,,CRUEL ,,9T5T

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

 ,PUBLI%$ 0,SIMON @& ,S*U/]1 ,NEW ,YORK
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  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN #AC3 #IGH-A-DAGE-FCGI-B

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,JOAN ,BLACK]1 ,JACKIE ,BAK]1
             & ,]IC ,SORLI5
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #DAA-DIH

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
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                                     ;IV
























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HELL .W6
















              ,,*APT] #AF           #DCI

  ,>RIV+ (FIC]S BUR/ 96! H\SE :ILE ,PET]
,W9T] / LAY TWIT*+ & HELP.S ON ! FLOOR4
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BE5 9 A S]I\S PHYSICAL ALT]C,N4 ,NEI HE
NOR ,ALI _H WON1 B !Y _H G"O D[N SW++4
  ,"! 0 A S+LE *AIR NE> ! H1D (! B$4
,ALI SLIPP$ GRATE;LLY ONTO T & SETTL$ 9
6WAIT4 ,! DOCTOR REAPPE>$ )9 A MATT] (
M9UTES4 8,Y'RE "R10 HE SD4 8,!Y F.D TWO
EMPTY SYR+ES ( ,V]S$ 9 8 POCKETS4 ,": !
HELL DID HE GET ^?80
  8,I ?9K ,W9T] IS A DOCTOR10 ,ALI SD4
8,T'S :AT ,I 0 TOLD40
  8,A DOCTOR60 ,DR4 ,LANG/ON REP1T$1
%AK+ 8 H1D4 8,IN T CASE1 X'LL TAKE "T =!
M$IC,N 6WE> (F4 ,=TUNATELY = "S"O ,MR4
,BROOKS'S AGE1 HE DOESN'T APPE>     #DEG
6BE 9 ANY K9D ( 4TRESS AT ! MO;T4 ,O!R
?AN BRUIS+ & BATT]+1 HE HAS A 4LOCAT$
%\LD] & POSSIBLY A TORN ROTATOR CUFF4
,WE'RE CAPA# ( MONITOR+ 8 PROGRESS "H1 B
IF Y'D PREF] 6H HM MOV$ 6ANO!R FACIL;Y
'''0
  ,X 0 "O ?+ 6BE ALL[$ 96,LEL& ,BROOKS'S
ROOM1 B ,ALI 0 SURPRIS$ 6BE GIV5 S M*
9=M,N AB 8 3DI;N1 & %E C]TA9LY _HN'T EX-
PECT$ 6BE 3SULT$ AB ! K9D ( C>E PROVID$4
  8,LOOK10 ,ALI SD4 8,I NE$ 6TELL Y1 T
,I'M N A BLOOD REL,N & PROBABLY %DN'T H
ANY SAY40
  8,MR4 ,BROOKS HAS AN UNUSUAL BLOOD
TYPE--;,O-NEGATIVE--& WE>S A ,M$IC,AL]T
TAG T GIVES EM]G5CY P]SONNEL A3ESS 6HIS
9=M,N4 ,Y'RE LI/$ Z ! P]SON 6BE NOTIFI$
9 CASE ( AN EM]G5CY4 ,Y'VE AL BE5 DESIG-
NAT$ ! DECI.N MAK] REG>D+ 8 TR1T;T OP-
;NS40
  8,HE'S GIV5 ME 8 M$ICAL P[] ( ATTOR-
NEY80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,D Y M1N 6SAY T Y DIDN'T "K80 ,DR4
,LANG/ON ASK$4
  8,I D N[10 ,ALI SD4 8,& WE'LL     #DEH
WAIT "H UNTIL HE WAKES UP10 %E A4$1 MAK+
! DECI.N Z %E SPOKE4
  8,LET'S G TAKE A LOOK AT Y 9 ! M1N"T10
! DOCTOR SD4
  ,AN ;,X-RAY REV1L$ T H] A*+ JAW WASN'T
BROK51 B ! CUT NEXT 6H] EYE REQUIR$ TWO
/IT*ES4 ,9 ANO!R "T & PLACE1 %E WD H BE5
3C]N$ AB SC>R+4 ,N[ %E 0 J GLAD 6BE
ALIVE4
  ,AF L1V+ ! EXAM9,N ROOM1 ,ALI RETURN$
6! *AIR NEXT 6,LEL& ,BROOKS'S HOSPITAL
B$1 ": %E REMA9$ =! NEXT S"EAL H\RS4 ,%E
CDN'T HELP 2+ SORRY AB KEEP+ T SOLIT>Y
VIGIL4 ,HE 0 A WOND];L HUMAN 2+1 %E _H
"W$ ) HM = MON?S1 B %E DIDN'T "K HM T
WELL4 ,%E _H "KN NO?+ AB 8 SNOR+1 = IN-
/.E1 OR ! BR1KUP ( 8 ROM.E1 B %E 0 !
ONLY P]SON HE _H TRU/$ 6MAKE LIFE-&-D1?
DECI.NS AB 8 M$ICAL C>E4 ,H[ CD T BE8
  ,"S": AL;G ! WAY1 %E FELL ASLEEP4 ,:5
%E AWAK5$1 X 0 D>K \TSIDE1 & "S"O _H
TURN$ ON A NI<TLI<T ON ! F> SIDE ( ,LE-
L&'S B$4 ,:5 %E OP5$ H] EYES1 %E 0 SUR-
PRIS$ 6SEE HE 0 AWAKE1 TOO1 & />+ AT H]
9T5TLY4                             #DEI
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,LEL& MURMUR$4 8,S V
SORRY40
  8,SORRY80 ,ALI REP1T$1 /RAI<T5+ UP &
RU2+ H] EYES4 8,:AT D Y H 6BE SORRY AB80
  8,I LET Y D[N10 HE SD4 8,HE 0 "! 9 !
DRIVEWAY WAIT+ = ME1 & ,I SIMPLY DIDN'T
SEE X -+4 ,HE _H BRUTE =CE & SURPRISE
"W+ 9 8 FAVOR4 ,I N"E _H A *.E4 ,I'M S
SORRY IF HE HURT Y40
  ,X 0 5TIRELY PREDICTA# T ,LEL&'S F/
?"\ WD 2 = "S"O ELSE R ?AN = HMF4
  8,HE DIDN'T HURT ME10 %E SD REASSUR+-
LY4 8,N RE,Y40
  8,"!'S A CUT ON YR FACE--) /IT*ES10
,LEL& OBJECT$4
  8,X'S NO?+10 %E SD4 8,I'M F9E40
  8,:O 0 HE80 ,LEL& ASK$4 8,D Y "K 8
"N80
  8,W9T]--,DR4 ,PET] ,W9T]40
  8,& DID HE GET AWAY80
  8,NO10 ,ALI SD4 8,WE GOT LUCKY4 ,HE'S
9 CU/ODY40
  8,HE 0 A BIG MAN10 ,LEL& SD4 8,:O
CAU<T HM & H[80
  8,MY "M HAS A ,TAS]10 ,ALI SD     #DFJ
SIMPLY4 8,WE US$ T40
  8,I SEE10 ,LEL& SD )A NOD1 Z ?\< !
IDEA ( ,$IE ,L>SON HAV+ A ,TAS] 7 ! MO/
NATURAL ?+ 9 ! _W4 8,:AT AB ,MR4 ,SIMP-
SON80 HE A4$4 8,W9T] DIDN'T F9D HM1 DID
HE8 ,I HOPE HE'S ALL "R40
  ,T /OPP$ ,ALI =A MO;T4 ,W9T] _H CLAIM$
,LEL& _H SD NO?+ 2C HE'D _H NO?+ 6TELL4
,EVID5TLY1 T WASN'T ! CASE4 8,>E Y SAY+
Y KNEW AB MY 9VOLVE;T ) ,MR4 ,SIMPSON80
  8,( C\RSE ,I KNEW AB X10 ,LEL& ANSW]$4
8,I'M YR BUTL]4 ,I DIDN'T "K ! DETAILS1
B ,I KNEW X _H "S?+ 6D ) -PUT]S4 ,S :5 ?
MAN1 ? ,W9T] P]SON1 KEPT RAV+ AB "S"O :O
_H WRECK$ 8 -PUT] FILES1 ,I ASSUM$ X _H
6BE ,MR4 ,SIMPSON40
  8,B Y DIDN'T GIVE HM ,MR4 ,SIMPSON'S
"N10 ,ALI SD4
  8,NO10 ,LEL& REPLI$4 8,( C\RSE N4 ,T'S
N "S?+ ,I WD D40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,ALI SD QUIETLY4 ,%E M1NT
X4
  ,%E WANT$ 6SAY M1 B J !N A NURSE /UCK
H] H1D 96! ROOM4 8,WE DON'T H A KIT*5
"H10 %E SD4 8,IF Y'D L "S?+ 6EAT1   #DFA
,I C ORD] IN40
  ,!Y SETTL$ ON ,SUBWAY S&WI*ES4 ,ONCE !
NURSE 0 G"O1 ,ALI TURN$ 6:AT _H BE5 BO?-
]+ H] :ILE %E'D BE5 SITT+ AWAKE & WAT*+
,LEL& SLEEP4
  8,I CALL$ YR FR10 %E SD4 8,YR FR F
,PRESCOTT4 ,I'M SORRY IF T 0 ! WR;G ?+
6D1 B ,I ?"\ HE'D WANT 6"K :AT _H HAP-
P5$40
  8,I ASSUME HE DIDN'T10 ,LEL& SD SADLY4
  8,T'S CORRECT10 ,ALI AGRE$4 8,HE
DIDN'T40
  8,WE BROKE UP10 ,LEL& SD4 8,HIS *N
DON'T APPROVE ( ME1 Y SEE4 ,I GUESS T
M1NS !Y DON'T APPROVE ( HM1 EI1 B HE'S
_! "F4 ,HE DOESN'T WANT 6LOSE !M4 ,!Y
GAVE HM A *OICE ( !M OR ME4 ,HE *OSE !M1
& :O C BLAME HM80
  ,X /RUCK ,ALI T ? 0 ALM ! SAME ?+
,BRYAN ,=E/] _H SD AB N WANT+ 6LOSE 8
GIRLS4 ,AL? ! SITU,NS 7 V DI6]5T1 !Y 7
AL SURPRIS+LY SIMIL>--A "F *OOS+ 6LIVE A
LIE R ?AN RISK LOS+ 8 KIDS4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,ALI SD4
  8,I AM1 TOO10 ,LEL& ADMITT$4      #DFB
8,I ?"\ T ONCE ,PATRICK'S WIFE 0 G"O
HE'D F9D ! C\RAGE 6LIVE 8 [N LIFE & 2 :O
HE RE,Y IS1 B X TURNS \ HE C'T4 ,I SUP-
POSE ,I %D H M5;N$ X 6Y40
  8,NO10 ,ALI SD4 8,"! 0 NO NE$ 6TELL
ME4 ,YR P]SONAL A6AIRS >E N"O ( MY BUSI-
;S40
  8,N TELL+ Y 0 R C[>DLY ON MY "P10
,LEL& ,BROOKS SD ?"\;LLY4 8,I J DIDN'T
WANT 6GET 96X40
  ,ALI R1*$ OV] & TOOK "O ( 8 H&S 9 H]S4
8,NO1 ,MR4 ,BROOKS10 %E SD QUIETLY4
8,T'S N X AT ALL4 ,I DON'T ?9K Y CD "E 2
A C[>D4 ,T'S N :O Y >E40
  ,A :ILE LAT]1 ONCE ,LEL& _H DRIFT$
BACK 6SLEEP1 ,ALI V5TUR$ \ (! ROOM L;G 5
6USE ! RE/ROOM4 ,/UDY+ H] FACE 9 ! MIR-
ROR1 %E 0 %OCK$ 0:AT %E SAW4 ,! /IT*ES 7
! L1/ ( X4 ,AN UGLY BRUISE /RET*$ F !
CORN] ( H] LEFT EYE & D[N ACR H] JAWL9E4
,X 5D$ HALFWAY D[N H] NECK4
  ..,N A PRETTY .FACE1 ,ALI ?"\ RUE;LLY4
..,IF ,JACKY ,JACKSON SEES ME N[1 X'LL
ALL 2 OV] 2T .U4
  ,A NURSE CAME "? ! DOORS AT !     #DFC
5D (! HALLWAY4 ,2F ! DOORS SWUNG %UT AG1
,ALI HE>D ! S.D ( FAMILI> VOICES & CAU<T
A GLIMPSE ( H] "M'S /EEL-GRAY PAGEBOY4
,HURRY+ 96! LO2Y1 %E F.D X PACK$ ) P %E
KNEW--BO? H] P>5TS & ,A!NA & ,*RIS 7 "!1
AL;G ) S"EAL 3C]N$ NEI<BORS F ,&ANTE
,DRIVE4 ,ALL ( !M 7 WORRI$ AB H]4
  8,OH MY10 ,$IE ,L>SON SD TE>;LLY1 RU%+
OV] 6H] DAU<T]4 8,LOOK AT Y4 ,IF Y >5'T
A SI<T = SORE EYES1 OR %D ,I SAY1 A SI<T
.( SORE EYES6 ,!Y SD Y 7 9 ) ,MR4
,BROOKS & T HE CDN'T H ANY M VISITORS1 B
,I 0 S AFRAID T ANIMAL _H HURT Y40
  ,BOB ,L>SON /EPP$ 2T ,$IE & ,ALI & EN-
GULF$ 8 DAU<T] 9 A CRU%+ BE> HUG4 8,Y &
YR MOM >E Q ! TAG T1M10 HE SD4 8,B :AT
AB ,MR4 ,BROOKS8 ,IS HE GO+ 6BE ALL "R80
  8,HE'S A LL WORSE = WE>10 ,ALI SD4 8,B
HE'S SLEEP+ N[4 ,! DOCTOR SAYS HE'LL 2
F9E40
  8,TOO BAD HE DIDN'T H A ,TAS]10 ,$IE
SD4 8,MAYBE Y %D GIVE HM "O = ,*RI/MAS40
  ,T BROKE ! T5.N 9 ! ROOM1 & "EY"O
LAU<$4 ,=! NEXT FEW M9UTES1 ,ALI TOLD H]
COLLEC;N ( WELL-WI%]S Z M* (! /O-   #DFD
RY Z %E & ,LEL& _H MANAG$ 6PUT TGR4 ,PE-
T] ,W9T] _H EXPECT$ ,ALI 6%[ UP 9 RE-
PONSE 6HIS TILE-DELIV]Y RUSE R ?AN ,LEL&
,BROOKS4 ,ONCE AG1 Z %E _H ) ,*RIS &
,A!NA1 ,ALI REC.T$ = "EY"O :AT ,PET]
,W9T] _H D"O 6H] & 6,LEL& ,BROOKS1 %OV+
!M "U ! WAT] 9 HOPES ( _! TELL+ HM :O _H
TAK5 8 FILES4
  8,^? FILES 7 ! TIP (! ICEB]G10 ,$IE
SD4 8,DAVE ?9KS ,W9T] IS ! "O :O KILL$
,MORGAN ,=E/]40
  8,HE DID10 ,ALI 3FIRM$4 8,HE TOLD ME S
HMF40
  8,T M1NS ,BRYAN IS (F ! HOOK1 !N80
,BOB ,L>SON ASK$4
  8,I HOPE S10 ,ALI SD4
  ,AN H\R OR S LAT]1 A NURSE %OO$ "EY"O
\ (! LO2Y1 & ,ALI RETURN$ 6H] SPOT NEXT
6,LEL&'S B$4 ,%E _H DOZ$ (F BRIEFLY :5
"S"O T\*$ H] %\LD]4 ,%E AWAK5$ 6F9D
,DAVE ,HOLMAN /&+ NEXT 6H] *AIR & BECK-
ON+ = H] 6FOLL[ HM4
  8,I "K Y'RE TIR$10 HE SD ONCE !Y R1*$
! LO2Y4 8,& ? PROBABLY ISN'T ! BE/ "T 6D
?1 B WE NE$ 6TAKE YR /ATE;T Z       #DFE
SOON Z POSSI#40
  8,WE80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,? IS ,DETECTIVE ,M>JORIE ,HILL F !
C;Y ( ,S$ONA10 ,DAVE SD1 Z A WOMAN :O _H
BE5 S1T$ NE> ! W9D[S ROSE 6GREET !M4
8,%E'S "H 2C ! ATTACKS ON Y & ,MR4
,BROOKS O3URR$ 9SIDE ! C;Y LIMITS4 ,I'M
"H 2C ( ,MORGAN ,=E/]40
  8,S Y 2LIEVE ME1 !N80 ,ALI ASK$1 GLAD
(! 3FIRM,N4
  ,DAVE NO4$ GRIMLY4 8,WE F.D ,MORGAN'S
MISS+ W$D+ & 5GAGE;T R+S ON A KEY R+ 9
,PET] ,W9T]'S POCKET4 ,B "!'S A PRO#M )
T40
  8,:AT K9D ( PRO#M80 ,ALI ASK$4
  8,"! >E F\R O!R SETS ( R+S "!1 : L1DS
ME 6?9K "! >E AT L1/ F\R O!R VICTIMS4
,WE J DON'T "K :O !Y >E4 ,"O ( !M MAY H
BE5 8 WIFE1 ,RITA40
  8,Y'RE SAY+ ,PET] ,W9T] IS A S]IAL
KILL]80
  8,MO/ LIKELY10 ,DAVE SD4 8,X AL M1NS Y
& YR "M _H A V CLOSE CALL40

                                    #DFF
























              ,,*APT] #AG           #DFG

  ,X 0 AF MIDNI<T :5 ,DAVE DROVE ,ALI 6!
,MAJE/IC ,M.TA9 ,9N4 8,Y'LL 2 ALL "R80
HE ASK$4
  8,YES10 %E TOLD HM4
  ,:5 %E GOT \ ( ,DAVE'S ,NISSAN1 ,ALI 0
GRATIFI$ 6SEE T "S"O _H DRIV5 H] ,CAY5NE
6! HOTEL & P>K$ X "!4 ,%E LIMP$ T[>D !
DOOR ( H] ROOM1 / WE>+ ! JACKET ,*RIS _H
PLAC$ ON H] %\LD]S M* E>LI] 9 ! AFN4 ,ON
H] FEET 7 ILL-FITT+ B$ROOM SLIPP]S T !
NURSE AT ! HOSPITAL _H PRODUC$ = ,ALI'S
USE4
  ,ALI OP5$ ! DOOR1 EXPECT+ 6F9D ! ROOM
EMPTY4 ,6H] SURPRISE1 BO? ,*RIS & ,A!NA
7 "! WAIT+ = H]4 ,*RIS 0 ASLEEP ON ! B$1
:ILE ,A!NA DOZ$ 9 AN >M*AIR ) ,SAM CURL$
-=TABLY 9 H] LAP4
  8,%E 0 HID+ 2H ! DRY] 9 YR LAUNDRY
ROOM10 ,A!NA EXPLA9$4 8,*RIS DRA7$ H] \
( "!1 & WE BR"\ H] "H1 B WE CDN'T L1VE
H] 9 ? /RANGE PLACE ALL 0H]F40
  ,9 ACTUAL FACT1 ,SAM DIDN'T SEEM ALL T
UPSET4 ,%E OP5$ H] "O GD EYE1 GAVE ,ALI
AN APPRAIS+ GL.E1 & !N CLOS$ X      #DFH
AG4
  8,?ANK Y10 ,ALI SD4
  8,WE PACK$ A SUITCASE = Y10 ,A!NA A4$4
8,X'S "! 9 ! CLOSET4 ,WE BR"\ YR ROBE &
NI<TG[N & "S CLO!S = Y 6WE> TM4 ,NO TOI-
LETRIES1 ?\<--! COPS SD YR BA?ROOM 0 (F
LIMITS--S WE /OPP$ 0! DRUG/ORE & PICK$
UP A HAIRBRU%1 A TOO?BRU%1 & "S TOO?-
PA/E4 ,= MAKEUP1 Y'RE ON YR [N40
  ,! IDEA T ,*RIS & ,A!NA _H MANAG$ TO
TALK _! WAY 96BR++ ANY?+ AT ALL F !
CRIME SC5E 0 IMPRESSIVE4 8,!Y LET Y 96!
H\SE80 ,ALI ASK$4 8,T M/ H TAK5 "S 3V9C-
+40
  8,A LL10 ,A!NA AGRE$4 8,"O (! ,,CSI
GUYS HELP$40
  ,GRA2+ H] NI<TG[N & ROBE1 ,ALI W5T 6!
BA?ROOM 6*ANGE4 ,9 A4I;N 6! BRUISES ON
H] FACE & NECK1 "! 7 BRUISES ON H] LEGS
& >MS4 ,%E _H BE5 9 A FI<T = H] LIFE1 &
X %[$4
  ,:5 %E CAME BACK \ (! BA?ROOM1 ,*RIS 0
SITT+ UP ON ! SIDE (! B$1 & ,SAM 0
/RET*$ \ ON "O (! PILL[S4
  ,*RIS /OOD UP4 8,MOM10 HE SD1     #DFI
GIV+ ,ALI A HUG4 8,Y'VE GOT 6/OP DO+
/UFF L ?4 ,Y SC>E ME 6D1?40
  8,X SC>$ ME1 TOO10 %E ADMITT$4
  8,X'S LATE10 HE SD4 8,I'M GO+ 6,A!-
NA'S4 ,IF Y NE$ ANY?+1 ,GR&PA & ,GR&MA
>E "R NEXT DOOR4 ,& "H'S ,A!NA'S CELL
PH"O4 ,Y C USE X UNTIL WE C GET Y A NEW
"O4 ,AC 6! COPS1 "!'S "O SITT+ AT ! BOT-
TOM ( YR BA?TUB AT HOME4 ,I ?9K T "O'S A
GON]40
  ,ALI LET ,*RIS & ,A!NA \ & !N LOCK$
BO? ! D1DBOLT &! SECUR;Y *A9 2H !M4
,CRAWL+ 96B$ A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 %E 0
GRATE;L 6FEEL ,SAM'S /OLID PRES;E SNU7L$
UP NEXT 6H]4 ,%E FELL ASLEEP ALM IMMLY1
B ?REE "TS %E 0 AWAK5$ 0! SAME RECURR+
NI<TM>E3 ,"S"O 0 HOLD+ H] H1D "UWAT]1 &
,ALI 0 DR[N+4
  ,%E 0 AWAK5$ %ORTLY AF SUNRISE 0"S"O
KNOCK+ %>PLY ON H] DOOR4 ,X TOOK A MO;T
6GA!R H] WITS & FIGURE \ ": %E WAS4
,M1N:ILE1 ,SAM SKITT]$ AWAY & 4APPE>$ "U
! B$4
  8,:O IS X80 ,ALI ASK$1 PULL+ ON H]
ROBE & SLIPP]S4                     #DGJ
  8,X'S ,B410 ,B4 ,SIMPSON SD4 8,I'M
SORRY 6WAKE Y1 B ,I NE$ 6TALK 6Y4 ,I NE$
6SEE ) MY [N EYES T Y'RE ALL "R40
  8,MAYBE N "O HUNDR$ P]C5T10 %E SD Z %E
UNLAT*$ ! SECUR;Y *A9 &! D1DBOLT 6LET HM
IN4 ,CAT*+ SI<T ( H] /IT*$ & BATT]$
FACE1 HE TOOK A /EP BACK4
  8,-E ON IN10 ,ALI SD4 8,H[ DID Y "K ,I
0 "H8 ,IS "S?+ ! MATT]80
  8,I J DROPP$ (F COPIES (! FILES )
,DAVE ,HOLMAN4 ,HE TOLD ME ": 6F9D Y10
,B4 ANSW]$4 ,HE LOOK$ HA7>D & C>EWORN1 Z
?\< HE _HN'T SLEPT 9 "DS4 8,Z = :AT'S !
MATT]80 HE 3T9U$4 8,HELL YES1 "!'S "S?+
! MATT]6 ,LOOK :AT HAPP5$ 6YR FACE4 ,I
ALM GOT Y KILL$40
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,ALI SD4 8,Y J SD Y
DROPP$ (F ! FILES4 ,IF Y GAVE !M 6,DAVE1
DOES T M1N Y BROKE ,W9T]'S 5CRYP;N
CODE80
  8,IF ,W9T] TURNS \ 6BE 8 R1L "N1 ,I'LL
2 SURPRIS$10 ,B4 SD4 8,B X DOES M1N ,I
BROKE 8 DAMN CODE4 ,J A LL :ILE AGO1 Z A
MATT] ( FACT4 ,& N[ ,I "K :Y ! BA/>D 0 S
DESP]ATE 6GET ^? FILES BACK4 ,HE    #DGA
_H 8 :OLE _W TUCK$ AWAY 9 !M4 ,HE'S S
FRI79' >ROGANT T X N"E O3URR$ 6HM "S"O
ELSE MI<T 2 SM>T 5 6TAKE HM D[N4 ,:5 X
HAPP5$--:5 WE HACK$ 9 6HIS SY/EM--X PU%$
HM OV] ! $GE4
  8,B HE'S N ! ONLY "O ) AN >ROG.E PROB-
LEM1 ,ALI4 ,:AT AB ME8 ,I ?"\ HE 0 J YR
RUN-(-!-MILL ID5T;Y ?IEF4 ,I _H NO IDEA
H[ DANG]\S ? CREEP MI<T 2 OR :AT HE MI<T
D4 ,IF "S?+ _H HAPP5$ 6Y & YR "M1 IF "O
OR BO? ( Y _H DI$ 2C ( MY AC;NS1 ,I
DON'T "K :AT ,I'D D OR H[ ,I'D LIVE )
MYF4 ,I'M S SORRY AB ALL ?1 ,I J--0
  8,/OP10 ,ALI SD1 9T]RUPT+ ,B4'S B\T (
SELF-RECRIM9,N4 8,N"O ( ? IS YR FAULT4
,Y GAVE ME A *OICE AB :AT 6D1 REMEMB]8
,Y SD WE CD EI TURN ! GUY OV] 6! COPS &
LET !M D1L ) HM1 OR WE CD SMACK HM D[N
0TAK+ 8 FILES4 ,S9CE X SEEM$ LIKELY !
COPS WDN'T D ANY?+1 ,I 0 ! "O :O SD
TURNAB IS FAIR PLAY1 LET'S RATTLE 8 *A9
& TAKE 8 FILES40
  8,! COPS H !M N[10 ,B4 SD SOMB]LY4 8,I
TURN$ "EY?+ ,I _H OV] 6,DAVE ,HOLMAN4
,^? FILES &! ,=E/]S' ?UMB DRIVES    #DGB
Z WELL4 ,BRYAN TOLD ME X 0 OKAY 6TURN !M
IN40
  8,Y'VE D"O "EY?+ Y C1 !N10 ,ALI SD4
8,X'S UP 6! COPS N[4 ,G HOME & GET "S
RE/40
  ,APP>5TLY1 ,B4 ,SIMPSON 0 TOO TIR$ TO
OBJECT4 ,HE LEFT1 & ,ALI SET AB GETT+
DRESS$4 ,*RIS & ,A!NA _H BR"\ AL;G "U-
WE>1 J1NS1 A SW1T%IRT1 &A PAIR ( RUNN+
%OES S %E _H "S?+ 6PUT ON T WASN'T !
JO7+ SUIT1 : _H ALR BE5 DEPOSIT$ 9 !
TRA% C 9 ! BA?ROOM4
  ,ALI US$ FRE% FOOD 6COAX ,SAM \ F "U !
B$4 ,ONCE %E EM]G$1 ,ALI SCOOP$ H] UP &
/UCK H] 9 H] CRATE4 ,%E DIDN'T WANT ,SAM
EXIT+ ! ROOM :5 AN UNSUSPECT$ MAID CAME
06CL1N4
  ,0SEV5 ,A4,M4 ,ALI 0 AT ! C.T] 9 !
,SUG>LOAF1 DR9K+ A CUP ( C(FEE & WAIT+ =
,BOB 6F9I% COOK+ A TO-G ORD] ( *EESE-
BAK$ E7S = ,ALI 6TAKE 6! HOSPITAL = ,LE-
L& ,BROOKS4
  8,Y'LL TAKE A SWEET ROLL = HM1 TOO1
WON'T Y80 ,$IE ASK$4 8,SURELY HE'LL WANT
"O ( ^?4 ,:AT AB ! MEMORIAL S]-     #DGC
VICE80 %E A4$4 8,X'S DUE 6/>T AT T54 ,>E
Y GO+80
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8,I C'T V WELL G 9 ?10 %E SD4
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              ,,*APT] #AH           #DHC

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               ,,EPILOGUE           #DHG

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ESPECI,Y OV] ,$IE ,L>SON'S1 ,MA4Y ,WAT-
K9S _H 9SI/$ ON BAK+ PUMPK9 PIES Z ! F9-
I%+ T\* = ,ALI'S O!RWISE SOLO P]=M.E4
,0! "T ,?ANKSGIV+ D9N] 0 OV]1 ! VISITORS
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?RILL$ 6D1 ?US A4+ TWO M G]IATRIC ATT5D-
EES 6! GUE/ LI/4
  ,DAVE ,HOLMAN & ,B4 ,SIMPSON BO? %[$
UP =! ,?ANKSGIV+ ,"D EXTRAVAGANZA4 ,!Y
APPE>$ UP/AIRS ONLY L;G 5 6EAT1 H["E4
,!Y & MO/ (! O!R M5FOLK1 SPOOK$ 0NON/OP
W$D+ PLANN+1 *OSE 6SP5D _! "T BO? 2F &
AF D9N] HID+ \ D[N 9 ,*RIS'S /U-    #DIA
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  ,)! M5 D[N/AIRS1 ,$IE _H RECOV]$ F 2+
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9 CASE40 ,?ANK;LLY1 ,*RIS & ,A!NA 7 GET-
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MI<T %[ UP >M$1 B X WDN'T 2 EI A %OTGUN
OR A ,TAS] W$D+4
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,M>%2 ,HALEY'S GR&"M1 ,NELDA ,H>RIS2 &
,M>ISSA ,DVORAK1 :O WD 2 HAV+ A SECOND
,?ANKSGIV+ D9N] ) H] [N FAMILY LAT] 9 !
EV5+4 ,:5 ,HALEY _H CALL$ ON ,MON"D ( T
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PLANN+4
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  8,SURE10 ,ALI SD4 8,:AT AB80
  8,Y RE,Y DON'T ?9K ,I'D 2 ALL T WEIRD
9 COLLEGE80 ,HALEY ASK$4 8,I M1N IF ,I
W5T4 ,P WDN'T MAKE FUN ( ME OR ?9K ,I 0
ODD80
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S+LE "MS G ON 6S*OOL ^! "DS40       #DIB
  8,:AT IF ,I W5T 6! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,>IZONA
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$4 ,N[1 ?\<1 ,ALI _H AN 9SPIR,N4
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D9N]80 %E ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,:Y80
  8,"!'S "S"O ,I'D L Y 6MEET40
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S] ADMIR,N PROGRAM1 ,HALEY ,M>% & ,M>IS-
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ROOM1 PLAY+ ) ,LIAM &! COLLEC;N ( TOYS
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TWO GIRLS SEEM$ 6BE HAV+ FUN TGR1 B ,ALI
SP5T A LOT (! EV5+ WORRI$ AB :E!R !
MEET+--N EXACTLY A BL DATE B CLOSE--WD D
XS MAGIC4 ,:5 X 0 "T = ,M>ISSA 6L1VE1
,ALI 0 PL1S$ Z ,LIAM CLAMB]$ UP     #DIC
96! :EEL*AIR & GAVE ,M>ISSA A DROOLLY
SMACK (A KISS4
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KISS S1LS ! .D1L4
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"EY"O CALL$ !M--,ALI 0 RELIEV$ :5 !Y DE-
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96,PHOENIX ON ,FRI"D NI<T & DROVE UP TO
,S$ONA ON ,SATUR"D MORN+4
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MORN+ Z %E PUT ! F9I%+ T\*ES ON A FACE T
/ %[$ TRACES ( BRUIS+4 ..,Y C 2 CIVIL4
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KETBALL T1M Z ,*RIS & ,A!NA4 ,*RIS WORE
A TUX1 & ,A!NA WORE A SIMPLE W9T]-:ITE
SILK BROCADE PANTSUIT4 ,A!NA1 LOOK+
ABSOLUTELY RADIANT1 WALK$ D[N !     #DID
AISLE ON H] [N4 ,%E DIDN'T NE$ ANY"O TO
GIVE H] AWAY4
  ,N[1 )! RECEP;N GETT+ "U WAY &! ,,DJ
TUN+ UP ! S.D SY/EM1 ,ALI W&]$ \TSIDE
ONLY 6RUN SMACK 96,ANGUS ,REYNOLDS4 ,HE
0 /&+ 2S ! 3/RUC;N-CREW BR1K-ROOM PICNIC
TA#1 TAK+ 9 ! VIEW & SMOK+ AN ENORM\S
CIG>4
  8,NICE PLACE Y H "H10 HE OBS]V$4
8,HOPE Y DON'T M9D4 ,J1NNIE WON'T ALL[
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A MAN :O _H ONCE BE5 H] "F-IN-LAW B :OM
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H\RS E>LI]4 ,9 A WAY1 HE SEEM$ 6BE TALK+
6H]1 B HE AL SEEM$ 6BE TALK+ 6HMF4
  8,YES1 ,I AM PR\D10 %E SD4
  8,IF HE _H LIV$ 6SEE X1 ,D1N WD H BE5
PR\D1 TOO10 ,ANGUS SD QUIETLY4
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WILL$ !M 6/OP4 ,:5 !Y DIDN'T1 %E TURN$
AWAY & LOOK$ (F 9 ! O!R DIREC;N4    #DIE
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  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,X'S F9E40
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WANT$ ,D1N 6BE A LAWY]4 ,I TOLD HM T IF
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RAPHY1 HE'D N"E AM.T 6ANY?+ & HE'D N"E 2
A# 6D ANY?+ B T1*4 ,I DIDN'T M1N X Z A
-PLI;T1 EI40
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DETAIL4
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ASK$4 8,T NO MATT] H[ LL M"OY HE MADE1
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2+ A RI* LAWY] & SELL+ 8 S\L 6! DEVIL40
  ..,D1N N"E M5;N$ T ."P1 ,ALI ?"\4
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HM T IF HE 0 GO+ 6BE T PIGH1D$1 HE 0 NO
SON ( M9E1 & ,I 0 WRIT+ HM \ ( MY LIFE4
,IF HE WANT$ 6G (F & SCREW UP 8 LIFE & 2
POOR UNTIL 8 DY+ "D1 HE 0 ON 8 [N4 ,&
T'S :AT ,I DID1 TOO4 ,I WROTE HM \ ( \R
LIVES1 & ,I WROTE Y & YR WOND];L    #DIF
SON \ ( \R LIVES1 TOO4 ,PRETTY /UPID1
WDN'T Y SAY80
  ,AG ,ALI SD NO?+4
  8,& N[ ,*RIS IS A T1*]10 ,ANGUS SD
?"\;LLY4 8,": D Y SUPPOSE T %[S UP ON !
,,DNA1 ! PROP5S;Y = 2+ A T1*] 9/1D ( 2+
A LAWY]80
  8,X MAY H M 6D ) 2+ /U2ORN ?AN X DOES
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MANTLY OPPOS$ 6HIS 2+ A T1*]1 TOO40
  8,I SEE10 ,ANGUS SD4 8,B ?ANK Y = LET-
T+ U -E1 ,ALISON4 ,3SID]+ H[ WE TR1T$ Y
& ,*RIS1 X'S F> M ?AN WE DES]VE1 & X
M1NS M 6MY ,J1NNIE ?AN Y C POSSIBLY "K40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME10 ,ALI SD4 8,I'M GLAD
Y'RE "H40 ,& :5 %E SD T1 %E RE,Y M1NT X2
%E WASN'T J 2+ CIVIL4
  ,$IE ,L>SON /UCK H] H1D \ ! DOOR 6!
T5T4 8,"! Y >E10 %E SD4 8,"EYBODY'S
LOOK+ = Y1 ,ALI4 ,!Y'RE GETT+ R1DY 6CUT
! CAKE40
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( 8 CIG> \ 9 ! A%TRAY ON ! TA#4 ,!N HE
(F]$ ,ALI 8 >M4
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  8,YES10 ,ALI SD QUIETLY4 8,LET'S40























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  ,J4 ,A4 ,J.E IS ! ,TOP #AJ .,NEW
.,YORK .,"TS BE/-SELL+ AU?OR (! ,JOANNA
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