,,H& ,,( ,,EVIL

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

            ,A ,T\*/"O ,BOOK
      ,PUBLI%$ 0,SIMON @& ,S*U/]1
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R ^C #BJJG 0,J4 ,A4 ,J.E
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
  ,DAWN ,HU6+TON1 ,ELL5 ,SETTEDUCATI1
      ,]IC ,SORLI51 & ,S>AH ,WALK]
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           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #F ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #BJA-CJH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
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             ,TRANSCRIP;N (          ;II
      ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-DAFE-CGEC-C
       ,,ISBN #AJ3 #A-DAFE-CGEC-H






















       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
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                                     ;IV
























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ANN\NC+ A TEXT MESSAGE4 ,! VIBR,N />TL$
H] S M* T %E CD B>ELY PULL ! PH"O \ ( H]
POCKET4 ,) H] BR1? -+ 9 %ORT1 %ALL[
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DROPP$ ! PH"O1 ,CRY/AL R1D ! MESSAGE3
  8,,WRU80 ,": >E Y8 ,,CU WANT$ 6"K4
  ,,CU 0 ,CURT'S H&LE1 B HE WASN'T ! "O
:O _H BE5 S5D+ ,CRY/AL MESSAGES4 ,! MAN
9 ! P>K+ LOT1 ! MAN DRIV+ ,CURT'S ,EX-
PLOR]1 0 ! "O :O _H (F]$ 6GIVE ,CRY/AL A
RIDE BACK HOME 6,S$ONA4 ,S :AT DID ALL ?
M1N8 ,IF ,CURT WASN'T "H--IF HE WASN'T !
"O DRIV+ 8 TRUCK OR US+ 8 PH"O1 ,CRY/AL
WOND]$1 ": 0 HE8 ,0 HE D1D8 ,_H ^? AW;L
M5 F ,MUND'S ,P>K US$ A BASEBALL BAT ON
,CURT ! SAME WAY !Y _H ON ,KIP      #BAF
,HOGAN8 ,%E _H SE5 TWO ( !M GET ,CURT'S
,,SUV4 ,_H !Y F.D ,CURT :ILE ,CRY/AL 0
HID+ 9 ! RE/ROOM & TAK5 HM AWAY8 ,IF !Y
_H KILL$ ,CURT & ALM KILL$ ,KIP1 :AT WD
!Y D 6,CRY/AL IF !Y "E F.D H]8
  ,)\T "E EM]G+ F ! BU%ES1 ,CRY/AL US$
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  8,,UHA40 ,"U H\SE >RE/4 8,,SRY40
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TIRE4 ,!N HE JUMP$ 96! ,EXPLOR]1 SLAMM$
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  ,WAT*+ HM G1 ,CRY/AL ,HOLMAN 0 SM>T 5
6"K T "O ?+ & ONLY "O ?+ _H SAV$ H]--T
H[L+ LL BOY :O _H BE5 S 9T5T ON B1T+ UP
8 S1TMATE4 ,IF X _HN'T BE5 = HM1 ,CRY/AL
KNEW %E WD H BE5 A GON]4

  ,:5 ,ALI F/ NOTIC$ ,CRY/AL 0 G"O1 %E
WASN'T ALL T 3C]N$4 ,?9K+ %E MI<T H SIM-
PLY RESPOND$ 6A CALL ( NATURE1 ,ALI GOT
UP & W5T ACR ! LO2Y 6! WOM5'S RE/ROOM4
,UN=TUNATELY X 0 EMPTY4 ,CRY/AL WASN'T
"! & NO "O ELSE WAS1 EI4 ,) RIS+
APPREH5.N1 ,ALI HURRI$ OV] 6!       #BAG
LO2Y 5TR.E ": A UNI=M$ SECUR;Y GU>D 0
/,N$ J \TSIDE4
  8,EXCUSE ME10 %E SD4 8,DID Y SEE A
GIRL -E \ ? DOOR 9 ! LA/ FEW M9UTES8 ,%E
0 WE>+ A PAIR ( OV]SIZE SW1TS40
  8,BLUE SW1TS8 ,L;G BLOND HAIR 9 A PO-
NYTAIL80
  ,ALI NO4$4 8,T'S ! "O40
  8,SURE1 ,I SAW H]10 ! SECUR;Y GU>D SD4
8,J A C\PLE ( M9UTES AGO40 ,HE PO9T$4
8,H1D$ (F T[>D ,?OMAS ON FOOT40
  ,ALI H1D$ T WAY1 TOO4 ,Z %E DID S1 %E
PULL$ \ H] CELL PH"O & SCROLL$ "? ! CALL
HI/ORY UNTIL %E F.D A NUMB] T _H 6BE
,CRY/AL'S4 ,:5 %E R1*$ ,?OMAS1 %E PAUS$
ON ! SIDEWALK & LOOK$ 9 BO? DIREC;NS4
,NO?+1 & :5 ,ALI CALL$ ,CRY/AL'S CELL
PH"O1 "! 0 NO ANSW] ON T1 EI4
  ,%E _H 5D$ ! CALL & 0 HURRY+ BACK T[>D
! P>K+ G>AGE :5 H] PH"O RANG4 ,HAT+ !
IDEA ( HAV+ 6TELL ,DAVE :AT 0 RE,Y GO+
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LAM1 ,ALI 0 RELIEV$ 6SEE H] SON'S "N 9 !
CALL] ,,ID W9D[4
  8,HEY1 ,MOM10 ,*RIS SD4 8,I'M     #BAH
AT LUN*4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D CALL & SEE H[ ?+S
>E GO+ D[N "!4 ,H['S ,KIP80
  8,/ 9 SURG]Y10 ,ALI TOLD HM4 8,& "EY?+
ELSE IS A 4A/]4 ,2LIEVE X OR N1 ,CRY/AL
J TOOK (F AG40
  8,Y M1N %E RAN AWAY80
  8,EVID5TLY4 ,"!'S A WOMAN "H "W+ )
,S&Y ON A SET ( -POSITE DRAW+S4 ,I GOT
CAU<T UP 9 T4 ,CRY/AL M/ H R1LIZ$ ,I
WASN'T PAY+ ATT5;N & MADE H] GETAWAY4 ,I
N"E EXPECT$ H] 6PULL A /UNT L T40
  8,Y %D H10 ,*RIS C\NSEL$4 8,%E'S A
TE5AG] AF ALL40
  8,Y N"E DID ANY ( ? /UFF10 ,ALI C.T]$4
  8,DON'T 2 S SURE1 ,MOM10 ,*RIS SD )A
LAU<4 8,MO/ (! "T ,I 0 LUCKY & DIDN'T
GET CAU<T40
  ,0!N1 ,ALI 0 BACK AT H] C>4 8,I'M
HANG+ UP N[10 %E SD4 8,I'M GO+ 6DRIVE
OV] 6! FREEWAY & SEE IF ,I C SPOT H] 2T
"H & "!4 ,MAYBE ,CRY/AL'S TRY+ 6HIT* A
RIDE BACK HOME40
  ,ONCE 9 H] ,CAY5NE1 ,ALI DROVE /RAI<T
6;,I-#AG4 ,H1D+ NOR?1 %E *ECK$ 5TR.E &
EXIT RAMPS Z F> Z ,BE?ANY ,HOME     #BAI
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PH"O RANG AG4
  ,ALI 0 ALM SICK ) RELIEF :5 %E HE>D !
MISS+ GIRL'S VOICE4 8,CRY/AL60 %E EX-
CLAIM$4 8,": >E Y80
  8,I'M SC>$4 ,C Y -E GET ME1 PL1SE80
  8,": >E Y80
  8,AT ! P>K ": WE W5T E>LI] ? MORN+4 ,!
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  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "!80
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]4 ,J -E GET ME10
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,CRY/AL S.D$ S UPSET--S DESP]ATE--T ,ALI
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  ,M FURI\S ?AN %E 0 RELIEV$1 ,ALI SWUNG
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& CAME SPR9T+ T[>D ! ,CAY5NE4 ,ONCE IN-
SIDE1 %E FA/5$ H] S1T BELT )\T HAV+ 6BE
REM9D$4                             #BBJ
  8,:AT 9 ! _W 7 Y ?9K+80 ,ALI DEM&$4
8,:Y DID Y L1VE ! HOSPITAL8 ,:AT >E Y
DO+ "H80
  ,B :AT"E 0 GO+ ON ) ,CRY/AL & NO MATT]
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HOSPITAL80 %E BE7$4 8,PL1SE4 ,I WON'T D
X "E AG4 ,I PROMISE40
  ,= TWO "DS ,ALI _H D"O H] BE/ 6BE "U-
/&+ & SYMPA!TIC T[>D ? TR\#D *4 ,N[ %E 0
9 NO MOOD = ,CRY/AL ,HOLMAN'S LATE/ SET
( DRAMA-QUE5 HI/RIONICS4
  8,I %D HOPE N10 ,ALI SD4
  ,CRY/AL SAT HU4L$ MIS]ABLY ON ! F>
SIDE (! C>1 B 9/1D ( WAT*+ ": !Y 7 GO+1
%E SEEM$ 6BE 3C5TRAT+ ON TRA6IC 9 ! RE>-
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F9,Y CAME1 0 ! LA/ ?+ ,ALI EXPECT$4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,CRY/AL SD4
  .,= .:AT8 ,ALI WOND]$4 ..,= PICK+ Y UP
OR = GIV+ Y .HELL8
  8,>E Y GO+ 6TELL ME :AT Y 7 UP TO80 %E
ASK$4
  8,I J NE$$ 6GET \ (! HOSPITAL =   #BBA
A :ILE10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,I NE$$ 6BE 0MYF40
  8,T'S PROBABLY A LIE10 ,ALI SD4 ,%E
HELD \ H] H&4 8,N[ GIVE ME YR CELL
PH"O40
  8,MY CELL PH"O80 ,CRY/AL REP1T$ )A
GASP4 8,:Y80
  8,GIVE X 6ME10 ,ALI REP1T$4
  8,Y'RE TAK+ MY CELL PH"O AWAY8 ,H[
-E80
  8,2C HAV+ A CELL PH"O IS A PRIVILEGE1
N A "R10 ,ALI REPLI$4 8,AT ! MO;T1 Z !
P]SON :O'S SUPPOS$ 6BE LOOK+ AF Y1 ,I'M
DCLG T YR 2HAVIOR DOESN'T W>RANT ANY
PRIVILEGES40
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H] SW1TS1 & DROPP$ X 96,ALI'S OP5 PALM4
  8,>E Y HAPPY N[80 ,CRY/AL WANT$ 6"K4
  8,H>DLY10 ,ALI ANSW]$4 8,I'M N GO+ 6BE
HAPPY UNTIL ,I C H& Y BACK OV] 6YR "F &
TURN Y 96HIS PRO#M 9/1D ( M9E40

  ,BACK 9 ! HOSPITAL LO2Y1 ,DETECTIVE
,LEE ,F>RIS _H >RIV$ ON ! SC5E & TAK5
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,MIT*ELL & ,MADEL9E ,HAV5S 6! F> CORN] (
! ROOM & _H -M&E]$ BO? A SMALL TA# &A
P[] \TLET = ,MADEL9E'S -PUT]4 ,0!N ALL
?REE SKET*ES _H BE5 -PLET$4 ,:ILE ,LEE
2GAN "Q+ ,S&Y1 ,MADEL9E US$ A T9Y PORTA#
SCANN]_/PR9T] 6RUN (F COPIES (! -POSITE
DRAW+S4
  ,) NO "O PAY+ "PICUL> ATT5;N 6H]1
,CRY/AL W&]$ OV] 6! PR9T] & PICK$ UP "O
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;T4 ,!N1 TURN+ D1?LY PALE1 %E LET ! PAP]
SLIP F H] H&4 8,I'VE GOTTA G 6! RE/ROOM4
,I'M GONNA 2 SICK40
  ,Z %E RAC$ AWAY1 ,ALI PICK$ UP ! FALL5
SKET*1 : TURN$ \ 6BE ! "O (! EMPTY-EY$
MAN %E _H SE5 E>LI]4 ,CRY/AL MAY N H
PICK$ ! SKET* \ F A LAW-5=CE;T-APPROV$
MONTAGE1 B H] REAC;N 0 5 63V9CE ,ALI T =
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%E RECOGNIZ$4
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POCKET4 ,:5 ,ALI W5T 6ANSW]1 %E 4COV]$ X
0 A TEXT MESSAGE R ?AN A VOICE CALL1 A
MESSAGE F "S"O CALL$ ,,CU4 ..,DOES T ;,C
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  8,,WHERE ;,R ;,U80 ! MESSAGE R1D4
8,,WENT ,,TO ,,PARK4 ;,U ,,DIDNT
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0 N[ TEXT-MESSAG+ H]4 ,& WASN'T X POSSI#
T ? 0 AL ! SAME GUY ,CRY/AL CLAIM$ %E
CDN'T 3TACT1 ,CURT ) NO LA/ "N8 ,& :Y 0
HE S EAG] 6BE 9 T\* ) ,CRY/AL N[8 ,ALI 0
R1SONABLY SURE HE 0 LOOK+ =A SECOND
HELP+ ( :AT"E SEXUAL FAVORS ,CRY/AL
,HOLMAN _H BE5 (F]+4
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9T]VIEW+ ,S&Y ,MIT*ELL AT ! MO;T1 ,ALI
DECID$ 6TAKE MATT]S 96H] [N H&S4    #BBD
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  ,ALI & ,*RIS _H BE5 S5D+ TEXT MESSAGES
= YE>S4 ,:5 %E _H BE5 "W+ LATE H\RS AT !
/,N1 TEXT MESSAG+ _H AF=D$ H] ! SIMPLE/
M1NS ( /AY+ 9 T\* ) H] SON4 ,& 2C %E _H
BE5 3SID]$ 8IN ! "K0 ON T TOPIC1 %E _H
D"O A S]IES ( /ORIES DESIGN$ 6HELP CLUE-
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SAY+ ) _! N[ UBIQUIT\S CELL PH"OS4
  ,ALI HESITAT$ =A MO;T4 ,WD %E 2 A# TO
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,CRY/AL 0 RESPOND+8 ..,:AT'S "! 6.LOSE8
%E WOND]$4
  8,,WENT10 ,ALI SD1 KEY+ 9 H] RESPONSE4
8,,CAUGHT40 ,ALI _H _H 6?9K A M9UTE4
8,,UHA40 ,%E 0 PRETTY SURE T M1NT "U
H\SE >RE/1 B %E _H NO WAY ( "K+ IF ,,CU
"U/OOD :AT %E 0 SAY+4
  8,,WAYN80 ,T "O 0 EASY4 ,": >E Y N[8
  8,,HOSPITAL0
  8,,ST ,,FRANCIS80
  8;,Y0 ,,YES4
  ,9SIDE ! RE/ROOM ! TOILET FLU%$4 ,T
M1NT ,CRY/AL WD 2 -+ \ SOON4 8,L#H;,R10
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  ,ALI %OV$ ! PH"O BACK 96H] POCKET J Z
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  ,CRY/AL NO4$ WANLY4 ,EI ! GIRL RE,Y 0
SICK1 OR %E 0 DO+ AN EXCELL5T JOB ( FAK+
X4 ,%E W5T OV] 6A LOVE S1T & LAY D[N ON
X1 COV]+ H] EYES ) H] >M4 ,M1N:ILE1 !
PH"O 0 ONCE AG VIBRAT+ 9 ,ALI'S POCKET1
ANN\NC+ ! >RIVAL ( ANO!R MESSAGE4
  ,J !N ,BOB ,L>SON B.D$ 96! HOSPITAL
LO2Y4 ,ALI _HN'T EXPECT$ HM UNTIL M*
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  8,MY ,BRONCO'S / 9 ! %OP10 ,BOB EX-
PLA9$4 8,FRANCO GAVE ME A LOAN] & YR "M
LET ME (F E>LY1 S "H ,I AM4 ,:AT'S HAP-
P5+80
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8,DETECTIVE ,F>RIS F ,FLAG/AFF IS "H IN-
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A SET ( -POSITE DRAW+S (! GUYS ,KIP CON-
FRONT$ ! O!R "D40
  8,>E !Y ! SAME "OS :O B1T HM UP80 ,BOB
ASK$4                               #BBF
  8,CD BE10 ,ALI ANSW]$4 8,WE DON'T "K T
= SURE40
  ,BOB GL.ED AT ,CRY/AL1 :O 0 / SPRAWL$
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ASK$4 8,IS %E OKAY80
  8,%E CLAIMS 6BE SICK10 ,ALI SD4 8,B
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  8,SIT UP1 ,CRY/AL10 %E ORD]$4 8,I NE$
6TALK 6Y40
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SPILL$ YR GUTS 6,DETECTIVE ,F>RIS4 ,O!R-
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9 A HOMICIDE 9VE/IG,N4 ,I 2LIEVE T QUAL-
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,L>SON ASK$4                        #BBG
  8,N NE>LY T\< 5\<10 ,ALI REPLI$4 8,&
,I'M S]I\S4 ,KEEP AN EYE ON H]4 ,%E'S
ALR RUN (F ONCE TD1 & %E'LL D X AG IF Y
GIVE H] HALF A *.E40
  8,B ": >E Y GO+80 ,BOB WANT$ 6"K4
  8,\10 ,ALI SD4 8,"!'S "S?+ ,I NE$ 6D40
  8,:5 W Y 2 BACK80
  8,:5 ,I C40 ,R1LIZ+ T %E1 TOO1 0 S.D+
L A REBELLI\S TE5AG]1 ,ALI HURRI$ \TSIDE
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  8,,RUOK80 ,,CU WANT$ 6"K4 8,,IWSN0
  ,ALI'S /OMA* TI<T5$ 96A KNOT4 ,,IWSN 0
A P>5TAL R$ FLAG = ,I WANT SEX N[4
  .,Y .TURD1 %E ?"\4 8,,ME#B10 ,ALI
WROTE4
  8,,WAW0 ,T TRANSLAT$ 96": & :58
  ,H1D$ = H] C> 9 ! G>AGE1 ,ALI SCRAM#D
= AN ANSW]4 ,%E NE$$ A PLACE ) 5 VEHICLE
TRA6IC T H] ,CAY5NE WD BL5D IN4 ,%E AL
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RIVE ON FOOT4
  8,,CFEE ,,SHP ,,ON ,,THOMAS10 ,ALI
WROTE4
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?IRTE5-YE>-OLD Y'RE .EXPECT+4





















              ,,*APT] #AJ           #BBI

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EXIT ! P>K+ G>AGE & MAKE X 6! P>K+ LOT (
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  8,ALI80 A WOMAN SD4 8,>ABELLA ,A%CR(T
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  8,I'LL H 6GET BACK 6Y ON ?10 ,ALI SD
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BUSY40
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  8,:AT HAS %E D"O N[80 ,DAVE       #BDG
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  ,0! "T ,ALI F9I%$ GIV+ HM H] A3.T (
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  8,Y M1N 6TELL ME %E'S BE5 SCREW+ >.D L
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T POSSI#8 ,& %E CALLS H]F A BL[-JOB VIR-
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= ,GOD'S SAKE60
  8,I "K10 ,ALI AGRE$4
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9 ,TEMPE "S": NE> ! SAME PLACE ": Y LO/
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  8,I N"E SAW EXACTLY ": HE W5T1 S ,I
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PLOR] TURN$ ONTO A RESID5TIAL /REET &
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  8,I'LL FIGURE X \10 ,DAVE SD      #BDH
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  ,J !N ,LEE ,F>RIS LEFT ! 3F];E ROOM &
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9 ,MUND'S ,P>K80
  ,ALI NO4$4
  8,SORRY AB T1 ,DAVE10 ,F>RIS SD4 8,%E
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  8,LUCKY GUESS10 %E SD4
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7 P>K$ "!1 !Y WIT;S$ "P (! ATTACK ON
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6REPORT ! 9CID5T4 ,CRY/AL ?9KS ,MR4 ,HO-
GAN'S ASSAILANTS CAME "! LOOK+ = ,UTTLEY
& ,CRY/AL BO?4 ,:5 ,CRY/AL CAME \ (!
RE/ROOM1 %E BROKE 96A H\SE1 LOOK+ =A
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  8,TD80 ,ALI ASK$4
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TACK]S40
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DEF9ITELY WD H CAU<T H] ! SECOND "T4
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  8,TAK+ ! PH"O 0 PURE LUCK10 ,ALI SD )A
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  8,?ANK Y10 HE SD AG4
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,I 0 "R40
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2LIEVE !Y'VE GOT A L9E ON ,KIP'S
FAMILY40                            #BEB
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DO+ 9T]VIEWS & DIDN'T WANT 6BE 9T]RUPT$4
,& ,MOJAVE ,C.TY W 2 FOLL[+ UP ON TRACK+
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8,YES1 ,DETECTIVE ,HOLMAN'S / "H 9
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  8,LOOKS L10 ,LEE ,F>RIS AGRE$4 8,LUCK-
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  ..,"!'S ONLY "O ."Q1 ,ALI ?"\4 ..,W !
KILL]S GIVE UP OR W !Y -E BACK & TRY
.AG8


              ,,*APT] #AA           #BEE

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  8,WE'VE _H \R LL "F_/DAU<T] *AT10 HE
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  8,UTTLEY'S D1D10 ,F>RIS SD )\T PREAM#4
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  8,ME1 TOO10 ,DAVE ,HOLMAN SD4
  8,NO10 ,F>RIS OBJECT$4 8,ABSOLUTELY
N40
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BETT]40                             #BEF
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?40
  8,I'M SUPPOS$ 6IGNORE T "O ( ^! GUYS 0
HANG+ >.D "H LOOK+ = MY DAU<T]80
  8,T'S ALL ! M R1SON = Y .N 6BE IN-
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,I'LL />T CANVASS+ GAS /,NS & GROC]Y
/ORES 9 ! >EA4 ,EV5 BAD GUYS H 6EAT &
BUY GAS4 ,IF ! DRIV] ( T ,EXPLOR] CD AC-
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  8,:AT AB 3TACT+ ,KIP'S DAU<T]80   #BEH
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  8,I'M SORRY10 ,DAVE SD4 8,GETT+ ^!
GUYS (F ! /REET IS A HELL (A LOT M IM-
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  .,& .T1 ,ALI ?"\ ) G5U9E GRATITUDE1
..MAKES TWO ( .U4

  ,JASON ,GU/AVSON CD H>DLY 2LIEVE T !
CRAZY BIT* _H FOLL[$ HM ALL ! WAY HOME F
,PHOENIX1 B N[1 WAT*+ ! EV5+ NEWS1 HE 0
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FRONT ( ,/4 ,FRANCIS ,HOSPITAL1 HE KNEW
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  ,AF A LIFE"T ( KEEP+ 8 URGES BOTTL$
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HMF4 ,ALL 8 LIFE HE _H TALK$ AB DO+ "S?+
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FRONT4 ,HE FELL FACE-F/ 96! UN9/ALL$
,TOTO4 ,IF X _HN'T BE5 =! BLOOD SPLATT]
ALL OV] ! ROOM1 HE MI<T H BE5 A FRAT BOY
:O'D _H WAY TOO M* 6DR9K4
  ,CL9T ,HOMEWOOD 0 NEXT4 ,HE 0 SPRAWL$
ON ! B1NBAG *AIR 9 8 ROOM1 TOT,Y 5GROSS$
9 8 ,PLAY,/,N GAME & LI/5+ 6HIS TUNES4
8,H['S X GO+1 ,JAS10 HE ASK$ Z ! DOOR
OP5$4 8,WANT 6PLAY80
  ,B ,JASON ,GU/AVSON NO L;G] _H ANY IN-
T]E/ 9 VIRTUAL BULLETS4 ,HE'D 2COME 5AM-
OR$ )! R1L ?+4 8,N "R N[10 HE SD1 & HE
PULL$ ! TRI7]4 ,AG1 %OOT+ F M]E 9*ES
AWAY1 "! 0 NO "Q ( MISS+1 & HE DIDN'T4
,! ,PLAY,/,N FELL 6! FIL?Y1         #BFC
PIZZA-BOX- & BE]-C-LITT]$ FLOOR & S DID
,CL9T4 ,"S?+ AB SEE+ HM LY+ "! ) 8 %AT-
T]$ H1D NEXT 6A HALF-EAT5 PEPP]ONI MADE
,JASON SMILE4
  8,HEY10 ,MIT* ,W>R5 CALL$ F \ 9 !
HALL4 8,:AT'S GO+ ON8 ,DID Y HE> A FUNNY
NOISE80
  ,JASON _H PLANN$ 6TAKE ,MIT* 9 8 ROOM1
LY+ ON 8 B$4 ,9/1D1 ,JASON 3FRONT$ 8
SECOND ROOMMATE 9 ! HALLWAY4 ,:5 HE
PULL$ ! TRI7]1 ,MIT* CLUT*$ 8 GUT &
CRUMPL$ 6! FLOOR1 MOAN+4 ,JASON 0 TEMPT$
6L1VE HM "!1 B HE 0 TIR$ ( LOOSE 5DS1 S
HE PULL$ ! TRI7] AG & PUT ,MIT* \ ( 8
MIS]Y4 ,!N1 /EPP+ OV] ! BODY1 HE LEFT 8
ROOMMATES' W+ & H1D$ = 8 [N ROOM 9 !
MA/] SUITE ON ! F> SIDE (! H\SE4
  ,JASON ,GU/AVSON _H A FEW LA/-M9UTE
ITEMS 6PULL TGR 2F HE CD F9I% ?4 ,X MI<T
V WELL 2 8 LA/ EV5+ ON E>?1 & HE PLANN$
6MAKE X MEMORA#4

  8,-E ON10 ,ALI SD1 ONCE ,DAVE _H 4AP-
PE>$ "? ! LO2Y DOOR4
  8,":80 ,CRY/AL ASK$4              #BFD
  8,YR "F HAS "W 6D1 & S D WE40
  8,L :AT80 ,CRY/AL WANT$ 6"K4 8,:AT D
WE H 6D80
  8,F/ WE H 6G UP/AIRS & TALK 6MY P>5TS
& TELL !M ": WE'RE GO+4 ,!N WE NE$ TO
TRACK D[N ,MR4 ,HOGAN'S DAU<T] & LET H]
"K :AT'S HAPP5$ 6HM40
  8,:Y80 ,CRY/AL ASK$4
  8,2C YR "F ASK$ U 6= />T]S1 & WE'RE
GO+ 6TELL MY P>5TS 2C T'S :AT RESPONSI#
P D--!Y LET O!R P--P :O LOVE !M--"K ":
!Y'RE GO+ & :5 !Y'LL 2 BACK40
  8,B ,I'M HUNGRY4 ,C'T WE H "S?+ 6EAT
F/80
  ,ALI REM9D$ H]F T ? 0 A * :O CD M[ H]
WAY "? TWO ,SUG>LOAF SWEET ROLLS AT "O
SITT+4 8,SURE10 ,ALI SD4 8,WE'LL F9D "S-
?+ ON ! WAY40
  ,!Y TOOK ! ELEVATOR UP 6! ,,ICU FLOOR1
": !Y F.D ,BOB & ,$IE ,L>SON S1T$ SIDE
0SIDE 9 A SMALL WAIT+ ROOM4 ,S&Y WASN'T
VISI#4
  8,!Y LET H] 9 6SEE HM80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,?ANKS 6YR "M10 ,BOB SD4
  8,H['S ,KIP DO+80                 #BFE
  ,BOB %OOK 8 H1D ^W.SLY & SWIP$ AT 8
EYES )A PAIR ( BALL$ FI/S4 ,$IE R1*$ OV]
& PATT$ 8 KNEE4 8,N V WELL10 %E SD4
8,HE'S ON A V5TILATOR4 ,I DON'T ?9K HE'S
GO+ 6MAKE X40
  ,ALI N"E REMEMB]$ SEE+ H] "F Q S BROK5
UP4 ,KIP _H "W$ =! ,L>SONS1 B HE & ,BOB
_H 2COME GD FRS Z WELL--& ,KIP 0 A FR
,BOB DIDN'T WANT 6LOSE4
  8,DAVE F.D \ T ,KIP HAS A DAU<T]10
,ALI SD4
  8,A DAU<T]80 ,BOB ASK$ 9CR$UL\SLY4
8,>E Y S]I\S8 ,HE N"E ONCE M5;N$ HAV+
KIDS40
  8,I H H] A4RESS10 ,ALI 3T9U$4 8,%E
LIVES D[N 9 ,*&L]4 ,DAVE ASK$ ME ''' U
ACTU,Y10 %E REVIS$1 MO;N+ T[>D ,CRY/AL1
863TACT H] & LET H] "K :AT'S GO+ ON40
  ,BOB NO4$4 8,IF %E'S GO+ 6GET "H 2F
X'S TOO LATE1 Y %D PROBABLY J CALL H]40
  ,ALI %OOK H] H1D4 8,DAVE WANT$ H] 6BE
NOTIFI$ 9 P]SON1 & ,I ?9K HE'S "R40 ,%E
MO;N$ 6,CRY/AL4 8,LET'S G40
  ,$IE GOT UP & FOLL[$ !M Z F> Z !
ELEVATOR4 8,WE WON'T 2 A# 6/AY M*   #BFF
L;G]10 %E TOLD H] DAU<T]4 8,S&Y'S BRO!R
IS SUPPOS$ 6BE -+ A LL LAT]1 B IF WE H
6G BACK HOME '''0
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,ALI SD4 8,I'LL MAKE
SURE ,S&Y ISN'T LEFT "H 0H]F40
  8,GD10 ,$IE SD4
  ,MO;TS LAT]1 ,ALI & ,CRY/AL DESC5D$ 6!
LO2Y & WALK$ \ 96! UNEXPECT$ *ILL (A
COLD DES]T NI<T4 ,!Y /OPP$ AT A ,JACK 9
! ,BOX J %Y (! FREEWAY4
  8,DID YR "F TELL Y :Y HE 0 GO+ 6,TEM-
PE80 ,ALI ASK$ :ILE !Y WAIT$ = _! TO-G
ORD]4
  ,CRY/AL %RU7$4 8,HE J SD HE 0 GO+4 ,HE
DIDN'T SAY :Y4 ,:5 HE'S "W+ ON A CASE1
HE N"E DOES40
  8,CURT ,UTTLEY IS D1D10 ,ALI SD QUIET-
LY4
  ,CRY/AL GAVE A SMALL 9VOLUNT>Y GASP4
8,HE'S :AT80
  8,HE'S D1D1 ,CRY/AL4 ,"S"O TRUSS$ HM
UP ) ROPE OR DUCT TAPE4 ,!N !Y B1T HM TO
D1? & DROPP$ HM (F ! ,BURRO ,CREEK
,BRIDGE 2T ,WICK5BURG & ,K+MAN4 ,T'S :O
YR "F IS LOOK+ = 9 ,TEMPE4 ,! P     #BFG
:O DID T4 ,HE'S AFRAID !Y'RE LOOK+ = Y1
TOO40
  ,CRY/AL 0 UN"*I/IC,Y SIL5T1 & 9 T BIT
( QUIET1 ,ALI _H A SU45 /ROKE ( 9SPIR,N4
,CRY/AL ,HOLMAN _H BE5 LY+ 6"EY"O ALL
AL;G1 & %E PROBABLY / WAS4 8,DID Y SEE
!M80 ,ALI ASK$ QUIETLY4
  8,SEE :O80
  8,DID Y SEE ^? M51 ! "OS )! BATS1 MEET
UP ) ,CURT ,UTTLEY AT ! GAS /,N80 ,ALI
ASK$4 8,DID Y ACTU,Y SEE :AT HAPP5$80
  ,ONCE AG ,CRY/AL DIDN'T ANSW]1 B A
BRIEF GRIMACE PASS$ ACR ! GIRL'S F1TURES
&A VEHE;T D5IAL FOLL[$4
  8,:Y D P KEEP ASK+ ME /UFF L T80
,CRY/AL DCLD4 8,I'M TELL+ Y1 ,I DIDN'T
SEE ANY?+60
  8,EXCUSE ME1 ,CRY/AL1 ,I ALR "K Y'RE A
LI>1 & ,I HAPP5 6?9K Y'RE LY+ AB ?1 TOO4
,B IF YR "F IS GO+ 6PUT 8 LIFE & 8 JOB
ON ! L9E TRY+ 6TRACK ^! GUYS D[N1 DON'T
Y ?9K "SBODY DES]VES 6"K ! TRU? AB :AT
W5T ON80
  ,ANO!R L;G P]IOD ( SIL;E FOLL[$ Z !Y
DROVE "? ! RELATIVELY LI<T NI<T"T   #BFH
TRA6IC )! -PUT]-G5]AT$ VOICE (! DA%BO>D
,,GPS ISSU+ XS BL& DIREC;NS Z !Y W5T4
  ,F9,Y ,CRY/AL LET \ A L;G BR1?4 8,CURT
_H F9I%$ MAK+ ! CALL & 0 GO+ BACK 6HIS
,,SUV :5 ALL (A SU45 ?REE GUYS CAME RU%+
AT HM \ ( NO":4 ,I SAW ! :OLE ?+4 ,X
LOOK$ L !Y 7 >GU+ OR "S?+4 ,& !N ,CURT &
TWO (! ?REE GOT 96,CURT'S C> & DROVE
AWAY4 ,ANO!R C> FOLL[$ !M40
  8,WILL+LY80 ,ALI ASK$4 8,DID ,CURT
,UTTLEY GET 96! C> 2C HE WANT$ 6OR 2C !Y
=C$ HM TO80
  ,CRY/AL DIDN'T RESPOND4
  8,WELL80 ,ALI PRO4$4
  8,I ?9K !Y MADE HM G10 ,CRY/AL ADMITT$
AT LA/4
  8,& Y SAW ! O!R C>8 ,:AT K9D8 ,:AT
MAKE & MODEL80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,I DON'T
RE,Y "K ALL T M* AB C>S40
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL "S"O AB ? AT ! "T80
,ALI ASK$4 8,:Y DIDN'T Y REPORT X8 ,CURT
,UTTLEY MAY H BE5 A P$OPHILE &A WOR?.S
EXCUSE =A HUMAN 2+1 B IF Y _H CALL$ !
COPS "R !N & TOLD !M :AT Y KNEW1    #BFI
MAYBE !Y CD H D"O "S?+ AB X4 ,MAYBE !Y
CD H SAV$ HM40
  8,I 0 SC>$10 ,CRY/AL :IMP]$4 8,I 0
AFRAID !Y'D -E AF ME1 TOO4 ,I M1N1 ,I
SAW :AT !Y 7 DO+ 6T O!R GUY4 ,!Y 7 HITT+
HM )A BAT4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6GET HIT4 ,&
,I 0 AFRAID 6H MY DAD F9D \ :AT 0 GO+
ON4 ,B !N1 ? MORN+1 :5 ,I GOT ! TEXT
MESSAGE F ,CURT1 ,I 0 RE,Y HAPPY 6HE> F
HM & "K HE 0 OKAY40
  8,HE ISN'T OKAY10 ,ALI PO9T$ \4 8,HE'S
D1D1 & HE MI<T N H BE5 IF Y'D REPORT$
:AT HAPP5$ 9 A "TLY MANN]40
  8,DON'T Y ?9K ,I "K T N[80 ,CRY/AL
:ISP]$4 8,I KNEW X ? AFN Z SOON Z T GUY
GOT \ ( ,CURT'S C>4 ,I KNEW X "R !N4
,I'LL N"E 2 A# 6?9K ( ANY?+ ELSE40
  ,ALI KNEW ,CRY/AL _H BE5 SC>$1 & T %E
/ WAS4 ,NO WOND] %E'D BE5 S DI6ICULT4
,/1 N[ T !Y 7 MOV+ =W>D1 ,ALI KEPT UP !
"QS4
  8,DID Y TELL ,DETECTIVE ,F>RIS ANY (
?80
  8,NO10 ,CRY/AL ADMITT$4 8,B T'S :Y ,I
DON'T WANT 6G BACK 6,VEGAS4 ,DAD-   #BGJ
DY'S A COP4 ,HE WON'T LET ANY?+ BAD HAP-
P5 6ME4 ,MY /EP"F '''0 ,AG H] VOICE FAD$
AWAY4
  8,:AT AB YR /EP"F80
  ,CRY/AL %RU7$4 8,HE'S PRETTY M* USE.S4
,HE WDN'T 2 A# 6KEEP ME SAFE IF !Y CAME
"! LOOK+ = ME4 ,N "E40
  ,ALI WASN'T SURE ,DAVE CD KEEP 8 DAU<-
T] SAFE1 EI4 ,%E WASN'T SURE ANY"O CD4
  ,0!N !Y _H F9,Y >RIV$ AT ! A4RESS LI/$
ON ,DAVE ,HOLMAN'S PIECE ( NOTEBOOK PA-
P]4 ,X TURN$ \ 6BE 9 A GOLF C\RSE DEVEL-
OP;T ON ! F> EA/ SIDE ( ,*&L]4 ,P> #E
,DRIVE 0 A QUIET CUL DE SAC T EVID5TLY
BACK$ UP 6A FAIRWAY ON ! ,DES]T ,/EPPES
,GOLF ,C\RSE4 ,9 ! GL[ ( N1TLY SPAC$
/REETLAMPS ! H\SES !MVS SEEM$ SPACI\S &
-M&+1 B X APPE>$ T ONLY A FEW FEET SEPA-
RAT$ "O H\SE F XS NEXT-DOOR NEI<BOR4 ,!
4T9CTLY ,CALI=NIA-L D5S;Y L$ ,ALI 6BE-
LIEVE ? 0 A RELATIVELY NEW DEVELOP;T4
  ,%E PULL$ UP 6A CURB & /OPP$ 9 FRONT (
! H\SE4 8,"H WE >E10 ,ALI SD4
  8,D ,I H 6-E IN80 ,CRY/AL ASK$4 8,C'T
,I J WAIT 9 ! C>80                  #BGA
  8,WE'VE ALR BE5 OV] ? ONCE TD1 & ,I
?9K Y "K ! ANSW]10 ,ALI TOLD H]4 8,YES1
Y'RE UPSET1 B Y'VE PROV$ 6BE UNTRU/WOR-
?Y4 ,-E ON40
  ,CAU<T UP 9 ! 3V]S,N ) ,CRY/AL1 ,ALI
_H GIV5 NO ?"\ 6:AT %E WD SAY 6,KIP ,HO-
GAN'S L;G-LO/ DAU<T]4 ,ALI 0 / SCRAMBL+
= ID1S :5 %E PRESS$ ! DOORBELL4 ,9 ! F>
R1*ES (! H\SE ! DR"O (A TELEVI.N SET 0
ABRUPTLY SIL;ED4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 !
POR* LI<T FLIPP$ ON1 ! DOOR OP5$ A
CRACK1 &A TALL BLACK MAN PE]$ \ AT !M4
  8,YES80 HE ASK$ CAUTI\SLY4
  8,IS ? ! ,BRAETON RESID;E80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,X IS10 HE SD4 8,& ,I'M ,JONA?AN
,BRAETON4 ,:O >E Y & :AT C ,I D = Y80
  ,8 VOICE 0 W>Y1 B X 0 AL CULTUR$ &
SMOO?4 ,8 RESPONSE 6UNEXPECT$ LATE EV5+
VISITORS WASN'T RUDE1 B X WASN'T ESPE-
CI,Y CORDIAL1 EI4
  ..,& :Y WD HE .BE8 ,ALI WOND]$4 ,AF
ALL1 X 0 EI<T-?IRTY AT NI<T1 &! MAN 0
FAC$ )A PAIR ( -PLETE /RANG]S :O _H AP-
PE>$ UNANN\NC$ ON 8 DOOR/EP4 ,POLICE
(FIC]S DO+ ? K9D ( ?+ AT L1/ _H     #BGB
(FICIAL ,,ID 6(F]4 ,ALI _H NO?+4
  8,I'M SORRY 69TRUDE10 %E /AMM]$4 8,MY
"N IS ,ALISON ,REYNOLDS F ,S$ONA1 & ? IS
,CRY/AL ,HOLMAN4 ,WE'RE LOOK+ =A ,JANE
,HOGAN ,BRAETON4 ,I'M A FR ( H] "F'S40
  8,RE,Y10 ! MAN SD4 8,Y DON'T SAY40
  ,HE /EPP$ BACK F ! DOOR !N1 B HE
DIDN'T OP5 X4 ,9/1D1 HE 5GAG$ ! SECUR;Y
*A94 8,JANIE10 HE CALL$4 8,Y MAY WANT TO
-E HE> ?40
  ,A WOMAN'S VOICE CALL$ F "S": 9 !
BACKGR.D4 8,:AT80
  8,"!'S "S"O "H :O CLAIMS %E'S A FR (
YR "F'S40
  8,A FR ( MY "F'S80 ! WOMAN REP1T$4 8,I
DON'T H A "F4 ,IS %E NUTS80
  8,Y'D BETT] -E SEE = YRF10 HE TOLD H]4
  ,ALI _HN'T BE5 "PICUL>LY SURPRIS$ :5 A
BLACK MAN _H ANSW]$ ! DOOR4 ,AF ALL1 IN-
T]RACIAL M>RIAGES _H BE5 ON ! SC5E =A
L;G "T4 ,:AT %E _HN'T EXPECT$ AT ALL1
H["E1 0 T ,KIP ,HOGAN'S DAU<T] WD AL
TURN \ 6BE AN ,AFRICAN ,AM]ICAN4 ,2C %E
WAS4 ,H] SK9 0 S"EAL %ADES LI<T] ?AN H]
HUSB&'S1 B %E 0 / CLE>LY BLACK4     #BGC
  ..,IF ,KIP ,HOGAN IS H] "F1 H] "M 0 OR
IS .BLACK1 ,ALI DECID$4 ..,OR ELSE %E'S
.ADOPT$4
  ,N ! L1/ 9TIMIDAT$1 ,JANE ,BRAETON RE-
FUS$ 6HIDE 2H ! HALF-OP5 DOOR4 ,9/1D1 %E
45GAG$ ! SECUR;Y *A9 & FLUNG ! 9SIDE
DOOR WIDE OP54 ,=A MO;T %E /OOD FRAM$ 9
! DOORWAY ) H] HUSB& DIRECTLY 2H H]4
  ,JONA?AN ,BRAETON 0 TALL & RANGY & 9 8
E>LY 6MID-=TIES4 ,JANE 0 %ORT & /\T &
LOOK$ 6BE T5 YE>S "Y] ?AN H] HUSB&4 ,!
TOP ( H] H1D B>ELY R1*$ ! HEI<T ( H]
HUSB&'S BROAD %\LD]S4 ,HE 0 WE>+ A SW1T-
SUIT )A T[EL CASU,Y DRAP$ >.D 8 NECK &
LOOK$ Z ?\< HE _H J F9I%$ A "W\T4 ,%E 0
/ DRESS$ = "W 9 A SKIRT1 BL\SE1 BLAZ]1 &
/OCK+S4 ,B NO %OES4
  8,:O >E Y80 %E DEM&$4 8,:AT D Y WANT1
& :AT K9D (A SCAM >E Y TRY+ 6PULL80
  8,X'S AB ,KIP ,HOGAN10 ,ALI (F]$4
8,T'S H[ WE "K HM4 ,OR1 Z HE'S LI/$ ON
YR BIR? C]TIFICATE1 ,RUDY>D ,KIPL+ ,HO-
GAN40
  8,^WS ON A BIR? C]TIFICATE D N A "F
MAKE10 ,JANE RETURN$4 8,MR4 ,HO-    #BGD
GAN HAS BE5 \ ( MY LIFE =A V L;G "T1 &
,I WANT HM 6/AY T WAY40
  8,HE'S BE5 HURT10 ,ALI SD4 8,GRAVELY
9JUR$ 9 FACT4 ,A GANG ( ?UGS B1T HM UP )
A BASEBALL BAT4 ,HE'S 9 ! ,,ICU AT ,/4
,FRANCIS ,HOSPITAL4 ,T'S :Y WE CAME 6LET
Y "K1 S Y CD G VISIT HM40
  ,JANE ,BRAETON CROSS$ H] >MS4 8,:AT
MAKES Y ?9K ,I'D WANT TO8 ,Y CLAIM Y "K
,KIP ,HOGAN80 %E ASK$4
  8,YES10 ,ALI SD4
  8,& DOES X LOOK 6Y L HE CD POSSIBLY 2
MY "F80
  8,WELL1 NO10 ,ALI ADMITT$4 8,X
DOESN'T1 B '''0
  8,Y'RE "R4 ,HE ISN'T4 ,& H[ BADLY HURT
IS HE80
  8,V10 ,ALI SD4 8,HE _H BRA9 SURG]Y ?
MORN+4 ,HE'S ON A V5TILATOR4 ,AC 6:AT MY
"M 0 A# 6LE>N1 HE MAY N MAKE X40
  8,:AT 0 ?1 "S K9D ( B>ROOM BRAWL80
  8,X DIDN'T HAPP5 9 A B>4 ,X HAPP5$
AL;G ;,I-#AG S\? ( ,FLAG/AFF4 ,A C\PLE (
"DS AGO ?REE "Y PUNKS CAME 6! GROC]Y
/ORE 9 ,S$ONA ": ,KIP'S GIRLFR1     #BGE
,S&Y ,MIT*ELL1 "WS Z A *ECK-\ CL]K4 ,!Y
7 "UAGE & TRI$ 6BUY BOOZE4 ,:5 %E C>D$
!M1 !Y />T$ HASSL+ H]4 ,KIP %[$ UP 9 !
MI4LE ( X1 /UCK UP = ,S&Y1 & PUT A /OP
6X4 ,AFW1 ! KIDS EVID5TLY LAY 9 WAIT =
,KIP & TOOK A BASEBALL BAT 6HM40
  8,I'VE WANT$ 6TAKE A BAT 6HM MYF10
,JANE ,BRAETON SD4 8,LET'S LET SLEEP+
DOGS LIE40
  8,JANIE10 ,JONA?AN ,BRAETON ADMONI%$4
8,REMEMB]1 :AT GOES >.D -ES >.D4 ,WE [E
,ELIZABE? M ?AN T4 ,Y C'T J TURN YR BACK
ON ! MAN40
  8,:Y N80 ,JANIE RETURN$4 8,T'S :AT HE
DID 6U1 DIDN'T HE8 ,HE WALK$ AWAY F 8 [N
"M1 = H1V5'S SAKE6 ,HE N"E LOOK$ BACK &
N"E LIFT$ A F+] 6HELP H]4 ,Z F> Z ,I C
SEE1 HE N"E GAVE A DAMN AB ANY"O B HMF1
& ,I DON'T SEE :Y WE %D C>E AB HM1 EI40
  8,JANIE '''0
  8,DON'T Y />T ) ME AB X10 ,JANE SD
FI]CELY4 8,Y W]5'T "!4 ,Y DON'T "K :AT X
0 L4 ,Y DON'T H ANY IDEA40
  8,/10 ,JONA?AN SD CALMLY AF A %ORT
PAUSE1 8LET'S REMEMB] \R MANN]S4    #BGF
,WE DON'T NE$ 6BROADCA/ ? 4CUS.N 6! :OLE
NEI<BORHOOD4 ,H[ AB IF WE 9VITE ^! NICE
LADIES 9 \ (! COLD1 (F] !M "S?+ W>M TO
DR9K1 & H ? 4CUS.N 9 A CIVILIZ$ FA%ION80
  ,JANE ,BRAETON LOOK$ Z ?\< 9VIT+ ,ALI
& ,CRY/AL 96H] HOME 0 ! LA/ ?+ %E WANT$
6D1 B EV5TU,Y %E ACQUIESC$4 ,/EPP+ BACK1
%E MO;N$ !M 9SIDE4 8,WON'T Y -E IN10 %E
RASP$4 ,%E MI<T J Z WELL H BE5 EAT+
GLASS4
  ,JONA?AN1 ON ! O!R H&1 0 F> M WELCOM+4
8,H A S1T10 HE SD1 L1D+ ,ALI & ,CRY/AL
96A SPACI\S1 -=TABLY FURNI%$ LIV+ ROOM4
8,N[1 :AT C ,I GET Y80 HE ASK$4 8,HOT
TEA8 ,COCOA80
  ,ALI & ,CRY/AL SETTL$ ON MAT*+ *9TZ-
COV]$ EASY *AIRS4 8,COCOA10 ,CRY/AL SD
AT ONCE4 ,AF A PO9T$ LOOK F ,ALI1 %E A4$
A T>DY1 8,PL1SE40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,ALI SD4 8,COCOA S.DS NICE4
,I'LL H "S ( T1 TOO40
  ,JANE TOOK A S1T ON A NE>BY S(A & LEV-
EL$ H] "Q+ GAZE ON ,CRY/AL4 8,I SUPPOSE
Y'RE A FR ( ,MR4 ,HOGAN'S Z WELL80 %E
ASK$4                               #BGG
  ,CRY/AL %OOK H] H1D4 8,N RE,Y10 %E SD4
  8,%E'S ) ME10 ,ALI SD4 8,I APOLOGIZE =
BR++ H] AL;G1 B ,I DIDN'T H ANY": 6L1VE
H]40
  8,OH10 ,JANE SD4
  ,AF T AN UNEASY SIL;E 5VELOP$ ! ROOM4
,X TOOK ONLY A FEW M9UTES = ,JONA?AN TO
RETURN1 BR++ ) HM A TRAY LAD5 ) TWO CUPS
& SAUC]S4 ,HE H&$ "O 6,CRY/AL4 ,%E HELD
X N]V\SLY1 )! BOTTOM (! DELICATE *9A CUP
CLATT]+ ON ! SAUC]4 ,=A MO;T ,ALI 0 RE-
M9D$ ( H]F1 ALL ^? YE>S AGO1 N]V\SLY
SIPP+ H] F/ CUP ( ,ANNA ,LEE ,A%CR(T'S
TEA4
  ,JONA?AN SAT D[N NEXT 6HIS WIFE4
8,CALL H]10 HE SD4
  ,JANE LOOK$ AT H] WAT*4 8,X'S TOO
LATE10 %E SD4 8,%E'S PROBABLY ALR
ASLEEP40
  8,CALL H]10 HE URG$ AG4 8,WAKE H] UP4
,HE'S H] SON AF ALL4 ,:AT IF ? TURNS \
6BE ,ELIZABE?'S LA/ *.E 6SEE HM8 ,Y
WDN'T WANT 6BE RESPONSI# = H] MISS+ T
OPPORTUN;Y40
  ,) AN ANGRY %RUG1 ,JANE ,BRAE-    #BGH
TON ROSE ABRUPTLY & /ALK$ (F 6ANO!R
ROOM1 SLAMM+ ! DOOR %UT 2H H]4
  8,I _H NO IDEA ,KIP'S "M 0 / ALIVE10
,ALI SD4 8,NO "O 0 A# 6SORT \ ": %E W5T
AF %E LEFT ,K+MAN40
  8,%E'S 9 H] N9ETIES10 ,JONA?AN EX-
PLA9$4 8,%E LIVES 9 AN ASSI/$ LIV+ FA-
CIL;Y D[N 9 ,QUE5 ,CREEK4 ,%E HAS MACUL>
DEG5],N1 ,P>K9SON'S1 Y "N X4 ,HAV+ 6PUT
,ELIZABE? "! ALM BROKE ,JANIE'S HE>T1 B
EV5TU,Y X R1*$ A PO9T ": X 0 TOO M*4 ,WE
CD NO L;G] H H] "H AT HOME1 N EV5 )
LIVE-IN HELP40
  ,HE /OPP$ & /EEPL$ 8 F+]S 9 FRONT ( 8
*9 2F A4+ ?"\;LLY1 8,I SUPPOSE Y C SEE T
,JANIE'S FAMILY SITU,N IS A BIT ''' % WE
SAY ''' PRO#MATIC4 ,I WON'T PRESUME 6G
96ALL T4 ,X'S ,JANIE'S /ORY & X'S 5TIRE-
LY UP 6H] :E!R OR N %E DECIDES 6%>E X4
,B TELL ME M AB ,MR4 ,HOGAN4 ,H[ DID Y
-E 6"K HM80
  ,=! NEXT S"EAL M9UTES ,ALI EXPLA9$ AB
H[ ,KIP ,HOGAN _H -E 96H] P>5TS' LIVES
/RAI<T F ! HOME.S CAMP ON ! ,MOGOLLON
,RIM2 H[ ,KIP _H HELP$ C>E = ,BOB   #BGI
,L>SON 9 ! AFMA? ( 8 SN[BO>D+ A3ID5T2 &
H[ HE _H /AY$ ON & 3T9U$ 6"W >.D ! PLACE
L;G AF ,BOB 0 BACK ON 8 FEET4 ,%E 5D$ BY
TELL+ HM AB ! REF9I%$ BIRD'S-EYE MAPLE
CR$5ZA--! LA/ JOB ,KIP _H -PLET$ 2F HE
_H BE5 ASSAULT$4
  8,S HE 0 TRY+ 6/RAI<T5 HMF \ !N10
,JONA?AN SD4
  8,YES10 ,ALI SD4 8,V M* S4 ,HE'S BE5
ATT5D+ ,,AA REGUL>LY & HE HAS A /1DY
GIRLFR1 ,S&RA ,MIT*ELL4 ,%E'S BE5 AT !
HOSPITAL ALL "D4 ,%E'LL 2 DEVA/AT$ IF %E
LOSES HM4 ,MY P>5TS W 2 Z WELL40
  ,ALI _H "KN = SURE H[ M* ,BOB 0 A6ECT-
$4 ,H] "M MI<T N ADMIT X1 B ! V FACT T
,$IE _H JUMP$ 96H] ,AL]O & DRIV5 D[N 6!
HOSPITAL 0 A /R;G 9DIC,N T %E1 TOO1 C>$
AB ,KIP ,HOGAN & :AT HAPP5$ 6HM4
  ,J !N ! DOOR CAME OP5 D[N ! HALL &
,JANE ,BRAETON M>*$ BACK 96! LIV+ ROOM4
,%E 0 WE>+ %OES N[--A PAIR ( /YLI% BLACK
PUMPS4 ,%E _H A PURSE 9 "O H& &A COAT
OV] ! O!R >M4
  8,Y'RE "R10 %E SD GRUDG+LY 6H] HUSB&4
8,%E WANTS 6G4 ,! NI<T SUP]VISOR    #BHJ
SD X'LL TAKE =TY-FIVE M9UTES OR S = AN
ATT5DANT 6GET ,ELIZABE? \ ( B$ & DRESS$4
,!Y'LL BR+ H] D[N 6! FRONT 5TR.E40
  ,JANE PAUS$ & GAVE ,JONA?AN A SE>*+
LOOK4 ,!N %E TURN$ 6,ALI4 8,I SUPPOSE MY
HUSB& HAS BE5 RUNN+ (F AT ! M\? & GIV+ Y
MY :OLE LIFE HI/ORY80
  8,I DID NO S* ?+10 ,JONA?AN PROTE/$4
8,I TOLD !M T 0 UP 6Y40
  ,JANE SI<$4 ,%E TOSS$ H] PURSE ONTO !
C(FEE TA# & !N SAT D[N ON ! C\*4 8,I CD
J Z WELL1 ,I SUPPOSE10 %E SD4 8,MY V].N
W 2 M]CI;LLY %ORT] ?AN ,ELIZABE?'S W BE4
,D Y M9D GETT+ ME A CUP ( TEA1 ,JON8 ,I
?9K ,I'M GO+ 6NE$ X4 ,& MAYBE \R GUE/S
WD L "S M COCOA40
  8,WD Y C>E 6HELP ME80 ,JONA?AN ASK$
,CRY/AL4
  ,6,ALI'S SURPRISE1 ,CRY/AL L1P$ WILL+-
LY 6H] FEET & FOLL[$ ,JONA?AN 96! KIT*54




              ,,*APT] #AB           #BHA

  ,JANE WAIT$ UNTIL ! DOOR SWUNG %UT 2H
!M4 ,%E SI<$ AG4 8,I SUPPOSE Y C TELL ,I
DON'T M* L TALK+ AB ?10 %E SD4 8,X'S
PA9;L 6H 6AC"KL$GE T Y 7 UNWANT$4 ,N EN-
TIRELY UNWANT$4 ,ELIZABE? ,HOGAN WANT$
ME1 & ,I B.S H] = X1 B %E 0 ! ONLY "O :O
DID40
  ,PUZZL$1 ,ALI NO4$ B SD NO?+4
  8,! MAN Y "K Z MY "F1 ,KIP ,HOGAN1 0 A
NATIVE ( ,K+MAN4 ,BO? 8 "F'S P & 8 "M'S1
! ,BR[N+S1 CAME F "! Z WELL4 ,KIP'S "F &
GR&"F BO? "W$ =! RAILROAD4 ,8 DAD 0 A
BRAKEMAN :O DI$ 9 A TRA9 A3ID5T :5 ,KIP
0 ONLY ?REE4 ,Z = 8 "M8 ,S9CE ! FAMILY
"N 0 ,BR[N+1 :5 _! F/ * TURN$ \ 6BE A
GIRL1 !Y DECID$ 6"N H] ,ELIZABE? ,B>-
RETT4 ,X 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE A JOKE1 B ,ELIZA-
BE? 5D$ UP HAV+ ! LA/ LAU<4 ,%E 0 ! F/
GIRL 9 H] FAMILY "E 6G 6COLLEGE4 ,%E W5T
6,FLAG/AFF BACK :5 ,NOR!RN ,>IZONA ,UNI-
V]S;Y 0 / ! ,NOR!RN ,>IZONA ,/ATE ,T1*-
]'S ,COLLEGE4 ,%E GRADUAT$ F "! )A T1*+
C]TIFICATE & EV5TU,Y A FULL-FL$G$ DEGREE
9 ,5GLI%4 ,%E W5T BACK HOME &       #BHB
TAU<T ,5GLI% AT ,K+MAN ,HI< ,S*OOL = H]
5TIRE C>E]40
  8,H;E ,RUDY>D ,KIPL+ ,HOGAN10 ,ALI (-
F]$4
  ,JANE NO4$ & SMIL$ APOLOGETIC,Y4 8,EX-
ACTLY4 ,S ,KIP GREW UP "!4 ,HE 0 A TYPI-
CAL T1*]'S KID1 : IS 6SAY HE 0 A BORN
HELL-RAIS]4 ,HE N"E EV5 F9I%$ HI< S*OOL4
,9/1D1 HE DROPP$ \ & VOLUNTE]$ =! >MY1
!N GOT %IPP$ 6,VIETNAM4 ,ELIZABE? ALW
TOLD ME HE 0 DI6]5T :5 HE CAME BACK--
DI6]5T--B AT F/ HE SEEM$ 6BE OKAY4 ,HE
CAME BACK HOME & HIR$ ON )! FIRE DE"P;T4
,T'S ": HE 0 "W+ :5 HE MET MY "M40
  8,AMY ,SUE10 ,ALI SD4
  ,JANE GAVE H] A %REWD LOOK4 8,YES10 %E
SD4 8,AMY ,SUE ,LAU<TON ,HOGAN4 ,%E SD
%E 0 F ,VIRG9IA1 B T 0 PROBABLY A LIE4
,"EY?+ ELSE %E SD 0 A LIE1 S :Y WD T 2
ANY DI6]5T8 ,%E %[$ UP 9 T[N ON A GREY-
H.D BUS ) NO?+ B A C\PLE ( SUITCASES4
,%E R5T$ H]F A ROOM1 W5T 6"W 9 "O (! LO-
CAL DIVES1 & SET H] CAP = ,KIP ,HOGAN4
,& VOIL@A1 NEXT ?+ Y "K1 %E TELLS HM
%E'S PREGNANT4 ,0!N1 HE'S TRY+      #BHC
6BE ! MAN1 S HE TRADES %IFTS1 TAKES TWO
"DS (F F "W1 & (F !Y G 6,VEGAS 6GET M>-
RI$4 ,T 0 ,JULY F\R?1 #AIGC40
  ,! KIT*5 DOOR SWUNG OP54 ,JONA?AN CAME
9 ) 8 TRAY1 TWO CUPS & SAUC]S--A NEW "O
= ,ALI & "O = 8 WIFE1 & NO ,CRY/AL4
  8,T POOR LL GIRL IS />V+10 HE SD TO
,ALI4 8,I'M MAK+ H] "S TOA/ & *EESE4 ,I
HOPE Y DON'T M9D40
  ,HAV+ F$ H] "O M1L ON ! WAY "H1 ,ALI
WOND]$ IF ,CRY/AL _H A HOLL[ LEG4 ,JANE
,BRAETON1 ON ! O!R H&1 S5T A GRATE;L
SMILE 9 H] HUSB&'S DIREC;N4 ,SEE+ X1
,ALI R1LIZ$ T KEEP+ ,CRY/AL 9 ! KIT*5 0
A PLOY ON ,JONA?AN'S "P1 A WAY ( GIV+ 8
WIFE "S PRIVACY 9 ORD] 6TELL A /ORY %E
MO/ LIKELY WDN'T WANT 6RELATE 9 FRONT (A
?IRTE5-YE>-OLD GIRL4
  ,JANE WAIT$ UNTIL ,JONA?AN RETURN$ 6!
KIT*5 2F %E 3T9U$4 8,!Y 7 9 ,VEGAS ON _!
H"OYMOON :5 A TRA9 DERAIL$ -+ "? ,K+MAN4
,A TANK] LOAD$ ) LIQUID PROPANE 0 IN-
VOLV$1 &! RESULT+ ,,BLEVE 0 HUGE40
  8,! :AT80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,A BOIL+ LIQUID EXP&+ VAPOR      #BHD
EXPLO.N10 ,JANE EXPLA9$4 8,ON ,JULY FIF?
A RAIL C> LOAD$ ) LIQUID PROPANE CAU<T
FIRE & BLEW UP4 ,X 0 ,K+MAN1 ,>IZONA'S
D>KE/ "D4 ,ELEV5 FIREM5 & "O CIVILIAN 7
KILL$4 ,S"EAL O!RS--FIREM5 & POLICE (FI-
C]S--W]E S]I\SLY 9JUR$1 & N9ETY-"S-ODD
CIVILIAN BY/&]S AL SU6]$ BURNS40
  ,ALI REMEMB]$ ! /ORY N[ B ONLY VAGUE-
LY4 ,%E _H BE5 9 JUNIOR HI< :5 X HAPP5$4
,= "DS ! FIRE _H BE5 H1DL9E NEWS ALL OV]
,>IZONA4 ,GEOGRAPHIC,Y ,S$ONA 0 A L;G
WAY AWAY F ,K+MAN4 ,EV5TU,Y ! /ORY _H
FAD$1 B ,ALI "U/OOD T =A SMALL T[N L
,K+MAN1 "O : _H SU45LY LO/ A :OLE TROOP
( XS F9E/ "Y M51 ! FIRE _H 6BE A TRAG$Y
^: T5TACLES / HELD4
  8,S1 :5 ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE1 ,RUDY>D
,KIPL+ ,HOGAN 0 (F 9 ,VEGAS H"OYMOON+ )
8 BR&-NEW WIFE10 ,JANE W5T ON4 8,!Y H1D$
BACK Z SOON Z !Y HE>D ! NEWS & >RIV$
:ILE ! FIRE 0 / BURN+4 ,KIP W5T 6! SITE
& LOOK$ AT ! DAMAGE1 B HE N"E EV5 SUIT$
UP4 ,9/1D1 HE LEFT AG )\T A ^W & )\T EV5
BO!R+ 6UNPACK 8 SUITCASE4 ,HE DIDN'T
GIVE A DAMN IF ,AMY ,SUE 0 PREG-    #BHE
NANT OR N4 ,HE LEFT H] T V "D & N"E CAME
BACK4 ,ELIZABE? ALW SD X 0 2C (! GUILT--
T HE CDN'T /& ! IDEA T HE 0 ALIVE :5 8
FRS 7 D1D40
  8,S YR P>5TS 7 M>RI$ = TWO "DS80 ,ALI
ASK$4
  8,LET'S J SAY T ,KIP & ,AMY ,SUE 7 M>-
RI$ = TWO "DS10 ,JANE ALL[$4 8,ELIZABE?
TOLD ME T %E 0 %OCK$ & 4APPO9T$ :5 H]
SON TOOK (F L T4 ,HE LEFT ,AMY ,SUE )
NO?+--NO M"OY = R5T1 NO PLACE 6/AY1 NO
C>1 NO?+4 ,EV5 ?\< ,KIP WASN'T PREP>$ 6D
! "R ?+1 ,ELIZABE? WAS4 ,%E LET ,AMY
,SUE MOVE 9 ) H]1 & "EY?+ 0 P1*Y KE5 UN-
TIL ,I 0 BORN A GD MON? OR S E>LI] ?AN
ANY"O EXCEPT ,AMY ,SUE EXPECT$4 ,ONCE ,I
0 "! 9 ! HOSPITAL NURS]Y = ALL 6SEE1 X 0
PRETTY CLE> T ,RUDY>D ,KIPL+ ,HOGAN
WASN'T MY "F40
  8,S YR "M 0 :ITE !N80 ,ALI ASK$4
  ,JANE PAUS$1 SIPP$ H] TEA1 & !N NO4$4
8,APP>5TLY10 %E SD4 8,I DID "S *ECK+ AF
! FACT4 ,I'M PRETTY SURE ,AMY ,SUE 0 ALR
PREGNANT ON ! "D %E >RIV$ 9 ,K+MAN4 ,%E
T>GET$ ,KIP 6BE H] FALL GUY1 H]     #BHF
BABY'S DA4Y4 ,! PRO#M WAS1 HE 0 ! WR;G
COLOR1 & 0! "T %E FIGUR$ T \1 X 0 TOO
LATE4 ,%E /AY$ 9 ! HOSPITAL = ?REE "DS
AF ,I 0 BORN & DIDN'T EV5 BO!R GIV+ ME A
"N4 ,%E CAME HOME 6,ELIZABE?'S H\SE L;G
5 6DROP ME (F4 ,%E LEFT ! H\SE 9 ! MI4LE
(! NI<T T F/ NI<T )\T SAY+ GD-BYE 6ANY-
"O4 ,I'VE N"E HE>D F H] S9CE4 ,I H NO
IDEA IF %E'S D1D OR ALIVE40
  ,TE>S WELL$ 9 ! CORN]S ( ,JANE ,BRAE-
TON'S EYES4 8,I'M SORRY10 ,ALI MURMUR$4
  ,JANE %OOK H] H1D Z IF %AK+ (F ! MOM5-
T>Y SAD;S T _H OV]TAK5 H]4 ,!N %E 3T9U$4
8,=! L;GE/ "T1 ,ELIZABE? DIDN'T EV5 LET
ON 6ANY"O T ,AMY ,SUE _H BAIL$4 ,%E 0
AFRAID IF P F.D \1 "S BUSYBODY F SOCIAL
S]VICES WD DECIDE %E 0 TOO OLD 6BE RAIS+
A BABY & TAKE ME AWAY40
  8,& %E'S ! "O :O "ND Y80 ,ALI ASK$4
  ,JANE ALL[$ H]F A BL1K SMILE4 8,"R4
,JANE ,EYRE ,HOGAN4 ,:O ELSE B AN ,ELIZ-
ABE? ,B>RETT ,BR[N+ WD "N ME T8 ,ELIZA-
BE? HIR$ A =M] /UD5T ( H]S1 A ,MEXICAN
LADY "ND ,ROSEANN ,DU>TE1 6LOOK AF ME4
,& ^? >E ! P :O RAIS$ ME1 ,ELIZA-   #BHG
BE? ,HOGAN & ,ROSEANN4 ,ELIZABE? 0 N"E
MY "M1 B %E'S ! ONLY "M ,I'VE "E "KN4
,%E TOOK C>E ( ME1 LOV$ ME1 & SAW 6X T
,I GOT A GD $UC,N4 ,MY HUSB& IS "R4 ,I D
[E H]1 & T'S :Y WE'RE DO+ ?4 ,T'S :Y
WE'RE GO+ 6! HOSPITAL TN1 & T'S ! ONLY
R1SON--N 2C "S /RANG]'S "N IS ON MY BIR?
C]TIFICATE40
  ,JANE LOOK$ AT H] WAT* & /OOD UP4 8,WE
%D PROBABLY GET GO+40
  ,CRY/AL EM]G$ F ! KIT*5 ) ,JONA?AN "R
2H H]4 8,D Y WANT ME 6-E ) Y80 HE ASK$4
8,I C HELP )! :EEL*AIR1 :AT"E40
  ,JANE %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO10 %E SD4
8,WE'LL 2 F9E40
  8,ALL "R10 ,JONA?AN AGRE$4 8,Y &
,ELIZABE? D :AT Y H 6D1 B DRIVE C>E;L-
LY40
  8,I W10 ,JANE SD4 8,I ALW D40

  ,CRY/AL 0 /RANGELY SUBDU$ ON ! DRIVE
BACK 6! HOSPITAL4 ,LO/ 9 H] [N ?"\S1
,ALI LET H] BE4 ,HAV+ HE>D ,KIP'S /ORY
"? ,JANE ,BRAETON'S PO9T ( VIEW1 ,ALI
FELT A :OLE LOT M EMPA?Y =! MAN4    #BHH
,HE _H -E HOME F ,VIETNAM DAMAG$4 ,EV5
)\T "K+ T ,AMY ,SUE 0 PLAY+ HM =A FOOL )
H] %OTGUN W$D+ R\T9E1 ! A4$ TRAUMA (
SURVIV+ ! FIRE 9 : S _M ( 8 BU4IES _H
P]I%$ _H BE5 M ?AN ,KIP CD H&LE4 ,8
FRAGILE EGO _H %ATT]$1 & HE _H SP5T DEC-
ADES W&]+ 9 ! WILD];S UNTIL ,BOB ,L>SON
_H (F]$ HM A WAY \4
  8,!Y'RE NICE P10 ,CRY/AL SD4
  ,AT F/ ,ALI ?"\ %E M1NT ,BOB & ,$IE
,L>SON4
  8,I M1N1 !Y ASK$ U 9 & GAVE U FOOD &
"EY?+4 ,:ILE WE 7 \ 9 ! KIT*51 HE 0 ASK+
ME AB S*OOL4 ,DID Y "K ,JANE IS A T1*]80
  8,NO10 ,ALI SD4 8,I DIDN'T40
  8,5GLI%10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,JUNIOR HI<40
  .,T .FIGURES1 ,ALI ?"\4 ..,:AT ELSE WD
"S"O "ND ,JANE ,EYRE .D8
  8,KIP ,HOGAN RAN AWAY1 TOO1 DIDN'T
HE80 ,CRY/AL SD ?"\;LLY4
  8,YES40
  8,H[ OLD 0 HE80
  8,I'M N SURE10 ,ALI SD4 8,I DON'T "K
H[ OLD HE IS N[4 ,HE 0 PROBABLY 9 8
TW5TIES OR ?IRTIES40                #BHI
  8,S GR[N-UPS RUN AWAY "S"TS1 TOO40
  8,YES40
  8,& 8 FAMILY IS / MAD AT HM AB X40
  8,MAD & HURT BO?10 ,ALI SD4
  8,H[ -E80
  8,H[ -E !Y'RE MAD80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,I M1N H[ -E HE RAN AWAY80
  ,S9CE ,JONA?AN ,BRAETON _H RESPECT$ 8
WIFE'S "R 6PRIVACY1 ,ALI CD H>DLY D
LESS4
  8,"! 0 AN A3ID5T10 %E SD4 8,AN A3ID5T
&A HUGE FIRE & LOTS ( FIREM5 DI$4 ,KIP 0
"W+ 9 ! FIRE DE"P;T AT ! "T1 &A LOT (! P
:O DI$ 7 FRS ( HIS40
  8,S HE 0 MAD AT HMF = N DY+1 TOO80
,CRY/AL ASK$4
  ,-+ F "S"O ,ALI _H 4MISS$ Z 2+ TOT,Y
SELF-ABSORB$1 X 0 A V P]CEPTIVE "Q4
  8,PRETTY M*10 ,ALI SD4
  8,B NOBODY DID ANY?+ 6HM8 ,NOBODY HURT
HM80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 ,ALI SD4 8,Y HE>D
:AT HAPP5$4 ,EV5 AF ALL ^! YE>S1 8 "M'S
ON H] WAY 6! HOSPITAL "R N[ 6SEE HM40
  8,S1 %E / LOVES HM40              #BIJ
  8,S X WD SEEM40
  8,OH10 ,CRY/AL SD4
  ,ALI'S PH"O RANG4 ,A GL.E AT ! R1D\T
TOLD H] X 0 ,DAVE ,HOLMAN4 ,%E TOSS$ !
PH"O 6,CRY/AL4 8,X'S YR DAD10 ,ALI SD4
8,:Y DON'T Y TALK 6HM40
  8,HI1 ,DA4Y10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,WE'RE ON
\R WAY BACK 6! HOSPITAL4 ,WE J F9I%$
TALK+ 6,KIP ,HOGAN'S DAU<T]40
  .,N .EXACTLY1 ,ALI ?"\4 .,B .CLOSE
.5\<4
  8,%E 0 NICE10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,& S 0 H]
HUSB&4 ,%E'S GO+ 6PICK UP ,KIP'S "M F
"S": & TAKE H] 6! HOSPITAL S %E C SEE
HM4 ,": >E Y8 ,RE,Y8 ,A BIG FIRE8 ,W X 2
ON ! NEWS80
  8,:AT'S ON ! NEWS80 ,ALI ASK$4
  ,CRY/AL WAV$ H] H& = ,ALI 6BE QUIET4
  8,>E Y -+ BACK 6! HOSPITAL !N80 ,"! 0
A PAUSE FOLL[$ 0,CRY/AL'S 4APPO9T$1
8,OH4 ,OKAY4 ,"H %E IS40 ,CRY/AL %OV$ !
PH"O 9 ,ALI'S DIREC;N4 8,HE WANTS 6TALK
6Y40
  8,:AT FIRE80 ,ALI DEM&$4
  ,CRY/AL DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,DAVE       #BIA
DID4 8,WE MANAG$ 6LOCATE ,CURT ,UTTLEY'S
,EXPLOR]1 OR :AT'S LEFT ( X ANYWAY1 B
,I'M AFRAID WE 7 A "D LATE &A DOLL>
%ORT4 ,! ,EXPLOR] 0 P>K$ 9 ! G>AGE (A
H\SE T BURN$ 6! GR.D LATE ? AFN40
  8,^: H\SE80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,! H\SE 2L;GS 6"S WELL-TO-D GUY F
,M9N1POLIS "ND ,K>L ,GU/AVSON4 ,HE B"\ X
= 8 SON1 ,JASON1 :O'S GO+ 6S*OOL AT
,,ASU4 ,AC 6! NEI<BORS1 ! KID LIVES "! )
TWO ROOMMATES40
  8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,GAS L1K4 ,AT L1/ T 0 :AT ! ,TEMPE
,FIRE ,DE"P;T _H SD ON A PRELIM9>Y BA-
SIS4 ,N[ !Y'RE SAY+ T "! CD H BE5 "S EX-
PLOSIVES 9VOLV$ Z WELL40
  8,DOES ,LEE ,F>RIS "K Y'RE "!80
  8,HE WASN'T HAPPY AB X :5 ,I TURN$ UP
A FEW M9UTES AF HE DID1 B HE'S OV] X
N[40
  8,H[ BAD A FIRE80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,V10 ,DAVE SD4 8,! HOME IS GUTT$1 A
-PLETE LOSS4 ,"O (! FIREFI<T]S TOLD ME
!Y "K ( AT L1/ "O FATAL;Y4 ,WE'RE WAIT+
= "S"O 6G 9SIDE & *ECK4 ,"R ? M9-   #BIB
UTE1 :AT'S LEFT IS / S HOT & S UN/A# T
NO "O C GET NE> X40
  8,IF NO "O'S BE5 9SIDE1 H[ D !Y "K
"!'S A FATAL;Y80
  ,DAVE SI<$4 8,2LIEVE ME10 HE SD1 8"!
>E WAYS 6TELL4 ,I _H PLANN$ ON -+ BACK
6! HOSPITAL1 B "R N[1 ,I DON'T "K :5
,I'LL GET AWAY4 ,DEP5D+ ON ! "T1 ,I'LL
EI -E "! OR ELSE G /RAI<T BACK 6,PRES-
COTT40
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X10 ,ALI SD4 8,CRY/AL
IS ) ME1 & WE'VE GOT X COV]$40 ,%E CLOS$
! PH"O4
  8,HE ALW DOES T10 ,CRY/AL SD4 8,! CAS-
ES HE'S "W+ ON >E ALW M IMPORTANT ?AN WE
>E40
  ,ALI CDN'T HELP L1P+ 6,DAVE'S DEF5SE4
8,I'M SURE T'S N TRUE10 %E SD4
  8,YES1 X IS10 ,CRY/AL REPLI$4 8,COA*
,CURT IS D1D4 ,IF ,DAD DOESN'T C>E AB ME
EI1 ,I CD J Z WELL G BACK 6,VEGAS40
  ,ALI _H NO IDEA H[ 6RESPOND 6T4 ,IF
,COA* ,CURT 0 A PREF]R$ ALT]NATE 6GO+
HOME 6,VEGAS1 ,CRY/AL'S FAMILY LIFE BACK
HOME ) H] "M _H 6BE F> WORSE ?AN    #BIC
ANY"O KNEW4

  ,X 0 ALM T5 0! "T !Y RETURN$ 6,/4
,FRANCIS ,HOSPITAL1 ": !Y 4COV]$ T GETT+
9SIDE ! FACIL;Y AT NI<T 0 A LOT M DI6I-
CULT ?AN X _H BE5 DUR+ ! "D4 ,A SEEM+LY
HUMOR.S SECUR;Y GU>D _H SET UP A *ECK-IN
/& J 9SIDE ! SLID+ LO2Y DOORS4 ,ALL VIS-
ITORS >RIV+ 2T ! H\RS ( #AJ P4M4 & #F
A4M4 _H 6PRES5T VALID ID5TIFIC,N1 SIGN
IN1 LI/ ! "N (! PATI5T !Y 9T5D$ 6VISIT1
& 2 ISSU$ A VISITOR'S PASS4 ,S9CE ,CRYS-
TAL 0 ONLY ?IRTE51 %E _H NO PHOTO ,,ID
AVAILA#4
  ,ALI 0 / TRY+ 6>GUE H] WAY PA/ ! GATE-
KEEP] :5 ,JANE ,BRAETON %[$ UP PU%+ A
:EEL*AIR4 ,9 X SAT A T9Y1 :ITE-HAIR$
WOMAN :O _H 6BE ,KIP'S "M1 ,ELIZABE?
,B>RETT ,BR[N+ ,HOGAN4
  8,:AT'S ! PRO#M80 ,JANE /OPP$ ! *AIR
DIRECTLY 2H ,ALI4
  8,CRY/AL DOESN'T H ANY ,,ID10 ,ALI EX-
PLA9$4 8,!Y'RE N GO+ 6LET H] IN40
  8,:O >E ^! P80 ,ELIZABE? WANT$ 6"K1
TURN+ H] H1D BACK & =? 9 ! DIREC-   #BID
;N ( EA* ( _! VOICES4 8,:AT'S WR;G80
  8,^! >E ! P ,I TOLD Y AB1 ,NANA10
,JANE SD4 8,! "OS :O DROVE D[N ? EV5+ TO
LET U "K :AT _H HAPP5$ 6,KIP4 ,? IS '''0
,%E PAUS$1 HAV+ =GOTT5 ,ALI'S "N4
  8,ALISON ,REYNOLDS10 ,ALI SUPPLI$1
R1*+ \ & TAK+ ,ELIZABE?'S TREMBL+ & ICY-
COLD H&4 8,& ? IS MY FR1 ,CRY/AL4 ,!
PRO#M IS1 %E'S ?IRTE5 &1 Z A 3SEQU;E1
DOESN'T H ANY PHOTO ,,ID4 ,!Y WON'T LET
H] 96! HOSPITAL )\T X1 S ,I GUESS WE C'T
G UP40
  8,:O WON'T LET H] G UP80 ,ELIZABE?
ASK$4
  8,! SECUR;Y GU>D "H10 ,JANE SD4 8,! "O
:O ISSUES ! VISITOR'S PASSES40
  8,":80
  ,JANE _H MANEUV]$ ! *AIR S X 0 P>K$
DIRECTLY 9 FRONT (! DESK & !N 2GAN SE>*+
= H] [N ,,ID4 ,ELIZABE?1 9 ! M1N"T1 MOV$
H] H1D >.D UNTIL %E F.D A SPOT ": H]
MACUL> DEG5],N / ALL[$ H] "S DEGREE (
SI<T4
  8,"Y MAN10 %E SD BRISKLY4 8,Y >E A "Y
MAN1 >5'T Y80                       #BIE
  8,YES10 HE SD ) AN UNCOM=TA# GR94
8,YES1 MA'AM1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I AM40
  8,& ^! P "H1 ! WOMAN &! GIRL ) NO PHO-
TO ,,ID1 >E P ,I'VE ONLY J MET4 ,!Y
DROVE ALL ! WAY F "H D[N 6,*&L] 6LET ME
"K T MY SON HAS BE5 9JUR$ & IS 9 YR HOS-
PITAL4 ,D Y H ANY *N80
  8,YES1 ,I D10 HE REPLI$4
  8,& H[ OLD >E !Y80
  ,! GU>D LOOK$ ILL AT EASE1 Z ?\< HE 0
UNC]TA9 :E!R OR N HE %D ANSW] 8 P9T-SIZE
:EEL*AIR-B.D 9QUISITOR4 ,F9,Y HE DID4
8,"O IS F\R &! O!R IS SIX MON?S10 HE SD4
  8,& Y10 %E SD4 8,:5 7 Y BORN80
  ,! SECUR;Y GU>D TURN$ 6,JANE1 HOP+ =
ASSI/.E4 ,ASIDE F HOLD+ UP BO? H] [N &
H] "M'S PHOTO ,,ID,'S1 %E WASN'T GIV+ HM
ANY4
  8,WELL80 ,ELIZABE? PRO4$4 8,:580
  ,%E MAY H BE5 OLD & BL1 B %E 0 / %>P4
,EVID5TLY H] YE>S ( PRACTICE 9 H]D+ HI<
S*OOL /UD5TS _H MADE ,ELIZABE? ,HOGAN M
?AN A MAT* =! HAP.S SECUR;Y GU>D4
  8,N9ETE5 SEV5TY-SEV510 HE SD4
  8,SEE "!80 %E CR[$4 8,I HAV5'T    #BIF
SE5 MY SON S9CE ,JULY ! FIF?1 N9ETE5
SEV5TY-?REE4 ,T 0 2F Y 7 BORN--L;G] AGO
?AN Y >E OLD4 ,UNTIL TD1 T IS4 ,TD ,I H
A *.E 6SEE HM AG1 & T WDN'T 2 HAPP5+ IF
X W]5'T = ^! V K9D P4 ,^! WOM5 >5'T
CRIM9ALS--Z Y C PLA9LY SEE--ESPECI,Y ?
"Y GIRL "H4 ,& !Y'RE N "H 6H>M ANY"O1
EI4 ,I C V\* = T P]SON,Y4 ,N[1 >E Y GO+
6LET !M -E 96! HOSPITAL OR N8 ,2C IF Y
DON'T1 ,I'M AFRAID ,I'M GO+ 6H 6TAKE ?
MATT] UP ) YR SUP]IORS40
  ,S9CE KEEP+ UNWANT$ VISITORS \ 0 ! SE-
CUR;Y GU>D'S PRIM>Y FUNC;N1 REPORT+ HM
6HIS SUP]IORS = ACTU,Y DO+ 8 JOB SEEM$ L
AN IDLE ?R1T4 ,M* 6,ALI'S SURPRISE1 !
MAN CAV$4
  8,:O IS X Y LADIES >E GO+ 6BE VISIT+80
HE ASK$4
  ,ELIZABE? B1M$ AT HM4 8,MY SON10 %E
SD4 8,RUDY>D ,KIPL+ ,HOGAN4 ,I CALL HM
,RUDY1 B Y MAY H HM LI/$ Z ,KIP4 ,HE ALW
HAT$ 8 GIV5 "N40
  8,& :AT'S ? "Y LADY'S "N AG80 HE ASK$1
PE]+ ACR ! DESK4
  8,CRY/AL10 ,ALI SUPPLI$ QKLY4     #BIG
8,CRY/AL ,HOLMAN40
  ,! GU>D TOOK ! O!R "NS (F ! SIGN-IN
%EET4 8,MR4 ,HOGAN IS UP 9 ! ?IRD FLOOR
,,ICU10 HE SD Z HE F9I%$ FILL+ \ ! SET (
F\R /ICK-ON BADGES4 8,"! Y G40
  ,) ,ALI L1D+ ! WAY1 !Y H1D$ =! ELEVA-
TORS4
  ,! D[N/AIRS LO2Y _H CLE>LY RCVD A RE-
C5T UPGRADE T MADE X SEEM M L AN UPSCALE
HOTEL LO2Y ?AN A HOSPITAL4 ,R5OV,NS _H N
YET MADE _! WAY 6! ,,ICU WAIT+ ROOM4 ,X
0 Z SMALL & UNREMITT+LY GRIM Z ALL ! O!R
HOSPITAL WAIT+ ROOMS 9 ,ALI'S EXP]I;E4
,X 0 AL SURPRIS+LY *ILLY4
  ,"! 7 ONLY ?REE P GA!R$ 9 ! ROOM1 NO
D\BT PREP>$ 6MA9TA9 A L;G1 OV]NI<T VIG-
IL4 ,! F/1 ,S&Y1 SAT AT A SMALL TA# 9 !
MI4LE (! ROOM4 ,A ,BI# LAY OP5 ON ! TA#
9 FRONT ( H]1 B H] *9 RE/$ 9 H] H& & %E
APPE>$ 6BE DOZ+4 ,! SECOND 0 A MI4LE-AG$
WOMAN1 A FEW YE>S OLD] ?AN ,ALI1 :O SAT
9 ! F>!/ CORN] (! ROOM1 KNITT+ FR5ETI-
C,Y4 ,! ONLY S.D 9 ! ROOM CAME F ! 9DUS-
TRI\S CLICK ( H] NE$LES4 ,! ?IRD
O3UPANT1 A BALD+1 POTBELLI$ MAN1    #BIH
SAT ON A /IFF-BACK$ *AIR />+ UP AT A
WALL-M.T$ TELEVI.N4 ,! SET 0 ON & TUN$
6,,CNN1 B ! VOLUME 0 MUT$4 ,! LIPS (!
BROADCA/]S MOV$ B NO?+ EM]G$4 ,! ONLY
NEWS AVAILA# 0 :AT"E SCROLL$ SIL5TLY &)
5D.S REPETI;N ACR ! BOTTOM (! SCRE54 ,/1
! MAN WAT*$ X ) AVID ATT5;N1 Z ?\< 8 V
LIFE DEP5D$ ON :AT HE SAW "!4
  ,"S?+ AL]T$ ,S&Y 6! NEWCOM]S' >RIVAL4
,%E BL9K$ AWAKE & MADE Z IF 6RISE1 !N
GL.ED D[N AT H] WAT* & SUBSID$ BACK 96!
*AIR4
  8,HI1 ,ALI10 %E SD WE>ILY4 8,?ANKS =
-+ BACK4 ,I M/ H DROPP$ (F =A C\PLE (
M9UTES4 ,X'S TOO SOON 6G BACK IN4 ,!Y
ONLY ALL[ VISITORS 9 6SEE PATI5TS = T5
M9UTES AT A "T ONCE E H\R40
  ,ALI LOOK$ >.D ! ROOM4 8,":'S YR BRO?-
]80 %E ASK$4 8,I ?"\ HE 0 -+ 6BE ) Y40
  8,PHIL'S HE>T'S 9 ! "R PLACE10 ,S&Y
SD1 EXCUS+ HM4 8,B HE'S N"E BE5 V DEP5D-
A#40
  8,IS ? H]80 ,ELIZABE? ,HOGAN ASK$ F 2H
,ALI 8,IS ? ,RUDY'S GIRLFR8 ,MOVE ME
CLOS]1 PL1SE1 ,JANE4 ,I WANT 6GET   #BII
A LOOK AT H]40
  ,:ILE ,JANE ,BRAETON OBLIG$1 ,S&Y SAT
UP /RAI<T] 9 H] *AIR & TRI$ 6SMOO? H]
HAIR4 8,RUDY80 %E ASK$4
  8,? IS ,ELIZABE? ,HOGAN10 ,ALI EX-
PLA9$4 8,KIP'S "M1 & ,JANE ,BRAETON40
  8,S Y'RE ,KIP'S DAU<T]80 ,S&Y ASK$1
LOOK+ "Q+LY AT ,JANE ,BRAETON4
  ,JANE GL.ED 9 ,ALI'S DIREC;N & %OOK H]
H1D4 8,N RE,Y10 %E REPLI$4
  ,%E _H P>K$ ,ELIZABE?'S *AIR S ! OLD
WOMAN'S KNEES 7 ALM T\*+ ,S&Y'S4 ,ELIZA-
BE? L1N$ =W>D4 ,ONCE AG %E MOV$ H] H1D F
SIDE 6SIDE Z IF TRY+ 6F9D A PLACE ":
,S&Y'S FACE WD 2 9 FOCUS4
  8,HAS ,RUDY BE5 GD 6Y80 %E ASK$4
  8,Y M1N ,KIP80
  8,MY SON1 YES40
  ,S&Y'S EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4 8,YES1 HE'S
BE5 V GD 6ME1 ,MRS4 ,HOGAN4 ,& HE WDN'T
H GOTT5 HURT & WDN'T 2 "H IF HE _HN'T
BE5 DEF5D+ ME4 ,T'S :Y ^? PUNK KIDS AT-
TACK$ HM4 ,I FEEL L ? IS ALL MY FAULT40
  ,ELIZABE? R1*$ \ & T\*$ ,S&Y'S KNEE4
8,I'M SURE T'S N TRUE10 ,ELIZABE?   #CJJ
SD K9DLY4 8,^! ?+S HAPP5 & !Y'RE NO-
BODY'S FAULT4 ,:AT D ! DOCTORS SAY80
  8,6ME1 V LL10 ,S&Y REPLI$4 8,AF HE
CAME \ (! ,,OR1 ,ALI'S "M TALK$ !M 9TO
LETT+ ME -E UP "H 6WAIT4 ,!Y'VE LET ME G
9 6SEE HM1 B S9CE ,I'M N A BLOOD RELA-
TIVE OR 8 WIFE1 !Y WON'T TELL ME ANY?+
AB 8 3DI;N4 ,:AT ,I D "K IS HE HASN'T
REGA9$ 3SCI\S;S YET1 & T'S PROBABLY A
BAD SIGN40
  ,ELIZABE? NO4$4 8,Y MAY 2 "R10 %E
AGRE$4 8,X ISN'T A GD SIGN1 B LET'S G
SEE AB GETT+ "S R1L 9=M,N1 ,JANIE4 ,:
WAY IS ! NURSES' /,N80
  ,S&Y PO9T$4 ,WAT*+ ,JANE & ,ELIZABE?'S
PROGRESS T[>D A GLASS$-IN W9D[1 ,ALI NO-
TIC$ ! R$-LR$ SIGN PO/$ ABV X3 ..,NO
,CELL ,PH"OS ,NO .EXCEP;NS4 ,S9CE ,ALI'S
-PUT] AIR C>D 0 ESS5TI,Y A CELL PH"O1
TE*NIC,Y T M1NT NO ,9T]NET A3ESS1 EI4
  ,CRY/AL PLUCK$ AN EXTRA BLANKET F A
/ACK ON A TA# 0! DOORWAY4 ,!N1 /U6+ H]
E>PH"OS 9 H] E>S & TURN+ ON H] I,POD1 %E
CURL$ UP 9 A *AIR Z F> F "EY"O ELSE Z %E
CD MANAGE4                          #CJA
  ,M1N:ILE ,S&Y /UDI$ ! TWO WOM5 :O 7
SP1K+ 9 L[ T"OS 6! WOMAN /,N$ 2H ! GLASS
"PI;N4 8,%E'S ! *>GE NURSE10 ,S&Y EX-
PLA9$4 8,:AT AB ! "O PU%+ ,ELIZABE?'S
*AIR8 ,IS %E A NURSE1 TOO80
  ,ALI SIMPLY %OOK H] H1D & DIDN'T RE,Y
ANSW]4 8,L;G /ORY10 %E SD4
  ,! O!R WOMAN 9 ! WAIT+ ROOM *ECK$ H]
WAT*1 PUT D[N H] KNITT+1 & W5T OV] 6!
SW++ DOOR T L$ BACK 6! UNIT4 ,%E PAUS$4
8,>E Y -+80 %E ASK$ ! MAN 9 FRONT (! SI-
L5T TELEVI.N SET4
  8,N "R N[10 HE SD4 8,Y G AH1D4 ,B Y
NE$ 6?9K AB :AT ! DOCTOR SD10 HE A4$4
8,Y NE$ 6?9K AB LETT+ HM G40
  ,A LOOK ( ABSOLUTE FURY WA%$ ACR ! WO-
MAN'S FACE4 8,NO10 %E SD4 ,& !N AG1 M
FI]CELY4 8,NO60
  ,ABRUPTLY %E TURN$ & 4APPE>$ 2H ! SW++
DOORS4 ,! MAN /AY$ ": HE 0 & Z HE WAS1 /
GAZ+ UP AT ! ,,TV1 OBLIVI\S 6! FACT T !
4CORD 2T HM & 8 WIFE _H BE5 WIT;S$ 0A
ROOM FULL ( /RANG]S4
  8,!Y'RE DIVORC$10 ,S&Y :ISP]$ 6,ALI4
8,X'S _! SON4 ,MOTORCYCLE A3ID5T4   #CJB
,HE & ,KIP _H ! SAME SURGEON40
  ,JANE ,BRAETON TURN$ AWAY F ! W9D[ &
GE/UR$ = ,S&Y 6JO9 !M4 ,Z ,S&Y LEFT !
TA#1 ,ALI SAT D[N NEXT 6": %E'D BE5 SIT-
T+4 ,"P (A 4C>D$ .,>IZONA .,REPORT] LAY
"!4 ,\ (A LIFE"T'S HABIT1 %E PICK$ UP !
LOCAL NEWS SEC;N & SCANN$ ! H1DL9ES4 ,A
SMALL >TICLE NE> ! BOTTOM (! PAGE CAU<T
H] EYE3 .,DRA7+ .,VICTIM .,REMA9S .,ID5-
TIFI$4

  ,A HOMICIDE VICTIM :O _H BE5 DRA7$ 2H
A VEHICLE & ^: BODY 0 F.D ON A DES]T$
ROADSIDE 9 ,S\? ,M.TA9 ,P>K ON ,TUES"D
MORN+ HAS BE5 ID5TIFI$ 0! ,M>ICOPA ,M$I-
CAL ,EXAM9]'S (FIC] Z ,CALI=NIA R1L ES-
TATE DEVELOP] ,WILLIAM ,C[AN ,A%CR(T1
,,III4

  ,! FAMILI> "N L1P$ \ AT ,ALI F ! PR9T$
PAGE4 ,WILLIAM ,A%CR(T8 ,Z 9 ,>ABELLA'S
NEPHEW1 ,WILLIAM ,A%CR(T1 ! "O %E _H
CALL$ ,BILLY8 ,9/9CTIVELY ,ALI R1*$ = H]
PH"O1 B !N1 M9D;L ( BO? ! CELL-PH"O-USE
PROHIBI;N &! LATE;S (! H\R1 %E      #CJC
LEFT ! PH"O ": X 0 & RETURN$ 6! >TICLE4

  ,PHOENIX ,POLICE ,DE"P;T SPOKESMAN
,%ANNON ,WILLIS SD T ,MR4 ,A%CR(T _H BE5
VISIT+ ! >EA ON BUSI;S =A NUMB] ( WEEKS
PRIOR 6HIS D1?4 ,S F> DETECTIVES "W+ ON
! HOMICIDE H ACQUIR$ FEW L1DS4
  ,MR4 ,A%CR(T 0 REPORT$ MISS+ 0HIS
BUSI;S "PN] ON ,W$NES"D AF HE _H FAIL$
6APPE> AT A MEET+ S*$UL$ = ,TUES"D AFN4
,ANY"O ) K (! VICTIM'S ACTIVITIES 9 !
"DS PRIOR 6HIS D1? IS ASK$ 63TACT !
,PHOENIX ,POLICE ,DE"P;T4

  ,! ^WS BR"\ BACK ,>ABELLA'S MY/]I\S
PH"O CALL F E>LI] 9 ! AFN1 ! "O ": %E _H
SU7E/$ ?+S _H *ANG$ & X 0 NO L;G] NEC =
,ALI 6R1D ! DI>Y %E _H 5TRU/$ 6,ALI TWO
"DS E>LI]4 ,BILLY--! NEPHEW :O _H TRI$
6EXTORT ,>ABELLA'S M"OY--WAS D1D4 ,0 T
:AT _H *ANG$ ,>ABELLA'S M9D8
  ,)\T A MO;T'S HESIT,N1 ,ALI R1*$ 96H]
BAG & EXTRACT$ ! SMALL1 L1!R-B.D VOLUME4
  ,S9CE S M* _H HAPP5$ 2T ! "T ,ALI _H
R1D ! F/ 5TRY1 & N[ %E RER1D X4     #CJD
,%E EXPECT$ T O!R 5TRIES WD D1L )! 9CE/
SITU,N 9 DETAIL4 ,!Y DID N4 ,GO+ ON1
,ALI 0 SURPRIS$ 64COV] T MO/ (! MON?'S
WOR? ( 5TRIES T EXI/$ 9 AN O!RWISE BLANK
BOOK D1LT PRIM>ILY ) ,>ABELLA'S BIR?"D
PRES5T1 H] PRIZ$ P>AKEET1 ,BLUEBOY4
  ,EVID5TLY ,MISS ,POND]1 ! GOV];S1 _H
BE5 5LI/$ 6HELP 9 ! PROCESS ( T1*+
,BLUEBOY 6TALK4 ,%E _H AL 5C\RAG$ ,>A-
BELLA 6D "S RESE>* 96! PROP] C>E & FE$+
( P>AKEETS--COV]+ _! CAGES AT NI<T1 MAK+
SURE T _! WAT] & FE$ 7 FRE%1 CL1N+ !
CAGES--"S?+ ,>ABELLA _H CLE>LY PRID$ H]F
9 DO+ ON H] [N4 ,! ,A%CR(T H\SEHOLD ,>-
ABELLA _H GR[N UP 9 APPE>$ 6BE L;G ON
S]VANTS & %ORT ON LOV+ FAMILIAL 3NEC;NS4
,9 T _W ( OLD-FA%ION$ $UCAT$-AT-HOME
W1L?1 ! >RIVAL (A BLUE-F1!R$ P>AKEET _H
BE5 A CAUSE = CELEBR,N 9 ! LIFE ( :AT M/
H BE5 A V L"OLY LL GIRL4

  ,MISS ;,P SAYS T 9 ORD] 6T1* ,BLUEBOY
6TALK1 WE H 6/>T ) "S?+ SIMPLE1 B X AL
HAS 6BE "S?+ T KEEPS 8 9T]E/4 ,%E SD A
:I/LE MI<T 2 EASI] ?AN A ^W 62G9    #CJE
)1 S %E SU7E/$ ,I :I/LE F/--Y "K ! K9D (
WOLF :I/LE T BOYS GIVE PRETTY GIRLS--&
FOLL[ T ) "O OR TWO ^WS1 & ALW ! SAME
^WS4 ,PRETTY ,BABY IS :AT ,I *OSE4 ,A
:I/LE & ,PRETTY ,BABY4
  ,& ,I ?9K %E'S "R4 ,! F/ "T ,I TRI$ X1
,BLUEBOY 0 J SITT+ 9 8 CAGE1 B Z SOON Z
,I :I/L$ AT HM1 HE COCK$ 8 H1D 6"O SIDE
L HE 0 RE,Y LI/5+ 6ME4 ,L HE 0 9T]E/$4
,MISS ;,P SAYS T :5 ,I :I/LE F/1 X LETS
,BLUEBOY "K T ,I'M RE,Y TALK+ 6HM4 ,X'S
L :5 ,"M R+S ! BELL1 T M1NS ! BUTL] IS
SUPPOS$ 6-E OR ! MAID4
  ,I'VE N"E _H A PET 2F4 ,"E4 ,"F HAS 8
HORSES B ^? >E RACEHORSES S !Y'RE N PETS
AT ALL1 &! ONLY P :O GET 6BE >.D !M >E !
GROOMS &! JOCKEYS &! TRA9]S4 ,REGUL> P
N"E GET 6RIDE !M OR EV5 T\* !M4

  ,! NEXT TWO 5TRIES 7 FULL ( H>M.S *AT-
T] AB ,MISS ,POND] &! P>AKEET4 ,9 ! "O
AF T1 H["E1 ,>ABELLA'S DI>Y TOOK A TURN
T H9T$ "S?+ 0 AMISS4

                                    #CJF
  ,"M TOLD ME ? AFN T ,BILL IS -+ HOME =
,?ANKSGIV+4 ,? WEEK4 ,I LOV$ X :5 HE W5T
AWAY 6S*OOL 9 ,SEPTEMB] & "EY"O SD HE
WDN'T 2 BACK UNTIL ,*RI/MAS4 ,B "F WANTS
HM "H1 S HE'S -+ HOME ANYWAY4 ,HE'LL 2
"H 9 TWO "DS4 ,I ALR "K ,*RI/MAS W 2 RU-
9$4 ,N[ ,?ANKSGIV+ W 2 TOO4 ,I HATE HM4
,,HATE ,,HM4 ,:Y CDN'T HE J /AY ": HE
WAS8
  ,MAYBE X WON'T HAPP5 AG4 ,MAYBE ,I %D
TELL ,MISS ,P4 ,I C TALK 6H] AB ?+S ,I
C'T TELL ANYBODY ELSE1 B %E PROBABLY
WDN'T 2LIEVE ME4 ,%E RE,Y LIKES ,BILL4
,%E TOLD ME ONCE T %E ?9KS MY BRO!R IS V
H&"S4 ,%E WDN'T ?9K T IF %E KNEW :AT
HE'S RE,Y L4
  ,MAYBE ,I %D RUN AWAY1 B ,I DON'T H
ANY M"OY & ,I DON'T "K ": ,I'D G4 ,& IF
,I D RUN AWAY1 :AT W HAPP5 6,BLUEBOY8 ,I
C'T C>RY A SUITCASE &A BIRDCAGE AT !
SAME "T4 ,I GUESS ,I H 6/AY4

  ,! F9AL 5TRIES 7 %ORT & SCRIB#D S HUR-
RI$LY T X 0 H>D 6DECIPH] !M4
                                    #CJG
  ,"F FIR$ ,MISS ,P4 ,I DON'T "K :Y4 ,%E
J LEFT 9 A TAXI4

  ,FOLL[$ BY3

  ,BLUEBOY IS D1D4 ,HE KILL$ HM4

  ,& T 0 X4 ,5D ( /ORY4 .,HE .:O8 ,ALI
WOND]$4 ,>ABELLA'S FAULTY PRON\N REF];E
LEFT ! P>AKEET'S KILL]'S ID5T;Y A MY/]Y1
B ,ALI SUSPECT$ T %E KNEW :O 0 RESPONSI-
#4 ,_H "! BE5 "S?+ GO+ ON 2T ! N[ EXGOV-
];S &! /EPBRO!R %E _H PREVI\SLY REF]R$
6Z 8H&"S80 ,T 0 UNM5;N$1 B X 0 C]TA9LY A
POSSIBIL;Y4
  ,! DI>Y _H 3TA9$ F> LESS DAMN+ 9=M,N
?AN ,ALI _H EXPECT$4 ,& X _H /OPP$ ALM 9
MID-5TRY1 -+ 6AN 5D )\T -+ 6A 3CLU.N4
,4SATISFI$1 ,ALI CLOS$ ! BOOK & RETURN$
X 6H] PURSE4 ,"DS E>LI] %E _HN'T "U/OOD
:Y ,>ABELLA WANT$ H] 6R1D X4 ,N[ T ,ALI
_H R1D X1 %E / DIDN'T "K :Y1 B %E 0 REA-
SONABLY SURE :Y ,>ABELLA _H *ANG$ H] M9D
ON T SUBJECT & :Y %E WANT$ ! DI>Y BACK4
  ..,X'S 2C ,BILLY'S .D1D1 ,ALI     #CJH
TOLD H]F4 ..,& ,I'M WOND]+ IF ,>ABELLA
_H "S?+ 6D ) .X4