,,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,BE? ,GOODMAN & ,JUDY ,?UR/ON
           ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
            ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
              ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
                ,VOLUME #E
         ,PAGES ;I-;II & #DDI-EDJ

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
























            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DDI

                   #BA

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CILITIES L>GE 5 6A3OMMODATE CRUISE %IPS4
,Z A 3SEQU;E1 ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE _H 6DROP
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEA
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEB
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEC
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEE
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"!80
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEF
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DEG
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! SAME SILH\ETTE IMAGE WE _H SE5 ON ! SIGN
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TELL+ Y ANY ( ?40
  8,I'M L1N+ 9 T DIREC;N10 ,I SD4 8,TELL
ME ANYWAY40
  8,I _H AN ABOR;N10 %E SD4
  8,S8 ,X'S N ! 5D (! _W4 ,LOTS ( WOM5 H
ABOR;NS40
  8,X 0 AN ILLEGAL ABOR;N40 ,Z ,M>G>ET
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHJ
AF ,*LOE 0 BORN B 2F .,ROE .;V4 .,WADE4
,H>RISON MADE ME D X4 ,! MIRACLE IS T X
DIDN'T KILL ME4 ,X ALM DID1 B ,I CDN'T H
ANY M *N AF T4 ,*LOE 0 X40
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PREGNANT1 ,H>RISON WANT$ ME 6H ! FETUS
TE/$4 ,AMNIOC5TESIS WASN'T NE>LY Z SOPHIS-
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TE/ %[$ MY BABY1 A LL BOY1 WD H _H ,D[N
SYNDROME4 ,H>RISON DIDN'T WANT T4 ,N HM4
,HE ONLY WANT$ P]FECT *N1 Y SEE4 ,N[ HE'LL
H ?REE3 "O1 ,*LOE1 :O1 9 8 E/IM,N1 IS P]-
FECT 9 E WAY & WOR%IPS ! GR.D HE WALKS ON2
& ,MELISSA ,PEPP]1 :O HAS H] SI<TS SET ON
2+ A GRADE-;,A LOS] & :O SAYS %E HATES HM
ANYWAY1 AT L1/ T'S :AT %E TOLD ME ON !
PH"O4 ,Z =! ?IRD "O1 :O "KS AB HM80
  8,Y SAY ,LEILA'S BABY IS A HE4 ,>E Y IM-
PLY+ T !Y'VE ALR _H ? FETUS TE/$1 TOO80
  8,T'S :AT ,MELISSA TOLD ME4 ,X'S NO SUR-
PRISE4 ,( C\RSE ,H>RISON _H ,LEILA'S BABY
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHA
TE/$4 ,HE ISN'T A P]SON :O L1VES S* ?+S TO
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)A BUILT-IN FLA% & AUTOFOCUS4 ,J]EMY &
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X WD 2 EASI] 6H A CAM]A >.D :5 X'S "T TO
TAKE PICTURES ( LL ,KAYLA1 MY GR&DAU<T]4
,:5 ,I TURN ! CAM]A ON & L9E X UP 6TAKE A
PICTURE1 X :IRS &! PICTURE MOVES 96FOCUS4
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ICS1 & X'S :Y Y'VE BE5 AT ,G5ESIS "E S9CE1
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ANY?+ 6D ) ME4 ,&! TRU? IS1 ,I 0 S ANGRY
"R !N--) ,H>RISON1 ) ,*LOE1 &)! UNFAIR;S (
X ALL--T ,I PROBABLY WASN'T M* (A "M4 ,B !
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHB
TWO ( !M ABSOLUTELY CLOS$ ME \--TWO AG/
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WELL Z ,D[N SYNDROME4 ,! PRO#M IS1 ,G5ESIS
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,9 ORD] 6D ALL ! REQUIR$ TE/+1 9 ORD] 6GET
,,FDA APPROVAL1 WE NE$$ A MASSIVE 9FU.N (
CAPITAL1 : N[ WE SEEM 6H40
  8,?ANKS 6Y40
  8,NO10 %E SD4 8,X'S N ?ANKS 6ME AT ALL4
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/EP OR FEEL ! SUN ON 8 FACE OR SMELL ! RA9
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHC
9 ! DES]T OR OP5 A /OCK+ ON ,*RI/MAS MORN-
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,H>RISON EV5 REFUS$ 6GIVE ! BABY A "N4 ,TO
HM \R * 0 N"E A BABY1 J A FETUS4 ,"!
WASN'T A FUN]AL OR A CASKET OR A M>K] 9 A
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,9 MY HE>T ,I'VE ALW CALL$ HM ,ALTON
,JAMES1 AF MY "F40
  ,X 0 ONLY A MATT] ( M9UTES S9CE ,I _H
FOLL[$ ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN \ ! DOOR (! ,QUI-
XOTE ,CLUB & UP ! /AIRS 96,DULCIE ,WADS-
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"T ,I'D 5D UP FEEL+ S SORRY =! WOMAN T
,I'D H A LUMP 9 MY ?ROAT1 ,I WD H TOLD !M
!Y 7 CRAZY4 ,& ,I WD H BE5 WR;G4
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Z %E TOLD ME AB H] LO/ *4 ,H] GRIEF 0 / "R
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHD
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,M>G>ET 3T9U$ AT LA/4 8,I C'T SEE ANY MO-
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WELL--NO MOTIV,N4 ,B ,I / NE$ 6"K :O DID
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P5$1 "EY?+ T 0 SD40
  ,M>G>ET LOOK$ AT ME APPRAIS+LY4 8,Y "K
AB HM80
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%U4]$ SLI<TLY & %IFT$ GE>S4 8,HE CAME 9 "R
AF ,NAOMI LEFT--SECONDS AF4 ,T'S :Y ,I ?"\
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"S"O F ,ROOM ,S]VICE4 ,HE 0 C>RY+ A TRAY )
A COV]$ D9N] PLATE4 ,I ?"\ "S"O _H ORD]$ A
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHE
TR1T & S5T X 6ME Z A SURPRISE4 ,S EV5 IF
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:5 HE REMOV$ ! COV] F ! PLATE1 T'S :5 ,I
SAW ! GUN ON ! PLATE--A GUN &A ROLL ( DUCT
TAPE4 ,HE PICK$ UP ! GUN & AIM$ X AT ME4
  8,I SD1 ,8,:AT >E Y1 CRAZY8 ,PUT T ?+
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! GUN AT ME & SD1 ,8,PICK UP ! TAPE40'
,T'S :5 ,I R1LIZ$ X WASN'T A MAN AT ALL4
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  8,WAS %E WE>+ "O (! %IP'S UNI=MS80
  8,X LOOK$ L X1 B ,I C'T SAY = SURE4 ,=
ALL ,I "K1 ! DAMN$ ?+ CD H -E F A CO/UME-
SUPPLY %OP40
  8,:AT HAPP5$ NEXT80
  8,%E TOLD ME 6PICK UP ! DUCT TAPE & COV]
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SC>$ \ ( MY WITS1 B ,I DID Z ,I 0 TOLD4 ,&
ALL ! :ILE ,I KEPT BACK+ UP--TRY+ 6GET
AWAY1 ,I GUESS4 ,TRY+ 6PUT "S 4T.E 2T ME &
! B>REL ( T GUN4 ,I'D _H ! DOOR 6MY LANAI
OP51 & :5 ,I CAME 6! SILL1 ,I /EPP$ OV] X
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHF
& J KEPT BACK+4 ,0! "T ,I F9I%$ COV]+ MY
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0!N--MY H&S 7 %AK+ S BADLY--T X 0 ALL ,I
CD D 6PUT ! LA/ PIECE ( TAPE ON MY FACE4
  8,T'S :5 %E TOLD ME 6JUMP4 ,I WANT$ 6>-
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  8,:AT'S WR;G80
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  8,! ,,FBI8 ,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,M>G>ET
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  8,H Y "E HE>D ( AN ORGANIZ,N CALL$ ,L1VE
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  8,!Y'RE A L;G WAY 2Y ODD10 ,I TOLD H]4
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHG
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Z-YET-UNSOLV$ HOMICIDES4 ,S >E TWO ( ^?
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  8,OR WOM510 ,M>G>ET A4$4 8,! ,ATTORNEY
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MAYBE WE C F9D H]40
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHH
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6GIVE H] A SECOND CRACK AT ME1 D Y8 ,%E
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%E WD H IF ,I _HN'T GOTT5 ! DUCT TAPE (F &
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SEEM$ 6BE )9 HE>+ 4T.E1 ,I YELL$ MY H1D
(F4 ,! GUYS ON BO>D PLUCK$ ME \ (! WAT]1
DRI$ ME (F1 W>M$ ME UP1 & BR"\ ME "H40
  8,SEE "!80 ,I SD LI<TLY4 8,T'S ,L1VE ,X
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  8,) M"OY--OR ! PROMISE ( X ANYWAY4 ,I
GAVE !M AN ,,IOU : ,I FULLY 9T5D 6HONOR Z
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DHI
SOON Z ,I GET BACK 6,S1TTLE4 ,I TOLD !M ,I
0 SURE MY HUSB& 0 ! "O :O _H TRI$ 6KILL ME
--MY HUSB& & 8 GIRLFR4 ,X M/ H S.D$ PLAU-
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COPS1 ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR? 0 ! ONLY P]SON !Y
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GAVE ME A PLACE 6/AY4 ,& :5 ,I TOLD H] AB
Y1 %E SD %E'D FIGURE \ A WAY 6BR+ Y "H4
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  8,I ASK$ H] H[ %E 0 GO+ 6MAKE X "W S9CE
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,8,H"OY1 ,I'M GO+ 6GIVE ! MAN A CLUE4 ,IF
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIJ
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MI<T 2 A# 6P5ETRATE _! -MUNIC,NS NET"W &
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SD4
  ,M>G>ET LOOK$ /RICK54 8,Y :AT80
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L;G 5 6SEE IF Y C SPOT ! KILL] & PO9T H] \
6ME40
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LIFE4 ,H[ D ,I PO9T H] \ )\T H] SEE+ ME80
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  8,! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE HAS A /ATE-(-!->T
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIA
! SIDE1 "O (! VIDEO CAM]AS CAU<T Y FALL+1
DUCT TAPE & ALL4 ,T'S H[ WE KNEW :AT _H
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DUR,N (! CRUISE4 ,:O"E DID ? IS EI A PAS-
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PRIVACY (! %IP'S SECUR;Y ROOM4 ,"!'S NO
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SURE ( T40
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ALL UNTIL J ?REE WEEKS AGO4 ,I HE>D ,H>RI-
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6BE1 TOO4 ,J 9 CASE ! ,,IPO W5T "? ! RO(1
,I WANT$ 6BE "H S ,I CD Z+ HM AB X4 ,& ,I
WANT$ MY FRS AL;G Z "P ( MY *E]+ SEC;N4
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  8,T'S "R4 ,X'S LATE 9 ! S1SON1 &! CRUISE
L9E _H ROOMS T 7 GO+ BE7+4 ,!Y GAVE ME A
GRT PRICE40
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DID4 ,T N>R[S ! FIELD "S4 ,":'S A TELE-
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  8,%E WON'T10 ,I SD4 8,I'LL TALK 6! CAP-
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  8,MAYBE ,I CD /AY 9 YR CAB910 ,M>G>ET
SU7E/$4
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIC
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,PEPP] H]F4 ,F9D+ T \ WD H MADE ,M>G>ET
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MIR,N MAY H BE5 GRUDG+LY GIV51 B ,I 0 J
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            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DID
























            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIE

                   #BC

  ,ONCE ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR?'S PH"O 0 9 MY
H&1 ,I RE?"\ MY 9ITIAL 9T5;N4 ,I SP5T MY
5TIRE C>E] AT ,S1TTLE ,,PD 2+ A3US$ ( ,L"O
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FIRE .,BREEZE & ASK$ = ,KURT & ,PHYLLIS
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WASN'T IN1 & NEI 0 ,ALEX ,FRE$4 ,I DIDN'T
L1VE A MESSAGE4 ,!N1 2C ,I RE,Y 0 TRY+ 6D
! "R ?+1 ,I EV5 TRI$ ASK+ = ,TODD ,B[MAN4
,NO D1L "!1 EI4 ,:5 ,I ASK$ 6SP1K 6,CAPTA9
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LEFT ME NO *OICE B 6G D[N4
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  8,IF Y C TELL ME :AT ? IS AB '''0 ! OP]-
ATOR 2GAN4
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FACT T ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN WASN'T D1D _H F> M
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIF
6D ) PURE LUCK ?AN X DID ANY?+ ELSE4 ,OR
MAYBE1 ,,LITG 0 "R1 & ,GOD 0 ! "O :O _H
PUT T FI%+ BOAT 9 ! "R PLACE 9 ,*ATHAM
,/RAIT AT J ! "R "T4
  ,I WAIT$ ON ! PH"O =A V L;G "T4 8,F/ ,(-
FIC] ,V9C5TE10 HE SD4 8,MAY ,I HELP Y80
  8,I DON'T "K IF Y REMEMB] ME4 ,MY "N IS
,B1UMONT1 ,J4 ,P4 ,B1UMONT40
  8,OH1 YES10 HE SD4 8,I REMEMB] Y Q WELL4
,Y >E ! ,,FBI AG5T :O IS N AN ,,FBI AG5T1
CORRECT8 ,! "O :O 0 ALL[$ IMPROP] A3ESS TO
\R SECUR;Y TAPES40
  ,? WASN'T GO+ ! WAY ,I WANT$4 8,T'S COR-
RECT10 ,I ADMITT$4
  8,:AT C ,I D = Y1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT80
  8,I NE$ 6ASK Y A FAVOR40
  8,I DON'T ?9K S1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT4 ,Y >E 9
NO POSI;N 6ASK A FAVOR ( ANY"O2 ,N[1 IF Y
PL1SE--0
  8,I'VE F.D ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN10 ,I SD4
  ,HE /OPP$ D1D4 8,Y :AT80
  8,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN1 ! WOMAN :O W5T OV]-
BO>D10 ,I SD4 8,I'VE F.D H]40
  8,IS %E ALIVE OR D1D80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIG
  8,%E'S V M* ALIVE40
  8,?ANK ,GOD4 ,T IS WOND];L6 ,H[ DID ?
HAPP58 ,:O LOCAT$ H]1 ! ,COA/ ,GU>D80
  8,NO1 ,MR4 ,V9C5TE4 ,I F.D H]4 ,& ,I M/
SWE> Y 6SECRECY4 ,NO "O C 2 ALL[$ 6"K %E
IS / ALIVE40
  8,B T IS ABSURD1 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT4 ,\ (!
"Q4 ,SURELY WE M/ TELL H] FAMILY1 NOTIFY !
,,FBI1 LET ! ,COA/ ,GU>D "K40
  8,Y >E AW>E1 ( C\RSE1 T "! >E TWO 5TIRE-
LY SEP>ATE ,,FBI 9VE/IG,NS 2+ 3DUCT$ ON
BO>D ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE AT ? "T1 COR-
RECT80
  ,V9C5TE PAUS$4 8,YES10 HE AGRE$ W>ILY4
  8,& T "O ( !M D1LS )A PLOT 6KILL "O (!
DOCTORS ON BO>D40
  8,YES10 HE SD4 8,I AM AW>E ( S* AN 9VES-
TIG,N40
  8,:AT Y DON'T "K & :AT ! ,,FBI DOESN'T
"K IS !Y'RE PROTECT+ ! WR;G DOCTOR4 ,L1VE
,X ,6,GOD WASN'T AF ,H>RISON ,F1!RMAN AT
ALL4 ,!Y 7 AF 8 =M] WIFE40
  8,B H[ D Y "K ?80
  8,2C ( :AT ! KILL] SD 6,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DIH
2F %E 0 %OV$ OV]BO>D4 ,! P]PETRATOR IS /
ON BO>D YR %IP1 & WE'VE GOT 6CAT* H] 2F %E
GETS AWAY & 2F H] -PATRIOTS "K %E'S BE5
-PROMIS$40
  8,MR4 ,B1UMONT1 ,I DON'T "U/& :Y Y'RE
TELL+ ME ALL ?4 ,SURELY1 ! ,,FBI 9VE/IGA-
TORS >E ! "OS--0
  8,I'VE ALR TRI$ CALL+ !M10 ,I SD4 8,I
DON'T "K ": !Y >E4 ,ALL ,I "K IS1 !Y'RE N
ANSW]+ _! PH"OS1 & "T IS (! ESS;E4 ,I WANT
6BR+ ,MRS4 ,F1!RMAN BACK ON BO>D4 ,I WANT
6SMU7LE H] D[N 96! SECUR;Y ROOM & SEE IF
%E C SPOT ! WOMAN :O ATTACK$ H] ON ANY (
,ANTONIO ,BELVADU3I'S TAPES40
  8,! F/ ?+ IS 6NOTIFY ! ,COA/ ,GU>D S !Y
C CALL (F ! SE>*40
  8,NO60 ,I 9SI/$4 8,T'S EXACTLY :AT Y
M/N'T D--N UNTIL WE GET \R DUCKS 9 A R[40
  8,\R :AT80
  ,IDIOMATIC ,5GLI% /RIKES AG4 8,WE H 6H
"EY?+ 9 PLACE10 ,I SD4 8,T'S ALL40 ,I CD
TELL F ! SIL;E ON ! O!R 5D T ,I _H 8 ATT5-
;N4
  8,:AT IS X Y WI% ME 6D80 HE ASK$4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #DII
  8,F/ LET ME ASK Y "S?+4 ,:AT HAPP5S IF
"S"O BO>DS ! %IP )\T HAV+ SWIP$ _! KEY :5
!Y 4EMB>K80
  8,AN AL>M S.DS10 ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE RE-
PLI$4
  8,T'S :AT ,I 0 AFRAID (4 ,LOOK1 ,I'LL -E
BACK 6! %IP 9 A LL :ILE4 ,IF Y C1 H AN EX-
TRA KEY C>D MADE = ,MRS4 ,F1!RMAN & H X
SWIP$ Z ?\< %E _H LEFT ! %IP 9 AN ORD9>Y
FA%ION4 ,!N ,I'LL USE T 6BR+ H] BACK ON
BO>D4 ,%E C G /RAI<T 6! SECUR;Y SCRE5+
ROOM & GET />T$ VIEW+ TAPES40
  ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE 3SID]$ MY PROPOSAL =
"S "T4 8,ALL "R10 HE AGRE$ F9,Y4 8,I
SUPPOSE T W "W4 ,& IF ! ,,FBI AG5TS H RE-
TURN$ 0!N80
  8,WE TELL !M :AT WE H & TURN ! :OLE OP]-
,N OV] 6!M40
  8,V WELL1 !N4 ,CAPTA9 ,GIACOMETTI IS N
ON BO>D ? AFN1 S ? IS MY DECI.N4 ,I SUP-
POSE T W 2 ALL "R4 ,H[ SOON W Y 2 BACK AT
! DOCK80
  8,SAY HALF AN H\R80
  8,ALL "R !N4 ,I'LL DELIV] A PRE-SWIP$
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJJ
KEY C>D 6! SECUR;Y (FIC] 9 *>GE ( LOAD+
PASS5G]S 96! T5D]S4 ,! C>D W 2 9 AN 5VE-
LOPE ) YR "N ON X4 ,ASK HM = X :5 Y GET
"!40
  8,?ANKS10 ,I SD1 PUTT+ D[N ! PH"O4 ,HAV+
SOLD ! PROGRAM 6,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE1 ,I
MI<T H D.ED ) GLEE1 B "R !N ! DOOR AT !
TOP (! /AIRCASE OP5$ & ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR?
WA4L$ 96! ROOM1 FOLL[$ 0,L>S ,J5SS5--AN
IRATE ,L>S ,J5SS54 ,HE GL>$ F ME 6,M>G>ET
,F1!RMAN & BACK AG4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 HE DEM&$4
  ,DULCIE W5T /RAI<T 6,M>G>ET4 8,IS "EY?+
ALL "R80 ,DULCIE ASK$4
  ,M>G>ET NO4$4 8,I ?9K S4 ,MR4 ,B1UMONT
"H HAS MADE >RANGE;TS = ME 6G BACK ON BO>D
! %IP4 ,HE WANTS ME 6LOOK AT ! %IP'S SECU-
R;Y TAPES 6SEE IF ,I C ID5TIFY ! P]SON :O
ATTACK$ ME40
  ,L>S' JAW DROPP$4 8,? IS ! WOMAN :O FELL
(F ! %IP80
  ,I NO4$4 ,DULCIE TURN$ 6ME4 8,>E Y SURE
T'S S* A GD IDEA--TAK+ H] BACK ON BO>D !
%IP1 T IS8 ,WON'T X 2 DANG]\S80
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJA
  8,IF ! KILL] F9DS \ %E'S / ALIVE1 X MI<T
TURN DANG]\S10 ,I AGRE$4 8,IF ! ATTACK]
R1LIZES ,M>G>ET CD POSSIBLY ID5TIFY H]1 %E
MAY TRY -+ >.D & TAK+ ANO!R CRACK AT X4
,T'S :Y "T IS S IMPORTANT4 ,ONCE ,M>G>ET
IS ON BO>D ! %IP1 ,I'VE MADE >RANGE;TS =
H] 6BE TAK5 DIRECTLY 6! SECUR;Y MONITOR+
ROOM4 ,Z L;G Z %E'S "!1 LOOK+ AT TAPES1
%E'LL 2 SAFE 5\<4 ,! PRO#M IS GETT+ H] F
"H 6"! )\T ANY"O RECOGNIZ+ H]40
  ,FR[N+1 ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR? LOOK$ ,M>G>ET
,F1!RMAN UP & D[N4 8,:AT SIZE >E Y AG80
  8,EI<T OR T510 ,M>G>ET REPLI$4 8,DEP5DS
ON ! CUT40
  8,WAIT "H10 ,DULCIE ORD]$4 8,LET ME SEE
:AT ,I C D40
  ,:ILE ,DULCIE MADE H] WAY BACK D[N !
/AIRS1 ,I TURN$ 6,L>S4 8,? IS ,M>G>ET
,F1!RMAN1 ,L>S4 ,M>G>ET1 ? IS ,L>S ,J5SS51
MY GR&"M'S HUSB&40
  ,HE HELD \ 8 H&4 8,GLAD 6MEET Y10 HE SD4
8,MY WIFE HAS A %9]1 TOO1 AT ! MO;T4 ,_H
AN A3ID5T ON A TR1DMILL4 ,N NE>LY Z COLOR-
;L Z YRS1 ?\<10 HE A4$4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJB
  ,HAV+ EXHAU/$ 8 EF=T AT SMALL TALK1 ,L>S
TURN$ 6ME4 8,I DIDN'T EV5 "K Y 7 G"O10 HE
GRUM#D4 8,I ?"\ Y 7 SITT+ "R "! ! :OLE "T
5JOY+ ! %[ AL;G )! RE/ ( U4 ,!N1 :5 !
LI<TS CAME BACK UP1 Y 7 NO": 6BE F.D4
,DULCIE SD N 6WORRY4 ,%E SD %E KNEW ": Y
W]E1 B ,I'VE GOT 6TELL Y1 X GAVE ME A
SC>E4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT 6?9K40
  ,T'S :AT HE SD1 B ,I _H A PRETTY GD IDEA
:AT HE 0 ?9K+4 ,HE ?"\ ,I _H LEFT ! %[ E>-
LY = ONLY "O PURPOSE4 ,HE ?"\ ,M>G>ET & ,I
_H BE5 9VOLV$ 9 ! SAME K9D ( ACTIV;Y HE &
,DULCIE _H BE5 UP 6= YE>S4 ,I 0 SURE HE'D
2 ONLY TOO HAPPY 6REPORT MY ASSUM$ TRANS-
GRES.N 6,B"ELY )\T MAK+ M5;N ( ANY ( 8 [N4
  8,YOO-HOO10 ,DULCIE CALL$ F D[N/AIRS4
8,M>G>ET1 -E D[N "H =A M9UTE4 ,I ?9K ,I'VE
F.D "S?+ T W "W NICELY40
  ,:ILE ,M>G>ET HURRI$ 6ANSW] H] SUMMONS1
,L>S 3T9U$ 8 DRESS+-D[N4 8,Y _H NO BUSI;S
YU/ GO+ (F L T )\T SAY+ A ^W AB X40
  ,! IRONY WASN'T LO/ ON ME4 ,I MAY H BE5
! "O P]SON 9 ! C.TRY "R !N )A *.E AT PUTT+
,L1VE ,X ,6,GOD \ ( BUSI;S1 B "H ,I 0 2+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJC
*EW$ \ 0,L>S Z ?\< ,I 7 "S ]RANT S*OOLBOY4
,WE 7 L;G-T]M FRS1 B ,I _H R1*$ MY LIMIT4
  8,"R10 ,I BRI/L$ "R BACK AT HM4 8,Y C %[
UP AT A :OREH\SE 9 YR OLD /OMP+ GR.DS ": !
LOCAL MADAM-)-A-HE>T-(-GOLD TR1TS Y L "S
K9D ( VISIT+ DIGNIT>Y1 B IF ,I 4APPE> =
HALF AN H\R 9 ! SAME E/ABLI%;T ": Y'RE EV-
ID5TLY A REGUL> CU/OM]1 Y G BALLI/IC &
CALL \ ! ,N,NAL ,GU>D40
  8,X ISN'T10 HE SD4
  8,X ISN'T :AT80
  8,X ISN'T A DAMN$ :OREH\SE10 ,L>S DCLD4
  8,RE,Y8 ,I SAY1 IF X LOOKS L A DUCK &
QUACKS L A DUCK & WALKS L A DUCK '''0
  8,X IS N A :OREH\SE10 ,L>S SD AG1 8
VOICE RIS+4
  8,H X YR WAY10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,B ,I'M N A
KID1 ,L>S4 ,I DON'T NE$ WAT*+ E M9UTE1 &
,I DON'T EXPECT 6H 6ASK YR P]MIS.N 6L1VE A
ROOM = FIVE M9UTES4 ,T'S N ! WAY ?+S "W40
  ,AT T1 ,L>S M>*$ (F ACR ! ROOM4 ,"! HE
/OOD1 BROOD+ & SIL5T1 />+ \ ! SECOND-/ORY
W9D[1 & ,I MADE NO EF=T 6FOLL[ HM OR TALK
HM \ ( X4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 ,DULCIE CAME
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJD
HU6+ BACK UP ! /AIRS4
  8,I ?9K WE'VE AB GOT X H&L$10 %E SD4
8,Y'LL 2 SURPRIS$40
  8,GD10 ,I SD4 8,?ANKS40
  ,L>S SD NO?+4
  ,DULCIE CA/ A 3C]N$ LOOK 9 8 DIREC;N4
8,IS "S?+ ! MATT]1 ,L>S80 %E ASK$4
  8,DAMN$-FOOL KID4 ,HE'S GOT ! IDEA 9 8
H1D T ? PLACE IS "S K9D ( :OREH\SE40
  8,ISN'T X80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR?'S EYES N>R[$1 & H]
*EEKS FLU%$ ) ANG]4 8,:AT"E MAKES Y ?9K T1
,MR4 ,B1UMONT80
  8,WELL10 ,I SD LAMELY4 8,"! >E !
GIRLS--0
  8,!Y'RE D.ERS10 %E SD1 CUTT+ ME (F4
8,T'S :AT !Y D--D.E4 ,&! "OS :O -E 6!
,QUIXOTE ,CLUB ?9K+ !Y'RE "H 6D ANY?+ M
?AN D.E LOSE T IDEA 9 A HURRY OR !Y GET
S5T PACK+4 ,:5 ,I CAME 6T[N YE>S AGO1
,SITKA 0 A WIDE-OP5 AF-H\RS K9D ( PLACE4
,I HAPP5 6"K F P]SONAL EXP]I;E T "! 7 PL5-
TY ( M5 :O 7 R1DY 6TAKE ADVANTAGE ( NAIVE
"Y WOM5--! "OS DUMB 5 6FALL = _! SAD
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJE
/ORIES4
  8,B T'S N :AT ! ,QUIXOTE ,CLUB IS ALL
AB4 ,I DON'T OP]ATE T K9D ( E/ABLI%;T1
,MR4 ,B1UMONT4 ,MY GIRLS SIGN 3TRACTS4 ,!
3TRACT LAYS \ 9 BLACK & :ITE ALL ! DOS &
DON'TS4 ,IF ! GIRLS /ICK 6! RULES1 !Y C
MAKE M M"OY DANC+ "H = ?REE MON?S ?AN !Y
CD "W+ A YE> AT MO/ JOBS BACK HOME4 ,& :5
!Y D G HOME1 X'S )! "U/&+ T !Y'RE 6RETURN
6S*OOL & -PLETE _! $UC,N4 ,F\R YE>S IS ALL
!Y C "W = ME--F\R YE>S & T'S X4 ,IF !Y
WANT 6G AF A GRADUATE DEGREE1 !Y H 6F9D "S
O!R WAY 6PAY = X 2C 0!N X'S "T = !M 6/EP
ASIDE & GIVE O!R GIRLS--O!R "Y] GIRLS--!
SAME K9D ( *.E !Y'VE _H40
  ,I REMEMB] H[1 9 "O OR ANO!R ( ^? OLD
FAIRY TALES1 "S"O TALK$ AB HAV+ _! E>S
BOX$4 ,0! "T ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR? F9I%$ H]
TIRADE1 T'S EXACTLY H[ ,I FELT--Z ?\< ,I'D
_H MY E>S BOX$4 ,I FELT !M TURN+ BEET-R$4
,X DIDN'T HELP T DUR+ H] SPEE* ,DULCIE
,WADSWOR? _H WALK$ UP S CLOSE 6ME T H]
POND]\S BR1/S ?UMP$ AG/ MY *E/ = EMPHASIS
Z %E W5T AL;G4 ,& ,I H NO D\BT ,DULCIE CD
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJF
H TAK5 ME 9 A FAIR FI<T4
  8,ANY O!R "QS80 %E F9I%$4
  8,NO1 MA'AM10 ,I SD4 8,I DON'T ?9K S40
  8,GD !N40 ,) T %E TURN$ BACK 6! DOOR1 :
%E _H LEFT OP54 8,H['S X GO+1 ,M>G>ET80 %E
BELL[$ 96! /AIRWELL4
  8,F9E10 ,M>G>ET CALL$ BACK4 8,I'LL 2 UP
9 A M9UTE40
  ,L>S TURN$ AWAY F ! W9D[4 8,I'M SORRY AB
T1 ,DULCIE10 HE SD4
  ,%E WAV$ ASIDE 8 APOLOGY4 8,DON'T WORRY
AB X1 ,L>S10 %E SD4 8,YR GR&SON ISN'T ! F/
MAN 6MAKE T MISTAKE1 & ,I D\BT HE'LL 2 !
LA/40
  ,"! 0 A CR1K ON ! /AIRS4 ,I LOOK$ BACK
T[>D ! DOOR Z AN OLD WOMAN /EPP$ 96! ROOM4
,%E _H A WID['S HUMP T LEFT H] S B5T OV] T
H] FACE 0 TOT,Y 3C1L$4 ,H] P]OXIDE-BLOND
HAIR 0 COV]$ 0A :ITE-HAIR$ WIG >RANG$ 9 AN
>MOR-PLAT$ PAGEBOY4 ,%E 0 DRESS$ 9 AN \T-
FIT--A SILK1 NAUTIC,Y !M$ SW1T SUIT--T
LOOK$ Z ?\< X MI<T H -E /RAI<T F ! .,/>-
FIRE .,BREEZE GIFT %OP4 ,9 FACT1 X 0 ALM A
DUPLICATE (! "O ,RA*EL ,DULLES _H BE5 WE>+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJG
! F/ "T ,I SAW H]4
  8,:AT D Y ?9K80 ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN ASK$4
8,W ? D80
  ,I 0 IMPRESS$4 8,Y CD H FOOL$ ME10 ,I
SD4
  ,L>S NO4$4 8,ME1 TOO10 HE SD GRUDG+LY4
  8,Y H 6WAT* \ T Y DON'T UNDO ! ,VELCRO10
,DULCIE W>N$ ,M>G>ET4 8,! \TFIT -ES (F
EASILY4 ,T'S ! :OLE IDEA4 ,X ISN'T DESIGN$
= /REET WE>40
  8,I'LL 2 C>E;L10 ,M>G>ET SD4
  8,N[1 H[ D WE G AB GETT+ BACK 6! %IP80
,I ASK$4 8,I TOLD ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE T
WE'D 2 "! )9 HALF AN H\R40
  8,NO PRO#M10 ,DULCIE SD1 PICK+ UP !
PH"O4 8,I'LL H "S"O BR+ ! C> >.D40
  ,T C> TURN$ \ 6BE ANO!R ,SUBURBAN4 ,9/1D
(! /&>D ,QUIXOTE ,CLUB P9K1 ? 0 "O (! %9Y
BLACK "OS FAVOR$ 0! ,,FBI & ,SECRET ,S]V-
ICE4 ,X CAME -PLETE )A DELUXE FULL-L1!R
9T]IOR & H1T$ S1TS4 ,I DIDN'T SEE H[ _M
MILES 7 ON ! ODOMET]1 B X SMELL$ BR&-NEW4
  ,! DRIV] 0 ! SAME "Y WOMAN :O _H DRIV5
,L>S & ME 6! CLUB E>LI]4 ,IF %E _H D.ED A
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJH
NUMB] 9 ! %[1 "! 0 NO SIGN ( T N[4 ,DRESS$
ONCE AG 9 H] DRIV+ TOGS1 %E HURRI$ >.D !
,SUBURBAN1 OP5$ ! DOOR = U1 & HELP$ A
/OOP$ & FRAIL-LOOK+ ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN 96!
MI4LE S1T4 ,I FOLL[$ ,M>G>ET4 ,ONCE S1T$1
,I TURN$ >.D 9 "T 6SEE ,DULCIE ,WADSWOR?
5VELOP ,L>S ,J5SS5 9 A S"M+ BE> HUG4 ,%E
GAVE HM A SMOO* T LEFT A B"R SMUDGE ( R$
LIP/ICK ON 8 *EEK4
  8,X'S S GD SEE+ Y AG1 ,L>S10 %E SD4 8,-E
AG SOON4 ,DON'T 2 S* A /RANG]40
  8,D\BT ,I'LL 2 BACK AG10 ,L>S MUTT]$ )A
%AKE ( 8 H1D4 8,DON'T TRAVEL Z M* N[ T
,I'M N FI%+4 ,Y "K H[ X IS4 ,I'M N Z "Y Z
,I US$ 6BE40
  ,DULCIE LAU<$4 8,N"O ( U >E40
  8,B Y'VE D"O A GD JOB "H1 ,DULCIE10 ,L>S
A4$4 8,A R1L GD JOB40
  8,I CDN'T H D"O X )\T HELP10 %E SD1 HU7+
HM AG4
  ,I ?"\ AB T KISS DUR+ ! BETT] "P (! RIDE
96T[N1 : ONLY TOOK A FEW M9UTES4 ,X 0 MID-
AFN 0! "T WE 7 BACK AT ! DOCK4 ,I LEFT
,M>G>ET & ,L>S 6GET \ (! C> :ILE ,I HURRI$
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EJI
OV] 6! CREWMAN1 ,SECUR;Y ,(FIC] ,ANGEL]I1
:O 0 *ECK+ PASS5G]S PRIOR 6_! BO>D+ ! T5D-
]4 ,Z SOON Z ,I TOLD HM :O ,I WAS1 ,I EX-
PECT$ HM 6H& OV] AN 5VELOPE4 ,9/1D1 HE
WAV$ ME ASIDE4 8,PL1SE WAIT UNTIL ,I F9I%
LOAD+ ? T5D]1 SIR10 HE SD4
  ,SIMM]+ ) 9DIGN,N1 ,I WANT$ 6>GUE ) HM
AB X1 B ,I CDN'T4 ,"! 7 F> TOO _M RETURN+
PASS5G]S MILL+ >.D ON ! VISITORS' DOCK &
CLAMB]+ 96! T5D]4 ,X 0 NO PLACE 6MAKE A
SC5E1 ESPECI,Y 9 VIEW (! FACT T ,L>S1 TRY+
6BE HELP;L1 _H ESCORT$ ! DECREPIT & %U6L+
,M>G>ET "R UP 6": ,I /OOD4 ,I 3SOL$ MYF )!
?"\ T AT L1/ ! TWO ( !M MADE A 2LIEVA#-
LOOK+ C\PLE4
  ,X DIDN'T TAKE ALL T L;G 6LOAD ! T5D]1 B
! "T PASS$ SL[LY1 ESPECI,Y S9CE ,I WANT$ U
6BE ON ! T5D] R ?AN /&+ ON ! DOCK WAIT+ =!
NEXT "O4 ,AT ! "T MY BI7E/ FE> 0 T WE'D
RUN 96"S"O WE KNEW--"S"O :O WD RECOGNIZE
,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN OR ,L>S ,J5SS5 OR ME4 ,!
LA/ ?+ WE NE$$ 0 = "S"O L ,CLAIRE OR
,FLOR;E ,WAKEFIELD 6%[ UP4 ,!Y'D TAKE "O
LOOK AT ! 3V9C+ OLD LADY ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAJ
_H TURN$ 9TO4 ,!N !Y'D G /RAI<T 6,B"ELY &
BL[ ! :I/LE4
  ,:ILE WE WAIT$1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ S"EAL (!
GUYS :O _H BE5 ) U 9 ! AUDI;E AT ! ,QUIXO-
TE ,CLUB4 ,9 PREP>,N = RETURN+ 6! %IP1 !Y
_H ALL %UCK$ _! HI< _SS4 ,6A MAN !Y SEEM$
SUBDU$ & Z 9T5T ON 2+ 9VISI# Z ,L>S & ,I
W]E4 ,EV5 ,MR4 ,TW5TY ,"QS MADE X A PO9T
6AVOID EYE 3TACT4 ,HE DIDN'T AC"KL$GE U1 &
WE DID ! SAME4
  8,N[ !N10 ,SECUR;Y ,(FIC] ,ANGEL]I SD
F9,Y :5 ! FULLY LOAD$ PASS5G] T5D] PULL$
AWAY F ! DOCK4 8,Y >E 6G 6! F> 5D (! DOCK4
,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE HAS ANO!R T5D] WAIT+
"!4 ,X W TAKE ! SPECIAL PASS5G] 6! CREW
GANGWAY4 ,T HAT* L1DS DIRECTLY 6CREW QU>-
T]S4 ,AN (FIC] W 2 WAIT+ "! 6ESCORT H] 6!
SCRE5+ ROOM40
  8,H]10 ,I OBJECT$4 8,:AT AB U8 ,WE NE$
6BE ) H]40
  8,I DON'T "K AB T10 ,SECUR;Y ,(FIC] ,AN-
GEL]I RETURN$ DUBI\SLY4
  8,Y G ON ! CREW T5D]10 ,L>S SD4 8,I'LL
WAIT =! NEXT "O "H40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAA
  ,ANO!R FLURRY ( PASS5G]S APPROA*$4 ,!
*.E ( AVOID+ A SC5E DID ! TRICK4 8,ALL
"R10 ,ANGEL]I SD1 GIV+ IN4 8,G40
  ,M>G>ET />T$ (F T[>D ! 5D (! DOCK4 ,2F
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8,N A ^W 6,B"ELY AB ,DULCIE10 HE :ISP]$4
  ,I CDN'T H AGRE$ M4 8,I'LL KEEP QUIET IF
Y D10 ,I PROMIS$4 8,Z L;G Z Y DON'T SAY
ANY?+ AB ,M>G>ET40
  ,L>S NO4$4 8,YA1 SURE10 HE SD4 8,FAIR
5\<40
  8,& Y'D BE/ WIPE T LIP/ICK (F YR FACE 2F
,B"ELY GETS A LOOK AT Y10 ,I TOLD HM4 8,IF
%E SEES T1 %E'LL FIGURE \ = H]F T Y'VE BE5
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  ,GUILTILY1 ,L>S SCRU2$ 8 FACE CL1N1 & WE
LET X G AT T4
  ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN & ,I 7 ! ONLY PASS5G]S
6RIDE ! SPECI,Y DESIGNAT$ CREW T5D] \ 6!
%IP4 ,:5 WE LEFT ! PONTOON DOCK+ PLAT=M &
/EPP$ ONTO ! %IP1 ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE 0
WAIT+ J 9SIDE ! GANGWAY4 ,! LOOK HE GAVE
ME 0 ANY?+ B FRLY1 B :5 HE SAW ,M>G>ET
,F1!RMAN1 HE FR[N$ & HESITAT$4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAB
  ,I CD "U/& 8 3/]N,N4 ,HE _HN'T EXPECT$
ME 6BE ON ! T5D] AL;G ) ,M>G>ET4 ,N ONLY
T1 ,I'M SURE T 9 H] ABS;E1 ,M>G>ET'S PIC-
TURE _H BE5 CIRCULAT$ AM;G ! CREW4 ,EV5 ,I
_H 6ADMIT T ! AG$1 :ITE-HAIR$ WOMAN /&+ 9
FRONT ( HM BORE LL RESEMBL.E 6! H&"S
MI4LE-AG$ WOMAN ^: IMAGE _H MO/ LIKELY BE5
CAPTUR$ 0! %IP'S UBIQUIT\S PHOTOGRAPH]S4
  8,? IS ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN10 ,I SD4 8,& ?
IS ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE40
  ,Z IF 6PUT ,V9C5TE AT EASE1 ,M>G>ET
:IPP$ (F H] WIG & HELD \ H] H&4 8,I'M GLAD
6MEET Y10 %E SD4 8,?ANKS = ALL YR HELP40
  ,RELIEV$1 ,V9C5TE1 TOO1 (F]$ 8 H&4 8,B (
C\RSE1 ,MRS4 ,F1!RMAN10 HE SD SOLICIT\SLY4
8,I AM MO/ HAPPY 6MEET Y4 ,X IS MY GRT
PL1SURE 6WELCOME Y BACK ON BO>D4 ,CAPTA9
,GIACOMETTI WI%ES ME 69=M Y T HE IS PL1S$
Z WELL4 ,! 5TIRE CREW (! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE
IS AT YR 4POSAL & W D "EY?+ POSSI# 6ASSURE
YR 3T9U$ SAFETY4 ,6T 5D1 ONCE Y >E F9I%$
VIEW+ ! TAPES1 ,CAPTA9 ,GIACOMETTI IS
PL1S$ 6(F] Y ! USE ( 8 QU>T]S UNTIL ? MAT-
T] IS SETTL$40
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAC
  8,I APPRECIATE T V M*10 ,M>G>ET SD4
  ,I APPRECIAT$ X1 TOO1 B N WANT+ ,V9C5TE
6S5D ME PACK+1 ,I DECID$ 6PRACTICE 2+ SE5
B N HE>D4 ,6T 5D ,I KEPT QUIET4
  8,N[1 IF Y W -E ? WAY10 ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9-
C5TE A4$1 8,I W %[ Y 6! SECUR;Y SCRE5+
ROOM40
  ,I M ?AN HALF EXPECT$ ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE
6TELL ME 6GET LO/1 B HE DIDN'T4 ,I FOLL[$
!M D[N ! CORRIDOR & SLIPP$ 96,ANTONIO
,BELVADU3I'S D>K5$ SCRE5+ ROOM4 ,ONCE AG
,I DID MY BE/ 6/AY \ (! WAY :ILE ,F/ ,(FI-
C] ,V9C5TE MADE 9TRODUC;NS & ISSU$ ORD]S4
  ,ANTONIO LI/5$ C>E;LLY1 NO4+ Z ,V9C5TE
POS$ ! PRO#M4 ,0! "T ! F/ (FIC] _H F9I%$1
,ANTONIO 0 SMIL+ BROADLY4 8,I H J ! ?+10
HE SD4 8,"! IS ONLY "O VIDEO CAM]A E PAS-
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,S1TTLE1 PASS5G]S />T BO>D+ AT "O O'C 9 !
AFN4 ,! %IP SAILS AT FIVE4 ,S "! W 2 F\R
H\RS ( TAPE 6VIEW1 B T IS N S V DI6ICULT1
& X W APPROA* ! PRO#M 9 AN ORD]LY FA%ION40
  8,V GD10 ,V9C5TE SD4 8,! SOON]1 !
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAD
BETT]40
  ,ANTONIO PU%$ A ROLL+ DESK *AIR 9 ,M>G>-
ET ,F1!RMAN'S DIREC;N4 8,IF Y WD C>E 6TAKE
A S1T1 ,I'LL CUE UP ! F/ TAPE = Y40
  ,M>G>ET TOOK ! (F]$ S1T :ILE ,F/ ,(FIC]
,V9C5TE EXCUS$ HMF & LEFT4 ,I F.D ANO!R
*AIR & SETTL$ 9 6WAIT4
  ,! PROCESS TOOK ! BETT] "P ( TWO H\RS1 &
,I _H A H>D "T SITT+ /4 ,TWICE ,I GOT UP &
TRI$ CALL+ ,RA*EL ,DULLES & ,TODD ,B[MAN4
,! FACT T "! 0 / NO ANSW] 9 EI ( _! CAB9S
0 CAUSE = WORRY1 B ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY S5SE
9 L1V+ !M A MESSAGE--N UNTIL ,I _H "S?+
SUB/ANTIAL 6REPORT4 ,N T F9D+ ,M>G>ET
,F1!RMAN ALIVE WASN'T SUB/ANTIAL4
  ,! R1L R1SON ,I DIDN'T L1VE A MESSAGE
MAY H _H 6D ) EGO4 ,ONCE A DETECTIVE1 ALW
A DETECTIVE4 ,(FICI,Y X MAY H BE5 !
,,FBI'S CASE1 B ,I 0 9 ON X N[4 ,I _H NO
9T5;N ( LETT+ G1 N UNTIL ,I 0 GD & R1DY--N
UNTIL ,I _H ! :OLE ?+ SACK$ & BA7$4
  ,Z = MY 2+ A T1M PLAY]8 ,SCREW X6 ,? "T
,I DIDN'T SEE H[ ANY"O CD FAULT ME4 ,AF
ALL1 H[ CD ,I 2 A T1M PLAY] IF !Y _HN'T
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAE
LET ME ON ! T1M 9 ! F/ PLACE8
  ,"T PASS$4 ,BOREDOM1 ! FA/-PAC$ T\R (
,SITKA1 &! HUMM+ QUIET (! D>K5$ ROOM ALL
W5T 6"W ON ME4 ,"S": AL;G ! WAY ,I M/ H
DOZ$ (F 9 ! *AIR4 ,AT F\R-FIFTE51 SIXTE5-
FIFTE5 AC 6! CLOCK ON ! SCRE5+ ROOM'S WALL
& HALFWAY "? ! BO>D+ TAPE1 ,M>G>ET ,F1!R-
MAN'S EXCIT$ VOICE />TL$ ME AWAKE4 8,"! %E
IS60
  ,JUMP+ F MY *AIR1 ,I /OOD OV] ,M>G>ET'S
%\LD] & PE]$ AT ! SCRE54 ,& "!1 WALK+ UP !
COV]$ GANGPLANK1 0 "S"O ,I RECOGNIZ$--
,*RI/9E ,MORAN1 ! REPORT] :O _H 9T]VIEW$
,M>C ,ALLEY2 ,! P]SON ,I _H LA/ SE5 WALK+
BACK T[>D ! %IP ) ,NAOMI ,PEPP]1 ! ,WAKE-
FIELD GIRLS1 & MY GR&"M4
  8,Y'RE SURE T'S H]80 ,I DEM&$4
  8,( C\RSE ,I'M SURE10 ,M>G>ET SNAPP$4
8,T WOMAN TRI$ 6KILL ME4 ,H[ CD ,I POSSI-
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,BELVADU3I4 8,N[ T ,I'VE SPOTT$ H]1 H[ D
WE F9D \ :AT H] "N IS80
  8,I ALR "K H] "N10 ,I 9T]JECT$4 8,X'S
,*RI/9E ,MORAN4 ,AT L1/ T'S ! "N %E'S GO+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAF
0ON BO>D4 ,%E CLAIMS 6BE A J\RNALI/4 ,%E'S
"H SUPPOS$LY COV]+ ! NEUROLOGI/ MEET+2 AT
L1/ T'S H] COV] /ORY40
  8,S :AT D WE D N[80 ,M>G>ET ASK$4
  8.,WE D NO?+10 ,I SD1 PUTT+ ! EMPHASIS
ON ! 8WE0 "P4 8,Y D EXACTLY Z ,F/ ,(FIC]
,V9C5TE SU7E/$4 ,Y G 6,CAPTA9 ,GIACOMET-
TI'S QU>T]S & PUT YR FEET UP4 ,I'LL NOTIFY
,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE40 ,I TURN$ 6,ANTONIO4
8,":'S YR PH"O80
  ,ANTONIO PO9T$4 8,A LI/ ( PAG] NUMB]S IS
PO/$ 2S ! PH"O10 ,BELVADU3I SD HELP;LLY4
8,DIAL 8 NUMB] & ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE W CALL
BACK40
  ,I GL.ED AT ! CLOCK4 ,X 0 LESS ?AN TWO
H\RS PRIOR 6! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE'S S*$UL$
#F ,P4,M4 DE"PURE "T4 ,DO+ Z ,I 0 TOLD1 ,I
DIAL$ ! PH"O & !N PAC$ ! FLOOR & WAIT$4 ,I
WANT$ 6TRY CALL+ ,RA*EL ,DULLES & ,TODD
,B[MAN AG1 B ,I DIDN'T WANT ! PH"O 6BE
BUSY :5 ,V9C5TE CALL$ BACK4 ,B !N1 9/1D (
CALL+1 HE SIMPLY APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY4
  8,:AT HAS HAPP5$80 HE ASK$4
  8,MRS4 ,F1!RMAN HAS LOCAT$ H] ATTACK]10
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAG
,I SD4 8,H] "N IS ,*RI/9E ,MORAN4 ,I'VE
MET H]4 ,%E'S ON BO>D MASQU]AD+ Z A J\R-
NALI/40
  8,V WELL10 ,V9C5TE SD AT ONCE4 8,Z ! (-
FIC] 9 *>GE ( SECUR;Y1 ,I W GA!R A CREW (
M5 & TAKE H] 96CU/ODY4 ,M1N"T1 ,MR4 ,B1U-
MONT1 WD Y PL1SE 2 S GD Z 63TACT ! ,,FBI
AG5TS ON BO>D & LET !M "K :AT HAS HAPP5$4
,I AM SURE !Y W H&LE ! SITU,N F "H40
  ,HE LEFT & ,I TURN$ BACK 6,M>G>ET4 ,%E 0
/ SITT+ 9 FRONT (! SCRE54 ,9 ! DIM LI<T (!
%AD[Y ROOM1 ,I SAW H] %\LD]S H1VE4 ,%E 0
CRY+4
  ,I WALK$ OV] 6H] & PLAC$ A H& ON H]
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  8,I DON'T "K10 %E SD1 SNI6L+4 8,X'S N L
ME 6BR1K D[N & G ALL 6PIECES4 ,:AT'S !
MATT] ) ME80
  8,X'S RELIEF10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,"S"TS T'LL
GET Y J Z M* Z ANY?+ ELSE4 ,N[ D :AT ,F/
,(FIC] ,V9C5TE SD4 ,G 6,CAPTA9 ,GIACOMET-
TI'S QU>T]S & GET "S RE/40
  ,ANY O!R "T1 ,I WD H EXPECT$ AN >GU;T F
,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN--\ ( %E] P]V]S;Y IF NO?+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAH
ELSE4 ,N[ %E SIMPLY NO4$4 8,I W10 %E SD4
8,B Y'LL CALL ME :5 ALL ? IS SETTL$80
  8,I W10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,B 9 ! M1N"T1 2
C>E;L4 ,WE'RE N \ (! WOODS YET40




















            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EAI

                   #BD

  ,BELVADU3I SUMMON$ A CREWMAN1 :O CAME &
COLLECT$ ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN4 ,2F ,I LEFT !
SCRE5+ ROOM1 ,I ONCE AG US$ ,ANTONIO'S
PH"O4 ,? "T :5 ,I R1*$ ,RA*EL ,DULLES' &
,TODD ,B[MAN'S VOICE-MAIL RECORD+S1 ,I
LEFT MESSAGES = BO? ( !M4 ,N[ T WE KNEW
,*RI/9E ,MORAN 0 \R T>GET1 "S"O )! "R CRE-
D5TIALS NE$$ 6TAKE *>GE (! SITU,N4 ,! TWO
MESSAGES 7 PRETTY M* ! SAME4
  8,? IS ,B1U ,B1UMONT4 ,I'VE LOCAT$ ,M>-
G>ET ,F1!RMAN4 ,%E'S ALIVE & WELL & "U
WRAPS BACK ON ! %IP4 ,%E'S ID5TIFI$ ! WOM-
AN :O ATTACK$ H]4 ,H] "N IS ,*RI/9E ,MO-
RAN1 :O'S SUPPOS$LY A J\RNALI/ "H COV]+ !
NEUROLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM4 ,PL1SE 3TACT ME Z
SOON Z Y GET ?4 ,I'LL 2 9 MY /ATEROOM1
,CAPRI F\R-FIVE-F\R40
  ,M9UTES LAT]1 :5 ,I UNLOCK$ ! DOOR 6MY
ROOM1 ,I HE>D ! S.D (! TELEVI.N SET PLAY+
9SIDE4 ,T M1NT ,NAOMI 0 HOME4 ,:5 ,I F/
CAU<T SI<T ( H]1 %E 0 SITT+ ON ! LOVE S1T
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBJ
) H] EYES GLU$ 6,,CNN4 ,%E HURRI$ 6! DOOR
Z ,I /EPP$ 9SIDE ! ROOM4
  8,B1U10 %E SD BR1?.SLY4 8,Y'RE N GO+ TO
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  8,2LIEVE :AT80
  8,:AT'S HAPP5$6 ,M>C ,ALLEY HE>D T "S-
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": 9 ,SITKA40
  8,%E IS80 ,I ASK$4 ,MY HE>T FELL4 ,2+ ON
BO>D ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE 0 ALM Z BAD Z
LIV+ 9 A SMALL T[N4 ,X 0 H>D 62LIEVE T "S-
"O _H ALR TURN$ LOOSE ! %IP'S GOSSIP MILL4
,I _H TRI$ 6BE S C>E;L 9 BR++ ,M>G>ET
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.,DAMN6
  8,:5 DID Y HE> ALL ?80 ,I ASK$4
  8,M>C ,ALLEY CAME 0J A FEW M9UTES AGO4
,HE CAME 6TELL Y AB X10 ,NAOMI 3T9U$4 8,HE
SD HE 0 TALK+ 6"S"O :O J CAME F T B> ,L>S
PO9T$ \ 6U E>LI] ? MORN+4 ,:AT DID HE CALL
X AG8 ,! ;,P-,B>1 ,I ?9K4 ,ANYWAY1 "! 0 "S
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBA
"Y GUY 9 "! TALK+ AB H[ A FEW "DS AGO !
CREW (! BOAT HE 0 ON F.D A WOMAN SWIMM+ =
H] LIFE \ 9 ,*ATHAM ,/RAIT4 ,HE SD %E
PROMIS$ ALL (! CREW A SIZA# REW>D IF !Y'D
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6PUT M"OY 96! BOAT'S OV]/OCK OR GROSS
/OCK4 ,I =GET EXACTLY :AT HE SD40
  8,GROSS /OCK10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,T'S ! 9COME
A FI%+ BOAT TAKES IN4 ,X'S DIVID$ UP AM;G
! CREW40
  ,NAOMI NO4$4 8,S !Y BR"\ H] "H1 6,SIT-
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  ,DESPITE ! S]I\S >GU;T T _H TRANSPIR$ 2T
,NAOMI ,PEPP] & ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN ! LA/ "T
! TWO WOM5 SAW EA* O!R1 ,NAOMI 0 CLE>LY
OV]JOY$ 6LE>N ,M>G>ET 0 ALIVE & SAFE4 ,I1
ON ! O!R H&1 0 APPALL$4 ,IF ,NAOMI KNEW AB
,M>G>ET & IF ,M>C KNEW AB ,M>G>ET1 !N X 0
ONLY A MATT] ( "T UNTIL ,*RI/9E ,MORAN
KNEW AB ,M>G>ET Z WELL4
  ,S9CE ! .,/>FIRE .,BREEZE 0 AN*OR$ (F-
%ORE 9 ,SITKA ,S.D1 ,I WASN'T WORRI$ T
%E'D GET AWAY4 ,I 0 3C]N$ T ! ,,FBI WD
MISS \ ON ! *.E ( NA2+ H] )! GDS4 ,I WANT$
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBB
!M 6NAIL H] 2F %E _H A *.E 6DIT* ANY IN-
CRIM9AT+ EVID;E T MI<T L9K H] 6O!RS 9 !
ORGANIZ,N4 ,CAT*+ ,*RI/9E ,MORAN 0 "O ?+1
B PUTT+ ! ,L1VE ,X ,6,GOD ORGANIZ,N \ (
BUSI;S & 2H B>S 0 F> M IMPORTANT4
  8,H[ L;G AGO 0 ,M>C "H80 ,I DEM&$1 TRY+
63C1L MY 4MAY4
  ,NAOMI %RU7$4 8,N T L;G4 ,A FEW M9UTES4
,I TUN$ 9 6,,CNN 6SEE IF ANY"O ELSE _H
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FIRM$ REPORTS T MISS+ G5ETIC RESE>*] ,M>-
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,:AT D Y ?9K ( T80
  ..,H[ M* WORSE C X .GET8 ,I WOND]$4
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=! PH"O4 ,I KNEW ,M>C ,ALLEY'S /ATEROOM 0
ON ,BAHIA ,DECK1 B =! LIFE ( ME ,I CDN'T
REMEMB] ! NUMB]4 8,M>C ,ALLEY1 PL1SE10 ,I
SD 6! %IP'S OP]ATOR4
  8,B1U10 ,NAOMI SD4 8,:AT'S ! MATT]8 ,Y
LOOK UPSET40
  ,I 0 UPSET1 &! L;G] ,M>C'S PH"O RANG )\T
HM ANSW]+1 ! M UPSET ,I 2CAME4 ,MY PH"O
RANG ! MO;T ,I PUT ! RCVR BACK 9 PLACE4
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBC
8,HELLO40
  8,MR4 ,B1UMONT10 ,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE SD4
8,I'M S GLAD Y >E "!4 ,MISS ,MORAN IS N 9
H] ROOM40
  8,IS %E (F ! %IP80 ,I ASK$4
  8,N AC 6! -PUT]4 ,%E CAME BACK ABO>D
S"EAL H\RS AGO4 ,I H SECUR$ H] ROOM 0*ANG+
! LOCK 6A SPECIAL CODE T C 2 OP5$ ONLY 0ME
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A# 6RETURN & RETRIEVE X4 ,! PRO#M IS1 UN-
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F ! VIDEOTAPE1 MY SECUR;Y WAT*M5 H NO IDEA
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  8,YES40
  8,W Y HELP U F9D H]80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,": D Y WANT ME 6MEET Y80
  8,AT ! PURS]'S DESK10 HE SD4 8,WE'LL G
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  8,I'LL 2 "R "!40
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S1T />+ AT ME4 8,Y ALR KNEW AB ,M>G>ET 2+
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBD
ALIVE1 DIDN'T Y60 %E SD A3US+LY4 8,Y J LET
ME G ON & ON :5 Y ALR KNEW ALL AB X40
  8,PL1SE1 ,NAOMI4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,"! WASN'T
"T 6EXPLA9 :5 ,I F/ CAME 9 ! DOOR1 & "!'S
EV5 LESS N[4 ,I'VE GOT 6G4 ,IF ,I DON'T1 !
WOMAN :O ATTACK$ ,M>G>ET J MI<T GET AWAY )
X40
  8,": >E Y GO+80 %E DEM&$4
  8,6! PURS]'S DESK4 ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6MEET
,F/ ,(FIC] ,V9C5TE & 8 CREW "!40
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MY 9JUR$ TOE Z BE/ ,I CD4 ,I 0 TAK+ A
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,I SAW ,M>C ,ALLEY & ,*RI/9E ,MORAN S1T$
TGR AT A TA#4 ,M>C 0 TALK+ ANIMAT$LY :ILE
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BLOOD RUN COLD4 ,I KNEW AT ONCE T HE 0 "R
9 ! MI4LE ( TELL+ H] ! SAME /ORY HE _H
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LY A FEW HUNDR$ FEET AWAY F ME AT ! PURS-
]'S DESK1 B AT T MO;T1 = LACK ( ABIL;Y TO
            ,,BIRDS ,,( ,,PREY        #EBE
-MUNICATE ) HM1 HE CD J Z WELL H BE5 LI<T-
YE>S AWAY4
  ,:AT ,I WDN'T H GIV5 "R !N = MY TRU/Y
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  8,I 0 LOOK+ = Y1 ,B1U10 HE CALL$ ACR
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,"SBODY'S F.D ,M>G>ET ,F1!RMAN4 ,I 0 J
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/ORY F ! 2G9N+1 S X'S ONLY FAIR T %E %D
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BOYS--X'S H>D 6W9 :5 YR FACE--= GD OR ILL
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,ALL MY LIFE ,I'VE ATTEMPT$ 6AVOID ! K9DS
( SITU,NS ": LY+ WD 2 NEC S9CE MY FACE ALW
BL[S MY COV]4 ,:5 ,I 0 LL1 ALL MY "M _H 6D
0 LOOK AT ME & %E KNEW EXACTLY ": ,I'D BE5
& :AT ,I'D BE5 UP TO1 & X 0 ! SAME ?+ N[4
,:5 ,*RI/9E ,MORAN'S EYES MET M9E ACR !
*ECK]$ TA#TOP1 A *>GE ( ELECTRIC;Y FLA%$
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? 0 D"O )\T ANY PHYSICAL 3TACT :ATSO"E4 ,&
X 0 F> M DANG]\S4
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KNEW4
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5?USIA/IC,Y4
  8,X'S GRT10 ,I AGRE$ LAMELY4 8,WOND];L4
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PURS]'S DESK & CAME LOOK+ = ME4
  8,! CREW (A FI%+ BOAT CALL$ .,MISS
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  ,I LOOK$ AT ,*RI/9E'S PURSE1 A SMALL
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WOM5 ON BO>D _H AB&ON$ _! PURSES :ILE !Y 7
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A ROOM SAFE4
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  8,DON'T G10 ,I SD1 TRY+ 6S.D SOCIA#4
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  8,T'S :Y Y ATTA*$ YRF 6\R GR\P ? MORN+ Z
WE LEFT ! %IP1 ISN'T X10 ,I 3T9U$4 8,M>C
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  8,I'D PUT ! GUN D[N IF ,I 7 Y1 ,*RI/9E10
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PH"O 6DIAL 9 = MESSAGES4
  ,! MESSAGE F ,L>S _H BE5 LEFT A M]E TW5-
TY M9UTES E>LI]4 8,IF Y GET ? ANY"T SOON1
MEET ME 9 ! ,LIDO ,BU6ET = C(FEE4 ,I'LL 2
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GUESS !Y'RE GO+ 6H _! HAIR FIX$4 ,AG4 ,X'S
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