,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY
           ,A ,NOVEL ( ,SUSP5SE

              ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

               ,PUBLI%$ BY
             ,WILLIAM ,MORR[
   ,AN ,IMPR9T ( ,H>P],COLL9S ,PUBLI%]S
                ,NEW ,YORK
       ,COPY"R #BJJA 0,J4 ,A4 ,J.E
   ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
   ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

        ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL
   ,0,D5ISE ,MANN+1 ,3NIE ,WOODS1 ,BE?
 ,GOODMAN1 ,JACQUE ,BAK]1 & ,COLLE5 ,BOE
           ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
            ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
              ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
                ,VOLUME #C
         ,PAGES ;I-;II & #BAE-CBH
           ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
   ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
            ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                  #BJJB
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY         ;II
























            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BAE

                   #AA

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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BBI
F "S (! (FIC]S ON BO>D4 ,!Y 7 TALK+ AB X 9
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TAPE10 HE SD4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCJ
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0 AL WELL AW>E T 9 MY YE>S 9 ,,AA ,I'VE
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  8,MAYBE10 ,TODD ,B[MAN ALL[$ DUBI\SLY4
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  8,TGR4 ,:Y80
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  8,S !Y DIDN'T M5;N ANY?+ 6Y AB ,NAOMI
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCD
  8,NO4 ,%D !Y H80
  8,WELL1 S9CE ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN'S HUSB&1
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,PEPP]'S DAU<T]1 !Y PROBABLY %D H40
  8,Y M1N ,M>G>ET 0 ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN'S
SECOND WIFE80
  8,NO4 ,M>G>ET 0 ,H>RISON'S F/ WIFE40
  8,S ": DOES ,NAOMI ,PEPP] -E IN8 ,0 %E
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  8,H[ OLD IS ! DAU<T]80
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCE
  8,I SUPPOSE Y F.D \ AB ALL ? 0ATT5D+ AN-
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCF
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCG

                   #AB

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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BCH
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ET'S ROOM "R AB ! "T %E W5T 9 ! WAT]4 ,HE
DIDN'T -E "R \ & SAY S1 ,B1U1 B ,I ?9K HE
2LIEVES ,I KILL$ ,M>G>ET4 ,HE ?9KS ,I _H
"O (! WAIT]S F ! %IP HELP ME D X40
  8,DID Y80 ,I ASK$4
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,H[ C Y EV5 ASK S* A ?+80
%E DEM&$ 9DIGNANTLY4
  ,"! 7 TWO ANSW]S 6T "Q--! %ORT ANSW] &!
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDD
R1L "O4 ,! R1L "O _H 6D )A WOMAN "ND ,ANNE
,CORLEY--A WOMAN Z LOVELY Z %E 0 DANG]\S--
:O _H WALK$ 96MY LIFE "O AFN AT A CEMET]Y
ON ,QUE5 ,ANNE ,HILL & _H ?R[N MY :OLE _W
96A TAILSP94 ,( ALL ! KILL]S ,I'VE "E MET1
%E 0 ! "O :O ABSOLUTELY BLSID$ ME4 ,I FELL
9 LOVE ) ,ANNE ,CORLEY TOO H>D & TOO FA/4
,AT ! "T "! 7 PL5TY ( R$ FLAGS1 ALL ( : ,I
BLI!LY IGNOR$4 ,I 5D$ UP BETT+ "EY?+ ON
,ANNE'S PRESUM$ 9NOC;E4 ,:5 ,I LO/1 ,I LO/
BIG4
  ,I *OSE 6GIVE ,NAOMI ,PEPP] ! %ORT AN-
SW]4 8,I'M AN EX-COP10 ,I EXPLA9$4 8,I
SP5T MO/ ( MY C>E] AT ! ,S1TTLE ,POLICE
,DE"P;T 9T]VIEW+ HOMICIDE SUSPECTS OR MUR-
D] VICTIMS' GRIEV+ FAMILY MEMB]S & FRS4
,"S"O :O ADMITS 6HAV+ _H A S]I\S 3FRONT,N
)A HOMICIDE VICTIM )9 AN H\R OR S (! "T (
D1? & :O 0 SE5 9 ! VICTIM'S PRES;E AT >.D
! SAME "T IS B.D 6BE HI< ON ANY LI/ ( POS-
SI# SUSPECTS4 ,AL?1 IF Y >E A SUSPECT1
,AG5T ,B[MAN %D H R1D Y YR "RS4 ,DID HE80
  ,NAOMI %OOK H] H1D & !N BLEW H] NOSE4
  8,OR (F] Y A3ESS 6A LAWY]80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDE
  8,NO1 B H[ CD HE8 ,": WD ,I GET A LAWY]
ON A CRUISE %IP 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T80
  ,I ?"\ ( MY FR & LAWY]1 ,RALPH ,AMES1 :O
WDN'T 2 ABV HIR+ A FLOAT PLANE &_/OR A
HELICOPT] IF HE _H FELT T K9D ( EXTREME
M1SURE 0 NEC4 8,X C 2 D"O10 ,I TOLD H]4
8,UNTIL Y H AN ATTORNEY PRES5T1 Y PROBABLY
%DN'T AGREE 6TALK 6,B[MAN AG40
  ,T 0 GD ADVICE1 B ,I D\BT %E HE>D X4
8,:Y WD ,%>ON & ,VIRG9IA G & TELL L T80
,NAOMI RESUM$4 8,:5 ,I TOLD !M AB ,H>RISON
& ME1 ,I BE7$ !M 6KEEP X QUIET4 ,!Y BO?
PROMIS$ T !Y WDN'T SAY A ^W4 ,H[ CD !Y BE-
TRAY ME L T :5 !Y'RE BO? SUPPOS$ 6BE MY
FRS8 ,Y C SEE :Y ,I DON'T WANT 6G BACK 6!
ROOM1 C'T Y8 ,H[ C ,I FACE !M "K+ :AT
!Y'VE D"O80
  8,!Y MAY N H D"O ANY?+10 ,I SD QUIETLY4
  ,NAOMI ,PEPP] FR[N$4 8,:AT D Y M1N80
  ,"H X WAS--FESS-UP "T4 8,%>ON & ,VIRG9IA
DIDN'T SPILL ! B1NS AB Y & ,H>RISON ,F1!R-
MAN10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,I DID40
  ,%E LOOK$ /UNN$4 8,Y8 ,B :Y80
  8,2C ,I _H TO1 ,NAOMI4 ,! LAW -PELS ME
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDF
TO4 ,TODD ,B[MAN IS 3DUCT+ A HOMICIDE IN-
VE/IG,N4 ,X'S AG/ ! LAW = ANY"O 6)HOLD 9=-
M,N 9 T K9D ( CASE1 B T RULE IS F> M /R9-
G5TLY APPLI$ :5 ! P]SON DO+ ! )HOLD+ HAP-
P5S 6BE A POLICE (FIC] OR AN EX-POLICE (-
FIC]4 ,CIVILIANS MAY 2 A# 6KEEP _! M\?S
%UT & GET AWAY ) X1 B JUDGES DON'T LOOK
K9DLY ON X :5 COPS & EX-COPS TRY 6PULL !
SAME /UNT40
  ,NAOMI LOOK$ EV5 M /RICK54 8,T M1NS Y M/
?9K ,I KILL$ H]1 TOO1 DON'T Y60 %E SD AC-
CUS+LY4
  8,I DIDN'T SAY T40
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D & ROSE F ! C\*4 8,Y
DIDN'T H TO10 %E REPLI$4 8,I'LL 2 GO+ !N &
L1VE Y AL"O4 ,MAYBE ,I C F9D A PLACE 6SIT
9 "O (! L\NGES & WAIT =! SUN 6-E UP4 ,ONCE
WE GET 6,SKAGWAY1 ,I'LL DECIDE :AT 6D40
  8,SIT10 ,I ORD]$4 8,SIT & LI/540
  8,:Y %D ,I80 %E DEM&$ 9 RETURN4 8,S Y C
R1D ME MY "RS1 TOO80
  8,I US$ 6BE A COP1 ,NAOMI1 & ,I MAY 2 "O
AG1 B "R N[ ,I'M A CIVILIAN ! SAME Z Y--A
CIVILIAN :O'S TRY+ 6BE YR FR4 ,:AT EXACTLY
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDG
DID ,AG5T ,B[MAN SAY80
  ,=A "T ,NAOMI /OOD UNC]TA9LY 9 ! MI4LE (
! ROOM4 ,F9,Y %E SAT BACK D[N4 8,HE SD T
,I'M N ALL[$ 6L1VE ! %IP )\T *ECK+ ) HM
F/4 ,HE MADE X S.D L ,I'M "U H\SE >RE/ OR
"S?+4 ,H[ C T BE8 ,M>G>ET 0 MY FR4 ,I'D
N"E KILL H]40
  8,%E 4APPE>$ )9 H\RS ( HE>+ AB ! REL,N-
%IP 2T Y & H] EX-HUSB&10 ,I SD EV5LY4
8,?9K AB H[ T LOOKS4 ,"EY?+ IS GO+ AL;G M
OR LESS SMOO?LY4 ,!N1 Z SOON Z %E LE>NS T
"O CRITICAL PIECE ( 9=M,N1 %E'S \ ( "H4
,I'M SURE ,TODD ,B[MAN 2LIEVES "!'S A CON-
NEC;N1 & ,I DON'T BLAME HM 2C S D ,I4 ,H[
DID ,M>G>ET F9D \80
  ,TOO WORN D[N 6>GUE1 ,NAOMI HU4L$ M
DEEPLY 96! C\*4 8,I DON'T "K10 %E SD4
  8,M>G>ET M/ H GIV5 Y "S IDEA40
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0 A RAV+ LUNATIC & N MAK+ M* S5SE4 ,%E SD
"S?+ AB ,H>RISON REWRIT+ 8 W1 B ,I C'T
IMAG9E :AT T WD H 6D ) ME40
  ,X 0 L A CAM]A L5S %IFT+ 96FOCUS4 ,=! F/
"T ,I SAW :AT _H HAPP5$ 9 AN 5TIRELY
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDH
DI6]5T LI<T4 8,WAIT A M9UTE4 ,HAS ,H>RISON
,F1!RMAN BE5 GIV+ Y M"OY80 ,I ASK$4
  ,NAOMI LOOK$ AT ME BRIEFLY1 !N H] EYES
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  8,H>RISON KNEW H[ DI6ICULT ?+S 7 = ME4
,& AF ,G>Y DI$1 X 0 T M* WORSE4 ,I RE,Y _H
6/RU7LE4 ,G>Y N"E 2LIEV$ 9 LIFE 9SUR.E1 Y
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M$ICAL BILLS 7 APPALL+4 ,I TOOK 9 ROOM-
MATES 9 ORD] 6MEET ! MORTGAGE PAY;TS4 ,O?-
]WISE1 ,MISSY & ,I WD H LO/ ! H\SE & BE5
?R[N \ ON ! /REET4 ,:5 WE SPLIT UP1 ,I DID
MANAGE 6GET ,MELISSA ON ! REDUC$-PRICE
LUN* PROGRAM AT S*OOL4 ,I EV5 W5T S F> Z
6APPLY = FOOD /AMPS ONCE1 B !Y WDN'T GIVE
!M 6ME4 ,!Y SD ,I _H TOO _M ASSETS40
  8,& S ,H>RISON HELP$ Y40
  ,NAOMI NO4$1 B :5 H] EYES MET M9E1 :AT
,I SAW 9 !M 0 DEFI.E4 8,YES1 HE HELP$ ME4
,MISSY IS 8 DAU<T]1 TOO4 ,HE WASN'T AB TO
LET H] />VE40
  8,& :5 HE GAVE Y ? HELP1 H[ DID HE D X80
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BDI
  8,DID HE WRITE Y *ECKS80
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,^? WD H %[N UP 9 8 *ECK-
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  8,B ,H>RISON & ,M>G>ET 7 ALR DIVORC$ BY
!N4 ,H[ WD %E H _H A3ESS 6HIS *ECKBOOK80
  ,NAOMI BIT H] LIP4 8,HE 0 HELP+ ME 2F !Y
7 DIVORC$40
  8,& 2F Y & ,G>Y SEP>AT$80
  ,%E NO4$4
  8,S Y'RE SAY+ ,*LOE DOESN'T "K AB ANY (
?1 EI80
  8,I DON'T ?9K S40
  8,:AT AB ,MELISSA80
  8,"! 0 NO R1SON = H] 6"K40
  8,S H[ DID ,H>RISON MANAGE 6PULL ? (F &
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  8,HE MADE CA% DEPOSITS 6MY *ECK+ A3.T F
"T 6"T4 ,T'S ALL40
  8,& Y PD TAXES ON ? M"OY80
  8,WELL1 NO4 ,N RE,Y4 ,:AT HE GAVE ME ,I
3SID]$ GIFTS40
  8,H[ _M GIFTS80 ,I ASK$4 8,H[ M* M"OY80
  ,%E %RU7$4 8,I DON'T "K EXACTLY4 ,A C\-
PLE ?\S& A YE>1 PROBABLY4 ,M :5 ,MISSY
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEJ
NE$$ C\NSEL+40
  8,& N[80 ,I P]SI/$4
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,DIDN'T Y TELL ME T ,MISSY 0 LIV+ AWAY
F HOME80
  ,NAOMI NO4$4 8,%E IS N[40
  8,& IS ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN / HELP+ \80
  8,ONLY A LL40
  ,I SI<$ & %OOK MY H1D4
  8,:AT'S T SUPPOS$ 6M1N80 ,NAOMI DEM&$4
8,>E Y JUDG+ ME8 ,H Y "E BE5 POOR1 ,MR4
,B1UMONT1 S POOR T :5 Y GOT 6! *ECK /& )
YR GROC]IES Y DIDN'T "K H[ M* FOOD Y'D H
6PUT BACK ON ! %ELVES 2C Y DIDN'T ?9K Y'D
H 5 M"OY 6PAY = ALL ( X80
  ,:5 ,I 0 A KID LIV+ ) MY S+LE-P>5T "M1
WE WD H G"O HUNGRY F "T 6"T IF X _HN'T BE5
=! K9DHE>T$ BAK] D[N/AIRS :O MADE SURE
:AT"E BAK$ GDS HE DIDN'T SELL "SH[ MADE _!
WAY UP/AIRS 6\R A"P;T4 ,B ,I 0 ! KID !N1 N
! P>5T4 ,MY "M WD H "KN F> M AB ,NAOMI
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DID4
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEA
0 A KID GR[+ UP 9 ,BALL>D4 ,I WASN'T ! P>-
5T WORRY+ AB FE$+ MY * 9 ^? "DS4 ,ALL ,I
WANT$ 6"K BACK !N 0 :AT 0 = D9N]4 ,I MAY 2
9 NO POSI;N 6JUDGE Y1 B ,TODD ,B[MAN IS40
  8,TODD ,B[MAN80 ,NAOMI ASK$4 8,:AT DOES
HE H 6D ) ANY ( ?80
  8,DID Y TELL HM AB ! M"OY80
  8,NO4 ,:Y80
  8,2C ,TODD ,B[MAN "WS =! ,,FBI4 ,:5 HE
F9DS \ AB ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN'S CA%-ONLY DE-
POSITS--& HE'S B.D 6F9D \--HE'LL -E 6ONLY
"O 3CLU.N40
  8,: IS80
  8,BLACKMAIL1 : HAPP5S 6BE A V GD MOTIVE
= MURD]4 ,:5 Y TALK$ 6H]1 DID ,M>G>ET
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  8,Y M1N1 0 %E GO+ 6TELL ,*LOE8 ,! ANSW]
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--T %E 0 GO+ 6TELL4 ,I TOLD H] 6G AH1D4 ,I
TOLD H] T IF %E WANT$ 6WRECK H] DAU<T]'S
LIFE1 T 0 UP 6H]1 B ,I DIDN'T KILL H]1
,B1U4 ,I SWE> 6,GOD ,I DIDN'T40
  8,:5 Y CAME \ ( H] ROOM1 :Y DIDN'T Y
CLOSE ! DOOR80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEB
  8,CLOSE X80 ,NAOMI ASK$4 8,I ?"\ ,I DID4
,B ,I 0 S UPSET1 IF X WASN'T CLOS$ PROP]-
LY1 ,I M/ N H NOTIC$40
  8,DID Y SEE ANY"O ELSE 9 ! CORRIDOR80
  8,NO1 NO "O4 ,! HALLWAY 0 EMPTY ALL !
WAY F ,M>G>ET'S ROOM 6! ELEVATOR4 ,:Y80
  8,DID Y NOTICE ANY?+ AB ! S]VICE DOOR
DIRECTLY ACR F ,M>G>ET'S ROOM80
  8,NO4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 "K "! 0 "O40
  8,S Y DIDN'T SEE T X 0 SLI<TLY AJ>80
  8,NO4 ,>E Y SAY+ "S"O 0 HID+ "!80
  8,YES40
  8,!N T M/ 2 ! KILL]1 ! P]SON ,TODD ,B[-
MAN ?9KS IS MY A3OMPLICE 9 ALL ?4 ,IS T
"R80
  ,I NO4$4 8,LET ME ASK Y "S?+1 ,NAOMI4 ,9
A4I;N 6,VIRG9IA & ,%>ON1 IS "! ANY"O ELSE
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  8,*LOE & ,H>RISON1 ( C\RSE4 ,& ,I "K
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  8,YES40
  8,B ASIDE F !M1 "!'S NO "O ELSE4 ,AT
L1/1 NO "O ELSE ,I'M AW>E ( S F>4 ,:Y80
  8,IS "! ANY"O ELSE :O MI<T H "KN AB !
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEC
PAY;TS 6Y F ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN8 ,ANY"O AT
ALL80
  8,X'S N "S?+ ,I'M PR\D (10 ,NAOMI SD
QUIETLY4 8,X ISN'T ! K9D ( ?+ "O GOES "?
LIFE BRA7+ AB40
  8,Y M5;N$ ,M>G>ET SD "S?+ AB ,H>RISON
,F1!RMAN REWRIT+ 8 W4 ,:AT EXACTLY DID %E
SAY80
  8,%E TOLD ME %E _H F.D \ AB ! REWRITT5 W
& T ,MELISSA 0 2+ TR1T$ ON A P> ) ,*LOE &!
BABY ,LEILA IS EXPECT+4 ,T ?REW ME =A LOOP
2C ,I KNEW NO?+ AB X4 ,H>RISON N"E M5;N$ A
^W ( X 6ME40
  8,H[ DID ,M>G>ET F9D \80
  8,I H NO IDEA4 ,%E DIDN'T SAY4 ,MAYBE %E
BRIB$ "S"O :O "WS =! E/ATE-PLANN+ LAWY] :O
DID ! "W4 ,ANYWAY1 !N %E ASK$ ME /RAI<T \
IF ,MELISSA 0 ,H>RISON'S *1 & ,I SD YES4
,!N %E SD1 ,8,I ?"\ S10' & H[ CD ,I D T TO
H] & H[ CD ,I 2TRAY H] T WAY8 ,I TRI$ 6EX-
PLA9 6H] T ,I 0 DESP]ATE 6H A BABY1 T ,G>Y
& ,I _H TRI$ & TRI$4 ,AF T %E GOT R1L QUI-
ET1 !N %E SD1 ,8,I SUPPOSE Y ?9K Y'RE !
ONLY "O :O "E WANT$ 6H A BABY80' ,/ DON'T
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BED
"K :AT %E M1NT 0T4 ,I M1N1 %E & ,H>RISON
_H ,*LOE1 DIDN'T !Y8 ,!N X 0 L %E J W5T
HAYWIRE4 ,NUTS6 ,%E />T$ SCR1M+ OBSC5ITIES
AT ME & ?R[+ ?+S--H] %OES1 H] PURSE4 ,%E
TOLD ME 6GET \1 & ,I DID40
  8,*LOE IS AN ONLY *80 ,I SAW AT ONCE T 0
! WR;G "Q4 8,I M1N %E 0 RAIS$ Z AN ONLY
*40
  ,NAOMI NO4$4
  8,DID ,H>RISON & ,M>G>ET TRY HAV+ ANO!R
* AF ,*LOE 0 BORN80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,NAOMI ANSW]$4 8,!Y MAY
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  8,B ,I ?"\ Y 7 GD FRS40
  8,J 2C WOM5 >E FRS DOESN'T M1N !Y TALK
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DON'T TALK AB A LOT ( T /UFF1 EI10 %E A4$4
8,"S ?+S >E TOO PA9;L 6M5;N40
  ,NAOMI ,PEPP] _H ME "!4
  8,Y SD %E ?R1T5$ 6TELL ,*LOE4 ,:AT WD T
H A3OMPLI%$80
  8,I'M N SURE10 ,NAOMI REPLI$4 8,I ?9K
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEE
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,I ?9K ,M>G>ET 0 T]RIBLY J1L\S (! WAY !Y
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J DROVE ,M>G>ET WILD40
  8,D Y ?9K X 0 ! FACT T ,H>RISON 0 MAK+
F9ANCIAL PROVI.NS = ALL 8 *N T UPSET ,M>-
G>ET S8 ,WD :AT HE DID 9 REWRIT+ 8 W H _H
ANY ADV]SE IMPACT ON ,M>G>ET'S 9COME1 =
EXAMPLE80
  8,I D\BT X10 ,NAOMI SD4 8,M>G>ET ALW
CLAIM$ T %E _H ! BE/ DIVORCE ATTORNEY H]
HUSB&'S M"OY CD BUY4 ,:5 !Y DID ! PROP]TY
SETTLE;T1 X 0 SUPPOS$LY A CL1N1 CUT-&-DRI$
D1L4 ,M>G>ET SD %E DIDN'T WANT 6BE 9 A PO-
SI;N ( HAV+ 6WAIT >.D =! MAILMAN 6"K :E!R
OR N ! SUPPORT *ECK 0 GO+ 6%[ UP4 ,& Z F>
Z ,I "K1 %E N"E _H 6WORRY AB T4
  8,AT ! "T (! DIVORCE ,I REMEMB] ,H>RISON
0 /RET*$ PRETTY ?9 F9ANCI,Y4 ,HE _H A C\-
PLE ( T\< YE>S1 B EV5TU,Y HE "W$ 8 WAY \ (
X4 ,:AT"E SETTLE;T ,M>G>ET GOT1 X M/ H BE5
SUB/ANTIAL1 & ,I'M SURE %E 9VE/$ X WISELY4
,Z F> Z ,I "K1 M"OY OR ! LACK ( X HAS N"E
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEF
BE5 A PRO#M = H]40
  8,%E DIDN'T H 6"W80
  8,%E "W$1 ALL "R10 ,NAOMI 3C$$4 8,B X 0
2C %E WANT$ TO1 N 2C %E _H TO40
  8,DO+ :AT80
  8,I DON'T "K1 RE,Y4 ,AB ! "T ,*LOE W5T
(F 6K9D]G>T51 ,M>G>ET W5T BACK 6S*OOL &
GOT A ,PH4,D4 9 "S?+ F ! ;,U ,DUB4 ,G5ET-
ICS1 ,I ?9K4 ,I 0 A LIB]AL >TS MAJOR1 S
ALL T H>D SCI;E /UFF L1VES ME COLD4 ,I
DON'T "U/& X AT ALL4 ,& T 0 "S?+ ELSE !
F\R ( U N"E TALK$ AB--"W4 ,X WASN'T ALL T
HAPPY A TOPIC = ANY ( U4 ,:5 WE GOT TGR1 X
0 6H FUN40
  8,:AT DID Y TALK AB !N80
  8,OLD "TS10 ,NAOMI SD WI/;LLY4 8,AB !
"TS :5 WE 7 "Y & B1UTI;L1 & DIDN'T H A C>E
9 ! _W4 ,BACK !N "EY?+ 0 AH1D ( U & NO?+ 0
IMPOSSI#40
  8,Y 7 TELL+ ME AB ,M>G>ET'S DIVORCE
ATTORNEY4 ,:AT AB Y80 ,I ASK$4 8,DID Y H
"O80
  8,N RE,Y10 ,NAOMI SD4 8,"! 0 ! GUY :O 0
SUPPOS$LY H&L+ MY DIVORCE B !N ,I _H 6/OP
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEG
! PROCE$+S 2C ,G>Y MOV$ BACK HOME4 ,HE'S
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"PICUL>LY GD4 ,AT ! "T1 ,M>G>ET SU7E/$ ,I
USE H]S1 B ( C\RSE ,I N"E CD H AF=D$ HM40
  8,D Y H ANY CRIM9AL DEF5SE ATTORNEYS 9
YR CIRCLE ( FRS80
  8,NO4 ,D ,I NE$ "O80
  8,IN MY OP9ION1 YES4 ,:AT'S YR PLAN =
TM80
  ,NAOMI %RU7$4 8,WE DOCK 9 ,SKAGWAY 9 !
MORN+4 ,WE _H ALL PLANN$ 6TAKE T N>R[-
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,TODD ,B[MAN TOLD ME ,I C'T GET (F ! BOAT
)\T 8 P]MIS.N & S9CE ,I'M DAMN$ IF ,I'LL
ASK HM1 ,I GUESS ,I WON'T 2 DO+ T40
  ,I R1*$ OV] 6! B$SIDE TA#1 PICK$ UP MY
WALLET1 & %U6L$ "? X UNTIL ,I F.D "O (
,RALPH ,AMES' C>DS4 ,! C>D 0 "O ( 8 NEW
"OS T LI/$ BO? 8 ,S1TTLE & 8 ,SCOTTSDALE
NUMB]S4
  8,ONCE WE DOCK1 Y MI<T WANT 6GIVE ? GUY
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,NAOMI4 8,RALPH'S A FR ( M9E1 & HE'S V
GD40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEH
  8,IS HE EXP5SIVE80
  8,YES1 B HE'S AL WELL WOR? X4 ,I'M SURE
Y & HE W 2 A# 6"W "S?+ \40
  ,NAOMI /OOD UP !N4 8,": >E Y GO+80 ,I
ASK$4 8,BACK 6YR CAB980
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D4 8,N TN4 ,AF "EY?+ T'S
HAPP5$1 ,I J C'T FACE ,VIRG9IA & ,%>ON4
,MAYBE TM ,I'LL 2 T\< 5\<1 B N TN40
  8,": >E Y GO+ 6SLEEP !N80
  8,L ,I SD1 ,I'LL HANG \ 9 "O (! L\NGES40
  8,NO1 Y WON'T10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,T'S SILLY4
,:Y DON'T Y SLEEP "H8 ,Y C H ! B$4 ,I'LL
SLEEP ON ! FLOOR40
  ,NAOMI TRI$ 6OBJECT 6? >RANGE;T1 B %E
DIDN'T /& A *.E4 ,AF ALL1 ,I "W$ MY WAY "?
COLLEGE SELL+ DOOR-TO-DOOR = ,FULL] ,BRU%4
,I "K H[ 6OV]COME OBJEC;NS4 ,:5 %E F9,Y SD
YES1 ,I FLA7$ D[N MY ROOM ATT5DANT & LAID
H&S ON AN EXTRA BLANKET1 A FEW EXTRA PIL-
L[S1 &A ROLL-AWAY B$4 ,SLEEP+ ON ! PAP]-?9
MATTRESS (A ROLL-AWAY COT WASN'T H[ ,I _H
5VI.N$ SP5D+ NI<TS ABO>D ! .,/>FIRE
.,BREEZE4 ,B T 0 H>DLY SURPRIS+4 ,NO?+ AB
? CRUISE 0 "W+ \ ! WAY ,I EXPECT$4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BEI

                   #AC

  ,:5 ,I LAY D[N ON ! COT1 X WASN'T ) M*
HOPE ( SLEEP+4 ,NAOMI _HN'T UNDRESS$1 &
NEI DID ,I4 ,= "O ?+1 ,I FULLY EXPECT$ T
,TODD ,B[MAN WD -E KNOCK+ AT ! DOOR ANY
M9UTE & WAKE U BO? UP4
  ,LY+ 9 ! D>K1 ,I 2CAME M AW>E (! %IP'S
UP-&-D[N MOVE;T 9 ! WAT]4 ,I AL NOTIC$ T1
S9CE ! PREVI\S NI<T1 ,I _HN'T BO!R$ 6PUT
MY WRI/LETS BACK ON4 ,6MY AMAZE;T & RE-
LIEF1 ,I NO L;G] SEEM$ 6NE$ !M4
  8,>E Y ASLEEP80 ,NAOMI 9QUIR$ F ACR !
ROOM4
  8,NO40
  8,ME NEI4 ,Y M/ ?9K RE,Y BADLY ( ME4
,X'S N J :AT ,I DID 6GET PREGNANT1 B :AT
,I DID AFW4 ,I ?"\ ,G>Y & ,I WD 2 BR++ !
BABY 96A /A#1 LOV+ HOME4 ,I DIDN'T EXPECT
T \R M>RIAGE WD BL[ UP 9 \R FACES4 ,I N"E
M1NT 6ASK ,H>RISON = HELP1 & ,I DIDN'T
ASK1 EI4 ,N RE,Y4 ,X'S J T :5 HE (F]$1 ,I
DIDN'T H ! /R5G? 6TURN HM D[N4 ,G>Y N"E 0
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFJ
WOR? M* :5 X CAME 6SUPPORT+ ! FAMILY4 ,HE
LOV$ 6GAM# WAY M ?AN HE LIK$ PAY+ ! BILLS4
,H>RISON (F]$ ME A LIFEL9E2 ,I TOOK X40
  8,:Y80
  8,:Y DID ,I TAKE X80
  8,NO4 ,:Y DID HE (F]80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,ALL HE SD 0 HE WANT$ TO
MAKE SURE ,MISSY 0 TAK5 C>E (4 ,T %E 0 8
RESPONSIBIL;Y Z M* Z %E 0 M9E40
  8,DOES ,MELISSA "K ANY ( ?80
  8,NO40
  ,I TRI$ 6SQU>E ? VIEW ( ,H>RISON ,F1!R-
MAN'S SELF.S G5]OS;Y )! GUY :O _H *>G$ ON-
TO ! D.E FLOOR )! EXPRESS PURPOSE ( BIT*+
\ 8 EX-WIFE4 ,N T ,M>G>ET _HN'T DES]V$
BIT*+ \4 ,/1 /AG+ T K9D ( 3FRONT,N 9 PUB-
LIC %[$ LESS-?AN-G5TLEMANLY 2HAVIOR ON
,H>RISON'S "P4 ,= T MATT]1 S DID SCREW+
>.D 2H 8 WIFE'S BACK4
  8,B ,I WASN'T BLACKMAIL+ HM1 ,B1U4 ,T
MAY 2 H[ X'LL LOOK 6"EYBODY ELSE1 B T
ISN'T :AT 0 GO+ ON40
  8,NOBODY'S JUDG+ Y10 ,I SD4
  8,T'S N TRUE4 ,Y W]E10 %E SD4 8,S 0
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFA
,M>G>ET1 &! SAME GOES = ,%>ON & ,VIRG9IA4
,!Y JUDG$ ME )\T MY EV5 TELL+ !M AB ! MON-
EY4 ,I'M SURE O!R P W ?9K ! SAME ?+1 ESPE-
CI,Y IF & :5 ,TODD ,B[MAN GETS >.D 6>RE/+
ME = ,M>G>ET'S MURD]40
  8,HE HASN'T D"O T YET1 & HE MAY N4 ,MUR-
D] IS DAMN$ H>D 6PROVE1 ESPECI,Y IF "!
ISN'T A BODY10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,! EVID;E WD
ALL 2 CIRCUM/ANTIAL1 & T DOESN'T G V F> :5
A HOMICIDE IS 9VOLV$4 ,Y'LL J H 6TAKE ?+S
"O /EP AT A "T4 ,"O /EP & "O "D10 ,I A4$4
  ,AF T1 ,NAOMI SUBSID$ 96SIL;E1 & S DID
,I--SIL;E B N SLEEP4 ,"H ,I 0 AG1 MAK+ !
SAME MISTAKES ,I _H MADE ONCE 2F4 ,N T ,I
0 9 LOVE ) ,NAOMI ,PEPP]--N EV5 CLOSE4 ,B
/1 ,I 0 .9VOLV$ ) H]4 ,I _H TAK5 H] 9 DE-
SPITE ! V R1L POSSIBIL;Y T %E 0 ! PRIME
SUSPECT 9 A MURD] 9VE/IG,N4 ,AT L1/ :5 ,I
FELL = ,ANNE ,CORLEY1 ,I _H NO IDEA %E
MI<T 2 A SUSPECT4
  ,) ,NAOMI ,PEPP]1 ,I WASN'T ! L1/ BIT
SURE %E WASN'T A VIA# "O4
  ,F9,Y1 ,I FELL ASLEEP4 ,"S "T LAT]1 ,I
DR1M$ AB ,ANNE ,CORLEY4 ,T'S N SURPRIS+4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFB
,X HAPP5S FAIRLY (T54 ,:AT 0 DI6]5T AB ?
DR1M 0 T %E 0 ON BO>D ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE
& S1T$ AT ! SAME TA# 9 ! ,CRY/AL ,D9+
,ROOM AL;G )! RE/ ( U--) ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN
& ,NAOMI1 ,%>ON ,C>SON & ,VIRG9IA ,METZ4
,M>C ,ALLEY 0 NO": 6BE F.D4 ,X 0 J ME & ^?
FIVE WOM54 ,Z USUAL1 ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN 0
RUNN+ ! %[4
  8,:AT IS X T MAKES M5 S /UPID80 %E ASK$4
  8,T'S SIMPLE10 ,ANNE ,CORLEY TOLD H]4
8,ALL Y H 6D IS L1D !M >.D 0! BALLS & !Y
=GET !Y H A BRA940
  ,I TRI$ 6SAY "S?+ 9 MY [N DEF5SE1 B X 0
USE.S4 ,ANNE'S /++ REM>K 0 GREET$ 0S*
GALES ( GLEE;L LAU<T] T X 0 IMPOSSI# = ME
6BE HE>D4 ,! LAU<T] SEEM$ 6G ON ="E4 ,!Y 7
ALL / HOOT+ & GI7L+ :5 ,I F9,Y MANAG$ 6ES-
CAPE 0WAK+ MYF UP4
  ,0!N1 X 0 FIVE O'C 9 ! MORN+4 ,! .,/>-
FIRE .,BREEZE 0 DOCK+ 9 ,SKAGWAY1 & MY
BACK HURT L HELL4 ,I N"E H BE5 ANY GD ON
ROLL-AWAY B$S OR ON HIDE-A-B$S4 ,!Y ALL H
METAL CROSS-SUPPORT B>S T HIT ME "R 9 !
L[] RIBS4 ,FEEL+ Z IF "SBODY _H BE5 PUN*+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFC
ME ) 8 FI/S1 ,I GOT UP1 LET MYF \ (! ROOM1
& W5T UP/AIRS 6! -PUT] L\NGE4 ,"! ,I US$
MY KEY C>D & "O (! %IP'S -PUT]S 6LOG ONTO
! ,9T]NET & S5D ,RALPH ,AMES AN ;,E-MAIL4
  ,:5"E ,NAOMI ,PEPP] MANAG$ 6GET 9 T\* )
HM1 ,I WANT$ ,RALPH 6H "S IDEA ( :AT 0 GO+
ON4 ,T 0 ONLY FAIR4 ,FRS DON'T BLSIDE FRS
--N IF !Y C HELP X4
  ,0! "T ,I F9I%$ )! -PUT]1 X 0 / TOO E>LY
=! D9+ ROOMS 6BE OP5 = BR1KFA/1 S ,I W5T
UP/AIRS 6! BU6ET4 ,NATUR,Y ,L>S ,J5SS5 0
ALR "!4
  8,Y'RE UP B"R & E>LY10 HE SD :5 ,I PUT
D[N MY C(FEE CUP & PULL$ \ A *AIR AT 8 TA-
#4
  8,H['RE ?+S80 ,I ASK$4
  ,HE %RU7$4 8,LA/ NI<T 0 R\< DUTY10 HE
SD4 8,2+ >.D ,MIKE 0 J L HAV+ "O ( !M--:AT
IS X !Y CALL !M AG1 :5 X'S L Y'RE LIV+ 9
:AT Y LIV$ 9 2F84
  8,Y M1N A FLA%BACK80
  ,HE NO4$4 8,T'S X4 ,A FLA%BACK4 ,GEEZ6
,I C'T HELP FEEL+ SORRY = ,LUCY4 ,I FEEL
SORRY = BO? ( !M40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFD
  ,B"ELY %[$ UP J !N4 8,>E Y GO+ 6! TRA9
DRESS$ L T80 %E ASK$4 8,YR CLO!S LOOK L
!Y'VE BE5 SLEPT IN40
  ,I WASN'T AB 6TELL MY GR&"M ! R1L R1SON
2H MY MESSY /ATE4 ,HAV+ 6SLEEP 9 MY CLO!S
2C "! 0 A /RANGE WOMAN 9 MY B$ WASN'T "S?+
,I WANT$ 6EXPLA9 6MY OCTOG5>IAN GR&"M4
  8,I'M N A V GD PACK]10 ,I SD1 & LET X G
AT T4
  ,0EI<T-?IRTY T MORN+1 X 0 P\R+-D[N RA94
,9 A 2DRA7L$ LL GR\P WE MADE \R WAY F !
.,/>FIRE .,BREEZE ACR ! DOCK 6": A ,:ITE
,PASS & ,YUKON EXCUR.N TRA9 /OOD WAIT+ TO
TAKE ON PASS5G]S4 ,L>S L$ ! WAY1 TAK+
,MIKE ,3Y]S 0! ELB[ & COV]+ BO? _! H1DS )A
HUGE UMBRELLA PROVID$ -PLI;TS (! CRUISE
%IP'S /EW>DS1 :O 7 /,N$ AT ! TOP (! GANG-
PLANK4 ,! CREWM5 ALT]NAT$ 2T SWIP+ KEY
C>DS & (F]+ 4EMB>K+ PASS5G]S ! USE ( LOAN]
BUMB]%OOTS4
  ,! WOM5--,B"ELY &! TWO ,WAKEFIELD
8GIRLS0--CLU/]$ >.D ,LUCY ,3Y]S 9 A TI<T1
CLUCK+ LL GR\P4 ,ALL ( !M 7 MU6L$ 9 L;G
COATS T WD H S]V$ !M WELL 9 A ,SIB]IAN
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFE
BLIZZ>D1 B N "O ( !M _H A3EPT$ "O (! PR(-
F]$ UMBRELLAS4 ,9/1D1 6A WOMAN1 !Y WALK$
"? ! RA9 WE>+ ID5TICAL RA9 CAPS--^? UGLY
LL FOLD-UP JOBS T ELD]LY WOM5 >E ="E PRO-
DUC+ \ (! DEP?S ( _! PURSES4 ,6ME !Y RE-
SEM#D A GR\P ( NUNS :O _H TRAD$ 9 OLD-
FA%ION$ WIMPLES = CLE>-PLA/IC H1DGE>4 ,!
RA9 CAPS MAY H PROTECT$ _! B1UTY-%OP
HAIRDOS F ! D[NP\R1 B !Y SEEM$ 6(F] SCANT
PROTEC;N F ! COLD4
  ,LOOK+ \ = /RA7L]S1 ,I BR"\ UP ! RE>4
,2+ YR BASIC COOL1 MA*O DUDE &A ,S1TTLEITE
6BOOT1 ,I DIDN'T /OOP 6C>RY+ AN UMBRELLA4
,Z F> Z COATS 7 3C]N$1 ,I FIGUR$ A SLI<TLY
DAMP TWE$ JACKET WD KEEP ME W>M 5 9 :AT ,I
5VI.N$ Z AN UNEV5T;L EXCUR.N 9 AN OV]H1T$
TRA9 C>4
  ,"K+ :AT ,I DID AB ,MIKE ,3Y]S & REMEM-
B]+ :AT ,L>S _H TOLD ME AB 8 F/ WIFE CON-
/ANTLY LOOK+ BACKW>D1 ,I WASN'T AT ALL
SURPRIS$ :5 ,L>S H1D$ =! LA/ C> ON ! TRA94
,C.T ON ,L>S 6BE 3SID]ATE4 ,IF ,MIKE ,3Y]S
0 DET]M9$ 6SEE ": HE _H BE51 !N RID+ 9 !
LA/ C> WD MAKE LOOK+ BACK T M* EASI]4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFF
  ,Z WE /OOD 9 L9E WAIT+ 6BO>D1 ,I NOTIC$
,M>C ,ALLEY HURRY+ PA/ )A GR\P ( PASS5G]S
H1D$ = C>S CLOS] 6! FRONT (! TRA94 ,I NO4$
9 8 DIREC;N1 B HE DIDN'T AC"KL$GE OR RE-
TURN MY GREET+4 ,HE SEEM$ 6BE CAU<T UP 9 A
3V]S,N )! M$ICAL REPORT] ,I _H SE5 HM )
S"EAL "DS E>LI]4 ,I WOND]$ AT ! "T IF HE
RE,Y 0 T FULLY 9VOLV$ 9 3V]S,N1 OR IF HE
_H IGNOR$ ME ON PURPOSE Z "P (A DELIB]ATE
SLI<T4
  ,ONCE ABO>D ! TRA91 X TOOK NO "T AT ALL
=! GR\P 6SETTLE IN4 ,! WOM5 :IPP$ (F _!
RA9 HATS1 %OOK (F ! MOI/URE1 & /[$ !M BACK
9 _! 9DIVIDUAL PURSES4 ,!N1 2F ! TRA9 EV5
LEFT ! PLAT=M1 !Y TOOK F ^? SAME PURSES A
CORNUCOPIA ( $I# DELI<TS--APPLES1 BANANAS1
PE>S1 SWEET ROLLS1 & MU69S--T _H BE5 LIB]-
AT$ F ! MORN+'S BR1KFA/ BU6ET & BR"\ AL;G
6W>D (F />V,N4
  ,! B.TY ( :AT ,B"ELY T]M$ \R 8=ENOON C(-
FEE0 RESEM#D ! ,NEW ,TE/A;T P>A# (! LOAVES
& FI%ES4 ,X TURN$ \ "! 0 M ?AN 5 FOOD 6G
>.D4 ,S"EAL P 9 ! C> :O W]5'T 9 \R [N GR\P
62G9 ) JO9$ 9 ! IMPROMPTU F1/4 ,&1 9 !
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFG
ABS;E (A MIRACLE1 ,I SUSPECT !Y M/ H BR"\
AL;G SUPPLIES ( _! [N4
  ,=A *ANGE1 ,I _H ! GD S5SE 6KEEP ANY S>-
CA/IC -;TS 6MYF4 ,= "O ?+1 !Y 7 FE$+ ME4
,= ANO!R1 E PASS5G] 9 ! C> EXCEPT ME _H
LIV$ "? ! ,GRT ,DEPRES.N4 ,ALL ( !M _H
PROBABLY EXP]I;ED "S DEGREE ( H>D%IP BACK
!N4 ,A FEW MAY WELL H 5DUR$ "TS :5 !Y _H
NO IDEA ": _! NEXT M1L 0 -+ F4 ,IF T K9D (
P[];LLY IMPR9T$ MEMORY _H RESULT$ 9 _!
RAID+ ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE'S BU6ET L9E1 !N
X 0 A DEF5SE ME*ANISM BE/ N "Q$ OR CRITI-
CIZ$4 ,:5 ,B"ELY H&$ ME A BRUIS$1 OV]RIPE
BANANA1 ,I A3EPT$ X MEEKLY & ATE X ! SAME
WAY4
  ,Z ! TRA9 EAS$ "? T[N1 ,I GOT A KICK \ (
! FLEET ( T\RI/ BUSES4 ,!Y LOOK$ L REFU-
GEES F #AIBJ'S & #AICJ'S N,NAL P>KS4
  8,T'S ": ! MUSEUM IS10 ,L>S EXPLA9$1
PO9T+4 8,T'S ": !Y H ! 4PLAY ( :AT ! GOLD
RU%]S _H 6BR+ AL;G ) !M4 ,WAIT TILL Y SEE
X10 HE A4$4 8,WE'LL RUN OV] "! ? AFN1 AF !
GIRLS >E BACK ON BO>D ! %IP4 ,Y WON'T M9D
GO+1 W Y80 ,X WASN'T ! F/ ?+ ON MY LI/1 B
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFH
,I DID MY BE/ 6MU/] "S S9C]E-S.D+ 5?USI-
ASM4 8,SURE ?+1 ,L>S10 ,I SD4 8,I'M LOOK+
=W>D 6X40
  ,Z WE H1D$ \ ( ,SKAGWAY1 ! RA9 0 S ?ICK
"! WASN'T M* 6SEE4 ,T'S AB ! "T ,L>S ,J5S-
S5 />T$ SP9N+ Y>NS1 & "EY"O ELSE 9 ! C>
L1N$ =W>D 6LI/54 ,I SUPPOSE ALL ^? YE>S (
5T]TA9+ 8 FELL[ FI%]M5 9 ! FLEET _H A4$ TO
,L>S' GIFT ( GAB1 B ,I SUSPECT HE 0 SIMPLY
A NATURAL-BORN /ORYTELL] 62G9 )4 ,HE />T$
(F ) TALES AB ! BUILD+ (! ,:ITE ,PASS
RAILWAY XF4 ,Z ! TRA9 MOV$ HI<] UP ! M\N-
TA91 ! RA9 LIFT$ SLI<TLY1 L1V+ ! M.TA9-
SIDES DRAP$ 9 BLANKETS ( CL\D &! CANYONS
LO/ 9 DRIFT+ BANKS ( FOG4 ,!N1 Z ! SUN
/>T$ BURN+ "?1 ,L>S PO9T$ \ A FA9T PA? T
SEEM$ 6CLIMB /RAI<T UP A P]P5DICUL> CLIFF
T 0 S WET & %9Y X LOOK$ L X 0 MADE (
GLASS4
  8,SEE T80 HE ASK$4 8,T'S ! ,*ILKOOT
,TRAIL4 ,2F !Y BUILT ! RAILROAD1 T 0 ! ON-
LY WAY 6GET 6,LAKE ,B5NETT F ,SKAGWAY4 ,MY
DAD'S OLD] C\S91 ,OLAF1 0 A GOLD RU%]1 &
T'S ! WAY HE & 8 BU4IES W5T OV] ! M.TA94
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BFI
,"PWAY UP !Y CAME ACR A "Y FELL[ :O'D BE5
B1T5 UP & RO2$4 ,"SBODY'D /OL5 8 PACKHORSE
&! ?\S& P.DS ( SUPPLIES EA* PROSPECTOR _H
6BR+ AL;G4 ,! "Y FELLA _H BE5 HURT & 0
BLE$+ PRETTY GD1 EXCEPT :5 ,OLAF W5T 6HELP
HM1 X TURN$ \ HE WASN'T A HE AT ALL40
  8,A WOMAN GOLD RU%]80 ,CLAIRE ,WAKEFIELD
EXCLAIM$4 8,I N"E HE>D AB ANY ( ^?40
  ,L>S NO4$4 8,H] "N 0 ,]IKA1 & %E HAIL$ F
NOR!RN ,M9NESOTA4 ,SEEMS H] TW9 BRO!R1 ,]-
IK1 _H PLANN$ 6G 6,ALASKA1 B :5 HE 0 KILL$
9 A ?RE%+ A3ID5T1 %E TOOK 8 PAP]S1 DRESS$
H]F 9 8 DUDS1 & W5T 9 8 PLACE4 ,X MI<T H
"W$ F9E IF %E _HN'T FALL5 9 )A BAD BUN* 9
,SKAGWAY4 ,HALFWAY UP ! M.TA91 !Y B1T H]
UP1 TOOK H] /UFF1 & LEFT H] 6DIE4 ,& %E WD
H1 TOO1 IF ,OLAF & 8 BUN* _HN'T HAPP5$ ACR
H] :5 !Y DID4
  8,!Y PAT*$ H] UP & TOOK H] ) !M4 ,ALM TO
,:ITE ,PASS1 ,OLAF KNEW T IF ! ,CANADIAN
,M.TIES SAW T ! GR\P 0 %ORT "O SET ( SUP-
PLIES1 !Y'D S5D "O P]SON BACK D[N ! M.TA94
,S ,OLAF MADE >RANGE;TS 6MEET UP )! GR\P
AT ,LAKE ,B5NETT 2F !Y RAFT$ D[N ! ,YUKON4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGJ
,!N HE TOOK (F ON 8 [N & 5T]$ ,CANADA IL-
LEG,Y40
  8,DID HE MAKE X80 "SBODY ASK$ :5 ,L>S
PAUS$ BRIEFLY4 ,! "Q] TURN$ \ 6BE A MAN :O
_HN'T BE5 "P ( \R GR\P ORIG9,Y B :O _H BE5
DRAWN 9 0BO? ! FOOD &! /ORYTELL+4
  8,YA1 SURE10 ,L>S SD4
  8,:AT HAPP5$ !N8 ,DID YR C\S9 /RIKE X
RI*80
  8,RI* 5\<10 ,L>S ANSW]$4 8,& HE M>RI$
,]IKA1 ( C\RSE40
  8,:Y ,8( C\RSE0'80 ,FLOR;E ,WAKEFIELD
ASK$ HU6ILY4 8,"S WOM5 GET AL;G P]FECTLY
F9E )\T GETT+ M>RI$10 %E A4$4
  8,!Y DID ALL "R TGR10 ,L>S TOLD H]4
8,W5T BACK 6,M9NESOTA & B"\ A F>M 9 :AT'S
N[ PRETTY NE> D[NT[N ,M9N1POLIS4 ,_! KIDS
MADE A TON ( M"OY :5 !Y SOLD X YE>S LAT]4
,! LA/ ,I HE>D1 "O ( _! GRT-GRT-GR&SONS 0
S]V+ 9 ! /ATE LEGISLATURE4 ,= ALL ,I "K1
MAYBE HE'S GOV]NOR 0N[40
  8,GD = HM10 ,CLAIRE SD4 8,IN FACT1 GD =!
:OLE FAMILY40
  ,Z IF = EMPHASIS1 WAT]Y SUN%9E N[ BUR/
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGA
"? ! CL\D COV]1 L1V+ ! SURR.D+ CLI6S AWA%
9 BL9D+ GL>E4 ,"H & "! "? ! MI/ WE CAU<T
SI<T ( M TRACES ( T FA#D ,*ILKOOT ,TRAIL4
,SEE+ X ZIGZAG XS WAY UP ! M.TA9SIDE1 X 0
IMPOSSI# N 6BE IMPRESS$ 0! BRAVE IF FOOL-
H>DY M5 & WOM5 :O _H FOLL[$ X & _! DR1MS 9
AN (T5 FATAL & USU,Y UNSU3ESS;L SE>* =
GOLD4
  ,Z ! SUN CAME \1 ,L>S SEEM$ 6RUN \ (
/1M4 ,:5 T HAPP5$1 ,MIKE ,3Y]S GREW 9CR1S-
+LY RE/.S4 ,UP UNTIL !N1 HE _H SAT PATI5T-
LY 5\<1 LI/5+ QUIETLY1 Z ,L>S REGAL$ !
GR\P4 ,N[1 ?\<1 X 0 CLE> HE _H R1*$ ! 5D (
8 LIMIT$ ATT5;N SPAN4 ,=A :ILE ,L>S &
,LUCY BO? ATTEMPT$ 6KEEP HM O3UPI$ & 9 8
S1T1 B !N HE BROKE 96A L[1 KE5+ WAIL--AN
E]IE H[L T 0 "SH[ REM9ISC5T (! WOLFLIKE
S.D E6ECTS 9 "O ( MY FAVORITE *ILDHOOD
PROGRAMS1 8,S]G1NT ,PRE/ON (! ,YUKON & ,8
,WOND] ,DOG1 ,K+40
  8,MIKE WANTS 6G \TSIDE10 ,LUCY EXPLA9$4
8,HE WANTS 6/& ON ! BACK40
  ,"! 0 A SMALL OBS]V,N DECK ON ! V BACK (
! TRA94 ,"! 0 AL A SIGN PO/$ ON ! DOOR T
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGB
SD ..,NO ,PASS5G]S ,ALL[$ ,2Y ,? .,PO9T4
,UN=TUNATELY1 ,MIKE ,3Y]S _H MOV$ 2Y !
ABIL;Y EI 6R1D OR M9D A PO/$ SIGN4 ,HE RE-
M9D$ ME (A GROC]Y-C>T-IMPRISON$ TWO-YE>-
OLD ^: "M HAS J TOLD HM HE C'T H A C&Y B>4
,! M ,LUCY SD NO1 ! L\D] ,MIKE WAIL$4 ,FI-
N,Y1 %AK+ H] H1D 9 EXASP],N1 ,LUCY /OOD UP
& RETRIEV$ BO? _! COATS4
  8,I'LL TAKE HM \10 %E SD4 8,O!RWISE1
X'LL ONLY GET WORSE40
  ,L>S CAME 6H] RESCUE4 8,NO1 NO10 HE SD4
8,I "U/& :AT'S GO+ ON4 ,Y /AY 9 "H & KEEP
W>M4 ,I'LL 2 GLAD 6G \TSIDE ) HM40
  ,)A GRATE;L NOD1 ,LUCY HELP$ H] HUSB& ON
) 8 COAT1 !N %E RETURN$ 6H] S1T1 :ILE ,L>S
TOOK ,MIKE 0! ELB[ & GUID$ HM \ ONTO !
BALCONY4 ,I EXPECT$ T AL>MS WD S.D "S": 9
! TRA9 ! MO;T ! =BI45 DOOR 0 OP5$4 ,I
WAIT$ = AN IRATE 3DUCTOR 6-E FLY+ "? ! C>
& ORD] ,MIKE & ,L>S BACK 9SIDE4 ,N"O ( T
HAPP5$4 ,"! 0 NO AL>M1 NO 3DUCTOR CAME1 &
NO "O OBJECT$ 6! FACT T ,L>S ,J5SS5 &
,MIKE ,3Y]S 7 DO+ "S?+ T 0 SUPPOS$LY EX-
PRESSLY PROHIBIT$4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGC
  ,) ,L>S \TSIDE1 "! 0 NO "O 63T9UE GIV+ A
BL[-BY-BL[ DESCRIP;N (! BUILD+ (! RAIL-
ROAD4 ,I REMEMB]$ T ,L>S _H SD "! 0 A TUN-
NEL "S": ON ! TRACK1 B DUR+ ! BETT] "P (
TWO H\RS1 DESPITE ! 9CR$IBLY /EEP GRADE1
WE _H YET 6PASS "? X4 ,"! 7 O3A.NS :5 !
SWIT*BACKS 7 S TI<T T WE CD SEE ! FRONT (!
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGD
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGE
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  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,I %\T$1 OV] ! CLATT] (
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  8,B IS HE ALL "R8 ,WE W]5'T GO+ ALL T
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGF
,PULL ! EM]G5CY BRAKES6 ,WE'VE GOT 6G BACK
& *ECK40
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGG
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGH
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8,DON'T T\* ANY?+4 ,! 5G9E] & ,I W DECIDE
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BGI
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8,:O"E HIT ME DID X ON PURPOSE40
  8,H[ D Y "K T80
  8,2C ,I FELT TWO H&S ON MY BACK4 ,!Y HIT
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"E CAME AF ME CAUS$ ? 6HAPP54 ,Y W>N$ ME
6PLAY X SAFE1 & ,I DIDN'T PAY ANY ATT5;N4
,X DOESN'T RE,Y MATT] :O PU%$ ,MIKE4
,:AT'S HAPP5$ IS ALL MY FAULT40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHJ
  ,T'S :5 ,I REMEMB]$ ! P]SON :O _H -E M[+
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ALIVE4 ,WE'VE ASK$ =A ,SE>* & ,RESCUE
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RETURN$ 6MY S1T & MO;N$ ,M>C ,ALLEY 96!
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHA
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  8,"!10 HE SD1 PO9T+4 8,SEE HM8 ,"R "!
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  ,AF S"EAL M9UTES ,I1 TOO1 0 A# 6SORT \
EXACTLY ": X 0 ,L>S 0 PO9T+4 ,0!N1 "S"O ON
! TRA9 _H PRODUC$ A PAIR ( FIELD GLASSES &
PASS$ !M AL;G \TSIDE4 ,Z SOON Z ,I TOOK A
LOOK AT ! LIMP FIGURE SPRAWL$ ACR A MAN-
SIZ$ B\LD]1 ,I KNEW X 0 ALL OV]4
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W5T BACK 9SIDE 6": ,LUCY ,3Y]S 0 CURTA9$
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GR&"M CAU<T MY EYE & RAIS$ H] EYEBR[S4 ,:5
,I %OOK MY H1D1 %E /EPP$ ASIDE & ALL[$ ME
A3ESS 96T 9N] CIRCLE4 ,9SIDE1 ,LUCY ,3Y]S
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHB
TURN$ H] TE>-FILL$ EYES ON ME1 &=! SECOND
"T 9 TWO "DS1 RETIR$ OR N1 ,I _H 6PASS
AL;G ! BAD NEWS4
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  8,&80
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,RESCUE W G RETRIEVE HM1 B ,I D\BT HE'S
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  ,LUCY ,3Y]S NO4$ & /I65$ H] %\LD]S4
8,OKAY10 %E SD QUIETLY4 8,IF T'S ! WAY X
IS1 OKAY4 ,AT L1/ N[ POOR ,MIKE DOESN'T H
6SU6] ANYMORE40
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GD GRACE N 6SAY X AL\D1 & NEI DID ANY"O
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D1D1 B AT L1/ D1? _H 5D$ ! 9EVITA# ERO.N (
8 FACULTIES4 ,= ,LUCY1 NO MATT] H[ M*
GRIEF %E FELT1 ? F9AL LOSS WD 2 A B.S+4
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TRAPP$ 96TRY+ 6HOLD ! L9E 2T ! P]SON ,MIKE
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHC
HE 0 GRADU,Y 2COM+4
  ,B"ELY L1N$ D[N & T\*$ ,LUCY'S %\LD]4
8,>E Y GO+ 6BE ALL "R80 ,B"ELY ASK$4
  ,LUCY LOOK$ AT MY GR&"M & !N BACK AT ME4
8,YES1 ?ANK Y10 %E SD4 8,I'LL 2 F9E40
  ,I KNEW !N T %E WD BE4


















            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHD
























            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHE

                   #AD

  ,AF "S?+ L T HAPP5S1 P G 96A =M ( %OCK4
,!Y TALK 9 HU%$ T"OS4 ,!Y -P>E :AT !Y SAW
OR ?"\ !Y SAW & TRY 6MAKE S5SE ( :AT HAS
HAPP5$4 ,M>C ,ALLEY W5T BACK 6HIS [N C>4
,LUCY 0 PROTECT$ 0MY GR&"M &! ,WAKEFIELD
8GIRLS40 ,L>S1 /&+ AL"O \ ON ! OBS]V,N
PLAT=M1 0 ! "O ,I WORRI$ AB4
  8,I %D H CAU<T HM10 HE SD4 8,:5 ,I 0 "Y]
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  8,I ALM WI% HE _H10 ,L>S SD HOPE.SLY4
  ,I WANT$ 63SOLE HM1 WANT$ 6MAKE HM FEEL
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= Y OR ME 6SAY1 ,B1U10 HE SD4 ,T -;T 0 !
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHF
& ,I KNEW ,I DES]V$ X4
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,PASS L;G 5 =! ,SE>* & ,RESCUE HELICOPT]
6>RIVE1 !N ! TRA9 H1D$ BACK D[N ! M.TA94
,TWO H\RS LAT] & ONLY HALFWAY BACK 6,SKAG-
WAY1 ! TRA9 PULL$ OV] & /OPP$4 ,MO;TS LAT]
A PAIR ( ,ALASKA /ATE TROOP]S CAME ABO>D4
  ,DETECTIVES ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ & ,JAKE
,RIPLEY 7 AN UNLIKELY-LOOK+ & -S.D+ PAIR (
"PN]S4 ,SONNY 0 %ORT & WIDE & S.D$ Z IF HE
_H J /EPP$ (F ! ,EL 9 D[NT[N ,*ICAGO4
,JAKE1 ON ! O!R H&1 0 TALL & SCRAWNY4 ,HE
LOOK$ L AN ,AM]ICAN ,9DIAN1 B HE SPOKE )A
4T9CTLY ,S\!RN DRAWL4 ,X MI<T H BE5 9T]E/+
6H AN OPPORTUN;Y 6*EW ! FAT ) !M & F9D \ J
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0!N X 0 ALM ?REE & MY MO/LY G]IATRIC FELL[
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  ,^! 7 FOLKS A3U/OM$ 6?REE SQU>E M1LS A
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AFN1 EV5 ^? :O _H P>TAK5 ( ,B"ELY'S
PICNIC-/YLE 8=ENOON C(FEE0 7 FAMI%$ & M
?AN R1DY 6BE BACK ON BO>D ! .,/>FIRE
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHG
.,BREEZE4 ,!Y W]5'T AT ALL HAPPY )! PROS-
PECT ( FUR!R DELAYS4 ,I HE>D GRUMBL+ Z
SOON Z ,DETECTIVES ,LIEB[ITZ & ,RIPLEY AN-
N\NC$ T NO "O WD 2 ALL[$ 64EMB>K UNTIL AF
!Y _H -PLET$ _! 9T]VIEWS4 ,Z A FELL[ DE-
TECTIVE1 ,I APPLAUD$ ANY PLAN T 9CLUD$ IN-
T]VIEW+ ALL ! PASS5G]S ON BO>D ! TRA91
S9CE ,MIKE ,3Y]S' KILL] 0 B.D 6BE AM;G !M4
,Z PRIM>Y C>ETAK] (A COVEY ( AG+ PASS5G]S
:O _H MISS$ LUN* & 7 9 DANG] ( MISS+ D9N]
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"Q+ PROCESS WD TAKE4
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M9UTES ( T1 !Y W5T 96A M DETAIL$ MODE4 ,=
T1 !Y 3DUCT$ P (F ! TRA94 ,LUCY ,3Y]S 0 !
F/ P]SON DESIGNAT$ = T TR1T;T1 & H] SOLO
9T]VIEW TOOK ! BETT] "P ( AN H\R4 ,:5
,JAKE ,RIPLEY CAME 6COLLECT ! NEXT 9T]-
VIEWEES1 ,M>C ,ALLEY & ,L>S ,J5SS51 ,LUCY
,3Y]S DIDN'T RETURN 6! TRA94
  ,AT ! "T ,I NOTIC$ H] ABS;E & ?"\ X ODD1
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHH
O3URR$ 6ME T1 AF :AT _H HAPP5$1 MAYBE %E
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POSSI# T %E _H F.D A3ESS 6A TELEPH"O & 0
US+ T PRIVATE "T 6NOTIFY H] *N ( _! "F'S
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( AN AUDI;E4
  ,ONCE ,LIEB[ITZ & ,RIPLEY _H F9I%$ )
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& 96A SMALL GU>D %ACK : CAME EQUIPP$ )A
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?REE RICKETY FOLD+ *AIRS4 ,SONNY ,LIEBO-
WITZ1 S1T$ 2H ! DESK1 MO;N$ ME 96"O (! TWO
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! DOOR & /AY$ "!1 MAK+ ME WOND] IF HE 0
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  8,S1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT10 ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ
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8,ANY TRU? 6T1 D Y ?9K80
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BHI
(F 3TACT+ ! TWO ,,FBI AG5TS ASSIGN$ 6!
CASE1 ,RA*EL ,DULLES OR ,ALEX ,FRE$4
,!Y'RE REGI/]$ Z ORD9>Y PASS5G]S ON BO>D !
.,/>FIRE .,BREEZE "U ! "NS ( ,PHYLLIS &
,KURT ,NIX40
  ,SONNY SEEM$ SURPRIS$ AT T NEWS4 8,S
,ALLEY WASN'T MAK+ ? UP8 ,"! RE,Y >E TWO
,,FBI AG5TS ON BO>D ! %IP80
  8,0ACTUAL C.T "! >E ?REE10 ,I TOLD HM4
8,Y MAY "K ,TODD ,B[MAN40
  8,Y M1N T "Y1 FAT-NECK$ BABY F$ F UP 9
,JUN1U80 ,JAKE ,RIPLEY ASK$4
  ,F MY PO9T ( VIEW1 ,TODD ,B[MAN WASN'T
ALL T M* "Y] ?AN ,JAKE WAS1 B AGE1 L B1U-
TY1 IS RELATIVE4 8,T'S "R10 ,I SD4 8,B[-
MAN'S ON BO>D1 TOO4 ,HE'S 9VE/IGAT+ ! D1?
( ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN40
  8,T'S ! LADY :O SUPPOS$LY FELL OV]BO>D
"D 2F YE/]"D80
  ,I TOOK EXCEP;N 6! WAY ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ
SPOKE & 6! "Q XF4 ,I DIDN'T L 8 USE (! ^W
8SUPPOS$LY40 ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN 0 G"O4 ,"! 0
NO 8SUPPOS$LY0 AB X4
  8,T'S "R10 ,I SD4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIJ
  ,SONNY CLICK$ 8 T;GUE4 8,S.DS L ? CRUISE
HAS BE5 NO?+ B A B>REL ( LAU<S4 ,I GUESS !
.,LOVE .,BOAT'S L1V+ FANTASYL&4 ,Y WOND]
:Y P >.D "H >E TIR$ ( CRUISE L9ES & ALL !
P & %IT !Y DRAG UP "H8 ,I'LL TELL Y :Y4
,!Y DUMP _! RAW SEWAGE & G>BAGE & BILGE-
WAT] 96\R WAT]WAYS & FIGURE X'S NO BIG
D1L4 ,Z =! PASS5G]S1 "S ( !M DECIDE !Y'RE
BACK 9 ! ,WILD ,WE/ & ?9K ANY?+ GOES4
,WR;G60
  ,OBVI\SLY ,DETECTIVE ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ
WASN'T A C>D-C>RY+ MEMB] (! ,ALASKAN ,T\R-
ISM ,BO>D4 ,FURR[+ 8 ?ICK BR[S1 HE /UDI$ 8
NOTES = "S "T 2F HE SPOKE AG4 8,S1 F :AT
Y'RE SAY+1 ,I'M ASSUM+ T ! ,,FBI IS TAK+ ?
:OLE SITU,N S]I\SLY4 ,:AT AB Y1 ,MR4 ,B1U-
MONT8 ,D Y ?9K "S"O CAME "? ! C>1 RAN \
ONTO ! OBS]V,N PLAT=M1 & PU%$ ,MIKE ,3Y]S
OV] ! SIDE :5 :AT !Y RE,Y M1NT 6D 0 (F
,M>C ,ALLEY80
  8,T'S :AT ,I 2LIEVE HAPP5$10 ,I SD4 8,:5
WE W5T 96! TUNNEL1 ,I "K ,M>C 0 /&+ "R 9
FRONT (! DOOR1 L9+ UP 8 CAM]A 6TAKE A PIC-
TURE4 ,!N1 9 ! D>K1 ,I REMEMB] HE>+ DOORS
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIA
OP5 & CLOSE40
  8,Y SAY DOORS4 ,Z 9 AT BO? ! FRONT &!
BACK (! C>80
  ,I NO4$4 8,T'S "R1 & X WORRI$ ME4 ,M>C 0
\ "!1 & ,I 0 AFRAID T 9 ! D>K "S"O MI<T
/UM# 96HM )\T SEE+ HM4 ,I 0 ON MY WAY TO
*ECK :5 "S"O -+ BACK UP ! AISLE--BACK F !
OBS]V,N PLAT=M--CRA%$ 96ME RUNN+ FULL-
TILT4 ,! BL[ 0 H>D 5 T X KNOCK$ ! W9D \ (
ME & S5T ME FLY+ ASS-OV]-T1KETTLE "R BACK
96MY S1T40
  8,B Y DIDN'T SEE :O X WAS80
  8,NO1 X 0 D>K40
  8,ANY *.E ? UN"KN ASSAILANT MI<T H BE5
,LUCY ,3Y]S80
  8,LUCY80 ,I REP1T$ 9 SURPRISE4 8,( C\RSE
X WASN'T ,LUCY40
  8,:Y N80 ,SONNY RETURN$4 8,X'S HAPP5$
2F4 ,"S OLD P]SON GOES (F 8 ROCK]4 ,NEXT
?+ Y "K1 X GETS 6BE TOO M* =! RELATIVES--Y
"K1 = :O"E'S SUPPOS$ 6BE TAK+ C>E ( HM4
,MATT] ( FACT1 WE _H AN 9CID5T J L ? A LL
OV] A YE> AGO4 ,MI4LE ( ,AUGU/ LA/ YE>1 A
WOMAN PU%$ H] HUSB& \ ( _! MOTOR HOME &
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIB
LEFT HM /R&$ 9 ! MI4LE ( NO": ON ! ;,AL-,C
,HI<WAY4 ,CLAIM$ !Y /OPP$ AL;G ! ROAD TO
TAKE "S PICTURES & %E DROVE (F )\T "K+ HE
0 \ (! VEHICLE4
  8,T 0 A DAMN$ LIE1 ( C\RSE4 ,AF WE "Q$
H] L;G 5\<1 %E F9,Y BROKE D[N & TOLD U :AT
RE,Y HAPP5$4 ,%E SD H] HUSB& 0 S H>D 6D1L
) T %E J CDN'T TAKE X ANYMORE1 T %E CDN'T
H&LE ALL ! RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,AC 6H]1 %E ?"\
! BE>S WD TAKE C>E (! PRO#M = H]4 ,!Y
DIDN'T1 ( C\RSE4 ,"SBODY F.D HM F/1 B !N
HE CAU<T COLD & DI$ ( PNEUMONIA ANYWAY4
,N[ WE'VE GOT 8 GRIEV+ WID[ 9 ! SLAMM]4
,%E'S S]V+ SEV5 6N9E1 MAN-TWO4
  8,:5 WE TALK$ 6,LUCY ,3Y]S A LL :ILE
AGO1 ,I GOT ! SAME FEEL+ F H] T ,I DID ) ?
O!R DAME4 ,RELIEF T POOR ,MIKE WDN'T 2
SU6]+ ANYMORE4 ,MADE ME WOND] IF MAYBE
SWEET LL ,LUCY _HN'T D"O "S?+ H]F 6HELP
,8POOR ,MIKE0' AL;G40
  ,"EY?+ 9 ME SD HE 0 WR;G4 8,X WASN'T
,LUCY10 ,I DCLD4
  8,:AT MAKES Y SAY T80
  8,2C ,LUCY 0 SITT+ CLOS] 6! DOOR ?AN ,I
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIC
WAS4 ,:O"E KNOCK$ ME D[N DID S :ILE RU%+
BACK "? ! TRA9 6"O (! O!R C>S4 ,Y NE$ TO
TALK 6! PASS5G]S 9 ^? C>S & F9D \ :O ALL
LEFT _! S1TS DUR+ ! "T ! TRA9 0 9 ! TUN-
NEL40
  8,B ,LUCY ,3Y]S WASN'T 9 H] S1T :5 X
HAPP5$10 ,JAKE ,RIPLEY SD QUIETLY4
  8,%E WASN'T80 ,I ASK$ 9 SURPRISE4
  8,NO4 ,%E CLAIMS %E 0 9 ! RE/ ROOM 9 !
NEXT C> :5 ! LI<TS W5T (F4 ,AC 6H]1 %E
/AY$ PUT ! :OLE "T 2C %E 0 AFRAID ( TRY+
6WALK ON ! MOV+ TRA9 9 ! D>K1 AFRAID %E
MI<T /UM# OR FALL40
  8,I WD H BE5 AFRAID (! SAME ?+10 ,I SD4
  8,& MAYBE T'S EXACTLY :AT HAPP5$--%E DID
FALL10 ,SONNY !ORIZ$4 8,-+ BACK D[N !
AISLE F ! OBS]V,N DECK1 %E LO/ H] BAL.E 9
! D>K4 ,%E FELL AG/ Y H>D 5 T %E KNOCK$ Y
BACK 96YR S1T4 ,"!'S NO APP>5T BRUIS+1 B
X'S A LL E>LY = T40
  8,IN O!R ^WS1 Y'VE ALR MADE UP YR M9DS Z
6:AT HAPP5$1 & ,LUCY ,3Y]S IS X80
  ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ B1M$ & NO4$4 8,IN A
MANN] ( SP1K+10 HE AGRE$4 8,LUCY BR"\ H]
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BID
AIL+ HU2Y ON ! CRUISE & TRA9 RIDE HOP+ =
AN OPPORTUN;Y T WD ALL[ H] 6UNLOAD HM 2F
HE _H A *.E 6GET ANY WORSE4 ,UP "H1 WE BE-
LIEVE 9 LETT+ NATURE TAKE XS C\RSE--IN N
RU%+ ?+S AL;G2 "K :AT ,I M1N80
  8,S.DS J L ,L1VE ,X ,6,GOD40
  8,IF T'S :AT FLOATS YR BOAT10 HE RETURN$
)A %RUG4
  8,T'S N A PHILOSOPHICAL POSI;N10 ,I TOLD
HM4 8,T'S ! "N (! ORGANIZ,N ,I 2LIEVE IS
T>GET+ ,M>C ,ALLEY40
  8,Y GOT ANY PRO( ( T80
  8,NO4 ,B TALK 6! ,,FBI SUITS4 ,!Y'RE ON
! %IP *>G$ ) PROTECT+ A GUY 0! "N ( ,H>RI-
SON ,F1!RMAN4 ,HE'S ! NEUROLOGI/ :O DID
,M>C ,ALLEY'S BRA9 SURG]Y4 ,L1VE ,X ,6,GOD
IS MADE UP ( KOOKS :O G AF CUTT+-$GE DOC-
TORS4 ,!Y T>GET ! GUYS :O >E DO+ /UFF T'S
J "O /EP ABV EXP]I;TAL--! "OS US+ ADV.ED1
C\RT-(-LA/-RESORT TE*NIQUES ON PATI5TS :O
O!RWISE WD DIE4 ,!N1 :5 ! PATI5TS DEFY !
O4S & MAKE X1 ,L1VE ,X ,6,GOD GOES AF !M1
TOO4 ,_! POSI;N IS T S9CE X 0 ,GOD'S 9T5;N
= ^? P 6DIE1 !Y TAKE X ^U !MVS 6MAKE SURE
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIE
T HAPP5S40
  8,IN O!R ^WS1 ! PATI5TS >E DAMN$ IF !Y D
& DAMN$ IF !Y DON'T40
  8,"R40
  8,& ,M>C ,ALLEY IS "O ( ^? GUYS :O'S
SUPPOS$ 6BE D1D "O WAY OR ! O!R4 ,S :AT'S
! ,,FBI DO+ AB ALL ?80
  8,!Y H _! H&S FULL PROTECT+ ! DOCTORS4
,!Y H A LI/ ( T>GET$ DOCTORS F ALL OV] !
C.TRY1 & ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN IS EVID5TLY ON
! LI/4 ,ONCE WE 7 ON BO>D1 ,AG5T ,DULLES
3TACT$ ME & ASK$ ME1 UN(FICI,Y1 ( C\RSE1
6KEEP AN EYE ON ,M>C ,ALLEY40
  8,! ,,FBI'S S %ORT-H&$ ^! "DS T !Y'VE
GOT 6DEPUTIZE RETIR$ COPS80 ,SONNY ,LIEBO-
WITZ %OOK 8 H1D & GR9N$4 8,MAYBE IF Y'D
BE5 DO+ A BETT] JOB ( X1 ,MIKE ,3Y]S WDN'T
2 SPLATT]$ ALL OV] T B\LD] BACK UP ! M\N-
TA940
  ,I LET T "O PASS4 8,LOOK10 ,I SD4 8,:O"E
DID ? M/ H "KN ! TRA9'S R\TE &! :OLE PRO-
GRAM4 ,HE OR %E KNEW T Z SOON Z ! TRA9 EN-
T]$ ! TUNNEL1 ! LI<TS WD G (F & /AY (F UN-
TIL WE R1*$ ! O!R SIDE ( ,TUNNEL ,M.TA94
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIF
,! KILL] C.T$ ON 2+ A# 6MAKE 8 MOVE1 HOT-
FOOT X 6! 5D (! TRA91 PU% ,M>C (F1 & !N
DA% BACK 6HIS PLACE )\T ANY"O 2+ ! WIS]4
,HE OR %E LEFT 9 ! D>K & RETURN$ 9 ! D>K4
,! ONLY ?+ HE DIDN'T C.T ON 0 ! FACT T
,M>C ,ALLEY WASN'T AL"O \ "! ON T PLAT=M40
  ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ HELD UP 8 H&4 8,T'S
/RET*+ X "S1 ISN'T X--! IDEA ( PLANN+ 9
ADV.E 6D ! :OLE D1L 9 ! D>K8 ,T WD 2 V
PREM$ITAT$4 ,MY GUESS IS T ? 0 M A CRIME (
OPPORTUN;Y4 ,LUCY SAW H] HUSB& /&+ \ ON !
BALCONY4 ,Z SOON Z ! LI<TS W5T \1 %E R1L-
IZ$ T 0 H] *.E 6GET RID ( HM ONCE &= ALL1
& %E TOOK X4 ,5D ( ,MIKE4 ,5D ( /ORY4
,WE'RE J DAMN$ LUCKY ANO!R P]SON--,M>C
,ALLEY1 = 9/.E--DIDN'T GET HURT OR KILL$ 9
! PROCESS4 ,?ANKS = YR HELP1 ,MR4 ,B1U-
MONT4 ,T'LL 2 ALL40
  8,:AT D Y M1N1 T'S ALL80
  8,I M1N WE'RE D"O "H4 ,WE H YR "N1 AD-
DRESS1 & PH"O NUMB] BACK HOME 9 ,S1TTLE4
,IF "!'S ANY?+ M WE NE$ F Y1 WE'LL 2 9
T\*40
  8,& :AT AB ,LUCY ,3Y]S80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIG
  ,HE GR9N$4 8,:AT AB H]8 ,I ?9K %E'LL 2
/AY+ OV] =A :ILE4 ,EXT5D+ H] VAC,N1 S TO
SP1K1 -PLI;TS (! /ATE ( ,ALASKA40
  8,B %E DIDN'T D X10 ,I OBJECT$4
  8,IN YR OP9ION4 ,JAKE1 G LET ,FR$ & ,L\-
IE "K !Y C H1D ON 96T[N N[4 ,I'M PRETTY
SURE WE'VE GOT "EY?+ WE NE$4 ,Y %D AL LET
HM "K T ,MRS4 ,3Y]S W 2 RID+ D[N ) U40
,NO4+1 ,JAKE ,RIPLEY LEFT ! ROOM4
  8,:O >E ,FR$ & ,L\IE80 ,I ASK$4
  8,! 5G9E] &! 3DUCTOR40
  8,Y'RE TELL+ !M 6TAKE ! TRA9 & L1VE8
,DOES T M1N Y'RE N GO+ 69T]VIEW ANY"O
ELSE80
  8,:Y %D WE80 ,SONNY ASK$ )A %RUG4 8,LUCY
ALR TOLD U T %E'S GOT A FIFTY-?\S&-DOLL>
LIFE 9SUR.E POLICY RID+ ON POOR ,MIKE1 D\#
T IF HE DIES ( ANY?+ O!R ?AN NATURAL CAUS-
ES4 ,%E GETS RID (! TR\# & A7RAV,N ( HAV+
A SICK HUSB& ON H] H&S1 & %E GETS FIFTY
?\S& 6A HUNDR$ ?\S& BUCKS 9 8 PLACE4 ,N
BAD4 ,T GIVES U MOTIVE & OPPORTUN;Y BO?4
,I'VE "KN MURD]S ": :AT 0 AT /AKE 0 A HELL
(A LOT LESS ?AN FIFTY L>GE1 & ,I'LL BET Y
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BIH
H1 TOO4 ,N ONLY T1 ,I H A FEEL+ ONCE WE H
A *.E 64CUSS ? ) ,MRS4 ,3Y]S 9 M DETAIL1 T
%E'LL /RAI<T5 UP & TELL U "EY?+ WE NE$ TO
"K40
  8,Z 9 3FESS80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"R10 HE GR9N$4 8,SAVE U ! TR\# ( HAV+
63VICT H]40
  8,B %E DIDN'T D X40
  8,SEZ Y10 ,LIEB[ITZ RETURN$4 8,LET ME
GIVE Y "S ADVICE1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT4 ,G GET ON
! TRA94 ,X'S A DAMN$ L;G WALK F "H1 EV5 IF
X IS ALL D[NHILL4 ,& !N "!'S ! BE>S1 Y "K4
,!Y'RE PRETTY DAMN$ HUNGRY ? "T ( YE>--
GETT+ R1DY = W9T] & ALL40
  8,Y'RE A SORRY SON (A BIT*10 ,I TOLD HM4
  8,RE,Y4 ,WELL1 ,I MAY 2 A SORRY SON (A
BIT*1 B ,I AL HAPP5 6BE 9 *>GE4 ,,FBI OR
NO ,,FBI1 Y'VE GOT NO /&+ "H1 ,MR4 ,B1U-
MONT4 ,9 FACT1 Z AN EX-HOMICIDE DICK F !
BIG C;Y1 Y'VE GOT LESS ?AN NO /&+4 ,IF ,I
0 Y1 ,I'D MAKE TRACKS = T TRA91 FELLA4 ,&
DON'T LET ! DOOR SLAM ON YR BUTT ON ! WAY
\40
  ,Z IF 6"USCORE ,SONNY'S /ATE;T1 ! TRA9
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #BII
:I/LE GAVE TWO %ORT1 %RILL BLA/S4 ,OBVI\S-
LY ,FR$ & ,L\IE _H TAK5 ,JAKE ,RIPLEY AT 8
^W4 ,N WANT+ 6BE LEFT 2H 6HO( X1 ,I JO7$
OV] 6! TRA9 & PULL$ MYF UP ONTO ! LA/ C> J
Z X />T$ 6MOVE4
  ,B"ELY 0 WAIT+ "R 9SIDE ! DOOR4 8,":'S
,LUCY80 %E DEM&$4
  8,%E'S RID+ 96T[N )! TWO DETECTIVES40
  8,:Y8 ,IS %E "U >RE/80
  8,I DON'T "K T = SURE1 B ,I'D SAY X'S
LIKELY40
  ,B"ELY 0 A<A/4 8,!Y ?9K ,LUCY KILL$
,MIKE80
  8,T'S MY IMPRES.N40
  ,0N[ ,CLAIRE & ,FLOR;E ,WAKEFIELD _H
JO9$ ,B"ELY4 8,PREPO/]\S60 ,CLAIRE AN-
N\NC$4 8,T'S ! MO/ RIDICUL\S ?+ ,I'VE "E
HE>D40
  8,": >E !Y TAK+ H]80 ,L>S ASK$4
  8,96,SKAGWAY40
  8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D AB X80 ,B"ELY ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,"! ISN'T A
:OLE LOT ANYBODY C D4 ,%E NE$S A LAWY]1 (
C\RSE40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJJ
  8,Y H A FR :O'S A LAWY]1 DON'T Y80 %E
ASK$4 8,:AT'S 8 "N AG8 ,HE'S ALW SEEM$ L A
V NICE MAN40
  8,RALPH ,AMES IS A NICE MAN1 ,B"ELY10 ,I
SD4 8,HE J DOESN'T HAPP5 6BE "H40
  8,B CDN'T Y CALL HM80 %E ASK$4 8,Y RE,Y
M/ D "S?+ AB ?1 ,JONAS4 ,Y'RE ! "O :O "KS
H[ ^! ?+S "W40
  ..,I "K H[ !Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6."W1 ,I ?"\ )A
%AKE ( MY H1D4 8,) "S"O L ,DETECTIVE
,LIEB[ITZ RUNN+ ! %[1 ALL BETS >E (F40
  8,HE'S F ,*ICAGO10 ,L>S PUT 9 F ! SIDE-
L9ES4 8,SD HE CAME "H 2C HE WANT$ CL1N
W9T]S =A *ANGE4 ,DIDN'T L HM M*4 ,DIDN'T
SEEM 6H ALL T M* ON ! BALL4 ,T "Y ,9DIAN
KID1 ?\<1 HE /RUCK ME Z 2+ PRETTY %>P40
  8,:AT AB ,RALPH ,AMES80 ,B"ELY 9SI/$4
8,CDN'T Y AT L1/ CALL HM80
  ,%E 0 PUTT+ ! SQUEEZE ON ME AG1 US+ !
SAME K9D ( TACTICS T _H BR"\ ME AL;G ON !
CRUISE 9 ! F/ PLACE4
  8,I SUPPOSE ,I CD10 ,I AGRE$4 8,I'LL TRY
CALL+ Z SOON Z WE GET BACK ON BO>D ! %IP40
  ,FLOR;E ,WAKEFIELD R1*$ 96H] PURSE &
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJA
PULL$ \ A CELL PH"O )! FACE ( ,M9NIE ,M\SE
ON ! COV]4 8,NO S5SE 9 WA/+ "T10 %E SD4
8,:Y DON'T Y G AH1D & CALL "R N[80
  ,& S ,I DID4 ,I CALL$ ,RALPH F A CELL
PH"O ON A TRA9 9 ! MI4LE ( NO": 9 ! MI4LE
( ,ALASKA1 & X "W$4 ,ONCE HE 0 ON ! PH"O1
,I EXPLA9$ T ,I 0 CALL+ AT MY GR&"M'S BE-
HE/4
  8,IS ? ! LADY Y S5T ME ! ;,E-MAIL AB80
  8,NO10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,T'S ,NAOMI ,PEPP]4
,LUCY ,3Y]S IS "SBODY ELSE40
  8,Y'RE SAY+ A SECOND PASS5G] ON ! CRUISE
%IP IS AL 2+ A3US$ ( MURD]80
  8,"R4 ,DI6]5T VICTIM10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,Y M/ 2 A J9X1 ,B1U10 ,RALPH SD ) "S
AMUSE;T4 8,I'VE BE5 ON S"EAL CRUISES1 B
NO?+ L T HAS "E HAPP5$40
  8,I'M J LUCKY1 ,I GUESS4 ,S :AT D Y SUG-
GE/80 ,I ASK$4 8,! "O WOMAN1 ,NAOMI ,PEP-
P]1 HAS SIMPLY BE5 ADVIS$ 6/AY ON ! %IP
UN.S ! ,,FBI AG5T 9 *>GE GRANTS H] P]MIS.N
6L1VE4 ,) ,LUCY ,3Y]S1 ?\<1 ,I'M PRETTY
SURE %E'S "U >RE/1 OR %E W 2 %ORTLY1 ONCE
!Y GET H] 96,SKAGWAY & BOOK H]40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJB
  8,& Y DON'T ?9K %E DID X80
  8,NO4 ,I'M 3V9C$ X 0 "S"O F "O (! O!R
C>S1 B ! DETECTIVES HIT ON ,LUCY & !Y
DIDN'T BO!R LOOK+ ANY FUR!R4 ,I DON'T ?9K
!Y EV5 9T]VIEW$ ANY PASS5G]S F ! O!R C>S4
,I'M WORRI$ !Y'RE GO+ 6PUT PRESSURE ON
,LUCY & BU6ALO H] 963FESS+ 9 ORD] 6COV] UP
_! [N SLOPPY POLICE "W40
  ,RALPH ?"\ AB T =A SECOND4 8,S %E NE$S
HELP IMMLY IF N SOON]40
  8,"R40
  8,LET ME G 6"W ON ?10 HE SD4 8,:AT'S YR
NUMB]8 ,I'LL GET BACK 6Y40
  8,? ISN'T MY PH"O10 ,I SD4 8,"SBODY L5T
ME A CELL PH"O S ,I CD CALL Y F "H4 ,I
DON'T H ! FO7IE/ IDEA AB ! %IP'S NUMB]40
  8,I'M A BIG BOY10 ,RALPH ,AMES SD4 8,IF
! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE HAS A NUMB]1 ,I'LL 2
A# 6F9D X & GET BACK 6Y4 ,N[1 :AT >E ! "NS
( ^? TWO DETECTIVES AG80
  8,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ & ,JAKE ,RIPLEY10 ,I
TOLD HM4
  8,&! WOMAN'S "N80
  8,LUCY ,3Y]S4 ,H] HUSB&'S "N 0 ,MIKE40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJC
  ,I HE>D ! SCRAT* ( P5 ON PAP] Z ,RALPH
JOTT$ D[N ! "NS4 8,GD 5\<10 HE SD4 8,N[
GET (F ! PH"O & LET ME G 6"W4 ,TELL ,B"ELY
N 6WORRY40
  8,I W10 ,I SD4
  ,HAV+ HE>D ! ^WS /RAI<T F ,RALPH ,AMES'
M\?1 ,I KNEW T ,I WDN'T WORRY Z M*1 EI4 ,I
J HOP$ ,LUCY ,3Y]S WDN'T H A N]V\S BR1KD[N
2F ,RALPH CD PROTECT H] F :AT ,I 0 A%AM$
6?9K ( Z 8! LAW0 9 ,SKAGWAY4














            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJD
























            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJE

                   #AE

  ,WE >RIV$ BACK 9 ,SKAGWAY 9 BRILLIANT
LATE-AFN SUNLI<T4 ,B EV5 ?\< ! W1!R _H
*ANG$1 ! GR\P T TRUDG$ BACK UP ! .,/>FIRE
.,BREEZE'S GANGPLANK 0 M 2DRA7L$ ?AN !Y _H
BE5 :5 WE LEFT DUR+ ! MORN+ D[NP\R4 ,)\T
,MIKE & ,LUCY ,3Y]S AL;G1 ! P 9 \R LL GR\P
7 FEEL+ MI<TY L[4 ,!Y 7 ALL T]RIBLY GRIEV$
0:AT _H HAPP5$--GRIEV$ & TAK+ X P]SON,Y4
,!N1 TOO1 N"O ( U _H EAT5 A FULL M1L S9CE
=ENOON C(FEE ALL ^? H\RS AGO4
  8,I DON'T ?9K WE'LL 2 -+ D[N = D9N] TN1
,JONAS10 ,B"ELY TOLD ME QUIETLY Z WE /OOD
9 ! CR[D$ ELEVATOR LO2Y AL;G ) "EY"O ELSE
:O _H BE5 ON ! ILL-FAT$ TRA9 RIDE4 8,L>S
ISN'T Q UP 6FAC+ ! D9+ ROOM4 ,WE'LL J ORD]
F ,ROOM ,S]VICE & H A LL "S?+ S5T UP 6\R
ROOM40
  ,I DIDN'T NE$ H] 6TELL ME T ,L>S 0 HURT-
+4 ,8 W1!R$ FACE SA7$4 ,! SPRY;S 0 G"O F 8
/EP4 ,8 USUAL HALE-&-HE>TY COLOR+ 0 T+$ )
GRAY4 ,9 ALL ! YE>S ,I'VE "KN HM1 ,I DON'T
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJF
"E REMEMB] HAV+ SE5 HM LOOK WORSE4
  8,D Y ?9K MAYBE HE %D G 6! ,9FIRM>Y &
SEE ! DOCTOR80 ,I ASK$4 8,OR WD Y L ME 6-E
AL;G UP 6! ROOM & HELP80
  8,OH1 NO4 ,I ?9K HE'S BETT] (F "W+ "? ?
ON 8 [N4 ,WE'LL 2 F9E1 ,JONAS4 ,Y D :AT"E
X IS Y NE$ 6D4 ,HOPE;LLY T NICE ,MR4 ,AMES
W 2 BACK 9 T\* ) Y & WE C />T GETT+ ? AW;L
MESS /RAI<T5$ \40
  8,I'LL D MY BE/10 ,I ASSUR$ H]4 ..,:AT"E
T MI<T .BE4
  ,BACK 9 ! /ATEROOM ,I 0 GLAD 6SEE T !
RIB-KILL+ ROLL-AWAY B$ _H BE5 REMOV$4 ,I
LOCAT$ ,RA*EL ,DULLES' BUSI;S C>D & PHON$
H] 9 H] CAB94 8,:AT'S UP80 %E ASK$ :5 ,I
ID5TIFI$ MYF4
  8,DID Y HE> :AT HAPP5$ ON ! TRA980 ,I
ASK$4
  8,"S?+ AB AN OLD MAN FALL+ (F40
  8,HIS "N IS ,MIKE ,3Y]S10 ,I TOLD H]4
8,& HE DIDN'T FALL2 HE 0 PU%$4 ,! PRO#M
IS1 ! DETECTIVES ON ! CASE >E 3V9C$ 8 WIFE
DID X4 ,!Y'VE TAK5 H] 96,SKAGWAY = "Q+40
  8,S80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJG
  8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,MIKE ,3Y]S 0 ! R1L T>-
GET10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,I ?9K !Y 7 AF ,M>C
,ALLEY & MISS$40
  ,"! 0 A PAUSE4 8,": >E Y80
  8,IN MY ROOM40
  8,I'LL 2 "R "!10 %E SD4
  ,HECTOR1 ! ROOM ATT5DANT1 0 \ 9 ! HALL-
WAY ) 8 C>T :5 ,I OP5$ ! DOOR 6LET ,RA*EL
,DULLES IN4 ,HE SMIL$ & GAVE ME A "K+ NOD4
..,X'S N :AT Y .?9K1 ,I WANT$ 6SAY 6HM4
,9/1D1 ,I FOLL[$ H] 9SIDE & CLOS$ ! DOOR
2H U4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 %E ASK$1 & ,I TOLD H]4
  8,:AT'S YR !ORY80 ,RA*EL WANT$ 6"K :5 ,I
F9I%$4
  8,I ?9K :O"E DID X1 "U ! COV] ( D>K;S1
FOLL[$ ,M>C D[N ! AISLE1 %OV$ HM H>D 5 TO
KNOCK HM OV] ! GU>DRAIL1 & !N RAC$ BACK TO
8 S1T40
  8,)\T ANY"O R1LIZ+ HE'D BE5 G"O10 ,RA*EL
A4$4
  8,"R40
  8,ONLY1 ,M>C 0 KNOCK$ (F BAL.E4 ,HE
FELL1 ALL "R1 B 9SIDE ! GU>DRAIL 9/1D (
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJH
OV] X4 ,9 ! 3FU.N1 ,MIKE ,3Y]S IS ! "O :O
ACTU,Y W5T OV] ! TOP40
  8,S ! ,,LITG OP]ATIVE IS "O (! PASS5G]S
ON ! TRA94 ,T N>R[S ! FIELD A LL 2C ! TRA9
DOESN'T HOLD ALL ! PASS5G]S AT ONCE & CREW
MEMB]S DON'T G5],Y TAKE ^? TRIPS AT ALL4
,I'LL *ECK )! PURS]'S (FICE & GET A PR9T\T
(! P :O DID SIGN UP =! TRA940
  8,?ANKS10 ,I SD4 8,AT L1/ "SBODY SEEMS
6BE LI/5+4 ,T'S M ?AN ,I C SAY =! DETEC-
TIVES ON ! CASE4 ,! PRO#M IS1 J 2C :O"E X
0 MISS$ GETT+ ,M>C ? "T DOESN'T M1N !Y
WON'T TRY AG4 ,& AN 9NOC5T OLD WOMAN ^:
HUSB& ( FIFTY-FIVE YE>S HAS J DI$ /&S AC-
CUS$ ( MURD]+ HM40
  ,RA*EL WASN'T "PICUL>LY 9T]E/$ 9 ,LUCY
,3Y]S' PLI<T4 8,M>C "KS AB ALL ? !N80
  ,I NO4$4 8,I TOLD HM LA/ NI<T1 B HE
DIDN'T TAKE ME V S]I\SLY4 ,AF :AT HAPP5$ ?
MORN+1 ALL T IS *ANG$40
  8,Y'RE "R10 %E SD4 8,X IS *ANG$4 ,I AP-
PRECIATE YR HELP1 ,B1U1 B F N[ ON1 ,I'M
TAK+ *>GE (! ,M>C ,ALLEY PRO#M MYF40
  8,Y'RE FIR+ ME80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CJI
  ,RA*EL ,DULLES SMIL$4 8,I'M ADVIS+ Y TO
QUIT10 %E TOLD ME4 8,OBVI\SLY ,L1VE ,X ,TO
,GOD HAS UPP$ ! ANTE4 ,IF 9NOC5T CIVILIANS
>E GETT+ KILL$1 ,I C'T 9 GD 3SCI;E H Y IN-
VOLV$40
  ,I FIGUR$ ,I KNEW H[ 6TAKE C>E ( MYF1 B
,I AL KNEW %E 0 DO+ :AT 0 NEC 6KEEP !
,AG5CY F 9CURR+ ANY FUR!R LIABIL;Y IF "S?+
DID HAPP5 6ME4 ,N ONLY T1 ,I 0 HAPPY 6BE
LET LOOSE (! RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,L>S ,J5SS5
MAY H LO/ 8 GRASP ON ,MIKE ,3Y]S' COAT1 B
,I 0 ! "O :O _H DROPP$ ! BALL4 ,:5 ,M>C
,ALLEY W5T \TSIDE1 ,I %D H G"O1 TOO4
  8,FAIR 5\<10 ,I SD4 8,I QUIT40
  8,I'D BETT] 2 GO+ !N10 %E SD1 />T+ =!
DOOR4 8,I ?9K ,I'LL G 9TRODUCE MYF 6,MR4
,ALLEY40
  8,LET ME W>N Y 9 ADV.E4 ,HE'S N 5AMOR$ (
,,FBI AG5TS40
  8,:O IS80
  8,WAIT10 ,I SD4 8,2F Y G1 TELL ME1 :AT'S
BE5 HAPP5+ "H80
  ,RA*EL RESUM$ H] S1T4 8,WELL1 ,H>RISON
,F1!RMAN *>T]$ A FLOAT PLANE4 ,HE LEFT
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAJ
,LEILA & ,*LOE "H & FLEW OV] 6MEET UP )!
,COA/ ,GU>D CREWS :O >E LOOK+ = ,M>G>ET4
,J 6BE ON ! SAFE SIDE1 ,ALEX W5T AL;G )
HM40
  8,ANY?+ ELSE80
  ,%E %RU7$4 8,N TOO M*4 ,TODD ,B[MAN MAN-
AG$ 6GET COPIES ( ,M>G>ET'S TWO FAXES4 ,N
M* "!1 ,I'M AFRAID4 ,"O IS F A FR ( H]S1 A
GUY "ND ,GRANT ,TOLLIV]1 :O "WS =A -PANY
CALL$ ,G5ESIS1 ! SAME -PANY ,M>G>ET "W$ =4
,HE SD ?+S 7 LOOK+ GD =! /OCK SALE & T
HE'D LET H] "K :AT HAPP5S4 ,! O!R FAX 0 M
9T]E/+4 ,X'S A DRAFT COPY ( ,H>RISON ,F1?-
]MAN'S NEW W4 ,9 ! EV5T ( 8 D1?1 HALF 8
ASSETS WD G 6HIS NEW WIFE & ANY SURVIV+ *N
F T UNION4 ,! REMA9D] ( 8 E/ATE WD 2 DI-
VID$ 2T ,*LOE ,F1!RMAN & ,MELISSA ,PEPP]1
9 EQUAL %>ES OR SURVIVOR40
  8,"S"O S5T ,M>G>ET A COPY ( H] EX-
HUSB&'S NEW W8 ,:O80
  8,I H NO IDEA4 ,! FAX CAME F A ,K9KO'S4
,WE'VE GOT "S"O TRY+ 6TRACE ! FAX1 B :O"E
S5T X EVID5TLY PD CA%40
  8,IN O!R ^WS1 :O"E S5T X DIDN'T WANT 6BE
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAA
F.D40
  ,RA*EL NO4$4 8,I SUSPECT X CAME F "S"O 9
! LAWY]'S (FICE--A LEGAL SECRET>Y MAYBE1
OR ELSE J A L[LY CL]K :O JUMP$ AT ! OPPOR-
TUN;Y ,M>G>ET (F]$ 6MAKE A QK BUCK4 ,!
DRAFT COPIES >E NUMB]$1 B :O"E DID ? 0
SM>T 5 6REMOVE ! NUMB] 2F !Y MADE _!
COPY40
  8,& :5 DID T >RIVE80
  8,"H ON ! %IP8 ,X 0 CLOCK$ 9 AT ?REE-T54
,I H NO IDEA :AT "T X 0 DELIV]$ 6,M>G>ET40
  8,B Z SOON Z X 0 & %E _H A *.E 6R1D X1
T'S :5 %E W5T APE-%IT & CALL$ ,NAOMI ,PEP-
P] 6RAISE HELL40
  8,"R4 ,: IS :Y ,TODD IS FOCUS+ 8 9VE/I-
G,N ON H] & :O"E ! GUY IS :O HELP$ H]10
,RA*EL EXPLA9$4 8,& ,I C'T SAY ,I BLAME
HM4 ,FRS MAY N LET FRS DRIVE DRUNK1 B !Y
DON'T SCREW >.D ) _! FRS' HUSB&S1 EI40
  ,I 0 TEMPT$ 6REP1T :AT ,NAOMI _H TOLD ME
AB ! MOTIV,N 2H H] 5GAG+ 9 SEXUAL REL,NS )
,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN1 B ,I DIDN'T4 ,"! WASN'T
M* PO9T4 ,DEF5D+ ,NAOMI 6AN ,,FBI AG5T :O
WASN'T EV5 DIRECTLY 9VOLV$ 9 ! 9VE/IG,N (
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAB
,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN'S 4APPE>.E SEEM$ L A BAD
IDEA4
  ,? "T :5 ,RA*EL ,DULLES GOT UP & />T$ =!
DOOR1 ,I MADE NO ATTEMPT 6/OP H]4 ,%E _H
B>ELY /EPP$ 96! HALLWAY :5 MY PH"O RANG4
8,B1UMONT "H10 ,I SD1 PICK+ UP ! RCVR4
  8,MY "N'S ,C>OL ,EHL]S4 ,RALPH ,AMES IS
A FR ( M9E40
  ,I'VE -E 62LIEVE ,RALPH ,AMES WROTE !
BOOK ON NET"W+4 ,I'VE YET 6F9D A PLACE ":
HE DOESN'T H A 3TACT OR AN ACQUA9T.E HE C
CALL ON 6PULL A FEW /R+S OR D :AT"E NE$S
DO+4
  8,? IS AB ,LUCY ,3Y]S80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"O &! SAME10 %E REPLI$4 8,I'M UP 9
,JUN1U1 B ,I PRACTICE ALL OV] S\?EA/
,ALASKA4 ,I H MY [N PLANE1 A ,TURBO ,B1V]1
& CD FLY "! F ,JUN1U4 ,! PRO#M IS1 ,I H NO
IDEA :E!R OR N ,MRS4 ,3Y]S W ACTU,Y WANT
MY HELP :5 ,I GET "!1 6SAY NO?+ ( :E!R OR
N %E'LL 2 A# 6PAY = X4 ,IS %E 9DIG5T &
LIKELY 6NE$ A PUBLIC DEF5D]80
  ,MY M9D /UCK ON ! ,TURBO ,B1V] "P4 ,DE-
,HAVIL& ,B1V]S >E TOP-(-!-L9E BU%-PILOT
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAC
FLOAT PLANES1 & !Y DON'T -E *1P4 ,IF ,C>OL
,EHL]S _H H] [N & PILOT$ X1 TOO1 %E 0 N
ONLY "S"O 6RECKON )1 B %E 0 DEF9ITELY !
HI<-PRIC$ SPR1D4 ,( C\RSE1 S9CE %E 0 A FR
( ,RALPH'S1 ,I %DN'T H BE5 SURPRIS$4
  8,I DON'T "K AB ! PUBLIC-DEF5D] BIT10 ,I
REPLI$4 8,LUCY'S N 9DIG5T1 ,I DON'T ?9K1 B
%E'S N LOAD$1 EI4 ,B1 IF Y DON'T M9D1 ,MS4
,EHL]S--0
  8,PL1SE CALL ME ,C>OL10 %E 9T]JECT$4
  8,& ,I'M ,B1U10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,IF Y DON'T
M9D1 ,I'D 2 M ?AN WILL+ 6PAY = Y 6FLY D[N
"H & D AN 9ITIAL 3SULT40
  8,SKAGWAY IS ACTU,Y UP F ,JUN1U1 N D[N4
,& T'S V G5]\S ( Y--M G5]\S ?AN Y "K1 S9CE
MY H\RLY RATE IS Q /EEP4 ,>E Y SURE Y WANT
6D T80
  8,LUCY ,3Y]S IS A FR ( MY GR&P>5TS10 ,I
EXPLA9$4 8,MY GR&"M1 ,B"ELY ,J5SS51 IS !
"O :O 9SI/$ T ,I CALL ,RALPH LOOK+ = HELP4
,%E'S N GO+ 6/& = X IF ,I 5D UP TELL+ H]1
,8,SORRY4 ,NO?+ ,I CD D40' ,NO1 -P>$ 6T1
PAY+ :AT"E Y *>GE W 2 A B>GA940
  ,C>OL ,EHL]S LAU<$ AL\D AT T4 8,ALL "R4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAD
,IS "! ANY?+ ELSE ,I %D "K80
  8,LUCY ,3Y]S' HUSB& 0 AN ,ALZHEIM]'S PA-
TI5T4 ,F :AT ,I C TELL1 %E'S BE5 C>+ = HM
ALL 0H]F = MON?S1 IF N YE>S4 ,S1 9 A4I;N
62+ 9 A /ATE ( %OCK AT H] HUSB&'S D1?1 !
POOR WOMAN IS WORN D[N--"R 6! NUB4 ,I'M
AFRAID ! DETECTIVES ON ! CASE >E GO+ 6TRY
TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( H] W1K5$ /ATE & BAMBOOZLE
H] 969CRIM9AT+ H]F40
  8,:O >E ! DETECTIVES80
  8,"O'S "ND ,JAKE ,RIPLEY4 ,HE'S PROBABLY
ALL "R4 ,! "O ,I'M RE,Y WORRI$ AB IS AN
,ALASKA /ATE TROOP] "ND ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ40
  8,GRT10 ,C>OL ,EHL]S SD4 8,MR4 ,MISS+
,MIR&A ,LIEB[ITZ HMF40
  8,Y "K HM !N80
  8,:5 ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ *OSE 6L1VE 8 NA-
TIVE ,*ICAGO 2H 9 FAVOR ( -+ "H1 9 MY OP9-
ION1 ,*ICAGO'S GA9 TURN$ \ 6BE ,ALASKA'S
LOSS4 ,YES1 ,I'VE _H MY %>E ( D1L+S ) ,DE-
TECTIVE ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ4 ,S HAS E O!R
CRIM9AL DEF5SE ATTORNEY 9 S\?EA/ ,ALASKA4
,:AT'S GO+ ON80
  8,! LA/ ,I KNEW1 ,LIEB[ITZ & 8 "PN] 7
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAE
HU/L+ ,LUCY 96A PATROL C> & 7 AB 6DRIVE H]
96,SKAGWAY40
  8,IF ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ 0 CALL+ ! %OTS1 !Y
PROBABLY 5D$ UP DRIV+ 96T[N ! L;G WAY40
  ,I REMEMB]$ SEE+ ONLY A S+LE ROAD4 8,"!
IS A L;G WAY80 ,I ASK$4
  8,T'S A JOKE1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT10 ,C>OL ,EH-
L]S TOLD ME4 8,SORRY4 ,SONNY'S WELL "KN =
OBTA9+ PATROL-C>-BAS$ 3FES.NS :1 LIKELY Z
N1 5D UP 2+ ?R[N \ ( C\RT4 ,ACTU,Y1 HAV+
,DETECTIVE ,LIEB[ITZ ON ! CASE CD 5D UP
"W+ 9 \R FAVOR4 ,S :AT'S ! D1L "H80
  ,I TOLD H] Z M* Z ,I CD1 ALLUD+ 6! FACT
T "! 0 A GD *.E ,M>C ,ALLEY _H BE5 ! KILL-
]'S 9T5D$ T>GET4 ,I WD H G"O 96M DETAIL1 B
%E CUT ME (F 9 ! MI4LE (A S5T;E4
  8,SORRY 69T]RUPT10 %E SD1 8B ALL ? TALK
IS TAK+ TOO M* "T4 ,IF ,I'M GO+ 6BE "!
SOON 5 6D ANY GD1 ,I'LL NE$ 6H1D HOME1 GET
! ,B1V] W>M$ UP1 & FILE A FLI<T PLAN4
,I'LL 2 9 ,SKAGWAY Z SOON Z ,I C4 ,I'LL
LET ,MRS4 ,3Y]S "K T ,I'M AVAILA# IF %E
NE$S MY HELP4 ,AF T1 X'S UP 6H]4 ,%E'LL EI
RETA9 ME OR N4 ,"O WAY OR ! O!R1 Y'LL 2 (F
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAF
! HOOK1 ,B1U4 ,:AT "T IS ! %IP DUE 6SAIL80
  8,SIX P4M40
  8,& ": D Y G TM80
  8,GLACI] ,BAY4 ,I HAV5'T PD T M* ATT5;N
6! IT9]>Y4 ,I FIGURE ONCE ,I'M ON ! %IP1
,I G ": X GOES40
  8,I D\BT ,LUCY ,3Y]S IS GO+ 6BE ON BO>D
0! "T Y SAIL10 ,C>OL ,EHL]S RETURN$4 8,B
,I'LL D MY BE/4 ,IF ,MRS4 ,3Y]S DOES RETA9
ME1 ,I'LL NE$ 6BE 9 T\* 6GET ! "NS ( ALL !
P :O 7 ON ! TRA9 :5 X HAPP5$4 ,I'LL WANT
63DUCT MY [N 9VE/IG,N R ?AN SIMPLY RELY+
ON ,SONNY ,LIEB[ITZ'S SAY-S Z 6:AT W5T
ON40
  8,CALL ANY"T10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,I'LL 2 "H40
  ,ONCE (F ! PH"O1 ,I W5T 96! BA?ROOM &
SPLA%$ MY FACE ) COLD WAT]4 ,= "S"O :O 0
SUPPOS$ 6BE ON VAC,N & TAK+ X EASY1 ,I
LOOK$ PRETTY DAMN$ HA7>D4
  ,I LAY D[N ON ! B$ & CLOS$ MY EYES1 ?9K+
,I'D GIVE MYF ! B5EFIT (A %ORT NAP4 ,I MAY
H ACTU,Y DOZ$ (F1 B X SEEM$ 6ME ! LI<T TAP
ON MY DOOR CAME )9 SECONDS ( MY CLOS+ MY
EYES4 ,:5 ,I OP5$ ! DOOR1 ,NAOMI ,PEPP] 0
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAG
/&+ 9 ! CORRIDOR4 8,HI10 %E SD4 8,ANYBODY
HOME8 ,& >E Y / TAK+ 9 /RAYS80
  ,I GL.ED UP & D[N ! HALL & 0 RELIEV$ TO
SEE T ,HECTOR1 MY ROOM ATT5DANT1 0 NO": 9
SI<T4 ,I MO;N$ ,NAOMI 9SIDE1 ": %E TOOK A
S1T ON ! S(A4 8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I FEEL L ,I'M TRAPP$ 9 "S O!R DIM5.N4
,"EY?+ ,I ?"\ ,I KNEW HAS G"O \ ! W9D[4
,M>G>ET'S D1D4 ,%>ON & ,VIRG9IA >5'T SP1K+
6ME4 ,I REFUSE 6G BEG ,TODD ,B[MAN =A P]-
MIS.N SLIP1 S ,I FEEL L A PRISON]4 ,!
.,/>FIRE .,BREEZE IS A V NICE %IP1 B Z
SOON Z Y C'T -E & G Z Y PL1SE1 X />TS
FEEL+ L A JAIL--NICE 6LOOK AT1 B A JAIL
N"O!.S4 ,I'VE BE5 GO+ /IR-CRAZY ALL "D4 ,I
RE,Y WANT$ 6TAKE T RAILWAY RIDE UP 6,:ITE
,PASS1 AL? ,I HE>D "S?+ W5T WR;G ON T TD1
TOO4 ,"! 0 A DELAY ( "S K9D4 ,TWO TRA9S
N"E LEFT AT ALL40
  8,CALL+ :AT HAPP5$ A DELAY IS A BIT ( AN
"U/ATE;T10 ,I ALL[$ & !N W5T ON 6TELL H]
AB :AT _H HAPP5$ 6,MIKE ,3Y]S1 9CLUD+ !
FACT T ,MIKE'S WID[ 0 MO/ LIKELY 9 ! PROC-
ESS ( 2+ BOOK$ 9 3NEC;N ) 8 D1?4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAH
  8,?+S L ? >5'T SUPPOS$ 6HAPP5 ON CRUIS-
ES10 ,NAOMI -;T$ SADLY :5 ,I F9I%$ RELAT+
! /ORY4 8,X'S SUPPOS$ 6BE ALL B1UTI;L SUN-
SETS & ROMANTIC D9N]S1 N MURD]S & 4APPE>-
.ES40
  ,H] VIEW 0 S CLOSE 6MY [N T X MADE ME
LAU<1 AL? X RE,Y WASN'T A LAU<+ MATT]4
,TWO P--TWO .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE PASS5G]S--_H
DI$ 9 ! C\RSE ( ? CRUISE4 ,AL? ! %IP'S
CREW MEMB]S 7 EVID5TLY AW>E ( :AT 0 GO+
ON1 MO/ (! PASS5G]S 7 N4 ,! .,/>FIRE .,C\-
RI] CAME \ DAILY & DUTI;LLY REPORT$ T "D'S
S*$ULE ( EV5TS Z WELL Z >RIVALS & DEP>-
TURES1 B NO M5;N 0 MADE ( M S]I\S MATT]S4
,Z F> Z PASS5G]S 7 3C]N$1 "! _H BE5 ONLY A
8DELAY0 9 ! ,:ITE ,PASS & ,YUKON EXCUR.N
TRA9 S*$ULE4 ,NO "O C>$ 6MAKE ANY K9D ( (-
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PASS5G]S--_H FALL5 HUNDR$S ( FEET 6HIS
D1?4 ,Z F> Z ,I CD TELL1 REG>D.S ( ,,FBI
9VOLVE;T1 ? "PICUL> CRUISE L9E 0 / V M* 9
! 8"U-REPORT+0 BUSI;S4
  8,I ?"\ X WD 2 A LOT M P1CE;L MYF10 ,I
TOLD H]4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CAI
  ,A P]IOD ( SIL;E FOLL[$4 ,I ASSUM$ ,NAO-
MI _H -E 6SEE ME 2C %E WANT$ 6TALK1 B H]
PUMP SEEM$ 6NE$ PRIM+4 8,S :AT ALL HAS BE5
HAPP5+ ON BO>D TD80 ,I ASK$4
  ,NAOMI ,PEPP] BIT H] LIP 2F %E ANSW]$4
8,I TALK$ 6,H>RISON 2F HE LEFT 6G LOOK =
,M>G>ET10 %E SD F9,Y4
  8,&80
  8,I "K H[ ,M>G>ET F.D \ AB ,MISSY40
  8,H[80
  8,H>RISON TOLD ME T !Y F.D A DRAFT COPY
( ,H>RISON'S BR&-NEW W 9 ,M>G>ET'S /ATE-
ROOM4 ,X _H BE5 FAX$ 6H] T AFN1 J 2F %E
CALL$ ME4 ,NO WOND] %E 0 UPSET40 ,NAOMI
%RU7$4 8,I GUESS ,I WD H BE51 TOO1 IF !
%OE _H BE5 ON ! O!R FOOT40
  8,DID ,H>RISON H ANY IDEA ": X CAME F80
  8,N"O AT ALL4 ,HE'S FURI\S AB X & 3V9C$
T "S"O 9 8 ATTORNEY'S (FICE M/ H L1K$ X TO
,M>G>ET ! SAME WAY "S"O 9 8 TRAVEL AG5CY
L1K$ ! TRAVEL PLANS4 ,HE ?9KS ,M>G>ET
BRIB$ !M40
  8,B HE HAS NO IDEA :O X MI<T H BE580
  8,NO40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBJ
  8,DID ,H>RISON SAY ANY?+ AB ! O!R FAX1 !
"O T CAME 9 AT D9N] T F/ NI<T & 0 MISTAK5-
LY DELIV]$ 6,*LOE80
  8,HE SD X'S AB ! ,,IPO40
  8,Z 9 ,89ITIAL PUBLIC (F]+0'80 ,I ASK$4
  8,"R4 ,HE SD ,M>G>ET'S -PANY 0 GETT+
R1DY 6D "O ( ^? ? WEEK1 B ,I DON'T "K ANY
(! DETAILS4 ,I DON'T FOLL[ M"OT>Y A6AIRS V
WELL4 ,TALK AB SECURITIES & /OCKS & ALL (
T BORES ME 6TE>S4 ,MY EYES J GLAZE OV]4
,G>Y 0 ALW EXCIT$ AB ,,IPO'S--SD !Y 7 A
GRT WAY 6MAKE M"OY4 ,Z F> Z ,I CD SEE1 X 0
J ANO!R WAY ( BETT+ ON HORSES--CORPORATE
"OS R ?AN ^? ) F\R LEGS4 ,HE N"E MADE ANY
M"OY ON ^?1 EI40
  ,AG ,NAOMI FELL SIL5T4 ,%E PLUCK$ AT A
LOOSE ?R1D ON ! >M (! C\*4 ,"S?+ 0 GO+ ON
) H]1 & ,I _H NO IDEA :AT X WAS4 8,DID Y
TALK 6,RALPH ,AMES80 ,I ASK$4
  ,%E NO4$4 8,HE 0 NICE & V REASSUR+4 ,HE
TOLD ME N 6TALK 6,TODD ,B[MAN AT ALL4
,RALPH SD T Z L;G Z ,I SAY ,I WANT 6H MY
ATTORNEY PRES5T1 ,B[MAN W H 6L1VE ME AL"O
AT L1/ UNTIL AF WE'RE BACK 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,AF
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBA
T1 :O "KS80 ,%E GAVE A HOPE.S %RUG4
  8,:AT'S WR;G1 ,NAOMI80
  ,TE>S SPILL$ \ ( H] EYES & D[N BO?
*EEKS4 8,:AT'S WR;G80 %E SO2$4 8,"EY?+4
,MY LIFE IS A %AM#S4 ,MY DAU<T] HATES ME4
,TWO ( MY BE/ FRS >5'T SP1K+ 6ME1 & ,I'M A
SUSPECT 9 ! D1? (A ?IRD "O4 ,I'M /UCK ON ?
GODDAMN$ BOAT = ANO!R ?REE "DS & TWO
NI<TS1 & ,I DON'T EV5 H A PLACE 6SLEEP OR
%[] OR *ANGE CLO!S4 ,:AT'S WR;G8 ,Y TELL
ME--:AT'S "R80
  ,I'VE ALW BE5 A SUCK] = DAMSELS 9 DIS-
TRESS4 ,IF A WOMAN IS CRY+1 ,I T5D 6JUMP 9
& D :AT"E'S NEC 6MAKE H] /OP4 ,! (F] 0 \ (
MY M\? 2F ,I CD HELP MYF4 8,Y C /AY "H )
ME10 ,I SD4
  8,NO10 %E MUM#D 96H] HANKY4 8,I CDN'T D
T10 & KEPT "R ON CRY+4
  ,I WAIT$ UNTIL ,I CDN'T /& X ANYMORE4
8,LOOK10 ,I SD IMPATI5TLY4 8,H Y _H ANY?+
6EAT TD80
  8,NO10 %E SNI6L$4 8,I WASN'T HUNGRY40
  ,%E 0 / WE>+ ! SAME CLO!S %E _H BE5 WE>+
:5 ,I SAW H] LA/--! SAME CLO!S %E'D WORN !
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBB
NI<T 2F4
  8,:AT AB A %[]8 ,DID Y H "O ( ^?80
  8,I ALR TOLD Y4 ,I TRI$ GO+ BACK 6!
ROOM1 B ,I CDN'T /& X4 ,I DON'T WANT 6SEE
,%>ON & ,VIRG9IA4 ,I DON'T H ANY IDEA :AT
,I'LL SAY 6!M40
  ,I /OOD UP1 W5T 6! CLOSET1 & PULL$ \ A
CL1N1 /-PLA/IC-WRAPP$ T]RY-CLO? BA?ROBE4
8,"H10 ,I SD1 H&+ X OV] 6H]4 8,"O (! NICE
?+S AB HAV+ A JUNIOR SUITE IS T "!'S A
WOND];L ,JACUZZI TUB 9 ! BA?ROOM4 ,I WANT
Y 6G 9 "!1 /RIP D[N1 & H A NICE L;G SOAK4
,:ILE Y'RE DO+ T1 ,I'M GO+ 6CALL ,VIRG9IA
& ,%>ON & ASK !M 6PACK UP YR ?+S4 ,I'LL
S5D MY ROOM ATT5DANT D[N 6PICK !M UP & BR+
!M "H4 ,!N1 AF Y'RE DEC5T AG & FEEL+ A LL
BETT]1 ,I'M GO+ 6ORD] A ,ROOM ,S]VICE D9N]
6BE S]V$ "R "H 9 ! ROOM40
  8,RE,Y1 ,I CDN'T '''0 %E OBJECT$4
  8,Y C10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,Y H TO1 & Y W4 ,N[
:AT'S YR CAB9 NUMB]80
  ,AF A FEW M 9CR1S+LY 9DEF9ITE NOS1 ,I
F9,Y WON T R.D4 ,9 ! 5D1 %E N"E DID SAY AN
ACTUAL YES4 ,%E SIMPLY TOOK ! BA?ROBE F MY
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBC
H&1 4APPE>$ 96MY BA?ROOM1 & %UT ! DOOR 2H
H]4 ,Z SOON Z ,I HE>D BA?WAT] RUNN+1 ,I
PICK$ UP ! PH"O & DIAL$ ,NAOMI'S SOON-TO-
BE-=M] CAB94 ,VIRG9IA ,METZ ANSW]$4
  8,X'S ,B1U10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,B1U ,B1UMONT
F ! D9+ ROOM10 ,I A4$4 8,YR TA#MATE40
  8,SORRY10 %E SD4 8,) "EY?+ T'S HAPP5$ !
LA/ C\PLE ( "DS1 D9N] 9 ! D9+ ROOM SEEMS
EONS AWAY4 ,:AT C ,I D = Y80
  8,NAOMI'S "H ) ME10 ,I SD4 8,& %E'LL
PROBABLY 2 "H =! RE/ (! CRUISE40
  8,S80 ,EV5 OV] ! PH"O1 ! 4T9CT COOL;S 9
,VIRG9IA'S "O-^W RESPONSE 0 5 6L[] MY
ROOM'S TEMP]ATURE 0A GD TWO OR ?REE DE-
GREES4
  8,%E NE$S H] ?+S10 ,I A4$ QKLY4 8,WD Y
M9D PACK+ !M UP = H]8 ,I'LL 2 GLAD 6S5D MY
ROOM ATT5DANT D[N 6PICK !M UP 9 A LL
:ILE40
  8,AF :AT ,NAOMI DID 6,M>G>ET1 Y EXPECT U
6PACK UP H] SUITCASES = H]80
  ,I DIDN'T "K IF ,VIRG9IA 0 M UPSET AB
,NAOMI'S HAV+ A * ) ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN'S =M]
HUSB& OR IF H] ATTITUDE DERIV$ F
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBD
SUSPICIONS T ,NAOMI MI<T 2 9VOLV$ 9 :AT"E
_H HAPP5$ 6,M>G>ET ON BO>D %IP4 ,EI WAY1
,I CD SEE :Y ,NAOMI FELT T RETURN+ 6H]
CAB9 0 \ (! "Q4
  8,WELL10 ,I SD4 8,X DOESN'T S.D Z ?\<
Y'RE ANY M EAG] 6BE >.D H] ?AN %E IS AB
SEE+ Y AT ! MO;T4 ,B IF Y'D R1 ,I SUPPOSE
,I CD -E D[N & D H] PACK+ MYF40
  8,DON'T BO!R10 ,VIRG9IA SD CURTLY4 8,H[
SOON W Y 2 S5D+ "S"O 6GET H] ?+S80
  8,SAY FIFTE51 TW5TY M9UTES8 ,WD T 2 L;G
5\<80
  8,WE'LL H H] SUITCASES PACK$ & WAIT+ \T-
SIDE ! DOOR4 ,TELL H] WE WANT \R ROOM KEY
BACK1 TOO40 ,) T1 ,VIRG9IA ,METZ SLAMM$ !
RCVR D[N 9 MY E>4
  ,TAK+ \ MY [N ROOM KEY1 ,I W5T 9 SE>* (
,HECTOR4 ,I F.D HM \ 9 ! HALLWAY1 US+ 8
C>T 6DELIV] FRE% ICE & CL1N T[ELS 6MY
NEI<BORS TWO DOORS UP4
  8,D Y REQUIRE "S?+80 HE ASK$4
  8,YES10 ,I SD4 8,A LADY IS GO+ 6BE JO9+
ME 9 MY CAB9 F N[ ON10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,IF Y
WDN'T M9D1 ,I'D L Y 6G D[N 6H] OLD CAB9 &
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBE
BR+ H] LU7AGE UP "H4 ,H] "N IS ,NAOMI
,PEPP]1 & H] SUITCASES W 2 WAIT+ \TSIDE !
DOOR40 ,I GAVE HM ! DECK "N & CAB9 NUMB]4
  ,A 3SPIRATORIAL GR9 SPR1D ACR ,HECTOR'S
BROAD FACE4 ,CLE>LY HAV+ PASS5G]S *ANGE
CAB9S WASN'T UNHE>D ( ABO>D ! .,/>FIRE
.,BREEZE4 ,HECTOR APPE>$ 6BE 5JOY+ ! IDEA
IMM5SELY4
  8,( C\RSE1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT10 HE SD QKLY4
8,I'LL 2 ONLY TOO HAPPY 6D T40
  ,I R1*$ = MY WALLET1 EXPECT+ 6(F] HM A
TIP4 8,NO NE$10 HE SD4 8,I'LL TAKE C>E ( X
"R AWAY40
  ,BACK 9 ! CAB91 ,I TRI$ 6SORT "? ALL !
RAMIFIC,NS ( :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,VIRG9IA ,METZ
WANT$ ,NAOMI'S ROOM KEY BACK4 ,ON L& T WD
H BE5 A SIMPLE TRANSAC;N4 ,ON BO>D ! .,/>-
FIRE .,BREEZE1 X 0 "S:AT M -PLICAT$4 ,ON
BO>D A CRUISE %IP1 ^? LL PLA/IC KEY C>DS
M1N "EY?+4 ,N ONLY DOES X ALL[ PASS5G]S 9
& \ ( _! ROOMS & (F & ON ! %IP1 X'S AL NEC
= BUY+ EV5 S M* Z A TUBE ( TOO?PA/E F !
GIFT %OP4 ,IF Y'RE ON A CRUISE %IP )\T A
KEY C>D1 Y DON'T EXI/4 ,Y'RE 9 ALM Z BAD A
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBF
%APE Z ! POOR GUY 9 T OLD SOCIAL /UDIES
MOVIE !Y US$ 6%[ AT MY ELE;T>Y S*OOL BACK
9 ,BALL>D4 ,I ?9K ! FILM 0 CALL$ ..,! ,MAN
,)\T A .,C.TRY4
  ,NAOMI 0 / SOAK+ 9 ! TUB1 S ,I PICK$ UP
! PH"O & DIAL$ ! PURS]'S (FICE4 8,SUPPOS+
A PASS5G] WANT$ 6*ANGE CAB9S10 ,I SD4 8,WD
X 2 POSSI# 6TURN 9 "O KEY & H ALL ! *>GES
= T KEY TRANSF]R$ 6ANO!R CAB91 AL;G ) GET-
T+ AN A4I;NAL KEY 6! NEW ROOM80
  8,X C 2 D"O10 ! CRISP-VOIC$ "Y WOMAN
TOLD ME4 8,B ( C\RSE1 "!'S AN A4I;NAL
*>GE40
  8,T'S "U/&A#10 ,I AGRE$4 8,S H[ DOES "O
G AB X84
  8,BO? P H 6-E 6! PURS]'S DESK TGR4 ,T
WAY1 NEW KEY C>DS C 2 ISSU$ 6BO? ( !M AT
ONCE40
  8,I SEE10 ,I SD4
  ,! JOB WD H 6BE D"O 9 P]SON4 ,WE'D H 6G
& /& 9 L9E 9 PUBLIC 6D X1 & ,I 0 SURE !
FRE%-FAC$ "Y P AT ! PURS]'S DESK WD ALL
JUMP 6! SAME 3CLU.NS ,HECTOR _H4 ,X WASN'T
"S?+ ,I LOOK$ =W>D 6) EAG] ANTICIP,N4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBG
  ,! BA?ROOM DOOR OP5$4 ,NAOMI EM]G$ WE>+
! ROBE &)A T[EL WRAPP$ TURBAN-/YLE >.D H]
H1D4 ,FREE ( SMUDG$ MAKEUP1 %E LOOK$ RE-
FRE%$ & EV5 A LL RELAX$4 ,I H&$ H] ! ,ROOM
,S]VICE M5U4 8,ORD] "S?+ = BO? ( U10 ,I
SD4
  8,B X'S E>LY10 %E OBJECT$4 8,DON'T Y
WANT 6WAIT80
  8,"!'S NO?+ MAGIC AB EAT+ D9N] AT EI<T-
?IRTY4 ,2SS1 ,I 5D$ UP SKIPP+ LUN* TD1
TOO4 ,WE'LL EAT N[4 ,!N WE'LL G D[N 6!
PURS]'S DESK & MAKE >RANGE;TS 6TRADE 9 YR
OLD KEY C>D = "O 6? ROOM40
  ,NAOMI 0 TALK+ ON ! PH"O 6,ROOM ,S]VICE
:5 "! 0 A TAP ON ! DOOR4 ,HECTOR1 / GR9N+1
/OOD 9 ! HALLWAY C>RY+ TWO SUITCASES4 8,-E
IN10 ,I SD4 8,J PUT !M ON ! B$40
  ,HE DID S1 B ,I CAU<T HM TAK+ A 4CREET
LOOK AT ,NAOMI 9 ! PROCESS4 ,HE 0 SUR-
PRIS$1 ,I ?9K1 64COV] T ! WOMAN 9 MY ROOM
WASN'T ! SAME "O HE _H SE5 ME ) MO/ REC5T-
LY4 ,ONCE AG ,I MADE Z IF 6TIP HM4 ,ONCE
AG HE DECL9$4
  8,NO1 ?ANK Y10 HE SD4 8,I HOPE Y &
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #CBH
MADAME H A V PL1SANT TRIP40 ,)A C\RTLY B[1
HE LET HMF \ & CLOS$ ! DOOR4
  ,NAOMI F9I%$ UP ) ,ROOM ,S]VICE4 8,?ANK
Y = GETT+ MY ?+S4 ,X'S S NICE 6F9,Y GET \
( ^? GRU2Y CLO!S40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME10 ,I SD4 8,B :Y DON'T Y G
AH1D & UNPACK8 ,T WAY1 :5 \R D9N] -ES1 "!
W 2 ROOM 5 6MANEUV] ! D9N] C>T40
  8,": %D ,I PUT ?+S80
  8,HELP YRF4 ,USE :AT"E Y NE$--! CLOSET1
! 9SIDE B$SIDE TA#40
  ,I DIDN'T ADD T ,I HOP$ %E'D AL GET
DRESS$4 ,X 0 BAD 5 6H HALF ! %IP'S CREW
SNICK]+ AT U4 ,MY WOR/ FE>1 ?\<1 0 T ,L>S
OR ,B"ELY WD %[ UP AT ! DOOR UNANN\NC$4
  ,NAOMI ,PEPP] & ,I MAY N H _H ANY OV]TLY
4HONORA# DESIGNS ON "O ANO!R1 B T DIDN'T
M1N \R REPUT,NS WDN'T SU6]--ESPECI,Y IF MY
GR&P>5TS GOT W9D ( :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,I _H -E
AL;G 6*AP]ON !M1 B ! WAY ?+S 7 GO+1 !Y
MI<T WELL FEEL OBLIG$ 6*AP]ON ME4