,,! ,,?IRTE5? ,,TALE

          ,,DIANE ,,SETT]FIELD

  ,PUBLI%$ 0,ATRIA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
  ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0,DIANE ,SETT]FIELD
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-GDCB-IHJB-E
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-GDCB-IHJB-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,BE? ,MC,GU69 & ,DAWN ,HU6+TON
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #F
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #EAA-FJD

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
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@& ,AMP]S&




















                                     ;IV
























                ,,SI/]S             #EAA

  ,:5 X 0 "T1 ,I W5T 6,EMMEL9E'S QU>T]S4
,X 0 ! F/ "T ,I _H BE5 "! Z AN 9VIT$
GUE/1 &! F/ ?+ ,I NOTIC$1 2F ,I EV5 5T]$
! B$ROOM1 0 ! ?ICK;S (! SIL;E4 ,I PAUS$
9 ! DOORWAY--!Y _H N NOTIC$ ME YET--&
R1LIZ$ X 0 _! :ISP]+4 ,ON ! $GE ( 9AUDI-
BIL;Y1 ! RUB ( BR1? OV] VOCAL CORDS MADE
RIPPLES 9 ! AIR4 ,S(T PLOSIVES T 7 G"O
2F Y CD HE> !M1 MU6L$ SIBILANTS T Y MI<T
MISTAKE =! S.D ( YR [N BLOOD 9 YR E>S4
,EA* "T ,I ?"\ X _H /OPP$ A HU%$ SUSUR,N
BRU%$ AG/ MY E> L A MO? ALI<T+ ON MY
HAIR1 !N FLUTT]$ AWAY AG4
  ,I CLE>$ MY ?ROAT4
  8,M>G>ET40 ,MISS ,W9T]1 H] :EEL*AIR
POSI;N$ NEXT 6H] SI/]1 GE/UR$ 6A *AIR ON
! O!R SIDE (! B$4 8,H[ GD ( Y40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ,EMMEL9E'S FACE ON ! PIL-
L[4 ,! R$ &! :ITE 7 ! SAME R$ & :ITE (
SC>R+ & BURN DAMAGE T ,I _H SE5 2F2 %E
_H LO/ N"O ( H] WELL-F$ PLUMP;S2 H] HAIR
0 / ! TANGL$ SKE9 ( :ITE4 ,LI/.SLY H]
GAZE W&]$ OV] ! CEIL+2 %E APPE>$ 9DI6]5T
6MY PRES;E4 ,": 0 ! DI6];E8 ,= %E   #EAB
.0 DI6]5T4 ,"S ALT],N _H TAK5 PLACE 9
H]1 A *ANGE 9/ANTLY VISI# 6! EYE1 ?\<
TOO ELUSIVE 6DEF9E4 ,%E _H LO/ NO?+ ( H]
/R5G?1 ?\<4 ,"O >M EXT5D$ \TSIDE ! COV]-
LET & 9 X %E _H ,MISS ,W9T]'S H& 9 A
FIRM GRIP4
  8,H[ >E Y1 ,EMMEL9E80 ,I ASK$ N]V\SLY4
  8,%E IS N WELL10 SD ,MISS ,W9T]4
  ,MISS ,W9T]1 TOO1 _H *ANG$ 9 REC5T
"DS4 ,B 9 H] 41SE 0 A 4TILL,N3 ,! M X
REDUC$ H]1 ! M X EXPOS$ H] ESS;E4 ,E "T
,I SAW H] %E SEEM$ DIM9I%$3 ?9N]1 FRAIL-
]1 M TRANSP>5T1 &! W1K] %E GREW1 ! M !
/EEL AT H] C5T] 0 REV1L$4
  ,ALL ! SAME1 X 0 A V ?91 W1K H& T ,EM-
MEL9E 0 GRASP+ 9 ! CLUT* ( H] [N H1VY
FI/4
  8,WD Y L ME 6R1D80 ,I ASK$4
  8,0ALL M1NS40
  ,I R1D A *APT]4 ,!N1 8,%E'S ASLEEP10
,MISS ,W9T] MURMUR$4 ,EMMEL9E'S EYES 7
CLOS$2 H] BR1?+ 0 DEEP & REGUL>4 ,%E _H
REL1S$ H] GRIP ON H] SI/]'S H&1 & ,MISS
,W9T] 0 RU2+ ! LIFE BACK 96X4 ,"! 7 !
2G9N+S ( BRUISES ON H] F+]S4        #EAC
  ,SEE+ ! DIREC;N ( MY GAZE1 %E DREW H]
H&S 96H] %AWL4 8,I'M SORRY AB ? 9T]RUP;N
6\R "W10 %E SD4 8,I _H 6S5D Y AWAY ONCE
2F :5 ,EMMEL9E 0 ILL4 ,& N[1 TOO1 ,I M/
SP5D MY "T ) H]1 & \R PROJECT M/ WAIT4
,B X WON'T 2 L;G N[4 ,& "! IS ,*RI/MAS
-+4 ,Y W 2 WANT+ 6L1VE U & 2 ) YR FAMI-
LY4 ,:5 Y -E BACK AF ! HOLI"D WE W SEE
H[ ?+S /&4 ,I EXPECT '''0--X 0 ! BRIEFE/
( PAUSES--8WE % 2 A# 6"W AG 0!N40
  ,I DID N IMMLY "U/& H] M1N+4 ,! ^WS 7
AMBIGU\S2 X 0 H] VOICE T GAVE X AWAY4
,MY EYES L1P$ 6,EMMEL9E'S SLEEP+ FACE4
  8,D Y M1N '''80
  ,MISS ,W9T] SI<$4 8,DON'T 2 TAK5 9 0!
FACT T %E SEEMS S /R;G4 ,%E HAS BE5 ILL
=A V L;G "T4 ,= YE>S ,I ASSUM$ T ,I WD
LIVE 6SEE H] DE"P 2F ME4 ,!N1 :5 ,I FELL
ILL1 ,I 0 N S SURE4 ,& N[ X SEEMS WE >E
9 A RACE 6! F9I% L9E4
  ,S T'S :AT WE 7 WAIT+ =4 ,! EV5T )\T :
! /ORY CD N 5D4
  ,SU45LY MY ?ROAT 0 DRY & MY HE>T 0
F"R5$ Z A *'S4
  ,DY+4 ,EMMEL9E 0 DY+4             #EAD
  8,IS X MY FAULT80
  8,YR FAULT8 ,H[ %D X 2 YR FAULT80
,MISS ,W9T] %OOK H] H1D4 8,T NI<T _H
NO?+ 6D ) X40
  ,%E GAVE ME "O ( H] OLD1 %>P LOOKS T
"U/OOD M ?AN ,I M1NT 6REV1L4 8,:Y DOES ?
UPSET Y1 ,M>G>ET8 ,MY SI/] IS A /RANG]
6Y4 ,& X IS H>DLY -PAS.N = ME T 4TRESSES
Y S1 IS X8 ,TELL ME1 ,M>G>ET1 :AT IS !
MATT]80
  ,9 "P %E 0 WR;G4 ,I DID FEEL -PAS.N =
H]4 ,= ,I 2LIEV$ ,I KNEW :AT ,MISS ,W9T]
0 GO+ "?4 ,%E 0 AB 6JO9 ME 9 ! RANKS (!
AMPUTEES4 ,2R1V$ TW9S >E HALF-S\LS4 ,!
L9E 2T LIFE & D1? IS N>R[ & D>K1 &A BE-
R1V$ TW9 LIVES CLOS] 6X ?AN MO/4 ,?\< %E
0 (T5 %ORT-TEMP]$ & 3TR>Y1 ,I _H GR[N 6L
,MISS ,W9T]4 ,9 "PICUL> ,I LIK$ ! * %E
_H ONCE BE51 ! * :O EM]G$ M & M FREQU5T-
LY N[A"DS4 ,) H] CROPP$ HAIR1 H] NAK$
FACE1 H] FRAIL H&S DENUD$ ( _! H1VY
/"OS1 %E SEEM$ 6GR[ M *ILDLIKE E "D4
,6MY M9D X 0 ? * :O 0 LOS+ H] SI/]1 & ?
IS ": ,MISS ,W9T]'S SORR[ MET MY [N4 ,H]
DRAMA 0 GO+ 6BE PLAY$ \ "H 9 ?      #EAE
H\SE1 9 ! -+ "DS1 & X 0 ! V SAME DRAMA T
_H %AP$ MY LIFE1 ?\< X _H TAK5 PLACE =
ME 9 ! "DS 2F ,I CD REMEMB]4
  ,I WAT*$ ,EMMEL9E'S FACE ON ! PILL[4
,%E 0 APPROA*+ ! DIVIDE T ALR SEP>AT$ ME
F MY SI/]4 ,SOON %E WD CROSS X & 2 LO/
6U1 A NEW >RIVAL 9 T O!R PLACE4 ,I 0
FILL$ )! ABSURD DESIRE 6:ISP] 9 H] E>1 A
MESSAGE = MY SI/]1 5TRU/$ 6"O :O MI<T
SEE H] SOON4 ,ONLY :AT 6SAY8
  ,I FELT ,MISS ,W9T]'S CURI\S GAZE ^U
MY FACE4 ,I RE/RA9$ MY FOLLY4
  8,H[ L;G80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"DS4 ,A WEEK1 P]H4 ,N L;G40
  ,I SAT UP LATE T NI<T ) ,MISS ,W9T]4
,I 0 "! AG AT ! SIDE ( ,EMMEL9E'S B$ !
NEXT "D1 TOO4 ,WE SAT1 R1D+ AL\D OR 9
SIL;E = L;G P]IODS1 ) ONLY ,DR4 ,CLIFTON
-+ 69T]RUPT \R VIGIL4 ,HE SEEM$ 6TAKE MY
PRES;E "! Z A NATURAL ?+1 9CLUD$ ME 9 !
SAME GRAVE SMILE HE 2/[$ ON ,MISS ,W9T]
Z HE SPOKE G5TLY AB ,EMMEL9E'S DECL9E4
,& "S"TS !N HE SAT ) U = AN H\R OR S1
%>+ \R LIMBO1 LI/5+ :ILE ,I R1D4 ,BOOKS
F ANY %ELF1 OP5$ AT ANY PAGE1 9 :   #EAF
,I WD />T & F9I% ANY":1 MID-S5T;E "S"TS4
.,WU!R+ .,HEI<TS RAN 96.,EMMA1 : GAVE
WAY 6.,! .,EU/ACE .,DIAMONDS1 : FAD$ 9TO
.,H>D .,"TS1 : C$$ 6..,! ,WOMAN 9
.,:ITE4 ,FRAG;TS4 ,X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,>T1
XS -PLETE;S1 XS =M$;S1 XS F9I%$;S1 _H NO
P[] 63SOLE4 ,^WS1 ON ! O!R H&1 7 A LIFE-
L9E4 ,!Y LEFT _! HU%$ RHY?M 2H1 A C.T]
6! SL[ 9 & \ ( ,EMMEL9E'S BR1?+4
  ,!N ! "D FAD$ & TM WD 2 ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1
! "D ( MY DE"PURE4 ,9 A WAY ,I DID N
WANT 6L1VE4 ,! HU% ( ? H\SE1 ! SPL5DID
SOLIT>I;S (F]$ 0XS G>D51 7 ALL ,I WANT$
(! _W AT PRES5T4 ,! %OP & MY "F SEEM$ V
SMALL & F> AWAY1 MY "M1 Z "E1 M 4TANT /4
,Z = ,*RI/MAS ''' ,9 \R H\SE ! FE/IVE
S1SON FOLL[$ TOO CLOSE ^U MY BIR?"D = MY
"M 6BE A# 6BE> ! CELEBR,N (! BIR? ( "S
O!R WOMAN'S *1 NO MATT] H[ L;G AGO4 ,I
?"\ ( MY "F1 OP5+ ! ,*RI/MAS C>DS F MY
P>5TS' FEW FRS1 >RANG+ OV] ! FIREPLACE !
9NOCU\S ,SANTAS1 SN[ SC5ES & ROB9S &
PUTT+ ASIDE ! "OS T %[$ ! ,MADONNA4 ,E
YE> HE COLLECT$ A SECRET PILE ( !M3
JEWEL-COLOR$ IMAGES (! "M GAZ+ 9    #EAG
RAPTURE AT H] S+LE1 -PLETE1 P]FECT IN-
FANT2 ! 9FANT GAZ+ BACK AT H]2 ! TWO (
!M MAK+ A BLISS;L CIRCLE ( LOVE & :OLE-
;S4 ,E YE> !Y W5T 9 ! TRA%1 ! LOT ( !M4
  ,MISS ,W9T]1 ,I KNEW1 WD N OBJECT IF
,I ASK$ 6/AY4 ,%E MI<T EV5 2 GLAD 6H A
-PANION 9 ! "DS AH1D4 ,B ,I DID N ASK4
,I CD N4 ,I _H SE5 ,EMMEL9E'S DECL9E4 ,Z
%E _H W1K5$1 S ! H& ON MY HE>T _H
SQUEEZ$ M TI<TLY1 & MY GR[+ ANGUI% TOLD
ME T ! 5D 0 N F> (F4 ,X 0 C[>DLY ( ME1 B
:5 ,*RI/MAS CAME1 X 0 AN OPPORTUN;Y 6ES-
CAPE1 & ,I TOOK X4
  ,9 ! EV5+1 ,I W5T 6MY ROOM & DID MY
PACK+1 !N W5T BACK 6,EMMEL9E'S QU>T]S TO
SAY GD-BYE 6,MISS ,W9T]4 ,ALL ! SI/]S'
:ISP]S _H FLUTT]$ AWAY1 ! DIM;S HUNG
H1VI]1 /ILL] ?AN 2F4 ,MISS ,W9T] _H A
BOOK 9 H] LAP1 B IF %E _H BE5 R1D+1 %E
CD SEE 6R1D NO L;G]2 9/1D1 H] EYES WAT*$
9 SAD;S H] SI/]'S FACE4 ,9 H] B$1 ,EMME-
L9E LAY IMMOBILE1 ! COV]S RIS+ & FALL+
G5TLY ) H] BR1?4 ,H] EYES 7 CLOS$ & %E
LOOK$ DEEPLY ASLEEP4
  8,M>G>ET10 ,MISS ,W9T] MURMUR$1   #EAH
9DICAT+ A *AIR4 ,%E SEEM$ PL1S$ T ,I _H
-E4 ,TGR WE WAIT$ =! LI<T 6FADE1 LI/5+
6! TIDE ( ,EMMEL9E'S BR1?4
  ,2T U1 9 ! SICKB$1 ,EMMEL9E'S BR1?
ROLL$ 9 & \1 9 A SMOO?1 IMP]TURBA#
RHY?M1 SOO?+ L ! S.D ( WAVES ON A SEA-
%ORE4
  ,MISS ,W9T] DID N SP1K1 & ,I1 TOO1 0
SIL5T1 -POS+ 9 MY M9D IMPOSSI# MESSAGES
,I MI<T S5D 6MY SI/] VIA ? IMM95T TRAV-
EL] 6T O!R _W4 ,) E EXHAL,N1 ! ROOM
SEEM$ FILL$ )A DEEP] & M 5DUR+ SORR[4
  ,AG/ ! W9D[1 A D>K SILH\ETTE1 ,MISS
,W9T] /IRR$4
  8,Y %D H ?10 %E SD1 &A MOVE;T 9 ! D>K-
;S TOLD ME %E 0 HOLD+ "S?+ \ 6ME ACR !
B$4
  ,MY F+]S CLOS$ ON A RECTANGUL> L1!R
OBJECT )A METAL LOCK4 ,"S SORT ( BOOK4
  8,F ,EMMEL9E'S TR1SURE BOX4 ,X W N 2
NE$$ ANYMORE4 ,G AWAY4 ,R1D X4 ,:5 Y -E
BACK WE W TALK40
  ,BOOK 9 H&1 ,I CROSS$ ! ROOM 6! DOOR1
FEEL+ MY WAY 0! FURNITURE 9 MY PA?4 ,2H
ME 0 ! TIDE ( ,EMMEL9E'S BR1?       #EAI
ROLL+ 9 & \4























                                    #EBJ
























        ,A ,,DI>Y ,,& ,A ,,TRA9     #EBA

  ,HE/]'S DI>Y 0 DAMAG$4 ,! KEY 0 MISS+1
! CLASP S RU/$ T X LEFT ORANGE /A9S ON
YR F+]S4 ,! F/ ?REE PAGES 7 /UCK TGR ":
! GLUE F ! 9N] COV] _H MELT$ 96!M4 ,ON E
PAGE ! LA/ ^W 4SOLV$ 96A BR[NI% TIDE
M>K1 Z IF ! DI>Y _H BE5 EXPOS$ 6DIRT &
DAMP TGR4 ,A FEW PAGES _H BE5 TORN2 AL;G
! RIPP$ $GES 0 A TANTALIZ+ LI/ ( FRAG-
;TS3 .ABN1 .CR1 .TA1 .EST4 ,WOR/ ( ALL1
X SEEM$ T ! DI>Y _H AT "S PO9T BE5 SUB-
M]G$ 9 WAT]4 ,! PAGES UNDULAT$2 :5
CLOS$1 ! DI>Y SPLAY$ 6M ?AN XS 9T5D$
?ICK;S4
  ,X 0 ? SUBM].N T 0 GO+ 6CAUSE ME !
GRTE/ DI6ICULTY4 ,:5 "O GL.ED AT A PAGE1
X 0 CLE> T X 0 SCRIPT4 ,N ANY OLD
SCRIPT1 EI1 B ,HE/]'S4 ,"H 7 H] FIRM AS-
C5D]S1 H] BAL.ED1 FLUID LOOPS2 "H 7 H]
-=TA# SLANT1 H] ECONOMIC YET FUNC;NAL
GAPS4 ,B ON A CLOS] LOOK1 ! ^WS 7 BLURR$
& FAD$4 ,0 ? L9E AN ;L OR A ;T8 ,0 ?
CURVE AN ;A OR AN ;E8 ,OR AN ;S1 EV58 ,0
? 3FIGUR,N 6BE R1D Z .BET OR .LO/8
  ,X 0 GO+ 6BE Q A PUZZLE4 ,AL?     #EBB
,I SUBSEQU5TLY MADE A TRANSCRIPT (! DIA-
RY1 ON T "D ! HOLI"D TRA9 0 TOO CR[D$ TO
P]MIT P5CIL & PAP]4 ,I HUN*$ 9 MY W9D[
S1T1 DI>Y CLOSE 6MY NOSE1 & POR$ OV] !
PAGES1 APPLY+ MYF 6! TASK ( DECIPH]+4 ,I
MANAG$ "O ^W 9 ?REE AT F/1 !N Z ,I 0
DRAWN 96! FL[ ( H] M1N+1 ! ^WS 2GAN 6-E
HALFWAY 6MEET ME1 REW>D+ MY EF=TS ) G5]-
\S REVEL,NS1 UNTIL ,I 0 A# 6TURN ! PAGES
) "S?+ L ! SPE$ ( R1D+4 ,9 T TRA91 ! "D
2F ,*RI/MAS1 ,HE/] CAME 6LIFE4
  ,I W N TE/ YR PATI;E 0REPRODUC+ ,HES-
T]'S DI>Y "H Z X CAME 6ME3 FRAG;T$ &
BROK54 ,9 ! _S ( ,HE/] H]F1 ,I H M5D$ &
TIDI$ & PUT 9 ORD]4 ,I H BANI%$ *AOS &
CLUTT]4 ,I H REPLAC$ D\BT ) C]TA9TY1
%AD[S ) CL>;Y1 LACUNAE ) SUB/.E4 ,9 DO+
S1 ,I MAY H O3A.N,Y PUT ^WS 96H] PAGE T
%E N"E WROTE1 B ,I C PROMISE T IF ,I H
MADE MISTAKES1 X IS ONLY 9 ! SMALL ?+S2
": X MATT]S ,I H SQU9T$ & SCRUT9IZ$ UN-
TIL ,I AM Z SURE Z SURE C 2 T ,I H 4T9-
GUI%$ H] ORIG9AL M1N+4
  ,I D N GIVE ! 5TIRE DI>Y1 ONLY AN $IT$
SELEC;N ( PASSAGES4 ,MY *OICE HAS   #EBC
BE5 DICTAT$ F/ 0"QS ( RELEV.E 6MY PUR-
POSE1 : IS 6TELL ! /ORY ( ,MISS ,W9T]1 &
SECOND 0MY DESIRE 6GIVE AN A3URATE IM-
PRES.N ( ,HE/]'S LIFE AT ,ANGELFIELD4

  ,ANGELFIELD ,H\SE IS DEC5T 5 AT A DIS-
T.E1 AL? X FACES ! WR;G WAY &! W9D[S >E
BADLY POSI;N$1 B ON APPROA*+1 "O SEES
9/ANTLY ! /ATE ( DILAPID,N X HAS BE5 AL-
L[$ 6FALL 9TO4 ,SEC;NS (! /"O"W >E DAN-
G]\SLY W1!R$4 ,W9D[ FRAMES >E ROTT+4 ,&
X DID LOOK Z ?\< "PS (! RO( >E /ORM-
DAMAG$4 ,I % MAKE X A PRIOR;Y 6*ECK !
CEIL+S 9 ! ATTIC ROOMS4
  ,! H\SEKEEP] WELCOM$ ME AT ! DOOR4
,?\< %E TRIES 6HIDE X1 ,I "U/OOD IMMLY T
%E HAS DI6ICULTY SEE+ & HE>+4 ,GIV5 H]
GRT AGE1 ? IS NO SURPRISE4 ,X AL EXPLA9S
! FIL?Y /ATE (! H\SE1 B ,I SUPPOSE !
,ANGELFIELD FAMILY DOES N WANT 6?R[ H] \
AF A LIFE"T'S S]VICE 9 ! H\SE4 ,I C AP-
PROVE _! LOYALTY1 ?\< ,I FAIL 6SEE :Y %E
_C 2 HELP$ 0"Y]1 /R;G] H&S4
  ,MRS4 ,DUNNE TOLD ME AB ! H\SEHOLD4 ,!
FAMILY HAS BE5 LIV+ "H ) :AT MO/    #EBD
WD 3SID] A GRTLY REDUC$ /AFF = YE>S N[1
& X HAS -E 6BE A3EPT$ Z "P (! WAY (!
H\SE4 ,Q :Y X %D 2 S1 ,I H N YET ASC]-
TA9$1 B :AT ,I D "K IS T "! IS1 \TSIDE !
FAMILY PROP]1 ONLY ,MRS4 ,DUNNE &A G>D5]
CALL$ ,JOHN ,DIG;E4 ,"! >E DE] 7?\< "!
IS NO HUNT+ ANYMORE71 B ! MAN :O LOOKS
AF !M IS N"E SE5 >.D ! H\SE2 HE TAKES
9/RUC;N F ! SAME SOLICITOR :O 5GAG$ ME &
:O ACTS Z A K9D ( E/ATE MANAG]--S F> Z
"! IS ANY E/ATE MANAGE;T4 ,X IS ,MRS4
,DUNNE H]F :O D1LS )! REGUL> H\SEHOLD
F9.ES4 ,I SUPPOS$ T ,*>LES ,ANGELFIELD
LOOK$ OV] ! BOOKS &! RECEIPTS EA* WEEK1
B ,MRS4 ,DUNNE ONLY LAU<$ & ASK$ IF ,I
?"\ %E _H ! SI<T 6G MAK+ LI/S ( FIGURES
9 A BOOK4 ,I _C HELP B ?9K ? HI<LY UN-
OR?ODOX4 ,N T ,I ?9K ,MRS4 ,DUNNE UN-
TRU/WOR?Y4 ,F :AT ,I H SE5 %E GIVES E
9DIC,N ( 2+ A GD-HE>T$1 H"O/ WOMAN1 & X
IS MY HOPE T :5 ,I -E 6"K H] BETT] ,I %
2 A# 6ASCRIBE H] RETIC;E 5TIRELY 6D1F;S4
,I MADE A NOTE 6DEMON/RATE 6,MR4 ,ANGEL-
FIELD ! ADVANTAGES ( KEEP+ A3URATE
RECORDS & ?"\ T ,I MI<T (F] 6"U-    #EBE
TAKE ! JOB MYF IF HE 0 TOO BUSY 6D X4
  ,POND]+ ?1 ,I 2GAN 6?9K X "T ,I MET MY
EMPLOY]1 & CD N H BE5 M SURPRIS$ :5
,MRS4 ,DUNNE TOLD ME HE SP5DS 8 5TIRE "D
9 ! OLD NURS]Y & T X IS N 8 HABIT 6L1VE
X4 ,AF A GRT _M "QS ,I EV5TU,Y ASC]TA9$
T HE IS SU6]+ F "S K9D ( 4ORD] (! M9D4
,A GRT P;Y6 ,IS "! ANY?+ M SORR[;L ?AN A
BRA9 ^: PROP] FUNC;N HAS BE5 4RUPT$8
  ,MRS4 ,DUNNE GAVE ME TEA 7: ,I PRET5D$
6DR9K \ ( POLITE;S1 B LAT] ?REW 96! S9K
= ,I _H NO FAI? 9 ! CL1NLI;S (! T1CUP1
HAV+ SE5 ! /ATE (! KIT*57 & TOLD ME A LL
AB H]F4 ,%E IS 9 H] EI<TIES1 N"E M>RI$1
& HAS LIV$ "H ALL H] LIFE4 ,NATUR,Y 5 \R
TALK !N TURN$ 6! FAMILY4 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE
KNEW ! "M (! TW9S Z A GIRL & "Y WOMAN4
,%E 3FIRM$ :AT ,I _H ALR "U/OOD3 T X IS
! REC5T DE"PURE (! "M 6AN ASYLUM =! SICK
( M9D T PRECIPITAT$ MY 5GAGE;T4 ,%E GAVE
ME S* A 3TORT$ A3.T (! EV5TS T PRECIPI-
TAT$ ! "M'S -MITTAL T ,I CD N MAKE \
:E!R ! WOMAN _H OR _H N ATTACK$ ! DOC-
TOR'S WIFE )A VIOL94 ,X H>DLY MATT]S2
CLE>LY "! IS A FAMILY HI/ORY (      #EBF
4TURB.E 9 ! BRA91 & ,I 3FESS1 MY HE>T
B1T A LL FA/] :5 ,I _H X 3FIRM$4 ,:AT
SATISFAC;N IS "!1 =A GOV];S1 9 2+ GIV5 !
DIREC;N ( M9DS T ALR RUN 9 SMOO? & UN-
TRAMMEL$ L9ES8 ,:AT *ALL5GE 9 MA9TA9+
ORD]$ ?9K+ 9 *N ^: M9DS >E ALR N1T & TI-
DY8 ,I AM N ONLY R1DY = ? JOB1 ,I H SP5T
YE>S L;G+ = X4 ,"H1 ,I % F9,Y F9D \ :AT
MY ME?ODS >E WOR?6
  ,I 9QUIR$ AF ! "F'S FAMILY--= ?\< ,MR4
,M>* IS DEC1S$ &! *N N"E KNEW HM1 /1 8
BLOOD IS _!S & HAS AN IMPACT ON _! NA-
TURES4 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE 0 A# 6TELL ME V LL1
?\<4 ,9/1D1 %E 2GAN A S]IES ( ANECDOTES
AB ! "M &! UNCLE1 :1 IF ,I AM 6R1D 2T !
L9ES 7Z ,I'M SURE %E M1NT ME TO71 3TA9$
H9TS ( "S?+ SC&AL\S ''' ,( C\RSE1 :AT %E
SU7E/S IS N AT ALL LIKELY1 N 9 ,5GL& AT
L1/1 & ,I SUSPECT H] ( 2+ "S:AT FANCI;L4
,! IMAG9,N IS A H1L?Y ?+1 &A GRT _M SCI-
5TIFIC 4COV]IES CD N H BE5 MADE )\T X1 B
X NE$S 6BE H>;S$ 6"S S]I\S OBJECT IF X
IS 6-E 6ANY?+4 ,LEFT 6W&] XS [N WAY1 X
T5DS 6L1D 96SILLI;S4 ,P]H X IS AGE T
MAKES H] M9D W&]1 = %E SEEMS A      #EBG
K9D ?+ 9 O!R WAYS1 & N ! SORT 69V5T GOS-
SIP =! SAKE ( X4 ,9 ANY CASE1 ,I IMMLY
PUT ! TOPIC FIRMLY F MY M9D4
  ,Z ,I WRITE ? ,I HE> NOISES \TSIDE MY
ROOM4 ,! GIRLS H -E \ ( _! HID+ PLACE &
>E CREEP+ AB ! H\SE4 ,!Y H BE5 D"O NO
FAVORS1 ALL[$ 6SUIT !MVS L ?4 ,!Y W B5E-
FIT ENORM\SLY F ! REGIME ( ORD]1 HYGI5E
& 4CIPL9E T ,I M1N 69/ILL 9 ! H\SE4 ,I %
N G \ 6!M4 ,NO D\BT !Y W EXPECT ME TO1 &
X W SUIT MY PURPOSES 64CONC]T !M AT ?
/AGE4
  ,MRS4 ,DUNNE %[$ ME ! ROOMS ON ! GR.D
FLOOR4 ,"! IS FIL? "EY":1 ALL ! SURFACES
?ICK ) DU/1 & CURTA9S HANG+ 9 TATT]S1
?\< %E DOES N SEE X & ?9KS ( !M Z !Y 7
YE>S AGO 9 ! "T (! TW9'S GR&"F1 :5 "! 0
A FULL /AFF4 ,"! IS A PIANO T MAY 2 2Y
SAV+1 B ,I W SEE :AT C 2 D"O1 &A LIBR>Y
T MAY 2 FULL ( K ONCE ! DU/ IS WIP$ & "O
C SEE :AT IS "!4
  ,! O!R FLOORS ,I EXPLOR$ AL"O1 N WANT+
69FLICT TOO _M /AIRS AT ONCE ON ,MRS4
,DUNNE4 ,ON ! F/ FLOOR ,I 2CAME AW>E (A
SCU6L+1 A :ISP]+ & S"M$ GI7L+4 ,I   #EBH
_H F.D MY *>GES4 ,!Y _H LOCK$ ! DOOR &
FELL SIL5T :5 ,I TRI$ ! H&LE4 ,I CALL$
_! "NS ONCE1 !N LEFT !M 6_! [N DEVICES &
W5T ON 6! SECOND FLOOR4 ,X IS A C>D9AL
RULE T ,I D N *ASE MY *>GES1 B TRA9 !M
6-E 6ME4
  ,! SECOND-FLOOR ROOMS 7 9 ! MO/ T]RI#
4ORD]4 ,DIRTY1 B ,I _H -E 6EXPECT T4
,RA9WAT] _H -E "? ! RO( 7,I EXPECT$ Z
M*7 & "! 7 FUNGI GR[+ 9 "S (! ROTT+
FLOORBO>DS4 ,? IS A TRULY UNH1L?Y 5VI-
RON;T 9 : 6RAISE *N4 ,A NUMB] ( FLOOR-
BO>DS 7 MISS+1 LOOK$ Z IF !Y _H BE5 DE-
LIB]ATELY REMOV$4 ,I % H 6SEE ,MR4 ,AN-
GELFIELD AB GETT+ ^! REPAIR$4 ,I % PO9T
\ 6HM T "S"O CD FALL D[N/AIRS OR AT ! V
L1/ TWI/ AN ANKLE4 ,ALL ! H+ES NE$ OIL+1
& ALL ! DOOR FRAMES >E W>P$4 ,:]"E ,I
W5T ,I 0 FOLL[$ 0A SQU1K+ ( DOORS SW++
ON _! H+ES1 A CR1K+ ( FLOORBO>DS1 &
DRAFTS T SET CURTA9S FLUTT]+1 ?\< X IS
IMPOSSI# 6TELL EXACTLY ": !Y -E F4
  ,I RETURN$ 6! KIT*5 Z SOON Z ,I CD4
,MRS4 ,DUNNE 0 PREP>+ \R EV5+ M1L1 & ,I
_H NO 9CL9,N 6EAT FOOD COOK$ 9      #EBI
POTS Z UNPL1SANT Z ! "OS ,I _H SE51 S ,I
GOT /UCK 96A GRT PILE ( WA%+ UP 7AF GIV+
! S9K ! MO/ ?OR\< SCRU2+ X _H SE5 =A
DECADE7 & KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON H] )!
PREP>,N4 ,%E DOES H] BE/4
  ,! GIRLS WD N -E D[N 6EAT4 ,I CALL$
ONCE & NO M4 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE 0 ALL = CALL+
& P]SUAD+1 B ,I TOLD H] T ,I H MY ME?-
ODS1 & %E M/ 2 ON MY SIDE4
  ,! DOCTOR CAME 6D9E4 ,Z ,I _H BE5 L$
6EXPECT1 ! H1D (! H\SEHOLD DID N APPE>4
,I _H ?"\ ! DOCTOR WD 2 (F5D$ AT ?1 B HE
SEEM$ 6F9D X 5TIRELY NORMAL4 ,S X 0 J !
TWO ( U1 & ,MRS4 ,DUNNE DO+ H] BE/ 6WAIT
AT TA#1 B NE$+ M* HELP F ME4
  ,! DOCTOR IS AN 9TELLIG5T1 CULTIVAT$
MAN4 ,HE HAS A S9C]E DESIRE 6SEE ! TW9S
IMPROVE & HAS BE5 ! PRIME MOV] 9 BR++ ME
6,ANGELFIELD4 ,HE EXPLA9$ 6ME AT GRT
L5G? ! DI6ICULTIES ,I AM LIKELY 6FACE
"H1 & ,I LI/5$ ) Z M* POLITE;S Z ,I CD
MU/]4 ,ANY GOV];S1 AF ! FEW H\RS ,I H _H
9 ? H\SE1 WD H A FULL & CLE> PICTURE (!
TASK AWAIT+ H]1 B HE IS A MAN1 H;E _C
SEE H[ TIRE"S X IS 6H EXPLA9$ AT    #ECJ
L5G? :AT "O HAS ALR FULLY "U/OOD4 ,MY
FIDGET+ &! SLI<T %>P;S ( "O OR TWO ( MY
ANSW]S 5TIRELY ESCAP$ 8 NOTICE1 & ,I FE>
T 8 5]GY & 8 ANALYTICAL SKILLS >E N
MAT*$ 0HIS P[]S ( OBS]V,N4 ,I D N CRITI-
CIZE HM UNDULY = EXPECT+ "EY"O HE MEETS
6BE LESS A# ?AN HMF4 ,= HE IS A CL"E
MAN1 & M ?AN T1 HE IS A BIG FI% 9 A
SMALL POND4 ,HE HAS ADOPT$ AN AIR ( QUI-
ET MODE/Y1 B ,I SEE "? T EASILY 5\<1 =
,I H 4GUIS$ MYF 9 EXACTLY ! SAME MANN]4
,H["E1 ,I % NE$ 8 SUPPORT 9 ! PROJECT ,I
H TAK5 ON1 & % "W AT MAK+ HM MY ALLY DE-
SPITE 8 %ORTCOM+S4
  ,I HE> S.DS ( AN UPSET F D[N/AIRS4
,PRESUMABLY ! GIRLS H 4COV]$ ! LOCK ON !
PANTRY DOOR4 ,!Y W 2 ANGRY & FRU/RAT$1 B
H[ ELSE C ,I TRA9 !M 6PROP] M1L"TS8 ,&
)\T M1L"TS1 H[ C ORD] 2 RE/OR$8
  ,TM ,I W />T 0CL1N+ ? B$ROOM4 ,I H
WIP$ ! SURFACES )A DAMP CLO? ? EV5+1 & 0
TEMPT$ 6CL1N ! FLOOR1 B TOLD MYF NO4 ,X
W ONLY NE$ DO+ AG TM :5 ,I SCRUB ! WALLS
& TAKE D[N ! CURTA9S T >E S ?ICK ) DIRT4
,S TN ,I SLEEP 9 DIRT1 B TM ,I %    #ECA
SLEEP 9 A B"R CL1N ROOM4 ,X W 2 A GD BE-
G9N+4 ,= ,I PLAN 6RE/ORE ORD] & 4CIPL9E
6? H\SE1 & 6SU3E$ 9 MY AIM M/ F/ ( ALL
MAKE MYF A CL1N ROOM 6?9K IN4 ,NO "O C
?9K CLE>LY & MAKE PROGRESS IF %E IS N
SURR.D$ 0HYGI5E & ORD]4
  ,! TW9S >E CRY+ 9 ! HALL4 ,X IS "T =
ME 6MEET MY *>GES4

  ,I H BE5 S BUSY ORGANIZ+ ! H\SE T ,I H
_H LL "T = MY DI>Y LATELY1 B ,I M/ MAKE
! "T1 = X IS *IEFLY 9 WRIT+ T ,I RECORD
& DEVELOP MY ME?ODS4
  ,EMMEL9E ,I H MADE GD PROGRESS )1 & MY
EXP]I;E ) H] FITS ! PATT]N ( 2HAVIOR ,I
H SE5 9 O!R DI6ICULT *N4 ,%E IS N1 ,I
?9K1 Z BADLY 4TURB$ Z 0 REPORT$1 &) MY
9FLU;E W -E 6BE A NICE *4 ,%E IS A6EC;N-
ATE & /URDY1 HAS LE>N$ 6APPRECIATE ! B5-
EFIT ( HYGI5E1 EATS )A GD APPETITE & C 2
MADE 6OBEY 9/RUC;NS 0K9D COAX+ &! PROM-
ISE ( SMALL TR1TS4 ,%E W SOON -E 6"U/& T
GD;S REW>DS 0BR++ ! E/EEM ( O!RS 9 XS
WAKE1 & !N ,I W 2 A# 6REDUCE ! BRIB]Y4
,%E W N"E 2 CL"E1 B !N ,I "K !      #ECB
LIMITS ( MY ME?ODS4 ,:AT"E MY /R5G?S1 ,I
C ONLY DEVELOP :AT IS "! 6/>T )4
  ,I AM 3T5T ) MY "W ON ,EMMEL9E4
  ,H] SI/] IS A M DI6ICULT CASE4 ,VIOL;E
,I H SE5 2F1 & ,I AM LESS %OCK$ ?AN ,AD-
EL9E ?9KS 0H] DE/RUCTIVE;S4 ,H["E1 ,I AM
/RUCK 0"O ?+3 ,9 O!R *N DE/RUCTIVE;S IS
G5],Y A SIDE E6ECT ( RAGE & N XS PRIM>Y
OBJECTIVE4 ,! VIOL5T ACT1 Z ,I H OBS]V$
X 9 O!R *>GES1 IS MO/ FREQU5TLY MOTIVAT$
0AN EXCESS ( ANG]1 &! \TP\R+ (! ANG] IS
ONLY 9CID5T,Y DAMAG+ 6P & PROP]TY4 ,ADE-
L9E'S CASE DOES N FIT ? MODEL4 ,I H SE5
9CID5TS MYF1 & BE5 TOLD ( O!RS1 9 : DE-
/RUC;N SEEMS 6BE ,ADEL9E'S ONLY MOTIVE1
& RAGE "S?+ %E HAS 6T1SE \1 /OKE UP 9
H]F 9 ORD] 6G5]ATE ! 5]GY 6DE/ROY4 ,= %E
IS A FEE# LL ?+1 SK9 & B"O1 & EATS ONLY
CRUMBS4 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE HAS TOLD ME ( "O
9CID5T 9 ! G>D51 :5 ,ADEL9E IS "KN 6H
DAMAG$ A NUMB] ( YEWS4 ,IF ? IS TRUE1 X
IS A GRT %AME4 ,! G>D5 0 CLE>LY V B1UTI-
;L4 ,X CD 2 PUT 6"RS1 B ,JOHN HAS LO/
HE>T OV] ! MATT]1 & X IS N ONLY ! TOPI>Y
B ! G>D5 9 G5]AL T SU6]S F 8 LACK   #ECC
( 9T]E/4 ,I W F9D ! "T &A WAY 6RE/ORE 8
PRIDE4 ,X W D M* 6IMPROVE ! APPE>.E &!
ATMOSPH]E (! H\SE IF HE C 2 MADE HAPPY 9
8 "W &! G>D5 MADE ORD]LY AG4
  ,TALK+ ( ,JOHN &! G>D5 REM9DS ME--,I
M/ SP1K 6HM AB ! BOY4 ,WALK+ AB ! S*OOL-
ROOM ? AFN1 ,I HAPP5$ 6-E NE> ! W9D[4 ,X
0 RA9+1 & ,I WANT$ 6CLOSE ! W9D[ S Z N
6LET ANY M DAMP IN2 ! W9D[ L$GE ON ! IN-
SIDE IS ALR CRUMBL+ AWAY4 ,IF ,I _HN'T
BE5 S CLOSE 6! W9D[1 NOSE ALM PRESS$ 6!
GLASS1 9 FACT1 ,I D\BT ,I'D H SE5 HM4 ,B
"! HE WAS3 A BOY1 CR\*+ 9 ! FL[] B$1
WE$+4 ,HE 0 WE>+ A PAIR ( M5'S TR\S]S1
CUT (F AT ! ANKLE & HELD UP )A PAIR (
BRACES4 ,A WIDE-BRIMM$ HAT CA/ 8 FACE 9
%AD[1 & ,I 0 UNA# 6GET A CLE> IMPRES.N (
8 AGE1 ?\< HE MI<T H BE5 ELEV5 OR
TWELVE4 ,I "K X IS -MON PRACTICE 9 RURAL
>1S = *N 65GAGE 9 HORTICULTURAL "W1 ?\<
,I ?"\ X 0 M -MONLY F>M"W !Y DID1 & ,I
APPRECIATE ! ADVANTAGES ( _! LE>N+ _!
TRADE E>LY1 B ,I D N L 6SEE ANY * \ (
S*OOL DUR+ S*OOL H\RS4 ,I W SP1K 6,JOHN
AB X & MAKE SURE HE "U/&S ! BOY     #ECD
M/ SP5D S*OOL H\RS 9 S*OOL4
  ,B 6RETURN 6MY SUBJECT3 ,": ,ADEL9E'S
VICI\S;S 6H] SI/] IS 3C]N$1 %E MI<T 2
SURPRIS$ 6"K X1 B ,I H SE5 X ALL 2F4
,J1L\SY & ANG] 2T SIBL+S IS -MONPLACE1 &
9 TW9S RIVALRIES >E FREQU5TLY HEI<T5$4
,) "T ,I W 2 A# 6M9IMIZE ! A7RES.N1 B 9
! M1N"T 3/ANT VIGIL.E IS REQUIR$ 6PREV5T
,ADEL9E HURT+ H] SI/]1 & ? SL[S D[N
PROGRESS ON O!R FRONTS1 : IS A P;Y4 ,:Y
,EMMEL9E LETS H]F 2 B1T5 7& H H] HAIR
PULL$ \1 & 2 *AS$ 0,ADEL9E WIELD+ ! FIRE
T;GS 9 : %E C>RIES HOT COALS7 ,I H YET
6"U/&4 ,%E IS TWICE ! SIZE ( H] SI/] &
CD DEF5D H]F M VIGOR\SLY ?AN %E DOES4
,P]H %E FL9*ES F 9FLICT+ HURT ON H] SIS-
T]2 %E IS AN A6EC;NATE S\L4

  ,MY F/ JUDG;T ( ,ADEL9E 9 ! E>LY "DS 0
(A * :O MI<T N "E -E 6LIVE Z 9DEP5D5T &
NORMAL A LIFE Z H] SI/]1 B :O CD 2 BR"\
6A PO9T ( BAL.E1 ( /ABIL;Y1 & ^: RAGES
CD 2 3TA9$ 0! IMPOSI;N (A /RICT R\T9E4
,I DID N EXPECT "E 6BR+ H] 6"U/&+4 ,!
TASK ,I =ESAW 0 GRT] ?AN = H]       #ECE
SI/]1 B ,I EXPECT$ F> LESS ?ANKS = X1 =
X WD SEEM LESS 9 ! EYES (! _W4
  ,B ,I H BE5 />TL$ 96MODIFY+ T OP9ION
0SIGNS (A D>K & CL\D$ 9TELLIG;E4 ,?
MORN+ %E CAME 96! CLASSROOM DRA7+ H]
FEET1 B )\T ! WOR/ 4PLAYS ( UNWILL+;S1 &
ONCE 9 H] S1T1 RE/$ H] H1D ON H] >M J Z
,I H SE5 2F4 ,I 2GAN ! LESSON4 ,X 0 NO?+
M ?AN ! TELL+ (A /ORY1 AN ADAPT,N ,I _H
MADE =! PURPOSE (! OP5+ *APT]S ( .,JANE
.,EYRE1 A /ORY LOV$ 0A GRT _M GIRLS4 ,I
0 3C5TRAT+ ON ,EMMEL9E1 5C\RAG+ H] 6FOL-
L[ ! /ORY 0ANIMAT+ X Z M* Z POSSI#4 ,I
GAVE "O VOICE 6! H]O9E1 ANO!R 6! AUNT1
YET ANO!R 6! C\S91 & ,I A3OMPANI$ ! /O-
RYTELL+ ) S* GE/URES & EXPRES.NS Z SEEM$
6ILLU/RATE ! EMO;NS (! "*S4 ,EMMEL9E DID
N TAKE H] EYES (F ME1 & ,I 0 PL1S$ ) MY
E6ECT4
  ,\ (! CORN] ( MY EYE ,I CAU<T A MOVE-
;T4 ,ADEL9E _H TURN$ H] H1D 9 MY DIREC-
;N4 ,/ H] H1D RE/$ ON H] >M1 / H] EYES
APPE>$ CLOS$1 YET ,I _H ! 4T9CT IMPRES.N
%E 0 LI/5+ 6ME4 ,EV5 IF ! *ANGE ( POSI;N
0 M1N+.S 7& X 0 N2 %E HAS ALW       #ECF
TURN$ AWAY F ME 2F71 "! IS ! ALT],N 9 !
WAY %E HELD H]F4 ,": %E NORM,Y SLUMPS
OV] H] DESK :5 %E SLEEPS1 9 A /ATE ( AN-
IMAL UNCONSCI\S;S1 TD H] :OLE BODY SEEM$
AL]T3 ! SET (! %\LD]S1 A C]TA9 T5.N4 ,Z
IF %E 0 /RA9+ T[>D ! /ORY1 YET / TRY+ TO
GIVE ! IMPRES.N ( 9]T SLUMB]4
  ,I DID N WANT H] 6SEE T ,I _H NOTIC$
ANY?+4 ,I 3T9U$ 6LOOK Z IF ,I 0 R1D+ ON-
LY 6,EMMEL9E4 ,I MA9TA9$ ! ANIM,N ( MY
FACE & VOICE4 ,B ALL ! "T ,I 0 KEEP+ AN
EYE ON ,ADEL9E4 ,& %E WASN'T ONLY LI/5+4
,I CAU<T A QUIV] ( H] LIDS4 ,I _H ?"\ H]
EYES CLOS$1 B N AT ALL--F 2T H] LA%ES1
%E 0 WAT*+ ME6
  ,X IS A MO/ 9T]E/+ DEVELOP;T1 & "O T
,I =ESEE W 2 ! C5T]P9 ( MY PROJECT "H4

  ,!N ! MO/ UNEXPECT$ ?+ HAPP5$4 ,! DOC-
TOR'S FACE *ANG$4 ,YES1 *ANG$1 2F MY V
EYES4 ,X 0 "O ( ^? MO;TS :5 A FACE -ES
SU45LY 96NEW FOCUS1 :5 ! F1TURES1 ALL
RECOGNIZABLY Z !Y 7 2F1 >E PR"O 6A DIZ-
ZY+ %IFT & PRES5T !MVS 9 AN UNEXPECT$
NEW LI<T4 ,I WD L 6"K :AT X IS 9    #ECG
A HUMAN M9D T CAUSES ! FACE ( ^? WE "K
6%IFT & D.E AB L T4 ,I H RUL$ \ OPTICAL
E6ECTS1 PH5OM5A RELAT$ 6LI<T & S ON1 & H
>RIV$ AT ! 3CLU.N T ! EXPLAN,N IS ROOT$
9 ! PSY*OLOGY (! ONLOOK]4 ,ANYWAY1 !
SU45 MOVE;T & RE>RANGE;T ( 8 FACIAL FEA-
TURES CAUS$ ME 6/>E AT HM =A FEW MO;TS1
: M/ H SEEM$ V /RANGE 6HM4 ,:5 8 F1TURES
_H C1S$ _! JUMP+ AB1 "! 0 "S?+ ODD 9 8
EXPRES.N1 TOO1 "S?+ ,I CD N1 _C FA?OM4
,I 4LIKE :AT ,I _C FA?OM4
  ,WE />$ AT EA* O!R =A FEW SECONDS1 EA*
Z AWKW>D Z ! O!R1 !N R ABRUPTLY HE LEFT4

  ,I WI% ,MRS4 ,DUNNE WD N MOVE MY BOOKS
AB4 ,H[ _M "TS % ,I H 6TELL H] T A BOOK
IS N F9I%$ UNTIL X IS F9I%$8 ,& IF %E M/
MOVE X1 :Y N PUT X BACK 9 ! LIBR>Y :;E X
CAME8 ,:AT IS ! PO9T ( L1V+ X ON ! /AIR-
CASE8

  ,I H _H A CURI\S 3V]S,N ) ,JOHN ! G>-
D5]4
  ,HE IS A GD "W]1 M *E];L N[ T 8 TOPI>Y
IS M5D+1 &A HELP;L PRES;E G5],Y 9   #ECH
! H\SE4 ,HE DR9KS TEA & *ATS 9 ! KIT*5 )
,MRS4 ,DUNNE2 "S"TS ,I -E ACR !M TALK+ 9
L[ VOICES1 : MAKES ME ?9K %E IS N Z D1F
Z %E MAKES \4 ,7 X N = H] GRT AGE ,I WD
IMAG9E "S LOVE A6AIR GO+ ON1 B S9CE T IS
\ (! "Q ,I AM AT A LOSS 6EXPLA9 :AT _!
SECRET IS4 ,I TAX$ ,MRS4 ,DUNNE ) X1 UN-
HAPPILY1 2C %E & ,I H A FRLY "U/&+ AB
?+S =! MO/ "P2 ,I ?9K %E APPROVES ( MY
PRES;E "H--N T X WD MAKE ANY DI6];E IF
%E DIDN'T--& %E TOLD ME T !Y TALK ( NO?+
B H\SEHOLD MATT]S1 *ICK5S 6BE KILL$1 PO-
TATOES 6BE DUG &! L4 8,:Y TALK S L[80 ,I
9SI/$1 & %E TOLD ME X 0 N L[ AT ALL1 AT
L1/ N "PICUL>LY S4 8,B Y DON'T HE> ME :5
,I TALK L[10 ,I SD1 & %E ANSW]$ T NEW
VOICES >E H>D] ?AN ! "OS %E IS US$ TO1 &
IF %E "U/&S ,JOHN :5 HE TALKS L[ X IS 2C
%E HAS "KN 8 VOICE = _M YE>S & M9E = ON-
LY A C\PLE ( MON?S4
  ,I _H =GOTT5 ALL AB ! L[ VOICES 9 !
KIT*51 UNTIL ? NEW O4;S ) ,JOHN4 ,A FEW
MORN+S AGO ,I 0 TAK+ A WALK J 2F LUN* 9
! G>D5 :5 ,I SAW AG ! BOY :O 0 WE$+ !
FL[] B$ 2N ! S*OOLROOM W9D[4 ,I     #ECI
GL.ED AT MY WAT*1 & AG X 0 9 S*OOL H\RS4
,! BOY DID N SEE ME1 = ,I 0 HI45 0!
TREES4 ,I WAT*$ HM =A MO;T OR TWO2 HE 0
N "W+ AT ALL B SPRAWL$ ACR ! LAWN1 EN-
GROSS$ 9 "S?+ ON ! GRASS1 "R "U 8 NOSE4
,HE WORE ! SAME FLOPPY HAT Z 2F4 ,I
/EPP$ T[>D HM M1N+ 6GET 8 "N & GIVE HM A
LECTURE ON ! IMPORT.E ( $UC,N1 B ON SEE+
ME HE L1P$ 6HIS FEET1 CLAMP$ 8 HAT 6HIS
H1D ) "O H& & SPR9T$ AWAY FA/] ?AN ,I H
SE5 ANY"O MOVE 2F4 ,8 AL>M IS PRO( 5 ( 8
GUILT4 ,! BOY KNEW P]FECTLY WELL HE %D 2
AT S*OOL4 ,Z HE RAN (F HE APPE>$ 6H A
BOOK 9 8 H&4
  ,I W5T 6,JOHN & TOLD HM J :AT ,I ?"\4
,I TOLD HM ,I WD N ALL[ *N 6"W = HM 9
S*OOL H\RS1 T X 0 WR;G 6UPSET _! $UC,N J
=! FEW P;E !Y E>N1 & T IF ! P>5TS DID N
A3EPT T1 ,I WD G & SEE !M MYF4 ,I TOLD
HM IF X 0 S NEC 6H FUR!R H&S "W+ ON !
G>D5 T ,I WD SEE ,MR4 ,ANGELFIELD & EM-
PLOY A MAN4 ,I _H ALR MADE ? (F] 6GET
EXTRA /AFF1 BO? =! G>D5 &! H\SE1 B ,JOHN
& ,MRS4 ,DUNNE 7 BO? S AG/ ! IDEA ,I ?"\
X BETT] 6WAIT UNTIL ,I 0 M AC-      #EDJ
QUA9T$ )! RUNN+ ( ?+S "H4
  ,JOHN'S RESPONSE 0 6%AKE 8 H1D & D5Y
ALL K (! *4 ,:5 ,I IMPRESS$ ^U HM ! EVI-
D;E ( MY [N EYES1 HE SD X M/ 2 A VILLAGE
* J -E W&]+ IN1 T X HAPP5$ "S"TS1 T HE 0
N RESPONSI# = ALL ! VILLAGE TRUANTS :O
HAPP5$ 6BE 9 ! G>D54 ,I TOLD HM !N T ,I
_H SE5 ! * 2F1 ! "D ,I >RIV$1 & T ! * 0
CLE>LY "W+4 ,HE 0 TI<T-LIPP$1 ONLY RE-
P1T$ T HE _H NO K (A *1 T ANY"O CD WE$ 8
G>D5 :O WANT$ TO1 T "! 0 NO S* *4
  ,I TOLD ,JOHN1 )A LL ANG] T ,I _C RE-
GRET1 T ,I 9T5D$ 6SP1K 6! S*OOLMI/RESS
AB X1 & T ,I WD G DIRECTLY 6! P>5TS &
SORT ! MATT] \ ) !M4 ,HE SIMPLY WAV$ 8
H&1 Z IF 6SAY X 0 NO?+ 6D ) HM & ,I MI<T
D Z ,I LIK$ 7& ,I C]TA9LY %74 ,I AM SURE
HE "KS :O ! BOY IS1 & ,I AM %OCK$ AT 8
REFUSAL 6HELP ME 9 MY DUTY T[>D HM4 ,X
SEEMS \ ( "* = HM 6BE OB/RUCTIVE1 B !N
,I SUPPOSE HE 2GAN 8 [N APPR5TICE%IP Z A
* & ?"\ X N"E DID HM ANY H>M4 ,^! ATTI-
TUDES >E SL[ 6DIE \ 9 RURAL >1S4

                                    #EDA
  ,I 0 5GROSS$ 9 ! DI>Y4 ,! B>RI]S 6LEG-
IBIL;Y =C$ ME 6R1D SL[LY1 PUZZL+ \ !
DI6ICULTIES1 US+ ALL MY EXP]I;E1 K &
IMAG9,N 6FLE% \ ! <O/ ^WS1 YET ! OB/A-
CLES SEEM$ N 6IMP$E ME4 ,ON ! 3TR>Y1 !
FAD$ M>G9S1 ! ILLEGIBILITIES1 ! BLURR$
^WS SEEM$ 6PULSE ) M1N+1 VIVIDLY ALIVE4
  ,:ILE ,I 0 R1D+ 9 ? ABSORB$ FA%ION1 9
ANO!R "P ( MY M9D 5TIRELY A DECI.N 0 =M-
+4 ,:5 ! TRA9 DREW 9 AT ! /,N ": ,I 0 TO
DESC5D = MY 3NEC;N1 ,I F.D MY M9D MADE
UP4 ,I 0 N GO+ HOME AF ALL4 ,I 0 GO+ TO
,ANGELFIELD4
  ,! LOCAL L9E TRA9 6,BANBURY 0 TOO
CR[D$ ) ,*RI/MAS TRAVEL]S 6SIT1 & ,I N"E
R1D /&+ UP4 ,) E JOLT (! TRA91 E JO/LE &
/UM# ( MY FELL[ PASS5G]S1 ,I FELT ! REC-
TANGLE ( ,HE/]'S DI>Y AG/ MY *E/4 ,I _H
R1D ONLY HALF ( X4 ,! RE/ CD WAIT4
  ,:AT HAPP5$ 6Y1 ,HE/]1 ,I ?"\4 ,": ON
E>? DID Y G8



                                    #EDB
























          ,,DEMOLI%+ ,,! ,,PA/      #EDC

  ,! W9D[S %[$ ME 8 KIT*5 0 EMPTY1 & :5
,I WALK$ BACK 6! FRONT (! COTTAGE &
KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR1 "! 0 NO ANSW]4
  ,MI<T HE H G"O AWAY8 ,X 0 A "T ( YE>
:5 P DID G AWAY4 ,B !Y W5T 6_! FAMILIES1
SURELY1 & S ,AURELIUS1 HAV+ NO FAMILY1
WD /AY "H4 ,2LAT$LY ! R1SON = ,AURELI-
US'S ABS;E O3URR$ 6ME3 ,HE WD 2 \ DELIV-
]+ CAKES = ,*RI/MAS "PIES4 ,": ELSE WD A
CAT]] BE1 J 2F ,*RI/MAS8 ,I WD H 6-E
BACK LAT]4 ,I PUT ! C>D ,I _H B"\ "? !
MAIL SLOT & SET (F "? ! WOODS T[>D ,AN-
GELFIELD ,H\SE4
  ,X 0 COLD2 COLD 5 = SN[4 ,2N MY FEET !
GR.D 0 FRO/-H>D & ABV ! SKY 0 DANG]\SLY
:ITE4 ,I WALK$ BRISKLY4 ,) MY SC>F
WRAPP$ >.D MY FACE Z HI< Z MY NOSE1 ,I
SOON W>M$ UP4
  ,AT ! CLE>+1 ,I /OPP$4 ,9 ! 4T.E1 AT !
SITE1 "! 0 UNUSUAL ACTIV;Y4 ,I FR[N$4
,:AT 0 GO+ ON8 ,MY CAM]A 0 >.D MY NECK1
2N MY COAT2 ! COLD CREPT 9 Z ,I UNDID MY
BUTTONS4 ,US+ MY L;G L5S1 ,I WAT*$4 ,"!
0 A POLICE C> ON ! DRIVE4 ,!        #EDD
BUILD]S' VEHICLES & MA*9]Y 7 ALL /,N>Y1
&! BUILD]S 7 /&+ 9 A LOOSE CLU/]4 ,!Y M/
H /OPP$ "W+ A LL :ILE AGO1 = !Y 7 SLAPP+
_! H&S TGR & /AMP+ _! FEET 6KEEP W>M4
,_! HATS 7 ON ! GR.D OR ELSE SLUNG 0!
/RAP F _! ELB[S4 ,"O MAN (F]$ A PACK (
CIG>ETTES4 ,F "T 6"T "O ( !M A4RESS$ A
-;T 6! O!RS1 B "! 0 NO 3V]S,N4 ,I TRI$
6MAKE \ ! EXPRES.N ON _! UNSMIL+ FACES4
,BOR$8 ,WORRI$8 ,CURI\S8 ,!Y /OOD TURN$
AWAY F ! SITE1 FAC+ ! WOODS & MY L5S1 B
F "T 6"T "O OR ANO!R CA/ A GL.E OV] 8
%\LD] 6! SC5E 2H !M4
  ,2H ! GR\P ( M51 A :ITE T5T _H BE5
ERECT$ 6COV] "P (! SITE4 ,! H\SE 0 G"O1
B JUDG+ F ! COA* H\SE1 ! GRAVEL APPROA*1
! *UR*1 ,I GUESS$ ! T5T 0 ": ! LIBR>Y _H
BE54 ,2S X1 "O ( _! COLL1GUES &A MAN ,I
TOOK 6BE _! BOSS 7 9 3V]S,N ) ANO!R PAIR
( M54 ,^! 7 DRESS$ "O 9 A SUIT & OV]-
COAT1 ! O!R 9 A POLICE UNI=M4 ,X 0 !
BOSS :O 0 SP1K+1 RAPIDLY &) EXPLANATORY
NODS & %AKES (! H1D1 B :5 ! MAN 9 ! OV]-
COAT ASK$ A "Q1 X 0 ! BUILD] HE A4RESS$
X TO1 & :5 HE ANSW]$1 ALL ?REE M5   #EDE
WAT*$ HM 9T5TLY4
  ,HE SEEM$ UNAW>E (! COLD4 ,HE SPOKE 9
%ORT S5T;ES2 9 8 L;G & FREQU5T PAUSES !
O!RS DID N SP1K1 B WAT*$ HM ) 9T5SE PA-
TI;E4 ,AT "O PO9T HE RAIS$ A F+] 9 ! DI-
REC;N (! MA*9E & MIM$ XS JAW ( JA7$ TEE?
BIT+ 96! GR.D4 ,AT LA/ HE GAVE A %RUG1
FR[N$ & DREW 8 H& OV] 8 EYES Z ?\< 6WIPE
!M CL1N (! IMAGE HE _H J 3JUR$4
  ,A FLAP OP5$ 9 ! SIDE (! :ITE T5T4 ,A
FIF? MAN /EPP$ \ ( X & JO9$ ! GR\P4 ,"!
0 A BRIEF1 UNSMIL+ 3F];E & AT ! 5D ( X1
! BOSS W5T OV] 6HIS GR\P ( M5 & _H A FEW
^WS ) !M4 ,!Y NO4$1 & Z ?\< :AT !Y _H
BE5 TOLD 0 5TIRELY :AT !Y 7 EXPECT+1 BE-
GAN 6GA!R TGR ! HATS & !RMOS FLASKS AT
_! FEET & MAKE _! WAY 6_! C>S P>K$ 0!
LODGE GATES4 ,! POLICEMAN 9 UNI=M POSI-
;N$ HMF AT ! 5TR.E 6! T5T1 BACK 6! FLAP1
&! O!R U%]$ ! BUILD] & 8 BOSS T[>D ! PO-
LICE C>4
  ,I L[]$ ! CAM]A SL[LY B 3T9U$ 6GAZE AT
! :ITE T5T4 ,I KNEW ! SPOT4 ,I _H BE5 "!
MYF4 ,I REMEMB]$ ! DESOL,N ( T DESECRAT$
LIBR>Y4 ,! FALL5 BOOK%ELVES1 !      #EDF
B1MS T _H -E CRA%+ 6! FLOOR4 ,MY ?RILL (
FE> Z ,I _H /UM#D OV] BURN$ & BROK5
WOOD4
  ,"! _H BE5 A BODY 9 T ROOM4 ,BURI$ 9
SCOR*$ PAGES1 )A BOOKCASE =A C(F94 ,A
GRAVE HI45 & PROTECT$ = DECADES 0! B1MS
T FELL4
  ,I CDN'T HELP ! ?"\4 ,I _H BE5 LOOK+ =
"S"O1 & N[ X APPE>$ T "S"O _H BE5 F.D4
,! SYMMETRY 0 IRRESI/I#4 ,H[ N 6MAKE !
3NEC;N8 ,YET ,HE/] _H LEFT ! YE> 2F1
_HN'T %E8 ,:Y WD %E H -E BACK8 ,& !N X
/RUCK ME1 & X 0 ! V SIMPLIC;Y (! IDEA T
MADE ME ?9K X MI<T 2 TRUE4
  ..,:AT IF ,HE/] _H N"E LEFT AT .ALL8

  ,:5 ,I CAME 6! $GE (! WOODS1 ,I SAW !
TWO BLOND *N -+ 4CONSOLATELY D[N !
DRIVE4 ,!Y WOB#D & /UM#D Z !Y WALK$2 2N
_! FEET ! GR.D 0 SC>R$ ) CURV+ BLACK
*ANNELS ": ! BUILD]S' H1VY VEHICLES _H
G\G$ 96! E>?1 & !Y W]5'T LOOK+ ": !Y 7
GO+4 ,9/1D1 !Y LOOK$ BACK OV] _! %\LD]S
9 ! DIREC;N !Y _H -E F4
  ,X 0 ! GIRL :O1 LOS+ H] FOOT+ &   #EDG
ALM FALL+1 TURN$ H] H1D & SAW ME F/4 ,%E
/OPP$4 ,:5 H] BRO!R SAW ME HE GREW SELF-
IMPORTANT ) K & SPOKE4
  8,Y C'T G UP "!4 ,! POLICEMAN SD4 ,Y H
6/AY AWAY40
  8,I SEE40
  8,!Y'VE MADE A T5T10 ! GIRL A4$ %YLY4
  8,I SAW X10 ,I TOLD H]4
  ,9 ! >* (! LODGE GATES1 _! "M APPE>$4
,%E 0 SLI<TLY BR1?.S4 8,>E Y TWO ALL "R8
,I SAW A POLICE C> 9 ,! ,/REET40 ,& !N
6ME1 8,:AT'S GO+ ON80
  ,X 0 ! GIRL :O ANSW]$ H]4 8,! POLICEM5
H MADE A T5T4 ,Y'RE N ALL[$ 6G NE>4 ,!Y
SD WE H 6G HOME40
  ,! BLOND WOMAN RAIS$ H] EYES 6! SITE1
FR[N+ AT ! :ITE T5T4 8,ISN'T T :AT !Y D
:5 '''80 ,%E DIDN'T -PLETE H] "Q 9 FRONT
(! *N1 B ,I KNEW :AT %E M1NT4
  8,I 2LIEVE T IS :AT HAS HAPP5$10 ,I
SD4 ,I SAW H] DESIRE 6DRAW H] *N CLOSE =
REASSUR.E1 B %E M]ELY ADJU/$ ! BOY'S
SC>F & BRU%$ H] DAU<T]'S HAIR \ ( H]
EYES4
  8,-E ON10 %E TOLD ! *N4 8,X'S     #EDH
TOO COLD 6BE \TDOORS1 ANYWAY4 ,LET'S G
HOME & H COCOA40
  ,! *N D>T$ "? ! LODGE GATES & RAC$ 96!
,/REET4 ,AN 9VISI# CORD HELD !M TGR1 AL-
L[$ !M 6SW+ >.D EA* O!R OR DA% 9 ANY DI-
REC;N1 "K+ ! O!R WD ALW 2 "!1 ! L5G? (!
CORD AWAY4
  ,I WAT*$ !M & FELT A HORRI# ABS;E 0MY
SIDE4
  ,_! "M L+]$ NEXT 6ME4 8,Y CD D ) "S
COCOA YRF1 CDN'T Y8 ,Y'RE Z :ITE Z A
<O/40
  ,WE FELL 96/EP1 FOLL[+ ! *N4 8,MY "N'S
,M>G>ET10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,I'M A FR ( ,AU-
RELIUS ,LOVE40
  ,%E SMIL$4 8,I'M ,K>54 ,I LOOK AF !
DE] "H40
  8,I "K4 ,AURELIUS TOLD ME40
  ,AH1D ( U1 ! GIRL LUNG$ AT H] BRO!R2
HE VE]$ \ ( R1*1 RUNN+ 96! ROAD 6ESCAPE
H]4
  8,?OMAS ,AMBROSE ,PROCTOR60 MY -PANION
%\T$ \4 8,GET BACK ON ! PAVE;T60
  ,! "N S5T A JOLT "? ME4 8,:AT DID Y
SAY YR SON'S "N WAS80               #EDI
  ,! BOY'S "M TURN$ 6ME CURI\SLY4
  8,X'S J-- ,"! 0 A MAN CALL$ ,PROCTOR
:O "W$ "H YE>S AGO40
  8,MY "F1 ,AMBROSE ,PROCTOR40
  ,I _H 6/OP 6?9K /RAI<T4 8,AMBROSE
,PROCTOR ''' ! BOY :O "W$ ) ,JOHN-!-DIG
--HE 0 YR ."F80
  8,JOHN-!-DIG8 ,D Y M1N ,JOHN ,DIG;E8
,YES4 ,T'S :O GOT MY "F ! JOB "!4 ,X 0 A
L;G "T 2F ,I 0 BORN1 ?\<4 ,MY "F 0 9 8
FIFTIES :5 ,I 0 BORN40
  ,SL[LY ,I 2GAN WALK+ AG4 8,I'LL A3EPT
T (F] ( COCOA1 IF Y DON'T M9D4 ,& ,I'VE
GOT "S?+ 6%[ Y40

  ,I TOOK MY BOOKM>K \ ( ,HE/]'S DI>Y4
,K>5 SMIL$ ! 9/ANT %E SET EYES ON ! PHO-
TO4 ,H] SON'S S]I\S FACE1 FULL ( PRIDE1
2N ! BRIM (! HELMET1 8 %\LD]S /IFF1 8
BACK /RAI<T4 8,I REMEMB] ! "D HE CAME
HOME & SD HE'D PUT A YELL[ HAT ON4
,HE'LL 2 S PL1S$ 6H ! PICTURE40
  8,YR EMPLOY]1 ,MISS ,M>*1 HAS %E "E
SE5 ,TOM80
  8,SE5 ,TOM8 ,( C\RSE N6 ,"! >E    #EEJ
TWO ( !M1 Y "K1 ! ,MISS ,M>*ES4 ,"O ( !M
0 ALW A BIT RET>D$1 ,I "U/&1 S X'S ! O!R
"O :O RUNS ! E/ATE4 ,?\< %E IS A BIT (A
RECLUSE4 ,%E HASN'T BE5 BACK 6,ANGEL-
FIELD S9CE ! FIRE4 ,EV5 ,I'VE N"E SE5
H]4 ,! ONLY 3TACT WE H IS "? H] SOLICI-
TORS40
  ,K>5 /OOD AT ! /OVE1 WAIT+ =! MILK TO
H1T4 ,2H H]1 ! VIEW F ! SMALL W9D[ %[$ !
G>D51 & 2Y X1 ! FIELDS ": ,ADEL9E & ,EM-
MEL9E _H ONCE DRA7$ ,M]RILY'S PRAM )!
BABY / 9 X4 ,"! CD 2 FEW L&SCAPES T _H
*ANG$ S LL4
  ,I NE$$ 6BE C>E;L N 6SAY TOO M*4 ,K>5
GAVE NO SIGN ( "K+ T H] ,MISS ,M>* (
,ANGELFIELD 0 ! SAME WOMAN Z ! ,MISS
,W9T] ^: BOOKS ,I _H SPOTT$ 9 ! BOOKCASE
9 ! HALL Z ,I CAME IN4
  8,X'S J T ,I "W =! ,ANGELFIELD FAMI-
LY10 ,I EXPLA9$4 8,I'M WRIT+ AB _! *ILD-
HOOD "H4 ,& :5 ,I 0 %[+ YR EMPLOY] "S
PHOTOS (! H\SE ,I GOT ! IMPRES.N %E REC-
OGNIZ$ HM40
  8,%E C'T H4 ,UN.S '''0
  ,%E R1*$ =! PHOTOGRAPH & LOOK$    #EEA
AT X AG1 !N CALL$ 6H] SON 9 ! NEXT ROOM4
8,TOM8 ,TOM1 BR+ T PICTURE F ! MANTEL-
PIECE1 W Y8 ,! "O 9 ! SILV] FRAME40
  ,TOM CAME IN1 C>RY+ A PHOTOGRAPH1 8
SI/] 2H HM4
  8,LOOK10 ,K>5 SD 6HM1 8! LADY HAS GOT
A PHOTOGRAPH ( Y40
  ,A SMILE ( DELI<T$ SURPRISE CREPT ONTO
8 FACE :5 HE SAW HMF4 8,C ,I KEEP X80
  8,YES10 ,I SD4
  8,%[ ,M>G>ET ! "O ( YR GR&DAD40
  ,HE CAME >.D 6MY SIDE (! TA# & HELD !
FRAM$ PICTURE \ 6ME1 %YLY4
  ,X 0 AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH (A V "Y MAN4
,B>ELY M ?AN A BOY4 ,EI<TE51 P]H1 MAYBE
"Y]4 ,HE 0 /&+ 0A B5* ) CLIPP$ YEW TREES
9 ! BACKGR.D4 ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! SETT+ IN-
/ANTLY3 ! TOPI>Y G>D54 ,! BOY _H TAK5 (F
8 CAP1 0 HOLD+ X 9 8 H&1 & 9 MY M9D'S
EYE ,I SAW ! MOVE;T HE _H MADE1 SWEEP+ 8
CAP (F ) "O H&1 & WIP+ 8 =EH1D AG/ ! =E-
>M (! O!R4 ,HE 0 TILT+ 8 H1D BACK SLI<T-
LY4 ,TRY+ N 6SQU9T 9 ! SUN1 & SU3E$+
ALM4 ,8 %IRTSLEEVES 7 ROLL$ UP ABV !
ELB[1 &! TOP BUTTON ( 8 %IRT 0      #EEB
OP51 B ! CR1SES 9 8 TR\S]S 7 N1TLY
PRESS$1 & HE _H CL1N$ 8 H1VY G>D5 BOOTS
=! PHOTO4
  8,WAS HE "W+ "! :5 !Y _H ! FIRE80
  ,K>5 PUT ! MUGS ( COCOA ON ! TA# &! *N
CAME & SAT 6DR9K X4 8,I ?9K HE MI<T H
G"O 96! >MY 0!N4 ,HE 0 AWAY F ,ANGEL-
FIELD =A L;G "T4 ,NE>LY FIFTE5 YE>S40
  ,I LOOK$ CLOSELY "? ! GRA9Y AGE (!
PICTURE 6! BOY'S FACE1 /RUCK 0! SIMIL>;Y
) 8 GR&SON4 ,HE LOOK$ .NICE4
  8,Y "K1 HE N"E SPOKE M* AB 8 E>LY "DS4
,HE 0 A RETIC5T MAN4 ,B "! >E ?+S ,I WI%
,I KNEW4 ,L :Y HE M>RI$ S LATE4 ,HE 0 9
8 LATE =TIES :5 HE M>RI$ MY "M4 ,I C'T
HELP ?9K+ "! M/ H BE5 "S?+ 9 8 PA/--A
HE>TBR1K1 P]H8 ,B Y DON'T ?9K 6ASK ^?
"QS :5 Y'RE A *1 & 0! "T ,I'D GR[N UP
'''0 ,%E %RU7$ SADLY4 8,HE 0 A LOVELY
MAN 6H Z A "F4 ,PATI5T4 ,K9D4 ,HE'D ALW
HELP ME ) ANY?+4 ,& YET N[ ,I'M AN
ADULT1 ,I "S"TS H ! FEEL+ ,I N"E RE,Y
.KNEW HM40
  ,"! 0 ANO!R DETAIL 9 ! PHOTOGRAPH T
CAU<T MY EYE4                       #EEC
  8,:AT'S ?80 ,I ASK$4
  ,%E L1N$ 6LOOK4 8,X'S A BAG4 ,= C>RY+
GAME4 ,PH1SANTS MA9LY4 ,Y C OP5 X FLAT
ON ! GR.D 6LAY !M IN1 & !N Y FA/5 X UP
>.D !M4 ,I DON'T "K :Y X'S 9 ! PICTURE4
,HE 0 N"E A GAMEKEEP]1 ,I'M SURE40
  8,HE US$ 6BR+ ! TW9S A RA2IT OR A
PH1SANT :5 !Y WANT$ "O10 ,I SD & %E
LOOK$ PL1S$ 6H ? FRAG;T ( H] "F'S E>LY
LIFE RE/OR$ 6H]4
  ,I ?"\ ( ,AURELIUS & 8 9H]IT.E4 ,! BAG
HE'D BE5 C>RI$ 9 0 A GAME BAG4 ,( C\RSE
"! 0 A F1!R 9 X--X 0 US$ = C>RY+ PH1S-
ANTS4 ,& ,I ?"\ (! SCRAP ( PAP]4 8,"S?+
L AN ;,A AT ! 2G9N+10 ,I REMEMB]$ ,AURE-
LIUS SAY+ Z HE HELD ! BLUR ( BLUE UP 6!
W9D[4 8,& !N AN ;,S4 ,J "H1 T[>D ! 5D4
,( C\RSE1 X'S FAD$ A BIT1 OV] ! YE>S1 Y
H 6LOOK H>D1 B Y .C SEE X1 C'T Y80 ,I
_HN'T BE5 A# 6SEE X1 B P]H HE RE,Y _H4
,:AT IF X 0 N 8 [N "N ON ! SCRAP ( PAP]1
B 8 "F'S8 .,AMBROSE4

  ,F ,K>5'S H\SE ,I GOT A TAXI 6!
SOLICITOR'S (FICE 9 ,BANBURY4 ,I    #EED
KNEW ! A4RESS F ! CORRESPOND;E ,I _H EX-
*ANG$ ) HM RELAT+ 6,HE/]2 N[ X 0 ,HE/]
AG :O TOOK ME 6HM4
  ,! RECEP;NI/ DID N WANT 64TURB ,MR4
,LOMAX :5 %E LE>N$ ,I DIDN'T H AN AP-
PO9T;T4 8,X IS ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1 Y "K40
  ,B ,I 9SI/$4 8,TELL HM X'S ,M>G>ET
,LEA1 REG>D+ ,ANGELFIELD ,H\SE & ,MISS
,M>*40
  ,) AN AIR T SD ..,X W MAKE NO .DI6];E1
%E TOOK ! MESSAGE 96! (FICE2 :5 %E CAME
\ X 0 6TELL ME1 R RELUCTANTLY1 6G /RAI<T
IN4
  ,! "Y ,MR4 ,LOMAX 0 N V "Y AT ALL4 ,HE
0 PROBABLY AB ! AGE ! OLD ,MR4 ,LOMAX 0
:5 ! TW9S TURN$ UP AT 8 (FICE WANT+ M"OY
= ,JOHN-!-DIG'S FUN]AL4 ,HE %OOK MY H&1
A CURI\S GL1M 9 8 EYE1 A HALF-SMILE ON 8
LIPS1 & ,I "U/OOD T 6HM WE 7 3SPIRATORS4
,= YE>S HE _H BE5 ! ONLY P]SON 6"K ! O!R
ID5T;Y ( 8 CLI5T ,MISS ,M>*2 HE _H 9H]-
IT$ ! SECRET F 8 "F AL;G )! *]RY DESK1 !
FIL+ CAB9ETS &! PICTURES ON ! WALL4 ,N[1
AF ALL ! YE>S ( SECRECY1 "! CAME ANO!R
P]SON :O KNEW :AT HE KNEW4          #EEE
  8,GLAD 6MEET Y1 ,MISS ,LEA4 ,:AT C ,I
D 6HELP80
  8,I'VE -E F ,ANGELFIELD4 ,F ! SITE4 ,!
POLICE >E "!4 ,!Y'VE F.D A BODY40
  8,OH4 ,OH1 GD;S60
  8,W ! POLICE WANT 6SP1K 6,MISS ,W9T]1
D Y SUPPOSE80
  ,AT MY M5;N (! "N1 8 EYES FLICK]$ DIS-
CREETLY 6! DOOR1 *ECK+ T WE CD N 2 OV]-
HE>D4
  8,!Y WD WANT 6SP1K 6! [N] (! PROP]TY Z
A MATT] ( R\T9E40
  8,I ?"\ S40 ,I HURRI$ ON4 8,! ?+ IS1 N
ONLY IS %E ILL--,I SUPPOSE Y "K T80
  ,HE NO4$4
  8--B AL1 H] SI/] IS DY+40
  ,HE NO4$1 GRAVELY1 & DID N 9T]RUPT4
  8,X WD 2 BETT]1 GIV5 H] FRAGIL;Y &!
/ATE ( H] SI/]'S H1L?1 IF %E DID N RCV !
NEWS AB ! 4COV]Y TOO ABRUPTLY4 ,%E %D N
HE> X F A /RANG]4 ,& %E %D N 2 AL"O :5 !
9=M,N R1*ES H]40
  8,:AT D Y SU7E/80
  8,I C G BACK 6,YORK%IRE TD4 ,IF ,I C
GET 6! /,N 9 ! NEXT H\R1 ,I C 2     #EEF
"! ? EV5+4 ,! POLICE W H 6-E "? Y 63TACT
H]1 WON'T !Y80
  8,YES4 ,B ,I C DELAY ?+S 0A FEW H\RS4
,5 "T = Y 6GET "!4 ,I C AL DRIVE Y 6!
/,N1 IF Y L40
  ,AT T MO;T ! TELEPH"O RANG4 ,WE EX-
*ANG$ AN ANXI\S LOOK Z HE PICK$ X UP4
  8,B"OS8 ,I SEE ''' ,%E IS ! [N] (!
PROP]TY1 YES ''' ,AN ELD]LY P]SON & 9
POOR H1L? ''' ,A SI/]1 GRAVELY ILL '''
,"S LIKELIHOOD ( AN IMM95T 2R1VE;T '''
,X MI<T 2 BETT] ''' ,GIV5 ! CIRCUM/.ES
''' ,I HAPP5 6"K ( "S"O :O IS GO+ "! 9
P]SON ? V EV5+ ''' ,EM95TLY TRU/WOR?Y
''' ,Q ''' ,9DE$ ''' ,0ALL M1NS40
  ,HE MADE A NOTE ON A PAD & PU%$ X ACR
! DESK 6ME4 ,A "N &A TELEPH"O NUMB]4
  8,HE WD L Y 6TELEPH"O HM :5 Y GET "!
6LET HM "K H[ ?+S /& )! LADY4 ,IF %E IS
A# TO1 HE W TALK 6H] !N2 IF N1 X C WAIT4
,! REMA9S1 X SEEMS1 >E N REC5T4 ,N[1 :AT
"T IS YR TRA98 ,WE %D 2 GO+40
  ,SEE+ T ,I 0 DEEP 9 ?"\1 ! N-S-V-"Y
,MR4 ,LOMAX DROVE 9 SIL;E4 ,N"E!.S A
QUIET EXCITE;T SEEM$ 6BE EAT+       #EEG
AWAY AT HM1 & EV5TU,Y1 TURN+ 9 6! ROAD
": ! /,N WAS1 HE CD 3TA9 HMF NO L;G]4
8,! ?IRTE5? TALE '''0 HE SD4 8,I DON'T
SUPPOSE '''80
  8,I WI% ,I KNEW10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,I'M
SORRY40
  ,HE PULL$ A 4APPO9T$ FACE4
  ,Z ! /,N LOOM$ 96SI<T1 ,I ASK$ A "Q (
MY [N4 8,D Y HAPP5 6"K ,AURELIUS ,LOVE80
  8,! CAT]]6 ,YES1 ,I "K HM4 ,! MAN'S A
CUL9>Y G5IUS60
  8,H[ L;G H Y "KN HM80
  ,HE ANSW]$ )\T ?9K+--8,ACTU,Y1 ,I 0 AT
S*OOL ) HM0--& 9 ! MI4LE (! S5T;E A CU-
RI\S QUIV] 5T]$ 8 VOICE1 Z ?\< HE _H J
R1LIZ$ ! IMPLIC,NS ( MY 9QUIRY4 ,MY NEXT
"Q DID N SURPRISE HM4
  8,:5 DID Y LE>N T ,MISS ,M>* 0 ,MISS
,W9T]8 ,0 X :5 Y TOOK OV] YR "F'S BUSI-
;S80
  ,HE SWALL[$4 8,NO40 ,BL9K$4 8,X 0 2F4
,I 0 / AT S*OOL4 ,%E CAME 6! H\SE "O "D4
,6SEE MY "F4 ,X 0 M PRIVATE ?AN ! (FICE4
,!Y _H "S BUSI;S 6SORT \ &1 )\T GO+ 9TO
3FID5TIAL DETAILS1 X 2CAME CLE>     #EEH
DUR+ ! C\RSE ( _! 3V]S,N T ,MISS ,M>* &
,MISS ,W9T] 7 ! SAME P]SON4 ,I 0 N
EAVESDROPP+1 Y "U/&4 ,T IS 6SAY1 N DE-
LIB]ATELY4 ,I 0 ALR "U ! D9+ ROOM TA# :5
!Y CAME IN--"! 0 A TA#CLO? T DRAP$ &
MADE X 96A SORT ( T5T1 Y SEE--& ,I
DIDN'T WANT 6EMB>RASS MY "F 0EM]G+ SU45-
LY1 S ,I J /AY$ QUIET40
  ,:AT 0 X ,MISS ,W9T] _H TOLD ME8 ..,"!
C 2 NO SECRETS 9 A H\SE ": "! >E .*N4
  ,WE _H -E 6A /OP 9 FRONT (! /,N1 &! "Y
,MR4 ,LOMAX TURN$ 8 /RICK5 EYES T[>D ME4
8,I TOLD ,AURELIUS4 ,! "D HE TOLD ME HE
_H BE5 F.D ON ! NI<T (! FIRE4 ,I TOLD HM
T ,MISS ,ADEL9E ,ANGELFIELD & ,MISS ,VI-
DA ,W9T] 7 "O &! SAME P]SON4 ,I'M SOR-
RY40
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X4 ,X DOESN'T MATT]
N[1 ANYWAY4 ,I ONLY WOND]$40
  8,DOES %E "K ,I TOLD ,AURELIUS :O %E
WAS80
  ,I ?"\ AB ! LR ,MISS ,W9T] _H S5T ME
"R AT ! 2G9N+1 & AB ,AURELIUS 9 8 BR[N
SUIT1 SEEK+ ! /ORY ( 8 ORIG9S4 8,IF %E
GUESS$1 X 0 DECADES AGO4 ,IF %E     #EEI
"KS1 ,I ?9K Y C PRESUME %E DOESN'T C>E40
  ,! %AD[ CLE>$ F 8 BR[4
  8,?ANKS =! LIFT40
  ,& ,I RAN =! TRA94




















                                    #EFJ
























          ,,HE/]'S ,,DI>Y ,,II      #EFA

  ,F ! /,N ,I MADE A PH"O CALL 6! BOOK-
%OP4 ,MY "F CD N HIDE 8 4APPO9T;T :5 ,I
TOLD HM ,I WD N 2 -+ HOME4 8,YR "M W 2
SORRY10 HE SD4
  8,W %E80
  8,( C\RSE %E W40
  8,I H 6G BACK4 ,I ?9K ,I MI<T H F.D
,HE/]40
  8,":80
  8,!Y H F.D B"OS AT ,ANGELFIELD40
  8,B"OS80
  8,"O (! BUILD]S 4COV]$ !M :5 HE 0 EX-
CAVAT+ ! LIBR>Y TD40
  8,GRACI\S40
  8,!Y >E B.D 6GET 9 T\* ) ,MISS ,W9T]
6ASK H] AB X4 ,& H] SI/] IS DY+4 ,I C'T
L1VE H] ON H] [N UP "!4 ,%E NE$S ME40
  8,I SEE40 ,8 VOICE 0 S]I\S4
  8,DON'T TELL ,"M10 ,I W>N$ HM1 8B
,MISS ,W9T] & H] SI/] >E TW9S40
  ,HE 0 SIL5T4 ,!N HE J SD1 8,Y W TAKE
C>E1 WON'T Y1 ,M>G>ET80

                                    #EFB
  ,A QU>T] ( AN H\R LAT] ,I _H SETTL$
96MY S1T NEXT 6! W9D[ & 0 TAK+ ,HE/]'S
DI>Y \ ( MY POCKET4

  ,I %D L 6"U/& A GRT D1L M AB OPTICS4
,SITT+ ) ,MRS4 ,DUNNE 9 ! DRAW+ ROOM GO+
OV] M1L PLANS =! WEEK1 ,I CAU<T SI<T (A
SU45 MOVE;T 9 ! MIRROR4 8,EMMEL9E60 ,I
EXCLAIM$1 IRRITAT$1 = %E 0 N SUPPOS$ 6BE
9 ! H\SE AT ALL1 B \TSIDE1 GETT+ H] DAI-
LY EX]CISE & FRE% AIR4 ,X 0 MY [N MIS-
TAKE1 ( C\RSE1 = ,I _H ONLY 6LOOK \ (!
W9D[ 6SEE T %E 0 \TSIDE1 & H] SI/]1 TOO1
PLAY+ NICELY = ONCE4 ,:AT ,I _H SE51
CAU<T A MISL1D+ GLIMPSE (1 6BE PRECISE1
M/ H BE5 A FLA% ( SUNLI<T -E 9 ! W9D[ &
REFLECT$ 9 ! MIRROR4
  ,ON REFLEC;N 7,ON REFLEC;N6 ,AN UN9-
T5D$ DROLL]Y671 X IS ! PSY*OLOGY ( SEE+
T CAUS$ MY MISAPPREH5.N1 Z M* Z ANY
/RANGE;S 9 ! "W+S (! OPTICAL _W4 ,= 2+
US$ 6SEE+ ! TW9S W&]+ AB ! H\SE 9 PLACES
,I WD N EXPECT !M 6BE1 & AT "TS :5 ,I WD
EXPECT !M 6BE ELSE":1 ,I H FALL5 96!
HABIT ( 9T]PRET+ E MOVE;T \ (!      #EFC
CORN] ( MY EYE Z EVID;E ( _! PRES;E4
,H;E A FLA% ( SUNLI<T REFLECT$ 9 A MIR-
ROR PRES5TS XF 9 A V 3V9C+ MANN] 6! M9D
Z A GIRL 9 A :ITE DRESS4 ,6GU>D AG/ ]-
RORS S* Z ?1 "O WD H 6T1* "OF 6VIEW "EY-
?+ )\T PRECONCEP;N1 6AB&ON ALL HABITUAL
MODES ( ?"\4 ,"! IS M* 6BE SD 9 FAVOR (
S* AN ATTITUDE 9 PR9CIPLE4 ,! FRE%;S (
M9D6 ,! VIRG9AL RESPONSE 6! _W6 ,S M*
SCI;E HAS AT XS ROOT ! ABIL;Y 6SEE AFRE%
:AT HAS BE5 SE5 & ?"\ 6BE "U/OOD = C5TU-
RIES4 ,H["E1 9 ORD9>Y LIFE1 "O _C LIVE
0S* PR9CIPLES4 ,IMAG9E ! "T X WD TAKE IF
E ASPECT ( EXP]I;E _H 6BE SCRUT9IZ$
AFRE% E M9UTE ( E "D4 ,NO2 9 ORD] 6FREE
\RVS F ! MUNDANE X IS ESS5TIAL T WE DEL-
EGATE M* ( \R 9T]PRET,N (! _W 6T L[] >EA
(! M9D T D1LS )! PRESUM$1 ! ASSUM$1 !
PROBA#4 ,EV5 ?\< X "S"TS L1DS U A/RAY &
CAUSES U 6MIS9T]PRET A FLA% ( SUNLI<T Z
A GIRL 9 A :ITE DRESS1 :5 ^! TWO ?+S >E
Z UNLIKE Z TWO ?+S C BE4
  ,MRS4 ,DUNNE'S M9D DOES W&] "S"TS4 ,I
FE> %E TOOK 9 V LL ( \R 3V]S,N AB M1L
PLANS1 & WE % H 6G OV] ! :OLE ?+    #EFD
AG TM4

  ,I H A LL PLAN REG>D+ MY ACTIVITIES "H
&! DOCTOR4
  ,I H TOLD HM AT GRT L5G? ( MY 2LIEF T
,ADEL9E DEMON/RATES A TYPE ( M5TAL 4TUR-
B.E T ,I H NEI 5C.T]$ NOR R1D AB 2F4 ,I
M5;N$ ! PAP]S ,I H BE5 R1D+ AB TW9S &!
ASSOCIAT$ DEVELOP;TAL PRO#MS1 & ,I SAW 8
FACE APPROVE MY R1D+4 ,I ?9K HE HAS A
CLE>] "U/&+ N[ ( MY ABILITIES & TAL5T4
,"O BOOK ,I SPOKE (1 HE DID N "K & ,I 0
A# 6GIVE HM A SUMM>Y (! >GU;TS & EVID;E
9 ! BOOK4 ,I W5T ON 6PO9T \ ! FEW SIG-
NIFICANT 9CONSI/5CIES T ,I _H NOTIC$ 9
X1 & 6SU7E/ H[1 IF X 7 MY BOOK1 ,I WD H
ALT]$ MY 3CLU.NS & RECOMM5D,NS4
  ,! DOCTOR SMIL$ AT ME AT ! 5D ( MY
SPEE* & SD LI<TLY1 8,P]H Y %D WRITE YR
[N BOOK40 ,? GAVE ME EXACTLY ! OPPORTU-
N;Y ,I H BE5 SEEK+ = "S "T4
  ,I PO9T$ \ 6HM T ! P]FECT CASE /UDY =
S* A BOOK 0 AT H& "H 9 ,ANGELFIELD
,H\SE4 ,T ,I CD DEVOTE A FEW H\RS E "D
6"W+ ON WRIT+ UP MY OBS]V,NS4 ,I    #EFE
SKET*$ \ A NUMB] ( TRIALS & EXP]I;TS T
CD 2 "UTAK5 6TE/ MY HYPO!SIS4 ,& ,I T\*$
BRIEFLY ON ! VALUE T ! F9I%$ BOOK WD H 9
! EYES (! M$ICAL E/ABLI%;T4 ,AF ? ,I LA-
;T$ ! FACT T = ALL MY EXP]I;E1 MY =MAL
QUALIFIC,NS >E N GR& 5 6TEMPT A PUBLI%]1
& F9,Y ,I 3FESS$ T1 Z A WOMAN1 ,I 0 N
5TIRELY 3FID5T ( 2+ A# 6BR+ (F S* AN AM-
BITI\S PROJECT4 ,A MAN1 IF ONLY "! 7 A
MAN1 9TELLIG5T & RES\RCE;L1 S5SITIVE &
SCI5TIFIC1 HAV+ A3ESS 6MY EXP]I;E & MY
CASE /UDY1 WD 2 SURE 6MAKE A BETT] JOB (
X4

  ,& 9 S* A MANN] X 0 DECID$4 ,WE >E 6"W
TGR6

  ,I FE> ,MRS4 ,DUNNE IS N WELL4 ,I LOCK
DOORS & %E OP5S !M4 ,I OP5 CURTA9S & %E
CLOSES !M4 ,& / MY BOOKS W N /AY 9 _!
PLACE6 ,%E TRIES 6AVOID RESPONSIBIL;Y =
H] AC;NS 0MA9TA9+ T ! H\SE IS HAUNT$4
  ,Q 0*.E1 H] TALK ( <O/S -ES ON ! V "D
! BOOK ,I AM 9 ! MI4LE ( R1D+ HAS
-PLETELY 4APPE>$1 ONLY 6BE RE-      #EFF
PLAC$ 0A NOVELLA 0,H5RY ,JAMES4 ,I H>DLY
SUSPECT ,MRS4 ,DUNNE (! SUB/ITU;N4 ,%E
SC>CELY "KS H[ 6R1D H]F & IS N GIV5 TO
PRACTICAL JOKES4 ,OBVI\SLY X 0 "O (!
GIRLS4 ,:AT MAKES X NOTEWOR?Y IS T A
/RIK+ CO9CID;E HAS MADE X A CL"E] TRICK
?AN !Y CD H "KN4 ,=! BOOK IS A R SILLY
/ORY AB A GOV];S & TWO HAUNT$ *N4 ,I AM
AFRAID T 9 X ,MR4 ,JAMES EXPOSES ! EXT5T
( 8 IGNOR.E4 ,HE "KS LL AB *N & NO?+ AT
ALL AB GOV];SES4

  ,X IS D"O4 ,! EXP]I;T HAS 2GUN4
  ,! SEP>,N 0 PA9;L1 & IF ,I DID N "K !
GD T IS 6-E ( X1 ,I %D H ?"\ MYF CRUEL =
9FLICT+ X ^U !M4 ,EMMEL9E SOBS FIT 6BR1K
H] HE>T4 ,H[ IS X = ,ADEL9E8 ,= %E IS !
"O :O IS 6BE ! MO/ ALT]$ 0! EXP]I;E (
9DEP5D5T LIFE4 ,I % "K TM :5 WE H \R F/
MEET+4

  ,"! IS NO "T = ANY?+ B RESE>*1 B ,I H
MANAG$ 6D "O A4I;NAL USE;L ?+4 ,I FELL
963V]S,N TD )! S*OOLT1*] \TSIDE ! PO/
(FICE4 ,I TOLD H] T ,I _H SPOK5     #EFG
6,JOHN AB ! TRUANT & T %E %D -E 6ME IF !
BOY IS ABS5T AG )\T R1SON4 ,%E SAYS %E
IS US$ 6T1*+ HALF A CLASS AT H>VE/"T :5
! *N G SPUD-HUCK+ ) _! P>5TS 9 ! FIELDS4
,B X IS N H>VE/"T1 &! * 0 WE$+ ! P>-
T]RES1 ,I TOLD H]4 ,%E ASK$ ME : * X
WAS1 & ,I FELT FOOLI% AT N 2+ A# 6TELL
H]4 ,! 4T9CTIVE HAT IS NO HELP AT ALL 9
ID5TIFY+ HM1 S9CE *N D N WE> HATS 9
CLASS4 ,I CD G BACK 6,JOHN B D\BT HE W
GIVE ME M 9=M,N ?AN LA/ "T4

  ,I AM N WRIT+ MY DI>Y M* LATELY4 ,I
F9D T AF ! WRIT+1 LATE AT NI<T1 (! RE-
PORTS ,I PREP>E E "D AB ,EMMEL9E'S PROG-
RESS1 ,I AM FREQU5TLY TOO TIR$ 6KEEP UP
) MY [N RECORD ( MY ACTIVITIES4 ,& ,I D
WANT 6KEEP A RECORD ( ^! "DS & WEEKS1 =
,I AM 5GAG$1 )! DOCTOR1 ON V IMPORTANT
RESE>*1 & 9 YE>S 6-E1 :5 ,I H G"O AWAY &
LEFT ? PLACE1 ,I MAY WI% 6LOOK BACK &
REMEMB]4 ,P]H MY EF=TS )! DOCTOR W OP5
"S DOOR = ME 96FUR!R "W ( ? K9D1 = ,I
F9D ! SCI5TIFIC & 9TELLECTUAL "W M
5GROSS+ & M SATISFY+ ?AN ANY?+ ,I   #EFH
H "E D"O4 ,? MORN+ = 9/.E1 ,DR4 ,MAUDS-
LEY & ,I _H ! MO/ /IMULAT+ 3V]S,N ON !
SUBJECT ( ,EMMEL9E'S USE ( PRON\NS4 ,%E
IS %[+ AN "E-GRT] 9CL9,N 6SP1K 6ME1 & H]
ABIL;Y 6-MUNICATE IMPROVES E "D4 ,YET !
"O ASPECT ( H] SPEE* T IS RESI/ANT 6DE-
VELOP;T IS ! P]SI/;E (! F/ P]SON PLURAL4
8,WE W5T 6! WOODS10 %E W SAY1 & ALW ,I
CORRECT H]3 8,I W5T 6! WOODS40 ,L A LL
P>ROT %E W REP1T 8,I0 AF ME1 B 9 ! V
NEXT S5T;E1 8,WE SAW A KITT5 9 ! G>D510
OR "S S* ?+4
  ,! DOCTOR & ,I >E M* 9TRIGU$ 0? PECU-
LI>;Y4 ,IS X SIMPLY AN 9GRA9$ HABIT (
SPEE* C>RI$ OV] F H] TW9 LANGUAGE 96,5G-
LI%1 A HABIT T W 9 "T "R XF8 ,OR DOES !
TW9;S G S DEEP 9 H] T EV5 9 H] LANGUAGE
%E IS RESI/ANT 6! IDEA ( HAV+ A SEP>ATE
ID5T;Y F T ( H] SI/]8 ,I TOLD ! DOCTOR
AB IMAG9>Y FRS T S _M 4TURB$ *N 9V5T1 &
TGR WE EXPLOR$ ! IMPLIC,NS ( ?4 ,:AT IF
! *'S DEP5D;E ON H] TW9 IS S GRT T !
SEP>,N CAUSES A M5TAL TRAUMA S* T ! DAM-
AG$ M9D PROVIDES SOLACE 0! CRE,N ( AN
IMAG9>Y TW91 A FANTASY -PANION8     #EFI
,WE >RIV$ AT NO SATISFACTORY 3CLU.N B
"P$ )! SATISFAC;N ( HAV+ LOCAT$ ANO!R >-
EA ( FUTURE /UDY3 L+UI/ICS4

  ,:AT ) ,EMMEL9E1 &! RESE>*1 &! G5]AL
H\SEKEEP+ T NE$S 6BE D"O1 ,I F9D ,I AM
SLEEP+ TOO LL1 & DESPITE MY RES]VES (
5]GY1 : ,I MA9TA9 0H1L?Y DIET & EX]CISE1
,I C 4T+UI% ! SYMPTOMS ( SLEEP DEPRIV,N4
,I IRRITATE MYF 0PUTT+ ?+S D[N & =GETT+
": ,I H LEFT !M4 ,& :5 ,I PICK UP MY
BOOK AT NI<T1 MY BOOKM>K TELLS ME T !
PREVI\S NI<T ,I M/ H TURN$ ! PAGES BLLY1
= ,I H NO RECOLLEC;N AT ALL (! EV5TS ON
! PAGE OR ! "O 2F4 ,^! SMALL ANNOY.ES &
MY 3/ANT TIR$;S >E ! PRICE ,I PAY =!
LUXURY ( "W+ AL;GSIDE ! DOCTOR ON \R
PROJECT4
  ,H["E1 T IS N :AT ,I WANT$ 6WRITE AB4
,I M1NT 6WRITE AB \R "W4 ,N \R F9D+S1 :
>E DOCU;T$ ?OR\<LY 9 \R PAP]S1 B ! PAT-
T]N ( \R M9DS1 ! FLU5CY ) : WE "U/& EA*
O!R1 ! WAY 9 : \R 9/ANT "U/&+ P]MITS U
ALM 6D )\T ^WS4 ,:5 WE >E BO? 5GAG$ 9
PLOTT+ ! *ANGES 9 SLEEP PATT]NS (   #EGJ
\R SEP>ATE SUBJECTS1 = 9/.E1 HE MAY WANT
6DRAW MY ATT5;N 6"S?+1 & HE DOES N NE$
6SP1K1 = ,I C FEEL 8 EYES ON ME1 8 M9D
CALL+ 6ME1 & ,I RAISE MY H1D F MY "W1 Q
R1DY = HM 6PO9T \ :AT"E X IS4
  ,SKEPTICS MI<T 3SID] ? PURE CO9CID;E1
OR SUSPECT ME ( MAGNIFY+ A *.E 9CID;E
96A HABITUAL O3URR;E 0IMAG9,N1 B ,I H -E
6SEE T :5 TWO P "W CLOSELY TGR ON A JO9T
PROJECT--TWO 9TELLIG5T P1 ,I M1N 6SAY--A
BOND ( -MUNIC,N DEVELOPS 2T !M T C 5H.E
_! "W4 ,ALL ! :ILE !Y >E JO9TLY 5GAG$ ON
A TASK1 !Y >E AW>E (1 ACUTELY S5SITIVE
TO1 EA* O!R'S T9IE/ MOVE;TS1 & C 9T]PRET
!M ACLY4 ,?1 EV5 )\T SEE+ ! 9F9ITESIMAL
MOVE;TS4 ,& X IS NO 4TRAC;N F ! "W4 ,ON
! 3TR>Y1 X 5H.ES X1 = \R SPE$ ( "U/&+ IS
QK5$4 ,LET ME ADD "O SIMPLE EXAMPLE1
SMALL 9 XF B /&+ 9 = C.T.S O!RS4 ,?
MORN+1 ,I 0 9T5T ^U "S NOTES1 TRY+ 6SEE
A PATT]N ( 2HAVIOR EM]G+ F 8 JOTT+S ON
,ADEL9E4 ,R1*+ =A P5CIL 6MAKE AN ANNOT,N
9 ! M>G91 ,I FELT ! DOCTOR'S H& BRU% M9E
& HE PASS$ ! P5CIL ,I S"\ 96X4 ,I LOOK$
UP 6?ANK HM1 B HE 0 DEEPLY EN-      #EGA
GROSS$ 9 8 [N PAP]S1 Q UNCONSCI\S ( :AT
_H HAPP5$4 ,9 S* A WAY WE "W TGR3 M9DS1
H&S1 ALW 9 3JUNC;N1 ALW ANTICIPAT+ ! O?-
]'S NE$S & ?"\S4 ,& :5 WE >E A"P1 : WE
>E = MO/ (! "D1 WE >E ALW ?9K+ ( SMALL
DETAILS RELAT+ 6! PROJECT1 OR ELSE OBS]-
V,NS AB ! BROAD] ASPECTS ( LIFE & SCI;E1
& EV5 ? %[S H[ WELL SUIT$ WE >E = ? JO9T
"UTAK+4
  ,B ,I AM SLEEPY1 & ?\< ,I CD WRITE AT
L5G? (! JOYS ( COAU?OR+ A RESE>* PAP]1 X
IS RE,Y "T 6G 6B$4

  ,I H N WRITT5 = NE>LY A WEEK & D N (F]
MY USUAL EXCUSES4 ,MY DI>Y 4APPE>$4
  ,I SPOKE 6,EMMEL9E AB X--K9DLY1 SEV]E-
LY1 ) (F]S ( *OCOLATE & ?R1TS ( PUNI%;T
7& YES1 MY ME?ODS H BROK5 D[N1 B FRANK-
LY1 LOS+ A DI>Y T\*ES "O MO/ P]SON,Y7--B
%E 3T9UES 6D5Y "EY?+4 ,H] D5IALS 7 3SIS-
T5T & %[$ _M SIGNS ( GD FAI?4 ,ANY"O N
"K+ ! CIRCUM/.ES WD H 2LIEV$ H]4 ,"K+ H]
Z ,I D1 ,I F.D ! !FT UNEXPECT$ MYF & F9D
X H>D 6EXPLA9 X )9 ! G5]AL PROGRESS %E
HAS MADE4 ,%E _C R1D & HAS NO IN-   #EGB
T]E/ 9 O!R P'S ?"\S & 9N] LIVES1 O!R ?AN
S F> Z !Y A6ECT H] DIRECTLY4 ,:Y %D %E
WANT X8 ,PRESUMABLY X IS ! %9E (! LOCK T
TEMPT$ H]--H] PAS.N = %9Y ?+S IS UNDIM9-
I%$1 & ,I D N TRY 6REDUCE X2 X IS USU,Y
H>M.S 5\<4 ,B ,I AM 4APPO9T$ 9 H]4
  ,IF ,I 7 6JUDGE 0H] D5IALS & H] "*
AL"O1 ,I WD 3CLUDE T %E 0 9NOC5T (! !FT4
,B ! FACT REMA9S T X _C H BE5 ANY"O
ELSE4
  ,JOHN8 ,MRS4 ,DUNNE8 ,EV5 SUPPOS+ T !
S]VANTS %D H WANT$ 6/1L MY DI>Y1 : ,I
DON'T 2LIEVE =A M9UTE1 ,I REMEMB] CLE>LY
T !Y 7 BUSY ELSE": 9 ! H\SE :5 X W5T
MISS+4 ,9 CASE ,I 0 WR;G AB ?1 ,I BR"\ !
3V]S,N >.D 6_! ACTIVITIES1 & ,JOHN CON-
FIRMS T ,MRS4 ,DUNNE 0 9 ! KIT*5 ALL
MORN+ 78MAK+ A "R RACKET1 TOO10 HE TOLD
ME74 ,%E 3FIRMS T ,JOHN 0 AT ! COA* H\SE
M5D+ ! C> 78NOISY OLD JOB074 ,X _C H BE5
EI ( !M4
  ,& S1 HAV+ ELIM9AT$ ALL ! O!R SUSPECTS
,I AM OBLIG$ 62LIEVE T X 0 ,EMMEL9E4
  ,& YET ,I _C %AKE (F MY MISGIV+S4 ,EV5
N[ ,I C PICTURE H] FACE--S 9NOC5T   #EGC
9 APPE>.E1 S 4TRESS$ AT 2+ A3US$--& ,I
AM =C$ 6WOND]1 IS "! "S A4I;NAL FACTOR
AT PLAY "H T ,I H FAIL$ 6TAKE 96A3.T8
,:5 ,I VIEW ! MATT] 9 ? LI<T X GIVES
RISE 6AN UNEASI;S 9 ME3 ,I AM SU45LY
OV]:ELM$ 0! PRES5TI;T T N"O ( MY PLANS
IS DE/9$ 6-E 6FRUI;N4 ,"S?+ HAS BE5 AG/
ME "E S9CE ,I CAME 6? H\SE6 ,"S?+ T
WANTS 6?W>T ME & FRU/RATE ME 9 E PROJECT
,I "UTAKE6 ,I H *ECK$ & RE*ECK$ MY ?9K+1
RETRAC$ E /EP 9 MY LOGIC1 ,I C F9D NO
FLAW1 YET / ,I F9D MYF 2SET 0D\BT4 '''
,:AT IS X T ,I AM FAIL+ 6SEE8
  ,R1D+ OV] ? LA/ P>AGRAPH ,I AM /RUCK
0! MO/ UN"*I/IC LACK ( 3FID;E 9 MY T"O4
,X IS SURELY ONLY TIR$;S T MAKES ME ?9K
?US4 ,AN UNRE/$ M9D IS PR"O 6W&] 96UN-
FRUIT;L AV5UES2 X IS NO?+ T A GD NI<T'S
SLEEP _C CURE4
  ,2SS1 X IS ALL OV] N[4 ,"H ,I AM1
WRIT+ 9 ! MISS+ DI>Y4 ,I LOCK$ ,EMMEL9E
9 H] ROOM = F\R H\RS1 ! NEXT "D = SIX1 &
%E KNEW ! "D AF1 X WD 2 EI<T4 ,ON ! SEC-
OND "D1 %ORTLY AF ,I CAME D[N F UNLOCK+
H] DOOR ,I F.D ! DI>Y ON MY DESK    #EGD
9 ! S*OOLROOM4 ,%E M/ H SLIPP$ D[N V
QUIETLY 6PUT X "!2 ,I DID N SEE H] G PA/
! LIBR>Y DOOR 6! S*OOLROOM EV5 ?\< ,I
LEFT ! DOOR OP5 DELIB]ATELY4 ,B X 0 RE-
TURN$4 ,S "! IS NO ROOM = D\BT1 IS "!8

  ,I AM S TIR$ & YET ,I _C SLEEP4 ,I HE>
/EPS 9 ! NI<T1 B :5 ,I G 6MY DOOR & LOOK
96! CORRIDOR "! IS NO "O "!4

  ,I 3FESS X MADE ME UNEASY--MAKES ME
UNEASY /--6?9K T ? LL BOOK 0 \ ( MY POS-
SES.N EV5 = TWO "DS4 ,! ?"\ ( ANO!R P]-
SON R1D+ MY ^WS IS MO/ 4COM=T+4 ,I _C
HELP B ?9K H[ ANO!R P]SON WD 9T]PRET C]-
TA9 ?+S ,I H WRITT51 = :5 ,I WRITE = MYF
ONLY1 & "K P]FECTLY WELL ! TRU? ( :AT ,I
WRITE1 ,I AM P]H LESS C>E;L ( MY EXPRES-
.N1 & WRIT+ AT SPE$1 MAY "S"TS EXPRESS
MYF 9 A WAY T CD 2 MIS9T]PRET$ 0ANO!R :O
WD N H MY 9SI<T 96:AT ,I RE,Y M1N4 ,?9K+
OV] "S (! ?+S ,I H WRITT5 7! DOCTOR &!
P5CIL--S* AN 9SIGNIFICANT EV5T--H>DLY
WOR? WRIT+ AB AT ALL RE,Y71 ,I C SEE T
!Y MI<T APPE> 6A /RANG] 9 A LI<T    #EGE
R DI6]5T F :AT ,I 9T5D$1 & ,I WOND] :E!R
,I %D TE> \ ^! PAGES & DE/ROY !M4 ,ONLY
,I D N WANT TO1 = ^! >E ! PAGES T ,I MO/
WANT 6KEEP1 6R1D LAT]1 :5 ,I AM OLD &
G"O F "H1 & ?9K BACK 6! HAPPI;S ( MY "W
&! *ALL5GE ( \R GRT PROJECT4
  ,:Y %D A SCI5TIFIC FR%IP N 2 A S\RCE (
JOY8 ,X IS NO LESS SCI5TIFIC = T1 IS X8
  ,B P]H ! ANSW] IS 6/OP WRIT+ ALT1 = :5
,I D WRITE1 EV5 N[ Z ,I WRITE ? V S5T;E1
? V ^W1 ,I AM AW>E (A <O/ R1D] :O L1NS
OV] MY %\LD] WAT*+ MY P51 :O TWI/S MY
^WS & P]V]TS MY M1N+1 & MAKES ME UNCOM-
=TA# 9 ! PRIVACY ( MY [N ?"\S4
  ,X IS V A7RAVAT+ 6BE PRES5T$ 6"OF 9 A
LI<T S DI6]5T F ! FAMILI> "O1 EV5 :5 X
IS CLE>LY A FALSE LI<T4
  ,I W N WRITE ANY M4






                                    #EGF
























                 ,5D+S              #EGG

        ,,! ,,<O/ ,,9 ,,! ,,TALE

  ,?"\;LLY ,I LIFT$ MY EYES F ! F9AL
PAGE ( ,HE/]'S DI>Y4 ,A NUMB] ( ?+S _H
/RUCK MY ATT5;N Z ,I _H BE5 R1D+ X1 & N[
T ,I _H F9I%$1 ,I _H ! LEISURE 63SID] !M
M ME?ODIC,Y4
  ,OH1 ,I ?"\4
  .,OH4
  ,& !N1 .,,OH6
  ,H[ 6DESCRIBE MY EUREKA8 ,X 2GAN Z A
/RAY .:AT .IF1 A WILD 3JECTURE1 AN IM-
PLAUSI# NO;N4 ,X WAS1 WELL1 N IMPOSSI#
P]H1 B .ABSURD6 ,=A />T--
  ,AB 62G9 M>%AL+ ! S5SI# C.T]>GU;TS1 ,I
/OPP$ D1D 9 MY TRACKS4 ,= MY M9D1 RAC+
AH1D ( XF 9 A MO;T\S ACT ( PREMONI;N1 _H
ALR SUBMITT$ 6? REVIS$ V].N ( EV5TS4 ,9
A S+LE MO;T1 A MO;T ( V]TIG9\S1 KALEIDO-
SCOPIC 2DAZZLE;T1 ! /ORY ,MISS ,W9T] _H
TOLD ME UNMADE & REMADE XF1 9 E EV5T
ID5TICAL1 9 E DETAIL ! SAME--YET 5TIRE-
LY1 PROF.DLY DI6]5T4 ,L ^? IMAGES T
REV1L A "Y BRIDE IF Y HOLD ! PAGE   #EGH
"O WAY1 & AN OLD CR"O IF Y HOLD X ! O!R4
,L ! %EETS ( R&OM DOTS T 4GUISE T1POTS
OR CL[N FACES OR ,R\5 CA!DRALS IF Y C
ONLY LE>N 6SEE !M4 ,! TRU? _H BE5 "! ALL
AL;G1 ONLY N[ _H ,I SE5 X4
  ,"! FOLL[$ A L;G H\R ( MUS+4 ,"O ELE;T
AT A "T1 TAK+ ALL ! DI6]5T ANGLES SEPA-
RATELY1 ,I REVIEW$ "EY?+ ,I KNEW4 ,"EY?+
,I _H BE5 TOLD & "EY?+ ,I _H 4COV]$4
.,YES1 ,I ?"\4 ,& .YES1 AG4 ,T1 & T1 &
T1 TOO4 ,MY NEW K BLEW LIFE 96! /ORY4 ,X
2GAN 6BR1!4 ,& Z X DID S1 X 2GAN 6M5D4
,! JA7$ $GES SMOO!D !MVS4 ,! GAPS FILL$
!MVS IN4 ,! MISS+ "PS 7 REG5]AT$4 ,PUZ-
ZLES EXPLA9$ !MVS1 & MY/]IES 7 MY/]IES
NO L;G]4
  ,AT LA/1 AF ALL ! TALE TELL+ & ALL !
Y>N SP9N+1 AF ! SMOKE SCRE5S &! TRICK
MIRRORS &! D\# BLU6S1 .,I .KNEW4

  ,I KNEW :AT ,HE/] SAW T "D %E ?"\ %E
SAW A <O/4
  ,I KNEW ! ID5T;Y (! BOY 9 ! G>D54
  ,I KNEW :O ATTACK$ ,MRS4 ,MAUDSLEY )A
VIOL94                              #EGI
  ,I KNEW :O KILL$ ,JOHN-!-DIG4
  ,I KNEW :O ,EMMEL9E 0 LOOK+ = "UGR.D4
  ,DETAILS FELL 96PLACE4 ,EMMEL9E TALK+
6H]F 2H A CLOS$ DOOR1 :5 H] SI/] 0 AT !
DOCTOR'S H\SE4 .,JANE .,EYRE1 ! BOOK T
APPE>S & REAPPE>S 9 ! /ORY1 L A SILV]
?R1D 9 A TAPE/RY4 ,I "U/OOD ! MY/]IES (
,HE/]'S W&]+ BOOKM>K1 ! APPE>.E ( ..,!
,TURN (! .,SCREW &! 4APPE>.E ( H] DI>Y4
,I "U/OOD ! /RANGE;S ( ,JOHN-!-DIG'S DE-
CI.N 6T1* ! GIRL :O _H ONCE DESECRAT$ 8
G>D5 H[ 6T5D X4
  ,I "U/OOD ! GIRL 9 ! MI/1 & H[ & :Y %E
CAME \ ( X4 ,I "U/OOD H[ X 0 T A GIRL L
,ADEL9E CD MELT AWAY & L1VE ,MISS ,W9T]
9 H] PLACE4
  8,I AM GO+ 6TELL Y A /ORY AB TW9S10
,MISS ,W9T] _H CALL$ AF ME T F/ EV5+ 9 !
LIBR>Y1 :5 ,I 0 ON ! V]GE ( L1V+4 ,^WS T
) _! UNEXPECT$ E*O ( MY [N /ORY ATTA*$
ME IRRESI/IBLY 6H]S4
  ..,ONCE ^U A "T "! 7 TWO BABY .GIRLS
'''
  ,EXCEPT T N[ ,I KNEW BETT]4
  ,%E _H PO9T$ ME 9 ! "R DIREC;N    #EHJ
T V F/ NI<T1 IF ,I _H ONLY "KN H[ 6LI/54
  8,D Y 2LIEVE 9 <O/S1 ,MISS ,LEA80 %E
_H ASK$ ME4 8,I AM GO+ 6TELL Y A <O/
/ORY40
  ,& ,I _H TOLD H]1 8,"S O!R "T40
  ,B %E ._H TOLD ME A <O/ /ORY4
  ,ONCE ^U A "T "! 7 TWO BABY GIRLS '''
  ,OR ALT]NATIVELY3 ,ONCE ^U A "T "! 7
.?REE4

  ,ONCE ^U A "T "! 0 A H\SE &! H\SE 0
HAUNT$4
  ,! <O/ WAS1 9 ! USUAL WAY ( <O/S1 MO/-
LY 9VISI#1 & YET N Q 9VISI#4 ,"! 0 !
CLOS+ ( DOORS T _H BE5 LEFT OP51 &! OP5+
( DOORS LEFT %UT4 ,! FLA% ( MOVE;T 9 A
MIRROR T MADE Y GL.E UP4 ,! %IMM] (A
DRAFT 2H A CURTA9 :5 "! 0 NO W9D[ OP54
,! LL <O/ 0 "! 9 ! UNEXPECT$ MOVE;T (
BOOKS F "O ROOM 6ANO!R1 & 9 ! MY/]I\S
MOVE;T ( BOOKM>K F PAGE 6PAGE4 ,X 0 H]
H& T LIFT$ A DI>Y F "O PLACE & HID X 9
ANO!R1 H] H& T REPLAC$ X LAT]4 ,IF1 Z Y
TURN$ 96A CORRIDOR1 ! CURI\S IDEA O3URR$
6Y T Y _H J MISS$ SEE+ ! SOLE (A    #EHA
%OE 4APPE>+ >.D ! F> CORN]1 !N ! LL <O/
0 N F> AWAY4 ,& :51 SURPRIS$ 0! BACK (!
NECK FEEL+ Z IF "S"O HAS _! EYE ON Y1 Y
RAIS$ YR H1D 6F9D ! ROOM EMPTY1 !N Y CD
2 SURE T ! LL <O/ 0 HID+ 9 ! EMPTI;S "S-
":4
  ,H] PRES;E CD 2 DIV9$ 9 ANY NUMB] (
WAYS 0^? :O _H EYES 6SEE4 ,YET %E 0 N
SE54
  ,%E HAUNT$ S(TLY4 ,ON TIPTOE1 9 B>E
FEET1 %E MADE N"E A S.D2 & YET %E RECOG-
NIZ$ ! FOOTFALL ( E 9HABITANT (! H\SE1
KNEW E CR1K+ BO>D & E SQU1KY DOOR4 ,E
D>K CORN] (! H\SE 0 FAMILI> 6H]1 E NOOK
& E CRANNY4 ,%E KNEW ! GAPS 2H CUPBO>DS
& 2T SETS ( %ELVES1 %E KNEW ! BACKS (
S(AS &! "UN1? ( *AIRS4 ,! H\SE1 6H] M9D1
0 A HUNDR$ & "O HID+ PLACES1 & %E KNEW
H[ 6MOVE AM;G !M 9VISIBLY4
  ,ISABELLE & ,*>LIE N"E SAW ! <O/4
,LIV+ Z !Y DID1 \TSIDE LOGIC1 \TSIDE
R1SON1 !Y 7 N ! SORT 6BE P]PLEX$ 0! 9EX-
PLICA#4 ,LOSSES & BR1KAGES &! MISLAY+ (
R&OM ITEMS SEEM$ 6!M "P (! NATURAL
UNIV]SE4 ,A %AD[ T FELL ACR A C>-   #EHB
PET ": A %AD[ "\ N 6BE DID N CAUSE !M TO
/OP & REFLECT2 S* MY/]IES SEEM$ ONLY A
NATURAL EXT5.N (! %AD[S 9 _! HE>TS &
M9DS4 ,! LL <O/ 0 ! MOVE;T 9 _! P]IPH]AL
VI.N1 ! UNAC"KL$G$ PUZZLE 9 ! BACK ( _!
M9DS1 ! P]MAN5T %AD[ ATTA*$1 )\T _! "K+
X1 6_! LIVES4 ,%E SCAV5G$ = LEFTOV]S 9
_! PANTRY L A M\SE1 W>M$ H]F AT ! EMB]S
( _! FIRES AF !Y _H G"O 6B$1 4APPE>$ 96!
RECESSES ( _! DILAPID,N ! 9/ANT ANY"O
APPE>$4
  ,%E 0 ! SECRET (! H\SE4
  ,L ALL SECRETS1 %E _H H] GU>DIANS4
  ,! H\SEKEEP] SAW ! LL <O/ Z PLA9 Z "D1
DESPITE H] FAIL+ EYESI<T4 ,A GD ?+1 TOO4
,)\T H] COLLABOR,N "! WD N"E H BE5 5
SCRAPS 9 ! PANTRY1 5 CRUMBS F ! BR1KFA/
LOAF1 6SU/A9 ! LL <O/4 ,= X WD 2 A MIS-
TAKE 6?9K T ! <O/ 0 "O ( ^? 9CORPOR1L1
E!R1L SPECT]S4 ,NO4 ,%E _H A /OMA*1 & :5
X 0 EMPTY X _H 6BE FILL$4
  ,B %E E>N$ H] KEEP4 ,= Z M* Z %E ATE1
%E AL PROVID$4 ,! O!R P]SON :O _H !
KNACK ( SEE+ <O/S1 Y SEE1 0 ! G>D5]1 &
HE 0 GLAD ( AN EXTRA PAIR ( H&S4    #EHC
,%E WORE A WIDE-BRIMM$ HAT & AN OLD PAIR
( ,JOHN'S TR\S]S1 CUT (F AT ! ANKLE &
HELD UP ) BRACES1 & H] HAUNT+ (! G>D5 0
FRUIT;L4 ,9 ! SOIL POTATOES GREW SWOLL5
"U H] C>E2 ABVGR.D ! FRUIT BU%ES FL\R-
I%$1 PRODUC+ CLU/]S ( B]RIES T H] H&S
S"\ \ "U L[ L1VES4 ,N ONLY DID %E H A
MAGIC T\* = FRUIT & VEGETA#S1 B ! ROSES
BLOOM$ Z !Y _H N"E BLOOM$ 2F4 ,LAT]1 %E
LE>N$ ! SECRET DESIRE ( BOX & YEW 62COME
GEOMETRY4 ,AT H] BI4+ L1VES & BRAN*ES
GREW CORN]S & ANGLES1 CURVES & MA!MATI-
C,Y /RAI<T L9ES4
  ,9 ! G>D5 & 9 ! KIT*5 ! LL <O/ DID N
NE$ 6HIDE4 ,! H\SEKEEP] &! G>D5] 7 H]
PROTECTORS1 H] GU>DIANS4 ,!Y TAU<T H] !
WAYS (! H\SE & H[ 6BE SAFE 9 X4 ,!Y F$
H]4 ,!Y WAT*$ OV] H]4 ,:5 A /RANG] CAME
6LIVE 9 ! H\SE1 ) %>P] EYES ?AN MO/1 )A
DESIRE 6BANI% %AD[S & LOCK DOORS1 !Y
WORRI$ AB H]4
  ,M ?AN ANY?+ ELSE1 !Y LOV$ H]4
  ,B ": DID %E -E F8 ,:AT 0 H] /ORY8 ,=
<O/S D N APPE> AT R&OM4 ,!Y -E ONLY 6":
!Y "K !Y >E AT HOME4 ,&! LL <O/ 0   #EHD
AT HOME 9 ? H\SE4 ,AT HOME 9 ? FAMILY4
,?\< %E _H NO "N1 ?\< %E 0 NO "O1 / !
G>D5] &! H\SEKEEP] KNEW :O %E 0 ALL "R4
,H] /ORY 0 WRITT5 9 H] COPP] HAIR & H]
EM]ALD EYES4
  ,= "H IS ! MO/ CURI\S ?+ AB ! :OLE /O-
RY4 ,! <O/ BORE ! MO/ UNCANNY RESEMBL.E
6! TW9S ALR LIV+ 9 ! H\SE4 ,H[ ELSE CD
%E H LIV$ "! UNSUSPECT$ = S L;G8 ,?REE
GIRLS ) COPP] HAIR T FELL 9 A MASS D[N
_! BACKS4 ,?REE GIRLS ) /RIK+ EM]ALD
EYES4 ,ODD1 DON'T Y ?9K1 ! RESEMBL.E !Y
BO? BORE 6! LL <O/ & %E 6!M8
  8,:5 ,I 0 BORN10 ,MISS ,W9T] TOLD ME1
8,I 0 NO M ?AN A SUBPLOT40 ,S %E 2GAN !
/ORY 9 : ,ISABELLE W5T 6A PICNIC1 MET
,ROL& & EV5TU,Y RAN AWAY 6M>RY HM1 ES-
CAP+ H] BRO!R'S D>K1 UNBRO!RLY PAS.N4
,*>LIE1 NEGLECT$ 0HIS SI/]1 W5T ON A
RAMPAGE1 V5T+ 8 RAGE1 8 PAS.N1 8 J1L\SY
ON O!RS4 ,! DAU<T]S ( E>LS OR ( %OPKEEP-
]S1 ( BANK]S OR ( *IMNEY SWEEPS2 6HM X
DID N RE,Y MATT] :O !Y W]E4 ,) OR )\T _!
3S5T1 HE ?REW HMF ^U !M 9 8 DESP],N =
OBLIVION4                           #EHE
  ,ISABELLE GAVE BIR? 6H] TW9S 9 A ,LON-
DON HOSPITAL4 ,TWO GIRLS ) NO?+ ( _!
"M'S HUSB& AB !M4 ,COPP] HAIR--J L _!
UNCLE4 ,GRE5 EYES--J L _! UNCLE4
  ,"H IS ! SUBPLOT3 ,AT AB ! SAME "T1 9
"S B>N OR DIM COTTAGE B$ROOM1 ANO!R WOM-
AN GAVE BIR?4 ,N ! DAU<T] ( AN E>L1 ,I
?9K4 ,OR A BANK]4 ,! WELL-(F H WAYS (
D1L+ ) TR\#4 ,%E M/ H BE5 "S ANONYM\S1
ORD9>Y1 P[].S WOMAN4 ,H] * 0 A GIRL1
TOO4 ,COPP] HAIR4 ,EM]ALD EYES4
  ,* ( RAGE4 ,* ( RAPE4 .,*>LIE'S .*4
  ,ONCE ^U A "T "! 0 A H\SE CALL$
,ANGELFIELD4
  ,ONCE ^U A "T "! 7 TW9S4
  ,ONCE ^U A "T "! CAME 6,ANGELFIELD A
C\S94 ,M LIKELY A HALF SI/]4

  ,Z ,I SAT 9 ! TRA9 ) ,HE/]'S DI>Y
CLOS$ 9 MY LAP1 ! GRT RU% ( SYMPA?Y ,I 0
2G9N+ 6FEEL = ,MISS ,W9T] 0 CURTAIL$ :5
ANO!R ILLEGITIMATE * CAME 6M9D4 ,AURELI-
US4 ,& MY SYMPA?Y TURN$ 6ANG]4 ,:Y 0 HE
SEP>AT$ F 8 "M8 ,:Y AB&ON$8 ,:Y LEFT TO
F5D = HMF 9 ! _W )\T "K+ 8 [N       #EHF
/ORY8
  ,I ?"\1 TOO1 (! :ITE T5T &! REMA9S 2N
X T ,I N[ KNEW N 6BE ,HE/]'S4
  ,X ALL BOIL$ D[N 6! NI<T (! FIRE4
,>SON1 MURD]1 AB&ON;T (A BABY4
  ,:5 ! TRA9 >RIV$ 9 ,H>ROGATE & ,I
/EPP$ \ ONTO ! PLAT=M1 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ TO
F9D X ANKLE-DEEP 9 SN[4 ,= AL? ,I _H BE5
/>+ \ ! W9D[ (! TRA9 =! LA/ H\R1 ,I _H
SE5 NO?+ (! VIEW \TSIDE4
  ,I ?"\ ,I KNEW X ALL1 :5 ,I _H MY MO;T
( ELUCID,N4
  ,I ?"\1 :5 ,I R1LIZ$ T "! 7 N TWO
GIRLS AT ,ANGELFIELD B ?REE1 T ,I _H !
KEY 6! :OLE /ORY 9 MY H&4
  ,AT ! 5D ( MY COGIT,NS ,I R1LIZ$ T
UNTIL ,I KNEW :AT HAPP5$ ON ! NI<T (!
FIRE1 ,I KNEW NO?+4






                 ,,B"OS             #EHG

  ,X 0 ,*RI/MAS ,EVE2 X 0 LATE2 X 0 SN[+
H>D4 ,! F/ TAXI DRIV] &! SECOND REFUS$
6TAKE ME S F> \ ( T[N ON S* A NI<T1 B !
?IRD1 9DI6]5T ( EXPRES.N1 M/ H BE5 MOV$
0! >DOR ( MY REQUE/1 = HE %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S
& LET ME IN4 8,WE'LL GIVE X A G10 HE
W>N$ GRU6LY4
  ,WE DROVE \ ( T[N &! SN[ 3T9U$ 6FALL1
PIL+ UP METICUL\SLY1 FLAKE 0FLAKE1 ON E
9* ( E>?1 E H$GE TOP1 E B\<4 ,AF ! LA/
VILLAGE1 ! LA/ F>MH\SE1 WE F.D \RVS 9 A
:ITE L&SCAPE1 ! ROAD 9DIST+UI%A# AT "TS
F ! FLAT L& ALL AB1 & ,I %RANK 96MY S1T1
EXPECT+ AT ANY MO;T T ! DRIV] WD GIVE UP
& TURN BACK4 ,ONLY MY CLE> DIREC;NS RE-
ASSUR$ HM T WE 7 9 FACT ON A ROAD4 ,I
GOT \ MYF 6OP5 ! F/ GATE1 !N WE F.D \RVS
AT ! SECOND SET1 ! MA9 GATES (! H\SE4
  8,I HOPE Y'LL F9D YR WAY BACK ALL "R10
,I SD4
  8,ME8 ,I'LL 2 ALL "R10 HE SD ) ANO!R
%RUG4
  ,Z ,I EXPECT$1 ! GATES 7 LOCK$4 ,N
WANT+ ! DRIV] 6?9K ,I 0 "S K9D (    #EHH
?IEF1 ,I PRET5D$ 6BE LOOK+ = MY KEYS 9
MY BAG :ILE HE TURN$ ! C>4 ,ONLY :5 HE 0
"S 4T.E AWAY DID ,I GRAB HOLD (! B>S (!
GATE & CLAMB] OV]4
  ,! KIT*5 DOOR 0 N LOCK$4 ,I PULL$ (F
MY BOOTS1 %OOK ! SN[ (F MY COAT & HUNG X
UP4 ,I WALK$ "? ! EMPTY KIT*5 & MADE MY
WAY 6,EMMEL9E'S QU>T]S1 ": ,I KNEW ,MISS
,W9T] WD BE4 ,FULL ( A3US,NS1 FULL (
"QS1 ,I /OK$ MY RAGE2 X 0 = ,AURELIUS &=
! WOMAN ^: B"OS _H LA9 = SIXTY YE>S 9 !
BURN$-\ RU9S ( ,ANGELFIELD'S LIBR>Y4 ,=
ALL MY 9W>D /ORM+1 MY APPROA* 0 SIL5T2 !
C>PET DRANK 9 ! FURY ( MY TR1D4
  ,I DID N KNOCK B PU%$ ! DOOR OP5 & W5T
/RAI<T IN4
  ,! CURTA9S 7 / CLOS$4 ,AT ,EMMEL9E'S
B$SIDE ,MISS ,W9T] 0 SITT+ QUIETLY4 ,/>-
TL$ 0MY 5TR.E1 %E />$ AT ME1 AN EXTRAOR-
D9>Y %IMM] 9 H] EYES4
  8.,B"OS60 ,I HISS$ AT H]4 8,!Y H F.D
.B"OS AT ,ANGELFIELD60
  ,I 0 ALL EYES1 ALL E>S1 WAIT+ ON T5T]-
HOOKS = AN ADMIS.N 6EM]GE F H]4 ,:E!R X
0 9 ^W OR EXPRES.N OR GE/URE DID    #EHI
N MATT]4 ,%E WD MAKE X1 & ,I WD R1D X4
  ,EXCEPT T "! 0 "S?+ 9 ! ROOM TRY+ TO
4TRACT ME F MY SCRUT9Y4
  8,B"OS80 SD ,MISS ,W9T]4 ,%E 0 PAP]-
:ITE & "! 0 AN OC1N 9 H] EYES1 VA/ 5 TO
DR[N ALL MY FURY4
  8,OH10 %E SD4
  .,OH4 ,:AT RI*;S ( VIBR,N A S+LE SYL-
LA# C 3TA94 ,FE>4 ,DESPAIR4 ,SORR[ &
RESIGN,N4 ,RELIEF1 (A D>K1 UNCONSOL+
K9D4 ,& GRIEF1 DEEP & ANCI5T4
  ,& !N ! NA7+ 4TRAC;N 9 ! ROOM SWELL$ S
URG5TLY 9 MY M9D T "! 0 NO ROOM = ANY?+
ELSE4 ,:AT 0 X8 ,"S?+ EXTRANE\S 6MY DRA-
MA (! B"OS4 ,"S?+ T PREC$$ MY 9TRU.N4 ,=
A FALT]+ SECOND ,I 0 3FUS$1 !N ALL !
9SIGNIFICANT ?+S ,I _H NOTIC$ )\T NOTIC+
CAME TGR4 ,! ATMOSPH]E 9 ! ROOM4 ,!
CLOS$ CURTA9S4 ,! AQUE\S TRANSP>5CY (
,MISS ,W9T]'S EYES4 ,! FACT T ! /EEL
CORE T _H ALW BE5 H] ESS;E SEEM$ 6H SIM-
PLY G"O F H]4
  ,MY ATT5;N N>R[$ 6"O ?+3 ,": 0 ! SL[
TIDE ( ,EMMEL9E'S BR1?8 ,NO S.D CAME 6MY
E>S4                                #EIJ
  8,NO6 ,%E'S--0
  ,I FELL 6MY KNEES 0! B$ & />$4
  8,YES10 ,MISS ,W9T] SD S(TLY4 8,%E'S
G"O4 ,X 0 A FEW M9UTES AGO40
  ,I GAZ$ AT ,EMMEL9E'S EMPTY FACE4
,NO?+ RE,Y _H *ANG$4 ,H] SC>S 7 / ANGRI-
LY R$2 H] LIPS _H ! SAME SIDEWAYS SLANT2
H] EYES 7 / GRE54 ,I T\*$ H] TWI/$ PAT*-
"W H&1 & H] SK9 0 W>M4 ,0 X TRUE T %E 0
G"O8 ,ABSOLUTELY1 IRREVOCABLY G"O8 ,X
SEEM$ IMPOSSI# T X %D 2 S4 ,SURELY %E _H
N DES]T$ U -PLETELY8 ,SURELY "! 0 "S?+ (
H] LEFT 2H 63SOLE U8 ,0 "! NO SPELL1 NO
TALISMAN1 NO MAGIC T WD BR+ H] BACK8 ,0
"! NO?+ ,I CD SAY T WD R1* H]8
  ,X 0 ! W>M? 9 H] H& T P]SUAD$ ME %E CD
HE> ME4 ,X 0 ! W>M? 9 H] H& T BR"\ ALL !
^WS 96MY *E/1 FALL+ OV] EA* O!R 9 _! IM-
PATI;E 6FLY 96,EMMEL9E'S E>4
  8,F9D MY SI/]1 ,EMMEL9E4 ,PL1SE F9D
H]4 ,TELL H] ,I'M WAIT+ = H]4 ,TELL
H]--0 ,MY ?ROAT 0 TOO N>R[ = ALL ! ^WS &
!Y BROKE AG/ EA* O!R Z !Y ROSE1 *OK+1 \
( ME4 8,TELL H] ,I MISS H]6 ,TELL H]
,I'M L"OLY60 ,! ^WS LAUN*$ !MVS     #EIA
IMPETU\SLY1 URG5TLY F MY LIPS4 ,) F]VOR
!Y FLEW ACR ! SPACE 2T U1 *AS+ ,EMMEL9E4
8,TELL H] ,I C'T WAIT ANY L;G]6 ,TELL H]
6.-E60
  ,B ,I 0 TOO LATE4 ,! DIVIDE _H -E D[N4
,9VISI#4 ,IRREVOCA#4 ,IMPLACA#4
  ,MY ^WS FLEW L BIRDS 96A PANE ( GLASS4
  8,OH1 MY POOR *40 ,I FELT ! T\* (
,MISS ,W9T]'S H& ON MY %\LD]1 & :ILE ,I
CRI$ OV] ! CORPSES ( MY BROK5 ^WS1 H] H&
REMA9$ "!1 LI<TLY4
  ,EV5TU,Y ,I DRI$ MY EYES4 ,"! 7 ONLY A
FEW ^WS LEFT4 ,RATTL+ >.D LOOSE )\T _!
OLD -PANIONS4 8,%E 0 MY TW910 ,I SD4
8,%E 0 "H4 ,LOOK40
  ,I PULL$ AT ! JUMP] TUCK$ 96MY SKIRT1
REV1L$ MY TORSO 6! LI<T4
  ,MY SC>4 ,MY HALF-MOON4 ,PALE SILV]-
P9K1 A NACRE\S TRANSLUC;E4 ,! L9E T
DIVIDES4
  8,? IS ": %E WAS4 ,WE 7 JO9$ "H4 ,& !Y
SEP>AT$ U4 ,& %E DI$4 ,%E CDN'T LIVE )\T
ME40
  ,I FELT ! FLUTT] ( ,MISS ,W9T]'S F+]S
TRAC+ ! CRESC5T ON MY SK91 SAW !    #EIB
T5D] SYMPA?Y 9 H] FACE4
  8,! ?+ IS--0 7! F9AL ^WS1 ! V LA/ ^WS1
AF ? ,I NE$ N"E SAY ANY?+1 "E AG7 8,I
DON'T ?9K ,I C LIVE )\T .H]40
  8,*40 ,MISS ,W9T] LOOK$ AT ME4 ,HELD
ME SUSP5D$ 9 ! -PAS.N ( H] EYES4
  ,I ?"\ NO?+4 ,! SURFACE ( MY M9D 0 P]-
FECTLY /4 ,B "U ! SURFACE "! 0 A %IFT+ &
A /IRR+4 ,I FELT ! GRT SWELL (! "UCUR-
R5T4 ,= YE>S A WRECK _H SAT 9 ! DEP?S1 A
RU/+ VESSEL ) XS C>GO ( B"OS4 ,N[ X
%IFT$4 ,I _H 4TURB$ X1 & X CR1T$ A TUR-
BUL;E T LIFT$ CL\DS ( S& F ! S1B$1 MOTES
( GRIT SWIRL+ WILDLY 9 ! D>K 4TURB$ WA-
T]4
  ,ALL ! "T ,MISS ,W9T] HELD ME 9 H] L;G
GRE5 GAZE4
  ,!N SL[LY1 SL[LY1 ! S& RESETTL$ &! WA-
T] RETURN$ 6XS QUIET;S1 SL[LY1 SL[LY4 ,&
! B"OS RESETTL$ 9 ! RU/+ HOLD4
  8,Y ASK$ ME ONCE = MY /ORY10 ,I SD4
  8,& Y TOLD ME Y DIDN'T H "O40
  8,N[ Y "K1 ,I D H "O40
  8,I N"E D\BT$ X40 ,%E SMIL$ A POOR
REGRET;L SMILE4 8,:5 ,I 9VIT$ Y     #EIC
"H ,I ?"\ ,I KNEW YR /ORY ALR4 ,I _H R1D
YR ESSAY AB ! ,L&I] BRO!RS4 ,S* A GD ES-
SAY1 X WAS4 ,Y KNEW S M* AB SIBL+S4
,9SID] K1 ,I ?"\4 ,&! M ,I LOOK$ AT YR
ESSAY1 ! M ,I ?"\ Y M/ H A TW94 ,& S ,I
FIX$ ^U Y 6BE MY BIOGRAPH]4 ,2C IF AF
ALL ^! YE>S ( TALE TELL+ ,I 0 TEMPT$ TO
LIE 6Y1 Y WD F9D ME \40
  8,I .H F.D Y \40
  ,%E NO4$1 TRANQUIL1 SAD1 UNSURPRIS$4
8,AB "T1 TOO4 ,H[ M* D Y "K80
  8,:AT Y TOLD ME4 ,ONLY A SUBPLOT1 IS
H[ Y PUT X4 ,Y TOLD ME ! /ORY ( ,ISA-
BELLE & H] TW9S1 & ,I WASN'T PAY+ ATT5-
;N4 ,! SUBPLOT 0 ,*>LIE & 8 RAMPAGES4 ,Y
KEPT PO9T+ ME 9 ! DIREC;N ( .,JANE
.,EYRE4 ,! BOOK AB ! \TSID] 9 ! FAMILY4
,! "M.S C\S94 ,I DON'T "K :O YR "M WAS4
,& H[ Y CAME 6BE AT ,ANGELFIELD )\T H]40
  ,SADLY %E %OOK H] H1D4 8,ANY"O :O MI<T
H "KN ! ANSW] 6^? "QS IS D1D1 ,M>G>ET40
  8,C'T Y REMEMB]80
  8,I AM HUMAN4 ,L ALL HUMANS1 ,I D N
REMEMB] MY BIR?4 ,0! "T WE WAKE UP TO
\RVS1 WE >E LL *N1 & \R ADV5T IS    #EID
"S?+ T HAPP5$ AN ET]N;Y AGO1 AT ! 2G9N+
( "T4 ,WE LIVE L LATECOM]S AT ! !AT]2 WE
M/ CAT* UP Z BE/ WE C1 DIV9+ ! 2G9N+ F !
%APE ( LAT] EV5TS4 ,H[ _M "TS H ,I G"O
BACK 6! BORD] ( MEMORY & PE]$ 96! D>K;S
2Y8 ,B X IS N ONLY MEMORIES T HOV] ON !
BORD]4 ,"! >E ALL SORTS ( PHANTASMAGORIA
T 9HABIT T R1LM4 ,! NI<TM>ES (A L"OLY *4
,FAIRY TALES APPROPRIAT$ 0A M9D HUNGRY =
/ORY4 ,! FANTASIES ( AN IMAG9ATIVE LL
GIRL ANXI\S 6EXPLA9 6H]F ! 9EXPLICA#4
,:AT"E /ORY ,I MAY H 4COV]$ ON ! FRONTI]
( =GETT+1 ,I D N PRET5D 6MYF T X IS !
TRU?40
  8..,ALL *N MY?OLOGIZE _! .BIR?40
  8,Q4 ,! ONLY ?+ ,I C 2 SURE ( IS :AT
,JOHN-!-DIG TOLD ME40
  8,& :AT DID HE TELL Y80
  8,T ,I APPE>$ L A WE$ 2T TWO /RAWB]-
RIES40
  ,%E TOLD ME ! /ORY4

  ,"S"O 0 GETT+ AT ! /RAWB]RIES4 ,N
BIRDS1 2C !Y PECK$ & LEFT PITT$ B]RIES4
,& N ! TW9S1 2C !Y TRAMPL$ !        #EIE
PLANTS & LEFT FOOTPR9TS ALL OV] ! PLOT4
,NO1 "S LI<T-FOOT$ ?IEF 0 TAK+ A B]RY "H
&A B]RY "!4 ,N1TLY1 )\T 4TURB+ A ?+4
,ANO!R G>D5] WDN'T EV5 H NOTIC$4 ,! SAME
"D ,JOHN NOTIC$ A POOL ( WAT] "U 8 G>D5
TAP4 ,! TAP 0 DRIPP+4 ,HE GAVE X A TURN1
TI<T5$ X UP4 ,HE SCRAT*$ 8 H1D1 & W5T AB
8 BUSI;S4 ,B HE KEPT AN EYE \4
  ,! NEXT "D HE SAW A FIGURE 9 ! /RAWB]-
RIES4 ,A LL SC>ECR[1 B>ELY KNEE-HI<1 9
AN OV]L>GE HAT T DROOP$ D[N OV] XS FACE4
,X RAN (F :5 X SAW HM4 ,B ! "D AF X 0 S
DET]M9$ 6GET XS FRUIT T HE _H 6YELL &
WAVE 8 >MS 6*ASE X (F4 ,AFW HE ?"\ HE
CDN'T PUT A "N 6X4 ,:O 9 ! VILLAGE _H A
MITE T SIZE1 SMALL & "UF$8 ,:O >.D "H WD
LET _! * G /1L+ FRUIT F O!R P'S G>D5S8
,HE 0 /UMP$ = AN ANSW]4
  .,& "S"O _H BE5 9 ! POTT+ %$4 ,HE
_HN'T LEFT ! OLD NEWSPAP]S 9 T /ATE1 _H
HE8 ,& ^? CRATES--!Y'D BE5 PUT AWAY TI-
DY2 HE KNEW !Y _H4
  ,= ONCE HE PUT ON ! PADLOCK 2F HE W5T
HOME4
  ,PASS+ 0! G>D5 TAP1 HE NOTIC$ X   #EIF
DRIPP+ AG4 ,GAVE X A FIRM HALF TURN )\T
EV5 ?9K+ AB X4 ,!N1 PUTT+ 8 WEI<T 96X1
ANO!R QU>T] TURN4 ,T %D D X4
  ,9 ! NI<T HE AWOKE1 UNEASY 9 8 M9D =
R1SONS HE CDN'T A3.T =4 ,": WD Y SLEEP1
HE F.D HMF WOND]+1 IF Y CDN'T GET 96!
POTT+ %$ & MAKE YRF A B$ ) NEWSPAP]S 9 A
CRATE8 ,& ": WD Y GET WAT] IF ! TAP 0
TURN$ (F S TI<T Y CDN'T MOVE X8 ,*ID+
HMF = 8 MIDNI<T FOOLI%;S1 HE OP5$ ! W9D[
6FEEL ! TEMP]ATURE4 ,TOO LATE = FRO/S4
,COOL =! "T ( YE>1 ?\<4 ,& H[ M* COLD]
IF Y 7 HUNGRY8 ,& H[ M* D>K] IF Y 7 A *8
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D & CLOS$ ! W9D[4 ,NO "O
WD AB&ON A * 9 8 G>D51 WD !Y8 ,( C\RSE
!Y WDN'T4 ,N"E!.S1 2F FIVE HE 0 UP & \ (
B$4 ,HE TOOK 8 WALK >.D ! G>D5 E>LY1
SURVEY+ 8 VEGETA#S1 ! TOPI>Y G>D51 PLAN-
N+ 8 "W =! "D4 ,ALL MORN+ HE KEPT AN EYE
\ =A FLOPPY HAT 9 ! FRUIT BU%ES4 ,B "! 0
NO?+ 6BE SE54
  8,:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y80 SD ! ,MISSUS :5
HE SAT 9 SIL;E AT H] KIT*5 TA# DR9K+ A
CUP ( C(FEE4
  8,NO?+10 HE SD4                   #EIG
  ,HE DRA9$ 8 CUP & W5T BACK 6! G>D54
,HE /OOD & SCANN$ ! FRUIT BU%ES ) ANXI\S
EYES4
  ,NO?+4
  ,AT LUN*"T HE ATE HALF A S&WI*1 4COV]$
HE _H NO APPETITE & LEFT ! O!R HALF ON
AN UPTURN$ FL[]POT 0! G>D5 TAP4 ,TELL+
HMF HE 0 A FOOL1 HE PUT A BISCUIT NEXT
6X4 ,HE TURN$ ! TAP ON4 ,X TOOK Q AN EF-
=T EV5 = HM4 ,HE LET ! WAT] FALL1 NOISI-
LY1 96A T9 WAT]+ C1 EMPTI$ X 96! NE>E/
B$ & REFILL$ X4 ,! ?"U ( SPLA%+ WAT] RE-
S.D$ >.D ! VEGETA# G>D54 ,HE TOOK C>E N
6LOOK UP & >.D4
  ,!N HE TOOK HMF A LL WAY (F1 KNELT ON
! GRASS1 8 BACK 6! TAP1 & />T$ BRU%+ (F
"S OLD POTS4 ,X 0 AN IMPORTANT JOB2 X _H
6BE D"O2 Y CD SPR1D 41SE IF Y DIDN'T
CL1N YR POTS PROP]LY 2T PLANT+4
  ,2H HM1 ! SQU1K (! TAP4
  ,HE DIDN'T TURN 9/ANTLY4 ,HE F9I%$ !
POT HE 0 DO+1 BRU%1 BRU%1 BRU%4
  .,!N HE 0 QK4 ,ON 8 FEET1 OV] 6! TAP1
FA/] ?AN A FOX4
  ,B "! 0 NO NE$ = S* HA/E4         #EIH
  ,! *1 F"R5$1 TRI$ 6FLEE B /UM#D4
,PICK+ XF UP1 X LIMP$ ON A FEW M /EPS1
!N /UM#D AG4 ,JOHN CAU<T X UP1 LIFT$ X--
! WEI<T (A CAT1 NO M--TURN$ X 6FACE HM1
&! HAT FELL (F4
  ,LL *AP 0 A BAG ( B"OS4 ,/>V+4 ,EYES
G"O CRU/Y1 HAIR BLACK ) DIRT1 & SMELLY4
,TWO HOT R$ SPOTS = *EEKS4 ,HE PUT A H&
6! *'S =EH1D & X 0 BURN+ UP4 ,BACK 9 !
POTT+ %$ HE SAW XS FEET4 ,NO %OES1 SCA2Y
& SWOLL51 PUS OOZ+ "? ! DIRT4 ,A ?ORN OR
"S?+1 DEEP 9SIDE4 ,! * TREM#D4 ,FEV]1
PA91 />V,N1 FE>4 ,IF HE F.D AN ANIMAL 9
T /ATE1 ,JOHN ?"\1 HE'D GET 8 GUN & PUT
X \ ( XS MIS]Y4
  ,HE LOCK$ X 9 ! %$ & W5T 6FET* ! ,MIS-
SUS4 ,%E CAME4 ,%E PE]$1 "R UP CLOSE1
GOT A :IFF & /EPP$ BACK4
  8,NO1 NO1 ,I DON'T "K ^: HE IS4 ,P]H
IF WE CL1N$ HM UP A BIT80
  8,DUNK HM 9 ! WAT] BUTT1 Y M1N80
  8,WAT] BUTT 9DE$6 ,I'LL G & FILL ! TUB
9 ! KIT*540
  ,!Y PEEL$ ! /9K+ RAGS AWAY F ! *4
8,!Y'RE =! BONFIRE10 ! ,MISSUS      #EII
SD1 & TOSS$ !M \ 96! Y>D4 ,! DIRT W5T
ALL ! WAY D[N 6! SK92 ! * 0 5CRU/$4 ,!
F/ TUB ( WAT] TURN$ 9/ANTLY BLACK4 ,9
ORD] 6EMPTY & REFILL ! TUB1 !Y LIFT$ ! *
\1 & X /OOD1 WAV]+1 ON XS BETT] FOOT4
,NAK$ & DRIPP+1 /R1K$ ) RIVULETS ( GRAY-
BR[N WAT]1 ALL RIBS & ELB[S4
  ,!Y LOOK$ AT ! *2 AT EA* O!R2 AT ! *
AG4
  8,JOHN1 ,I MAY 2 POOR ( SI<T1 B TELL
ME1 >E Y N SEE+ :AT ,I'M N SEE+80
  8,AYE40
  8,LL *AP 9DE$6 ,X'S A LL MAID40
  ,!Y BOIL$ KETTLE AF KETTLE1 SCRU2$ AT
SK9 & HAIR ) SOAP1 BRU%$ H>D5$ DIRT \ F
"U ! NAILS4 ,ONCE %E 0 CL1N !Y /]ILIZ$
TWEEZ]S1 PULL$ ! ?ORN F ! FOOT--%E FL9*$
B DIDN'T CRY \--& !Y DRESS$ & B&AG$ !
W.D4 ,!Y G5TLY RU2$ W>M$ CA/OR OIL 96!
CRU/ >.D ! EYES4 ,!Y PUT CALAM9E LO;N
ONTO ! FLEA BITES1 PETROLEUM JELLY ONTO
! *APP$1 SPLIT LIPS4 ,!Y -B$ TANGLES \ (
L;G1 MATT$ HAIR4 ,!Y PRESS$ COOL FLAN-
NELS AG/ H] =EH1D & H] BURN+ *EEKS4 ,AT
LA/ !Y WRAPP$ H] 9 A CL1N T[EL &    #FJJ
SAT H] AT ! KIT*5 TA#1 ": ! ,MISSUS
SPOON$ S\P 96H] M\? & ,JOHN PEEL$ H] AN
APPLE4
  ,GULP+ D[N ! S\P1 GRA2+ AT ! APPLE
SLICES1 %E CDN'T GET X D[N FA/ 5\<4 ,!
,MISSUS CUT A SLICE ( BR1D & SPR1D X )
BUTT]4 ,! * ATE X RAV5\SLY4
  ,!Y WAT*$ H]4 ,! EYES1 CLE>$ ( _!
CRU/1 7 SLIV]S ( EM]ALD GRE54 ,! HAIR 0
DRY+ 6A B"R R$-GOLD4 ,! *EEKB"OS JUTT$
WIDE & %>P 9 ! HUNGRY FACE4
  8,>E Y ?9K+ :AT ,I'M ?9K+80 SD ,JOHN4
  8,AYE40
  8,W WE TELL HM80
  8,NO40
  8,B %E DOES 2L;G "H40
  8,AYE40
  ,!Y ?"\ =A MO;T OR TWO4
  8,:AT AB A DOCTOR80
  ,! P9K SPOTS 9 ! *'S FACE 7 N S B"R4
,! ,MISSUS PUT A H& 6! =EH1D4 ,/ HOT1 B
BETT]4
  8,WE'LL SEE H[ %E GOES TN4 ,GET ! DOC-
TOR 9 ! MORN+40
  8,IF NE$S BE40                    #FJA
  8,AYE4 ,IF NE$S BE40

  8,& S X 0 SETTL$10 ,MISS ,W9T] SD4 8,I
/AY$40
  8,:AT 0 YR "N80
  8,! ,MISSUS TRI$ 6CALL ME ,M>Y1 B X
DIDN'T /ICK4 ,JOHN CALL$ ME ,%AD[1 2C ,I
/UCK 6HM L A %AD[4 ,HE TAU<T ME 6R1D1 Y
"K1 ) SE$ CATALOGS 9 ! %$1 B ,I SOON
4COV]$ ! LIBR>Y4 ,EMMEL9E DIDN'T CALL ME
ANY?+4 ,%E DIDN'T NE$ TO1 = ,I 0 ALW "!4
,Y ONLY NE$ "NS =! ABS5T40
  ,I ?"\ AB X ALL =A :ILE 9 SIL;E4 ,!
<O/ *4 ,NO "M4 ,NO "N4 ,! * ^: V EXI/;E
0 A SECRET4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# N 6FEEL -PAS-
.N4 ,& YET '''
  8,:AT AB ,AURELIUS8 ,Y KNEW :AT X 0 L
6GR[ UP )\T A "M6 ,:Y DID HE H 6BE ABAN-
DON$8 ,! B"OS !Y F.D AT ,ANGELFIELD '''
,I "K X M/ H BE5 ,ADEL9E :O KILL$ ,JOHN-
!-DIG1 B :AT HAPP5$ 6H] AFW8 ,TELL ME1
:AT HAPP5$ ! NI<T (! FIRE80
  ,WE 7 TALK+ 9 ! D>K1 & ,I CDN'T SEE !
EXPRES.N ON ,MISS ,W9T]'S FACE1 B %E
SEEM$ 6%IV] Z %E GL.ED AT ! FIG-    #FJB
URE 9 ! B$4
  8,PULL ! %EET OV] H] FACE1 WD Y8 ,I W
TELL Y AB ! BABY4 ,I W TELL Y AB ! FIRE4
,B F/1 P]H Y CD CALL ,JUDI?8 ,%E DOES N
"K YET4 ,%E W NE$ 6CALL ,DR4 ,CLIFTON4
,"! >E ?+S T NE$ 6BE D"O40

  ,:5 %E CAME1 ,JUDI?'S F/ C>E 0 =! LIV-
+4 ,%E TOOK "O LOOK AT ,MISS ,W9T]'S
PALLOR & 9SI/$ ON PUTT+ H] 6B$ & SEE+ TO
H] M$IC,N 2F ANY?+4 ,TGR WE :EEL$ H] 6H]
ROOMS2 ,JUDI? HELP$ H] 96H] NI<TG[N2 ,I
MADE A HOT-WAT] BOTTLE & FOLD$ ! B$ D[N4
  8,I'LL TELEPH"O ,DR4 ,CLIFTON N[10
,JUDI? SD4 8,W Y /AY ) ,MISS ,W9T]80 ,B
X 0 ONLY A FEW M9UTES LAT] T %E REAPPE>$
9 ! B$ROOM DOORWAY & BECKON$ ME 96! AN-
TEROOM4
  8,I CDN'T SP1K 6HM10 %E TOLD ME 9 A
:ISP]4 8,X'S ! TELEPH"O4 ,! SN[ HAS BR"\
! L9E D[N40
  ,WE 7 CUT (F4
  ,I ?"\ (! POLICEMAN'S TELEPH"O NUMB]
ON ! PIECE ( PAP] 9 MY BAG & 0 RELIEV$4
  ,WE >RANG$ T ,I WD /AY ) ,MISS    #FJC
,W9T] =! F/ %IFT1 S T ,JUDI? CD G 6,EM-
MEL9E'S ROOM & D :AT NE$$ 6BE D"O "!4
,%E WD RELIEVE ME LAT]1 :5 ,MISS ,W9T]'S
NEXT M$IC,N 0 DUE4
  ,X 0 GO+ 6BE A L;G NI<T4



















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