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             ,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
     ,3NIE ,WOODS1 ,B]NICE ,NORMAN1
     ,M>IAN ,HAYES1 ,C>OLE ,MOORE1
             & ,LAURA ,COX
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
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          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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                                     ;II
























               ,*APT] #AA           #BAG

  ,TODD ,HAT*] 0 HU/L+ >.D & SETT+ UP
%OP :5 MY PH"O RANG4 8,HEY1 Y >E "!10
,DETECTIVE ,JACKSON SD4 8,I TRI$ CALL+
YR (FICE & !Y SD Y 7 (F40
  ,(F WASN'T Q ! SAME Z \1 B ,I LET X
PASS4 8,H[ 0 ! MEMORIAL S]VICE80
  8,PRETTY L[-KEY4 ,NATUR,Y ,MANN+
DIDN'T %[1 B WE'VE GOT A L1D ON H] ?
MORN+4 ,AC 6\R S\RCES1 %E'S /AY+ 9 A
%ELT] UP ON ,AURORA4 ,HANK & ,I >E ON \R
WAY 69T]VIEW H] "R N[4 ,I'LL LET Y "K
:AT WE F9D \40
  8,MAYBE ,I %D TALK 6H]1 TOO4 ,WANT ME
6RIDE AL;G8 ,MEET Y "!80
  8,3SID]+ YR P]SONA NON GRATA /ATUS >.D
"H1 MAYBE T'S N S* A GD IDEA10 HE SD4
8,I C GIVE Y A RUND[N ( :AT WE LE>N--0
  8,I WANT 6TALK 6H] MYF10 ,I SD4
8,:AT'S ! A4RESS80
  8,Y'RE N LI/5+10 HE SD IRRITABLY4
8,I'LL GIVE Y A CALL :5 WE F9I% UP ! IN-
T]VIEW & LET Y "K ": 6F9D H]4 ,I DON'T
WANT Y %[+ UP :ILE WE'RE / "!40
  8,NO10 ,I AGRE$4 8,( C\RSE Y      #BAH
WDN'T40
  8,& REMEMB]10 ,JACKSON A4$1 8NO MATT]
:AT1 Y DIDN'T HE> ANY ( ? F ME40
  ,T ,I "U/OOD -PLETELY4
  ,MY NEXT ORD] ( BUSI;S 0 6SEE AB
TRACK+ D[N ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN1 B 2F ,I GOT
6SQU>E "O ON T1 ,J]EMY CALL$4
  8,WANT$ 6SAY ?ANKS = "EY?+10 MY SON-
IN-LAW TOLD ME4 8,WE RE,Y APPRECIATE !
HOSPITAL;Y1 B WE'RE H1D$ BACK 6,A%L& Z
SOON Z ,KELLY GETS \ (! %[] & WE C GET
PACK$ UP40
  ,ONCE AG ,J]EMY _H BE5 DRAFT$ 96DO+ !
DIRTY "W & TALK+ ) ,KELLY'S OGRE (A "F4
,I ASSUM$ T M1NT ,I 0 / 9 ! DOGH\SE4
  8,B ,I ?"\ Y 7 /AY+ UNTIL ,SUN"D '''0
,I 2GAN4
  8,KYLE 0 AWAKE MO/ (! NI<T LA/ NI<T1 &
S 0 "EYBODY ELSE10 ,J]EMY SD4 8,WE'VE
DECID$ WE'LL ALL 2 BETT] (F IF WE'RE
BACK 9 \R [N PLACE4 ,AT L1/ T WAY WE'LL
H A LL PRIVACY :5 ! BABY IS CRY+ OR
,KELLY IS YELL+40
  ,9 T]MS ( NE$+ PRIVACY1 ,I SUSPECT$ T
! =M] 0 LESS (A PRO#M ?AN ! LAT-    #BAI
T]4 8,MY DAU<T] C 2 A H&;L AT "TS10 ,I
SD4
  ,J]EMY'S SI< ( AGREE;T 0 HE>TFELT4
8,YES1 SIR10 HE SD4 8,%E C]TA9LY C 2 T4
,I'M RE,Y SORRY AB N -+ 6D9N] ! O!R
NI<T4 ,I DON'T "K :Y %E 0 S UPSET AB
,MEL40
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X1 ,J]EMY10 ,I TOLD
HM4 8,MEL C TAKE X & S C ,I40
  8,?ANKS10 HE SD4 8,OOPS1 GOTTA G40
  ,KELLY'S %[] _H EVID5TLY 5D$ & S DID
,J]EMY'S PH"O CALL4 ,I "K ,I %D H BE5
SORRY AT ! IDEA T !Y 7 TAK+ (F TWO "DS
E>LY1 B ,I WASN'T4 ,CALL ME AN OLD CUR-
MUDGEON1 B ,I 0 LOS+ PATI;E ) ,KELLY'S
!ATRICS4 ,& T'S ALL ,I ?"\ X WAS--!AT-
RICS4 ,KELLY'S "M _H C]TA9LY BE5 GD AT
PIT*+ A ROYAL FIT 9 H] "T1 & ,KELLY
SEEM$ 6H 9H]IT$ ! SAME T5D5CY4
  ,I W5T \ 6! KIT*51 P\R$ ! LA/ CUP (
C(FEE1 & MADE A NEW POT4 ,) ,TODD N[ EN-
SCONC$ AT ! B>1 ,I TOOK MYF & MY LAPTOP
6MY RECL9] & W5T LOOK+ = ,?OMAS ,DORT-
MAN4 ,HE TURN$ \ 6BE A FREEL.E WRIT] &
"S"T ,FOX ,NEWS 3TRIBUTOR ^: ,WEB   #BBJ
SITE'S HOME PAGE SD HE LIV$ 9 ! ,S1TTLE
>EA1 AL? 8 #GBH PH"O PREFIX H9T$ AT A
D[NT[N LOC,N4 ,I CALL$ ! NUMB] & LEFT A
MESSAGE1 TELL+ HM :O ,I 0 & ASK+ HM TO
CALL4 ,& !N1 2C "! 0 ALW A *.E HE 0 (F
GALLIVANT+ >.D "S":1 ,I %OT HM AN ;E-
MAIL Z WELL4
  ,HOP+ = ,K5DALL ,JACKSON 6CALL ME
BACK1 ,I SP5T ! REMA9D] (! MORN+ "W+
SIDE 0SIDE ) ,TODD ,HAT*]4 ,WE F9,Y DE-
CID$ T WE'D BO? G "? ! DOCU;TS & MAKE \R
[N SEP>ATE NOTES1 : ,TODD WD !N TRAN-
SCRIBE 96! SPR1D%EET4 ,T WAY ,MEL CD -E
AL;G LAT] & D ! SAME ?+4 ,! RESULT+ DOC-
U;T WD 3TA9 ALL ( \R IMPRES.NS ( :AT WE
EA* _H R1D1 HOPE;LLY BOIL$ D[N 96"O R1D-
ILY A3ESSI# DOCU;T ":1 ) ANY K9D ( LUCK1
! MO/ IMPORTANT PO9TS WD "SH[ BUB# 6!
SURFACE4
  ,I 3C5TRAT$ PRIM>ILY ON ! FILE 3C]N+
,$ ,*RISMAN1 ! G5IUS :O _H BE5 TAK+ A
L1K :5 8 [N VEHICLE KNOCK$ HM (F A CLIFF
& 96! DR9K S"EAL HUNDR$ FEET 2L4 ,I
LE>N$ ,*RISMAN 0 ANY?+ B A ,BOY ,SC\T1 )
S"EAL 9CR1S+LY S]I\S SCRAPES )!     #BBA
LAW 2F HE'D F9,Y BE5 S5T;ED = SIXTE5
YE>S AF BRUT,Y RAP+ 8 EX-WIFE4 ,HE'D BE5
REL1S$ E>LY--T5 P]C5T (F = GD 2HAVIOR--&
_H BE5 FREE = J OV] A YE> :5 HE TOOK 8
NOSEDIVE4 ,X *ILL$ ME 6GL1N F 8 FILE T =
! PA/ SIX MON?S HE _H "W$ Z AN IN-/ORE
SECUR;Y GU>D4 7,DOESN'T ANY"O BO!R *ECK+
R@ESUM@ES ANYMORE87
  ,M* (! POLICE REPORT SIMPLY DIDN'T
MAKE S5SE4 ,Z ,MEL _H PO9T$ \ ! "D 2F1
MO/ P >5'T /UPID 5 6RELIEVE !MVS :ILE
/&+ 9 FRONT (A VEHICLE T IS / 9 GE>4 ,I
?"\ MAYBE ? 0 A WEIRD A3ID5T1 "O ( ^?
SITU,NS ": A VEHICLE "SH[ TAKES ON A M9D
( XS [N & SLIPS XF 96DRIVE F NEUTRAL4 ,B
! VEHICLE _H BE5 EXAM9$ 9 GRT DETAIL
ONCE X _H BE5 HAUL$ F ! WAT]1 & "! _H
BE5 NO SIGN ( ME*ANICAL FAILURE4
  ,"S ATTEMPTS _H BE5 MADE 6FOLL[ UP ON
,*RISMAN'S ACTIVITIES 9 ! "DS 2F 8 D1?1
B ^? EF=TS _H -E UP %ORT4 ,! EV5+ 2F1 HE
_H BE5 SE5 DR9K+ 9 A B> 9 ,FAIRHAV5 9 !
-PANY (A /-UNID5TIFI$ WOMAN4 ,ALL EF=TS
6TRACE H] _H AL -E 6NO?+4 ,S"EAL P SD !Y
?"\ %E 0 A HIT*HIK] ,*RISMAN MI<T   #BBB
H PICK$ UP ! "D 2F DRIV+ BACK F ,S1TTLE1
B EV5 )! HELP (A -POSITE DRAW+ !Y _H BE5
UNA# 6-E UP ) ANY K9D ( ID5TIFIC,N4
  ,! PASSAGE AB ! UNID5TIFI$ & S F> UN-
R1*A# WOMAN MADE MY BLOOD RUN COLD4 ,:AT
7 ! *.ES T ,*RISMAN _H ASSAULT$ ? UN"ND
WOMAN & LEFT H] EI D1D OR DY+ "S": 9 A
W9T]-B.D =E/$ L&SCAPE T MI<T N"E YIELD
UP EI H] REMA9S OR H] ID5T;Y8
  ,R1D+ AN AB/RACT HAS XS %ORTCOM+S4
,X'S N NE>LY ! SAME Z R1D+ AN ACTUAL
FILE4 ,& R1D+ AB EVID;E ISN'T ! SAME Z
SEE+ X ) YR V [N EYES4 ,AC 6! RECORD1
,*RISMAN'S SMA%$ VEHICLE REMA9$ 9 !
,SKAGIT ,C.TY ,%]IFF'S ,DE"P;T IMP.D
LOT4 ,AF S"EAL WEEKS "UWAT]1 V LL USEA#
=5SIC EVID;E _H REMA9$ 9 ! VEHICLE4 ,!
KEYS _H BE5 F.D / 9 ! IGNI;N4 ,*RISMAN'S
WALLET _H BE5 /U6$ "U ! S1T1 ) M"OY &
CR$IT C>DS 9TACT4 ,IF ANY"O ELSE _H BE5
9VOLV$ 9 :AT HAPP5$ 6HM1 RO2]Y _H N BE5
"P (! PROGRAM4
  ,! FILE DID REF];E A S+LE SCRAP ( D>K
MAT]IAL--N MAT*+ ANY ( ,*RISMAN'S CLO?+
--T _H BE5 F.D CAU<T 9 ! FRONT      #BBC
PASS5G] DOOR4 ,O!R ?AN SAY+ ! COTTON
BROADCLO? 0 EI BLUE OR BLACK1 "! 0 NO
WAY ( TELL+ IF X _H BE5 LODG$ "! ON ! "D
,*RISMAN _H TAK5 8 LA/ ,SUN"D DRIVE OR
IF X "SH[ PREDAT$ ! "D ( 8 D1?4 ,Z ,I
MADE MY NOTES ,I R1LIZ$ T "S"T SOON "S"O
9 \R GR\P--,MEL OR ME OR EV5 ,TODD--MI<T
H 6TRAVEL NOR? 6,BELL+HAM & SEE ! EVID;E
= \RVS4
  ,I KEPT LOOK+ AT ! CLOCK1 HOP+ ,MEL WD
-E HOME OR T ,K5DALL ,JACKSON WD CALL ME
9 "T = ME 6G SEE ,ELA9E ,MANN+ PRIOR TO
,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S FUN]AL4 ,0NOON1 H[-
"E1 X 2CAME CLE> T NEI ( ^? ?+S 0 GO+ TO
HAPP54 ,I GAVE ,TODD C>TE BLAN*E 6RUM-
MAGE "? \R TWO-"D-OLD LEFTOV]S1 B HE 0 S
ABSORB$ 9 8 "W ,I D\BT$ HE'D NOTICE ,I 0
G"O--6SAY NO?+ ( REMEMB]+ 6EAT4
  ,W1!R 9 ,S1TTLE C TURN ON A DIME4 ,0!
"T ,I F9,Y PULL$ \ (! G>AGE ! MORN+ RA9S
7 G"O &! SKY DIRECTLY OV]H1D 0 A BRIL-
LIANT BLUE4 ,! SKY 0 CLE>+1 AL? ! PAVE;T
0 / WET4 ,! SUN GL9T+ (F X 0 BL9D+ 9
SPOTS4 ,Z ,I DROVE T[>D ! ;,I-#IJ
BRIDGE1 EV5 ,M.T ,RA9I] 0 GRADU,Y   #BBD
EM]G+ F XS W9T]"T COCOON ( L[-LY+ CL\DS4
,I TRI$ CALL+ ,MEL Z ,I DROVE1 B H] PH"O
W5T /RAI<T 6VOICE MAIL4
  ,D[N 9 ! ,RA9I] ,VALLEY ,I 0 E>LY 5 T
,I 0 A# 6P>K CLOSE 6! *UR*4 ,I 0 S E>LY1
9 FACT1 T ! DOORS 6! ,AFRICAN ,BI# ,BAP-
TI/ ,*UR* 7 N YET OP51 S ,I WALK$ ! L5G?
& BR1D? ( ,*UR* ,/REET & TALK$ 6ANY NUM-
B] ( ,ETTA ,MAE ,TOMPK9S'S NEI<BORS4
  ,MO/LY ,I GOT NO": FA/4 ,NO "O _H SE5
ANY?+1 OR1 AT L1/1 NO "O WD .ADMIT 6HAV+
SE5 ANY?+4 ,F9,Y ,I BRAN*$ \ & W&]$ UP &
D[N ,,MLK4 ,TWO BLOCKS 6! NOR? ,I SPOKE
6A GAS /,N ATT5DANT F A ,,BP /,N :O RE-
PORT$ HAV+ NOTIC$ A S+LE :ITE WOMAN--A
NUN--WALK+ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD %ORTLY 2F
,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S 0 %OT4 ,I DIDN'T ASK
HM IF HE _H HAPP5$ 6M5;N ANY ( ? 6! O!R
DETECTIVES 2C ,I 0 SURE HE _H4 ,X TURNS
\ ! O!R DETECTIVES _HN'T HAPP5$ 6M5;N X
6.ME4 ,9 ? BUSI;S1 ?\<1 Y C'T AF=D 6TAKE
T /UFF P]SON,Y4
  8,DID %E LOOK SUSPICI\S80 ,I ASK$4
  ,! MAN LAU<$ \T"R4 8,>E Y KI4+8 ,I
FIGUR$ T NUN 0 J L "O ( ^? ,JEHO-   #BBE
VAH'S ,WIT;SES BABES T >E ALW -+ >.D "H
--SC>Y B N SUSPICI\S40
  8,%E 0 WE>+ A HABIT1 !N80
  8,Y M1N "O ( ^? BLACK ROBE ?+S8 ,YES1
%E WAS1 C>RY+ H] ,BI# & H] UMBRELLA4 ,:5
,I SAW H] "!1 ALL 0H]F 9 ! D>K &! RA91
,I REMEMB] ASK+ MYF1 ,8,MAN1 :AT IS T
WOMAN ?9K+80'0
  8,DID Y GET A GD LOOK AT H]80
  8,NAW4 ,J 2C %E 0 DUMB 5 6/& \TSIDE 9
! RA9 DIDN'T M1N ,I WAS1 B ,I "K %E 0
:ITE IF T'S :AT Y'RE ASK+40
  ,X 0 :AT ,I 0 ASK+1 & ,I MADE A NOTE (
8 -;T4 ,IF A NUN _H BE5 \ "! ON ! /REET
AT ! "T ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S 0 %OT1 "! 0 AN
\TSIDE *.E T %E MI<T H SE5 A VEHICLE -+
OR GO+4 ,I NE$$ 6TRACK ! WOMAN D[N &
TALK 6H]4 ,O!R ?AN T1 ,I LE>N$ NO?+4
,Z]O4 ,ZIP4
  ,0"O-?IRTY & / ON FOOT1 ,I MADE MY WAY
BACK UP ,M>T9 ,LU!R ,K+ ,JR4 ,WAY 6!
,AFRICAN ,BI# ,BAPTI/ ,*UR*4 ,? WAS1 Z
,I REMEMB]$1 ,ETTA ,MAE ,TOMPK9S'S HOME
*UR*4 ,X 0 AL H] NEI<BORHOOD *UR* & )9
WALK+ 4T.E ( H] HOME4 ,EV5 ?\< !    #BBF
NEI<BORHOOD _H *ANG$ & "! 0 A F> GRT]
,ASIAN PRES;E "! N[1 ! 3GREG,N ( ,AFRI-
CAN ,BI# ,BAPTI/--AT L1/ ! MEMB]S ASSEM-
BL+ "! T AFN--WAS PRIM>ILY BLACK4 ,& AL?
,I C]TA9LY DIDN'T BL5D1 ,I 0 MADE 6FEEL
WELCOME4
  ,A M$IA VAN PULL$ UP 6! CURB4 ,I 0 IN-
T5T ON KEEP+ A L[ PROFILE4 ,HAV+ MY MUG
%[ UP ON LOCAL TELEVI.N NEWSCA/S DIDN'T
SEEM L A GD IDEA1 S ,I H1D$ =! DOOR 6!
*UR*1 ": A SMIL+ U%] 9 A %9Y *>COAL-GRAY
SUIT GREET$ ME & L$ ME 96! SANCTU>Y4
  ,I SAT NE> ! BACK4 ,F "! ,I 0 A# 6SPOT
,ETTA ,MAE S1T$ AL"O 9 ! F/ PEW4 ,) UN-
WAV]+ DIGN;Y %E GAZ$ AT ,LA,%AWN'S OP51
FL[]-2DECK$ CASKET4
  ,MO;TS AF ,I 0 S1T$1 A GR\P ( P L$ BY
,PA/OR ,M>K ,GRANG] MADE _! WAY UP !
AISLE4 ,AM;G !M ,I CAU<T SI<T ( BO?
,SI/] ,ME? ,M\? ,CORA &! ,K+ ,/REET
,MIS.N ATTORNEY ( RECORD1 ,DALE ,RAMSEY4
,! GR\P -M&E]$ TWO FULL PEWS DIRECTLY 2H
,ETTA ,MAE4
  ,%E TURN$ & LOOK$ AT !M Z !Y FIL$ IN4
,)A SC[L ( 4TA/E &A SLI<T %AKE (    #BBG
H] H1D1 %E LOOK$ AWAY AG4 ,I SUPPOSE %E
0 ?9K+ M* ! SAME ?+ ,I WAS4 ,%E _H GIV5
,K+'S ,MIS.N FREE RE9 9 H[ !Y DID _! [N
S5D-(F = H] ,%AWNY1 & ,I ?9K %E 0 WORRI$
T ,PA/OR ,M>K & 8 FLOCK WDN'T ALL[ H] !
SAME C\RTESY4
  ,0! "T ! APPO9T$ H\R ( #B3JJ ,P4,M4
ROLL$ >.D1 ! *UR* 0 PACK$4 ,DETECTIVES
,JACKSON & ,RAMSDAHL CAME 9 DUR+ ! F/
HYMN--A MOV+ R5DI;N ( 8,SW+ ,L[ ,SWEET
,*>IOT40 ,0!N1 LATE >RIVALS 7 HAV+ 6BE
%OEHORN$ 96EXTRA *AIRS T _H BE5 HAUL$ \
& PLAC$ 9 ! AISLES4 ,JACKSON'S *AIR 0 AT
! 5D (! PEW ,I 0 IN2 ,HANK ,RAMSDAHL 0
S1T$ TWO R[S AH1D ( U4
  ,HAV+ ATT5D$ ,B"ELY ,J5SS5'S MEMORIAL
S]VICE ! PREVI\S AFN1 ,I CDN'T HELP ?9K+
T H] S5D-(F SU6]$ 9 -P>ISON 6! "O GIV5
,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S 0,ETTA ,MAE'S ,AFRICAN
,BI# ,BAPTI/ ,*UR*4 ,X 0 H] %[ F 2G9N+
65D4 ,EV5 ?\< ? 0 E>LY ON A ,FRI"D AFN1
! FUN]AL S]VICE PLAY$ 6A CAPAC;Y CR[D4
,N ONLY 0 ! FULL 3GREG,N 9 ATT5D.E1 B S
0 A TOP-NOT*1 FULL-?ROAT$ *OIR4
  ,FUN]AL OR N1 ATT5DEES & *OIR     #BBH
ALIKE CAME PREP>$ 6MAKE A JOY;L NOISE
UNTO ! ,"L4 ,I NOTIC$ T ! VISITORS F ,K+
,/REET ,MIS.N HELD _! HYMNALS OP51 B !Y
LOOK$ UNEASY & DIDN'T SEEM 6BE S++ AL;G
) "EY"O ELSE4 ,? MAY H BE5 DUE 6! FACT T
!Y DIDN'T "K ! ^WS 6! V>I\S HYMNS1 OR
MAYBE !Y 7 A3U/OM$ 6PRACTIC+ A "S:AT M
SUBDU$ V].N ( ,*RI/IAN;Y4
  ..,GD = ,ETTA .,MAE1 ,I ?"\4
  ,! ,R"E5D ,CL>;E ,WILK9S (FICIAT$4 ,:5
X CAME "T =! EULOGY1 HE SPOKE MOV+LY (
,LA,%AWN Z A CUTE B MIS*IEV\S LL BOY :O
_H REGUL>LY ATT5D$ ,SUN"D S*OOL4 ,! M9-
I/] AL SPOKE ( ,LA,%AWN'S YE>S 9 ! WIL-
D];S :5 HE _H BE5 LO/ 9 A _W ( DRUGS &
GANGS4 ,F9,Y1 6A *ORUS ( HE>TFELT
8,PRAISE ,GODS0 & 8,AM5S10 ,WILK9S RE-
LAT$ H[1 9 ! 5D1 ,LA,%AWN _H -E BACK TO
,JESUS4 ,WILK9S MADE ONLY ! SLI<TE/ NOD
9 ,PA/OR ,M>K'S DIREC;N Z HE TOLD T "P (
! /ORY1 &! R"E5D MADE NO M5;N AT ALL (
,LA,%AWN'S "W AT ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N4 ,I
WOND]$ IF T 0 AN A3ID5T OR A DELIB]ATE
OV]SI<T4
  ,! S]VICE CAME 6AN 5D R ABRUPT-   #BBI
LY AF T1 CLOS+ )A F9AL HYMN &) NO *.E =
ATT5DEES 6-E =W>D & MAKE -;TS ( _! [N4
,MAYBE ,I H AN OV]LY ACTIVE IMAG9,N OR
POSSIBLY X 0 SIMPLY PREJUDICE ON MY "P1
B ,I ASSUM$ ,ETTA ,MAE _H PRECLUD$ ANY
A4I;NAL SP1K]S 9 ORD] 6KEEP ,PA/OR ,M>K
F TAK+ 6! PULPIT4 ,S9CE HE _H SEEM$ 9T5T
ON HIJACK+ ! 5TIRE S]VICE1 ,I CD H>DLY
BLAME H] = T4
  ,\ ON ! /REET1 :ILE WE WAIT$ =! CASKET
6BE C>RI$ \ (! *UR* & TRANSF]R$ 6! WAIT+
HE>SE1 ,I TRACK$ D[N ,K5DALL ,JACKSON4
,HANK ,RAMSDAHL 0 NO": 9 SI<T4
  8,I ?"\ Y 7 GO+ 6CALL ME10 ,I SD4
  ,JACKSON 0 BUSY SCANN+ ! CR[D4 8,T'S
"R4 ,I SD WE'D CALL :5 WE F9I%$ 9T]VIEW+
,ELA9E ,MANN+40
  8,WELL80 ,I ASK$4
  8,WE N"E F9I%$10 HE SD1 82C WE N"E F.D
H]4 ,I 0 HOP+ %E'D %[ UP "H4 ,S F> NO S*
LUCK40
  8,%E WASN'T AT ! %ELT]80
  8,%E PROBABLY 0 "!10 ,JACKSON CORRECT-
$4 8,IF S1 %E WDN'T -E \ 6TALK 6U4 ,&!
WOMAN :O RAN ! PLACE 0 PISS$ Z      #BCJ
HELL T WE _H ANY IDEA T'S ": ,ELA9E 0
/AY+ 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,X'S A DOME/IC-VIOL;E
%ELT]1 Y "K40
  8,B IF ,LA,%AWN 0 H] BOYFR & HE'S D1D1
:O'S %E RUNN+ F80
  8,GD "Q10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,= "R N[1 MY
M"OY'S ON ,PA/OR ,M>K40
  8,B HE HAS AN ALIBI =! "T ( ,LA,%AWN'S
MURD]10 ,I SD4 8,AT L1/ HE CLAIMS 6H AN
ALIBI40
  8,HE AL HAS AN ATTORNEY10 ,JACKSON SD4
  ..,:O AL HAPP5S 6BE 9 .ATT5D.E1 ,I
?"\1 B "SH[ ,I DIDN'T M5;N T FACT 6,DE-
TECTIVE ,JACKSON4 ,? WASN'T A GRUDGE
MAT*1 B S9CE HE _HN'T TOLD ME AB ! NUN1
,I FIGUR$ T MADE U EV54
  ,0!N ! FRONT PEWS (! *UR* 7 F9,Y EMP-
TY+4 ,:5 ! ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N P EM]G$1
MO/ ( !M W&]$ (F T[>D ?REE EI<T-PASS5G]
VANS P>K$ D[N ! BLOCK4 ,PA/OR ,M>K &
,DALE ,RAMSEY WALK$ (F TGR T[>D A BLACK
,L9COLN ,T[N ,C> T CAME -PLETE )A DRIV]
9 A BLACK SUIT4 ,! VANS MAY H BE5 GD 5 =
,PA/OR ,M>K'S FLOCK1 B !Y EVID5TLY W]5'T
GD 5 =! %EPH]D HMF4                 #BCA
  8,I GUESS T M1NS HE'S N GO+ 6! CEME-
T]Y10 ,JACKSON SD 6ME4 8,& ,I GUESS T
M1NS ,HANK & ,I WON'T 2 GO+ EI4 ,WE'LL J
FOLL[ AL;G & ASK HM IF HE HAS ANY IDEA
:Y ,ELA9E WD H LEFT ,K+ ,/REET & TAK5 UP
RESID;E 9 A ,,DV %ELT]40
  8,MY GUESS IS HE WON'T SAY A ^W40
  8,M9E1 TOO40 ,JACKSON GR9N$4 8,B X
DOESN'T MATT]4 ,"S"TS SIL;E SP1KS L\D]
?AN ^WS40
  ,HANK %[$ UP 9 _! C> "R !N4 ,DETECTIVE
,JACKSON HOPP$ 9SIDE & !Y H1D$ D[N ,,MLK
,WAY 2H ! RETR1T+ ,T[N ,C>4
  ,X TOOK AB FIFTE5 M9UTES 6GET ! FUN]AL
PROCES.N =M$ UP & R1DY 6TRAVEL4 ,I WALK$
BACK 6MY ,M]C$ES4 ,ONCE ! PROCES.N ROLL$
PA/1 ,I PULL$ 96:AT ,I ASSUM$ 0 ! CA-
BOOSE POSI;N Z WE H1D$ S\? = ,R5TON &!
,M.T ,OLIVET ,CEMET]Y4 ,A BLOCK OR TWO
S\? ( ,*UR* ,/REET ,I NOTIC$ T ANO!R VE-
HICLE1 AN OLD]-MODEL ,HONDA1 _H PULL$ 9
2H ME4 ,"! 0 ONLY "O O3UPANT 9 ! ,HONDA1
A WOMAN4 ,%E DIDN'T TURN ON H] H1DLI<TS1
B Z ! PROCES.N MADE XS WAY S\?1 X 0 CLE>
%E 0 "P ( ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S FU-   #BCB
N]AL CORT@EGE4
  ,HOMICIDE DETECTIVES ALW LOOK = ?+S T
>E SLI<TLY \ (! NORM1 SLI<TLY (F4 ,FUN]-
ALS >5'T FUN1 & MO/ (! P :O BO!R %[+ UP
= !M WANT FULL CR$IT = DO+ S4 ,!Y SIGN
GUE/ BOOKS4 ,!Y *AT ) GRIEV+ FRS & FAMI-
LY MEMB]S4 ,!Y .WANT SURVIVORS 6"K !Y 7
"!1 ALM Z ?\< !Y 7 /OR+ UP />S 9 _!
CR[NS OR PUTT+ 9 M>K]S = :5 ! "T -ES =
._! [N FUN]ALS4 ,B ! LADY 9 ! ,HONDA
CLE>LY WASN'T LOOK+ = CR$IT1 &! FACT T
%E 0 DELIB]ATELY AVOID+ ATT5;N CAPTUR$
M9E4
  ,S 2F WE R1*$ ! GATES 6,M.T ,OLIVET1
,I PEEL$ (F ONTO A SIDE /REET4 ,MO/ (!
C>S 9 ! PROCES.N FOLL[$ ! HE>SE ON 96!
CEMET]Y & /OPP$ CLOSE 6A CANOPY-COV]$
GRAVE SITE4 ,! ,HONDA1 ON ! O!R H&1
/OPP$ J 9SIDE ! GATE4
  ,! WOMAN :O EXIT$ ! VEHICLE 0 /URDILY
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WORE H] %\LD]-L5G? HAIR 9 A CASCADE (
T9Y BRAIDS4 ,%E 0 DRESS$ 9 BOOTS &A L;G
D5IM SKIRT4 ,%E W5T OV] 6! GRASSY $GE (!
ROAD1 F> 5 6SEE ! P CLU/]+ >.D !    #BCC
GRAVE SITE4 ,! WOMAN WAT*$ ! FUN]AL AT-
T5DEES1 B N"O ( !M NOTIC$ H]1 & %E
WASN'T SEE+ ME1 EI4 ,I /EPP$ \ (! ,M]C$-
ES & WALK$ UP 2H H]4
  8,MS4 ,MANN+80 ,I ASK$4
  ,/>TL$1 %E JUMP$ & !N SPUN >.D 6FACE
ME4 8,:O >E Y80 %E DEM&$4
  8,MY "N'S ,B1UMONT10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,J4
,P4 ,B1UMONT4 ,I'M AN 9VE/IGATOR )!
,WA%+TON ,/ATE ,ATTORNEY ,G5]AL'S ,(F-
ICE40 8,I HELD \ MY ,,ID1 B %E KEPT H]
EYES ON MY FACE R ?AN ON MY ID5TIFIC,N
OR MY BADGE4
  8,I %DN'T H -E10 %E SD SIMPLY4
  8,F :AT ,I'VE BE5 TOLD1 Y & ,LA,%AWN
,TOMPK9S 7 AN ITEM10 ,I RETURN$4 8,:Y
WDN'T Y -E 6HIS FUN]AL80
  8,I DON'T WANT 6TALK 6Y10 %E SD4 8,I
DON'T WANT 6TALK 6ANYBODY40 ,%E DODG$
AWAY F ME & H1D$ BACK T[>D ! ,HONDA1 B
,I MANAG$ 6B1T H] 6! DRIV]'S DOOR4
  8,WE'RE TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT HAPP5$ TO
HM10 ,I SD4 8,DON'T Y WANT 6HELP U80
  8,"SBODY %OT HM40 ,%E 0 CRY+ N[4 ,TE>S
/R1M$ D[N H] *EEKS1 L1V+ GLI/5+     #BCD
TRACKS ON H] SK94
  8,D Y "K :O KILL$ HM OR :Y80 ,I ASK$4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,ALL ,I "K = SURE IS
T ,LA,%AWN IS D1D40
  8,:Y DID Y L1VE ,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N1
,MS4 ,MANN+80 ,I PRESS$4 8,& :Y >E Y
/AY+ 9 A DOME/IC-VIOL;E %ELT]8 ,:AT >E Y
AFRAID (8 ,:O >E Y AFRAID (80
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! DOOR H&LE1 B ,I 0 9 ! WAY4 ,:5 ! AT-
TEMPT FAIL$1 9/1D ( FALL+ BACK %E L1N$
96ME1 WEEP+ UNCONTROLLABLY ON MY %\LD]4
,=A MO;T ,I DIDN'T Q "K :AT 6D4 ,EV5TU-
,Y1 ) NO O!R *OICE1 ,I WRAPP$ MY >MS >.D
H] & HELD H] CLOSE4
  8,%HHH10 ,I SD1 PATT+ H]4 8,X'S GO+
6BE ALL "R40
  ,F9,Y %E DREW BACK1 WIP+ FI]CELY AT H]
EYES4 8,I'M SORRY10 %E SD4 8,T 0 /UPID (
ME40
  8,GRIEV+ ISN'T /UPID10 ,I SD4 8,B N
TALK+ 6ME AB ? WD BE4 ,PL1SE1 ,MS4 ,MAN-
N+1 T'S ALL ,I'M ASK+ Y 6D--J TALK 6ME4
,TELL ME :AT Y "K OR EV5 :AT Y ?9K Y "K4
,DON'T Y [E ,LA,%AWN T M*80         #BCE
  8,YES1 B N "H10 %E SD1 TURN+ BACK T[>D
! GR\P CLU/]$ >.D ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S
OP5 GRAVE4 8,LET'S G "S": ELSE40
  8,MY C> OR YRS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,X'S N M9E10 ,ELA9E ANSW]$4 8,X 2L;GS
6A FR ( M9E--F ! %ELT]4 ,B ,I C'T L1VE X
"H4 ,I SAW A ,BURG] ,K+ ON ! WAY "H1 D[N
0#DJE4 ,:AT IF ,I MEET Y "!80
  8,T'LL 2 F9E10 ,I SD4 8,Y L1D ! WAY40















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               ,*APT] #AB           #BCG

  ,I ?"\ ,ELA9E MI<T TRY 6SKIP \ ON ME1
B %E DIDN'T4 ,WE DROVE /RAI<T 6! ,BURG]
,K+ & P>K$ SIDE 0SIDE4 ,9SIDE %E W5T 6"O
(! W9D[ BOO?S :ILE ,I PLAC$ \R ORD]--C(-
FEE = ME1 ,DIET ,COKE = H]4
  ,0! "T ,I GOT 6! BOO? %E 0 PUTT+ AWAY
A -PACT1 HAV+ REPAIR$ ! DAMAGE H] TE>S
_H D"O 6H] MAKEUP1 & %E SEEM$ 6H H] EMO-
;NS WELL 9 H&4
  8,I DIDN'T SEE ,PA/OR ,M>K GET \ ( ANY
(! BUSES AT ! CEMET]Y10 %E SD4
  8,T'S 2C HE DIDN'T G "!10 ,I TOLD H]4
8,HE 0 AT ! FUN]AL1 B ,I ?9K HE 0 ANNOY$
2C HE DIDN'T GET 6RUN T %[4 ,HE LEFT !
*UR* & DROVE (F 9 ! OPPOSITE DIREC;N )
,MR4 ,RAMSEY40
  8,OH10 ,ELA9E SD4
  8,IS ,PA/OR ,M>K ! "O Y'RE AFRAID (80
,I ASK$4
  ,%E NO4$4 8,IS X T OBVI\S80
  8,I'M A DETECTIVE1 REMEMB]8 ,B :AT
ISN'T OBVI\S IS :Y40
  8,PA/OR ,M>K HAS A TEMP]10 ,ELA9E SD4
  8,I ALR FIGUR$ T \10 ,I 9T]-      #BCH
JECT$4
  8,& HE DIDN'T APPROVE40
  8,( Y & ,LA,%AWN80
  ,%E NO4$4 8,PA/OR ,M>K CLAIM$ WE 7
SETT+ A BAD EXAMPLE =! O!R P AT ! MIS.N1
& HE MADE X PRETTY CLE> T IF ,LA,%AWN &
,I 9SI/$ ON 2+ A C\PLE WE'D H 6L1VE ,K+
,/REET40
  8,WD T H BE5 A PRO#M80 ,I ASK$4
  8,M 6,PA/OR ,M>K ?AN = U10 ,ELA9E RE-
TURN$4
  8,:Y'S T80
  8,2C WE 7 8 BE/ "W] BEES4 ,LA,%AWN DID
A LOT (! PHYSICAL LABOR >.D ! PLACE1 9
A4I;N 6M* (! ACTIVE C\NSEL+4 ,HE 0 ! "O
:O MADE SURE P 7 DO+ ! "W !Y NE$$ 6BE
DO+40
  8,Y M1N "W Z 9 JOBS--Z 9 ! DUTY RO/]
,I SAW80
  8,I RAN ! H\SEHOLD 5D ( X--MADE UP !
DUTY RO/] & ORD]$ SUPPLIES10 %E SD4 8,&
,I H&L$ CLI5T 9TAKE4 ,YES1 ,PA/OR ,M>K
IS ! "O )! DEGREE 9 DIV9;Y1 B ,LA,%AWN 0
WAY BETT] ?AN ,PA/OR ,M>K AT DO+ ! K9D (
_SUAL "W X TAKES 6TURN LIVES >.D4   #BCI
,AF ALL1 ,LA,%AWN _H ACTU,Y .BE5 "!4 ,HE
KNEW :AT X 0 L 6BE CA/ 96! LION'S D5 &
WALK \ UNSCA!D 2C X HAPP5$ 6HM4 ,8 0 AN
EXAMPLE O!R P CD RELATE 6& COPY40
  8,Y / HAV5'T ANSW]$ MY "Q10 ,I 9SI/$4
  8,AB :Y ,I'M AFRAID ( ,PA/OR ,M>K80
  ,I NO4$4 ,%E SIPP$ H] ,DIET ,COKE =
S"EAL ?"\;L SECONDS4 8,I ?9K HE 0 J1L\S
( ,LA,%AWN10 %E SD F9,Y4 8,& ,I ?9K HE
DID X40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,I SD4 8,Y'RE SAY+ Y
?9K ,PA/OR ,M>K IS RESPONSI# = ,LA-
,%AWN'S D1?80
  ,X 0 ,ELA9E'S TURN 6NOD4
  8,B HE HAS A FOOLPRO( ALIBI10 ,I RE-
TURN$4 8,AT L1/ HE CLAIMS 6H "O4 ,HE
SAYS HE 0 T1*+ A ,BI# /UDY CLASS AT !
MIS.N AT ! "T ,LA,%AWN 0 %OT & HE SAYS
HE HAS A LI/ ( "PICIPANTS 6PROVE X40
  8,PA/OR ,M>K "KS A LOT ( P10 ,ELA9E
SD4 8,N V NICE P10 %E A4$4 8,"OS :O MAY
H -E 6! MIS.N AT "O "T OR ANO!R B :O1 =
"O R1SON OR ANO!R1 H G"O BACK 6_! OLD
WAYS40
  8,S HE KNEW P & CD PUT \ A HIT4   #BDJ
,B WD HE H D"O T OV] Y8 ,WD HE H G"O T
F>80
  8,I ?9K HE 0 AFRAID ,LA,%AWN & ,I WD G
\ ON \R [N & />T A NEW MIS.N "S": ELSE40
  8,IN -PETI;N ) ,PA/OR ,M>K80
  8,HE'S N GD AT -PETI;N ( ANY K9D10 %E
ANSW]$4 8,YES1 HE 0 J1L\S ( ,LA,%AWN &
ME1 B ,I ?9K HE 0 EV5 M J1L\S (! REL,N-
%IP ,LA,%AWN _H ) "S (! CLI5TS4 ,?"\ X 0
"UM9+ 8 AU?OR;Y "SH[40
  8,WAS X80 ,I ASK$4
  8,YES10 ,ELA9E SD SIMPLY4
  8,:AT HAPP5$ ,SATUR"D MORN+80 ,I ASK$4
8,I HE>D Y &! GD PA/OR DID A FEW R.DS 9
8 (FICE40
  8,! COPS _H -E 6TALK 6HM ! NI<T 2F1 B
HE N"E SD A ^W 6ME AB X UNTIL ,SATUR"D
MORN+1 :5 HE MADE ! PUBLIC ANN\NCE;T AT
BR1KFA/4 ,HE KNEW :AT ,LA,%AWN M1NT 6ME4
,I CDN'T 2LIEVE HE'D 2 T CRUEL4 ,I W5T
6TALK 6HM AB X & ?+S ''' GOT \ ( H&40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,I A3US$ HM ( HAV+ "S?+ 6D ) ,LA-
,%AWN'S D1?4 ,& HE J SNAPP$4 ,TOLD ME IF
HE HE>D ,I'D EV5 H9T$ 6! COPS T     #BDA
HE MI<T 2 RESPONSI#1 T ! SAME ?+ CD MAY-
BE HAPP5 6ME40
  8,HE ?R1T5$ Y80
  ,ELA9E NO4$ AG4 8,S ,I W5T 6! %ELT]4
,A FR ( M9E RUNS X4 ,I KNEW %E'D TAKE ME
IN40
  ,I KNEW T ? TALE ( JO9T ROMANTIC &
PROFES.NAL J1L\SY 0 "O T WD GLA45 ,ROSS
,3NORS'S HE>T4 ,IF ,PA/OR ,M>K _H SET \
6CLE> ! FIELD ( -PETI;N1 AT L1/ X CDN'T
-E BACK 6BITE ! /ATE ( ,WA%+TON 9 !
BUTT4 ,9 ORD] 6PROVE T 6BE ! CASE1 ,I
NE$$ M 9=M,N--& S WD ,K5DALL ,JACKSON4
  8,:AT C Y TELL ME AB ,GOD'S ,^W1
,,LLC80 ,I ASK$4
  ,ELA9E %RU7$4 8,X'S AN UMBRELLA #EJA-
;,C CORPOR,N4 ,DON,NS G 6T4 ,GOD'S ,^W
PAYS ! MIS.N'S BILLS1 [NS ! PROP]TY1 T
K9D ( ?+4 ,& T'S "S?+ ELSE--! M"OY4
,I'VE HE>D RUMORS T "S ZON+ *ANGES >E 9
! "WS T MI<T ALT] ! MAKEUP (! NEI<BOR-
HOOD4 ,I'M GUESS+ IF T HAPP5$1 ,GOD'S
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  8,:AT WD ,LA,%AWN H ?"\ AB T80 ,I
ASK$4                               #BDB
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WASN'T :AT HE 0 AB40
  ,B X 0 C]TA9LY ANO!R POSSI# B"O ( 3T5-
;N 2T ! D1D MAN & ,PA/OR ,M>K4
  8,D Y H ANY PRO( T ,PA/OR ,M>K MI<T 2
RESPONSI# = ,LA,%AWN'S D1?80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I "K HE'S A DANG]\S MAN10 ,ELA9E RE-
SPOND$4 8,HE W5T 6PRISON = MURD]40
  8,LA,%AWN W5T 6PRISON1 TOO10 ,I PO9T$
\4
  8,YES10 %E AGRE$4 8,B HE 0 9NOC5T40
  8,H[ AB Y80 ,I ASK$4 8,Y W5T 6PRISON =
>M$ RO2]Y4 ,>E Y DANG]\S80
  ,X 0 PROBABLY UNFAIR ( ME 6BR+ UP
,ELA9E ,MANN+'S *ECK]$ PA/4 ,LI/5+ 6H]
SP1K1 X SEEM$ CLE> %E 0 SM>T 5\<4 ,Z F>
Z ,I CD TELL1 X APPE>$ T 9 H] CASE1 !
,K+ ,/REET ,MIS.N _H "W$ XS MAGIC4
  8,T 0 DI6]5T10 %E SD AT ONCE4 8,I GOT
96DRUGS :5 ,I W5T 6COLLEGE--96!M 9 A BIG
WAY--& ,I /AY$ SCREW$ UP =A L;G "T4 ,I 0
HI< Z A KITE & LOOK+ = MY NEXT HIT :5 ,I
RO2$ T ,KRISPY ,KREME4 ,I DON'T D DRUGS
ANYMORE1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT4 ,I DON'T D !M AT
ALL40                               #BDC
  ,I 2LIEV$ H] ON T SCORE1 J Z ,I 2LIEV$
%E CD V WELL 2 "R AB ,PA/OR ,M>K'S 2+
RESPONSI# = ,LA,%AWN ,TOMPK9S'S MURD]4
,B IF ,I WANT$ 6PROVE X1 ,I WD H 6H "S"O
ELSE 2SS ,SI/] ,ELA9E TELL+ ! /ORY &
MAK+ ! 3NEC;NS4
  ,ELA9E ,MANN+'S 3C]NS AB ,PA/OR ,M>K
S.D$ GD1 & !Y MI<T H 3V9C$ ME1 B :E!R %E
0 WELL-SPOK5 OR N1 A JURY LOOK+ AT H]
MO/ LIKELY WDN'T LOOK 2Y ! FACT T %E 0 A
3VICT$ FELON4 ,UNSUPPORT$ ALLEG,NS F A
RE=M$ >M$ RO2]_/DRU7IE WDN'T C>RY M*
WEI<T ON A WIT;S /&4 ,I D\BT$ !Y'D MAKE
! GRADE ) ,ROSS ,ALAN ,3NORS1 EI4
  ,Z ,I LEFT ,R5TON & H1D$ HOME1 X 0 AF
F\R-?IRTY1 & ,I 0 9 ! ?ROES ( ,FRI"D-AFN
RU%-H\R TRA6IC4 ,AF HALF AN H\R ( /OP-&-
G DRIV+ J 6MAKE X F ! ,R5TON 5TR.E ONTO
;,I-#E UP 6,BOE+ ,FIELD1 ,I F9,Y BAIL$ &
RESORT$ 6US+ SIDE /REETS4 ,0!N !Y W]5'T
M* BETT]1 B AT L1/ !Y GAVE ME ! ILLU.N (
MOVE;T4 ,I _H VI.NS ( GETT+ HOME LATE &
F9D+ ,MEL DRESS$ & R1DY 6G 6! %9DIG4 ,I
%DN'T H WORRI$4
  ,ON ! WAY ,I CALL$ ,DETECTIVE     #BDD
,JACKSON 6LET HM "K ,I _H 3NECT$ )
,ELA9E ,MANN+4 ,HE 0 N A HAPPY CAMP]4
8,Y M1N1 AF ,I W5T *AS+ T WOMAN ALL OV]
,GOD'S CRE,N Y 5D$ UP TRACK+ H] D[N AF
,I LEFT ! FUN]AL80
  8,:AT C ,I SAY8 ,I J LUCK$ \40
  8,:AT'S ! D1L80 HE SD1 GRUMBL+4 ,S ,I
TOLD HM :AT ,ELA9E _H TOLD ME1 5D+ 0LET-
T+ HM "K T ,I _H CLE>$ ! WAY = HM &
,RAMSDAHL 6/OP 0& SEE H] ! NEXT "D4 ,T
MADE HM A LL LESS GRUMPY4
  8,ALL "R1 !N10 HE SD4 8,Y ?9K %E'S
CR$I#80
  8,I ?9K %E DEF9ITELY 2LIEVES ,PA/OR
,M>K ,GRANG] _H "S?+ 6D ) ,LA,%AWN
,TOMPK9S'S D1?40
  8,WE'LL TAKE A CLOS] LOOK AT 8 ALIBI1
!N10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,& WE'LL AL />T LOOK+
>.D AT "S ( 8 ASSOCIATES40
  8,DID HE TALK 6Y80
  8,>E Y KI4+8 ,8 ATTORNEY WDN'T LET HM
SAY A ^W4 ,B ?ANKS =! HELP1 ,B1U4 ,I AP-
PRECIATE X40
  8,ANY LUCK TRACK+ T NUN T 0 SE5 9 !
NEI<BORHOOD ! NI<T ,LA,%AWN 0       #BDE
%OT80 ,I PUT ! "Q \ "! J 6LET HM "K T ,I
KNEW & 6SEE :AT HE'D D AB X4
  8,N M*10 HE SD4 8,WE'VE BE5 LOOK+ 96X1
B NO?+ S F>40
  8,Y LET ME "K IF Y D10 ,I SD1 8& ,I'LL
D ! SAME40
  ,:5 ,I F9,Y WALK$ 9 ! DOOR AT A QU>T]
6SIX ,I 0 A/ONI%$ 6F9D ,MEL DRESS$ 9 !
CLO?+ %E _H WORN 6"W M* E>LI] T MORN+4
,%E GL.ED UP AT ME F ! KIT*5 C.T]1 ": %E
& ,TODD 7 / H>D AT "W4
  8,H['S X GO+80 %E ASK$4
  8,SL[10 ,I SD1 KISS+ H] HELLO4 8,V
SL[4 ,:AT AB Y80
  8,PRETTY M* ! SAME10 %E SD4 8,"!'S A
LOT ( MAT]IAL "H40
  ,TODD R\S$ HMF F 8 -PUT] & S5T AN UNA-
BA%$LY ADMIR+ LOOK 9 ,MEL'S DIREC;N4
8,IF Y WANT ME 6HANG >.D & "W ON ? OV] !
WEEK5D '''0 HE 2GAN4
  ,B ,MEL JUMP$ 9 6S5D HM PACK+4 8,NO10
%E SD4 8,Y G "R AH1D ) YR PLANS4 ,WE H M
?AN 5 "H 6KEEP U BUSY ALL WEEK5D4 ,2SS10
%E A4$1 PO9T$LY GLANC+ AT H] WAT*1 8WE H
AN 5GAGE;T ? EV5+4 ,IF WE DON'T     #BDF
H1D \ SOON1 WE'LL 2 LATE40
  ,TODD ,HAT*] TOOK ! H9T4 8,ALL "R1
!N10 HE SD1 CLOS+ 8 -PUT] & />T+ 6/UFF X
96HIS BACKPACK4 8,I'LL G4 ,%D ,I TAKE !
AB/RACTS OR L1VE !M80
  ,I %RU7$4 ,MEL SD1 8,L1VE !M4 ,WE MAY
H "T 6"W ON !M OV] ! WEEK5D40
  8,ALL "R10 ,TODD AGRE$4 8,B IF Y NE$
ANY?+1 CALL ME4 ,& "H'S A FAX NUMB]4 ,IF
Y H M NOTES = ME 6ADD 6! SPR1D%EET1 Y C
FAX !M D[N 6ME40
  ,MEL U%]$ HM 6! DOOR4
  8,Y'RE SURE Y DON'T WANT ME TO '''0 HE
2GAN4
  8,NO10 ,MEL SD FIRMLY4 8,TAKE ! WEEK5D
(F1 ,TODD4 ,Y "W TOO H>D40 ,ONCE HE 0
\TSIDE ! A"P;T %E LOOK$ AT H] WAT*4
8,BETT] HURRY10 %E TOLD ME4
  ,WE W5T 96\R SEP>ATE BA?ROOMS 6%[] &
DRESS4 ,I _HN'T TRI$ ON ! TUX AF X _H
BE5 ALT]$--N ) ,L>S ,J5SS5 WAIT+ \ 9 !
C>--B ! *ANGES _H BE5 D"O EXP]TLY 5 T !
TUX FIT P]FECTLY1 SLEEVE L5G?1 %\LD]S1 &
ALL4 ,AT TW5TY AF SIX ,MEL APPE>$ 9 MY
B$ROOM DOOR LOOK+ GORGE\S 9 A L;G   #BDG
BLACK B1D$ DRESS )A SLIT T %[$ A L5G? (
EXQUISITELY =M$ LEG4 ,%E HELD UP A S+LE-
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  8,C Y FA/5 ?80 %E ASK$4
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LIPS Z ,I DID S4 8,Y'RE B1UTI;L10 ,I
TOLD H]4 8,POOR ,TODD4 ,! GUY 0 PRACTI-
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  8,I NOTIC$10 ,MEL SD4
  8,DID HE TELL Y AB 8 P>5TS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,:AT AB !M80
  ,WE 7 9 ! ELEVATOR & ON \R WAY 6! C> &
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RUPT$ 0A PH"O CALL F ,J]EMY LETT+ ME "K
!Y 7 SAFELY BACK 9 ,A%L&4
  8,GD10 ,I SD4 8,GLAD 6HE> X40
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WASN'T4
  8,%E'S UP/AIRS "R N[10 HE A4$4 8,PUTT+
! KIDS 6B$1 B ,I DON'T "K :AT 6D ) H]1
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  8,KAYLA80 ,I ASK$1 REMEMB]+ T TRAVEL+
) CRANKY PRES*OOL]S C SEEM L A L;G-T]M
JAIL S5T;E AT "TS4
  8,NO10 ,J]EMY SD T]SELY1 8,KEL-   #BDH
LY4 ,I KEPT ASK+ H] :AT 0 WR;G1 B %E
WDN'T TELL ME OR CDN'T TELL ME4 ,F ,S1T-
TLE 6"H1 %E J CRI$ & CRI$40
  ,I FELT A RU% ( IMPATI;E4 ,X SEEM$ 6ME
T "S"TS TW5TY-"S?+ DAU<T]S & TANTRUM-
?R[+ TO4L]S _H A LOT 9 -MON4 ,AF ALL1 ,I
_HN'T PUT ALL K9DS ( ROADBLOCKS 9 ! WAY
( ,KELLY'S ROM.E ) ,J]EMY1 "O T1 6ALL
\TSIDE OBS]V]S1 _H SEEM$ DE/9$ 6FAIL4
,N[ "H %E 0 RAIS+ HELL OV] MY REL,N%IP )
,MEL4 ,X DIDN'T SEEM FAIR4 ,IF ,I 0
WILL+ 6TR1T H] Z AN ADULT1 DIDN'T ,I DE-
S]VE ! SAME C\RTESY8 ,& EI<T /RAI<T H\RS
( CRY+ SEEM$ 6BE OV]DO+ X4
  8,LOOK1 ,J]EMY10 ,I SD4 8,? MAKES NO
S5SE4 ,KELLY'S "M & ,I DIVORC$ YE>S AGO4
,K>5'S BE5 D1D = ALM F\R YE>S N[1 & ,I
C'T =! LIFE ( ME IMAG9E :Y1 ALL (A SU451
,KELLY %D TAKE S* AN 9T5SE 4LIKE 6,MEL4
,I M1N1 LA/ WEEK5D "EY?+ 0 HUNKY-DORY4
,N[1 LESS ?AN A WEEK LAT]1 ,MEL IS EVIL
P]SONIFI$4 ,H[ C T BE80
  8,I DON'T "U/& X EI10 ,J]EMY AGRE$
MIS]ABLY4 8,GOTTA G40 ,HE HUNG UP1 J L
T4 ,OBVI\SLY ,KELLY _H F9I%$ PUT-   #BDI
T+ ! KIDS 6B$4
  8,:AT 0 T ALL AB80 ,MEL ASK$ Z WE
CLIMB$ 96! ,M]C$ES4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,KELLY'S / MAD AT ME1
,I GUESS1 B %E'LL J H 6GET US$ 6X4 ,I'M
N GIV+ Y UP40
  ,MEL GAVE ME A RADIANT SMILE4 8,GD10
%E SD4 8,I'M GLAD 6HE> X40
  8,N[ TELL ME AB TN10 ,I SD4 8,:AT AM
,I 9 = EXACTLY80
  8,! PRE-GA!R+ GA!R+ IS 9 ! ,PRESID5-
TIAL ,SUITE UP ON ! ?IRTY-F\R? FLOOR (!
,%]ATON10 ,MEL TOLD ME4 8,T'S = ,,SASAC
BO>D MEMB]S & _! SP\SES &_/OR "PN]S ON-
LY4 ,X'S ! "T :5 WE ALL /& >.D HAV+
DR9KS & 3GRATULAT+ \RVS ON :AT A GRT JOB
WE DID4 ,!N1 AT EI<T1 WE'LL G D[N/AIRS =
! FUND-RAIS+ BANQUET XF4 ,T'S 9 ! BALL-
ROOM40
  ,MY TUX1 : _H FIT P]FECTLY ONLY A FEW
%ORT M9UTES 2F1 SU45LY FELT TOO TI<T4
8,I'M GO+ 6A COCKTAIL "PY80 ,I GR\S$4
8,OH1 GDY40
  8,I TALK$ 6! CAT]+ /AFF10 ,MEL ASSUR$
ME4 8,!Y'LL DEF9ITELY H NONALCO-    #BEJ
HOLIC B"EAGES AVAILA#40
  8,"R10 ,I MUTT]$4 8,I C J IMAG9E4 ,GOD
SAVE ME F ! N9COMPOOP :O 9V5T$ VIRG9 M>-
G>ITAS40
  ,BACK 9 MY DR9K+ "DS ,I PRETTY M* RE-
G>D$ MYF Z ! LIFE ( ANY GIV5 "PY--AF
,I'D _H A C\PLE ( %OTS ( ,MC,NAU<TON'S1
T IS4 ,GIVE ME 5 BOOZE1 & ,I'D OV]COME
MY NATURAL AV].N 6SMALL TALK4 ,I CD *IT-
*AT AWAY )! BE/ ( !M1 & SWAP (F-COLOR
JOKES ) WILD AB&ON4 ,I ALW ?"\ MY "PY
2HAVIOR ABV REPROA*1 AL?1 IF MY F/ WIFE
7 / ALIVE1 ,I'M SURE ,K>5 WD H A FEW
*OICE ^WS ON ! SUBJECT4
  ,RID+ ! ELEVATOR UP 6! ,%]ATON'S
,PRESID5TIAL ,SUITE )\T HAV+ _H ! B5EFIT
( ANY LIQUID C\RAGE ,I F.D MYF HAV+ SEC-
OND ?"\S AB ! :OLE ?+--SECOND ?"\S & V
DAMP PALMS4 ,MEL M/ H BE5 R1D+ MY M9D1
OR MAYBE %E NOTIC$ MY H&S 7 S SW1TY ,I
CD B>ELY MANAGE ! ELEVATOR BUTTONS4
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X10 %E SD4 8,X'S GO+
6BE F9E40
  ,& X WAS4 ,I /EPP$ 96! SPACI\S B CR[D$
ROOM & 4COV]$1 6MY IMM5SE RELIEF1   #BEA
T ,I 0 PROP]LY ATTIR$4 ,?ANKS 6,MEL'S
"TLY 9T]V5;N1 MY TUX$O HELD XS [N ) E
O!R TUX$O 9 ! ROOM4 ,T DEF9ITELY IMPROV$
MY \TLOOK4 ,& ,MEL DIDN'T J M1SURE UP 6!
O!R WOM5--%E \T%"O MO/ ( !M4 ,T MADE ME
FEEL EV5 BETT]4
  ,%E KNEW "EY"O1 ( C\RSE1 & 0 IMMLY
CAU<T UP 9 F/ "O 3V]S,N & !N ANO!R4
,WANT+ 6MAKE MYF USE;L1 ,I W&]$ OV] 6!
B> & ORD]$ A TONIC )A TWI/ = ME &A GLASS
( ,M]LOT = H]4 ,!N ,I SETTL$ 9 0! W9D[S
& />$ \ OV] ! SURR.D+ GL[+ HI<-RISES 6!
4TANT D>K5$ MASS ( ,ELLIOTT ,BAY1 TW9KL+
N[ ) MOV+ F]RIES &A BORD] ( REFLECT$ C;Y
LI<TS4
  8,GRT VIEW1 ISN'T X80 "S"O SD4
  ,I TURN$ 6LOOK4 ,! MAN /&+ 2S ME 0 AB
MY AGE & SIZE4 ,S9CE "! 7 NO 3V5I5TLY
PLAC$ TA#S1 HE1 TOO1 0 HOLD+ TWO DR9KS--
A ROCKS GLASS ) AN AMB] LIQUID T 0 PROB-
ABLY ,SCOT* &A GLASS ( :ITE W9E4
  8,"N'S ,B1UMONT10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,J4 ,P4
,B1UMONT4 ,S9CE WE BO? SEEM 6BE FUNC;N+
Z W9D[ DRESS+ AT ! MO;T1 ,I GUESS WE'LL
H 6%AKE H&S LAT]40                  #BEB
  ,! MAN *UCKL$4 8,CAL ,L[MAN10 HE SD4
8,Y'D ?9K !Y'D 2 A# 6SPR+ =A C\PLE ( TA-
#S AT ?+S L ? S WE WDN'T H 6/& >.D LOOK+
L A PAIR ( IDIOTS4 ,I ALW WANT$ 6BE A
DR9K /& :5 ,I GREW UP1 DIDN'T Y80
  ,CAL ,L[MAN 0 A "N ,I RECOGNIZ$4 ,HE 0
A S5IOR "PN] ) "O (! BIG-D1L CORPORATE
LAW FIRMS 9 T[N--,H5D]SON1 ,L[MAN1 ,RI*-
>DS1 & ,POTTS4
  ,I GREW UP ON ! WR;G SIDE (! TRACKS 9
,S1TTLE'S ,BALL>D NEI<BORHOOD1 RAIS$ 0A
S+LE "M :O SUPPORT$ U 0"W+ Z A S1M/RESS4
,%E MADE A M1G] LIV+ 0SEW+ KNOCK-(F COP-
IES ( DESIGN] DRESSES = ,S1TTLE'S SOCIAL
ELITE4 ,ALL "? GRADE S*OOL ,I _H 65DURE
5D.S T1S+ OV] %[+ UP EA* "D 9 "O OR AN-
O!R ( MY "M'S HOMEMADE %IRTS4 ,EV5TU,Y
,I F"\ BACK1 W9N+ "S & LOS+ "S & 2+ S5T
6! PR9CIPAL'S (FICE ON AN ALM DAILY BA-
SIS4 ,! FI<TS DIDN'T /OP = GD UNTIL ,I 0
9 HI< S*OOL & 0 OLD 5 6GET AN AF-S*OOL
JOB AT ! LOCAL !AT]4 ,ONLY !N DID ,I
A*IEVE ! P9NACLE ( SOPHI/IC,N 0%[+ UP AT
S*OOL 9 A /ORE-B"\ %IRT4
  ,B ,AM]ICA'S A GRT PLACE4 ,"H     #BEC
,I WAS1 DECADES LAT]1 HAV+ A TUX$O-CLAD
MALE BOND+ 3V]S,N ) "O ( ,S1TTLE'S PRIME
MOV]S & %AK]S4
  8,YR WIFE'S ON ! BO>D80 ,L[MAN ASK$4
  ,? IS "O (! R1SONS ,I'M NO GD AT *IT-
*AT4 ,IF ,I CDN'T EXPLA9 ,MEL ,SOAMES'S
POSI;N 9 MY LIFE 6MY *N1 H[ WD ,I MANAGE
) ? /RANG]8 ,MEL MO/ DEF9ITELY 0 N MY
WIFE1 B ! M 4PAS.NATELY A3URATE ,U4,S4
,C5SUS ,BUR1U T]M1 ,,POSSLQ--A P]SON (
OPPOSITE SEX %>+ LIV+ QU>T]S--J DIDN'T D
X = ME4 ,& WE 7 BO? F> TOO L;G ( TOO? =!
OLD /&BY T]MS ( BOYFR_/GIRLFR 6APPLY4
  8,MEL ,SOAMES IS MY "PN]10 ,I SD F9,Y4
8,& YES1 %E'S ON ! BO>D40
  ,J !N ! WOMAN WE _H MET "DS E>LI] AT !
,CALI=NIA ,PIZZA ,KIT*5 >RIV$ ON ! SC5E4
,%E 0 DAZZL+ 9 A /RAP.S GRE5 SILK G[N
TOPP$ 0AN AMAZ+ EM]ALD NECKLACE4 8,HEL-
LO1 "!10 %E SD 6ME4 8,WE'VE GOT 6/OP
MEET+ L ?40 ,!N1 R1*+ PA/ ME1 %E COL-
LECT$ ! GLASS ( W9E ,CAL ,L[MAN _H BE5
HOLD+4
  8,S Y'VE ALR MET MY ,ANITA80 ,CAL ASK$
)A POSSESSIVE SMILE4                #BED
  ,Z ,I SD1 ,CAL 0 AB MY AGE4 ,MEL IS
FIFTE5 YE>S "Y] ?AN ,I AM1 & ? DELECTA#
PIECE ( >M C&Y 0 F> "Y] ?AN T4
  ,I BRU%$ (F MY 3V]S,NAL SKILLS Z BE/
,I CD & TRI$ 6M1SURE UP4 8,BRIEFLY10 ,I
SD4 8,B ,I'M N UP ON EXACTLY :AT Y D40
  8,I'M RETIR$10 ,ANITA TOLD ME1 SIPP+
H] W9E4 8,& TRY+ 6MAKE ! _W A BETT]
PLACE4 ,T'S :Y ,I />T$ ,,SASAC 9 ! F/
PLACE40 ,%E TURN$ 6,CAL4 8,OKAY10 %E SD1
8"T 6G 6"W4 ,"!'S "S"O ,I WANT Y 6MEET40
  ,%E DRA7$ HM AWAY S UNC]EMONI\SLY T ,I
0 SURPRIS$ ,CAL DIDN'T OBJECT4 ,_!
ABRUPT DE"PURE LEFT ME WE>+ ! 3V]S,NAL
EQUIVAL5T ( TWO LEFT FEET4
  ,AB T "T ,MEL %[$ UP & RELIEV$ ME ( H]
GLASS ( W9E4 8,S LET ME GUESS10 ,I SD1
NO4+ 9 ,ANITA & ,CAL'S DIREC;N4 8,N[ T
,ANITA'S HOOK$ UP )A SUG> DA4Y L ,CAL
,L[MAN %E C =GO "W+ =A LIV+ & C AF=D TO
DEVOTE H]F 6*>;Y40
  ,MEL GAVE ME A 2MUS$ LOOK4 8,"! Y G10
%E SD4 8,Y'VE FALL5 BACK 96T AGE-OLD
TRAP ( G5D] /]EOTYP+4 ,Y'VE GOT ? /ORY
UPSIDE D[N & BACKW>D4 ,IF ANY-      #BEE
BODY'S A SUG> DA4Y1 X WD H 6BE ,ANITA4
,%E LEFT ,MICROS(T AT AGE ?IRTY-?REE )A
POCKET;L ( LOOT4 ,T'S ": %E MET ,CAL--AT
,MICROS(T4 ,%E PLUCK$ HM (F ,MICROS(T'S
T1M ( CORPORATE LEGAL B1GLES & TOOK HM
HOME 6PLAY H\SE4 ,A LOT L Y & ME1 BABE2
ONLY1 9 \R CASE1 Y'RE ! "O )! MOOLAH4
,ANITA CD PROBABLY BUY & SELL ,CAL ,L[-
MAN A DOZ5 "TS OV]40
  ,T'S :5 X CAME HOME 6ME4 ,"TS _H
*ANG$2 WOM5 _H *ANG$4 ,MY SECOND WIFE1
,ANNE ,CORLEY1 _H DI$ & LEFT ME ) AN >M-
LOAD ( M"OY1 B TUX OR N1 ,I 0 / T UNSO-
PHI/ICAT$ HICK F ,BALL>D4 ,NO AM.T (
M"OY 9 ! _W 0 GO+ 6FIX T4
  8,& PLAN ON 2+ NICE10 ,MEL A4$4 8,I'M
PRETTY SURE WE'RE S1T$ AT ! SAME TA#40
  ,3V9C$ ,I _H "SH[ BUNGL$ T 9ITIAL EN-
C.T]1 ,I 0 DR1D+ %>+ D9N] ) ,CAL & ,ANI-
TA1 B !N ,I GOT LUCKY4 ,:5 WE W5T D[N 6!
CAV]N\S BALLROOM & MADE \R WAY "? 6! TA#
DIRECTLY 9 FRONT (! SP1K]'S PODIUM1 ,I
CAU<T SI<T ( "S"O ,I ACTU,Y KNEW--,DE/RY
,H5;SEY4
  ,I _H 5C.T]$ ,DE/RY YE>S E>LI]1   #BEF
:5 %E _H BE5 A L[LY CRIM9ALI/ "W+ ON A
MA/]'S AT ! ,U4 ,DUB DUR+ ! "D & TOIL+
AWAY 9 ,S1TTLE ,,PD,''S CRIME LAB 0NI<T4
,ONCE %E E>N$ H] DEGREE1 %E _H TAK5 A
JOB "S": ELSE--,I WASN'T SURE ":4 ,"S"T
9 ! C\RSE (! LA/ S"EAL YE>S1 ,DE/RY _H
RETURN$ 6! ,WE/ ,COA/ Z ! NEWLY APPO9T$
H1D (! ,WA%+TON ,/ATE ,PATROL ,CRIME
,LAB4
  ,I W5T UP & %OOK H] H&4 8,DES10 ,I SD1
8L;G "T NO SEE4 ,:AT >E Y DO+ "H80
  8,I'M ! SP1K]10 %E SD4 8,I HATE DO+
PUBLIC SP1K+4 ,9 T]MS ( PHOBIAS1 X'S
SUPPOS$ 6BE "R UP "! ) FE> ( DY+4 ,)A
ROOM ? BIG ,I C TELL Y ,I'M SC>$ 6D1?40
  8,Y'LL D F9E10 ,I SD4
  8,?ANKS10 %E SD4 8,X'S NICE 6H A FR 9
MY CORN]40
  ,:5 ,I W5T 69TRODUCE H] 6,MEL1 ,I 0
SURPRIS$ 6LE>N !Y ALR KNEW EA* O!R4
8,WE'RE BO? ON ! ,,SASAC BO>D10 ,MEL EX-
PLA9$4 8,WE ROOM$ TGR AT A RETR1T D[N 9
,MEXICO LA/ FALL40
  8,FUNNY10 ,I SD4 8,Y N"E M5;N$ X40
  ,MEL %OOK H] H1D4 8,Y & ,I        #BEG
W]5'T EXACTLY AN ITEM BACK !N1 REMEMB]80
  ,:ILE ! TWO ( !M *ATT$ ,I *ECK$ \ \R
TA#1 ": ,I 0 4MAY$ 64COV] "S"O _H TAK5 !
LIB]TY ( ASSIGN+ S1TS4 ,! GD NEWS 0 T
,DE/RY 0 ON MY "R4 ,ON MY LEFT 0 A DRAG-
ON LADY "ND ,PROFESSOR ,ROSEM>Y ,CL>K1
:O1 ,I SOON LE>N$1 TURN$ \ 6BE ! ,UNIV]-
S;Y ( ,WA%+TON'S 4T+UI%$ PROFESSOR (
WOM5'S /UDIES4 ,S9CE ! GD PROFESSOR 0 F>
M 9T]E/$ 9 TALK+ 6,CAL ,L[MAN ?AN %E 0
6ME1 ,DE/RY & ,I SP5T D9N] EX*ANG+ SMALL
TALK4
  ,WE BR"\ EA* O!R UP 6DATE ON :AT _H
HAPP5$ 9 \R LIVES S9CE WE'D LA/ CROSS$
PA?S4 ,AF L1V+ ,S1TTLE ,,PD %E _H "W$ =
S"EAL YE>S Z SECOND 9 -M& =! /ATE CRIME
LAB 9 ,MASSA*USETTS4 ,H["E1 H] KIDS1 N[
9 HI< S*OOL1 & H] HUSB& _H ALL HAT$ LIV+
ON ! ,EA/ ,COA/4
  ,:5 ! OPPORTUN;Y _H >IS5 = H] 6-E BACK
HOME 6,WA%+TON Z H1D (! /ATE PATROL'S
CRIME LAB1 %E _H JUMP$ AT ! *.E4
  8,HE>D Y'RE "W+ = ,,SHIT N[10 %E SD4
  ,I NO4$1 GLAD T = ONCE ,I 0 D1L+ )A
FELL[ BUR1UCRAT :O DIDN'T H 6MAKE   #BEH
A JOKE (! AG5CY'S "N4
  8,H[ D Y L X80 %E ASK$4
  8,N BAD10 ,I SD4 8,ROSS ,3NORS IS A
PRETTY SQU>$-AWAY GUY40
  ,Z WE />T$ 9 ON ! SALAD C\RSE1 ,I ASK$
,DE/RY AB ! TALK %E WD 2 DELIV]+4
  8,X'LL 2 ON \R ,,DNA PILOT PROGRAM10
%E SD4
  ,H] ANSW] LEFT ME 5TIRELY 9 ! D>K4
8,:AT PILOT PROGRAM80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I'M SORRY10 %E SD4 8,Y'RE "H AT !
MAJOR DONOR TA#1 S ,I FIGUR$ Y KNEW ALL
AB X4 ,,SASAC IS PAY+ ! FREI<T =A FULL-
"T ,,DNA PROFIL] 9 ! CRIME LAB4 ,"!'S S
M* ,,DNA EVID;E -+ 9 N[ T WE'RE FALL+
FUR!R & FUR!R 2H4 ,IF WE RAISE 5 M"OY
TN1 WE MAY B A# 6FUND ANO!R "O4 ,"S"D WE
MAY 2 A# 6/>T MAK+ PROGRESS ON T BACKLOG
( RAPE KITS T H SAT UNTE/$ 9 EVID;E
ROOMS = YE>S ON 5D40
  ,,DNA,''S IMPACT ON CRIME SOLV+ HAS
*ANG$ SIGNIFICANTLY 9 ! LA/ FEW YE>S4
,COLD CASES T 7 ONCE DEEM$ UNSOLVA# 7 N[
2+ CLE>$ Z NEW TE*NIQUES CAME ONL9E4
  8,) ALL ? HI<-TE* /UFF10 ,I SD1   #BEI
8PRETTY SOON OLD-"T DETECTIVES L ME W 2
-PLETELY OBSOLETE40
  ,DE/RY ,H5;SEY LAU<$ & PATT$ MY H&4
8,T WD 2 A %AME10 %E SD4
  8,:Y80
  ,I ?"\ %E'D SAY "S?+ AB SOCIETY LOS+ !
B5EFIT ( \R LAW 5=CE;T EXP]I;E & CUNN+ &
SKILL1 & MAYBE EV5 \R FLAT-\ /U2ORN;S1 B
%E DIDN'T4
  8,2C "S ( Y OLD GUYS >E S D>N$ CUTE10
%E SD )A SMILE4
  ,I DID N WANT 6BE CUTE6 ,& ,I C]TA9LY
DIDN'T WANT 6BE OLD6 ,:AT ,I RE,Y WANT$
0 GET UP & /ALK \ (! BALLROOM )\T WAIT+
>.D =! MA9 C\RSE OR = ,DE/RY ,H5;SEY'S
UPCOM+ SPEE*1 EI4 ,B ,I DIDN'T4 ,MY "M
RAIS$ ME 6BE M (A G5TLEMAN ?AN T--AT L1/
%E TRI$ TO4 ,S ,I PLA/]$ A PHONY SMILE
ON MY FACE1 *ATT$ CIVILLY )! PROFESSOR
:5 CALL$ ^U 6D S1 & /AY$ "R ": ,I WAS4
  ..,I'M DO+ ? = .,MEL1 ,I ?"\ GLUMLY4
..,& %E DAMN$ WELL BETT] APPRECIATE .X6


                                    #BFJ
























               ,*APT] #AC           #BFA

  ,IF Y FALL 9 LOVE :5 Y'RE "Y1 Y /AKE A
CLAIM ON T O!R P]SON'S LIFE4 ,Y WANT 6"K
"EY?+ AB !M4 ,B ,MEL & ,I FELL 9 LOVE
LAT]4 ,WE BO? _H A PA/--MAYBE M ?AN "O
EA*--& WE >RIV$ AT ! 3CLU.N T ! O!R P]-
SON'S PA/ WASN'T ANYBODY ELSE'S BUSI;S4
,= "O ?+1 Y C'T *ANGE ! PA/4 ,& S9CE WE
CDN'T *ANGE :AT _H HAPP5$ 6U 2F WE MET1
X DIDN'T MAKE S5SE 6G 96ALL ( T 9 ANY
GRT DETAIL1 EI4 ,6T 5D WE MADE A MUTUAL
& 3SCI\S DECI.N 6LIVE 9 ! PRES5T4 ,WE
DIDN'T G DI7+ >.D 9 EA* O!R'S P]SONAL
HI/ORY4 ,S F> T _H "W$ = U4
  ,B J 2C WE DIDN'T SIT >.D JAW+ AB \R
PA/S DIDN'T M1N "! 0 "S BIG SECRECY PRO-
GRAM GO+ ON1 EI4 ,= 9/.E1 ,MEL KNEW AB
:AT _H HAPP5$ 6,SUE ,DANIELSON 2C ,SUE'S
D1? 0 "W RELAT$4 ,& ,I'M SURE %E CD H
F.D \ AB ,ANNE ,CORLEY'S D1? =! SAME
R1SON4 ,X _H BE5 BIG NEWS 9 ALL ! LOCAL
NEWSPAP]S AT ! "T4 ,MEL IS1 AF ALL1 A
DETECTIVE4 ,I H NO D\BT %E _H PICK$ UP
BITS & PIECES BO? GD & BAD AB MY
REL,N%IP ) ,K>5 0PAY+ ATT5;N TO     #BFB
:AT MY KIDS SD AB \R M>RIAGE & SUBSEQU5T
DIVORCE4
  ,MEL'S & MY UNSPOK5 AGREE;T DID M1N T
,MEL _HN'T "E ASK$ ME AB ! :YS & ":=ES (
MY GO+ 6,,AA1 AL?1 -E 6?9K ( X1 T'S
PRETTY OBVI\S4 ,X AL M1NT T ,I _HN'T "E
DELV$ 96H] 9VOLVE;T ) ,,SASAC1 AL? ,I H
6ADMIT 6A C]TA9 AM.T ( CURIOS;Y4 ,MY
H&S-(F ATTITUDE ON T SCORE 5D$ ! NI<T (!
D9N] AT ! ,%]ATON4
  ,"! 0 A LOT AB ! EV5+ T MADE ME UNCOM-
=TA#4 ,= "O ?+1 "! 0 A :OLE 8,MALE
,EVIL2 ,WOMAN ,POOR ,VICTIM0 !ME 6! EV5T
T RANKL$4 ,YES1 ,I "K T MO/ VICTIMS (
SEXUAL ASSAULT >E WOM51 ! MAJOR EXCEP;N1
( C\RSE1 2+ G5],NS ( TRAUMATIZ$ & EQU,Y
VICTIMIZ$ ALT> BOYS4 ,B X TURNS \ ! VIL-
LA9S "! >E AL MALE1 S 2+ A NONABUS+ HET-
]OSEXUAL MALE 9 T "PICUL> ,%]ATON BALL-
ROOM 0 N A -=TA# FIT4
  ,/1 ,I 0 EXPECT$ 6SIT "! & %>E ! GUILT
& BLAME :ILE A L9EUP ( WOM5 REV1L$ A
LITANY ( ABUSE T 0 5 6CURL YR HAIR4 ,Z A
MAN1 ,I 0 AUTOMATIC,Y "U 9DICT;T4 ,:AT"E
_H HAPP5$ 6^? WOM5 0 "SH[ .MY       #BFC
FAULT4 ,I 0 AL EXPECT$ 6HAUL \ MY WALLET
& MAKE A SIZA# DON,N 6! CAUSE1 : 9CLUD$
! FUND+ (A TW5TY-F\R-H\R RAPE HOTL9E &
,9T]NET SITE1 FUND+ = VICTIM ADVOCATES &
VICTIM C\NSEL+1 Z WELL Z 3T9U+ 6FUND !
RAPE-KIT EXAM9,N PROJECT T WAS1 X TURN$
\1 ,ANITA ,B[D9'S SPECIAL FOCUS4
  ,T RANKL$ EV5 M4 ,X 0 BAD 5 T ,ROSS
,3NORS 0 N[ PASS+ (F POLICE "W 6"UEM-
PLOY$ ECONOMI/S4 ,B 6F9D \ T ! CRIME LAB
0 \TS\RC+ ,,DNA PROFIL+ Z WELL 0 5 6MAKE
? OLD COP FEEL L A MEMB] ( AN 5DANG]$
SPECIES--AN EXCE$+LY CRANKY 5DANG]$ SPE-
CIES4
  ,S ,I H&$ OV] MY CR$IT C>D NUMB]1 KEPT
MY M\? %UT1 & J TRI$ 6MAKE X "?4
  8,:AT'S ! MATT]80 ,MEL ASK$4
  ,WE _H F9,Y ESCAP$ ! OV]H1T$ BALLROOM
& 7 /&+ \TSIDE ! HOTEL 9 A CRU% ( P
WAIT+ = AN \TNUMB]$ & OV]:ELM$ CREW (
P>K+ VALETS 6RETRIEVE ! ,M]C$ES F ! GA-
RAGE4
  8,H[ DID Y "E GET MIX$ UP ) T BUN* (
WOM580 ,I ASK$1 ?9K+ MO/ "PICUL>LY (! GD
PROFESSOR ( WOM5'S /UDIES :O _H     #BFD
GIV5 ME AN E>;L ( 9VECTIVE OV] ! DESS]T
C\RSE4
  ,OKAY1 MY -;T 0 M (A GR[L ?AN ANY?+
ELSE4 ,& X CD H BE5 PHRAS$ F> M DIPLO-
MATIC,Y4 ,B ,I DIDN'T EXPECT :AT HAPP5$
NEXT4 ,MEL SIMPLY TURN$ & WALK$ AWAY4
,MAKE T /ALK$ AWAY4 ,! MANN] 9 : %E TOOK
(F 0 F> M DEF9ITIVE ?AN M]E WALK+4
  8,": >E Y GO+80 ,I ASK$1 TRAIL+ AF H]4
  8,6CAT* A CAB10 %E SD OV] H] %\LD]4
  8,B '''0 ,I OBJECT$4
  8,I'M GO+ HOME10 %E A4$4 8,6,BELLE-
VUE40
  ,I GUESS \R VOICES 7 "S:AT RAIS$1 & P
/>T$ 6GAWK4 ,J !N ! VALET %[$ UP ) MY C>
& HONK$ TWICE F ! CURB4 ,0! "T ,I TIPP$
HM & RETRIEV$ ! ,M]C$ES1 ,MEL 0 NO": 9
SI<T4
  ,S1 S9CE %E _H SD %E 0 GO+ 6,BELLEVUE1
,I DROVE "!1 TOO4 ,"! 7 NO LI<TS ON 9 H]
A"P;T1 S ,I P>K$ \TSIDE & WAIT$4 ,&
WAIT$4 ,F9,Y1 =TY-FIVE M9UTES LAT]1 &
NE$+ 6USE ! FACILITIES1 ,I H1D$ BACK TO
,S1TTLE4 ,:5 ,I DROVE D[N 96! "UGR.D
G>AGE ,I R1LIZ$ ! ]ROR 9 MY ?9K+4   #BFE
,H] ,,BMW 0 G"O4 ,S %E _H RI45 ! CAB
BACK 6,BELLT[N ,T]RACE 6PICK UP H] C> S
%E CD DRIVE H]F ACR ! LAKE 6,BELLEVUE4
,NO WOND] ,I _H MISS$ H]4
  ,UP 9 ! A"P;T ,I SOON 4COV]$ T H]
BRIEFCASE & H] -PUT]1 AL;G ) ,TODD
,HAT*]'S /ACK ( AB/RACTS1 7 ALL AM;G !
MISS+4 ,S 7 H] NI<TG[N1 BA?ROBE1 & MAKE-
UP4 ,I GL.ED 9 H] CLOSET4 ,I'M SURE "S (
H] CLO?+ 0 G"O Z WELL1 B ,I CDN'T TELL
H[ M*4 ,IF ,I CD H SORT$ T \1 X MI<T H
TOLD ME IF ,I 0 D1D OR RE,Y D1D4 ,0!N X
0 TOO LATE 63SID] DRIV+ BACK 6,BELLEVUE4
,I TRI$ CALL+ BO? H] CELL & H] L&L9E1 B
%E DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,F9,Y ,I GAVE UP4 ,I
REMOV$ MY NEWLY PUR*AS$ TUX$O1 : _HN'T
EXACTLY D"O ME A HELL (A LOT ( GD1 &
TOOK MYF 6B$4
  ,:5 ! PH"O RANG B"R & E>LY ! NEXT
MORN+1 ,I GRA2$ = X EAG]LY1 HOP+ ,MEL WD
2 ON ! O!R 5D (! L9E4 ,%E WASN'T4
  8,HI1 ,DAD10 ,SCOTT SD4 8,H['S X GO+80
  .,M$IUM1 ,I ?"\4 8,F9E10 ,I SD4 8,H[ 0
YR "D YE/]"D80
  8,GRT60 HE SD4 8,I TOOK ,*]ISSE   #BFF
\ 6,LAKE ,TAPPS & %[$ H] \R OLD /OMP+
GR.DS4 ,GEEZ1 "! >E LOTS ( H\SES \ "!
N[4 ,I M1N1 \R H\SE US$ 6BE WAY \ 9 !
C.TRY4 ,&! LAKE'S A LOT SMALL] ?AN ,I
REMEMB]$40
  8,B X 0 FUN80 ,I ASK$4
  8,SURE4 ,WE _H A BLA/4 ,? MORN+ WE'RE
GO+ 6PICK ,L>S UP & TAKE HM 6BR1KFA/ AT
! ,ME3A4 ,D Y & ,MEL WANT 6-E AL;G80
  ,I LOOK$ AT ,MEL'S EMPTY PILL[4 8,I
?9K WE'LL TAKE A PASS ON T10 ,I SD4
  8,& !N WE'RE GO+ 6G ON PLAY+ T\RI/10
HE SD4 8,! ,>BORETUM1 ,SNOQUALMIE
,FALLS1 ! AQU>IUM4 ,C>E 6JO9 U = ANY (
T80
  ,IF ,I "E G BACK 6,SNOQUALMIE ,FALLS1
! PLACE ": ,ANNE ,CORLEY DI$1 X W 2 WAY
TOO SOON4 8,NO10 ,I SD4 8,I'M "W+ ON A
CASE4 ,I %D PROBABLY SP5D "S "T ON T1 B
A MAN'S GOT 6EAT4 ,:AT >E YR PLANS = D9-
N]80
  8,DON'T RE,Y H ANY10 ,SCOTT SD1 S.D+ A
BIT ABA%$4 8,WE'VE PRETTY M* BL[N \R
BUDGET40
  ,I REMEMB]$ :AT X 0 L 6BE "Y &    #BFG
BROKE & WANT+ 6IMPRESS YR NEW WIFE B
WORRY+ AB :E!R OR N Y'D 2 A# 6PAY NEXT
MON?'S BILLS IF Y DID S4 ,?ANKS 6,ANNE
,CORLEY1 MY F9ANCIAL SITU,N _H TAK5 AN
AMAZ+ TURN =! BETT] S9CE ^? T\< OLD "DS4
  8,D9N]'S ON ME1 !N10 ,I SD4 8,:AT S.DS
GD80
  8,/1K80 ,SCOTT ASK$ HOPE;LLY4
  8,WE'LL G 6,EL ,GAU*O1 !N10 ,I SD4
8,!Y H "S (! BE/ /1KS 9 T[N1 & X'S ONLY
A C\PLE ( BLOCKS F "H4 ,SAY >.D SEV5 OR
S4 ,I'LL CALL =A RES]V,N40
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6,KELLY & ,J]EMY80 ,SCOTT
ASK$4 8,I CALL$ 69VITE !M 6BR1KFA/4 ,!
GUY AT ! FRONT DESK SD !Y'D *ECK$ \40
  8,I GUESS ,KELLY WANT$ 6G HOME40
  8,%E 0 ACT+ WEIRD10 ,SCOTT SD4 8,EV5 =
,KELLY4 ,I M1N1 IF ? IS ALL 2C ( ,MEL1
X'S RIDICUL\S4 ,Y D GET 6LIVE YR [N
LIFE1 DON'T Y80
  .,MY .S5TI;TS .EXACTLY1 ,I ?"\1 AL?
LOOK+ AT ,MEL'S EMPTY PILL[ MADE ME WON-
D] IF H] PRES;E 9 MY LIFE 0 / AN ISSUE4
  8,SEEMS L ,I %D10 ,I SD4
  8,SEE Y ? EV5+10 ,SCOTT RE-       #BFH
TURN$4 8,":'S ! RE/AURANT1 0! WAY80
  8,J -E 6! H\SE10 ,I SD4 8,WE C WALK F
"H40
  ,MISS+ ,MEL1 ,I ROLL$ \ ( B$ & W5T \
96! KIT*5 6MAKE MY [N C(FEE4 ,!N1 :ILE !
C(FEE BREW$1 ,I CALL$ ,NICK D[N AT ,EL
,GAU*O4 ,MEL & ,I G "! 5 T ,I H ! NUMB]
PROGRAMM$ 96MY CELL PH"O4 ,NO "O ANSW]$
T E>LY ON A ,SATUR"D MORN+1 B ,I LEFT MY
"N &A MESSAGE4 ,I BR"\ 9 ! NEWSPAP]S F !
FRONT DOOR1 B ,I DIDN'T BO!R OP5+ !M4 ,=
"S R1SON ,I DIDN'T FEEL UP 6"W+ A CROSS-
^W PUZZLE4
  ,9/1D1 ,I SAT 9 MY RECL9]1 SIPP+ C(FEE
& BROOD+4 ,F9,Y ,I ?REW CAU;N 6! W9DS &
DIAL$ ,MEL'S CELL4
  ,M* 6MY SURPRISE1 %E ANSW]$4 8,I'M N
SP1K+ 6Y1 REMEMB]80
  ,? SEEM$ L AN EGREGI\S OV]REAC;N 6:AT-
"E ,I _H OR _HN'T D"O1 S ,I DECID$ 6IG-
NORE X4 8,IF Y 7 SP1K+ 6ME10 ,I C.T]$1
8:AT WD Y SAY80
  8,8,^? WOM50'60 %E SD1 REP1T+ MY ILL-
*OS5 ^WS ) AN 9FLEC;N ,I RECOGNIZ$ ALL
TOO WELL4 8,H[ DID ,I GET HOOK$     #BFI
UP ) ,8^? WOM50'80
  8,MEL1 LOOK4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,I'M SURE ,I
0 \ ( L9E1 B Y'RE N SEE+ ? F MY PO9T (
VIEW4 ,I SP5T D9N] /UCK NEXT 6T DR1D;L
PROFESSOR1 :O RE,Y DOES HATE M51 0! WAY1
& LI/5+ 6ALL ( ^? AW;L /ORIES4 ,X SEEM$
L E /ORY & E S+LE "O (! WOM5 "! SD PRET-
TY M* ! SAME ?+--T :AT"E _H HAPP5$ 6!M 0
ALL MY FAULT4 ,T ,I 0 "SH[ RESPONSI#4
,I'LL BET EV5 ,ANITA ,B[D9'S HUSB& '''0
  8,CALV9 ,L[MAN10 ,MEL SUPPLI$4 8,&
HE'S N H] HUSB&40
  8,:AT"E10 ,I SD4 8,I'LL BET EV5 HE 0
SQUIRM+ 9 8 S1T4 ,E MAN "! 0 PROBABLY
DO+ ! SAME ?+40
  8,IS "! A PURPOSE 6? CALL80 ,MEL ASK$4
  ,H] CRISP T"O WD H DEFLECT$ EV5 ! MO/
DET]M9$ ( LIFE 9SUR.E SALESM54 8,I 9VIT$
,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE 6D9N] AT ,EL ,GAU*O TN
AT SEV510 ,I SD HURRI$LY4 8,I 0 HOP+ Y'D
-E1 TOO40
  8,:AT AB ,KELLY & ,J]EMY80
  8,!Y W5T HOME10 ,I SD4 8,6,A%L&40
  ,"! 0 A PAUSE4 8,I'LL ?9K AB X10 ,MEL
SD4 8,B DON'T HOLD YR BR1?4 ,& "!   #BGJ
IS A R1SON10 %E A4$4
  8,I'M SORRY80
  8,A R1SON ,I'M 9VOLV$ ) ,8^? WOM540'
,A R1SON ,I'M ON ! BO>D4 ,I J DON'T L TO
TALK AB X1 B MAYBE ,I'LL TELL Y "S"T4
,IF ,I />T SP1K+ 6Y AG1 T IS40
  ,) T %E HUNG UP1 L1V+ ME ) NO CLE>
IDEA ( ": ,I /OOD4 ,%E CLAIM$ %E WASN'T
SP1K+ 6ME1 B %E _H BE54 ,&! O!R "P--! "P
%E _H LEFT UNSD--AB ! R1SON 2H H] IN-
VOLVE;T ) ,,SASAC PUT A HOLE 9 ! PIT (
MY /OMA*4 ,I _H N"E EV5 3SID]$ T "S"O Z
SLICK Z ,MEL MI<T H "S D>K CORN] 9 H]
PA/ ": %E1 TOO1 _H BE5 GRAVELY MISTR1T$4
,IF "S?+ L T _H HAPP5$ 6H]1 ,I WASN'T
SURE ,I 0 R1DY 6HE> AB X4 ,ONCE ,I DID1
WD ,I FEEL OBLIG$ 6G \1 TRACK ! J]K D[N1
& ?ROTTLE HM ) MY B>E H&S8 ,T WD MAKE A
LOT M S5SE ?AN S5D+ DON,NS 6,,SASAC666
  ,I CALL$ ,MEL "R BACK4 8,I "K Y'RE / N
SP1K+ 6ME1> ,I SD QKLY1 8B IF Y WANT$ TO
-E BACK 6! H\SE & "W TGR ON ,TODD ,HAT*-
]'S /UFF1 ,I PROMISE ,I WON'T SAY A S+LE
^W \ ( L9E40
  8,I'LL ?9K AB X10 %E SD1 8B ,I    #BGA
NE$ "S SPACE1 ,B1U--SPACE & "T40 ,%E
HUNG UP AG4
  ,REBU6$1 ,I KNEW ,I CDN'T AF=D 6SP5D !
"D SITT+ >.D ?9K+ AB ,MEL & :AT ,I DID
OR DIDN'T "K4 ,I NE$$ 6D "S?+1 6TAKE "S
K9D ( AC;N4 ,TWI4L+ MY ?UMBS WASN'T AN
OP;N :5 :AT ,I RE,Y WANT$ 6D 0 G \ &
KNOCK A FEW H1DS4 ,S ,I DID ! NEXT BE/
?+4 ,I CALL$ ! ,,DMV & RAN A *ECK ON
,C>OL & ,JACK ,LAWR;E4 ,ONCE ,I _H _!
A4RESS 9=M,N1 ,I H1D$ = ,L1V5WOR?1 TWO &
A HALF H\RS AWAY1 ON ! F> SIDE (! ,CAS-
CADES4
  ,_M SMALL US$-TO-BE LO7+ T[NS 9 RURAL
,WA%+TON H DRIFT$ 96ALM <O/-T[N OBSCUR-
;Y4 ,S"EAL (! BURGS AL;G ,HI<WAY #B RUN
P]PETUAL GO+-\-(-BUSI;S SALES 9 ! =M (
RETIR$ *UR*ES1 :1 N[ DEVOID ( P>I%ION]S1
LIVE ON 9 A TAWDRY1 MAKE%IFT FA%ION Z
?R1DB>E ANTIQUE MALLS4
  ,L1V5WOR?1 TOO1 0 ONCE H1D$ 9 T DIREC-
;N & MI<T WELL H SU6]$ ! SAME FATE _H N
"S 5T]PRIS+ C;Y "FS--& "MS1 ,I'M SURE--
DECID$ 6RE9V5T ! PLACE4 ,!Y SLAPP$ ON
LAY]S ( ,BAV>IAN FACADES1 DRESS$    #BGB
"EYBODY & 8 UNCLE 9 L$]HOS51 & DCLD !
C;Y A T\RI/ ATTRAC;N4 ,S* IS ! MAGIC (
SELF-FULFILL+ PROPHECIES T ! PLOY "W$
REM>KABLY WELL4 ,N[ ?\S&S ( P FLOCK "! =
_! FAUX ,OCTOB]FE/ &= _! ANNUAL
,*RI/MAS-LI<T+ C]EMONIES4 ,= AU!NTIC;Y'S
SAKE1 X HELPS T ,L1V5WOR? IS HI< 5 9 !
M.TA9S T ? HOLI"D EXTRAVAGANZA USU,Y
TAKES PLACE 9 FRIGID SN[1 )! O3A.NAL
BLIZZ>D ?R[N IN4
  ,IF ,I S.D "S:AT *URLI% AB ALL ?1 LET
ME SAY T ! "O "T ,I BRAVELY W5T "! IS AL
:5 ! 8O3A.NAL0 BLIZZ>D HAPP5$4 ,T /ORM
RESULT$ 9 A -B9,N ( RECORD SN[FALL 9
,/EV5S ,PASS & AN AVALAN*E ON ;,I-#IJ AT
,SNOQUALMIE ,PASS1 A "O-TWO PUN* T BR"\
MO/ ( ,WA%+TON'S EA/-WE/ TRAVEL 6A HALT4
,K>5 &! KIDS & ,I DIDN'T MAKE X BACK OV]
! M.TA9S UNTIL ,TUES"D AFN1 TWO "DS LATE
= BO? "W & S*OOL4 ,S9CE ? 0 ,M>* 9/1D (
,NOVEMB] OR ,DECEMB]1 H["E1 ,I FIGUR$ ,I
0 SAFE 5 ON ! W1!R SCORE4 ,& S9CE X
WASN'T ,*RI/MAS1 "! 0 NO NE$ = ME 6BE
BRIMM+ OV] ) P1CE ON E>? & ALL T JAZZ--
ESPECI,Y :5 X CAME 6,MR4 ,JACK      #BGC
,LAWR;E4
  ,DUR+ ! L;G SOLIT>Y DRIVE F ,S1TTLE
ACR A / SN[-BORD]$ ,/EV5S ,PASS ,I _H
PL5TY ( "T = ?9K+4 ,GRADU,Y ,I 0 A# 6LET
G (! ,MEL SITU,N & TURN MY ATT5;N 6!
PRO#M ( ,JACK & ,C>OL ,LAWR;E4 ,Z ,I
DROVE ,I R1LIZ$ ? WD PROBABLY 2 NO?+ M
?AN A USE.S FI%+ EXP$I;N4 ,9 FACT1 IF
,LAWR;E _HN'T GIV5 8 /EPDAU<T] S* A T\<
"T1 ,I PROBABLY WDN'T H BO!R$ TRY+ 69T]-
VIEW HM AT ALL4 ,X TURNS \1 ?\<1 T ,I'M
A GRT 2LIEV] 9 GIV+ P L HM ! OPPORTUN;Y
6R1P :AT !Y S[4 ,2SS1 ,I F.D 8 9T]E/ 9
.N 4CUSS+ ,TONY ,COSGROVE'S DECADES-OLD
4APPE>.E MO/ 9T]E/+4
  ,X 0 LATE ON A SUNNY B SURPRIS+LY *ILL
MORN+ :5 ,I PULL$ UP AT ! ,LAWR;ES'
MAILBOX ON ,LAVETTA ,ROAD S\? ( ,L1V5-
WOR? PROP]4 ,LAVETTA ,ROAD ISN'T S M* A
ROAD Z X IS A V ANGUL> CIRCLE4 ,MAYBE !Y
%D H CALL$ X ,LAVETTA ,OBL;G4 ,)! HELP (
MY TRU/Y ,,GPS1 ,I MANAG$ 6LOCATE ! L;G
W9D+ DRIVEWAY M>K$ 8,LAWR;E10 : TOOK (F
F ! S\!RNMO/ CURVE ( ,LAVETTA & H1D$ (F
96! =E/4                            #BGD
  ,! H\SE XF 0 "O ( ^? "S-ASSEMBLY-
REQUIR$ LOG CAB9S ": "S"O ELSE CUTS UP1
NOT*ES1 NUMB]S1 & FITS TGR ALL ! TREE
TRUNKS NEC 6BUILD ! H\SE4 ,!Y'RE !N TAK5
A"P1 LOAD$ ONTO A TRUCK1 & HAUL$ 6:]"E !
H\SE IS 2+ BUILT4 ,AT T PO9T ! HAP.S
HOME[N] HAS 6REASSEM# ! PIECES HMF OR
PAY "S"O ELSE 6D X4 ,S9CE ,LAWR;E 0 AN
5G9E] TYPE1 ,I FIGUR$ HE WD H D"O ! "W
HMF4
  ,? "O 0 A L>GE TWO-/ORY A6AIR )A /EEP-
LY PIT*$ RO( &A COV]$ POR* T RAN ACR !
5TIRE FRONT (! H\SE4 ,A S+LE VEHICLE 0
P>K$ \TSIDE--A MU4I$ ,SUB>U ,=E/] T
SEEM$ M* ! WORSE = WE>4 ,\ ( =CE ( HAB-
IT1 ,I JOTT$ D[N ! LIC5SE NUMB]1 !N />T$
UP ! WALKWAY4 ,9 TRUE ,L1V5WOR? FA%ION1
! METAL KNOCK] _H BE5 FA%ION$ 6RESEM# A
NUTCRACK]4 ,I GAVE X A GD BA% & WAIT$ TO
SEE IF ANY"O WD ANSW]4
  ,! DOOR 0 CRACK$ OP5 ! 4T.E (A %ORT
L5G? ( FA/5$ SECUR;Y *A94 8,YES80 A
WOMAN ASK$ "Q+LY1 :ILE REMA9+ MO/LY \ (
SI<T 2H ! "PI,Y OP5$ DOOR4
  ,C>OL ,LAWR;E 0 AB MY AGE4 ,H]    #BGE
SILV] HAIR 0 PULL$ BACK 9 A PONYTAIL1 B
EV5 T SMALL GLIMPSE REV1L$ A RESEMBL.E
2T H] & H] DAU<T] T 0 NO?+ %ORT ( /RIK+4
,%E LOOK$ Z IF %E _H BE5 CRY+1 & ,I WON-
D]$ :AT AB4
  8,:AT D Y WANT80 %E ASK$4
  ,I HELD UP MY ,,ID4 8,MRS4 ,LAWR;E10
,I 2GAN1 8IF Y H A FEW MO;TS1 ,I'D L TO
SP1K 6Y40
  ,0! "T ! ^WS 7 \ ( MY M\? %E 0 ALR
TRY+ 6SLAM ! DOOR4 ,MY FOOT1 S*OOL$ BY
YE>S ( ACTUAL DOOR-TO-DOOR ,FULL] ,BRU%
SALESMAN%IP1 0 FIRMLY PLANT$ 9 ! WAY4
  8,G AWAY10 %E ORD]$4 8,I'M N TALK+ 6Y
& NEI IS ,JACK4 ,TONY'S BE5 G"O =A QU>T]
(A C5TURY4 ,"!'S NO R1SON 6BR+ X ALL
BACK UP40
  8,B YR DAU<T]--0
  8,MY DAU<T] 4APPROVES ( ME10 %E SD4
8,I DIDN'T WAIT ! :OLE SEV5 YE>S1 & %E'S
N"E =GIV5 ME = T4 ,B Y "K :AT8 ,I'M !
"M4 ,I GET 6LIVE MY LIFE ! WAY ,I WANT
TO4 ,N[ G AWAY40
  8,>E Y AW>E T YR HUSB& W5T 6SEE
,DE,ANN YE/]"D80 ,I ASK$4 8,T HE    #BGF
0 (F ! *>TS & ?R1T5$ H]8 ,%E 0 V UPSET40
  8,LOOK10 ,C>OL SD IMPATI5TLY1 8,JACK
IS ,DE,ANN'S /EP"F4 ,!Y H N"E GOTT5 AL;G
& N"E W4 ,N ONLY T1 ,I'VE F9,Y FIGUR$ \
T ,I C'T FIX X4 ,S PL1SE G AWAY & L1VE
ME AL"O 2F MY HUSB& -ES HOME & F9DS Y
"H40
  8,Y'RE SAY+ HE WD 2 UPSET 0MY 2+ "H8
,:Y'S T8 ,WE'RE J DO+ A R\T9E FOLL[-UP
ON YR MISS+ F/ HUSB&4 ,I C'T SEE :Y ,MR4
,LAWR;E F9DS T S 4TURB+--UN.S HE HAS "S-
?+ 6HIDE1 T IS40
  8,JACK'S A V PRIVATE MAN10 ,C>OL 9SI/-
$4 8,HE DOESN'T L P NOS+ >.D 9 \R PRI-
VATE LIVES4 ,WE WANT 6BE LEFT AL"O4 ,J G
AWAY40
  8,! WAY HE'S ACT+ IS 5 6MAKE ME ?9K
MAYBE ! TWO ( Y 7 AN ITEM L;G 2F ,TONY
W5T FI%+ UP ON ,_S ,LAKE40
  8,S :AT IF ,JACK & ,I 7 AN ,8ITEM0'
BACK !N1 Z Y CALL X80 ,C>OL DEM&$ HOTLY4
8,WE'VE BE5 M>RI$ = TW5TY-FIVE YE>S N[4
,T %D C.T = "S?+4 ,Y DON'T H ANY IDEA
:AT MY LIFE 0 L !N1 & Y H NO "R 6JUDGE
ME N[4 ,NEI DOES MY DAU<T]4 ,MY     #BGG
HUSB& IS A V PRIVATE MAN4 ,! IDEA T ,DE-
,ANN BR"\ ? UP--0
  8,%E DIDN'T10 ,I 9T]JECT$4 8,DE,ANN _H
NO?+ 6D ) X4 ,! ATTORNEY G5]AL'S (FICE
IS DO+ R\T9E FOLL[-UPS ON MISS+ P]SONS
CASES F ALL OV] ! /ATE4 ,T'S H[ YR =M]
HUSB&'S "N CAME UP4 ,P]IOD40
  8,OH10 ,C>OL SD1 S.D+ "S:AT SUBDU$4
8,WE ?"\ '''0
  ,I TOOK A BUSI;S C>D F MY POCKET &
PASS$ X "? ! DOOR4 ,I DIDN'T EXPECT H]
6TAKE X1 B %E DID4
  8,I DON'T C>E :AT Y ?"\10 ,I TOLD H]
CURTLY4 8,WE >E 3DUCT+ AN ACTIVE 9VE/I-
G,N AT ? "T4 ,PL1SE LET YR HUSB& "K T ,I
AM GO+ 6NE$ 6TALK 6BO? ( Y SOON] OR LAT-
]4 ,Y C MAKE X EASY OR Y C MAKE X H>D40
  ,%E /UDI$ ! C>D1 !N UNLAT*$ ! *A94
8,ALL "R40 ,%E S.D$ RESIGN$4 8,-E ON IN4
,L ,I SD1 ,JACK ISN'T HOME "R N[4 ,Y
PROBABLY PASS$ EA* O!R "S": 2T "H & ,SE-
ATTLE4 ,:AT D Y WANT 6"K80
  ,=! NEXT H\R OR S WE W5T OV] ! SAME
GR.D ,I _H COV]$ ) ,DE,ANN "DS E>LI]4 ,I
ASK$ _M (! SAME "QS & HE>D ! SAME   #BGH
ANSW]S1 B ) "O TELL+ DI6];E4 ,I _H LEFT
,DE,ANN ,COSGROVE'S HOME 3V9C$ %E 0
TELL+ ! TRU?1 OR AT L1/ ! TRU? Z %E KNEW
X4
  ,:5 MY 9T]VIEW ) ,C>OL 0 OV] ,I LEFT !
,LAWR;ES' SPRAWL+ LOG H\SE LIV+ ROOM )!
4T9CT IMPRES.N ,C>OL _H BE5 LY+ "? H]
TEE?4 ,I DIDN'T "K :Y1 N = SURE1 B ,I _H
MY SUSPICIONS4 ,ALL ,I _H 6D N[ 0 6LE>N
5 AB ! CASE 6CAT* H] 9 "O ( ^? LIES4
  ,L ,DONNIE ,COSGROVE1 ,I 0 2G9N+ 6BE-
LIEVE T ,M.T ,SA9T ,HEL5S _H NO?+ AT ALL
6D ) 8 F/ "F-IN-LAW'S 4APPE>.E4
  8,H ,JACK GIVE ME A CALL10 ,I TOLD
,C>OL ! LA/ ?+ 2F ,I /EPP$ (F H] FRONT
POR* 6RETURN 6MY C>4 8,Y H MY NUMB]40
  8,OKAY10 %E SD1 8,I'LL TELL HM40
  ,WE BO? KNEW HE WDN'T CALL4 ,MO/ LIKE-
LY ,JACK ,LAWR;E WD PLAY H>D 6GET4 ,T
DIDN'T BO!R ME1 ?\<4 ,TONY ,COSGROVE _H
BE5 G"O =A QU>T] (A C5TURY4 ,I _H ALL !
"T 9 ! _W4
  ,)\T ,MEL "! 6RIDE H]D ON ME ,I _H
MISS$ BR1KFA/1 S ,I /OPP$ (F AT !
,BREW]Y ,PUB 9 ,L1V5WOR? 6GRAB "S   #BGI
LUN* 2F H1D+ BACK 6,S1TTLE4 ,Z ,I WAIT$
= MY HAMBURG]1 ,I 0 ?9K+ AB ,DE,ANN
,COSGROVE & H] "M4 ,DE,ANN EVID5TLY /
4APPROV$ ( H] "M'S MOV+ ON TW5TY-FIVE
YE>S AF X _H HAPP5$4 ,T C]TA9LY BOD$ ILL
= ME & ,KELLY4
  ,! WAITRESS 0 DELIV]+ MY HAMBURG] :5
,K5DALL ,JACKSON CALL$4
  8,J LEFT ,ELA9E ,MANN+10 HE TOLD ME4
8,?ANKS = T1 0! WAY4 ,:AT %E _H 6SAY 0
9T]E/+1 & WE'LL FOLL[ UP ON "S (! L1DS
%E SU7E/$1 B ,I'M N HOLD+ MY BR1?4 ,)\T
"S?+ M SOLID ?AN H] SUSPICION '''0
  8,T'S PRETTY M* ": ,I AM ON T1 TOO10
,I TOLD HM4 8,:AT AB ! NUN8 ,ANY LUCK
TRACK+ H]80
  8,ALL BAD10 ,JACKSON RETURN$4 8,B ,I
SEEM 6REMEMB] T YR BOSS HAS WAY M HI<-
LEVEL 3NEC;NS 9SIDE ! ,CA?OLIC ,*UR* ?AN
,I D4 ,"H'S AN IDEA4 ,H[ AB IF Y SEE :AT
.Y C D 6F9D T MISS+ NUN80
  ,I 0 / PISS$ T HE _HN'T M5;N$ ! EXI/;E
(A POSSI# EYEWIT;S )\T MY HAV+ 6F9D X \
ON MY [N1 B "! 0 NO S5SE >GU+ OV] X1
ESPECI,Y N :5 ,I / NE$$ ,DETEC-     #BHJ
TIVE ,JACKSON 9 MY CORN] ON O3A.N4
  8,?ANKS =! SU7ES;N10 ,I TOLD HM4
8,I'LL GIVE X A :IRL40
  ,ROSS ,3NORS IS A LIFEL;G ,CA?OLIC1 &
"O ( 8 BE/ FRS F ,O',DEA ,HI< ,S*OOL IS
N[ A SPECIAL ASSI/ANT 6! BI%OP AT ! ,SE-
ATTLE ,>*DIOCESE4 ,S ,I CALL$ ,ROSS4 ,X
0 ,M>* & NIPPY1 B X 0 AL T R>E/ ( R>E
NOR?WE/ -MODITIES--A SUNNY ,SATUR"D4 ,I
_H NO D\BT ,ROSS 0 \ ON A GOLF C\RSE "S-
":4
  ,I LEFT HM A MESSAGE 6CALL ME BACK4
,!N ,I PUT MY PH"O AWAY & TUCK$ IN4











               ,*APT] #AD           #BHA

  ,ON ! DRIVE BACK 6,S1TTLE1 ,LA,%AWN
,TOMPK9S'S MURD] SLIPP$ 6A BACK BURN] Z
,I 3C5TRAT$ ON :AT MY TRIP ACR ! M.TA9S
_H PRODUC$ 3C]N+ ,TONY ,COSGROVE'S 4AP-
PE>.E4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 TALK+ 6,C>OL ,LAW-
R;E _H UPP$ MY SUSPICION LEVEL SIGNIFI-
CANTLY4 ,I 0 3V9C$ T %E & H] HUSB& DID H
"S?+ 6HIDE1 EV5 ?\< ,I WASN'T SURE :AT4
  ,6MY M9D "! 0 N[ A :OLE NEW URG5CY 9
MY WANT+ 6TRACK D[N ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN1 !
DEF5SE ANALY/4 ,IF1 Z ,I SUSPECT$1 HE _H
"W$ AT ,BOE+ DUR+ ! SEV5TIES & EI<TIES1
"! 0 A *.E HE _H ACTU,Y "KN ,TONY ,COS-
GROVE OR MAYBE EV5 ,JACK ,LAWR;E4 ,:AT
,I NE$$ M ?AN ANY?+ "R !N 0 6TALK 6"S"O
:O WD EI 3FIRM :AT ,C>OL ,LAWR;E _H TOLD
ME--OR BL[ H] \ (! WAT]4
  ,X WASN'T UNTIL ,I TURN$ S\? ON #DJE T
,I />T$ ?9K+ AB D9N]--& AB ,MEL4 ,I
WASN'T LOOK+ =W>D 6GO+ 6D9N] ) ,SCOTT &
,*]ISSE & HAV+ 6EXPLA9 :Y ,MEL WASN'T
JO9+ U4 ,I ?"\ BRIEFLY AB CALL+ H]4 ,I
GL.ED AT MY CELL PH"O1 B "! _HN'T BE5
ANY CALLS4 ,!N ,I ?"\ AB GO+ 0H]    #BHB
PLACE 9 ,BELLEVUE ON ! WAY HOME 6,S1T-
TLE4 ,B ,I DIDN'T WANT 6%[ UP \TSIDE !
SECUR;Y DOOR AT H] A"P;T ONLY 6BE TOLD
,I WASN'T WELCOME4 ,S ,I DROVE ONTO
,/ATE ,R\TE #EBJ & /RAI<T HOME4
  ,ON ! P>K+ G>AGE RAMP L1D+ D[N 6;,P-
#B1 H["E1 ,I 0 A/ONI%$ 6SEE ,MEL'S #GDJ
P>K$ 9 XS CU/OM>Y SPOT4 ,I H1D$ UP 6!
P5TH\SE1 N ! L1/ BIT SURE IF X WD 2 SAFE
6OP5 ! DOOR )\T WE>+ A FLAK JACKET4 ,:5
,I /EPP$ 9SIDE1 H["E1 ,I F.D ,MEL AT !
F> 5D (! LIV+ ROOM4 ,! W9D[ S1T 0 COV]$
) /ACKS ( PAP]S1 : ,I IMMLY RECOGNIZ$ Z
EXC]PTS F ,TODD ,HAT*]'S AB/RACTS4 ,%E 0
S1T$ CROSS-LE7$ ON ! FLOOR 9 FRONT (A
YELL[ PAD1 R1D+ GLASSES P]*$ ON H] NOSE4
,%E /OOD UP Z SOON Z ,I CAME 96! ROOM1
WALK$ OV]1 & KISS$ ME HELLO4
  8,SORRY10 %E SD4 8,I 0 \ ( L9E40 ,I
KISS$ H] BACK4 ,I WD H D"O M1 B %E DODG$
\ ( MY >MS 2F ,I CD GET A GD GRIP ON H]4
,%E RETURN$ 6! W9D[ S1T & 2GAN GA!R+ !
PAP]S4 8,I %D H TALK$ 6Y AB ? A L;G "T
AGO10 %E A4$4
  8,%D H TALK$ 6ME AB :AT80 ,I      #BHC
ASK$4
  8,AB :Y ,I'M 9VOLV$ ) ,,SASAC10 %E RE-
PLI$4
  ,I FELT A FUNNY TWI/ 9 MY GUT4 ,IF ? 0
"S?+ ,MEL DIDN'T WANT 6TELL ME1 X 0 AL
PROBABLY "S?+ ,I DIDN'T WANT 6HE>4
  8,LOOK10 ,I SD1 8,I 0 \ ( L9E1 TOO4
,:AT"E X 0 M/ H HAPP5$ A L;G "T AGO4
,X'S N"O ( MY BUSI;S4 ,Y DON'T [E ME AN
EXPLAN,N ( ANY K9D40
  8,B ,I D10 %E SD4 8,:AT HAPP5$ BACK !N
IS :Y ,I'M 9VOLV$ 9 SEXUAL ASSAULT IS-
SUES TD4 ,X'S AL :Y ,I'M A COP4 ,C(FEE80
  ,I RECOGNIZ$ T H] (F] ( C(FEE 0 NO?+ M
OR LESS ?AN A DIV].N>Y TACTIC4 ,I A3EPT$
X =! SAME R1SON4 ,WE 7 WALTZ+ >.D "S?+
IMPORTANT & UNCOM=TA#1 & WE NE$$ 6GET
PA/ X4 ,MEL'S FACE LOOK$ S TR\#D--S HURT
--T ,I WANT$ 6TAKE H] 9 MY >MS & HOLD
H]1 B %E WASN'T HAV+ ANY ( T4 ,%E W5T
BACK 6! RELATIVE SAFETY (! W9D[ S1T &
P]*$ "!1 C(FEE CUP 9 H&4 ,I1 ON ! O!R
H&1 RETR1T$ 6MY /URDY RECL9]4 ,WE BO?
KNEW T :AT"E 0 -+ WDN'T 2 EASY 64CUSS1 &
MA9TA9+ "S PHYSICAL 4T.E WD S]VE    #BHD
U BO? 9 GD /1D4
  8,DID Y "E H "S?+ HAPP5 6Y ": X WASN'T
YR FAULT--,I M1N1 Y ."K X WASN'T YR
FAULT--B Y / HOLD YRF RESPONSI#80 ,MEL
ASK$4
  ..,LET ME C.T ! .WAYS1 ,I ?"\4
  ,MY "M DI$ ( C.ER4 ,MY EX-WIFE DI$ (
C.ER4 ,SUE ,DANIELSON DI$ ( GUN%OT W.DS4
,ANNE ,CORLEY DI$ ( GUN%OT W.DS4 ,ONLY )
,ANNE DID ,I P]SON,Y FIRE ! W1PON T
KILL$ H]1 & EV5 T 5D$ UP 2+ RUL$ JU/IFI-
A# HOMICIDE--SELF-DEF5SE4 ,9 ALL ! O!RS
,I 0 HELD BLAME.S--Z F> Z ! _W 0 3C]N$1
B N ON MY [N P]SONAL SCOREC>D4
  8,ONCE OR TWICE10 ,I 3C$$4
  8,H ,I "E M5;N$ ,S>AH ,MAT!WS 6Y80
  ,I RACK$ MY BRA9 & CAME UP EMPTY4 8,I
DON'T ?9K S4 ,:O'S %E80
  8,%E 0 MY BE/ FR 9 HI< S*OOL--,AU/9
,HI< ,S*OOL 9 ,EL ,PASO4 ,H] "F 0 A /AFF
S]G1NT 9 ! >MY & MY DAD 0 A MAJOR AT !
"T4 ,WE 7 9 ! SAME HOMEROOM40
  ,I 0 SCRAMBL+ 6PULL TGR :AT LL ,I DID
"K AB ,MEL ,SOAMES'S BACKGR.D4 ,%E _H
GR[N UP Z AN >MY BRAT4 ,H] DAD1     #BHE
,WILLIAM ,MAJORS1 0 RETIR$ MILIT>Y :O N[
LIV$ "S": 9 ,ITALY ) 8 SECOND WIFE1
,DORIS4 ,MEL'S "M1 ,KATY1 0 LIV+ 9
,FLORIDA )A L;G-T]M BOYFR1 "N UN"KN1 :OM
%E _H S F> DECL9$ 6M>RY4 ,I KNEW "! _H
BE5 BAD BLOOD ALL >.D DUR+ ! BR1KUP ( _!
ALM ?IRTY-YE> M>RIAGE4 ,Z A RESULT ,I _H
YET 6MEET ANY ( ,MEL'S P>5TAL UNITS4
  8,MAJOR ,MAJORS80 ,I ASK$1 TRY+ 69JECT
A LL HUMOR4 8,T M/ H BE5 FUN40
  ,MEL DIDN'T RESPOND 9 K9D1 & H] GRIM
EXPRES.N DIDN'T *ANGE4
  8,S>AH & ,I 7 9 ! SAME HOMEROOM = ?REE
YE>S10 %E 3T9U$4 8,MY S5IOR YE> ,DAD 0
TRANSF]R$ BACK 6,D4,C4 ,S>AH & ,I /AY$ 9
T\* =A YE> OR S--"? GRADU,N &=! F/ SE-
ME/] ( \R FRE%MAN YE> 9 COLLEGE4 ,%E
-MITT$ SUICIDE A FEW "DS 2F ,*RI/MAS ( T
YE>4 ,%E %OT H]F40
  8,":80 ,I ASK$4
  8,IN ! H1D10 ,MEL ANSW]$4 8,BLEW H]
BRA9S \40
  8,NO4 ,I M1N ": 0 %E :5 %E DI$80
  8,%E 0 / 9 ,TEXAS--,UNIV]S;Y ( ,TEXAS
AT ,EL ,PASO40                      #BHF
  ,I KNEW ,MEL _H GRADUAT$ F ! ,UNIV]S;Y
( ,VIRG9IA4 8,S Y W]5'T ANY": >.D :5 X
HAPP5$80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NO10 ,MEL SD4 8,S>AH 0 9 ,EL ,PASO4
,I 0 9 ,*>LOTTESVILLE40
  8,S H[ CD H] -MITT+ SUICIDE POSSIBLY 2
YR FAULT80 ,I ASK$4
  ,= AN ANSW]1 ,MEL PICK$ UP A SMALL
BOOK T _H BE5 SITT+ ON ! FLOOR 2S H]4
,%E GOT UP1 WALK$ ACR ! ROOM1 & H&$ X TO
ME4
  8,:AT IS X80 ,I ASK$4
  8,S>AH'S DI>Y10 ,MEL REPLI$4 8,I'M
SURE %E 0 AFRAID "S"O AT HOME MI<T F9D
X1 S %E M/ H HI45 X ON MY BOOK%ELF4 ,:5
WE MOV$1 X GOT /UCK 9 A BOX ( BOOKS T
/AY$ 9 /ORAGE UNTIL AF MY P>5TS B"\ !
H\SE 9 ,MANASSAS AT ! 2G9N+ ( MY SOPHO-
MORE YE>4 ,MOM F.D X & GAVE X 6ME4 ,X
PRETTY M* EXPLA9S "EY?+40
  ,I 0 HOLD+ ! BOOK1 B ,I DIDN'T ?9K
,MEL ACTU,Y 9T5D$ = ME 6R1D X4
  8,:AT DOES X SAY80 ,I ASK$4
  ,MEL'S EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4 8,H] "F
MOLE/$ H]10 %E SD4 8,F ! "T %E 0    #BHG
LL4 ,%E TRI$ 6TELL H] "M1 B H] MOM
DIDN'T 2LIEVE H]40
  8,DID %E TELL Y80 ,I ASK$4
  ,MEL %OOK H] H1D4 8,N 9 S _M ^WS4 ,I
?9K %E TRI$1 B ,I 0 TOO NAIVE 6"U/& :AT
%E 0 RE,Y SAY+4 ,B IF ,I _H BO!R$ 6R1D !
BOOK '''0
  8,Y J TOLD ME T Y DIDN'T "K AB ! DI>Y
UNTIL AF %E 0 ALR D1D40
  8,"R1 B '''0
  8,B :AT80
  8,IF ,I _H BE5 A BETT] FR1 ,I WD H
LI/5$ M4 ,& :5 H] "F TRI$ 6PUT ! MOVES
ON ME--0
  8,HE W5T AF Y80 ,I DEM&$4
  ,MEL NO4$4 8,X 0 AT A ,*RI/MAS "PY AT
A NEI<BOR'S H\SE4 ,HE CAU<T UP ) ME \ 9
! BACKY>D4 ,HE 0 DRUNK 5 T ,I 0 A# 6GET
AWAY1 & ,I N"E TOLD ANY"O AB :AT _H HAP-
P5$4 ,I 0 TOO EMB>RASS$40
  8,HE 0 :AT10 ,I ASK$1 8IN 8 ?IRTIES80
  8,>.D "!10 ,MEL 3C$$4
  8,& Y 7 9 HI< S*OOL8 ,:AT"E HAPP5$ HAS
NO?+ 6D ) Y10 ,I DCLD4 8,X 0 8 FAULT1 N
YRS40                               #BHH
  8,X'S N S M* :AT HAPP5$ 2F ,I R1D !
DI>Y10 ,MEL 9T]JECT$4 8,X'S :AT HAPP5$
AFW40
  8,:AT DID HAPP580
  8,NO?+10 ,MEL ANSW]$ HOPE.SLY4 8,N "O
DAMN$ ?+4 ,I KEPT MY M\? %UT & DIDN'T
SAY A S+LE ^W4 ,0!N ,S>AH'S "M1 ,LOIS1 0
ALR SICK1 CRIPPL$ 0,,MS & 3F9$ 6A :EEL-
*AIR4 ,%E 0 TOT,Y DEP5D5T ON ! MAN4 ,IF
HE'D G"O 6! SLAMM] !N1 ,I DON'T "K :AT
WD H 2COME ( H]4 ,S>AH 0 ALR D1D4 ,:AT
DI6];E DID X MAKE8 ,EV5 N[1 ,I D\BT !
DI>Y XF WD H BE5 5 63VICT HM4 ,S ,I J
KEPT QUIET40
  ,MEL SAT 9 ! W9D[ S1T4 ,%E SEEM$ 6BE
/>+ \ AT ! WAT]1 B ,I D\BT %E 0 SEE+ ANY
( X4
  8,": >E ,S>AH'S P>5TS N[80 ,I ASK$
G5TLY4
  8,LOIS ,MAT!WS DI$ AB SEV5 YE>S AGO4
,S>AH'S "F1 ,RI*>D1 IS REM>RI$ & LIVES
"S": 9 ,MEXICO4 ,:5 ,I HE>D HE 0 M>RY+
AG1 ,I WROTE A LR 6HIS SECOND WIFE4 ,I
TOLD H] ,I 0 A FR ( ,S>AH'S & T %E _H
TOLD ME AB 2+ ABUS$ 0H] "F Z A *4   #BHI
,I W>N$ H] 6BE C>E;L--6MAKE SURE T HE
WASN'T ALL[$ >.D "Y *N1 ESPECI,Y "Y
GIRLS4 ,%E N"E WROTE BACK4 ,I DON'T "K
IF %E 2LIEV$ ME OR N4 ,MAYBE ! LR N"E
GOT "?40
  8,S Y DID D "S?+10 ,I SD4
  ,MEL NO4$4 8,I SUPPOSE10 %E AGRE$4 8,B
,I DIDN'T D 5\<1 N AB HM4 ,:AT ,I DID1
9/1D1 0 GET 9VOLV$ 9 ! SEXUAL ASSAULT
-MUN;Y4 ,0MY JUNIOR YE> 9 COLLEGE ,I 0
VOLUNTE]+ AT ! RAPE CRISIS C5T] 9 ,*>-
LOTTESVILLE ONCE A WEEK4 ,T'S AL :5 ,I
DECID$ 62COME A COP & *ANG$ MY MAJOR F
,5GLI% 6POLICE SCI;E4 ,I'VE BE5 9VOLV$
"E S9CE10 %E A4$4 8,S N[ Y "K4 ,T'S H[
,I 2CAME "O ( ,8^? WOM540'0
  ,! V IDEA ( 9CE/ 4GU/S ME4 ,! FACT T
"S"O CD D S* A HORRI# ?+--T A MAN CD RE-
P1T$LY VIOLATE 8 [N *--IS "S?+ ,I C B>E-
LY -PREH5D4 ,/1 ,I 0 SLI<TLY RELIEV$4 ,I
_H BE5 AFRAID ,MEL 0 GO+ 6RELATE "S?+
HORRIFIC T _H HAPP5$ 6H] P]SON,Y4 ,:5
,RI*>D ,MAT!WS _H -E AF H]1 %E _H MANAG$
6ELUDE HM1 S AT L1/ ! WOR/ (! NI<TM>E _H
HAPP5$ 6"S"O ELSE4 ,B ,MEL _H BE5   #BIJ
VICTIMIZ$1 TOO4 ,H] HURT 0 COLLAT]AL
DAMAGE 6H] FR'S LIFEL;G VIOL,N & EV5TUAL
D1?4
  ,=! F/ "T ,I F.D MYF WOND]+ AB "S (!
O!R WOM5 9 T GLITT]+ BALLROOM AT ! ,%]A-
TON4 ,:AT _H PROPELL$ EA* ( !M 65T] !
SEXUAL ASSAULT FRAY8 ,MAYBE "! 0 "S?+
SIMIL> LURK+ 9 ! LOVELY ,ANITA ,B[D9'S
BACKGR.D T WD A3.T = H] 9VOLVE;T 9
,,SASAC1 "S?+ ALL ! SILK & EM]ALDS 9 !
_W CDN'T Q ERASE4 ,MAYBE EV5 ! DOY5 (
WOM5'S /UDIES1 ! DAUNT+ ,PROFESSOR ,CL>K
H]F1 _H SU6]$ "S SIMIL> CIRCUM/.E T _H
M>R$ H] V EXI/;E4 ,MAYBE ALL ! WOM5 ON !
BO>D W]E1 9 "O WAY OR ANO!R1 DEEPLY DAM-
AG$4
  ,MEL _H FALL5 SIL5T & SEEM$ 6BE WAIT+
= "S RESPONSE F ME4
  8,I'M SORRY = YR FR10 ,I SD QUIETLY4
8,& ,I'M SORRY = Y1 TOO4 ,X'S AN AW;L ?+
6H C>RI$ >.D ON YR [N = ALL ^! YE>S40
  8,?ANK Y10 %E SD4 8,B ,I HAV5'T BE5 T
AL"O4 ,:5 ,I'M )! WOM5 F ,,SASAC1 N"O (
U IS AL"O40
  ,I'VE BE5 A COP ALL MY ADULT      #BIA
LIFE4 ,I "K ! /ATI/ICS--SIX \ ( T5 GIRLS
& "O \ ( F\R BOYS >E MOLE/$ PRIOR 6AGE
EI<TE54 ,& ,I _H C]TA9LY SE5 ! IRREV]SI#
DAMAGE A HI/ORY ( * ABUSE L1VES 9 XS
WAKE4 ,I _H SE5 ! D1DLY RESULTS (! YE>S
,ANNE ,CORLEY SP5T WAT*+ H] "F R\T9ELY
ABUSE H] DEVELOP;T,Y 4A#D SI/]4 ,B ,I
DON'T ?9K ,I _H "E 9T]NALIZ$ X 9 ! SAME
WAY Z ,I DID :5 ,MEL MADE T "O QUIET & V
SIMPLE /ATE;T AB N 2+ AL"O4 ,& X GAVE ME
A :OLE NEW P]SPECTIVE ON 8^? WOM50 AT !
,%]ATON--! GUTSY1 DET]M9$1 WELL-DRESS$
WOM5 :O _H "SH[ MOV$ 2Y :AT"E _H 2FALL5
!M P]SON,Y & :O 7 /RIV+ 6HELP O!RS4 ,X
MADE ME EMB>RASS$ 6?9K H[ *URLI% ,I'D
BE5 ) ,MEL AFW4 ,& X MADE ME WI% ,I'D
MADE A L>G] DON,N4
  8,2+ 9VOLV$ 9 "S?+ L T *ANGES Y10 ,MEL
SD AF A L;G PAUSE4 8,X *ANGES YR :OLE
\TLOOK ON LIFE4 ,T'S :Y ,I DON'T DWELL
ON X & :Y ,I DON'T TALK AB X V (T5--&
X'S :Y ,I CDN'T TALK AB X LA/ NI<T1 N AF
ALL ! /ORIES WE'D J HE>D4 ,X BR"\ X ALL
BACK1 & X HURT TOO M*4
  8,B ,I RE,Y WANT Y 6"U/& ":       #BIB
,I'M -+ F10 %E 3T9U$4 8,"W+ = ,,SASAC &=
ORGANIZ,NS L X--RAIS+ M"OY & RAIS+ AW>E-
;S--M1NS A LOT 6ME4 ,X MAKES ME FEEL L
,I'M DO+ "S?+ 9 ,S>AH'S HONOR EV5 ?\<
X'S TOO LL TOO LATE 6HELP H]4 ,MAYBE
,I'M HELP+ PREV5T :AT HAPP5$ 6,S>AH F
HAPP5+ 6"S O!R UN=TUNATE LL GIRL4 ,OR
MAYBE :5 X DOES HAPP5 %E'LL R1LIZE T "!
>E PLACES %E C TURN 6= HELP1 ": "S"O W
RE,Y LI/5 6H]4 ,! ONLY HELP ,S>AH CD SEE
0 TURN+ A GUN ON H]F40
  ,MEL NE$$ -=T+1 & ,I DID :AT ,I CD4
8,X S.DS 6ME L Y'VE A3EPT$ :AT Y CDN'T
*ANGE & Y'RE *ANG+ :AT Y C10 ,I TOLD H]4
8,T'S "P ( :AT WE TALK AB 9 ,,AA4 ,X'S
H[ WE LE>N 6G ON4 ,?ANK Y = TELL+ ME10
,I A4$4 8,I "K X WASN'T EASY40
  ,MEL GAVE ME A BL1K SMILE4 8,?ANK Y =
LI/5+10 %E SD4
  8,S N[ T ,I'M BACK 9 YR GD GRACES1 :AT
%D ,I D80 ,I ASK$4 8,MAKE A BI7] DON,N80
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,:AT Y 3TRIBUT$ IS F9E4
,LI/5+ IS BETT]40
  8,:AT AB D9N]1 !N80 ,I ASK$4 8,>E Y
GO+ 6JO9 U80                        #BIC
  8,YES10 %E SD4 8,B ,I MISS$ Y LA/
NI<T1 & "!'S "S?+ ,I'D L 6D F/40
  ,& T'S EXACTLY :AT WE DID4 ,X WASN'T
UNTIL M* LAT]--AF WE 7 %[]$1 DRESS$1 &
WAIT+ = ,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE 6%[ UP--T WE
ACTU,Y />T$ TALK+ AB "W4 ,%E TOLD ME H[
F> %E'D G"O 9 MAK+ NOTES ON ! AB/RACTS1
& ,I TOLD H] AB MY SEMI-FRUIT;L TRIP TO
,L1V5WOR?4
  8,:AT'S ! DEF5SE ANALY/'S "N AG80 ,MEL
ASK$ ?"\;LLY1 R1*+ = H] LAPTOP4
  8,DORTMAN10 ,I SD4 8,?OMAS ,DORTMAN4
,HE LIVES "H 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,I ALR ,GOOGL$
HM40
  ,MEL DID S"EAL QK KEY/ROKES & !N /UDI$
H] SCRE54 8,& HE HAS A NEW BOOK -+ \ AT
! 5D (! MON?1 ..,! ,:I/LE-BL[]'S ,SUR-
VIVOR'S .,GUIDE4 ,WANT ME 6ORD] Y A COPY
F _+_AMAZON.COM_:0
  8,DON'T BO!R10 ,I SD4 8,F :AT ,I R1D 9
! >TICLE1 ,TONY ,COSGROVE 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE
A :I/LE-BL[]4 ,OR MAYBE HE WD H BE51 IF
HE _HN'T 4APPE>$ :5 ,M.T ,SA9T ,HEL5S
BLEW UP40
  8,S OBVI\SLY ,COSGROVE DIDN'T     #BID
LIVE L;G 5 6B5EFIT F ! BOOK10 ,MEL OB-
S]V$4
  8,NO1 HE DIDN'T10 ,I AGRE$4 8,I S5T
,DORTMAN AN ;E-MAIL ASK+ HM 6GIVE ME A
CALL1 B X'S ! WEEK5D4 ,I'LL GIVE HM UN-
TIL ,MON"D 2F ,I TRY DO+ ANY?+ ELSE AB
F9D+ HM40
  ,WE 7 / WAIT+ = ,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE 6%[
UP :5 ! PH"O RANG4 ,CALL] ,,ID ID5TIFI$
! CALL Z -+ F ,KELLY & ,J]EMY'S PLACE 9
,A%L&4
  8,%E TOOK (F10 ,J]EMY BLURT$ ! MO;T ,I
ANSW]$4
  8,:O TOOK (F80
  8,KELLY40
  8,": DID %E G80 ,I ASK$4
  8,T'S ! PRO#M10 ,J]EMY ANSW]$1 8,I H
NO IDEA4 ,%E TRI$ 6GRAB ! C> KEYS \ ( MY
POCKET4 ,:5 ,I WDN'T GIVE !M 6H]1 %E LO/
X4 ,%E SCR1M$ "S?+ AB ! KIDS & ME 2+
BETT] (F )\T H]1 !N TOOK (F ON FOOT4
,:AT AM ,I GO+ 6D80 ,J]EMY A4$ MIS]ABLY4
8,I C'T TAKE C>E ( ^! TWO LL KIDS ALL BY
MYF4 ,I WDN'T "K ": 6/>T4 ,:AT'S ! MATT]
) H]1 ,B1U8 ,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,HE     #BIE
S.D$ UTT]LY MY/IFI$ & DESPAIR+4
  8,>E Y SAY+ Y ?9K %E'S LEFT Y = GD80
,I ASK$4
  8,I H NO IDEA10 HE RETURN$4 8,I TOLD Y
:AT %E SD1 B ,I DON'T "K :AT X M1NS4 ,D
Y80
  ,F ! S.D ( ?+S1 X 0 PROBABLY A GD ?+
,KELLY WASN'T 2H ! :EEL (A VEHICLE4
  8,DID ! TWO ( Y H A QU>REL ( "S K9D AF
Y GOT HOME80 ,I ASK$4
  8,H[ CD WE >GUE80 ,J]EMY SD4 8,%E
WASN'T EV5 SP1K+ 6ME40
  .,YES1 ,I ?"\4 ..,I "K H[ T ."WS4
  8,2F Y LEFT ,S1TTLE !N80 ,I ASK$4
8,DID "S?+ HAPP5 :ILE Y 7 "H T UPSET
H]80
  8,Y SAW H[ %E WAS10 ,J]EMY ANSW]$4
8,%E 0 UPSET ! :OLE "T WE 7 "!--UPSET &
ON $GE4 ,! ?+ IS1 :AT AM ,I SUPPOS$ 6D
N[8 ,G LOOK+ = H]8 ,LET H] G & HOPE %E
COOLS (F8 ,CALL ! COPS80
  ,I _HN'T ! FO7IE/ IDEA ( :AT 6TELL HM4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,MEL ASK$ 9 ! BACK-
GR.D4
  8,X'S ,J]EMY10 ,I EXPLA9$4        #BIF
8,KELLY CRI$ ALL ! WAY HOME F ,S1TTLE
BACK 6,A%L&4 ,N[ ,J]EMY SAYS %E TOLD HM
HE &! KIDS WD 2 BETT] (F )\T H] & TOOK
(F ON FOOT40
  8,LET ME TALK 6HM10 ,MEL SD4 ,I H&$
OV] ! PH"O4 ,%E SWIT*$ X 6SP1K] MODE4
8,H[ L;G AGO DID %E L1VE80
  8,A FEW M9UTES10 ,J]EMY ANSW]$4 8,I
CALL$ Z SOON Z %E 0 \ ! DOOR40
  8,S %E'S PROBABLY / 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD
"S":10 ,MEL SD4 8,TAKE ! KIDS ) Y1 GET 9
! C>1 & G F9D H]40
  8,B--0
  8,& :5 Y D1 TAKE H] /RAI<T 6H] DOCTOR
& TELL HM EXACTLY :AT'S GO+ ON40
  8,B :AT IS GO+ ON80 ,J]EMY ASK$4
  8,H Y "E HE>D ( PO/"PUM DEPRES.N80
,MEL ASK$4
  8,YES1 B ,I ALW ?"\ X 0 "S K9D (
JOKE40
  ,J]EMY'S ?9K+ ON ! MATT] WASN'T T F> F
MY [N4 ,Z F> Z ,I KNEW1 PO/"PUM DEPRES.N
0 "R UP "! ) "M-IN-LAW JOKES Z FO4] =
/&-UP -$IANS4
  8,X'S NO JOKE1 ,J]EMY10 ,MEL      #BIG
TOLD HM4 8,X'S S]I\S1 & X C AL TURN D1D-
LY ON O3A.N4 ,IF T'S :AT'S GO+ ON1 ,KEL-
LY NE$S 6SEE H] DOCTOR "R AWAY S %E C 2
DIAGNOS$ & TR1T$40
  8,%E'S N CRAZY OR "S?+1 IS %E80 ,J]EMY
ASK$4 ,8 VOICE 0 SUBDU$4 ,& SC>$4 ,!
D1DLY S]I\S;S ( ,MEL'S DEM1NOR _H ME
SC>$1 TOO4
  ,"! 0 A CALL-WAIT+ AL]T ON ! PH"O1 B
,MEL IGNOR$ X & S DID ,I4 8,KELLY MAY 2
ACT+ CRAZY10 ,MEL C.T]$4 8,B HAV+ A BABY
IS H>D "W4 ,X PROBABLY LEFT H] 9T]NAL
*EMI/RY TOT,Y \ ( :ACK4 ,S9CE %E'S N
NURS+ ''' %E ISN'T1 IS %E80
  8,NO40
  8,!N HAV+ H] DOCTOR PRESCRIBE M$IC,N
6C.T] T *EMICAL IMBAL.E %DN'T 2 A PRO#M1
B Y'LL H 6F9D H] F/40
  8,%D ,I CALL ! COPS80 ,J]EMY ASK$4
8,TELL !M T %E'S MISS+80
  ,"! 7 PL5TY ( R1SONS N 6D T4 ,FIL+ A
POLICE REPORT CD WELL GIVE RISE 6"QS AB
:E!R OR N DOME/IC VIOL;E 0 "P (! EQU,N4
,AN (FICIAL REPORT MI<T AL BR+ ,*
,PROTECTIVE ,S]VICES 96! FRAY )     #BIH
"QS ASK$ AB ,KELLY'S SUITABIL;Y = "M-
HOOD4 ,! IDEA T "S"O MI<T /EP 9 & TRY TO
TAKE ,KAYLA & ,KYLE AWAY F !M FROZE MY
HE>T4
  ,2F ,I CD SAY ANY?+ ON T SCORE1 H["E1
,MEL SD X = ME4
  8,NO10 %E TOLD HM URG5TLY4 8,IN ! L;G
RUN T'LL ONLY MAKE ?+S M -PLICAT$4 ,J G
F9D H]4 ,:AT'S H] DOCTOR'S "N80
  8,H[ELL10 ,J]EMY ANSW]$4 8,DR4 ,FAYE
,H[ELL "H 9 ,A%L&40
  8,I'LL CALL ! DOCTOR & LET H] "K :AT'S
GO+ ON10 ,MEL TOLD HM4 8,ONCE Y F9D
,KELLY1 CALL BACK "H4 ,I'LL TELL Y :AT !
DOCTOR SAYS & ": Y %D TAKE H]40
  ,:ILE ,MEL BUSI$ H]F ) DIAL+ 9=M,N1 ,I
0 SUMMON$ 0! DOORBELL4 ,I F.D ,SCOTT &
,*]ISSE WAIT+ \TSIDE 9 ! HALLWAY4
  8,! DOORMAN TRI$ CALL+ 6LET Y "K WE 7
ON \R WAY UP10 ,SCOTT SD Z ,I LET !M 96!
A"P;T4 8,IS "S?+ ! MATT] ) YR PH"O80
  ,I WAV$ HM 6SIL;E S ,I CD LI/5 6,MEL4
,0!N %E _H US$ H] LAW 5=CE;T (FIC] P]SO-
NA 6M[ D[N :AT"E GATEKEEP]S /OOD 2T ,DR4
,H[ELL & H] PATI5TS4                #BII
  8,ALL "R1 !N10 ,MEL 0 SAY+4 8,Z SOON Z
,J]EMY LOCATES H]1 ,I'LL TELL HM 6BR+ H]
DIRECTLY 6! HOSPITAL1 T Y'LL WAIT = !M
AT ! ,,ER40
  ,SCOTT LOOK$ WORRI$LY F ,MEL BACK 6ME4
8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 HE ASK$4
  8,X'S ,KELLY10 ,I SD4 8,%E TOOK (F &
LEFT ,J]EMY &! KIDS 2H4 ,HE'S FRANTIC40
  8,X'S PO/"PUM DEPRES.N1 ISN'T X10 ,*]-
ISSE SD4
  ,MEL NO4$4 ,*]ISSE TURN$ BACK 6,SCOTT
& POK$ HM 9 ! RIBS4 8,SEE "!80 %E SD4
8,I TOLD Y S40
  ,SCOTT & ,I EX*ANG$ L;G-SU6]+ GL.ES4
,T'S :AT'S S MY/IFY+ AB WOM54 ,NEI ,MEL
,SOAMES NOR ,*]ISSE ,B1UMONT _H "E _H A
BABY !MVS4 ,/1 !Y "SH[ KNEW :AT 0 GO+ ON
) ,KELLY1 EV5 ?\< ,KELLY H]F DIDN'T SEEM
TO4
  ,I'VE L;G MA9TA9$ T WOM5 >E BORN "K+
?+S X TAKES M5 A :OLE LIFE"T 6FIGURE \4
,? 0 SIMPLY "O M CASE 9 PO9T4


                                    #CJJ
























               ,*APT] #AE           #CJA

  ,TWO NI<TS E>LI]1 ,KELLY'S TEMP] TAN-
TRUM _H SPOIL$ "O D9N]4 ,N[1 F HUNDR$S (
MILES AWAY1 H] SITU,N CA/ A PALL ON ?
M1L Z WELL4
  ,WE 7 HALFWAY "? \R 5TREES :5 MY PH"O
RANG4 ,I CD TELL X 0 ,J]EMY CALL+1 B X 0
TOO NOISY = ME 6HE> 9SIDE ! RE/AURANT4
,I EXCUS$ MYF & W5T \TSIDE 6/& AM;G !
CREW ( WAIT+ P>K+ VALETS4
  8,DID Y F9D H]80 ,I DEM&$4
  8,YES10 HE ANSW]$1 RELIEF APP>5T 9 8
VOICE4 8,%E 0 SITT+ ON A B5* D[N 0,LI?IA
,CREEK4 ,X 0 COLD Z HELL D[N "!4 ,%E
WASN'T EV5 WE>+ A SW1T]40
  ,I FELT Z RELIEV$ Z ,J]EMY S.D$4
8,%E'S ALL "R1 !N80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I GUESS10 HE SD4 8,I DID J :AT ,MEL
TOLD ME 6D4 ,I TOOK H] 6SEE ,DR4 ,H[ELL4
,%E PRESCRIB$ "S?+ 6HELP H] SLEEP4 ,I
DON'T ?9K %E'S SLEPT 9 "DS1 B %E'S UP-
/AIRS RE/+ "R N[4 ,DR4 ,H[ELL GAVE H] "S
ANTIDEPRESSANTS4 ,I GUESS X'S A GD ?+
,KELLY DECID$ AG/ NURS+40
  8,I GUESS S10 ,I AGRE$4           #CJB
  8,IS ,MEL "!80 ,J]EMY ASK$4
  8,%E'S BACK 9SIDE ! RE/AURANT40
  8,TELL H] ?ANK Y = ME10 HE SD4 8,I
KEPT ?9K+ X 0 "S?+ ,I _H D"O WR;G1 B
,DR4 ,H[ELL SAYS X'S "S?+ T HAPP5S 6"S
WOM5 AF !Y GIVE BIR?4 ,X C HAPP5 SOON] R
?AN LAT]1 & ? IS DEF9ITELY SOON]4 ,DR4
,H[ELL SD X 0 RE,Y SM>T ( ME 6FIGURE X \
& LET H] "K1 B X WASN'T ME AT ALL4 ,X 0
,MEL40
  8,I'LL TELL H]10 ,I SD4 8,B REMEMB] TO
GIVE YRF "S (! CR$IT1 TOO1 ,J]EMY4 ,Y _H
BRA9S 5 6ASK = HELP1 & WE'RE LUCKY X J
HAPP5$ 6BE "S"O SM>T 5 6"K :AT 0 GO+
ON40
  .,UNLIKE .YR ."F-IN-LAW1 ,I ?"\4
  ,A BABY WAIL$ 9 ! BACKGR.D4 8,GOTTA
G10 HE SD4
  ,I W5T BACK 9SIDE4 ,I GREET$ ,MEL'S
ANXI\S GL.E )A ?UMBS-UP4 8,DR4 ,SOAMES'S
DIAGNOSIS IS CORRECT10 ,I ANN\NC$4 8,!
PATI5T IS BACK HOME4 ,)! HELP (A S$A-
TIVE1 %E MAY 2 SLEEP+ P1CE;LLY =! F/ "T
9 "DS4 ,! DOCTOR AL PRESCRIB$ "S
ANTIDEPRESSANTS4 ,J]EMY SAYS ?ANK   #CJC
Y1 & S D ,I40
  ,AF ! GR\P HE>D ,J]EMY'S GD NEWS1 !
REMA9D] (! D9N] 0 A LOT M FE/IVE4 ,WE
MADE >RANGE;TS 6MEET ! KIDS & ,L>S = "O
M BRUN* EXTRAVAGANZA 2F _! S*$UL$ DEP>-
TURE ! NEXT "D1 !N ,MEL & ,I W5T HOME &
FELL 96B$4 ,X 0 AMAZ+ 6R1LIZE H[ M* BET-
T] ,I SLEPT ) H] "! 2S ME4 ,I AWAK5$ !
NEXT MORN+ 6! SMELL ( BREW+ C(FEE4 ,"! 0
A NOTE NEXT 6! POT4 8,TAK+ A RUN 9 ,MYR-
TLE ,$W>DS10 X SD4 8,BACK 9 A FEW40
  ,I _H BE5 ?9K+ AB ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN Z ,I
FELL ASLEEP1 & ? SEEM$ Z GD A "T Z ANY
63T9UE MY ,LEXIS-,NEXIS RESE>* ON HM4 ,)
MY F/ CUP ( C(FEE 9 H& & WAIT+ =! -PUT]
6BOOT UP1 ,I HAPP5$ 6?9K ( "S?+ ELSE4 ,&
S1 \ ( IDLE CURIOS;Y1 9/1D ( TYP+ 9 !
DEF5SE ANALY/'S "N1 ,I TYP$ 9 "S?+ ELSE
--8,RI*>D ,MAT!WS1 ,MEXICO0--& WAIT$ TO
SEE :AT1 IF ANY?+1 WD %[ UP4
  ,X DIDN'T TAKE L;G4 ,:AT POPP$ UP F/ 0
AN >TICLE DAT$ ,NOVEMB] #AD1 #BJJD1 F !
.,EL .,PASO .,H]ALD4
  ,TWO WEEKS AGO1 ,C&ACE ,MAT!WS KISS$
H] HUSB& ,RI*>D ,MAT!WS GD-BYE Z    #CJD
HE LEFT 6G ON 8 REGUL> MORN+ WALK NE> _!
B1*-FRONT RETIRE;T HOME 9 ,CANC@UN1
,MEXICO4 ,%E HASN'T SE5 HM S9CE4 ,AL?
,MEXICAN AU?ORITIES SAY !Y H LAUN*$ AN
9VE/IG,N 96,MR4 ,MAT!WS'S 4APPE>.E1 9=-
M,N ON ! PROGRESS ( T 9VE/IG,N IS
DI6ICULT 6-E BY4
  8,NO "O W TALK 6ME10 ,MS4 ,MAT!WS SD4
8,NO "O W ANSW] MY "QS OR TELL ME :AT'S
GO+ ON4 ,!Y SEEM 6?9K HE J DECID$ 6L1VE
ME1 B ,RI* WD N"E D T4 ,I'M SURE HE'S
D1D40
  ,RI*>D & ,C&ACE ,MAT!WS 7 NEWLYW$S F\R
YE>S AGO :5 !Y PUR*AS$ _! DR1M HOME4 ,X
0 A SECOND M>RIAGE = BO? ( !M4 ,RI*>D _H
RETIR$ F A C>E] 9 ! ,U4,S4 MILIT>Y &
,C&ACE 0 A =M] ,R1LTOR :5 !Y MET AT A
D.E CLUB 9 ,EL ,PASO1 ,TEXAS4 ,!Y M>RI$
TWO MON?S LAT]4
  8,X 0 LOVE AT F/ SI<T10 ,C&ACE SD1
*OK+ BACK SOBS DUR+ A TELEPH"O 9T]VIEW F
,CANC@UN4 8,& X / IS4 ,NO "O "H SEEMS TO
TAKE ? S]I\SLY4 ,!Y ACT L HE'S J W&]$ (F
"S": & X'S NO BIG D1L40
                                    #CJE
  8,! 9VE/IG,N IS PROGRESS+10 SAYS ,S]-
G1NT ,IGNACIO ,PALACIOS (! ,CANC@UN
,METROPOLITAN ,POLICE ,DE"P;T4 8,WE >E
TR1T+ ? Z A MISS+ P]SONS SITU,N1 B S F>
"! IS NO 9DIC,N ( F\L PLAY40

  ,T 0 Z F> Z ,I _H R1D :5 ! DOOR OP5$ &
A W9D$ ,MEL B.D$ 96! ROOM4 8,ON MY WAY
6! %[]10 %E SD4 8,:AT "T'S BRUN*8 ,I'LL
2 GLAD :5 ! -PANY L1VES4 ,I FEEL L WE'RE
J B\NC+ NON/OP F "O M1L 6! NEXT40
  ,%E 4APPE>$ D[N ! HALL4 ,I TURN$ BACK
6! -PUT]4

  ,RI*>D ,MAT!WS CAME 6! ,EL ,PASO >EA )
8 F/ WIFE & DAU<T] :5 HE 0 PO/$ 6,=T
,BLISS Z A NONCOMMIS.N$ (FIC] )! ,UNIT$
,/ATES ,>MY4 ,HE /AY$ ON AF 8 RETIRE;T1
EV5 ?\< 8 LIFE "H 0 DO7$ 0TRAG$Y4 ,? IS
": 8 ONLY DAU<T]1 ,S>AH1 DI$ (A SELF-
9FLICT$ GUN%OT W.D :ILE A FRE%MAN AT !
,,UTEP4 ,8 F/ WIFE1 ,LOIS1 SP5T ! LA/
TW5TY YE>S ( H] LIFE ) LIMIT$ MOBIL;Y
DUE 6! CRIPPL+ E6ECTS ( ,,MS4 ,X WASN'T
UNTIL AF H] D1? T ,RI*>D'S LIFE     #CJF
SEEM$ 6TAKE A TURN =! BETT]4
  ,FIVE YE>S AGO1 ON A D>E F A CO"W]1
,RI*>D ,MAT!WS SIGN$ UP 6TAKE LESSONS AT
,TANGO-,RAMA1 A %ORT-LIV$ BALLROOM DANC+
S*OOL ": DIVORC$ ,R1LTOR ,C&ACE ,S&]S 0
A "P-"T 9/RUCTOR4 ,! RE/ IS HI/ORY4 ,AF
A :IRLW9D ROM.E1 ! TWO M>RI$ & SP5T _!
WEEK-L;G H"OYMOON 9 ,CANC@UN4 ,:5 !Y RE-
TURN$ 6,EL ,PASO !Y SOLD _! RESPECTIVE
HOMES & RE-SETTL$ 9 ,MEXICO1 ": _! JO9T
R1L E/ATE DOLL>S W5T M* F>!R ?AN !Y WD H
9 ! ,/ATES4
  8,? 0 \R DR1M HOME & \R DR1M LIFE10
SAYS ,C&ACE ,MAT!WS4 8,"!'S NO WAY ,RI*
WD J WALK AWAY F "EY?+ WE'VE BUILT TGR40
  ,FRU/RAT$ 0A LACK ( (FICIAL RESPONSE1
,MS4 ,MAT!WS HAS PO/$ A 4#EJJJ REW>D =
9=M,N L1D+ 6H] HUSB&'S SAFE RETURN4

  ..,X PROBABLY ONLY LOOK$ L A LACK (
.RESPONSE1 ,I ?"\4 ,:AT 0 ACTU,Y GO+ ON
0 NO D\BT A SPASM ( LEGAL 9FI<T+ ACR
JURISDIC;NAL B.D>IES--N ! L1/ ( : 0 !
9T]N,NAL BORD]4 ,T WD IMMLY TRANSLATE
969VE/IGATIVE P>ALYSIS4 ,MEXICAN    #CJG
AU?ORITIES1 WANT+ 6"UPLAY ANY?+ T MI<T
ADV]SELY IMPACT ! T\RISM 9DU/RY1 7 PROB-
ABLY /ALL+ = ALL !Y 7 WOR?1 J Z ! GUYS 9
,>UBA DID :5 T TE5AGE GIRL W5T MISS+4
  ,D[N ! HALL ! %[] /OPP$ RUNN+ & ,I
HE>D ! HAIR DRY] :9E 6LIFE Z ,I /RU7L$
6F5D (F ! 9T5SE S5SE ( =EBOD+ T SU45LY
GRIPP$ ME4 ,I LOOK$ BACK AT ! -PUT]
SCRE5 & D\#-*ECK$ ! DATE3 ,NOVEMB] #AD4
,MEL & ,I _HN'T BE5 9VOLV$ !N1 B ,I DID
REMEMB] ,MEL'S RETURN+ F A WEEK'S WOR? (
VAC,N "S"T LATE 9 ! FALL--"S"T PRIOR TO
,?ANKSGIV+4 ,I RECALL$ T %E _H -E BACK
6"W 9 HI< _SS LOOK+ TANN$ & FIT & BR++ )
H] A GIFT = ,B>B>A ,GALV9'S SON1 ,TIMMY
--A HUGE SOMBR]O ) 8 "N EMBROID]$ ON X4
,_H %E BE5 6,CANC@UN8 ,T ,I DIDN'T "K4
  ,I CALL$ UP ! NEXT 5TRY1 DAT$ ,NOVEMB]
#AH3

  ,UNID5TIFI$ HUMAN REMA9S1 4COV]$ WA%$
UP AL;G ! BASE (A B1*SIDE CLIFF NE>
,CANC@UN1 ,MEXICO1 >E ?"\ 6BE ^? ( =M]
,EL ,PASO RESID5T ,RI*>D ,LOWELL
,MAT!WS1 :O 4APPE>$ ALM ?REE        #CJH
WEEKS AGO :ILE ON AN E>LY-MORN+ WALK4
,:ILE 3FIRM+ T REMA9S H BE5 F.D1 ,MEXI-
CAN AU?ORITIES SAY T A POSITIVE ID5TIFI-
C,N W H 6AWAIT ! >RIVAL ( D5TAL RECORDS
T >E EXPECT$ 9 ,CANC@UN "S"T TM4
  ,S]G1NT ,IGNACIO ,PALACIOS (! ,CANC@UN
,METROPOLITAN ,POLICE ,DE"P;T REPORT$ T
! AUTOPSY _H REV1L$ ! PRES;E (A GUN%OT
W.D T 0 MO/ LIKELY ! CAUSE ( D1?4 ,!
CASE IS 2+ 9VE/IGAT$ Z A POSSI# HOMI-
CIDE4
  ,C&ACE ,MAT!WS1 =M] ,EL ,PASO R1L ES-
TATE AG5T & WIFE (! MISS+ MAN1 EXPRESS$
FRU/R,N AT ! LACK ( URG5CY SURR.D+ ! IN-
VE/IG,N4 8,!Y DIDN'T EV5 BO!R CALL+ ME
UNTIL AF !Y'D ALR D"O ! AUTOPSY4 ,H[ C T
BE8 ,) ,RI* ALR REPORT$ MISS+1 %DN'T !Y
H -E 6ME F/80

  ,S ,RI*>D ,MAT!WS 0 D1D1 POSSIBLY (A
GUN%OT W.D4 ,D[N ! HALL ! HAIR DRY]
SWIT*$ (F & ON Z ,MEL WIELD$ HOT AIR &A
BRU% 6=CE H] HAIR 96SUBMIS.N4 ,9 ! WEEKS
& MON?S ,MEL & ,I _H LIV$ TGR ,I _H
LE>N$ 6WELCOME ! DRY]'S UNGODLY     #CJI
RACKET4 ,X 0 AN AUDI# & DAILY REM9D] (
H[ MY LIFE _H SU45LY *ANG$ =! BETT]4 ,X
ANN\NC$ 6ME & 6! _W AT L>GE T ANO!R P]-
SON _H -E 96MY PREVI\SLY SOLIT>Y LIFE4
,? MORN+1 ?\<1 T HAIR DRY] FELT M L A
SCREE*+ BUZZ SAW SLIC+ 96MY HE>T4
  .,SURELY .N1 ,I TOLD MYF4 ..,SURELY X
CDN'T 2 HAPP5+ AG1 CD X8 ,MAYBE ,I'M
MISTAK54 ,AF ALL1 ,MEXICO IS A BIG
PLACE4 ,"! >E LOTS ( RESORTS %E CD H G"O
6T W]5'T ,CANC@UN4 ,OR MAYBE ,I'M WR;G
AB ! TIM+4 ,!N AG1 MAYBE ,I'M .N4
  ,ONCE 2F ,I _H FALL5 =A B1UTI;L B
FLAW$ WOMAN1 "O :O _H TRANS=M$ H]F 96A
"O-WOMAN VIGILANTE BRIGADE = BO? 3VICT$
& SUSPECT$ * MOLE/]S4 ,SMITT51 ,I _H BE5
BL 6,ANNE ,CORLEY'S 9EXPLICA# 9T]E/ 9 !
D1? (A "Y GIRL AT ! H&S ( MEMB]S (A LO-
CAL RELIGI\S CULT4 ,MY 9ABIL;Y 6GRASP !
S]I\S;S (! SITU,N _H L$ 9EVITABLY TO
,ANNE'S D1?--& ALM 6M9E Z WELL4
  ,N[ HI/ORY SEEM$ 6BE REP1T+ XF4 ,ONLY
YE/]"D ,MEL _H TOLD ME T %E 0 / HAUNT$
0LE>N+ TOO LATE ( H] BE/ FR'S 9CE/U\S
REL,N%IP ) H] "F1 A REL,N%IP T _H   #CAJ
EV5TU,Y RESULT$ 9 ,S>AH ,MAT!WS'S TRAGIC
SUICIDE4 ,MEL _H TOLD ME T %E / AGONIZ$
OV] HAV+ D"O NO?+ 6AV5GE H] FR'S D1?4 ,B
0 T TRUE8 ,T FR'S P$OPHILE "F _H N[
TURN$ UP %OT 6D1?4 ,I _H P]SON,Y WIT;S$
! FACT T ,MEL ,SOAMES KNEW H] WAY >.D !
BUSI;S 5D (A H&GUN4 ,H[ CD ,I 2 SURE %E
_H NO?+ AT ALL 6D ) ,RI*>D ,MAT!WS'S
D1?1 ESPECI,Y S9CE "! 0 A *.E ,MEL _H
BE5 9 ! SAME >EA AT ! "T ( 8 MURD]8
  ..,Y'RE JUMP+ 6.3CLU.NS1 ,I ADMONI%$
MYF4 ..,Y'VE GOT NO PRO( %E 0 9VOLV$4
,GIVE X A .RE/4
  ,! HAIR DRY] SWIT*$ (F P]MAN5TLY4 ,!
BA?ROOM DOOR OP5$1 FREE+ A CL\D ( /1MY
AIR4 ,A H1DY -B9,N ( FRAGR.ES WAFT$ D[N
! HALLWAY4 ,"! 0 %AMPOO1 HAIR SPRAY1 &
P]FUME--IN %ORT1 ALL ! 9DIVIDUAL FRA-
GR.ES T "W$ TGR 6MAKE ,MEL ,MEL4
  ,GUILTILY1 L A KID CAU<T R1D+ PROHIB-
IT$ .,PLAYBOY MAGAZ9ES1 ,I CLOS$ ! SCRE5
3TA9+ ! MO/ REC5T .,EL .,PASO .,H]ALD
>TICLE & HURRI$LY TYP$ ,?OMAS ,DORTMAN'S
"N 96! SE>* FIELD4
  ,MEL EM]G$ F ! BA?ROOM WE>+ A     #CAA
%ORT SILKY ROBE1 ! HEM ( : SKIMM$ ! BOT-
TOM ( H] EQU,Y SILKY PANTIES4 ,%E CAME
OV] 6": ,I 0 SITT+ & BRU%$ ! TOP ( MY
H1D )A KISS Z %E COLLECT$ MY EMPTY C(FEE
CUP F ! 5D TA# AT MY ELB[4 8,REFILL80 %E
ASK$4
  8,?ANKS10 ,I MUM#D4
  8,:AT >E Y "W+ ON80
  ,I CD H ASK$ H] AB ,RI*>D ,MAT!WS "R
!N1 B C[>D T ,I WAS1 ,I DIDN'T4 ,I
WASN'T R1DY4 ,! IDEA T HI/ORY MI<T 2 RE-
P1T+ XF 0 TOO APPALL+4
  8,DORTMAN10 ,I LI$4
  ,MEL /OOD 9 FRONT ( ME1 ) MY CUP 9 "O
H& &! O!R ON H] HIP4 8,LOOK10 %E SD RE-
PROV+LY4 8,AN?ONY ,COSGROVE HAS BE5
MISS+ &_/OR D1D S9CE #AIHJ4 ,& MO/ (!
GUYS ON MY LI/ H BE5 G"O = MON?S IF N
YE>S4 ,? IS ,SUN"D4 ,O!R ?AN LA/ NI<T AT
D9N]1 WE'VE BE5 S CAU<T UP 9 "W T WE'VE
NEGLECT$ ,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE ! :OLE "T
!Y'VE BE5 "H4 ,WE AL HAV5'T BE5 V DILI-
G5T AB KEEP+ TABS ON ,L>S4 ,H[ AB IF WE
GIVE \RVS ! :OLE "D (F & PAY ATT5;N 6P
9/1D ( CASES80                      #CAB
  ,3C]N$ T ,MEL'S WOMANLY WILES MI<T "S-
H[ ALL[ H] 6SEE 96! "W+S ( MY -PUT] &
DIV9E :AT ,I _H BE5 DO+ PRIOR 6TYP+ 9
,DORTMAN'S "N1 ,I IMMLY CAPITULAT$4
  8,GRT IDEA10 ,I SD1 SLAPP+ %UT ! LAP-
TOP'S LID4 8,X'S ! WEEK5D4 ,LET'S =GET
AB "W =A :ILE4 ,X'LL D U BO? A _W ( GD40
  ,MEL 4APPE>$ 96! KIT*5 & RETURN$ ) MY
REPL5I%$ C(FEE CUP1 : %E H&$ OV] 6ME4 ,Z
%E DID S H] =EH1D KNOTT$ 96A PUZZL$
FR[N4 8,Y LOOK UPSET10 %E SD4 8,IS "S?+
! MATT]80
  8,NO1 NO?+10 ,I SD1 PROBABLY A TAD TOO
QKLY4 8,I'LL G %[]--IF Y'VE LEFT ME ANY
HOT WAT]1 T IS40
  ,! LA/ 0 A JOKE4 ,MY 3DO IS EQUIPP$ )
AN 9/ANT HOT WAT] H1T+ SY/EM T C REPL5I%
XF ALM Z FA/ Z "S"O C USE X4 ,& ,MEL
JOK$ "R BACK4
  8,A COLD %[] MI<T 2 GD = Y N[ & !N40
,%E GR9N$4
  ,! %[] WASN'T COLD1 B X CD J Z WELL H
BE54 ,I /OOD 9 ! P[];L FL[ T CASCAD$ D[N
F A CEIL+-M.T$ %[]H1D :ILE MY BODY 0
P.D$ ) SPRAY F A COLLEC;N ( WALL-   #CAC
M.T$ %[]H1DS Z WELL4 ,/1M MAY H BE5 CIR-
CL+ UPW>D T[>D ! CEIL+1 B ,I FELT *ILL$4
  ..,SURELY %E WASN'T 9VOLV$ 9 ! D1? (
,RI*>D .,MAT!WS1 ,I TOLD MYF4 ..,SURELY
N4 ,X 0 PROBABLY A RO2]Y G"O BAD1 A FA-
TAL B O!RWISE ORD9>Y MU7+4 ,OR MAYBE
,MAT!WS GOT 9VOLV$ 9 ! DRUG TRADE 6SUP-
PLE;T 8 RETIRE;T .9COME4
  ,B "! 0 A "P ( ME T HELD O!RWISE--"P (
ME T 0 AFRAID MY WOR/ NI<TM>E 0 AB 6HAP-
P5 ALL OV] AG4
  ,! EASIE/ ?+ & PROBABLY ! BE/ ?+ WD H
BE5 6-E /RAI<T \ & ASK ,MEL AB X "R !N4
,B COPS DON'T ASK "QS UN.S !Y H A FAIRLY
GD IDEA ( :AT ! R1L ANSW]S %D BE4 ,ANNE
,CORLEY _H LI$ 6ME ) UTT] IMPUN;Y1 & ,I
0 DET]M9$ N 6BE T /UPID AG4 ,S 2F ,I
ASK$ ,MEL ANY "QS ,I NE$$ 6F9D \ "S (!
ANSW]S4 ,6D T1 ,I'D 2 OP]AT+ SOLO4 ,MEL
MAY H BE5 MY "PN] 9 E S5SE (! ^W1 B IF
%E _H "SH[ /EPP$ ONTO ! WR;G SIDE (! ?9
BLUE L9E1 ,I 0 ! "O :O WD H 6FIGURE X \
--& D "S?+ AB X4
  ,/&+ "! )! PUNI%+ WAT] PUMMEL+ MY
BODY1 ,I 0 SU45LY /RUCK 0AN IDEA4   #CAD
,"! 0 "O O!R P]SON 9 ! _W :O _H BE5 BE-
TRAY$ 0,ANNE ,CORLEY 9 M* ! SAME WAY ,I
_H BE52 "O O!R SUCK] :O1 IF ,I TOLD HM
MY SUSPICIONS1 WD IMMLY GRASP ALL POSSI#
RAMIFIC,NS4 ,AF ALL1 MY FR & ATTORNEY1
,RALPH ,AMES1 _H BE5 ,ANNE ,CORLEY'S FR
& ATTORNEY L;G 2F HE 2CAME M9E1 & %E _H
SUCK]$ HM1 TOO4
  ,L1V+ ! %[] RUNN+ FULL BLA/1 ,I /EPP$
\ ONTO ! BA? MAT1 HOTFOOT$ X 96! B$ROOM1
RETRIEV$ MY CELL PH"O1 & TOOK X BACK 96!
BA?ROOM1 ": ,I DIAL$ ,RALPH'S NUMB]4
  8,": >E Y CALL+ F80 ,RALPH ASK$ ONCE
HE 0 ON ! L9E4 8,Y S.D L Y'RE /&+ 9 !
MI4LE (A TORR5TIAL D[NP\R40
  8,I AM10 ,I SD4 8,T'S ! %[]40
  8,"H'S AN IDEA10 HE SD4 8,H[ AB IF Y
CALL ME BACK .AF Y F9I% YR %[]40
  8,PL1SE1 ,RALPH10 ,I SD4 8,"!'S A
PRO#M4 ,LI/5 6ME40
  ,& HE DID4 ,I EXPLA9$ X ALL :ILE ! %[]
3T9U$ 6RO>4 8,S :AT D Y WANT ME 6D80 HE
ASK$ :5 ,I F9I%$4 8,TRY 6F9D \ :E!R OR N
! REMA9S RE,Y D 2L;G 6,RI*>D ,MAT!WS80
  8,T WD 2 A BIG HELP10 ,I SD4      #CAE
8,& :AT1 IF ANY1 PROGRESS HAS BE5 MADE 9
F9D+ \ :O KILL$ HM40
  8,ANY?+ ELSE80 ,RALPH ASK$4
  ,"O (! GD ?+S AB ,RALPH ,AMES IS T HE
DOESN'T REQUIRE A LOT ( EXPLAN,N4 ,HE
GETS ?+S4 ,& !N HE GOES 6"W & GETS ?+S
D"O4 ,& S9CE HE DOESN'T NECESS>ILY H TO
3C]N HMF AB MA9TA9+ *A9S ( EVID;E &
FRUIT ( POISON$ TREES & ALL T JAZZ1 HE
HAS AV5UES ( 9VE/IG,N T >5'T NECESS>ILY
OP5 6SWORN POLICE (FIC]S4
  8,MEL'S FULL "N IS ,MELISSA ,KA!R9E
,MAJORS ,SOAMES10 ,I REPLI$4 8,I'M PRET-
TY SURE %E W5T 6,MEXICO "S"T LA/ ,NOVEM-
B]4 ,I DON'T "K = SURE :5 %E W5T OR ":
%E TRAVEL$1 B ,I ?9K X 0 "S"T 2F ,?ANKS-
GIV+40
  8,I'LL SEE :AT ,I C D10 ,RALPH SD4
8,M1N"T1 WAT* YRF40
  ,T 0 ANO!R ?+ ,I APPRECIAT$ AB ,RALPH4
,HE DIDN'T /& >.D JAW+ OR DI%+ \ A BUN*
( PHONY PLATITUDES4 ,S9CE ,I 0 WORRI$1
HE 0 WORRI$1 & HE WD SIMPLY %UT UP & G
6"W4 ,T M1NT A LOT4
  ,MEL KNOCK$ ON ! CLOS$ BA?ROOM    #CAF
DOOR4 ,I 0 S />TL$ X'S A MIRACLE ,I
DIDN'T DROP ! CELL PH"O 96! TOILET4
8,L>S IS ON ! PH"O10 %E SD4 8,D Y WANT
6TAKE X80
  ,)\T SAY+ GD-BYE 6,RALPH ,I PRESS$ !
CALL-5D+ BUTTON4 8,TELL ,L>S ,I'M 9 !
%[]4 ,I'LL CALL HM BACK :5 ,I GET \40
  ,/ 4TURB$ 0! /A7]+ POSSIBILITIES1 ,I 0
4GU/$ 6F9D T MY "R H& %OOK UNCONTROLLA-
BLY4 ,9 ! PROCESS ( %AV+ ,I NICK$ MY
NECK TWICE &! BOTTOM ( MY E> ONCE1 & ,I
EM]G$ F ! BA?ROOM ) T9Y SCRAPS ( TOILET
PAP] /AN*+ ! FL[ ( BLOOD 6KEEP X F RU9+
MY COLL>4
  ,ONCE ,I 0 DRESS$ ,I /OOD =A FEW M9-
UTES LOOK+ AT MY CELL PH"O ON ! BA?-
ROOM'S GRANITE C.T]TOP4 ,"P ( ME WANT$
6H X ) ME AT ALL "TS S ,I'D 2 A# 6HE> F
,RALPH ! MO;T HE LE>N$ ANY?+4 ,B ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6H 6TAKE A CALL L T--REG>D.S
( 8 NEWS--IN ,MEL'S PRES;E4 ,%E 0 A COP4
,%E'D 2 TOO CURI\S4 ,%E'D WANT 6"K EX-
ACTLY :AT 0 GO+ ON4
  ,B ,I _H SP5T A LIFE"T LIV+ ON CALL4
,X 0 TOO LATE 6*ANGE T N[4 ,AF A    #CAG
WAV]+ MO;T ( 9DECI.N ,I BR"\ ! PH"O AL;G
) ME4 ,L1V+ X 2H RE,Y WASN'T AN OP;N4
  ,\ 9 ! LIV+ ROOM ,I F.D ,MEL DRESS$ &
R1DY 6G4 8,L>S 0 CALL+ 6D\#-*ECK ON :O 0
PICK+ HM UP = BR1KFA/--,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE
OR ! TWO ( U4 ,HE AL WANT$ 6"K IF Y ?"\
,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE WD M9D IF HE BR"\ A FR
AL;G 6BR1KFA/40
  8,A FR80 ,I ASK$4 8,:AT K9D ( FR80
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,RASMUSS54 ,AC 6,L>S %E 0 A GD FR (
,BEV]LY'S40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,I SD4 8,>E Y TELL+
ME T WE BURI$ ,BEV]LY ON ,?URS"D & ,L>S
WANTS 6BR+ "S"O ELSE AL;G 6BRUN* ON
,SUN"D80
  8,I DON'T ?9K HE M1NT X L T10 ,MEL RE-
TURN$4 8,I'M SURE X'S NO?+ ROMANTIC40
  ,I WASN'T 3V9C$4 ,I ?"\ AB ,L>S'S
PROTE/,NS E>LI] 9 ! WEEK AB H[ ALL ! S9-
GLE LADIES 9 ,QUE5 ,ANNE ,G>D5S 7 CAMP$
\ AT 8 FRONT DOOR & JOCKEY+ = POSI;N 2F
,BEV]LY 0 EV5 COOL 6! T\*4 ,& N[ ?8
  8,:AT DID Y TELL HM80
  8,I TOLD HM T Z F> Z ,I KNEW1     #CAH
,SCOTT & ,*]ISSE 7 SUPPOS$ 6PICK HM UP10
,MEL ANSW]$4 8,Z =! RE/ ( X1 ,I SD ,I 0
SURE X WD 2 F9E B T Y'D CALL HM BACK Z
SOON Z Y CD40
  8,X ISN'T F9E10 ,I GRUM#D4
  8,-E ON10 %E SD4 8,HE PROBABLY J WANTS
6H "S"O AL;G :O'S 8 AGE1 "S"O :O'S ON !
SAME PAGE HE IS40
  8,I'LL BET ,IRIS IS ON ! SAME PAGE1
ALL "R10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,LET'S G40
  8,B ,I ?"\ Y 7 GO+ 6CALL HM BACK10
,MEL OBJECT$4
  8,:Y BO!R80 ,I SD4 8,Y ALR TOLD HM HE
CD BR+ H]4 ,HE DOESN'T NE$ 6HE> X F ME40
,EV5 ,I 0 AW>E 5 6SEE ! IRONY (! SITU,N4
,KELLY DIDN'T H A ?+ ON H] OLD MAN4
  ,MEL %OT ME AN EXASP]AT$ LOOK4 8,:AT'S
! MATT] ) Y ? MORN+8 ,DID Y GET UP ON !
WR;G SIDE (! B$1 OR :AT80
  ..,! WR;G SIDE (! UNIV]SE IS M L .X1
,I ?"\4 8,NO?+'S ! MATT]10 ,I SD4 8,:AT
>E WE WAIT+ =8 ,WE CD J Z WELL SEE :AT T
R&Y OLD COOT IS UP TO40