WE'RE BOOK$ TM
EV5+1 REMEMB]80 %E SD4 ,!N %E A4$1
8,AL?1 IF Y WANT 6SP5D "T ) YR KIDS1 ,I
C G AL"O40
  ,!N ,I REMEMB]$--! FUND-RAIS+ AUC;N &!
TUX4 ,I AL KNEW T ! "D _H G"O Z WELL Z X
_H DUE1 9 NO SMALL M1SURE1 6,MELISSA
,SOAMES'S EF=TS4 ,I [$ H]4
  8,H[ L;G >E Y /AY+ 9 T[N80 ,I ASK$4
  ,SCOTT GR9N$4 8,! DESK CL]K SD \R BILL
IS PD UNTIL ,SUN"D1 S WE >5'T GO+ HOME
2F !N4 ,RE,Y1 ?\<1 ,SUN"D IS :5 \R PLANE
L1VES1 & T'S :5 ,KELLY & ,J]EMY PLAN TO
H1D BACK1 TOO40
  8,SATUR"D1 !N10 ,I SD4 8,WE'LL    #AGA
MAKE A "D ( X & H D9N] TGR ON ,SATUR"D40
  ,0SIX "EYBODY 0 G"O4 ,L>S _H RETURN$
HOME4 ,! FLORAL >RANGE;TS _H BE5 4P]S$--
"S 6,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S1 "S 6! FRONT LO2Y
( ,BELLT[N ,T]RACE1 & "S 6\R LIV+ ROOM4
,I 0 9 ! RECL9] ) MY FEET UP4 ,MEL _H J
KICK$ (F H] %OES & CURL$ UP ON ! W9D[
S1T 6BR[SE "? ,B"ELY ,J5SS5'S SCRAPBOOKS
:5 H] CELL PH"O RANG4 ,%E _H 6GET UP &
TRACK D[N H] PURSE 9 ORD] 6ANSW]4
  ,I LI/5$ 9 ON H] "P (! 3V]S,N1 B H]
NONCOMMITTAL YESES & UH-HUHS DIDN'T TELL
ME M*4 ,0! "T %E 5D$ ! CALL1 ?\<1 %E 0
VISIBLY UPSET4
  8,:O 0 T80 ,I ASK$4
  8,L5NY ,KESSLEMAN10 %E SD4 8,H1D (
,,CSI = ,K+ ,C.TY40
  8,:AT'S ! MATT]80
  8,! BULLET F ! ,KATES HOMICIDE SC5E IS
MISS+40
  8,MAYBE "O (! DETECTIVES :O 0 "! YE/]-
"D PICK$ X UP & FAIL$ 6PUT X 9 ! LOG40
  8,X'S MISS+ F ! WALL10 ,MEL CL>IFI$
FIRMLY4 8,WE ALL SAW ! HOLE 9 ! WOOD
PANEL+ 9SIDE ! CAMP]4 ,S9CE X       #AGB
DIDN'T P5ETRATE ! \TSIDE (! CAMP] %ELL1
WE ASSUM$ X 0 LODG$ 2T ! PANEL+ &! %ELL
& 0 PROBABLY /UCK "S": 9 ! 9SUL,N4 ,WE
DECID$ 6L1VE ! PANEL+ Z IS UNTIL AF !
,,CSI,'S _H F9I%$ UP )! O!R EVID;E40
  ,:5 A BULLET EXITS A HUMAN SKULL1 "!'S
ALW PL5TY ( BIOLOGICAL EVID;E--BLOOD1
B"O *IPS1 & BRA9 MATT]--LEFT 2H4 ,I "U-
/OOD :Y DETECTIVES ON ! SC5E WD H LEFT !
BULLET UNDISTURB$ UNTIL AF ALL T EVID;E1
9CLUD+ BLOOD SPATT] & POSSI# %OE PR9TS1
_H BE5 PROP]LY PHOTOGRAPH$1 COLLECT$1 &
CATALOG$4
  8,S TD !Y CUT \ T *UNK ( PANEL+ & DUG
"? ! 9SUL,N1 B ! BULLET WASN'T "!10 ,MEL
3T9U$4 8,& F :AT ,KESSLEMAN J TOLD ME1
:5 !Y TOOK ! PIECE ( PANEL+ 9 = PROCESS-
+1 !Y F.D EVID;E T WD 2 3SI/5T )! BULLET
HAV+ BE5 REMOV$ F "! AT ! "T (! %OOT+40
  ,I'VE D"O PL5TY ( H1D-%OT CRIME SC5E
9VE/IG,NS 9 MY "T4 ,5C.T]+ ! PHYSICAL
EVID;E ( "O ( ^? C 2 A S\L-%ATT]+ EXP]I-
;E--EV5 L;G AF ! FACT4 ,IF ,ALL5
,KATES'S KILL] _H BE5 T\< 5 6WADE "?
FRE% BLOOD & GORE 9 ORD] 6RE-       #AGC
TRIEVE DAMN+ EVID;E ( 8 CRIME1 X 0 LIKE-
LY WE 7 D1L+ ) "S"O :O 0 APPALL+LY COLD-
BLOOD$4 ,MO/ MURD]]S DON'T -E EQUIPP$ )!
PRES;E ( M9D 6CL1N UP AF !MVS4 ,MO/ ( !M
>5'T T SM>T4
  8,:AT AB %OE PR9TS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,:AT ,I SAW WD 2 3SI/5T )A KILL] :O
WORE BOOTIES40
  ,T M1NT ! GUY 0 DEF9ITELY CRIME-SC5E
SAVVY4
  8,S.DS L Y'RE D1L+ ) "SBODY :O'S WAT*$
WAY TOO _M ,,CSI PROGRAMS ON ,,TV40
  8,"! IS "O M POSSIBIL;Y10 ,MEL V5TUR$
AF A PAUSE4 8,MAYBE \R KILL] IS A COP40
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 GIV5 ! CIRCUM/.ES1 T
3CLU.N WASN'T AT ALL \TSIDE ! R1LM (
POSSIBIL;Y4
  8,T WD C]TA9LY EXPLA9 :Y ,ROSS ,3NORS
IS 9VOLV$40
  8,WDN'T X J10 ,MEL AGRE$4 ,) T1 %E
ONCE M R1*$ = H] PH"O4



                                    #AGD
























               ,*APT] #I            #AGE

  ,ROSS ,3NORS'S ,,SHIT SQUAD IS ! F/
PLACE ,I'VE "E "W$ T ISN'T ALL HUNG UP
ON "EYBODY GO+ "? *ANNELS & ACR DESKS4
,I F9D T V REFRE%+4 ,YES1 ,H>RY ,I4
,BALL RUNS \R UNIT1 B ,ROSS VALUES ! H&-
PICK$ P HE'S *OS5 Z 8 9VE/IGATORS & HE
TRU/S !M4 ,HE'S MADE X ABUNDANTLY CLE> T
WE ALL H DIRECT A3ESS 6HM :5"E & :]"E WE
DEEM X NEC4 ,S X DIDN'T SURPRISE ME T !
CALL ,MEL PLAC$ 0 6! ATTORNEY G5]AL4
,NOR DID X SURPRISE ME :5 HE CALL$ H]
BACK FIVE M9UTES AF %E LEFT HM A MES-
SAGE4
  ,%E GAVE HM A BRIEF RUND[N ( :AT ,KES-
SLEMAN _H TOLD H]1 !N %E />T$ H$G+4 8,I
SUPPOSE ,I CD MEET Y AT ! (FICE OR ELSE
MY PLACE 9 ,BELLEVUE 9 AB TW5TY M9UTES40
  ,MEL PAUS$ :ILE HE SD "S?+ 9 RETURN4
,AF A GL.E 9 MY DIREC;N1 %E REPLI$1 8,T5
M9UTES8 ,SURE4 ,T'LL 2 F9E4 ,"O ( U W 2
D[N/AIRS 6LET Y IN40
  ,6MY A/ONI%;T %E 0 BLU%+ Z %E CLOS$ H]
PH"O4 8,S :O TOLD ,ROSS WE 7 LIV+ TGR80
  8,I SURE Z HELL DIDN'T60 ,I EX-   #AGF
CLAIM$4
  8,WELL1 "SBODY DID10 %E SD4 8,HE'S AT
A MEET+ AT ! ,FAIRMONT4 ,HE'LL 2 "H 9 T5
M9UTES40
  8,HE'S -+ "H80 ,T DID SURPRISE ME4 ,!
M.TA9 USU,Y DOESN'T G 6,MUHAMMAD1 &!
FACT T HE 0 -+ 6,BELLT[N ,T]RACE =A
LATE-EV5+ P]SONAL VISIT M1NT "S?+ 0 UP--
"S?+ T CDN'T WAIT UNTIL REGUL> BUSI;S
H\RS4
  ,) ONLY T5 M9UTES' WOR? ( W>N+ "!
WASN'T "T 6/& >.D SPECULAT+ AB X4 ,I'M
ON ! WAGON4 ,H BE5 = YE>S4 ,WA%+TON
,/ATE ATTORNEY G5]AL ,ROSS ,3NORS IS
DEF9ITELY N ON ! WAGON4 ,ANY?+ B4
  ,9 ! OLD "DS--! PRE-,MELISSA ,SOAMES
"DS--AN UNEXPECT$ EV5+ VISIT F HM WD H
NECESSITAT$ MY KNOCK+ ON MY NEI<BORS'
DOORS 9 SE>* (A BORR[$ CUP ( _SS4 ,N[ T
,MEL 0 LIV+ "H1 H["E1 WE _H A MOD]ATELY
DEC5T W9E CELL>4 ,! BE/ ,I CD D 0 (F]
,ROSS A GLASS ( W9E F A TW5TY-DOLL> BOT-
TLE ( IMPORT$ ,FR5* ,BORD1UX PUR*AS$ F
,MEL'S W9E M]*ANT ( *OICE--,CO/CO4
  ,:ILE ,MEL W5T D[N/AIRS 6COL-     #AGG
LECT \R VISITOR ,I OP5$ ! BOTTLE1 SET \
"S GLASSES1 & P\R$ MYF A TONIC & TONIC
OV] ICE4
  ,:5 ,ROSS %[$ UP1 HE LOOK$ SURPRIS+LY
4TRESS$ & ,I CD TELL HE'D ALR _H A DR9K
OR TWO4 8,? IS O/5SIBLY A 3DOL;E CALL10
HE SD BRUSQUELY Z ,MEL L$ HM 96! ROOM4
8,O!R ?AN T1 NO MEET+ HAS TAK5 PLACE4
,GOT X80
  ,S ,B"ELY ,J5SS5 0 / PROVID+ COV]--?
"T =! ,A4,G4 HMF4
  8,GOT X10 ,I SD4 ,I P\R$ HM A GLASS (
W9E4 ,HE TOOK A L;G SIP )\T RE,Y TA/+ X4
  8,S LET'S G OV] ? ,KATES ?+ AG10 HE SD
6,MEL4 8,F ! TOP40
  ,HE LI/5$ )\T -;T Z ,MEL REC.T$ ! /O-
RY4 8,ANY ID1S80 HE ASK$ :5 %E F9I%$4
  8,B1U & ,I 7 SPECULAT+ J 2F Y GOT "H10
,MEL REPLI$4 8,WE'RE WOND]+ IF MAYBE
,KATES'S KILL] CD 2 A COP1 OR AT ! V L1/
"S"O )A LAW 5=CE;T BACKGR.D40
  ,ROSS %IFT$ UNEASILY 9 8 *AIR1 & S9CE
HE _H APPROPRIAT$ MY RECL9]1 ,I KNEW X
WASN'T T UNCOM=TA#4 8,CD BE10 HE SD4 ,!N
HE SI<$ & 3T9U$4 8,\R KILL] CD 2    #AGH
A COP OR AN EX-COP OR MAYBE EV5 A COR-
REC;NAL (FIC] :O'S SY/EMATIC,Y T>GET+
EX-CONS :O DID _! "T 9 ,WA%+TON ,/ATE4
,WE NE$ 6"K IF ? IS AN 9SIDE JOB4 ,T'S
:Y ,I PUT BO? ( Y ON ! TWO SEP>ATE CASES
--) ,MEL RUNN+ ! SEXUAL-(F5D] R.DUP & Y
ON ! ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S 9CID5T4 ,T WAY1
IF ! TWO CASES D L9K UP1 ,I'M HOP+ 6LO-
CALIZE ! PRO#M40
  ,MEL GAVE ME A LOOK4 ,H]S SD CLE>LY1
8,:O ! HELL IS ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S80 :
M1NT T :AT"E M ,ROSS MI<T SAY 9 T REG>D
0 GO+ 6PUT ME 9 DEEP]--IN ! O!R K9D (
%IT--) ,MELISSA ,SOAMES4
  ,HOP+ 6DIV]T H] ATT5;N1 ,I SPOKE UP4
8,>E Y SAY+ Y ?9K WE'RE D1L+ ) TWO SEPA-
RATE ISSUES1 OR "O80
  ,ROSS NO4$4 8,I'M N SURE10 HE SD1 8B
X'S POSSI# !Y'RE N SEP>ATE AT ALL40
  ,HE PE]$ BL1KLY AT ,MEL OV] ! RIMS ( 8
GLASSES--! "O 9 8 H& &! PAIR P]*$ ON 8
NOSE4 8,! REPORT Y S5T ME YE/]"D MORN+1
PRIOR 6F9D+ ,MR4 ,KATES'S BODY1 9DICAT$
Y _H F.D SIX D1D VICTIMS4 ,LET'S ASSUME
= >GU;T'S SAKE T ! TWO GUYS :O      #AGI
5D$ UP 9 ! IRRIG,N CANAL 9 ,PHOENIX RE,Y
7 9VOLV$ 9 A DRUNK-DRIV+ 9CID5T & _!
D1?S >5'T RELAT$4 ,B ! RE/ D SEEM SUSPI-
CI\S1 N S M* :5 TAK5 9DIVIDU,Y--Z ,I'M
SURE 0 9T5D$--B C]TA9LY :5 TAK5 TGR4 ,S
:AT H Y LE>N$ S F>80
  8,LES ,=DHAM IS ! VICTIM F D[N NE>
,ROSEBURG10 ,MEL ANSW]$4 8,>SON 9VE/IGA-
TORS F.D NO?+ AMISS ) ANY (! GAS APPLI-
.ES OR GAS L9ES 9 ! TRAIL]4 ,! BURN]S 7
SIMPLY LEFT ON )\T 2+ IGNIT$4 ,EV5TU,Y 5
GAS BUILT UP 9SIDE ! MOBILE HOME =! PI-
LOT LI<T ON ! HOT WAT] H1T] 6SET X (F4
,ROSEBURG E6ECTIVELY CLOS$ ! CASE 0AS-
SUM+ X 0 SUICIDE1 B ,=DHAM'S P>OLE (FIC]
SWE>S 8 CLI5T 0 DO+ WELL4 ,HE _H A GD
JOB &A NEW GIRLFR4 ,"! 0 NO?+ GO+ ON T
WD A3.T = 8 -MITT+ SUICIDE40
  8,ANY NOTE80 ,ROSS ASK$4
  8,NO NOTE10 ,MEL TOLD HM4
  8,:AT AB ! GUY ON ,*UCKANUT ,DRIVE80
,ROSS ASK$4
  8,T WD 2 ,$ ,*RISMAN10 ,MEL ANSW]$1 )-
\T HAV+ 6RESORT 6LOOK+ AT ! NOTEBOOK %E
_H RETRIEV$ F H] BRIEFCASE4 8,T1    #AHJ
TOO1 0 (FICI,Y DESIGNAT$ AN A3ID5T4 ,!
PRO#M ) T IS T :5 ! VEHICLE 0 RECOV]$1 X
0 / 9 GE>4 ,H[ _M "TS 9 YR LIFE DID Y
GET \ (A C> 6TAKE A L1K & L1VE ! DAMN$
?+ 9 DRIVE80
  ,MEL'S "Q 0 DIRECT$ AT ,ROSS1 B ,I 0 !
"O :O ANSW]$4
  8,N"E10 ,I SD4
  ,ROSS NO4$1 R1*$ =! BOTTLE1 & P\R$ HMF
A SECOND GLASS4 ,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 B
MY 3C]N M/ H BE5 OBVI\S4 8,DON'T WORRY10
HE SD1 GLANC+ AT ME4 8,I H A C> & DRIV]
WAIT+ D[N/AIRS40 ,!N HE TURN$ BACK TO
,MEL4 8,:AT AB ! O!RS80
  ,MEL SCANN$ H] NOTES4 8,FR$]ICK ,JAMI-
SON DI$ ( AN A3ID5TAL OV]DOSE 9 ,POCA-
TELLO1 ,IDAHO4 ,RAY ,RAMIREZ SU3UMB$ 6!
SAME ?+ 9 ,HEL5A1 ,MONTANA40
  8,W]E EA* ( ^? CASES ?OR\<LY 9VE/IGAT-
$80 ,ROSS ASK$4
  8,I C'T SAY "O WAY OR ! O!R10 ,MEL AN-
SW]$4 8,I C]TA9LY DON'T H A3ESS 6ALL !
FILES AT ? PO9T1 B MY GUESS IS PROBABLY
N4 ,!Y 7 LABEL$ SUSPICI\S D1?S4 ,!
REPORTS ,I'VE SE5 S F> >E PRETTY    #AHA
SKET*Y4 ,MAYBE :O"E DID ? C.T$ ON T--ON
! IDEA T LOCAL AU?ORITIES WDN'T EXP5D A
LOT ( "T1 5]GY1 OR EXP5SE 9 RESOLV+ ^!
CASES4 ,AF ALL1 :O GIVES A DAMN AB "O
D1D CROOK M OR LESS80
  ,CLE>LY ,ROSS ,3NORS DID4 ,^! GUYS 7
ALL DY+ ON 8 WAT*4
  8,"S"O ELSE IS B.D 6PICK UP ON ? & />T
MAK+ 3NEC;NS4 ,X'S GO+ 6EXPLODE ONCE X
HITS ! M$IA10 HE SD GLUMLY4 8,AT T PO9T
"!'LL 2 HELL 6PAY REG>D.S ( :O'S ACTU,Y
DO+ ! KILL+ "H4 ,& GUESS :O'S GO+ 6H TO
%\LD] ! BLAME80
  ,=! BETT] "P ( TW5TY YE>S ,ROSS ,3NORS
_H NAVIGAT$ ,WA%+TON ,/ATE'S /ORMY PO-
LITICAL S1S ) APP>5T IMPUN;Y4 ,I SUSPECT
T1 =! F/ "T1 HE 0 5C.T]+ A CRISIS T CD
L1VE HM VULN]A#4 ,T EXPLA9$ 8 WANT+ TO
KEEP \R 9VE/IG,N "U WRAPS1 AT L1/ 9 ^!
PRELIM9>Y /AGES4
  8,S :AT WE NE$ 6"K IS :O IS 2H ?10
,ROSS SD4 8,:O HE IS & H[ HE'S LOCAT+ &
T>GET+ 8 VICTIMS40
  8,F9D+ !M IS EASY10 ,MEL SD4 8,S F>
ALL ! D1D GUYS ON MY LI/ >E SEXU-   #AHB
AL (F5D]S ) _! A4RESSES PO/$ ON ! ,9T]-
NET40
  8,B T DOESN'T EXPLA9 ,LA,%AWN ,TOMP-
K9S10 ,3NORS SD4 8,HE WDN'T 2 ON ANY
REGI/]$ SEXUAL (F5D] LI/ 2C HE'S N A
SEXUAL PR$ATOR P] SE S9CE HE 0 ACTU,Y
EXON]AT$ ON ! RAPE *>GE40
  8,IF HE'S N LI/$10 ,I SD1 8MAYBE 8 D1?
HAS NO?+ 6D )! O!RS40
  ,ROSS H1V$ A SI<4 8,B ,TOMPK9S 0 IM-
PRISON$ "H10 HE SD4 8,HE MAY N H BE5
GUILTY1 B ! FACT T HE'S \ ( PRISON N[
MAKES HM AN EX-CON4 ,:AT NEI ( Y "K IS T
?REE M D1D EX-CON CASES TURN$ UP TD--"O
9 ,NEW ,MEXICO1 "O 9 ,NEVADA1 & "O M "H
9 ,WA%+TON1 D[N 9 ,VANC\V]4 ,N"O ( !M WD
H 5D$ UP ON ,MEL'S LI/ 2C !Y'RE N SEXUAL
PR$ATORS4 ,TWO >E GR& !FT AUTO &! O!R "O
IS A BANK RO2]Y4 ,TWO DI$ ( UNEXPLA9$
DRUG OV]DOSES & "O ( C>BON MONOXIDE POI-
SON+ 9 A CLOS$ G>AGE40
  ,I REMEMB]$ ,MEL SAY+ H] CASES 7 ALL
OV] ! MAP4 ,^! 7 EV5 M S1 N ONLY GEO-
GRAPHIC,Y B AL 9 T]MS ( MURD] W1PON4 ,!
M ,I HE>D1 ! M UNLIKELY X SEEM$ T   #AHC
WE 7 D1L+ )A S+LE KILL]4
  8,WE'VE GOT "S"O TWI/$ "H10 ,ROSS 3T9-
U$ MOROSELY1 8"S EGOMANIAC :O'S APPO9T$
HMF JUDGE1 JURY1 & EXECU;N]4 ,F :AT Y'VE
TOLD ME1 :O"E KILL$ ,ALL5 ,KATES IS FA-
MILI> ) CRIME SC5E 9VE/IG,N & =5SICS40
  8,T'S TRUE 9 ! O!R CASES Z WELL1 AT
L1/ Z F> Z ,I'VE P]US$ ! FILES10 ,MEL
SD4 8,IN EA* CASE ! ASSAILANT LEFT 2H
ALM NO TRACE EVID;E40
  8,S HE'S WILY10 ,I SD4 8,& C>E;L4 ,&
HE IS AL "S"O :O HAS A3ESS 6PRISON-
REL1SE RECORDS10 ,I A4$4
  8,T'S :Y ,I'M SAY+ X'S A ROGUE COP10
,ROSS 3CLUD$4 8,T'S :AT ,I'VE BE5 ?9K+
"E S9CE ,TODD BR"\ X 6MY ATT5;N4 ,EI A
BAD COP OR A CORREC;NS "W] G"O PO/AL40
  ,I "K ALL ! GUYS :O "W = ,,SHIT--AT
L1/ ,I ?"\ ,I DID4 ,B ! "N ,TODD DIDN'T
R+ A BELL4
  8,TODD :O80 ,I ASK$4
  ,ROSS SQUIRM$ 9 8 S1T ONCE M4 8,TODD
,HAT*]10 HE ANSW]$4 8,A GUY :O "WS 9 MY
(FICE40
  8,AN ATTORNEY !N80 ,I ASK$4       #AHD
  8,NO10 ,ROSS SD4 8,ACTU,Y1 HE'S AN
ECONOMI/40
  ,I ALM *OK$ ON A SIP ( ICY TONIC4 ,:5
,I 0 9 COLLEGE ,I WA%$ \ ( ONLY TWO
CLASSES--ECONOMICS & PHILOSOPHY4 ,I 5D$
UP TAK+ 9COMPLETES 9 BO? ( !M4 ,S9CE !N
,I'VE LOOK$ ON PRACTI;N]S ( EI PROFES.N
)A "S:AT JAUNDIC$ EYEBALL4
  8,AN ECONOMI/80 ,I CROAK$4 8,>E Y KID-
D+80
  8,N AT ALL10 ,ROSS RETURN$4 8,"E HE>D
( =5SIC ECONOMICS80
  ,MEL & ,I %OOK \R H1DS 9 UNISON4
  8,X'S RELATIVELY NEW10 ,ROSS SD4 8,2F
LA/ SUMM]1 NEI _H ,I1 B !N ,TODD TURN$
UP & TOLD ME ALL AB X4 ,HE _H J PICK$ UP
A ,PH4,D4 9 ECONOMICS F ! ,UNIV]S;Y (
,WA%+TON4 ,HE CLAIM$ T 0DO+ A /ATI/ICAL
ANALYSIS ( \R CURR5T & REC5T PRISON POP-
UL,N HE CD CR1TE A -PUT] MODEL T WD PRE-
DICT \R RECIDIVISM RATES1 TELL U H[ _M
PRISON B$S WE WD NE$ 9 ! FUTURE--":1 :51
& :AT K9D4 ,= 9/.E1 HE ?9KS HE C SORT \
! EXACT NUMB] ( G]IATRIC FACILITIES
WE'LL EV5TU,Y NE$ Z \R PRISON       #AHE
POPUL,N AGES4
  8,2LIEVE ME1 ^? K9DS ( /UDIES C CO/
BIG BUCKS4 ,B "H 0 ? "O V MOTIVAT$ GUY
:O WANT$ 6D X = PRACTIC,Y NO?+4 ,HE _H
MADE A SIMIL> PROPOSAL = 8 4S]T,N1 B 8
FACULTY ADVIS] _H TURN$ HM D[N4 ,I ?9K
HE CAME 6ME 2C HE 0 / PISS$ AT 8 ADVIS]4
,! FACT T ! UNIV]S;Y _H AX$ ! PROJECT
MADE HM T M* M DET]M9$ 6D X1 S M* S T HE
(F]$ 6"W =A PITT.E Z L;G Z ,I GAVE HM
UNLIMIT$ A3ESS 6\R DATA4 ,TRU? 2 "KN1 HE
PROBABLY HAS A BOOK D1L WAIT+ 9 ! W+S
"S":4 ,:Y WDN'T HE8 ,HE'S AN ECONOMI/1 =
,GOD'S SAKE4 ,B 9 T]MS ( CO/ 6! /ATE (
,WA%+TON1 X 0 AN IRRESI/I# (F]40
  8,S Y TOOK HM ON10 ,MEL SD4 8,AN ECON-
OMI/1 N A COP40
  8,T'S "R10 ,ROSS AGRE$4 8,S ,I HIR$
,HAT*]4 ,I GAVE HM AN (FICE &A -PUT] &
TURN$ HM LOOSE ) OODLES ( 9=M,N4 ,%ORTLY
AF HE />T$ DO+ 8 /UDY1 H["E1 ,TODD HIT
ON AN ANOMALY--A SU45 SPIKE 9 MORTAL;Y
RATES AM;G REC5TLY REL1S$ 9MATES1 "O T
DIDN'T FIT 9SIDE ! EXPECT$ ACTU>IAL
NORMS = T "PICUL> POPUL,N4 ,T'S 8   #AHF
>EA ( EXP]TISE1 Y SEE--DEMOGRAPHICS40
  8,H[ REC5T A SPIKE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,IN ! LA/ YE> &A HALF OR S4 ,2F T1 !
D1? RATES 7 PRETTY /1DY & FOLL[$ PRE-
DICTA# PATT]NS4 ,_M ( ^? D1?S 7 CLE>LY
AGE-1 2HAVIOR-1 OR ILL;S-RELAT$4 ,B !
D1D GUYS 9 ? NEW GR\P >E ALL FAIRLY "Y--
TW5TIES1 ?IRTIES1 & =TIES--RELATIVELY
H1L?Y1 & !Y ALL SEEM 6H DI$ "U MY/]I\S
CIRCUM/.ES T >5'T NECESS>ILY HOMICIDES4
,S"EAL (! D1?S H BE5 LABEL$ SIMPLY SUS-
PICI\S4 ,S ,I ASK$ ,TODD 6/>T LOOK+ 96X4
,HE'S BE5 AT X = ONLY TWO WEEKS N[ &
HE'S ALR -E UP )! "OS ,I TOLD Y AB TN Z
WELL Z )! "OS ,MEL F.D4 ,Y C SEE :Y ,I'M
L1N+ 9 ! DIREC;N (A COP G"O BAD1 & IF X
TURNS \ HE'S "S"O :O'S "W$ = ME '''0
,ROSS %OOK 8 H1D1 LAPS$ 96A MOODY SIL;E1
& />$ 96! DEP?S ( 8 ALM EMPTY W9EGLASS4
  ,N[ ,I 2GAN 6FA?OM :Y ,ROSS ,3NORS 0 S
GUN-%Y AB NEWS ( \R 9VE/IG,N GETT+ \4 ,A
PREVI\S L1K F ! ,A4,G4'S (FICE _H RE-
SULT$ 9 ! D1? (A WOMAN 9 ! WIT;S PROTEC-
;N PROGRAM--"S"O X _H BE5 8 PROFES.NAL
OBLIG,N 6PROTECT4 ,I KNEW T FAIL-   #AHG
URE ON 8 "P / WEI<$ H1VILY ON HM1 ESPE-
CI,Y S9CE X _H EV5TU,Y L$ 6! D1? (
,ROSS'S [N WIFE4 ,NO WOND] HE 0 S 3C]N$4
,IF X TURN$ \ A S]IAL KILL] ) CLOSE 6A
DOZ5 VICTIMS CD 2 TRAC$ BACK 6HIS ADM9-
I/R,N1 ,ROSS'S "DS Z ATTORNEY G5]AL 7
PROBABLY NUMB]$4 ,/1 X IRK$ ME 6?9K T
,MEL & ,I 7 "W+ Z GLORIFI$ FACT-*ECK]S =
"S HOT%OT ECONOMI/4
  8,IF WE 4COV] PRES5T OR =M] LAW 5=CE;T
P]SONNEL >E 9VOLV$10 ,ROSS RESUM$ AF A
PAUSE1 8,I'LL H 6BR+ 9 ! F$S1 NO "Q1 B
,I DON'T WANT 6D T UNTIL ,I'M R1SONABLY
SURE :AT WE'RE D1L+ )4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 WE
SIMPLY M/ PUT A /OP 6?4 ,YES1 ! VICTIMS
>E "S PRETTY BAD DUDES1 B !Y'VE AL S]V$
_! "T & PD _! DEBTS 6SOCIETY4 ,AC 6!
,3/ITU;N1 EV5 SCUMBAGS H A "R 6DUE PROC-
ESS40
  8,:AT AB ,MR4 ,TOMPK9S80 ,MEL SD4
  ,ON ! SURFACE H] "Q 0 DIRECT$ AT
,ROSS1 B ! LOOK %E S5T 9 MY DIREC;N SD
O!RWISE4
  8,:AT'S ! /ORY ) HM80 %E 3T9U$4
8,:AT"E X 0 M/ H HAPP5$ 2F ,I       #AHH
CAME 6T[N40
  ,T 0 TRUE4 ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S _H BE5
BO? WR;GLY 3VICT$ & "RLY REL1S$ L;G 2F
,MELISSA ,SOAMES TURN$ UP 9 ,BELLEVUE Z
,ROSS ,3NORS'S LATE/ A4I;N 6,,SHIT4
  8,ASK ,B1U "H10 ,ROSS SD HELP;LLY4
8,AT ? PO9T ,I'M SURE HE "KS F> M AB X
?AN ,I D40
  ,S ,I TOLD !M :AT ,I KNEW1 PRETTY M*4
,I LEFT \ ! "P AB ,K5DALL ,JACKSON "W+ )
ME ON ! Q4T4 Z F> Z ATTEMPT+ 6LOCATE
,ELA9E ,MANN+ 0 3C]N$4 ,IF ,ROSS NE$$
D5IABIL;Y1 S DID ,DETECTIVE ,JACKSON4
,AF ALL1 HE / HAS 6SURVIVE 9SIDE ,S1TTLE
,,PD4
  ,! PRO#M WAS1 ! M ,I TOLD ! M ,I CD
SEE ,MEL DIDN'T L ! FACT T ,I _H US$
,B"ELY'S D1? Z A SMOKE SCRE5 6HIDE :AT
,I 0 DO+4
  8,I'M / HOP+ MAYBE X IS A LOVE TRIAN-
GLE10 ,I F9I%$ "S:AT LAMELY4 8,MAYBE1 :5
WE LOCATE ! GIRLFR--0
  8,I HOPE S1 TOO10 ,ROSS 9T]RUPT$4 8,B
,I'M N HOLD+ MY BR1?4 ,Y C SEE :Y ,I
TURN$ 6! TWO ( Y1 ?\<4 ,I WANT$ ?   #AHI
SITU,N 9VE/IGAT$ ) Z LL FUSS Z POSSI#4
,( ALL MY P1 Y TWO >E UNIQUELY SITUAT$ =
KEEP+ "S?+ L ? QUIET40
  ,E "T ! MAN OP5$ 8 M\? HE MADE ?+S
WORSE = YRS TRULY4
  8,YES10 ,MEL AGRE$1 S5D+ YET ANO!R
SCA?+ GL.E 9 MY DIREC;N4 8,I C C]TA9LY
SEE :Y Y MI<T ?9K T40
  ,I WANT$ 6TURN ! FOCUS AWAY F U & BACK
ONTO "S?+ LESS DANG]\S--L ! VICTIMS
!MVS4 8,:AT D \R D1D GUYS H 9 -MON80 ,I
ASK$4 8,W]E ANY ( !M LOCK$ UP 9 ! SAME
FACIL;Y80
  8,TODD IS "W+ ON PUTT+ TGR A SPR1D%EET
ANALYSIS ( ALL T4 ,Z F> Z FACILITIES >E
3C]N$1 WE H ONLY S _M PRISONS10 ,ROSS
SD4 8,S9CE ^! GUYS 7 ALL 9C>C]AT$ AT M
OR LESS ! SAME "T1 X /&S 6R1SON T "S (
!M WD H S]V$ "T 9 ! SAME FACIL;Y4 ,IF X
TURNS \ !Y ALL W]E1 !N T'S ANO!R /ORY40
  8,! IRRIG,N-CANAL VICTIMS 7 LOCK$ UP
TGR10 ,MEL (F]$4 8,!Y 7 ACTU,Y CELL
MATES UP 9 ,MONROE40
  8,:AT AB _! CRIMES8 ,ANY SIMIL>;Y "!80
,I ASK$4                            #AIJ
  8,)! EXCEP;N ( ,MR4 ,TOMPK9S1 !Y'RE
ALL MULTIPLE (F5D]S10 ,ROSS REPLI$4 8,_!
CRIMES RUN ! GAMUT ( YR REGUL> FELONIES
--GR& !FT AUTO1 >M$ RO2]Y1 BANK RO2]Y4
,Y "N X1 !Y DID X40
  8,:AT AB GANG A6ILI,NS80 ,MEL ASK$4
  ,3NORS %RU7$4 8,!Y ALL _H "S1 ( C\RSE4
,IF !Y DIDN'T H !M :5 !Y W5T 96PRISON1
!Y SURE Z HELL DID :5 !Y CAME \4 ,T'S "O
(! ?+S ,TODD ASSURES ME HE'S GRT AT1 DA-
TA M9+--ONCE HE HAS X4 ,T'S ": Y -E IN1
,MEL4 ,Y'LL NE$ 6GA!R UP ALL ! 9=M,N WE
H ON ^! (F5D]S F ALL APPLICA# JURISDIC-
;NS S ,TODD W 2 A# 6ORGANIZE ! 9=M,N =
U4 ,ONCE WE LOOK AT ALL ! CASES TGR1 WE
MAY F9D "! >E -MON DENOM9ATORS1 DETAILS
NO "O HAS NOTIC$40
  ,ROSS ,3NORS R1*$ =! BOTTLE & EMPTI$ X
96HIS [N GLASS )\T (F]+ ANY 6,MEL4 ,I
KNEW HE 0 DR9K+ WAY TOO M* WAY TOO FA/4
,I 0 GLAD HE _H A DRIV]4
  8,I C.T T5 VICTIMS S F>10 ,MEL SD4 8,X
SEEMS 6ME T'S WOR?Y (A TASK-=CE APPROA*4
,IF X -ES 6LI<T T Y'VE ONLY PUT ?REE
9VE/IGATORS ON ? & "O ( !M IS AN    #AIA
ECONOMI/ 9/1D (A COP1 X'S N GO+ 6S.D L
Y'RE TAK+ ? S]I\SLY40
  8,OH1 ,I'M S]I\S1 ALL "R10 ,ROSS SD4
8,V S]I\S4 ,:AT ,I'M HOP+ IS T ! TWO ( Y
W PO9T ME 9 ! "R DIREC;N4 ,IF X TURNS \
\R PRIME SUSPECT IS A COP1 LET ME "K40
  8,"!'S M ?AN "O /ATE 9VOLV$10 ,MEL
PO9T$ \4
  8,I "K ALL T10 ,ROSS SD IMPATI5TLY4
8,Z ,I SD1 ,I'LL CALL 9 ! F$S :5 X'S "T
--ONCE ,I "U/& ! FULL EXT5T (! PRO#M40
  ,I _H ALW RESPECT$ ,ROSS ,3NORS4 ,POL-
ITICS _H ALW BE5 "O ( 8 3SID],NS1 B N"E
! TOP "O4 ,? "T ?+S 7 DI6]5T & ,I WOND]$
:Y4
  8,I / ?9K WE NE$ A TASK =CE10 ,MEL IN-
SI/$4
  8,WE'RE ALR D1L+ )A TASK =CE10 ,ROSS
RETURN$4 8,A TASK =CE ( KILL]S--A SYNDI-
CATE1 IF Y L4 ,IF !Y'RE PLU7$ 96! LAW
5=CE;T -MUN;Y1 Z SOON Z WE />T PUTT+ TGR
A L>GE-SCALE 9VE/IG,N1 !Y'LL "K :AT
WE'RE DO+ & :5 WE'RE DO+ X4 ,AT T PO9T
!Y'LL G 6GR.D1 & WE'LL N"E F9D !M40
  ,) T1 ,ROSS ROSE UN/1DILY 6HIS    #AIB
FEET4 8,I'LL CALL ,H>RY 9 ! MORN+10 HE
SD4 8,TELL HM T Y TWO >E "W+ A SPECIAL
PROJECT = ME =! =SEEA# FUTURE4 ,&1 3SID-
]+ ! SITU,N1 X MI<T 2 BETT] IF Y "W$ F
HOME 9/1D (! (FICE40
  ,3TROL FR1K ,H>RY ,I4 ,BALL 0 GO+ TO
LOVE T4
  ,MEL ESCORT$ ,ROSS D[N/AIRS 9 ! ELEVA-
TOR & HOOK$ HM BACK UP ) 8 C> & DRIV]4
,:5 %E RETURN$1 J Z ,I EXPECT$1 %E TOOK
ME 6! WOOD%$ OV] ! ,TOMPK9S SITU,N4
  8,MAYBE Y'D BETT] TELL ME AB YR FR
,LA,%AWN10 %E SD4 8,? "T DON'T L1VE ANY-
?+ \40
  ,I H NO IDEA H[ %E KNEW ,I _H LEFT "S-
?+ \1 B %E DID4 ,& S ,I TOLD H] ! :OLE
/ORY1 9CLUD+ ! "PS AB "W+ SUB ROSA )
,DETECTIVE ,K5DALL ,JACKSON4 ,I EXPECT$
ALL HELL WD BR1K LOOSE1 B X DIDN'T4 ,:5
,I F9I%$1 ,MEL /OOD UP & /RET*$4 8,"T 6G
NI<T-NI<T10 %E SD4 8,? TURN$ 96A HELL (A
"D1 & TM ISN'T GO+ 6BE ANY BETT]40
  ,A LL :ILE LAT] WE 7 LY+ 9 B$4 ,I 0
ALM ASLEEP :5 ,MEL SD1 8,S H[ D Y FEEL
AB ALL ?80                          #AIC
  ,EV5 HALF ASLEEP & )\T HAV+ ANY IDEA (
! ACTUAL TOPIC ( 4CUS.N1 ,I 0 SM>T 5 TO
RECOGNIZE ? Z A TRICK "Q--ALM Z VOLATILE
Z ! AGE-OLD 8,D ,I LOOK FAT 9 ?80
  8,FEEL80 ,I ASK$ DIMLY4
  8,AB \R 2+ "PN]S10 %E SD4 8,T 0 ! F/
?+ ,B>B>A ,GALV9 TOLD ME AB Y :5 ,I %[$
UP AT ,,SHIT4 ,%E SD1 ,8,B1U DOESN'T "W
) "PN]S40' ,( C\RSE1 WE ALR DID T ONCE--
UN(FICI,Y1 YES4 ,B X S.DS 6ME Z ?\< ? "T
,ROSS IS MAK+ X (FICIAL--IN AN "U-!-TA#
K9D ( WAY40
  ,MEL 0 "R AB MY WANT+ 6AVOID 9VE/IGA-
TIVE "PN]%IPS4 ,DUR+ MY "T 9 ,HOMICIDE
AT ,S1TTLE ,,PD1 ,I FELT ,I _H BE5 EX-
CEP;N,Y H>D ON "PN]S4 ,RON ,PET]S & ,BIG
,AL ,L9D/ROM _H BO? SU/A9$ L9E-(-DUTY
LIFE-*ANG+ 9JURIES4 ,M* LAT]1 ,SUE ,DAN-
IELSON _H DI$ 9 A HAIL ( BULLETS4 ,9 ALL
?REE 9/.ES SUBSEQU5T DE"P;TAL 9QUIRIES
_H EXON]AT$ ME ( ANY FAULT4 ,(FICI,Y1
,S1TTLE ,,PD _H 3CLUD$ T ,I 0 BLAME.S4
,UNDET]R$ 0FACTS & (FICIAL F9D+S1 H["E1
,I _H 3T9U$ 6HOLD MYF A3.TA# 9 EA* & E
9/.E4 ,Z F> Z ,I 0 3C]N$1 MY "P-    #AID
N]S' BI7E/ PRO#M--_! S+LE -MON LIABIL;Y
--_H BE5 _! />-CROSS$ ASSOCI,N ) ME4
  ,MY REL,N%IP ) ,MELISSA ,SOAMES1 H["E1
0 5TIRELY DI6]5T F ! "OS ,I _H %>$ ) EA*
( ^? O!R "PN]S4 ,= "O ?+1 ,I SURE Z HELL
_HN'T BE5 9 LOVE ) ,RON ,PET]S & ,BIG
,AL ,L9D/ROM4 ,I _HN'T BE5 9 LOVE )
,SUE1 EI4 ,I _H FELT PROTECTIVE ( H]1 _H
WANT$ 6BE H] M5TOR1 B "! _H N"E BE5 ANY
ROMANTIC OV]T"OS ON MY "P OR H]S4
  ,B ,I DEF9ITELY 0 9 LOVE ) ,MEL4 ,ON !
SURFACE ( X1 T %D H MADE ME T M* M RE-
LUCTANT 6PUT H] 9 ANY DANG]4 ,B ,I _H
SE5 H[ ,MEL REACT$ :5 %E 0 "U FIRE4 ,I
KNEW T IF ?+S GOT T\< ,I CD TRU/ H] IM-
PLICITLY4 ,:5 Y'RE \ 9 ! R1L _W DODG+
BULLETS1 X DOESN'T GET ANY BETT] ?AN T4
  8,ROSS ,3NORS IS A LL 2H ! "TS10 ,I
SD1 PULL+ H] CLOSE4 8,WE 7 "PN]S L;G 2F
HE GOT >.D 6SAY+ S40




               ,*APT] #AJ           #AIE

  ,:5 Y AWAK5 6! 5TIC+ SMELL ( FRE%LY
BREW$ C(FEE X'S EASY 6?9K T ALL'S "R )!
_W4 ,MEL'S SIDE (! B$ 0 COOL 6! T\*4 ,"!
0 A H9T ( FLORAL FRAGR.E L+]+ 2N ! >OMA
( C(FEE4 ,T WD 2 H] %AMPOO4 ,S ,MEL _H
BE5 UP L;G 5 6%[] & MAKE C(FEE4 ,I GOT
UP & W&]$ \ 96! D9+ ROOM1 ": ,I F.D MY
TWO DAILY CROSS^W PUZZLE PAGES1 REMOV$
!M F _! 7= ME7 -PLETELY EXTRANE\S NEWS-
PAP]S1 & LAID !M \ ON ! D9+ ROOM TA#4
,MEL CAME D[N ! HALL A MO;T AF ,I P\R$
MY F/ MUG ( C(FEE4 ,%E 0 FULLY DRESS$4
  8,I'M GO+ 6G SEE ,L5NY10 %E ANN\NC$1
SLIPP+ ON A PAIR ( L[-HEEL$ PUMPS4
  ,I KNEW T M1NT %E 0 ON H] WAY 6VISIT !
CRIME SC5E FOLKS AT ,K+ ,C.TY 6*ECK \ !
MISS+-BULLET SITU,N4
  8,I'VE TALK$ 6,TODD10 %E A4$4 8,HE'S
ON 8 WAY "H40
  8,"H80 ,I'M SURE ,I S.D$ M ?AN A BIT
T]RITORIAL4 ,AF ALL1 A MAN'S HOME IS 8
CA/LE1 &! IDEA ( HAV+ AN IT9]ANT ECONO-
MI/ %[ UP ON MY DOOR/EP AL;G ) MY F/ CUP
( C(FEE DID N -PUTE4                #AIF
  8,YES1 "H4 ,ROSS DOESN'T WANT U "W+ ON
? 9 ! (FICE1 REMEMB]8 ,TODD'S BR++ AB-
/RACTS (! FILES ON ALL ! CASES ,ROSS M5-
;N$ LA/ NI<T1 &! "OS ON MY LI/1 TOO40
  8,HAS ANYBODY TOLD ,H>RY AB \R NEW "W+
>RANGE;TS80
  8,ALR H&L$10 ,MEL SD )A SMILE4 8,ROSS
TOOK C>E ( T B"R & E>LY ? MORN+4 ,:AT AB
! KIDS8 ,H Y HE>D ANY?+ F !M80
  8,Z F> Z ,I "K !Y'RE SI<TSEE+ TD40
  8,S Y'RE (F ,8,GUMPA0' DUTY80 %E ASK$4
  8,LOOKS L10 ,I SD4
  ,%E GAVE ME A GD-BYE KISS & LEFT1 /1M+
TRAVEL CUP FIRMLY 9 H&4 ,WE ,S1TTLEITES
DON'T G ANY": OR D ANY?+ )\T \R P]SONAL
JOLT ( JAVA4
  ,A# 6IGNORE ! CROSS-LAKE TRA6IC RE-
PORTS = ONCE1 ,I SETTL$ 9 AT ! TA# ) MY
[N HIT ( CA6E9E4 ,I D\BT$ ,ROSS ,3NORS
WD 2GRUDGE ME ! "T X WD TAKE = ME 6:IP
"? ! ,FRI"D .,NEW .,YORK .,"TS PUZZLE4
,I 0 MAK+ EXCELL5T PROGRESS :5 MY CELL
PH"O RANG4 ,I FIGUR$ X 0 EI ,MEL1 :O _H
=GOTT5 "S?+1 OR ELSE ! KIDS1 :O _H
DECID$ !Y WANT$ 6TAKE ME UP ON MY   #AIG
(F] 6BUY BR1KFA/ AF ALL1 B ! NUMB]
WASN'T "O ,I RECOGNIZ$4
  8,MR4 '''0 ,X 0 A MALE VOICE--A RELA-
TIVELY "Y MALE VOICE4 8,B1UMONT10 HE SD
UNC]TA9LY1 BUT*]+ MY "N 0PRON\NC+ !
8,B1U0 "P ! SAME WAY Y'D SAY ! ,B-,U 9
8,BUTTE0 9/1D (! WAY X'S SUPPOS$ 6BE
PRON\NC$1 ,B1U Z 9 8G40 ,IF ? _H BE5 MY
L&L9E PH"O1 ,I WD H EXPECT$ 6HE> A RE-
CORD$ SPIEL (F]+ 6SELL ME V9YL SID+ = MY
NONEXI/5T H\SE OR 6PICK UP MY H\SEHOLD
CA/(FS 6B5EFIT ! BL4 ,B ? 0 MY CELL
PH"O4 ,SOLICIT,N CALLS >5'T SUPPOS$ TO
9TRUDE ON MY CELL PH"O M9UTES4
  8,! "N IS ,B1UMONT10 ,I SD1 PRON\NC+ X
PROP]LY = HM B ALL ! :ILE TRY+ 6S.D Z
CANTANK]\S & (F-PUTT+ Z POSSI#4
  8,MY "N'S ,DONALD10 HE SD N]V\SLY4
8,DONNIE1 ACTU,Y4 ,DONNIE ,COSGROVE4 ,I
?9K Y TALK$ 6MY WIFE E>LI] ? WEEK40
  ..,0 T J ? .WEEK8 ,I WOND]$4 ,S M* _H
HAPP5$ T X SEEM$ EONS AGO1 B ,I R1LIZ$ X
_H ONLY BE5 A FEW "DS E>LI]1 ON ,MON"D1
:5 ,I _H /OPP$ 0! ,COSGROVES' N1T LL
,R$MOND RAM#R4                      #AIH
  8,( C\RSE10 ,I SD1 AT ONCE MODIFY+ MY
T"O4 8,DE,ANN4 ,:AT C ,I D = Y1 ,MR4
,COSGROVE80
  8,I TOLD H] ,I 0 GO+ 6G CL1N ! J]K'S
CLOCK1 B ,DE,ANN BE7$ ME 6TALK 6Y 9/1D40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,I SD4 8,SL[ D[N4
,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,JACK10 HE SD4 8,JACK ,LAWR;E1 ,DE-
,ANN'S /EP"F4 ,HE CAME RO>+ "? "H YE/]"D
:ILE ,I 0 AT "W1 YELL+ & RAIS+ HELL4
,WOKE ! KIDS UP 9 ! MI4LE ( _! NAPS4
,?REW \R :OLE H\SEHOLD 96AN UPRO>40
  8,:AT 0 HE UPSET AB80 ,I ASK$4
  8,T ,DE,ANN _H TALK$ 6Y4 ,WANT$ 6"K H[
D>E %E BR+ ? BACK UP AF ALL ^! YE>S4
,TOLD H] %E %D LE>N 6M9D H] [N DAMN
BUSI;S & LET SLEEP+ DOGS LIE4 ,DIDN'T %E
"K :5 %E 0 WELL (F4 ,/UFF L T4 ,C Y BE-
LIEVE X80 ,COSGROVE DEM&$1 8 VOICE %AK+
9 \TRAGE4 8,HE ACTU,Y SD T 6H] AB H] "F
--CALL$ HM A ,8SLEEP+ DOG0'6 ,& 9 \R [N
HOME1 TOO40
  ,I GAVE ,COSGROVE A MO;T 6GET A GRIP
ON 8 EMO;NS 2F ASK+1 8,Y'RE SAY+ ,MR4
,LAWR;E SEEM$ 6?9K YR WIFE _H "S-   #AII
?+ 6D ) 9/IGAT+ \R RENEW$ 9T]E/ 9 ,AN?O-
NY ,COSGROVE'S 4APPE>.E80
  8,EVID5TLY40
  8,H[ DID HE F9D \ AB X80
  8,DE,ANN CALL$ H] "M 6SEE IF Y _H CON-
TACT$ !M4 ,C>OL IS ,DE,ANN'S "M1 AF ALL1
S WE TRY 6MA9TA9 "S K9D ( NORMAL REL,N-
%IP ) H]--Z NORMAL Z Y C )A NUTCASE L
,JACK LURK+ 9 ! BACKGR.D4 ,C>OL SD Y
_HN'T CALL$ OR /OPP$ BY1 OR AT L1/ N
YET1 B %E M/ H M5;N$ ! 3V]S,N 6,JACK4
,HE HIT ! RO( & DROVE ALL ! WAY D[N F
,L1V5WOR? 6BIT* ,DE,ANN \ AB X4 ,I J WI%
,I'D BE5 "! :5 X HAPP5$1 B ( C\RSE ,LAW-
R;E IS S* A C[>D1 HE'D N"E TACKLE "S"O L
ME4 ,HE'D R T]RORIZE ,DE,ANN &! KIDS40
  8,MAYBE Y %D 3SID] SWE>+ \ A RE/RA9+
ORD] AG/ HM10 ,I SU7E/$4
  8,:AT GD WD A PIECE ( PAP] D80 ,COS-
GROVE WANT$ 6"K4
  8,= "O ?+1 IF HE CAME BACK & CAUS$
TR\#1 ,DE,ANN CD CALL ! COPS & H HM PUT
9 JAIL40
  8,I'VE R1D AB :AT HAPP5S 6WOM5 )
RE/RA9+ ORD]S10 ,COSGROVE SD BIT-   #BJJ
T]LY4 8,A LOT ( !M 5D UP D1D40
  8,HAS YR "F-IN-LAW BE5 VIOL5T T[>D
,DE,ANN 9 ! PA/80 ,I ASK$4
  8,:Y D Y ?9K %E MOV$ \ (! H\SE :5 %E 0
9 HI< S*OOL80 ,DONNIE RETURN$4 8,T'S :Y
%E W5T 6LIVE ) H] GR&"M40
  8,:AT AB 8 WIFE80 ,I ASK$4 8,DOES HE
B1T H]1 TOO80
  8,I'M N SURE4 ,%E HASN'T "E -E "R \ &
SD S10 ,DONNIE 3C$$1 8B T DOESN'T M1N X
HASN'T HAPP5$4 ,%E'S %[N UP ) O4BALL
BRUISES F "T 6"T1 B %E ALW HAS "O LAME
EXCUSE OR ANO!R = :AT'S HAPP5$ 6H]40
  ..,DOME/IC-VIOL;E VICTIMS ALM ALW H
.EXCUSES1 ,I ?"\4 ..,!Y DON'T WANT 6SAY
:AT HAS RE,Y HAPP5$ 6!M1 PROBABLY 2C !Y
DON'T ?9K P W 2LIEVE !M1 OR MAYBE 2C
!Y'RE AFRAID !Y .W4
  8,ANYWAY10 ,DONNIE 3T9U$1 8! MAN'S
SC>Y Z HELL4 ,:AT ,I DON'T "U/& IS :Y YR
LOOK+ 96,TONY'S 4APPE>.E ALL ^? YE>S AGO
WD S5D ,JACK (F ! DEEP 5D40
  ,OBS]V$ OV]- OR "UREAC;NS ON ! "P (
NE> & DE> RELATIVES OR EV5 ^? :O >E NE>
& N-S-DE> ALW RAISE R$ FLAGS =      #BJA
HOMICIDE DETECTIVES4 ,!Y 9DICATE T "S?+
IS \ ( :ACK )! REL,N%IP--T ALL ISN'T Z X
%D BE4 ,9 ? CASE ,I CDN'T HELP B 2 /RUCK
0,JACK ,LAWR;E'S OV]-!-TOP RESPONSE TO
LE>N+ T WE 7 REEXAM9+ A CASE T1 ON !
SURFACE1 _H OP5$ & CLOS$ TW5TY YE>S AGO4
  8,:AT C Y TELL ME AB ! MAN80 ,I ASK$4
  8,AB ,JACK8 ,Y M1N O!R ?AN ! FACT T
HE'S AN ASSHOLE &A BULLY80 ,COSGROVE RE-
TURN$4
  8,O!R ?AN T40
  8,JACK ,LAWR;E IS A MY-WAY-OR-!-HI<WAY
K9D ( GUY10 ,DONNIE ANSW]$4 8,EX-M>9E4
,T\< Z NAILS4 ,V OP9IONAT$4 ,ALW "KS
"EY?+ AB "EY?+4 ,I C'T /& ! GUY & DON'T
WANT HM 9 MY H\SE4 ,& UP UNTIL YE/]"D1
HE N"E _H BE54 ,L ,I SD1 WE'VE TRI$ TO
MA9TA9 A REL,N%IP ) ,C>OL1 B ,C>OL )\T
,JACK4 ,J 2+ >.D HM UPSETS ,DE,ANN TOO
M*40
  8,IS "! A *.E T ,JACK IS 4TRESS$ AB \R
9VE/IGAT+ ,TONY ,COSGROVE'S 4APPE>.E 2C
HE 0 "SH[ 9VOLV$ 9 X80
  ,"! 0 A L;G PAUSE 2F ,DONNIE ANSW]$4
8,MAYBE10 HE SD F9,Y4               #BJB
  8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I'VE HE>D RUMORS T ,JACK & ,C>OL 7
ROMANTIC,Y 9VOLV$ L;G 2F ,TONY W5T FI%+
AT ,_S ,LAKE4 ,X ALW /RUCK ME Z A LL TOO
3V5I5T T ,TONY 4APPE>S &! NEXT ?+ Y "K1
,JACK & ,C>OL >E A C\PLE4 ,B X ALL HAP-
P5$ L;G 2F ,I 0 "P (! PICTURE4 ,:5 ,I
HE>D ! RUMORS ,I KEPT QUIET AB !M = ,DE-
,ANN'S SAKE40
  8,Y DON'T A3EPT Z FACT ! IDEA T ,TONY
,COSGROVE DI$ 9 ! ERUP;N80 ,I ASK$4
  8,N RE,Y10 ,DONNIE SD4 8,X N"E MADE
S5SE 6ME T A MAN :O H>DLY "E W5T FI%+ WD
J HAPP5 6BE DO+ T V ?+ ON ,_S ,LAKE ! "D
! M.TA9 BLEW UP4 ,& ,I ALW ?"\ X 0
/RANGE T NOBODY "E TURN$ UP EV5 ! SMALL-
E/ TRACE ( HM OR 8 VEHICLE4 ,:5 VEHICLES
GET BURN$ UP OR :5 P D1 "! >E USU,Y "S
TRACES--"S LL BITS & PIECES--T >E LEFT
2H40
  ,I _H 6AGREE ) HM "!4 ,! DE/RUC;N (!
,_W ,TRADE ,C5T] CAME 6M9D4
  8,A FEW YE>S AGO10 ,DONNIE 3T9U$1 8,I
HAPP5$ 6SEE A PROGRAM ON ,,TV AB A
SIMIL> CASE1 "O T TOOK PLACE "S":   #BJC
BACK EA/--IN ,*ICAGO1 ,I ?9K40
  8,!Y H VOLCANOES 9 ,*ICAGO80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DONNIE PAUS$ UNC]TA9LY4 ,!N1 R1LIZ+
,I 0 ATTEMPT+ A HALFHE>T$ JOKE1 HE ALL[$
HMF A H9T (A *UCKLE4 8,NO1 X'S J T A
WOMAN 0 MURD]$ ON ! SAME "D AN AIRL9]
W5T D[N 9 T SAME G5]AL >EA4 ,I ?9K ! JET
0 FLY+ \ ( ,O',H>E4 ,! KILL] TRI$ 6MA9-
TA9 T ! D1D WOMAN _H BE5 A PASS5G] ON !
PLANE1 B ! AIRL9E DIDN'T H ANY RECORD (
H] 2C %E'D N"E BE5 ON ! PLANE 9 ! F/
PLACE4 ,%E 0 ALR D1D40
  8,IF Y DON'T BUY ! (FICIAL /ORY AB
,TONY ,COSGROVE'S 4APPE>.E10 ,I SD1 8H Y
"E TRI$ 6D ANY?+ AB X80
  8,I DON'T MAKE A BIG D1L ( X1 B ,I D
*ECK ) P D[N AT ! ,M.T ,SA9T ,HEL5S
,VISITOR ,C5T] F "T 6"T10 ,DONNIE AN-
SW]$4 8,J 9 CASE--J 6MAKE SURE NO?+'S
TURN$ UP 9 ! M1N"T4 ,I GUESS ! LA/ ,I
SPOKE 6!M 0 MON?S AGO--LA/ SUMM] "S"T4
,! M.TA9 _H />T$ BURP+ AG1 & "! 0 A LOT
M 9T]E/ 9 X ?AN "! _H BE5 PREVI\SLY4 ,I
?"\ T MAYBE1 )A LOT M ACTIV;Y & ATT5;N1
"S"O MI<T /UM# ACR "S?+ ( ,TONY'S   #BJD
--IF "! 0 ANY?+ 6F9D40
  8,B "! WASN'T40
  8,N S F>40
  8,DOES YR WIFE "K Y'VE BE5 MAK+ ^?
K9DS ( 9QUIRIES80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DONNIE ,COSGROVE SI<$4 8,NO10 HE SD4
8,I N"E M5;N$ X 6H]40
  8,:Y N80
  8,I DIDN'T WANT 6GET H] HOPES UP10 HE
SD4 8,OR KILL !M1 EI4 ,"!'S A "P ( ,DE-
,ANN1 ! LL-GIRL "P1 :O 2LIEVES ,TONY
,COSGROVE IS / ALIVE & T "S"D HE'S GO+
6TURN UP--T "O F9E MORN+ %E'LL OP5 \R
FRONT DOOR & HE'LL 2 /&+ ON ! FRONT
POR*40
  ,I KNEW ,DONNIE 0 "R ON T SCORE4 ,I1
TOO1 _H HE>D ! UNR1LI/IC L;G+S--! DR1MY
WI%;L ?9K+ ( AN AB&ON$ LL GIRL 9 ,DE,ANN
,COSGROVE'S VOICE4 ,NO D\BT T _H BE5 !
OV]RID+ 3SID],N 2H H] WANT+ 6KEEP H]
MAID5 "N4
  8,I 2LIEVE ,DE,ANN M5;N$ "S?+ 6ME AB
,JACK ,LAWR;E "W+ = ,BOE+ AT AB ! SAME
"T H] P>5TS 7 "!10 ,I SD4 8,WAS T !
CASE80                              #BJE
  ,DONNIE NO4$4 8,TONY />T$ "W+ "! "S"T
9 ! LATE SIXTIES OR E>LY SEV5TIES4 ,T'S
": HE & ,C>OL MET1 AT "S K9D ( -PANY
EV5T--A ,*RI/MAS "PY1 MAYBE4 ,JACK TURN$
UP LAT]4 ,AF RETIR+ F A TW5TY-YE> HIT* 9
! MILIT>Y1 HE HIR$ ON ) ,BOE+ 9 SALES4
,C>OL 5D$ UP 2+ 8 SECRET>Y40
  8,C>OL TOLD Y ? OR ,DE,ANN80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NEI "O10 ,DONNIE ANSW]$4 8,I "W$ =
,BOE+ =A LL :ILE BACK :5 ,I F/ GOT MY
DEGREE & 2F ,I MOV$ OV] 6,FLUKE1 : IS ":
,I AM N[4 ,B BACK !N1 :5 P AT ,BOE+ HE>D
,I 0 ! GUY :O _H M>RI$ ,TONY ,COSGROVE'S
DAU<T]1 A C\PLE ( !M TOOK ME ASIDE &
H9T$ >.D T MAYBE ,TONY'S 4APPE>.E WASN'T
AN ACT ( NATURE AF ALL2 T MAYBE "S"O %D
H TAK5 A CLOS] LOOK AT :AT 0 GO+ ON AT !
"T HE 4APPE>$40
  8,DID Y "E ASK ANY"O 6LOOK 96X80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,NO4 ,I 0 J \ ( S*OOL & NEW ON ! JOB4
,I CDN'T AF=D 6RISK DRAW+ ATT5;N--ROCK+-
!-BOAT K9D ( ATT5;N4 ,S O!R ?AN TALK+ 6!
FOLKS D[N AT ,M.T ,SA9T ,HEL5S
P]IODIC,Y1 ,I HAV5'T D>$ RAISE !    #BJF
ISSUE40
  8,:Y N80
  8,DESPITE :AT P ?9K1 ! AEROSPACE 9DUS-
TRY IS ACTU,Y A SURPRIS+LY SMALL1 CLOSE-
LY KNIT GR\P1 & ^! "DS ELECTRONICS 5GI-
NE]S >E A DIME A DOZ51 ESPECI,Y 9 ,9DIA4
,T'S :Y ,I'M CALL+ Y ON MY CELL1 ,MR4
,B1UMONT4 ,& N F MY (FICE1 EI4 ,B 6H
,JACK -E *>G+ 96! H\SE ! WAY HE DID YES-
T]"D ''' 0 J ''' TOO M*40
  ,T'S AB :5 ,I FIGUR$ X \4 ,DONNIE
,COSGROVE 0 UPSET T 8 "F-IN-LAW _H /OPP$
0& RAIS$ HELL ) ,DE,ANN1 B ,DONNIE WANT$
"S"O ELSE 6D "S?+ AB X--"NLY ME4 ,! FACT
(! MATT] IS1 RAIS+ HELL ) SCUMBAGS IS A
BIG "P ( MY JOB DESCRIP;N4
  8,I'M GLAD Y CALL$10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,?
IS ALL V 9T]E/+1 & ,I'LL 2 LOOK+ 96X4 ,D
Y HAPP5 6REMEMB] ! "NS ( ANY (! P :O
TALK$ 6Y BACK !N AB ,TONY ,COSGROVE'S
4APPE>.E80
  8,N (FH&10 ,DONNIE SD4 8,X 0 J SORT (
BR1K-ROOM ,,BS4 ,I'LL ?9K AB X1 ?\<4 ,IF
,I REMEMB] ANY"O 9 "PICUL> ,I'LL LET Y
"K40                                #BJG
  8,?ANKS10 ,I SD4 8,D T40
  ,B 0!N ,I 0 ALR "O /EP AH1D ( HM4 ,I
_H R1D ! >TICLE 9 .,ELECTRONICS .,5G9E]+
.,J\RNAL1 & ,I _H A PRETTY GD IDEA T A
8DEF5SE ANALY/0 "ND ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN _H
BE5 "O ( ,AN?ONY ,COSGROVE'S CO"W]S AT
,BOE+ 9 ! LATE SEV5TIES & E>LY EI<TIES4
,ALL ,I _H 6D 0 TRACK HM D[N4
  8,S :AT >E Y GO+ 6D N[80 ,DONNIE ASK$4
8,W Y G TALK 6HM80
  ,=A MO;T ,I ?"\ ,DONNIE 0 ASK+ IF ,I 0
GO+ 6TALK 6,DORTMAN4 ,!N ,I R1LIZ$ HE 0
ACTU,Y REF]R+ 6HIS ]/:ILE "F-IN-LAW--
/EP"F-IN-LAW--,JACK ,LAWR;E4
  8,I'M SURE ,I W EV5TU,Y10 ,I ASSUR$
HM4 8,B N UNTIL AF ,I *ECK \ A FEW ?+S
F/40
  8,& Y'LL LET U "K :AT Y F9D \80 ,DON-
NIE ASK$4 8,I M1N1 Y'LL LET ,DE,ANN "K80
  8,2LIEVE ME10 ,I TOLD HM1 8,I'LL LET Y
BO? "K40
  ,CALL-WAIT+ BUZZ$ J !N4 ,I 5D$ ! CALL
) ,DONNIE ,COSGROVE4
  8,MR4 ,HAT*] 6SEE Y10 ! DOORMAN
ANN\NC$ :5 ,I SWIT*$ 6! O!R L9E4    #BJH
  8,GD10 ,I SD4 8,S5D HM UP40
  ,I'LL 3FESS "R N[ 6HAV+ _H C]TA9 PRE-
3CVD NO;NS AB \R VISIT+ ECONOMI/--N"O (
!M V FLATT]+4 ,I _H 5VI.N$ "S"O )A FAIR-
LY WIDE-LOAD BUILD1 HORN-RIMM$ GLASSES1
&A MOP ( L;G GR1SY HAIR4 ,TODD ,HAT*]
FAIL$ 6MEET ^? SPECIFIC,NS--ON E C.T4
  ,= "O ?+1 HE 0 TALL & LANKY--SCRAWNY1
9 FACT4 ,& HE LOOK$ L A C[BOY J 9 (F !
RANGE 9 BOOTS & ,LEVI'S & WE>+ A DRIPP+
,/ETSON &A SO7Y L1!R JACKET4 ,9 "O H& HE
C>RI$ A BULG+ BACKPACK T 0 J Z DAMP Z HE
WAS4
  8,MR4 ,B1UMONT80 HE ASK$ Z ,I OP5$ !
DOOR4
  ,I NO4$4 8,WELCOME4 ,-E ON IN10 ,I SD4
8,MAKE YRF AT HOME40
  ,REMOV+ 8 HAT1 HE BANG$ "S (! EXCESS
WAT] (F X \ 9 ! HALLWAY 2F /EPP+ 96!
A"P;T4 ,8 BLOND HAIR 0 CUT 9 A %ORT B N
Q MILIT>Y BUZZ CUT4 ,)\T EV5 %$D+ 8
JACKET1 ,HAT*]1 L E O!R VISITOR 6! P5T-
H\SE1 0 IMMLY DRAWN 6! W9D[S ON ! F>
SIDE (! LIV+ ROOM4
  8,W[10 HE EXCLAIM$1 LOOK+ \ ON    #BJI
! GRAY EXPANSE ( WAT] T 0 ,ELLIOTT ,BAY
& ,PUGET ,S.D4 8,:AT AN AMAZ+ VIEW60
  8,X'S EV5 M AMAZ+ :5 X ISN'T RA9+10 ,I
TOLD HM4 8,C ,I TAKE YR COAT80
  ,HE PEEL$ X (F & H&$ X OV]1 REV1L+ !
UNAPOLOGETIC PE>L-BUTTON$ ,WE/]N %IRT
"UN1?4 ,Z ,I WALK$ AWAY )! JACKET ,I NO-
TIC$ T ! ONLY "P T WASN'T WET 0 ! "P T
_H BE5 "U ! BACKPACK4 ,R ?AN PUTT+ ! WET
JACKET 9 ! CLOSET1 ,I DRAP$ X OV] ! BACK
( "O (! KIT*5 B> /OOLS 9 HOPES ( LETT+ X
DRY4
  8,C(FEE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,IF X'S N TOO M* TR\#10 ,TODD REPLI$1
8C(FEE WD 2 GRT4 ,BLACK1 PL1SE40
  ,0! "T ,I RETURN$ 6! LIV+ ROOM HE _H
AB&ON$ ! VIEW 9 FAVOR ( SITT+ 9 ! W9D[
S1T & EXAM9+ ! ROOM XF4 8,GR[+ UP 9 ,B5-
SON1 ,I N"E CD H IMAG9$ A PLACE L ?40
  8,B5SON80 ,I ASK$4
  8,B5SON1 ,>IZONA40
  8,I ?9K ,I'VE BE5 "!10 ,I SD1 H&+ HM 8
C(FEE4 8,ISN'T ,B5SON J D[N ! ROAD F
,BISBEE80
  ,HE GR9N$4 8,Y'VE ACTU,Y HE>D (   #BAJ
X8 ,MO/ P N"E H4 ,B5SON IS ACTU,Y D[N !
ROAD IF Y'RE 9 ,TUCSON & UP ! ROAD IF
Y'RE 9 ,BISBEE1 & RELATIVE ELEV,NS H
NO?+ 6D ) X40
  ,I W5T BACK 6! KIT*5 & P\R$ A SECOND
CUP ( C(FEE = ME4 ,F/ IMPRES.NS >E IM-
PORTANT4 ,! FACT T HE LOOK$ L A HICK J
(F ! F>M--OR RAN*1 Z ! CASE MAY BE--
DIDN'T 9SPIRE A :OLE LOT ( 3FID;E1 B WE
NE$$ 6"K "S?+ AB HM4 ,I TOOK MY C(FEE &
RETURN$ 6MY RECL9]4
  8,:AT BR"\ Y 6,WA%+TON80 ,I ASK$4
  8,AN ,9GM> ,HANSON ,FELL[%IP 9 ECONOM-
ICS10 HE SD4 8,I CAME "H 6F9I% MY
,PH4,D40
  ,I DIDN'T "K ,9GM> ,HANSON F A HOLE 9
! WALL1 B CLE>LY ,TODD ,HAT*] 0 A HELL (
A LOT SM>T] ?AN HE LOOK$4
  8,X'S D"O N[10 HE SD4 8,MY DEGREE 0
AW>D$ LA/ ,JUNE4 ,I _H A C\PLE ( (F]S TO
T1*1 B ,I WANT$ 6D ? F/40 ,HE GL.ED D[N
AT ! SO45 BACKPACK4
  8,BY ,8?0' Y M1N ! /UDY = ,ROSS
,3NORS80
  ,HE NO4$4 8,I _H HOP$ 6BE A#      #BAA
6USE X = MY 4S]T,N4 ,T WD H BROK5 NEW
GR.D--A 4S]T,N AB "S?+ USE;L1 =A *ANGE--
B MY ADVIS] WASN'T HAV+ ANY ( X4 ,HE
TOLD ME NO "O'S 9T]E/$ 9 ANALYZ+ ! NE$ =
G]IATRIC PRISON B$S1 :1 ( C\RSE1 IS PAT-
5TLY /UPID1 S9CE PRISONS >E / "O ( ?
C.TRY'S GR[? 9DU/RIES1 &! PRISON POPUL,N
IS AG+ "EY":40
  ,I TRI$ 6PICTURE ,TODD ,HAT*] 9 8 C[-
BOY BOOTS & ,/ETSON SAUNT]+ ACR ! ,U4
,DUB'S 2LOV$ ,R$ ,SQU>E4 ,TALK AB \ (
PLACE6 ,X CAME Z NO SURPRISE 6ME T ,TODD
& "O OR M ( 8 PROFESSORS WDN'T H SE5 EYE
6EYE4
  8,PRESUMABLY Y >E 9T]E/$1 ?\<10 ,I SD4
8,M9D IF ,I ASK :Y80
  ,HAT*] UNCROSS$ 8 LEGS & GAVE ME A
SPECULATIVE LOOK4 8,I M9D10 HE SD1 8B
S9CE WE'RE GO+ 6BE "W+ TGR1 ,I CD J Z
WELL TELL Y40
  ,X APPE>$ T WE 7 />T+ \R "W+ REL,N%IP
BAS$ ON A C]TA9 LEVEL ( MUTUAL 4TRU/4
,MAYBE T 0 A GD ?+4
  8,NOBODY "E EXPECT$ ME 6AM.T 6M*10 HE
SD4 8,MY "M 0 A WAITRESS2 MY "F 0   #BAB
A FAIL$ BANK RO2]4 ,:5 ,I 0 F\R1 HE W5T
6PRISON = %OOT+ A SECUR;Y GU>D 9 ! C\RSE
( AN ATTEMPT$ BANK RO2]Y4 ,^? >E ! F/
MEMORIES ,I H ( MY "F1 TAK+ T L;G RIDE
UP 6,FLOR;E E ONCE 9 A :ILE 6VISIT HM ON
WEEK5DS4
  8,GR[+ UP1 ALL MY FRS 7 FASC9AT$ )
,LUKE ,SKYWALK] OR ,SPID]-,MAN1 B WE 7
TOO POOR 6G 6MOVIES4 ,MY "M TOOK ME 6!
LIBR>Y 9/1D4 ,:ILE MY FRS 7 / PLAY+ )
,TRANS=M]S1 ,I 0 "W+ MY WAY "? ,%]LOCK
,HOLMES4 ,0! "T ,I 0 ?IRTE5 OR S1 ,I
WANT$ 6BE ,ALAN ,GRE5SPAN :5 ,I GREW UP4
,MY "M & ,I SURVIV$ ON ALM NO M"OY1 &
,GRE5SPAN SEEM$ 6BE "S"O :O KNEW ALL AB
M"OY & H[ 6GET X4 ,:ILE O!R KIDS 7 FO-
CUS$ ON HI< S*OOL SPORTS1 ,I 0 SP5D+ MY
SUMM]S "W+ Z A RAN* H& & R1D+ ,AYN ,R&
ON ! SIDE4 ,I WON A FULL S*OL>%IP 6!
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,>IZONA4 ,T'S ": ,I GOT MY
,B4,A4 & MY MA/]'S4 ,I CAME 6! ,U4 ,DUB
6E>N MY ,PH4,D40
  ,HE /OPP$1 B T CLE>LY T WASN'T ! 5D (!
/ORY4
  8,&80 ,I PROMPT$4                 #BAC
  8,MY "F 0 S5T;ED 6LIFE 9 PRISON10 HE
SD AF A PAUSE4 8,FIVE YE>S AGO !Y REL1S$
HM1 S5T HM HOME 6MY "M 9 ,B5SON4 ,CLAIM$
X 0 2C ! PRISON 0 OV]CR[D$ & !Y _H DET]-
M9$ HE 0 NO L;G] A DANG] 6HMF OR O!RS4
,T'S :AT !Y .SD4 ,! R1L;Y TURN$ \ 6BE !Y
_H DIAGNOS$ HM ) E>LY-ONSET ,ALZHEIM]'S
& !Y DIDN'T WANT 6H 6TAKE C>E ( HM1 S !Y
S5T HM HOME 6MY "M 6DIE4
  8,%E _H N"E DIVORC$ ! MAN =! SIMPLE
R1SON T %E LOV$ HM4 ,%E _H H1L? 9SUR.E--
MAJOR M$ICAL = H]F--B N = HM4 ,"! 0 NO
WAY = H] 6ADD HM ONTO H] POLICY1 & HE 0
TOO "Y = ,M$IC>E4 ,%E APPLI$ = 4ABIL;Y
,SOCIAL ,SECUR;Y B5EFITS = HM1 B !Y KEPT
TURN+ H] D[N4 ,S %E TOOK C>E ( HM 6! BE/
( H] ABIL;Y4 ,HE DI$ TWO YE>S AGO1 & %E
DI$ SIX MON?S LAT]4 ,HE WD H DI$ ANYWAY4
,S5D+ HM HOME L T 0 A D1? S5T;E = H]40
  ,N[ ,TODD ,HAT*]'S DO7$LY P]SI/5T 9T]-
E/ 9 ! AG+ PRISON POPUL,N MADE A :OLE
LOT M S5SE4 ,X 0 M* M ?AN J A 8/UDY0 =
HM4 ,X 0 A LABOR ( LOVE4
  8,IF ? C.TRY RE,Y BUYS ! ?REE-/RIKES-
Y'RE-\ M5TAL;Y1 !N WE'D BETT] 2     #BAD
PREP>$ 6PAY ! PIP]10 HE A4$ AF A PAUSE4
8,IF WE SAY "S"O'S GO+ 6PRISON = LIFE &
M1N X1 WE'D BETT] GET R1DY40
  8,S T'S :Y Y'RE "H1 !N10 ,I SD4
  ,HE NO4$4 8,IN ORD] 6"K H[ _M G]IATRIC
PRISON B$S W 2 NE$$1 ,I HOPE 6CR1TE A
-PUT] MODEL T W PREDICT EXACTLY H[ _M
CURR5T PRISON]S W 5D UP DY+ "!4 ,9 ORD]
6BE A3URATE1 H["E1 ,I NE$ 6H "S IDEA (
H[ _M NEW (F5D]S W L& 9 ! PRISON SY/EM
ON A P]MAN5T BASIS Z WELL Z H[ _M EX-
CONS >E LIKELY 6RE(F5D & 2 RETURN$ TO
PRISON4 ,RECIDIVI/S1 ( C\RSE1 >E F> M
LIKELY TO FALL "U ?REE-/RIKES PROVI.NS &
5D UP ) LIFE"T S5T;ES4 ,T'S MY
EXPECT,N40
  8,& "EY?+ 0 GO+ AL;G F9E & D&Y UNTIL Y
/UM#D ACR A :OLE BUN* ( "Y D1D EX-CONS
:O SCREW$ YR S-CALL$ MODEL ALL 6HELL40
  8,"R10 ,HAT*] SD4 8,IF !Y'RE D1D1 !Y
WON'T RE(F5D1 & !Y WON'T NE$ G]IATRIC
PRISON C>E1 EI4 ,! PRO#M IS1 9 ! NORMAL
C\RSE ( EV5TS "S ( !M W 2 D1D L;G 2F !Y
GR[ OLD 9 PRISON1 B !Y %DN'T 2 D1D YET4
,X /RUCK ME T ? :OLE CLU/] ( D1?S   #BAE
0 "S K9D ( AN ANOMALY4 ,:5 ,I BR"\ !
SITU,N 6,ROSS'S ATT5;N HE ASK$ ME 6LOOK
96X 9 M DETAIL4 ,& "H ,I AM40
  ,I RECALL$ ,ROSS ,3NORS'S "S:AT CYNI-
CAL REM>K AB ,HAT*] PROBABLY HAV+ A BOOK
D1L WAIT+ 9 ! W+S4 ,F :AT ,I CD SEE1 !
MAN'S MOTIV,N 0 M* LESS SELF-S]V+ ?AN T
--&A LOT M "U/&A#4
  8,S :AT'S ! PLAN80 ,I ASK$4
  8,MEL TOLD ME ,I %D "W ON ! SPR1D%EET
"H4 ,T WAY1 ,I C 3SULT ) "O OR ! O!R ( Y
Z ,I G AL;G4 ,IF WE'RE ALL GO+ OV] !
FILES & PICK+ \ :AT /RIKES EA* ( U Z IM-
PORTANT1 WE'LL PROBABLY -E UP ) BETT]
DATA4 ,ONCE WE H T1 WE'LL RUN A P>ADOX
ANALYSIS & SEE IF ANY?+ POPS40
  ,= ALL ! S5SE X MADE 6ME1 T LA/ S5T;E
CD J Z WELL H BE5 UTT]$ 9 ,RUSSIAN4 ,OR
,*9ESE4
  8,S :AT D Y NE$ F ME80 ,I ASK$4
  ,HE OP5$ ! BACKPACK & TOOK \ A SLIM
LAPTOP4 ,8 BOOTS MAY H BE5 ON _! LA/
LEGS1 Z X W]E1 B 8 -PUT] 0 ABSOLUTELY
/ATE-(-!->T4
  8,A PLACE 6SPR1D \ & "W10 HE      #BAF
SD4
  ,I PO9T$ T[>D ! GRANITE C.T] (! BR1K-
FA/ B>4 8,W T D80 ,I ASK$4
  ,HE NO4$4 8,SURE10 HE SD4 8,:AT AB
LO7+ ON80
  ,"! ,I _H HM4 8,WE'VE GOT A ,WI,FI
NET"W -PLETE )A BROADB& 3NEC;N40
  8,COOL10 HE SD4
  ,T REM>K CAME ) NO NE$ ( TRANSL,N4 ,I
0 GRATIFI$ T \R TELECOMMUNIC,NS SY/EM
M1SUR$ UP 6HIS EXPECT,NS4 ,& ,I 0 AL
GLAD T1 DESPITE ! 3SID]A# DI6];E 9 \R
AGES1 COOL 0 / COOL4
  ,"SH[ ,I F.D T REASSUR+4