,,DAMAGE ,,3TROL

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

       ,PUBLI%$ 0,WILLIAM ,MORR[
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R ^C #BJJH 0,J4 ,A4 ,J.E
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
       ,,ISBN #IGH-J-JF-JGDFGF-F

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
             ,C>OLE ,MOORE
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #F ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-IJ

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
























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

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

















                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V











                ,= ,JIM












                                     ;VI
























            ,,DAMAGE ,,3TROL          #A

               ,,PROLOGUE

  ,LAUR5 ,"DSON 0 SLEEP+ S.DLY :5 "S
SMALL NOISE 9 ! FRONT ROOM (! A"P;T DIS-
TURB$ H]4 ,:AT ACTU,Y AWAK5$ H] 0 ! S.D
( ,MOJO B>K+4 ,MOJO1 AN UNLIKELY CROSS
2T A ,*IHUAHUA &A *[1 0 A P9T-SIZ$1
LAU<A# DOG1 B ? "T %E 0 B>K+ 9 H] F]O-
CI\S BIG-DOG VOICE1 & ,LAUR5 KNEW :AT X
M1NT4 ,RICK ,MOSI] 0 "H4 ,"S": 9 H] A"P-
;T4 ,"S": 9 H] HOME4 ,HE _H BROK5 9 & HE
0 -+ = H]4
  ,RICK _H W>N$ ,LAUR5 T HE WD BE4 ,HE
_H SWORN T IF HE CDN'T H H]1 NOBODY WD4
,HE SWORE HE WD KILL H] 2F HE WD LET H]
G1 & ,LAUR5 _H R1SON 62LIEVE HM4 ,HE
TOLD H] T X DIDN'T MATT] 6HM IF %E MOV$
OR *ANG$ ! LOCKS ON ! DOORS OR PUT B>S
ON H] W9D[S OR PAP]$ ,PIMA ,C.TY ) RE-
/RA9+ ORD]S AG/ HM4 ,HE SD %E CD N"E
HIDE F HM--T HE WD F9D H] ANYWAY2 T IF
,RICK ,MOSI] WANT$ H]1 HE WD H H]4 ,5D (
/ORY4
  ,:5 ,LAUR5 _H F/ FALL5 =! GUY1 T    #B
K9D ( EXCLUSIV;Y _HN'T BO!R$ H]4 ,X
_HN'T BE5 A PRO#M4 ,%E _H LOV$ HM ) ALL
H] HE>T4 ,%E _H BE5 9TRIGU$ 0! FACT T
,RICK WALK$ ON ! WILD SIDE2 T HE LIV$ AN
$GY EXI/;E T 0 2Y ! SCOPE ( H] LIMIT$1
GIRL-NEXT-DOOR EXP]I;E4 ,%E _H BE5 FAS-
C9AT$ 0! IDEA T :5 HE SP$ >.D CAMPUS ON
8 SKATEBO>D L A MOD]N-"D :IRL+ D]VI%1 HE
_H C>RI$ AT L1/ "O H&GUN & (T5 S"EAL
KNIVES AL;G )! S*OOLBOOKS 9 8 BACKPACK4
  ,LAUR5 CAME F A FAMILY ": ! V IDEA (
[N+ GUNS 0 UNA3EPTA#4 ,AC 6H] "F1 ONLY
8"R-W+ YAHOOS [N$ GUNS40 ,RICK WAS1 9
FACT1 ! ANTI!SIS ( 8"R W+10 B "K+ HE 0
>M$ 6! TEE? E MO;T ( E "D 0 "P ( :AT
MADE HM APP1L+ 9 A =BI45-FRUIT SORT (
WAY4 ,= ,LAUR51 ! 8GD-GIRL DAU<T]10 Z
OPPOS$ 6H] OLD] SI/]1 ! 8REBELLI\S "O10
,RICK 0 AN IDEA ^: "T _H -E AT A PO9T :5
,LAUR5 0 A NAIVE FRE%MAN & ,RICK A 8MA-
TURE0 TW5TY-"O4
  ,%E _H F.D HM UTT]LY FASC9AT+ & *>M+ 9
^? E>LY "DS1 ESPECI,Y :5 ,RICK TOLD
,LAUR5 %E 0 8! FAIR PR9CESS0 6HIS 8D>K
PR9CE40 ,OV] H] P>5TS' /RID5T OB-     #C
JEC;NS & 2C %E KNEW X WD DRIVE !M NUTS1
,LAUR5 _H MOV$ 9 ) HM AT ! 5D ( H] JUN-
IOR YE>4 ,_! ROM.E _H /OPP$ 2+ *>M+ ON !
"D ?REE YE>S LAT] :5 ,RICK _H BLACK5$ "O
( ,LAUR5'S EYES 2C HE CLAIM$ %E'D BE5
FLIRT+ )A GUY PLAY+ POOL AT ! ,R$ ,G>T]
:5 !Y'D G"O "! =A BURG]4 ,! TRU? WAS1 %E
_HN'T EV5 NOTIC$ ! MAN1 B T DIDN'T MATT]
6AN 9SANELY J1L\S ,RICK4 ,TWO MON?S AF
T1 HE'D BROK5 H] >M =! SAME R1SON--2C HE
?"\ %E 0 FLIRT+ ) "S"O ELSE4 ,T WASN'T !
5D (! REL,N%IP1 B X 0 PRETTY M* ! 5D (!
FASC9,N4
  ,EV5TU,Y ,LAUR5 _H TAK5 H] _WLY GDS &
MOV$ \4 ,! BE/ %E CD AF=D ON H] [N 0 A
M* *1P] A"P;T 9 A N-S-GD "P ( T[N4 ,S %E
_H D"O ALL ^? O!R CLI*@ED ?+S Z WELL4
,%E _H 3V9C$ H] NEW L&"L1 ,MR4 ,=D1 6PUT
B>S ON H] W9D[S1 JAMB-B>S 9 ! SLID]1 &
D1D BOLTS ON ! FRONT DOOR4 ,LAUR5 _H AL
MANAG$ 6SWEET-TALK H] WAY >.D ,MR4 ,=D'S
8,NO ,PET0 RULE4 ,HE _H F9,Y RELUCTANTLY
G"O AL;G ) LETT+ ,MOJO MOVE 9 0SAY+ %E 0
S* A WOR?.S LL SAMPLE ( MUTTDOM T %E
DIDN'T RE,Y QUALIFY Z A PET1 LET      #D
AL"O A CAN9E4
  ,9 A4I;N 6ALL T1 ,LAUR5 RE,Y _H G"O TO
,LEGAL ,AID & GOTT5 H]F A RE/RA9+ ORD]1
B %E'D D"O "O ?+ M--! "O ?+ H] P>5TS WD
N"E TOL]ATE OR =GIVE4 ,%E'D G"O 6,BE/
,D1L ,PAWN1 J UP ,F/ ,AV5UE1 & B"\ H]F A
US$ ,GLOCK #BF SEMIAUTOMATIC4 ,!N %E'D
MADE X H] BUSI;S 6LE>N H[ 6USE X4 ,%E'D
TAK5 ! CLASSES & PASS$ ! NEC TE/S S %E
CD H H] V [N 3C1L$-W1PON P]MIT Z WELL4
,& T 0 ": H] ,GLOCK 0 AT ! MO;T--3C1L$ &
LOAD$--DIRECTLY "U H] PILL[4
  ,! F/ *AMB]$ R.D 0 FULL ( BIRD %OT4 ,T
0 SUPPOS$ 6FUNC;N Z A DET]R5T--Z A NON-
LE?AL W>N+ %OT4 ,AF T1 ?\<1 ALL BETS 7
(F4 ,! O!RS 7 HOLL[ PO9TS4 ,H] 9/RUCTOR
_H TOLD H]1 8,IF Y DRAW A W1PON1 Y'D
BETT] PLAN ON %OOT+ 6KILL40 ,& T'S :AT
%E 0 GO+ 6D4 ,IF ! F/ BULLET DIDN'T /OP
,RICK1 "O (! O!RS SURE Z HELL WD4
  ,MOJO 0 CLOS] N[1 / B>K+ FRANTIC,Y1 /
RAIS+ ! AL>M4 ,! PH"O 0 "R "! ON ! B$-
SIDE TA#4 ,LAUR5 CD H R1*$ = T1 B %E
KNEW ! /ATI/ICS4 ,RICK _H -E 6KILL H]4
,%E'D 2 D1D L;G 2F ,TUCSON ,,PD CD    #E
RESPOND 6AN ABORTIVE #IAA CALL4 ,9/1D1
,LAUR5 R1*$ = H] W1PON & PULL$ X FREE (!
B$D+ & FREE (! HOL/]4 ,!N %E TURN$ OV] &
PROPP$ H]F UP ON ! PILL[S4
  ,%E CD H SWIT*$ ON ! LAMP1 B %E
DIDN'T4 ,! FULL MOON \TSIDE GL[$ 9 "? !
W9D[1 SU6US+ ! ROOM 9 AN E]IE SILV]Y
LI<T4 ,%E HOP$ X WD MAKE X EASI] = H] TO
SEE HM & H>D] = HM 6SEE H]4 ,) H] HE>T
P.D+ A QK5+ DRUMB1T 9 H] *E/1 %E SAT1 )!
GUN TRA9$ ON ! OP5 DOORWAY1 WAIT+4
  ,SU45LY ,MOJO'S B>KS 7 PUNCTUAT$ 0A
SICK5+ ?UMP4 ,! DOG GAVE A />TL$ HALF-
YIP & FELL MO;T>ILY SIL5T4
  .,MY .BABY1 ,LAUR5 ?"\ FI]CELY4 ..,MY
POOR BABY4 ,T SON (A BIT* KICK$ .H]6
  ,MOJO :IMP]$ !N4 ,! S.D (! 9JUR$ DOG
ONLY S]V$ 6/R5G!N ,LAUR5'S RESOLVE4
  ..,I'LL GET Y = .T6 %E SWORE 6H]F4
  ,LAUR5 _H ALR DECID$ T ? 0 ": ,RICK
,MOSI] WD MEET 8 8FAIR PR9CESS0 MAT*4 ,?
0 ,LAUR5'S HOME1 H] CA/LE1 & %E 0 GO+ TO
MAKE H] LA/ /& "H NO MATT] :AT4 ,N T "!
0 "T = H] 6MOVE OR RUN AWAY EV5 IF %E'D
WANT$ TO4 ,2SS1 ": WD %E H G"O--\     #F
"? H] C>E;LLY B>R$ W9D[ & !N D[N A
TW5TY-FOOT DROP 6H>D-PACK$ B>E DIRT8 ,N
A GD IDEA4
  ,!N SU45LY HE 0 "!--A D>K SILH\ETTE
LOOM+ 9 H] B$ROOM DOORWAY4 ,LAUR5 SAW !
MOONLI<T D.E (F "S?+ 9 8 H&4 ,%E KNEW AT
ONCE :AT X WAS--:AT X _H 6BE--A KNIFE
BLADE %IMM]+ 9 ! MOONLIT ROOM4
  ,! COPS ON ,,TV ALW W>N ! P !Y'RE AB
6%OOT1 B 9 ,LAUR5'S BOOK1 ,RICK ,MOSI]
DIDN'T DES]VE ANY W>N+--N"O AT ALL4 ,>M$
OR N1 HE 0 AN UN9VIT$ 9TRUD] 9 H] HOME4
,%E SIMPLY HELD ! W1PON ) BO? H&S &
SQUEEZ$ D[N ON ! TRI7]4 ,RICK SQUAWK$
ONCE 9 SURPRISE :5 ! BIRD %OT HIT HM4
,HE /A7]$ & TURN$ ASIDE Z IF 6PROTECT
HMF1 & !N HE GRUNT$ :5 ! F/ HOLL[ PO9T
HIT HM Z WELL4 ,B J 2C HE 0 FALL+ DIDN'T
M1N ,LAUR5 /OPP$ PULL+ ! TRI7]4 ,%E FIR$
AWAY1 "O %OT AF ANO!R1 FOLL[+ HM Z HE
FELL4 ,N"O (! %OTS W5T WIDE ( _! M>K4 ,E
S+LE "O ( !M HIT HM1 EV5 ?\< HE 0 D1D 2F
! LA/ "O /RUCK4
  ,ONLY :5 HE LAY / &! CLIP 0 EMPTY DID
PANIC F9,Y HIT4 ,LAUR5 SU45LY F.D T   #G
H] TREMBL+ H& & >M CD NO L;G] SUPPORT !
WEI<T (! W1PON4 ,%E DROPP$ X & R1*$ =!
PH"O1 B H] H& DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ATTA*$ 6H]
>M OR H] BRA94 ,9/1D ( PICK+ UP ! PH"O1
H] FUMBL+1 CLUMSY F+]S KNOCK$ X (F XS /&
& S5T X SP9N+ ACR ! ROOM1 ": X CAME 6RE/
"U H] *E/ ( DRAW]S4
  ,LAUR5 CRAWL$ \ ( B$ 6RETRIEVE ! PH"O4
,J !N ,MOJO CAME LIMP+ 96! ROOM1 / :IM-
P]+4 ,=GETT+ ! PH"O1 ,LAUR5 SCOOP$ UP !
TREMBL+ DOG & HELD H] CLOSE4
  8,OH1 MY BABY10 %E MURMUR$ OV] & OV]4
8,MY POOR1 POOR BABY4 ,>E Y HURT8 ,>E Y
OKAY80
  ,MOJO1 = H] "P1 WA7$ H] T9Y TAIL &
KISS$ ,LAUR5'S NOSE4
  ,:5 ,LAUR5 F9,Y MANAG$ 6RETRIEVE !
FALL5 PH"O1 X TOOK ?REE SEP>ATE TRIES 2F
H] %AK+ F+]S F9,Y MANAG$ 6KEY 9 ! PROP]
NUMB]4
  8,N9E-"O-"O4 ,:AT >E Y REPORT+80
  8,A MAN 0 9 MY ROOM4 ,MY EX-BOYFR4 ,HE
BROKE 96MY H\SE40
  8,IS HE "! N[80
  8,YES4 ,HE'S "H4 ,I %OT HM40        #H
  8,Y SAY HE'S 9JUR$80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,LAUR5 ANSW]$4 8,HE
ISN'T MOV+4 ,HE CD 2 D1D40
  8,UNITS >E ON ! WAY4 ,:AT'S YR "N80
  8,LAUR54 ,LAUR5 ,"DSON40
  8,>E Y HURT80
  8,NO4 ,I'M OKAY4 ,B ,MOJO ISN'T40
  8,MOJO80
  8,MY DOG4 ,MY LL DOG4 ,%E 0 B>K+ AT
HM4 ,I'M PRETTY SURE HE KICK$ H]4 ,%E
MAY H A BROK5 RIB40
  8,Y SAY Y "K ! 9TRUD]'S ID5T;Y80 ! OP-
]ATOR ASK$4
  8,YES4 ,8 "N'S ,RICK ,MOSI]4 ,HE US$
6BE MY BOYFR40
  8,DOES HE H A PULSE80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,D Y WANT ME 6*ECK8 ,D
,I H TO80
  8,PL1SE40
  ,/ HOLD+ ! DOG 9 "O H& &! PH"O 9 ! O?-
]1 ,LAUR5 MANAG$ 6GET 6H] FEET4 ,US+ !
BACK (! PH"O H&1 ,LAUR5 R1*$ OV] &
SWIT*$ ON ! LI<T4 ,T 0 :5 %E F9,Y GOT H]
F/ CLE> LOOK AT ! MAN LY+ D1D 9 H]
B$ROOM DOORWAY4                       #I
  ,AF HE _H SPUN AWAY F T F/ HIT1 "O (!
HOLL[ PO9TS _H 5T]$ ! BACK ( 8 H1D & EX-
PLOD$ \ ! FRONT1 TAK+ "P ( 8 FACE ) X4
,LAUR5 />$ 9 A/ONI%;T AT ! BLOODI$1 S&Y-
BLOND-HAIR$ MESS T 0 LEFT 2H4 ,X WASN'T
J T ! MAN 0 D1D--T %E _H KILL$ HM 9 COLD
BLOOD--X 0 T %E CDN'T MAKE S5SE ( :AT %E
0 SEE+4
  ,RICK ,MOSI] _H BE5 H] 8D>K PR9CE0 2C
HE 0 D>K4 ,8 HAIR 0 *EMIC,Y AUG;T$
BLACK4 ,HE 0 OLIVE-COMPLEXION$4 ,SW>?Y4
,F :AT 0 LEFT1 ,LAUR5 CD TELL T ? MAN 0
LI<T-HAIR$1 LI<T-SK9N$4
  ,NO MATT] H[ M* ,LAUR5 WANT$ X 6BE
TRUE1 ! D1D MAN WASN'T ,RICK ,MOSI]6 ,?
0 "S"O %E _H N"E SE5 2F4 ,LAUR5 _H GUNN$
D[N A TOTAL /RANG]4 ,Z =! ?R1T5+ KNIFE
%E _H SE5 9 8 H&1 ! BLADE GL9T+ 9 !
MOONLI<T8 ,T _H TUM#D F ! D1D MAN'S H&S
Z HE FELL1 & LAY AT ! TIPS ( 8 LIFE.S
F+]S4 ,X 0 A H>M.S KIT*5 TA# KNIFE1
PROBABLY F H] [N SILV]W>E DRAW]1 )
FLECKS ( P1NUT BUTT] & JELLY / ATTA*$ 6!
BLADE4
  ,Z ! AW;L1 APPALL+ R1LIZ,NS HIT    #AJ
HOME1 ,LAUR5 GRIPP$ ,MOJO S TI<TLY T !
LL DOG F9,Y YELP$ 9 PA94 ,N[ %E 0 SURE
"O ( H] PUPPY'S RIBS 0 BROK54 ,LAUR5
EAS$ H] HOLD1 B / %E CDN'T 2LIEVE %E _H
D"O ?4 ,H[ 0 X POSSI#8 ,%E _H %OT "S
POOR MAN :O _H BROK5 96H] A"P;T 6HELP
HMF 6A P1NUT BUTT] S&WI*8 ,LAUR5 _H
KILL$ HM = T8 ,2C NO MATT] H[ %E LOOK$
AT ! D1D MAN LY+ "! ON H] FLOOR1 HE
WASN'T ,RICK ,MOSI]4
  8,NO10 %E :ISP]$ HO>SELY 96! PH"O4
8,NO1 ? C'T BE40
  8,MISS80 ! EM]G5CY OP]ATOR ASK$4 8,>E
Y ALL "R80
  ,B 0!N ,LAUR5 _H DROPP$ ! PH"O & H]
:ISP]$ NO _H 2COME AN ANGUI%$ WAIL4
8,NOOOOOOO60
  8,MISS ,"DSON1 >E Y / "!8 ,>E Y ALL
"R80
  ,EV5 ?\< ,LAUR5 DIDN'T HE> ! "Q1 H]
ANSW] 0 CORRECT4 8,NO6 ,NO6 ,NO60
  ,2C %E WASN'T ALL "R & WD N"E AG 2 ALL
"R4 ,9 TRY+ 6PROTECT H]F1 ,LAUR5 ,"DSON
_H KILL$ ! WR;G MAN4
               ,,*APT] #A            #AA

  8,?ANK Y S M*1 ,MR4 ,CAMPBELL10
,CLAIRE ,NEWM>K SD Z ! 4GRUNTL$ SP1K]
RETURN$ 6HIS S1T4 ,Z H1D (! ,CO*ISE
,C.TY ,BO>D ( ,SUP]VISORS1 ,CLAIRE 0
*AIR+ T ,FRI"D MORN+'S MEET+4 8,D Y H
ANY?+ 6SAY 9 RESPONSE1 ,%]IFF ,BRADY80
  ,JOANNA SNAPP$ AWAKE4 ,"O (! ?+S AB 2+
A SLEEP-DEPRIV$ "W+ "M M1NT T %E CD FALL
ASLEEP ANY":--IN FRONT ( H] -PUT]1 AT H]
DESK1 9 *UR*1 & DEF9ITELY 9 FRONT (!
,,TV SET ON ^? R>E O3A.NS :5 %E ACTU,Y
TRI$ 6WAT* A %[4 ,9 ? CASE1 %E _H DOZ$
(F DUR+ A ,BO>D ( ,SUP]VISORS ,FRI"D
MORN+ MEET+4
  ,R&Y ,CAMPBELL 0 "O ( ,JOANNA'S 3/ITU-
5TS4 ,A PROM95T LOCAL RAN*]1 ,CAMPBELL 0
AL "O ( ,JOANNA'S MO/ VOCIF]\S CRITICS4
,HE _H -E 6! ,BO>D ( ,SUP]VISORS MEET+ T
MORN+ >M$ ) 8 USUAL LITANY ( -PLA9TS4
  ,JOANNA _H 3SID]A# SYMPA?Y =! MAN4 ,8
RAN*1 LOCAT$ ON ,BORD] ,ROAD J EA/ (
,BISBEE ,JUNC;N1 0 AL BORD]-CROSS+ C5-
TRAL = ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS4 ,CAMPBELL'S
H\SE _H BE5 BROK5 96ON NUM]\S O3A-   #AB
.NS4 ,8 WIFE & *N _H BE5 HELD AT GUNPO9T
& ?R1T5$ 0>M$ RO2]S :O _H TAK5 ! "T TO
LOAD S"EAL TELEVI.N SETS & P[] TOOLS 9TO
,R&Y'S PICKUP TRUCK 2F DRIV+ (F 9 X4 ,8
F;ES _H BE5 CUT1 LETT+ 8 LIVE/OCK LOOSE4
,ONCE \TSIDE ! F;E1 8 DAU<T]'S PRIZEW9N+
BULL _H BE5 HIT & KILL$ 0A PASS+ ,BORD]
,PATROL VEHICLE4
  ,S EV5 ?\< ,JOANNA MAY H ALL[$ H]F TO
DOZE DUR+ ! C\RSE ( ,R&Y ,CAMPBELL'S TI-
RADE1 %E KNEW :AT HE _H SD--ALM 0HE>T--
2C %E _H HE>D X ALL 2F4
  8,?ANK Y1 ,MADAME ,*AIRMAN10 ,JOANNA
SD1 RIS+ 6H] FEET4 8,& ?ANK Y1 TOO1 ,MR4
,CAMPBELL4 ,I APPRECIATE ! FACT T Y'RE
WILL+ 6BR+ YR 3C]NS 6! ATT5;N ( ? BO>D &
AL 96! PUBLIC >5A4 ,I LIVE 9 A RURAL
SETT+ MYF4 ,AL? WE HAV5'T _H ! SAME NUM-
B] ( 9CID5TS ,MR4 ,CAMPBELL HAS _H1 \R
PROP]TY1 TOO1 HAS BE5 DAMAG$ 0ILLEGAL
CROSS]S4
  8,! PRO#M IS ?4 ,WE'RE D1L+ ) "S?+ T
IS WELL 2Y ! SCOPE ( MY DE"P;T 6H&LE4
,WE'VE D"O \R BE/ 69CR1SE PATROLS 9 ,MR4
,CAMPBELL'S >EA4 ,2C ( T1 WE'VE AL   #AC
MANAG$ 6DECR1SE \R RESPONSE "T4 ,B !
TRU? IS1 ! BORD]-5=CE;T PRO#M IS A N,NAL
ISSUE4 ,X REQUIRES A N,NAL SOLU;N Z OP-
POS$ 6A LOCAL "O4 ,\R MIS.N IS 6H&LE
CRIM9AL -PLA9TS1 & WE D T 6! BE/ ( \R
ABIL;Y1 B T ABIL;Y IS LIMIT$ 0BO? BUDG-
ET>Y & P]SONNEL 3SID],NS4
  8,"! >E EI<TY MILES ( 9T]N,NAL BORD]
9SIDE ,CO*ISE ,C.TY4 ,T'S A LOT ( T]RI-
TORY 6COV]4 ,X'S AL A LOT ( CRIME 6COV]4
,MY DE"P;T DOES ! BE/ X C1 & ,I'M SURE
,BORD] ,PATROL & ,HOMEL& ,SECUR;Y >E DO+
! BE/ !Y C 69T]DICT ILLEGAL 5TRANTS4 ,NO
"O AG5CY CAUS$ ?1 & NO "O AG5CY C FIX X4
,?ANK Y40
  ,R&Y ,CAMPBELL 0 / GL[]+ AT H] Z ,JO-
ANNA RESUM$ H] S1T4 ,! PUBLIC-COM;T "P (
! MEET+ _H -E AT ! V 5D (! "D'S AG5DA4
,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 Z ,JOANNA WALK$ T[>D
H] C> 9 ! P>K+ LOT1 ,CLAIRE ,NEWM>K FELL
96/EP 2S H]4
  8,SORRY 6H 6LET HM DUMP ON Y L T10
,CLAIRE SD4 8,B Y J /OOD = REELEC;N4
,M9E IS -+ UP4 ,IF ,I _HN'T GIV5 HM A
=UM1 HE'D -E LOOK+ = ME NEXT4 ,I     #AD
FIGUR$ Y CD H&LE HM1 & Y DID4 ,V NICELY1
Z A MATT] ( FACT4 ,X S.D$ A LL L A /UMP
SPEE*1 B N TOO M*4 ,WAY 6G40
  ,! EX*ANGE CAU<T ,JOANNA 0SURPRISE4
,%E _H GRADU,Y -E 6"U/& T AL? ! (FICE (
%]IFF 0 !ORETIC,Y NON"PISAN1 X 0 DEFI-
NITELY N NONPOLITICAL4 ,"EY?+ ,JOANNA
DID OR DIDN'T D 0 GRI/ = "S"O'S MILL1 &
? 0 NO EXCEP;N4 ,:AT %E _HN'T R1LIZ$1
H["E1 0 T "SH[ ! POLITICAL CLIMATE 9
,CO*ISE ,C.TY _H *ANG$4 ,"! 0 N[ AN ES-
TABLI%$ OLD-GIRLS NET"W CAPA# ( WIELD+
XS [N "PICUL> BR& ( P[]4 ,6,JOANNA ,BRA-
DY'S A/ONI%;T1 %E 0 9 A POSI;N 6R1P "S (
! B5EFITS ( T UNEXPECT$ SEA *ANGE4
  8,?ANKS10 %E SD4
  ,) T1 ,JOANNA H1D$ BACK 6H] (FICE AT !
,CO*ISE ,C.TY ,JU/ICE ,C5T]4 ,%E'D _H H]
WEEKLY ORD1L 0BUR1UCRACY4 ,N[ X 0 "T 6G
D BATTLE ) H] O!R DAILY H1DA*E--PAP]"W4
,CRIME FI<T+ 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE H] MA9 FOCUS4
,TOO BAD X TOOK S _M D1D TREES 6D X4

  ,ALFR$ ,B1SLEY _H PRETTY M* (A D1?
GRIP ON ! /E]+ :EEL (! DECREPIT      #AE
OLD ,BUICK Z HE NURS$ X UP ! /EEP W9D+
M.TA9 ROAD T[>D ,MONTEZUMA ,PASS4 ,HE &
,M>?A _H B"\ ! ,BUICK NEW1 FIFTE5 YE>S
E>LI]4 ,AT ! "T !Y MADE ! PUR*ASE1 !Y _H
AL 4CUSS$ ! V R1L POSSIBIL;Y T ? WD 2 _!
LA/ NEW VEHICLE--T ? F9AL ,REGAL WD 2 _!
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CROSS$4 ,JOANNA _H NO 9T5;N ( 2+ "O ( ^?
HAP.S MOTORI/S :O FAIL$ 6HE$ PO/$ W>N+S
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"S DRIV]S :O DID T M]ELY _H 6BE RESCU$1
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DIDN'T MAKE X HOME 2F WAT] 9 !       #DG
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! F> SIDE UNTIL ! LEVELS SUBSID$4
  ..,I HOPE ,I'M N TOO .LATE1 ,JOANNA
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  ,! F/ TWO WA%ES ON ,HI< ,L"O"S ,ROAD 7
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ONTO ! GAS P$AL1 C.T+ ON MO;TUM 6F9I%
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P9S4
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DOOR1 H["E1 _! EM]G5CY G5]ATOR _H RUM#D
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G>AGE DOOR OP5$ :5 %E PRESS$ ! CLICK]4
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FICE1 ,JOANNA 0 GRATE;L T %E CD PULL IN-
SIDE ! G>AGE4 ,! FAMILY'S ?REE DOGS 7
ALL WAIT+ J 9SIDE ! DOOR T L$ F ! G>AGE
96! LAUNDRY ROOM4 ,J5NY'S TWO1 !     #DH
9CR$IBLY UGLY ,TI7]1 A HALF GOLD5
RETRIEV]_/HALF PIT BULL1 & ,LUCKY1 A
BOI/]\S B /"O-D1F BLACK ,LAB1 GAVE ,JO-
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M DIGNIFI$ ,AU/RALIAN %EPH]D1 HELD BACK4
,ONCE ,JOANNA SET ! PIZZA BOX ON ! KIT*5
TA#1 H["E1 X 0 CLE> T ! DOGS 7 F> M 9T]-
E/$ 9 ! POSSIBIL;Y ( PIZZA ?AN !Y 7 9
GREET+ _! NEWLY >RIV$ HUMAN4
  ,BUT*'S LAPTOP & /ACKS ( MANUSCRIPT
PAGES SAT UNATT5D$ ON ! KIT*5 TA#4 ,F
S"EAL ROOMS AWAY1 ,JOANNA HE>D ,D5NIS
WAIL+ AT ! TOP ( 8 LUNGS4
  ,BUT* APPE>$ A MO;T LAT] )! SQUALL+
BABY PROPP$ ON "O %\LD] &)A BOTTLE
GRIPP$ 9 8 O!R H&4 8,HE'S MAD Z HELL &
ISN'T GO+ 6TAKE X ANYMORE10 ,BUT* SD4
8,! POOR LL KID 0 9 B$ & ASLEEP1 B T LA/
CRACK ( ?"U WOKE HM UP4 ,D Y WANT HM80
  ,AF SLIPP+ \ ( H] WET CLO?+ & PUTT+ ON
A ROBE1 ,JOANNA TOOK BO? ! BABY &! BOT-
TLE4 ,:5 %E TRI$ (F]+ HM ! BOTTLE1 ,D5-
NIS WASN'T ! L1/ BIT 9T]E/$4 ,HE SCREW$
8 ANGRY LL FACE UP & KEPT "R ON SCREE*+4
  ,)A SI< ,BUT* W5T OV] 6! TA# &     #DI
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(F ! -PUT]4 ,DIDN'T WANT X 6GET FRI$4 ,!
P[] W5T (F1 TOO10 HE SD4 8,I'M SURE GLAD
WE BIT ! BULLET & SPRANG =A G5]ATOR4 ,!
LI<TS CAME BACK ON )\T A HIT* A FEW SEC-
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%D40
  ,AT ! "T ,JOANNA & ,BUT* _H BE5 BUILD+
! H\SE1 !Y DEBAT$ :E!R OR N 6TAKE ON !
EXP5SE ( A4+ A LIQUID-PROPANE-P[]$ G5]A-
TOR4 ,2C _! H\SE 0 S ISOLAT$1 H["E1 !Y
KNEW T :5 ELECTRICAL \TAGES DID O3UR1
,HI< ,L"O"S ,RAN* CD 5D UP A L;G WAY D[N
! PRIOR;Y LI/ :5 X CAME 6HAV+ P[] RE-
/OR$4
  8,S AM ,I10 ,JOANNA SD4 8,":'S ,J5NY80
  8,SLEEPOV] AT ,CASSIE'S H\SE1 REMEM-
B]80
  ,CASSIE ,P>KS1 ,J5NY'S BE/ FR1 LIV$ A
FEW MILES AWAY NE> ,D\# ,ADOBE AT A DE-
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96A MOBILE HOME P>K4
  8,DIDN'T10 ,JOANNA SD4
  ,BUT* W5T OV] 6! FRIDGE & PULL$ \ A
BE]4 8,WANT "O80 HE ASK$4            #EJ
  8,NO1 ?ANKS10 ,JOANNA SD4
  8,H[ 7 ! ROADS80
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A POSSIBLY DANG]\S WA% ON H] WAY HOME4
8,S F>10 %E A4$4 8,B X'S RA9+ 5 "R N[ T
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HOMICIDE_/SUICIDE4 ,X SEEM$ UNLIKELY T
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8,MAYBE N10 %E H$G$4
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  8,T'S A RELIEF10 HE SD4 8,! REVIEW$
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USE "S HELP ) LL TR\#MAK] "H 9 ! M1N"T40
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A4$4                                 #EA
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  8,:AT *ECK80
  8,! R5T]'S *ECK--F ! RAN*4 ,X 0 DUE ON
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"R AF ,I TALK$ 6Y 6SAY ,BOB ,BAK]'S
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8 P>5TS4 ,OV] ! C\RSE (! PA/ FEW MON?S
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FREE PROPOSI;N4 ,BOB ,BAK] _H R5T$ !
PROP]TY SIX MON?S E>LI]1 CLAIM+ HE 0
PUTT+ TGR AN IMPORTANT IMPORT_/EXPORT
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  8,CLOS$10 ,JOANNA E*O$4            #EB
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RE,Y DO+40
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  8,G AF HM80
  8,Y BET10 ,BUT* SD4 8,I ALR CALL$
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  8,FAIR 5\<10 ,JOANNA SD F9,Y4 ,0!N
,D5NIS _H DRIFT$ (F 6SLEEP4 8,I'M GO+ TO
PUT HM BACK 9 ! CRIB4 ,DON'T EAT ALL !
PIZZA :ILE ,I'M G"O40

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6,4PAT*1 ": ,TICA ,ROM]O 0 HOLD+ D[N H]
USUAL WEEK5D %IFT4 8,DEPUTY ,RAYMOND GOT
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  8,BUT* HAS A BUN* ( "W 6D ON ! BOOK ?
WEEK5D10 ,J5NY 3T9U$4 8,& S9CE Y'RE N
"!1 ,I'D BETT] G4 ,I'LL /OP 0,CAS-   #GH
SIE'S & TELL H] T ! BOYS >E OKAY4 ,%E 0
WORRI$40
  ,) T1 ,J5NY :EEL$ ,KI4O >.D & ?R1D$ H]
WAY "? ! P>K$ VEHICLES4 ,ONCE %E 0 CLE>
( !M1 %E GAVE ! HORSE A LI<T JAB 9 !
RIBS T BR"\ HM 6A SWIFT CANT]4
  ,WAT*+ H] DAU<T] H1D HOME1 ,JOANNA 0
FLOOD$ ) YET ANO!R RU% ( 9SECUR;Y4 ,X
WASN'T J H] DE"P;T T 0 M ?AN CAPA# (
FUNC;N+ )\T H]4 ,! SAME ?+ SEEM$ 6BE
TRUE ( H] FAMILY Z WELL4
  .,BOY1 ,JOANNA TOLD H]F4 ..,ISN'T X
GRT 6BE .NE$$4

  ,LUIS ,&RADE OP5$ 8 EYES4 ,! SUN 0 UP1
BOR+ 9 "? ! OP5 B$ROOM W9D[4 ,T 0 :AT
WOKE HM--! SUN &! H1T4 ,=A FEW M9UTES HE
LAY "!1 LI/5+4 ,9 ,TUCSON1 )! AIR-3DI;N+
RUNN+1 HE _H N"E PD ATT5;N 6! BIRDS4 ,B
! ,,AC 9 ? PLACE DIDN'T "W4 ,LUIS _H
LE>N$ T ! BIRDS WOKE UP E>LY1 J Z ! SUN
CAME UP4 ,! QUAIL 7 ESPECI,Y NOISY1 B !Y
7 -ICAL & FUN 6WAT*4
  ,LUIS _H FALL5 ASLEEP LA/ NI<T DUR+ !
HEI<T (! /ORM1 REVEL+ 9 ! COOL W9D   #GI
T _H BL[N 9 "? 8 W9D[4 ,A LL RA9 MI<T H
-E 9 "? ! W9D[1 TOO1 B ,LUIS _HN'T M9D$
T4 ,HE 0 GRATE;L N 6BE TOO HOT =A *ANGE4
,8 "M KEPT TELL+ HM T _! L&"L 0 GO+ 6GET
_! ,,AC FIX$ "O ( ^! "DS4 ,T _H BE5 !
/ORY = OV] A MON? N[1 B X / _HN'T HAP-
P5$4
  ,8 "M1 ,M>CELLA1 _H -E HOME AT H] USU-
AL "T-->.D ?REE 9 ! MORN+ OR S4 ,HE _H
HE>D H] LAU<+ :5 "S"O DROPP$ H] (F4 ,T
PROBABLY M1NT %E'D _H TOO M* 6DR9K & 0
TOO DRUNK 6DRIVE H]F HOME4 ,T 0 ALL "R4
,LUIS KNEW !Y'D F9D ! C> EV5TU,Y1 EV5 IF
!Y _H 6WALK 6D X4 ,!Y'D D"O T (T5 5 2F1
& !Y ALW KNEW ": 6LOOK--\TSIDE "O (! B>S
D[N 9 ,NACO4 ,M>CELLA MI<T H G"O TROLL+
= CU/OM]S UP 9 ,BISBEE4 ,A LOT ( T\RI/S
CAME "? T[N N[1 B ,OLD ,BISBEE 0 ": 8
"M'S BRO!R LIV$1 & ,LUIS KNEW %E DIDN'T
WANT 6RUN 96HM4 ,S %E /AY$ AWAY F ,BIS-
BEE PROP]1 LIMIT+ H] TROLL+ 6! BROK5-D[N
BIK]S & T\<S :O PREF]R$ HANG+ \ 9 ,NACO
OR EV5 AT T PLACE \TSIDE ,HUA*UCA ,C;Y4
,LUIS HOP$ %E _HN'T G"O "!4 ,X 0 A L;G
WAY AWAY & X WD MAKE GETT+ ! C>      #HJ
BACK A LOT T\<]4
  ,LUIS 0 A SM>T KID4 ,AT F\RTE51 HE
KNEW ! SCORE4 ,HE "U/OOD :AT 8 "M DID =A
LIV+4 ,"EY"O ELSE 9 T[N CD PRET5D T ,M>-
CELLA ,&RADE KEPT H] H1D ABV WAT] 0SELL+
COSMETICS = ,AVON1 B ,LUIS KNEW T 0 A
LIE4 ,8 "M 0 A :ORE4 ,M5 PD M"OY 6H SEX
) H]--UNPROTECT$ SEX4 ,! M M5 ,M>CELLA
SAW1 ! M M"OY %E & H] SON _H = R5T &
GROC]IES & GAS4
  ,LUIS _H LE>N$ 5 9 8 EI<?-GRADE SEX $
CLASSES 6BE SC>$ 6D1? AB T4 ,:5 8 "M 0
DR9K+ TOO M*--Z %E USU,Y WAS--%E N"E
BO!R$ 6WE> H] S1T BELT4 ,HE D\BT$ %E
MADE H] CU/OM]S WE> 3DOMS1 EI4 ,M>CELLA
LIK$ 6SAY %E 0 A 8FREE _S0 & %E WASN'T
GO+ 6BE =C$ 96DO+ ANY?+ %E DIDN'T WANT
6D--L 2+ A GR[N-UP1 = EXAMPLE4 ,APP>5TLY
%E AL DIDN'T M* L 2+ A P>5T4
  ,"S"TS ,LUIS 5VI$ 8 C\S9 ,PEPE4 ,HE _H
TWO P>5TS 9/1D ( "O4 ,!Y BO? W5T 6,PE-
PE'S BASEBALL & BASKETBALL GAMES & 6HIS
P>5T_/T1*] 3F];ES AT S*OOL4 ,Z F> Z
,LUIS KNEW1 8 "M _H N"E ATT5D$ A S+LE
"O4 ,& T 0 PROBABLY J Z WELL4        #HA
,LUIS 0 SM>T & GOT GD GRADES1 :E!R %E 0
"! OR N1 & IF ,M>CELLA %[$ UP DRUNK OR
HI<1 X WD H BE5 F> WORSE = ,LUIS ?AN N
HAV+ H] "! AT ALL4
  ,B X 0 8 "M'S L9E ( "W1 AL;G )! HOT
PRESS+ RAYS (! SUN1 T DROVE ,LUIS \ ( B$
E>LY T ,SATUR"D MORN+4 ,C>E;L N 6MAKE
ANY NOISE S HE WDN'T 4TURB H]1 HE PULL$
ON 8 CLO!S & %OES4 ,!N HE CREPT \ "? !
DOOR1 CLOS+ X S(TLY 2H HM4 ,HE KNEW ,M>-
CELLA WD SLEEP UNTIL NOON AT L1/4 ,T
GAVE HM S"EAL H\RS 6D :AT HE WANT$ )\T
ANY"O 2+ ! WIS]4
  ,ONCE \ (! H\SE1 ,LUIS CUT \ ACR !
DES]T AT AN ANGLE1 MAK+ /RAI<T =! WA%4
,! SOON] HE 0 9 X & \ ( SI<T1 ! LESS
LIKELY HE 0 6ATTRACT ANY"O'S ATT5;N4 ,!Y
_H "O NEI<BOR 9 "PICUL>1 ,MRS4 ,DUMAS1
:O 0 ALW WAT*+ HM & ?R1T5+ 6CALL ,*
,PROTECTIVE ,S]VICES :5 8 "M LEFT HM
HOME AL"O4 ,N T ,LUIS WASN'T US$ 6T4
,HE'D BE5 TAK+ C>E ( HMF =A V L;G "T4
,N[1 ?\<1 HE 0 HOP+ 6F9D A WAY 6TAKE C>E
( 8 "M4
  ,"O (! ?+S ,LUIS DID :5 HE 0       #HB
HOME AL"O 0 WAT* ,,TV4 ,AT L1/ 8 "M _H
SPRUNG = ,BASIC ,CA#1 & :AT ,LUIS LIK$
6WAT* M ?AN ANY?+ 0 NEWS--ALL K9DS (
NEWS4 ,,CNN4 ,FOX4 ,HE DIDN'T C>E4 ,LUIS
LIK$ !M ALL4
  ,HE KNEW "EY?+ "! 0 6"K--AT L1/ "EY?+
T 0 REPORT$ ON TELEVI.N--AB ! ,W> ON
,T]ROR &! ,W> ON ,DRUGS4 ,HE KNEW AB !
>MY ( ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS T CAME "? 8
NEI<BORHOOD E "D (! YE>1 & HE KNEW ALL
AB :AT "S ( ^? BORD] CROSS]S _H 6L1VE 2H
Z !Y LI<T5$ _! LOADS1 AB&ON+ BACKPACKS &
DEBRIS AL;G ! WAY4
  ,& T 0 :AT ,LUIS ,&RADE 0 DO+ T /1MY
,JULY MORN+--SCAV5G+ = :AT"E L1V+S "! 7
6F9D4 ,HE KNEW X 0 LIKELY T PL5TY ( IL-
LEGAL TRAVEL]S WD H BE5 TEMPT$ 6TAKE AD-
VANTAGE (! PREVI\S NI<T'S /ORM4 ,!Y WD H
SET \ 9 ! FACE (! LI<TN+ & P\R+ RA9 9
HOPES ( EVAD+ ! HORDES ( ,BORD] ,PATROL
AG5TS ^: JOB X 0 6KEEP !M F MOV+ NOR?4
,"EY"O KNEW T ,BORD] ,PATROL AG5TS 7 !
SAME Z "EYBODY ELSE4 ,!Y NATUR,Y PREF]R$
SITT+ 9 ! -=T ( _! DRY VEHICLES 6/OMP+
>.D 9 MUD & RA9 9 SE>* ( PREY4       #HC
  ,LUIS "U/OOD T :5 ! FLOODWAT]S REC$$1
! NEWLY SETTL$ S& WD =M XF 96A H>D1 DAMP
SURFACE T MADE = F> EASI] WALK+ ?AN :5 X
0 DRY4 ,HE M>*$ AL;G 9SIDE ! WA% UNTIL
HE 0 WELL 2Y ! R1* ( ,MRS4 ,DUMAS'S PRY+
EYES4 ,!N1 US+ AN OV]HANG+ BRAN* ( MES-
QUITE1 HE CLAMB]$ UP ! /EEP BANK & SET
(F ACR ! DES]T ) 8 EYES SCANN+ BACK & =?
= ANY SIGN ( "S?+ USE;L OR VALUA# T MI<T
H BE5 LEFT 2H4
  ,? 0 "S?+ ,LUIS DID (T51 & HE 0 GD AT
X4 ,"? ! MON?S1 HE _H MADE S"EAL R1SONA-
BLY VALUA# F9DS4 ,"O 4C>D$ BACKPACK _H
YIELD$ A ZIPP]$ CASE ) T5 HUNDR$-DOLL>
BILLS 9 X4 ,HE _H GIV5 8 "M ?REE ( ^?4
,WORRI$ AB A POSSI# EM]G5CY1 HE _H KEPT
BACK ! REMA9+ SEV54 ,!Y 7 / HI45 AWAY 9
! BOTTOM ( 8 SOCK DRAW]4 ,S9CE ,LUIS
WA%$ 8 [N CLO!S1 "! 0 N"E ANY DANG] T 8
"M WD G LOOK+ "!4
  ,ONCE ,LUIS _H -E ACR AN AB&ON$ BACK-
PACK /U6$ FULL ( M>IJUANA4 ,HE CD H TAK5
X HOME4 ,NO D\BT 8 "M WD H "KN H[ 6UN-
LOAD X ON "O ( H] _M UNSAVORY FRS1 B HE
_HN'T WANT$ 6RUN T RISK4 ,:AT 8 "M   #HD
DID =A LIV+ 0 BAD 5\<4 ,IF %E GOT CAU<T
D1L+ DRUGS1 NO TELL+ :AT WD HAPP5 6H]--
OR :AT WD HAPP5 6,LUIS1 EI4
  ,HE WOND]$ O3A.N,Y :AT HE WD D IF1 ON
"O ( ^! EXP$I;NS1 HE CAME ACR AN EV5
L>G] CA*E ( CA%4 ,BO? ! DRUG TRADE &!
TRANSPORT,N ( ILLEGALS EVID5TLY 9VOLV$
IMPOSSIBLY L>GE AM.TS ( M"OY4 ,LUIS "S-
"TS FANTASIZ$ AB -+ HOME )A R1L =TUNE--
5 6BUY 8 "M A DEC5T PLACE 6LIVE2 5 = H]
6/OP SELL+ H] BODY2 5 = ,LUIS 6BE A# TO
?9K AB GO+ 6COLLEGE4
  ,& T 0 :AT HE 0 ?9K+ AB :5 HE SAW !
*UNK ( "S?+ BLACK CAU<T 9 ! BRAN*ES (A
MESQUITE TREE4
  ,AT F/ HE 0 AFRAID "S"O 0 SITT+ "!--T
"S"O _H SAT D[N "U ! TREE & _H SIMPLY
FALL5 ASLEEP4 ,B !N1 Z HE CAME CLOS]1 HE
CD SEE T HE 0 ACTU,Y LOOK+ AT A %APE.S
MASS ( "S?+ MADE \ ( BLACK PLA/IC1 "S (
: _H TORN & 0 N[ FLAPP+ 9 ! O3A.NAL
BLA/S ( HOT W9D T BLEW ACR ! DES]T
FLOOR4 ,ONLY :5 HE CAME M* CLOS] CD HE
TELL T HE 0 LOOK+ AT TWO SEP>ATE G>BAGE
BAGS T _H BE5 WELD$ 96"O ) Y>DS (    #HE
DUCT TAPE4
  ,:5 ,LUIS SAW ! DUCT TAPE1 HE ACTU,Y
2GAN 6HOPE4 ,MAYBE ,BORD] ,PATROL _H
/UM#D ACR "S SMU7L]S1 />TL+ !M & =C+ !M
6AB&ON _! PAYLOAD4 ,LUIS WORRI$ A LL T !
BAGS MI<T TURN \ 63TA9 A /A% ( DRUGS4
,IF T HAPP5$1 HE DIDN'T "K :AT HE'D D
NEXT4 ,B IF ! 3T5TS (! BAG TURN$ \ 6BE J
PLA9 M"OY '''8 ,NO PRO#M4
  ,Z ,LUIS APPROA*$ ! BAG HE PICK$ UP A
/ICK4 ,:5 HE PRO4$ ! PLA/IC1 A ONCE
SMALL TE> SU45LY GAVE WAY & EXP&$4 ,:AT
ROLL$ \ ONTO ! GR.D WASN'T AT ALL :AT
,LUIS _H HOP$ OR EXPECT$4 ,X WASN'T A
%1F ( CA% OR A PLA/IC-WRAPP$ PACKET (
DRUGS4 ,X WAS1 9/1D1 AN EMPTY-EY$ HUMAN
SKULL1 XS TOO?-FILL$ M\? GAP+ OP54
  ,TOO %OCK$ 6BR1!1 ,LUIS %RANK AWAY F !
B"O1 /A9$ R$ & / PLA/]$ ) MUD4 ,=A MO;T1
ALL HE CD D 0 /& "!1 />+ & TREMBL+4 ,8
LEGS SEEM$ 6H =GOTT5 H[ 6OBEY 8 M9D4 ,HE
WILL$ !M 6MOVE1 B !Y DIDN'T4 ,CDN'T4
,F9,Y1 "O HALT+ /EP AF ANO!R1 ,LUIS MAN-
AG$ 6BACK AWAY UNTIL HE BL"U$1 UNSEE+1
96A MESQUITE4 ,! %OCK (! BRAN*ES     #HF
UNEXPECT$LY BRU%+ UP AG/ HM FILL$ HM )
S* T]ROR T X KNOCK$ HM \ ( 8 /UPOR4 ,HE
TURN$ & RAN !N1 RAC+ BACK ACR ! DES]T !
WAY HE _H -E1 TE>+ T[>D HOME )\T C>+ IF
,MRS4 ,DUMAS SAW HM2 N C>+ IF HE AWAK5$
8 "M4
  ,Z HE RAN =! H\SE1 ,LUIS KNEW "! 0 NO
WAY HE CD KEEP ? AW;L 4COV]Y A SECRET4
,HE _H 6REPORT X--HE _H 6CALL 8 UNCLE4
,8 "M'S BIG BRO!R 0 A HOMICIDE DETECTIVE
=! ,CO*ISE ,C.TY ,%]IFF'S ,DE"P;T4 ,UN-
CLE ,JAIME WD "K :AT 6D4
  ,:5 ,LUIS GOT BACK 6! H\SE1 HE 0 RE-
LIEV$ 6F9D T 8 "M 0 / ASLEEP4 ,%E WDN'T
WANT HM 6GET 9VOLV$ 9 :AT"E 0 GO+ ON4
,HE PICK$ UP ! PH"O4 ,:5 X 0 D1D1 HE
DIDN'T ASSUME X 0 \ ( ORD]4 ,HE ?"\1 IN-
/1D1 T 8 "M _H SIMPLY =GOTT5 6PAY !
BILL4 ,T _H HAPP5$ (T5 5 9 ! PA/4
  ,QUIETLY1 ,LUIS LEFT ! H\SE ONCE AG4
,? "T HE MADE 8 WAY ON FOOT 6! GOLF
C\RSE4 ,9 ! W9T]"T1 ! TRAIL] P>K ACR !
/REET 0 CRAMM$ ) CAMP]S4 ,N[1 9 ! D1D (
SUMM]1 ! PLACE 0 ALM DES]T$1 S ,LUIS
KEPT ON WALK+4 ,:5 HE R1*$ ,NACO     #HG
,HI<WAY1 HE /OPP$ & WAIT$4 ,HE R1LIZ$ Z
HE /OOD "! T 8 CLO!S _H TAK5 A B1T+ DUR+
8 RUN "? ! DES]T4 ,HE WORRI$ T "S"O F
,BORD] ,PATROL MI<T SEE H[ HE LOOK$1 AS-
SUME HE 0 AN ILLEGAL1 & PICK HM UP1 B T
DIDN'T HAPP54 ,TWO M>K$ ,BORD] ,PATROL
VEHICLES DROVE PA/ )\T GIV+ HM EV5 A
SECOND GL.E4
  ,F9,Y A PRIVATE VEHICLE CAME T[>D HM4
,LUIS /UCK \ 8 ?UMB &A B1T-UP ,*EVY ,LU-
M9A ) ,SONORA PLATES PULL$ OV] & /OPP$4
  8,": TO80 ! DRIV] ASK$ 9 ,SPANI%4
  8,6T[N10 ,LUIS REPLI$4
  8,Y H A FUNNY A35T10 ! MAN TOLD HM4
  ..,T'S 2C ,I'M N A R1L .,MEXICAN1
,LUIS ?"\4
  ,! MAN 0 ON 8 WAY 6,WAL-,M>T 9 ,D\G-
LAS4 ,HE GAVE ,LUIS A RIDE Z F> Z ! 5D (
! ,W>R5 CUT(F4 ,"!1 ,LUIS GOT \1 ?ANK$ !
DRIV]1 & H1D$ =! ,CO*ISE ,C.TY ,JU/ICE
,C5T]4 ,LUIS _H N"E BE5 9SIDE ! PLACE2
HE _H ONLY DRIV5 BY1 B HE KNEW ? 0 ":
,UNCLE ,JAIME "W$--,PEPE _H TOLD HM4
,"S"O "! WD 2 A# 6HELP HM4
  ,! BUILD+S 7 PA9T$ P9K ON ! \T-    #HH
SIDE4 ,!Y LOOK$ B"R & CL1N & *E];L--N AT
ALL L A JAIL1 EV5 ?\< ,LUIS KNEW ! JAIL
0 "!4 ,Z HE WALK$ UP ! GRAVEL DRIVE T[>D
! P>K+ LOT1 HE 2GAN 6H SECOND ?"\S4 ,:AT
IF ? 0 A BAD IDEA8 ,:AT IF BR++ ? 6,UN-
CLE ,JAIME'S ATT5;N AL BR"\ ATT5;N 6,M>-
CELLA8 ,:AT IF DO+ ? "SH[ 5D$ UP CAUS+
TR\#8
  ,EV5 ?\< HE 0 2SET ) D\BT1 ,LUIS KEPT
WALK+--"? ! P>K+ LOT & UP ! L;G :EEL*AIR
RAMP 6! FRONT DOOR1 : TURN$ \ 6BE LOCK$4
,UNSURE :AT 6D NEXT1 HE 0 AB 6TURN AWAY
:5 A 4EMBODI$ VOICE ASK$ HM1 8,MAY ,I
HELP Y80
  ,T'S :5 ,LUIS R1LIZ$ "! 0 A SP1K]PH"O
( "S K9D ATTA*$ 6! DOOR4 ,! WOMAN 0
SP1K+ 6HM "? T4
  8,I'M LOOK+ = MY UNCLE10 HE SD4 8,I
NE$ 6TALK 6HM40
  ,! DOOR CLICK$4 8,X'S UNLOCK$ N[10 !
VOICE SD4 8,Y C -E IN40
  ,LUIS 5T]$ ! POLI%$ LO2Y >EA4 ,AT ! F>
5D 0 A GLASS-FRONT$ 4PLAY CASE FULL (
PICTURES ( P WE>+ GUNS & BADGES & C[BOY
HATS4 ,OV] 6HIS "R1 F 2H ANO!R       #HI
?ICK WALL ( GLASS1 A WOMAN BECKON$ 6HM4
,%E DIDN'T LOOK V FRLY4 ,9 FACT1 ,LUIS
?"\ %E 0 GO+ 6TELL HM 6G AWAY4
  8,Y SAY Y'RE LOOK+ = YR UNCLE80 %E
ASK$4 8,IS HE A PRISON] "H80
  ,X DIDN'T SURPRISE ,LUIS T %E WD MAKE
T ASSUMP;N4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,HE "WS
"H10 HE SD4
  8,:AT'S 8 "N80
  8,JAIME10 ,LUIS ANSW]$4 8,JAIME ,C>BA-
JAL4 ,HE'S A HOMICIDE DETECTIVE1 & T'S
:Y ,I NE$ 6TALK 6HM4 ,I J F.D A BODY40
  ,! EXPRES.N ON ! WOMAN'S FACE *ANG$
REM>KABLY4 8,OH1 MY10 %E SD4 8,Y POOR
?+4 ,I 2LIEVE ,DETECTIVE ,C>BAJAL'S \ ON
A CALL "R N[1 B PL1SE H A S1T4 ,"S"O W 2
"R ) Y40







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