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         ,A ,JESS ,/EV5S ,MY/]Y

             ,,D5NY ,,HECK

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  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

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                                     ;II
























            ,,*APT] ,,SIXTE5        #AHC

  ,X 0 AF N9E O'C 0! "T ,JESS LEFT !
LAKE = ,SPOKANE4 ,B F/1 HE & ,SA3O CL1N$
! DI%ES & MADE BUSY >.D ! H\SE1 AVOID+
TALK+ 6"O ANO!R4 ,JESS DRESS$ 9 8 US$
BR1K+-&-5T]+ G>B1 B ? "T "! 0 NO S5SE (
ADV5TURE OR EXCITE;T1 ONLY PURPOSE4
,SA3O'S NEW RESI/.E WD N DET] HM B X DID
H A SOB]+ E6ECT ON PREP>,NS4
  ,Z HE />T$ 6L1VE1 ,SA3O REMA9$ ON !
DECK LOOK+ \ AT ! LAKE4 ,X 0 A MOON.S
NI<T )A LI<T CL\D COV]1 5 6OBSCURE !
NORM,Y B"R />S4 ,EV5 ! 4TANT LI<TS (
,SPOKANE1 USU,Y A FA9T GL[ 9 ! S\!RN
HORIZON1 7 N VISI#4 ,! D>K;S MADE ! LAKE
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& >.D ! DECK1 ! TREES 7 NOISY ) MO;N2 !
W9D 0 BL[+ H>D 5 6MAKE !M SWAY BACK & =?
9 A L\D D.E4 ,SA3O /OOD />+ 9 ! WAT]'S
DIREC;N ) H] >MS CROSS$4 ,%E WORE A LUX-
URI\S1 :ITE *5ILLE BA?ROBE1 A BIR?"D
GIFT F ,JESS %E ?"\ 5TIRELY TOO EXTRAVA-
GANT B "O %E LOV$4
  ,JESS QUIETLY WALK$ UP 2H H] & RE/$ 8
H&S ON H] %\LD]S & L1N$ 96H] ) 8    #AHD
*E/ & HIPS4 ,%E PLAC$ BO? H] H&S OV] 8 &
TILT$ H] H1D BACK )\T SAY+ ANY?+4 ,HE
LOV$ H] T\*1 H] SMELL1 ! FEEL ( H] WIRY
HAIR AG/ 8 FACE1 ( H] BODY NEXT 6HIS4
,HE DREW -=T F ! EMBRACE & ?"\ H[ M* !
SMALL1 /R;G WOMAN M1NT 6HM & ALW _H4 ,HE
CD B>ELY REMEMB] LIFE )\T H]4
  ,8 W ON ! MATT] AT H& 0 RESOLUTE & _H
BE5 F ! 2G9N+4 ,B =! F/ "T1 /&+ "! HOLD+
H]1 HE WOND]$1 "E S BRIEFLY4 ,=A T9Y IN-
/ANT1 X O3URR$ 6HM T "S"O O!R ?AN HMF 0
V M* 9VOLV$ & V M* A6ECT$4
  8.,TI .AMO10 HE :ISP]$ QKLY & TURN$ TO
L1VE1 8 RESOLVE RETURN+4 ,SA3O /OOD />+
AT ! D>K;S &! LAKE4 ,JESS DIDN'T SEE !
TE>S ON H] FACE4
  ,TRA6IC 0 LI<T ON ! WAY 9 6,SPOKANE ON
,HI<WAY #CIE4 ,FEW P TRAVEL$ S\? AT ? "T
( NI<T DUR+ ! WEEK4 ,SUN"D EV5+S 7 ANO!R
MATT]4 ,T 0 :5 ! P F ,SPOKANE :O [N$
CAB9S ON ,LOON ,LAKE OR NE>BY ,DE] ,LAKE
WD H1D BACK 6T[N & MAKE ! HI<WAY FEEL L
"O BIG ?IRTY-FIVE MILE P>K+ LOT4
  ,ALL ! WAY 6,SPOKANE1 ,JESS LI/5$ TO
CLASSICAL MUSIC ON ! C> RADIO4 ,X   #AHE
0 8?9K+0 MUSIC = HM 2C X SEEM$ 6/IMULATE
8 CR1TIVE IMPULSES4 ,& "R N[ HE 0 TRY+
6IMAG9E :AT HE MI<T 2 LOOK+ = ONCE 9SIDE
! ,9L& ,EMPIRE ,*EMICAL ,SUPPLY ,-PANY4
  ,%ORTLY AF >RIV+ ON ,TR5T ,/REET &
P>K+ ! C> A BLOCK AWAY F ,9L& ,EMPIRE1
,JESS R1LIZ$ HE %D H SP5T 8 "T ?9K+ AB
H[ 6GET 96! BUILD+4 ,? WASN'T ! ,LO!R
H\SE ": ,JESS KNEW ! LOC,N ( AN EXTRA
KEY T WD OP5 ! FRONT DOOR4
  ,= ?IRTY M9UTES1 HE C>E;LLY EXAM9$ !
BUILD+4 ,! FRONT SIDE _H ?REE A3ESS
PO9TS4 ,! MA9 5TR.E DOOR1 H1VY METAL )
MULTIPLE LOCKS4 ,! FRONT 4PLAY W9D[ ) XS
*EMI/RY KITS4 ,&A L>GE DELIV]Y BAY1
CLOS$ & LOCK$ TI<T4 ,"! 7 A FEW W9D[S AT
! TOP (! W>EH\SE POR;N (! BUILD+ B !Y 7
\ ( R1*4 ,! BACK (! BUILD+ _H NO W9D[S1
ANO!R S+LE IMP5ETRA# DOOR & ANO!R DELIV-
]Y BAY DIRECTLY 6! RE> (! FRONT "O4 ,ALL
DOORS & W9D[S1 EV5 ! "OS \ ( R1* AT !
TOP (! BUILD+1 APPE>$ 6BE SECUR$ 0! TAPE
& WIRES (A 3TACT SECUR;Y SY/EM4 ,=CI#
5TRY WD BR+ ! POLICE 9 A MATT] (
SECONDS4 ,& ,JESS MI<T NE$ A L;G    #AHF
"T 9 ! BUILD+4
  ,HE RETURN$ 6HIS C> 6?9K OR P\T1 HE
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"Q4 ,EV5 )\T ! SECUR;Y SY/EM1 ! NOISE WD
PROBABLY BR+ POLICE F NEI<BOR+ ,IDAHO4
,HE ?"\ AB ! RO( =A :ILE1 WOND]+ IF "!
WD 2 "S 9SIDE A3ESS ON TOP (! RO(4 ,B
%ORT (A LA4] OR A HELICOPT]1 HE CDN'T
SEE H[ HE CD SCALE ! HEI<T4 ,HE GAVE A
MO;T'S ?"\ 6TRY+ 6FIGURE \ H[ 64A# !
AL>M SY/EM--B ONLY A MO;T4 ,IF HE 0
LUCKY 5 6F9D "S \TSIDE 3TROLS1 HE WD
PROBABLY ELECTROCUTE HMF4
  ,9 DESPAIR1 ,JESS R1*$ =! IGNI;N 62G9
! TRIP HOME 9 DEF1T :5 SU45LY1 8 LUCK
*ANG$4 ,A SEMI-TRUCK )A C> "R 2H X PULL$
UP 9 FRONT (! BUILD+4 ,:ILE ! DRIV] F !
C> GOT \ & OP5$ UP ! BAY DOOR &! TRUCK
DRIV] 0 OP5+ ! BACK ( 8 TRUCK1 ,JESS
QUIETLY SNUCK \ ( 8 C> & TOOK UP A POSI-
;N J >.D ! CORN] (! BUILD+ AT ! OPPOSITE
5D F ! BAY >EA4 ,? NE>-MIDNI<T DELIV]Y
SEEM$ "S:AT SUSPICI\S 6HM4
  8,SORRY = 2+ S LATE4 ,I'VE N"E BROK5
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! BACK (! TRUCK4 8,LUCKY ,I CD GET T EN-
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D[N "H TN EV5 ?\< ,I'M S"EAL H\RS 2H
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6,PORTL&40
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BACK & =? ) _! H& TRUCKS TOO FA/ = HM 6G
UNDETECT$4 ,9/1D1 HE NE$$ A DIV].N4
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HM ON ! SIDEWALK4 ,X WASN'T AN ORIG9AL
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RESEM#D A BIRD H\SE )A GLASS DOOR 9
FRONT4 ,) 8 LI<T JACKET WRAPP$ S"EAL "TS
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DAMN KIDS0 =! E>LI] MIS*IEF4 ,! TRUCK
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,&A LL N]V\S4
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0 ?REE YE>S OLD1 ! AM.T ( "T ! ,9T]NAL
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GUESS WAS1 ANY?+ WOR? HAV+ WD 2 F.D 9 !
LA/ YE>4
  ,:ILE ! RECORDS 7 N1T1 !Y 7 AL
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8 OPTIMISM RE/OR$ & 8 BODY REFRE%$ 0!
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PASS$ OV] X ONCE )\T NOTIC+4 ,Z HE 3T9-
U$1 "S?+ 9 ! BACK ( 8 M9D NA7$ AT HM TO
RETURN 6X4 ,ALL EV5+ HE _H BE5 AFRAID (
MISS+ "S?+ WOR?:ILE EV5 ?\< X 0 "R 9
FRONT ( HM & HE 0 DET]M9$ N 6LET T HAP-
P54
  ,JESS PICK$ ! 9VOICE UP & />$ AT X =
S"EAL M9UTES1 HOP+ T "T WD FULLY EXPLA9
:AT 0 WRITT5 ON ! PAP]4 8,:AT D ,I MAKE
( ?80 HE MUS$4 ,HE WASN'T SURE :AT 6MAKE
( X4 ,X 0 CURI\S & MAYBE NO?+ M4 ,ON !
O!R H&1 MAYBE X 0 WOR? FOLL[+ UP ON4 ,HE
J DIDN'T "K4
  ,HE DID "K HE 0 GETT+ S TIR$ T HE 0
SURE 6MISS "S?+ IF ! SE>* 3T9U$ AT !
SAME PACE & TOOK ! RE/ (! NI<T4 ,HE
POCKET$ ! 9VOICE & PICK$ UP ! PACE "? !
REMA9+ FEW MON?S' ( 9VOICES F LA/ YE>4
,:5 HE F9I%$1 HE _H NO?+ NEW & 8 H1DA*E
0 BACK )A P.D+ V5GE.E4
  8,I SURR5D]10 HE SD \ L\D1 SURPRIS+
HMF )! S.D ( 8 VOICE4 8,B ,I MAY
RETURN40                            #AIC
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H\SE1 HE EXIT$ ! BACK DOOR 9 ! W>EH\SE &
RETURN$ 6HIS C> ON ! /REET1 N"E R1LIZ+
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  ,X 0 NE>LY F\R ,,AM 0! "T ,JESS P>K$ 8
C> 9 ! G>AGE1 5T]$ 8 B$ROOM & PULL$ (F 8
CLO!S4 ,B"O WE>Y1 HE C>E.SLY LET 8 CLO!S
LIE ON ! FLOOR & S(TLY SLID "U ! COV]S
TRY+ N 6WAKE ,SA3O4 ,X 0 AN UNNEC PRE-
CAU;N4 ,%E TURN$ 6HM )\T SAY+ A ^W & PUT
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6HIS4
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H] 9 ! D>K4
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9TIMACY1 M ?AN !Y CD "? LANGUAGE1 A PRO-
F.D S5SE ( C>+ & A6EC;N4 ,& 3C]N4
  ,:5 !Y 7 F9,Y D"O1 HE KISS$ H] S(TLY
ON ! LIPS & ON ! =EH1D & ROLL$ OV] &
FELL 96A DEEP1 DEEP SLEEP4 ,SA3O /ROK$ !
PLACE ON 8 "R %\LD] BE>+ 8 SC>4 ,X 0 !
9T]NAL W.D %E ?"\ AB1 H["E4

                                    #AID
  ,! B"R LI<T (! NOON SUN "? ! W9D[S FI-
N,Y PRI$ OP5 8 EYES4 ,JESS WOND]$ IF 8
EXHAU/$ BODY _H )/OOD ,SA3O'S ATTEMPTS
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& LET HM SLEEP4 ,GLANC+ AT ! CLOCK1 HE 0
SURPRIS$ AT ! H\R4
  8,HEY1 LAZY H1D10 HE SD 6HMF1 B R ?AN
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6LI<T & MOVE;T4 ,! SECOND PHASE ( 8 LEI-
SURELY MORN+ 0 A %[] S L;G HE RAN \ (
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L,N = MISS+ ,SA3O'S -PANY4
  ,0! "T ,JESS 0 FULLY DRESS$ & 9 MO;N
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,BAYL9] =! QK RUN OV] 6,GRANITE ,PO9T 6H
LUN* ) ,B5 & 5GAGE 9 GRUFF RE"PEE AB
NO?+ IMPORTANT4 ,"R N[ HE DIDN'T WANT TO
3SCI\SLY ?9K AB :AT HE F.D LA/ NI<T OR
,BILL ,PAGE'S D1? OR ,G>Y ,LO!R4 ,X 0
"T1 HE 3CLUD$1 T HE LET 8 SUBCONSCI\S
%\LD] A LL (! BURD54 ,"S"TS HE DID 8 BE/
?9K+ :5 HE WASN'T ?9K+ AT ALL4
  ,B5 REFUS$ 6COOP]ATE4 ,HE KEPT    #AIE
BR++ UP ! MURD] (! POPUL> ,%]IFF & BA2L+
AB ! TIDAL WAVE ( RUMORS DR[N+ ! C.TY1
NO NEW 9=M,N AT ALL1 J RUMORS4 ,& "O (!
RUMORS 0 T A TRA9LOAD ( LAW 5=CE;T P F !
,/ATE ,PATROL &! ,,FBI _H DESC5D$ ^U
,/EV5S ,C.TY & W]E1 AT T V MO;T1 -B+ "?
! HILLS >.D ": ,PAGE'S BODY 0 F.D Z WELL
Z SC\R+ "? ! D1D ,%]IFF'S FILES4
  8,X WON'T 2 L;G 2F !Y GET ! BA/>D10
,B5 (F]$4 8,:O"E HE IS4 ,COPS C'T AF=D
6H "S"O D 9 "O ( _! [N & GET AWAY ) X40
  ,JESS D\BT$ T4 ,:O"E 0 2H ? 0 SM>T &
CUNN+4 ,& C>E;L4 ,8 GUESS 0 T "! WD 2 Z
LL 6G ON Z 9 ! CASE ( ,G>Y ,LO!R4 ,B HE
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4 ,HE J KEPT TRY+ 6*ANGE
! SUBJECT & AF ?REE FAIL$ ATTEMPTS1 ,B5
GOT ! MESSAGE & REV]T$ 6HIS CU/OM>Y =M (
TORTURE--": 6CAT* !M & H[--ALL CAPP$ (F
0! 9CESSANT REM9D] ( 8 TROPHY CAT*4
  8,T 0 9SPIR+1 Y OLD F>T10 ,JESS T1S$4
8,I ?9K ,I'LL G CAT* MY D9N]40 ,HE SLID
(F ! /OOL1 PD 8 BILL1 & TOOK ,B5'S V]BAL
>R[S 9 ! BACK Z HE LEFT =! BOAT4 ,?REE
H\RS LAT]1 ) "O L>GE KOKANEE 9 ! BUCKET1
HE H1D$ = HOME4 ,X 0 ! F/ "T HE     #AIF
_H BE5 FI%+ S9CE HE F.D ,G>Y ,LO!R'S
BODY4 ,^? ?REE WEEKS N[ SEEM$ L A YE> TO
HM4
  ,JESS 0 M ANXI\S ?AN USUAL 6SEE ,SA3O
:OM HE HOP$ WD 2 HOME ANY M9UTE4 8,%E
HAS FI% 6CL1N10 HE SD SMIL+ 6HMF4
  ,NO SOON] _H HE 5T]$ ! H\SE & WA%$ !
FI% SMELL F 8 H&S ?AN ! PH"O RANG4
  8,JESSE10 ! 4T9CTIVE VOICE SD1 8,I'M
GETT+ BACK 6Y ON YR TWO REQUE/S4 ,I ?9K
,I'VE GOT "S?+ "H = Y AL? ,I'LL 2 DAMN$
IF ,I "K :AT X M1NS40
  8,LET ME GET A P5CIL & PAD1 ,GOV]NOR4
,I WANT 6MAKE SURE ,I GET ? D[N CORRECT-
LY40
  ,=! NEXT T5 M9UTES ,JESS WROTE D[N
VIRTU,Y "EY?+ ! ,GOV]NOR SD4 ,HE 9T]-
RUPT$ ONLY TWICE 6ASK = CL>IFIC,N4
  8,T'S X1 ,JESSE4 ,PRETTY 9T]E/+ /UFF4
,IF Y WANT M1 ,I C H ! ,*IEF GIVE Y A
CALL4 ,I TOLD HM--,I ._H 6TELL HM--! RE-
QUE/ = ? 9=M,N CAME F Y4 ,HE 0 PRETTY
CURI\S AB :Y Y WANT$ X & :AT Y 7 GO+ 6D
) X4 ,DOES X HELP AT ALL1 ,JESSE80
  ,JESS 0 UNA# 6SP1K4 ,HE CDN'T     #AIG
2LIEVE X B X 0 "R "! ON ! PIECE ( PAP]
/>+ HM 9 ! FACE4 ,H[ L;G WD HE H 6LIVE1
HE ?"\1 2F HE F9,Y & TRULY LE>N$ T Y J
N"E "K AB P4 ,HE _H SE5 S M* 9 8 LIFE4
,9 W>4 ,9 A C>E] 9 POLITICS4 ,EV5 9 !
CLASSROOM4 ,HE _H SE5 UNBELIEVA# ACTS (
C\RAGE & REPREH5SI# ACTS ( GRE$ & C[>D-
ICE4 ,HE KNEW1 HE _H EXP]I;ED1 ! DEP?S &
HEI<TS ( HUMAN 2HAVIOR4 ,& HE _H DELUD$
HMF 96?9K+ HE "U/OOD & 0 PREP>$ = MO/
ANY?+4 ,? /UNN$ HM1 H["E4
  8,?ANK Y1 ,GOV]NOR4 ,I W CALL Y TM10
HE SD )\T ANSW]+ ! ,GOV]NOR'S "Q4 ,&=!
SECOND "T 9 TWO "DS1 HE HUNG UP )\T
WAIT+ =! ,GOV]NOR 6SAY 8GD-BYE40
  ,JESS W5T /RAI<T 6! MA/] B$ROOM UP-
/AIRS & UNLOCK$ ,SA3O'S C$> W$D+ *E/ 9 !
CORN] ,HE DUG DEEP4 ,2N ! B1UTI;L AF<AN1
H& KNITT$ 0,SA3O'S IMMIGRANT GR&"M ) :OM
HE _H D.ED ! T>ANTELLA AT 8 W$D+4 ,2N !
MISCELLANE\S & SURPLUS DOILIES4 ,2N !
SP>E PILL[ CASES & TA# CLO?S T 7 N"E
US$4 ,2N A SMALL BOX ( MILIT>Y DECOR,NS4
,F9,Y1 HE LIFT$ ! BOX \ & OP5$ X4
  ,9SIDE 0 A N9E MILLIMET] ,BE-     #AIH
RETTA H& GUN & HIP HOL/]4 ,JESS REMOV$ !
W1PON F ! HOL/] & *ECK$ ! AC;N4 ,HE
PICK$ UP ! CLIP T HELD FIFTE5 BULLETS 9
X & SNAPP$ X 96! BUTT (! GUN & J]K$ !
B>REL 6FE$ "O 96! *AMB]4 ,TAK+ NO *.ES1
HE GRA2$ 8 EXTRA CLIP & /U6$ X 96HIS
PANTS POCKET4
  ,X 0 ! F/ "T ! ,2RETTA _H BE5 \ ( XS
BOX & HOL/] S9CE ,JESS F/ BROKE X 9 ON !
FIR+ RANGE4 ,! GUN 0 A PECULI> B SPECIAL
GIFT 6HM F ! MEMB]S (! ,/ATE ,PATROL'S
,EXECUTIVE ,PROTEC;N ,UNIT OR ,,EPU Z X
0 "KN1 : PROVID$ ,JESS ) P]SONAL SECUR;Y
:ILE ! LEGISLATURE 0 9 SES.N4 ,!Y GAVE
HM ! ,2RETTA1 _! /&>D ISSUE FIRE>M S9CE
! ,SMI? & ,WESSON #.CEG REVOLV] _H 2COME
OBSOLETE 9 ! AGE ( WELL->M$ DRUG "LS1 Z
RECOGNI;N ( 8 EXP]T P]=M.E ON ! FIR+
RANGE AT ! ,PATROL'S ,ACADEMY4 ,X 0 A
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,NEI !Y NOR HE _H ANY IDEA AT ! "T H[
IMPORTANT ! GIFT MI<T 2COME "O "D4
  ,,EPU MEMB]S M OR LESS OP5LY F"\ 6BE
ASSIGN$ 6A VACANCY 9 ,SP1K] ,/EV5S'
DETAIL4 ,HE TR1T$ !M ) RESPECT &    #AII
L ! PROFES.NALS !Y 7 & !Y RESPOND$ 9
K9D4 ,& AF SP5D+ E WAK+ H\R ) !M = SIX
MON?S E YE>1 ! TROOP]S 2CAME L MEMB]S (
8 FAMILY4 ,NO "O 0 SA4] ) ,JESS' SU45
DE"PURE F ! /ATE CAPITAL ?AN ! TROOP]S
ASSIGN$ 6HM4
  ,UN"*I/IC,Y1 HE LEFT ! H\SE )\T LOCK+
! DOORS OR TURN+ \ UNUS$ LI<TS4 ,HE
DIDN'T BO!R 6L1VE A NOTE = ,SA3O1 EI4
,JESS 0 S+LEM9D$LY 9T5T ^U 8 OBJECTIVE4
  ,Z HE 0 BACK+ \ (! DRIVEWAY1 ,JESS
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WD H SAV$ HM M* TR\# & SURPRISE _H HE
BE5 "! 6ANSW] X4










                                    #BJJ
























           ,,*APT] ,,SEV5TE5        #BJA

  ,JESS DIDN'T ?9K Z HE DROVE EA/ ON !
,SPR+DALE ,HI<WAY & !N TURN$ NOR? ON
,JUMP ,(F ,JOE ,ROAD4 ,HE DIDN'T LET HMF
?9K4 ,HE 0 PROPELL$ =W>D 0AN OBSES.N TO
R1* 8 OBJECTIVE4 ,X WASN'T ADR5AL9E2 X 0
"S?+ ELSE T PU%$ HM4 ,AN 9/9CT4 ,AN IN-
/9CT 6FI<T BACK AG/ "S?+ HE CD PURSUE &
3FRONT4 ,& POSSIBLY1 J POSSIBLY1 "S?+ HE
CD DEF1T ''' OR 2 DEF1T$ BY1 X DIDN'T
MATT]4 ,B AT L1/ X 0 AN H"O/ BATTLE & ON
"S LEVEL1 HE KNEW X WD 2 CA?>TIC4 ,"! 0
APPREH5.N Z HE DROVE4 ,HELL1 "! 0 \T"R
FE>4 ,B "! 0 NO TOR;T1 NO GUILT1 NO AN-
GUI%4 ,& "! 0 ABSOLUTELY NO UNC]TA9TY4
  ,JESS _H N"E BE5 6! F>M 2F B X 0 EASY
5 6F9D ?ANKS 6! L>GE1 N1T BLOCK LRS ON !
MAIL BOX4 ,HE TURN$ & SL[$ 8 C> Z X
TWI/$ D[N ! HILL & "? ! TREES & UP ! L;G
GRAVEL DRIVEWAY L9$ 0! N1TLY PA9T$ F;E4
,! F;E 5CAS$ AN IMPE3ABLY TRIMM$ LAWN
ALM ! SIZE (A SMALL PA/URE4 ,6! "R 0 A
L>GE B>N : AL APPE>$ Z ?\< ! PA9T]S MADE
REGUL> VISITS4 ,JESS 0 /RUCK 0! ABS;E (
OLD OR RU/$ MA*9]Y T M>K$ S _M      #BJB
F>MS 9 ! >EA4 ,"EY?+ 0 9 XS PLACE4
  ,! DRIVEWAY 5D$ 9 A TURN>.D T CR1T$ A
SMALL ISL& ( GRASS & FL[]S4 ,SMALL1
PA9T$ WOOD FIGURES DECORAT$ ? PAT* &
GREET$ VISITORS 6! OLD & MODE/ ?REE B$-
ROOM RAM#R AT ! APEX (! DRIVEWAY4 ,!
H\SE 0 9 -PLETE H>MONY )! RE/ (! F>M1 9
COLOR & N1T;S4 ,X 0 (F-:ITE )A BLUE A35T
ON ! W9D[ %UTT]S4 ,JESS ?"\ ! PLACE
LOOK$ L A COV] PHOTO = ..,BETT] ,F>MS &
.,Y>DS4
  ,HE PULL$ ! C> "R UP 9 FRONT1 GOT \ &
/ROLL$ 6! DOOR Z NATUR,Y Z IF HE 0 -+ TO
COLLECT =! MON?'S NEWSPAP] SUBSCRIP;N4
,R++ ! DOORBELL ONCE HE /EPP$ BACK (F !
FRONT 3CRETE POR*4 ,? 0 "S?+ HE ONCE
TAU<T C&IDATES =! LEGISLATURE4 8,P W 2 M
-=TA# :5 !Y -E 6! DOOR IF Y'RE N "R 9 _!
FACE10 HE 9/RUCT$4 8,DON'T 9VADE _!
SPACE40 ,OLD HABIT OR N1 TD HE WASN'T
TRY+ 6MAKE ANYBODY FEEL -=TA# & 0 DEFI-
NITELY PLANN+ AN 9VA.N ( 8SPACE40
  ,! DOOR OP5$ &! MAN PU%$ ! SCRE5 DOOR
=W>D 2F LOOK+ UP & RECOGNIZ+ ,JESS4 ,J
!N1 ,JESS REMOV$ ! ,2RETTA F 8      #BJC
JACKET POCKET & PO9T$ X AT ,B>NEY ,RUB#1
AW>D-W9N+ T1*] & MODEL CITIZ54 8,Y & YR
BRO!R >E -+ ) ME1 ,B>NEY40
  ,RUB# DIDN'T *ANGE ! EXPRES.N ON 8
FACE & SD NO?+ =A M9UTE4 ,HE QKLY GL.ED
AT ! ,2RETTA & BACK 96,JESS' EYES Z ?\<
6TAKE A M1SURE ( 8 9T5T4 8,SURE1 ,JESS4
,TOMMY'S N "H B D Y M9D IF ,I GET MY
COAT F/80
  ,JESS /EPP$ =W>D & KEPT ! DOOR OP5 ) 8
FOOT :ILE KEEP+ ! GUN AIM$ SQU>ELY AT
,RUB#'S *E/4
  8,OKAY10 HE SD EV5LY1 8B F/1 PUT YR
H&S 2H YR H1D & 9T]LACE YR F+]S40 ,RUB#
DID Z HE 0 TOLD4 8,N[1 TELL ME ": ,TOMMY
IS40
  8,HE W5T 6,S1TTLE & W 2 BACK ANY "T4
,9 FACT1 ,I ?"\ HE =GOT 8 KEY & T 0 HM
AT ! DOOR40
  8,WELL1 LET'S J SEE = SURE1 ,B>NEY4
,TURN >.D & MOVE SL[LY 96! H\SE4 ,KEEP
YR H&S 2H YR H1D AT ALL "TS4 ,D Y "U/&
ME80 ,JESS 0 ALL BUSI;S4
  8,YES1 ( C\RSE40 ,HE DID Z HE 0 TOLD4
,JESS MOV$ 9 2H HM & QKLY SURVEY$   #BJD
! FRONT ROOM ) 8 EYES1 ALW KEEP+ ! GUN
LEVEL$ AT ,RUB#4
  8,N[1 ,B>NEY1 Y >E GO+ 6TAKE ME ON A
LL GUID$ T\R ( YR H\SE4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6*ECK
E ROOM & E CLOSET4 ,"O AT A "T4 ,J 6MAKE
SURE YR BRO!R ISN'T "H "S":4 ,Y >E GO+
6/AY AH1D ( ME & MOVE SL[LY4 ,>E Y / "U-
/&+ ME80
  8,YES40 ,B>NEY PROCE$$ -PLIANTLY F/
96! KIT*51 D9+ ROOM &! UTIL;Y ROOM 5D (!
H\SE4 ,!N !Y BACKTRACK$ 6! OPPOSITE 5D (
! H\SE ": ! ?REE B$ROOMS 7 & ME?ODIC,Y
W5T "? !M "O 0"O4 ,:5 !Y 7 F9I%$1 ,JESS
MO;N$ ,RUB# BACK 6! LIV+ ROOM4
  8,:AT >E WE GO+ 6D N[80 ,B>NEY ASK$4
  8,I ?9K WE'LL WAIT "H = J A :ILE L;G]
& IF ,TOMMY DOESN'T %[ UP 9 A :ILE1
WE'LL L1VE4 ,GET D[N ON YR KNEES & KEEP
YR H&S ": !Y >E10 HE ORD]$ ,RUB# )A WAVE
(! GUN4 ,JESS FIGUR$ X WD 2 IMPOSSI# =
,RUB# 6MOVE AT HM QKLY F 8 KNEES4
  8,OH1 C'MON1 ,JESS4 ,I'M TOO DAMN OLD
6D ANY?+4 ,LET ME SIT D[N = ,*RISSAKES40
,RUB# SEEM$ M ANNOY$ AT ! PROSPECT (!
4COM=T ?AN HE DID AT HAV+ A LOAD$   #BJE
GUN PO9T$ 9 8 FACE4
  8,GET ON YR KNEES4 ,N[60 ,JESS B>K$ )
9T5S;Y & ,RUB# RELUCTANTLY DROPP$ 6HIS
KNEES4
  8,Y M9D TELL+ ME :AT ? IS ALL AB8 ,Z
L;G Z Y 5T] MY HOME AT GUN PO9T1 ,I ?9K
,I H A "R 6"K :Y40
  8,Y "K DAMN WELL :Y ,I'M "H4 ,I'M TAK+
9 ! P :O KILL$ ,G>Y ,LO!R1 :O PROBABLY
KILL$ ,BILL ,PAGE & :O >E 9VOLV$ 9 "S
K9D ( DRUG D1L+S4 ,ME?AMPHETAM9E IS MY
BET40
  8,I SEE10 ,RUB# RESPOND$ 3V]S,N,Y4
8,S1 ! RETIR$ ,SP1K] & T1*] HAS 2COME A
LAW 5=CE;T (FIC]40 ,"! 0 A SLI<T T"O (
TAUNT+ 9 8 VOICE B NO?+ OV]T4
  ,JESS LET ! JAB HANG 9 ! AIR =A MO;T4
8,? IS P]SONAL10 HE F9,Y EXPLA9$4 ,AT T
MO;T ,JESS DIDN'T "K H[ P]SONAL X WD BE-
-E4
  8,& :AT BRILLIANT DEDUC;N L$ Y 6MY
DOOR/EP1 MAY ,I ASK80
  ,JESS IGNOR$ HM4 ,AF A FEW M9UTES1
,RUB# P]SI/$1 8,-E ON1 ,JESS4 ,WE'RE J
SITT+ "H ) NO?+ 6D4 ,I'M CURI\S4    #BJF
,AT L1/ TELL ME :Y Y N"E 2LIEV$ ! ,LO!R
BOY DI$ A3ID5T,Y4 ,T 0 TRUE EV5 AF ! AU-
TOPSY REPORT1 WASN'T X8 ,:AT DID Y ?9K Y
KNEW80
  ,JESS SAT D[N ON ! $GE (A *AIR ACR F
,RUB#1 N"E TAK+ 8 EYES (F HM & N"E L[]+
! GUN4
  ,? "T1 ,JESS ANSW]$4 8,I KNEW ! ,LO!R
KID4 ,I KNEW HE 0 A GRT SWIMM]4 ,I KNEW
HE _H A LOT ( -MON S5SE4 ,I KNEW HE
WDN'T G SWIMM+ AL"O AT NI<T4 ,I KNEW
5\<40
  8,5\< 6D :AT80
  ,JESS PAUS$4 8,5\< 6TAKE X ! NEXT
/EP40
  8,: WAS80
  8,BR1K 96! ,LO!R H\SE :5 ! FAMILY 0
AWAY4 ,T'S :5 ,I F.D ! REFLUX 3D5S] ,I
BR"\ 6Y AT S*OOL4 ,G>Y _H TA7$ & DAT$ X
! "D 2F HE DI$40
  8,I DON'T "U/& :Y Y ?"\ T MI<T M1N S
M*40
  8,I PROBABLY WDN'T H EXCEPT =A C\PLE (
O!R ?+S4 ,! NI<T ,I 0 9 ! ,LO!R H\SE "!
0 A PR[L] \TSIDE4 ,X 0 L "S"O _H    #BJG
! SAME IDEA AT ! SAME "T =! SAME R1SON40
  8,P %D 2 M C>E;L1 %DN'T !Y80 ,RUB#'S
S>CASM 0 V NE> ! SURFACE4
  8,:5 ,I W5T D[N 6,9L& ,EMPIRE ,*EMICAL
,SUPPLY ,-PANY ! NEXT "D1 "! 0 A TRANS-
AC;N AH1D ( ME T SEEM$ A LL CURI\S4 ,I 0
EXPLA9+ X 6,BILL ,PAGE ! NEXT NI<T :5 !
FIRE AL>M W5T (F &! ,LO!R H\SE 0 TOR*$40
  8,TOTAL C>E.S;S ON "S"O'S "P4 ,S.DS L
Y POK$ A /ICK 96A HORNET'S NE/40
  ,JESS LOOK$ AT HM =A MO;T Z ?\< HE 7
TRY+ 6"U/& ,RUB#'S S>CASM4
  8,ANYWAY1 ,PAGE F.D A VACUUM PUMP "U !
H\SE 9 :AT US$ 6BE ,G>Y'S B$ROOM4 ,? "O
_H A TAG ON X F ,9L& ,EMPIRE4 ,! NEXT
"D1 ,PAGE W5T D[N 6,9L& ,EMPIRE & ASK$
"S "QS AB ! VACUUM PUMP &! REFLUX 3D5S]4
,MY GUESS IS HE AL %[$ ! [N] A PICTURE (
,G>Y ,LO!R4 ,&! FOLL[+ "D1 YE/]"D1 HE 0
KILL$4 ,Y MI<T SAY X 0 .YR FATAL ]ROR1
,B>NEY40
  8,:AT D Y M1N80 ,NO?+ AB RUB#'S -PO-
SURE 9DICAT$ HE _H 9T]PRET$ ! /ATE;T Z
AN IMPLICIT ?R1T4
  8,AF Y--OR ,TOMMY--MURD]$         #BJH
,PAGE1 ,I DECID$ 6G BACK D[N 6,9L& ,EM-
PIRE LA/ NI<T MYF4 ,I ?"\ ,BILL MI<T H
LE>N$ "S?+ T L$ 6HIS D1?40
  8,"S80
  8,"S1 ,I F.D AN 9VOICE =A REFLUX 3D5S]
) ,TOMMY'S "N ON X4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT TO
?9K AT F/4 ,I EV5 MISS$ X ! F/ "T "?4 ,B
,I W5T BACK 6! 9VOICE 2C (! LA/ "N1 .YR
LA/ "N4 ,I NOTIC$ X 0 YR A4RESS & ,I
KNEW Y _H A BRO!R LIV+ ) Y4 ,"S"O TOLD
ME HE 0 ON "S K9D ( MILIT>Y M5TAL 4ABIL-
;Y OR "S?+4 ,DELAY$ /RESS SYNDROME1 ,I
?9K4 ,!Y SD Y TOOK C>E ( HM4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I
?"\ AB H[ Y TOLD ME Y ORD]$ ALL YR SUP-
PLIES "? ! CATALOGUE4 ,& H[ Y B>ELY RE-
MEMB]$ ! "N ( ,9L& ,EMPIRE40
  8,T'S N 5 6GET Y \ "H40
  8,"R4 ,Y DIDN'T "K X B 2F ,PAGE 0
KILL$ YE/]"D1 HE %IPP$ ! VACUUM PUMP OV]
6! ,/ATE ,PATROL'S CRIME LAB = ANALYSIS4
,X REV1L$ TRACES ( ME?AMPHETAM9E1 A DRUG
PRODUC$ )! AID (A REFLUX 3D5S] &A VACUUM
PUMP40
  8,S1 Y H ,TOMMY'S "N ON AN 9VOICE &
EVID;E ( DRUGS "S":1 MAYBE EV5      #BJI
MADE 0,G>Y ,LO!R1 & Y GET 9 YR C> &
DRIVE "H & ''' & D ?8 ,JEESSSS40 ,HE
/RET*$ \ 8 ENUNCI,N ( ,JESS' "N Z ?\< HE
7 EXPRESS+ 4APPROVAL4
  8,AMAZ+1 ISN'T X1 ,B>NEY4 ,H[ ,I GOT S
F> ON S LL40 ,X 0 ,JESS' TURN = S>CASM4
8,B ,I'M N Q D"O4 ,I AL _H ! /ATE CRIME
LAB TAKE ANO!R LOOK AT ! TISSUE SAMPLES
F ,G>Y'S AUTOPSY40
  8,!Y KEEP TISSUE SAMPLES8 ,I DIDN'T "K
T40
  8,IN "S CASES1 !Y KEEP !M = S"EAL
MON?S4 ,& X 0 ! TISSUE SAMPLES T BR"\ X
ALL TGR = ME40
  ,B>NEY SMIL$ AN EVIL GR9 F9,Y 4P5S+ )
ANY FACADE ( 9NOC;E4
  8,A /UPID FROG4 ,A /UPID GODDAMN
FROG10 ,JESS EXCLAIM$4
  8,WELL1 9 ALL FAIR;S1 ,JESS1 N J .ANY
/UPID GODDAMN FROG4 ,A V SPECIAL FROG4
.,PHYLLOBATES .AUROTAENIA1 6BE EXACT40
  ,JESS RECIT$ ! 9=M,N HE RCVD F ! GOV-
]NOR4 8,"O )A SK9 EXTRACT1 .,BACHRACHO-
TOXIN1 S TOXIC X IS US$ Z >R[ POISON BY
C]TA9 TRIBES4 ,X REQUIRES S* MI-    #BAJ
NUTE QUANTITIES--A T9Y P9 D\S$ 9 X IS
LE?AL--T A /&>D AUTOPSY WDN'T REV1L X4
,BE/ YET8 ,! D1? WD APPE> 6BE DR[N+ TO
ANY"O EV5 ?\< Y PROBABLY KILL$ HM 2F Y
PUT HM 9 ! WAT]40
  8,N[1 ,I AM IMPRESS$1 ,JESS40 ,B>NEY 0
MOCK+ HM B ,JESS IGNOR$ X4
  8,I REMEMB]$ SEE+ ! 4PLAY ( EXOTIC AN-
IMALS F ,S\? ,AM]ICA 9 YR CLASSROOM4 ,X
ALL CLICK$ 96PLACE4 ,YR BRO!R'S "N ON !
9VOICE4 ,A *EMI/RY BACKGR.D4 ,A R>E ANI-
MAL T Y WD "K AB & POSSIBLY H4 ,ALL 9=-
M,N L$ 6YR DOOR4 ,! ONLY ?+ N CLE> 6ME
IS :Y Y MURD]$ ,G>Y40 ,RUB# SD NO?+4
8,:Y DID Y80
  8,SIMPLE4 ,HE ?R1T5$ ! OP],N40
  8,H[ DOES A FIFTE5 YE> OLD BOY ?R1T5 Y
= ,GOD'S SAKE8 ,9 ANY WAY80
  8,Y SD ! BOY _H A LOT ( -MON S5SE1
,JESS4 ,B HE AL _H A LL TOO M* CURIOS-
;Y40 ,RUB# SP>$ ,JESS ! CLI*@E AB ! CAT4
  8,LA/ SUMM]1 HE 0 RID+ 8 MOTORCYCLE 9
! WOODS ABV \R B>N4 ,WELL1 ! "O BIG
PRO#M ) ME? PRODUC;N IS XS SMELL4 ,X'S
AW;L4 ,POT5T 5 & /RANGE 5 6GRAB !   #BAA
ATT5;N ( EV5 A PASS]BY40
  8,G>Y80
  8,"R40
  8,? SMELL1 X WDN'T HAPP5 6BE "S?+ L
CAT UR9E1 WD X80
  8,EXACTLY40 ,RUB# RAIS$ 8 EYEBR[ Z ?\<
HE 7 AB 6ASK ,JESS H[ HE WD "K T B *ANG$
8 M9D4 8,WELL1 ,G>Y W&]S D[N & SEES
,TOMMY & />TS ASK+ AB ! SMELL1 SAY+ X
ISN'T L ANY?+ HE "E SMELL$ 2F40
  8,:AT HAPP5$ !N80
  8,AC 6,TOMMY1 NO?+4 ,TOMMY GOT A LL
IRRITAT$ & />T$ YELL+ AT ! BOY 6GET
AWAY4 ,ANYWAY1 ! BOY KNEW X 0 MY PLACE &
DIDN'T ?9K HE 0 DO+ ANY H>M4 ,"O ?+ L$
6ANO!R &! BOY TOOK (F4 ,B ,I ?9K HE CAME
BACK A C\PLE ( WEEKS LAT]4 ,I SAW "S"O
RUNN+ (F ) "S?+4 ,I CDN'T 2 SURE B ,I
?"\ X 0 ! BOY4 ,LAT] WE FIGUR$ X 0 !
VACUUM PUMP WE US$ E>LI]4 ,! IRONY IS !
BOY DIDN'T R1LIZE :AT A FAVOR HE _H D"O
U40
  8,:AT D Y M1N3 ,8DID Y A FAVOR0'80
  8,WE DECID$ ! SMELL MI<T PRES5T A R1L
DANG]4 ,AF ALL1 X WASN'T J NOSY     #BAB
FIFTE5-YE> OLD BOYS :O MI<T HAPP5 6W&]
NE> ! F>M4 ,S1 WE DECID$ 6TAKE "S M PRE-
CAU;NS4 ,WE LIT],Y AIR PRO($ ! BACK (!
B>N ": WE PRODUC$ ! ME? & SET UP A V5TI-
L,N \TLET4 ,WE V5T$ ! ROOM "? A PIPE 9 !
GR.D ) *>COAL FILTR,N4 ,! \TLET 5D$ AT
\R SMALL *ICK5 COOP4 ,0! "T ! ODOR 0
FILT]$ & RUN "? ! COOP1 X 0 BAD B N OV]-
P[]+40
  8,:AT AB ! BOY80
  8,HE CAME BACK4 ,9 FACT1 ,I ?9K HE
CAME BACK M ?AN ONCE AL? WE TRI$ 6KEEP
AN EYE \ = HM4 ,"O "D ,I 4COV]$ A REFLUX
3D5S] 0 MISS+4 ,! NEXT "D ,I CAU<T ,G>Y
ON ! PROP]TY SNOOP+ >.D ! B>N4 ,I ?9K HE
0 GLAD X 0 ME & N ,TOMMY 2C ,I J PRET5D$
L HE _H -E VISIT+ OR "S?+4 ,8,VISIT+0'
MAY N 2 ! "R ^W S9CE ! KID DIDN'T TALK
M*4 ,T 0 "O %Y KID4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I ASK$ HM
6D9N] & HE F9,Y LOOS5$ UP A BIT4 ,Y "K
:AT ! KID ?"\8 ,HE ?"\ "! 0 "S?+ GO+ ON
"H T ,I DIDN'T "K ANY?+ AB4 ,HE ?"\ T
,TOMMY1 :O 0 AWAY T NI<T1 0 DO+ "S?+4 ,I
KNEW !N T HE 0 N GO+ 6L1VE WELL 5 AL"O4
,IMAG9E T6 ,IMAG9E A DAMN$ KID1 A   #BAC
HI< S*OOL /UD5T1 J L ,I'VE GIV5 MY LIFE
6= M ?AN ?IRTY YE>S1 AB 6RU9 A GRT 5T]-
PRISE1 MY *.E 6GET "S?+ GRT \ ( LIFE4
,S1 ,I DECID$ 6PREP>E A V SPECIAL DESS]T
= HM & WELL1 ! RE/1 Z !Y SAY1 IS HI/O-
RY40 ,HE MADE ! LA/ -;T )A %RUG (! %\L-
D]S4 8,X 0 EASY 5 6TAKE ,G>Y'S BODY1 UN-
SE51 D[N 6,LOON ,LAKE 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T4
,8 P>5TS ?"\ HE 0 SLEEP+ \ ANYWAY &
WDN'T--DIDN'T--MISS HM UNTIL AF ! BODY 0
F.D40
  8,J L T1 HUH80 ,JESS ASK$4 ,RUB# %RU7$
8 %\LD]S AG4 ,8 COLD BITT];S ANG]$ ,JESS
& HE TI<T5$ 8 GRIP ON ! ,2RETTA4 8,HE
,8DID ''' Y ''' A FAVOR0'80
  ,RUB# ROSE UNEXPECT$LY F ! GR.D & RU2$
8 KNEES1 SORE F SUPPORT+ 8 WEI<T ON !
H>DWOOD FLOOR = S L;G4 ,JESS1 />TL$1
JUMP$ UP (F ! C\* & MOV$ A /EP CLOS]4
8,:AT >E Y DO+80 HE %\T$4 8,GET BACK D[N
"!40
  ,RUB# IGNOR$ HM & /EPP$ SL[LY BACKW>D1
L[]+ HMF 96A WELL-US$ EASY *AIR1 ! BIG1
S(T -=TA# K9D US$ 6WAT* TELEVI.N & DOZE
IN1 ! K9D T L1N ALL ! WAY BACK      #BAD
UNTIL !Y >E -PLETELY P>ALLEL )! FLOOR4
8,I DON'T ?9K S1 ,JESS4 ,MY KNEES >E
KILL+ ME40
  ,RUB# SPOKE CASU,Y1 SEEM+LY OBLIVI\S
6! LOAD$ ,2RETTA PO9T$ AT 8 FACE OR !
ANGRY MAN /&+ OV] HM4
  8,I'VE J GOTTA' SIT D[N "H =A :ILE40
  ,JESS T[]$ OV] HM ) AN 9CR1S+LY TI<T
GRIP ON ! GUN4 ,HE 0 P]PLEX$ 0,RUB#'S
2HAVIOR & 8 SU45LY CAVALI] ATTITUDE4
,RUB# MADE NO ?R1T5+ GE/URE1 B NEI 0 HE
RESPONSIVE 6! ?R1T (! W1PON4
  8,I GUESS 9 H9DSI<T1 MAYBE ,I %DN'T H
_H ,TOMMY BURN D[N ! ,LO!R PLACE4 ,SEEMS
L T 0 K9D ( AN 9C5DI>Y =! :OLE A6AIR40
,HE SMIL$ AT 8 [N BAD PUN4
  8,OH1 WELL4 ,Y C'T P ! %IT BACK 9 !
C[4 ,-E 6?9K ( X1 ,JESS1 Y DID ME A FA-
VOR1 TOO40
  ,JESS TILT$ 8 H1D ) CURIOS;Y AT T ODD
ASS];N4 ,HE 0 /RU7L+ 6MA9TA9 8 -POSURE4
8,:AT DID Y SAY80
  8,I SD Y DID ME A FAVOR 0-+ "H40 ,RUB#
0 SMIL+ AG4
  8,Y M9D EXPLA9+ YRF80             #BAE
  8,SURE4 ,I ACTU,Y TRI$ 6CALL Y E>LI]4
,Y M/ H J MISS$ MY PH"O CALL40 ,RUB# 0
5JOY+ ?4
  8,G ON40
  8,I J WANT$ 6LET Y "K T ,TOMMY & ,I
?"\ Y MI<T L 6-E \ & SEE ,SA3O4 ,TOMMY'S
GU>D+ H] 9 ! B>N "R N[40

















                                    #BAF
























            ,,*APT] ,,EI<TE5        #BAG

  8,AHHH1 ,JESS1 ,I KNEW Y W5T BACK D[N
6,9L& ,EMPIRE LA/ NI<T4 ,Y TRIPP$ ! SE-
CUR;Y SY/EM ON ! WAY \4 ,Y DIDN'T "K T1
DID Y8 ,TIM CALL$ 6LET U "K "S"O _H
BROK5 IN4 ,NO?+ 0 /OL54 ,X J APPE>$ 6HM
Z ?\< "S"O _H G"O "? ! 9VOICE FILES & X
WASN'T H>D 6FIGURE \ :O T MI<T H BE54
,POOR ,TIM4 ,HE'S GETT+ M ?AN HE B>GA9$
=4 ,HE J WANT$ 6SELL A FEW EXTRA *EMI-
CALS4 ,ALL LEGAL4 ,Z L;G Z NO "O ASK$
ANY "QS "EY?+ 0 ALL "R40
  ,RUB# SPOKE ) MOCK 3C]N4 8,Y "K1
,JESS1 Y'VE RE,Y BE5 A LL OBSESS$ ) ?
:OLE MATT]4 ,X'S RE,Y N V H1L?Y40
  ,JESS 0 NUMB & X TOOK HM A M9UTE 6HE>
,RUB#'S ^WS4 ,HE 0 / DIGE/+ ! ANN\NCE;T
T ,SA3O 0 2+ HELD CAPTIVE \ 9 ! B>N4
  8,Y'RE BLU6+40
  8,NO1 ,JESS1 N RE,Y4 ,I AM A V C>E;L
MAN1 Y "K4 ,I DON'T L 6L1VE ANY ;T'S UN-
CROSS$ OR ;I'S UNDOTT$4 ,T J WDN'T D4
,T'S :Y ,I _H ! ,LO!R H\SE TOR*$4 ,I
DIDN'T "K :AT ALL ! BOY _H PICK$ UP F !
PROP]TY >.D "H4 ,HE DIDN'T SAY4     #BAH
,& IF ANY?+ _H F+]PR9TS ON X1 WELL1
,TOMMY 0 9 ! S]VICE & 8 F+]PR9TS >E ON
FILE "S":4 ,:O "KS :AT MI<T H L$ 6:AT4
,& T 0 ! PRO#M ) ,PAGE4 ,HE ACTU,Y
WASN'T T CLOSE 6F9D+ U B ! MAN 0 A PRO-
FES.NAL & Y N"E "K4 ,I _H A LOT ( RE-
SPECT = HM4 ,H1L?Y RESPECT4 ,NO1 ? IS M*
SAF]1 M* M PRUD5T4 ,DON'T Y AGREE80
  ,JESS /EPP$ 6! FOOT (! *AIR 9 : ,RUB#
-=TABLY SAT4 ,HE PULL$ ! HAMM] BACK ON !
,2RETTA & PUT ! B>REL (! GUN "R AG/
,RUB#'S EYE4 8,Y'RE BLU6+10 HE SD AG4
,RUB# REMA9$ TOT,Y CALM & SELF-ASSUR$4
  8,NO1 ,JESS4 ,I AM N4 ,&--0 HE GL.ED
D[N AT 8 WAT* )\T MOV+ 8 WRI/ OR 8 NECK
--8IN EXACTLY #BJ M9UTES Y W HE> A %OT
FIR$ F ! B>N 6PROVE X4 ,T IS1 IF Y DON'T
/>T EX]CIS+ "S -MON S5SE40
  ,JESS PU%$ ! GUN EV5 H>D] AG/ ,RUB#'S
EYE1 S M* S T X TILT$ 8 H1D BACK SLI<T-
LY4 8,:AT >E Y SAY+80
  8,I'M SIMPLY SAY+1 ,JESS1 T ,I LEFT
9/RUC;NS ) ,TOMMY 6%OOT & KILL ,SA3O AT
EXACTLY #E3CJ IF ,I DID N -E \ 6! B>N )
Y 9 T[40                            #BAI
  8,H[ D ,I "K Y ACTU,Y H H]80
  8,OH1 ,JESS1 %E 0 EASY4 ,Z EASY Z Y WD
H BE5 _H Y BE5 HOME 6TAKE MY CALL E>LI]4
,Z EASY Z X 0 6GET ,BILL ,PAGE (F 9 !
WOODS 9 ! MI4LE ( NO":4
  8,I SIMPLY WAIT$ UNTIL ,I SAW H] WALK+
6H] C> ? AFN4 ,I CAU<T UP ) H] & TOLD H]
AB "EY?+1 TOLD H] WE _H Y \ 9 ! B>N &
TOLD H] IF %E DIDN'T GET 9 H] C> & DRIVE
/RAI<T "H1 WE WD PUT A BULLET 9 YR BRA94
,POOR WOMAN4 ,%E 0 S %OCK$ %E 0 AFRAID
6CALL MY BLUFF--X RE,Y 0A BLUFF !N--& G
CALL ! POLICE OR CALL HOME & SEE IF Y 7
"!4 ,NO1 %E CAME RUNN+4 ,"R 96! TRAP4 ,I
KNEW %E WD4 ,N"E D\BT$ X =A MO;T40 ,RUB#
0 OBVI\SLY PL1S$ ) HMF NOT)/&+ ! ,2RETTA
JAMM$ 96HIS EYE SOCKET4
  ,JESS REMA9$ MO;N.S = S"EAL SECONDS4
8,LET'S WALK40 ,SL[LY1 HE BACK$ (F & AL-
L[$ ,RUB# 6RUB 8 EYE & /& UP4
  8,! B>N4 ,G40
  ,JESS 0 \TW>DLY 9T5SE & 9W>DLY FRANTIC
Z HE SCRAM#D 6-E UP ) AN IDEA AB H[ 6D1L
)! SITU,N IF ,RUB# 0 TELL+ HM ! TRU?4
,HE DIDN'T M9D T ,RUB# 0 MOV+       #BBJ
SL[LY OR T HE 0 S FULL ( HMF T HE />T$
ALM BA2L+ ) PRIDE4
  8,! :OLE ?+ 0 Q EASY4 ,:5 Y /OP & ?9K
AB X1 "O ONLY NE$S FIVE ?+S 62COME V
W1L?Y AT ? DRUG BUSI;S4 ,I DON'T T\* !
/UFF MYF AL? ,I SUSPECT ,TOMMY DOES ON
O3A.N4 ,I H 6WAT* T1 ?\<4 ,ME? IS HI<LY
A4ICTIVE4 ,I'M N SURE :Y ANY"O WD "E
TAKE T %IT4 ,X W MESS A P]SON UP QK1 B
T'S "O ( XS B1UTIES4 ,X 2COMES A4ICTIVE
V FA/4 ,& IF !Y LIVE L;G 5\<1 Y H A
BUILT-IN CU/OM] BASE4 ,ANYWAY1 Z ,I 0
SAY+1 X'S EASY4 ,Y NE$ ! EQUIP;T4 ,WE
GOT T AT A M1T PACK+ PLANT T CLOS$4 ,A
FEW L>GE VATS4 ,A BOIL] OP],N & WE JURY-
RI7$ A REFRIG],N D1L4
  8,S1 Y TAKE ! EQUIP;T & EXP]I;T >.D--
T'S ACTU,Y :AT ! VACUUM PUMP & REFLUX
3D5S] 7 =--UNTIL Y H A =MULA & PROCESS
T PRODUCES HI< GRADE PRODUCT4 ,X 0 AMAZ-
+LY EASY4 ,RE,Y4 ,I'VE D"O EXP]I;TS 9
HI< S*OOL M -PLICAT$ ?AN :AT WE'VE D"O
"H4 ,Y CD PROBABLY G D[N 6! LOCAL LIBR>Y
& GET ! =MULA IF Y 7 A/UTE 5\<4
  8,& 4TRIBU;N 0 A SNAP1 ?ANKS TO   #BBA
,TOMMY4 ,HE SP5T S"EAL YE>S D[N 9 ,,LA
AF HE GOT BACK F ,VIETNAM4 ,HE FELL 9 )
"S BIK] TYPES & MADE A FEW FRS4 ,WELL1
!Y >E :AT .HE WD CALL FRS4 ,ANYWAY1 TALK
AB A B1UTI;L 4TRIBU;N SY/EM4 ,NO FUSS1
NO MUSS4 ,J FIX UP ! BAT*1 S5D ,TOMMY TO
,,LA 6EX*ANGE ! PRODUCT =! CA% &1 VOI-
L@A1 9/ANT MILLIONAIRE40
  ,JESS W9C$ AT ! EXPRES.N4 ,HE _H BE5
DESCRIB$ T WAY1 HE 0 SURE4 ,N"E 6HIS
FACE B C]TA9LY :5 HE WASN'T "PY 6! 3V]-
S,N4 ,X HURT 6EV5 ?9K AB X & N[ 6HE> !
EXPRES.N \ L\D BR"\ A %>P EMO;NAL RE-
COIL4 ,RUB# MISS$ ! REAC;N ALT4
  ,JESS =C$ HMF 6?9K AB 8 PREDICA;T &
:AT HE WD D IF ,SA3O RE,Y 0 9 ! B>N4
,RUB# WD GA9 ! ADVANTAGE &A DANG]\S CIR-
CUM/.E CD TURN 6CATA/ROPHE4 ,NO IMM SO-
LU;N O3URR$ 6HM4 ,HE DECID$ 6APPLY A
LESSON F 8 POLITICAL LIFE3 :5 NO C\RSE (
AC;N APPE>S OBVI\S1 /ALL L HELL4 ,X WD N
2 H>D 6KEEP ,RUB# TALK+ ON ! WAY 6! B>N4
  8,S1 T'S ONLY F\R1 ISN'T X1 ,B>NEY8
,"K-H[1 EQUIP;T1 MAT]IALS & 4TRIBU;N8
,DIDN'T Y SAY "! 7 FIVE ?+S RE-     #BBB
QUIR$ 6BE A SU3ESS;L DRUG MANUFACTUR]1 N
C.T+ ,,FDA APPROVAL80 ,JESS WOND]$ IF
LI<T S>CASM WD FAKE ,RUB# 962LIEV+ HE 0
LESS N]V\S AB ! SITU,N ?AN HE RE,Y WAS4
  8,"R6 ,"R Y >E1 ,JESS4 ,I'M GLAD Y
ASK$ 2C ,I'M RE,Y Q PR\D (! LA/ "P40 ,Z
?\< HE W]5'T PR\D ( E LA/ DAMN DETAIL (
? D1L1 ,JESS ?"\4
  8,! LA/ "P IS 9 "S WAYS ! H>DE/4 ,Y
SEE1 Y H 6CL1N ! CA%4 ,Y H 6F9D A WAY TO
MAKE X LEGITIMATE OR ELSE :5 Y />T SP5D+
X1 ! ,F$]AL GOV]N;T MI<T GET CURI\S4 ,&!
,F$]AL GOV]N;T IS FAIRLY 9SI/5T ^U RCVG
XS TAKE1 Y "K4 ,X'S DIRTY CA% T S5DS A
LOT ( P 6JAIL1 N ! "ULY+ 5T]PRISE40
  ,!Y 7 WALK+ D[N ! DRIVEWAY1 & ,JESS 0
SURVEY+ ! BIG B>N (F 6! LEFT4 ,X 0 HUGE
--! SIZE (A C\PLE ( SMALL A"P;T BUILD+S4
,L "EY?+ ON ! F>M1 X 0 PA9T$ 9 ! SAME
COLORS1 (F-:ITE ) D>K BLUE TRIM4 ,! RO(
0 SILV] ALUM9UM4 ,A L>GE SET ( SLID+
DOORS 7 CLOS$ 9 FRONT B A REGUL>-SIZ$
DOOR /OOD SLI<TLY AJ> ON ! SIDE FAC+ !
TWO M54
  8,TRU?;LLY1 ?\<1 ,I N"E PLANN$    #BBC
6SP5D X4 ,AT L1/ N "H4 ,Y SEE--& ,I ?9K
Y W 2 GLAD 6HE> ?--,TOMMY & ,I >E L1V+
TN & ,I'M AFRAID WE WON'T 2 -+ BACK4
,T'S RE,Y :Y Y & YR LOVELY WIFE >E "H1
,JESS4 ,J 6BUY U A LL "T 6L1VE ! C.TRY40
  ,!Y 7 GETT+ CLOSE 6! B>N & / NO PLAN
O3URR$ 6,JESS4 ,X DAWN$ ON HM T ? _H BE5
HAPP5+ 6HM A LOT LATELY4 8,S1 ,B>NEY1 H[
DID Y CL1N ! CA%80
  8,OH1 Y1H4 ,WELL1 F/1 ,I B"\ "S SMALL
OLD GOLD M9ES4 ,?REE ( !M 9 DI6]5T "PS (
,WA%+TON4 ,EA* "O 0 NE> AN >EA ": "! EI
_H BE5 A LOT ( GOLD M9+ OR "! _H BE5 RU-
MORS ( POSSI# BIG F9DS4 ,!N ,I S5T ,TOM-
MY 6,ALASKA 6MEET ) AN OLD ACQUA9T.E (
M9E :O IS A GOLD M9] 9 ! ,YUKON4 ,! MAN
ACT$ Z A BROK] )A BUN* ( M9]S4 ,E S (T51
,TOMMY WD G UP 6,FAIRBANKS & MEET )! MAN
& BUY GOLD F HM4
  8,! M9]S LIK$ X A LOT4 ,!Y 7 PD A PRE-
MIUM PRICE = _! GOLD & X 0 9 CA%4 ,EASI]
= !M 6ESCAPE ,UNCLE ,SAM'S L;G >MS T
WAY1 Y "K4 ,&! BROK] LIK$ X 2C HE GOT 8
TAKE -+ & GO+4 ,LOTS ( P 7 GETT+ RI* (F
? D1L1 ,JESS40                      #BBD
  ,!Y 7 ALM 6! DOOR & ,JESS1 / )\T A
PLAN1 0 2COM+ M T5SE & AL]T = :AT"E MI<T
HAPP5 NEXT4 8,Y1H1 & !N :AT80 HE ASK$
ABS5TLY1 J TRY+ 6KEEP ,RUB# PREO3UPI$
:ILE 8 M9D 3T9U$ 6RACE4
  8,WELL1 ,TOMMY WD FLY 6,S1TTLE & G 6A
METAL REF9]Y & SELL ! GOLD AG4 ,HE
DIDN'T H 6REPORT ": X CAME F4 ,C Y BE-
LIEVE T8 ,"! IS NO F$]AL REQUIRE;T 6DIS-
CLOSE S\RCES ( GOLD8 ,!Y WANT Y 6REPORT
"EY?+ ELSE4 ,ANYWAY1 9 CASE ! REF9]Y "E
GOT SUSPICI\S1 ,TOMMY WD J MAKE REF];ES
6\R S"EAL M9ES4 ,& IF ! REF9]Y "E GOT
TOT,Y SUSPICI\S1 X CD *ECK & F9D \ WE
RE,Y DID [N ?REE GOLD M9ES 9 ,WA%+TON1 E
"O 2+ A PLAUSI# C&IDATE = L>GE F9DS4
  8,"H'S ! TOPP]1 ,JESS4 ,WE SIMPLY KEPT
\R M"OY ON A3.T AT ! REF9]Y ": !Y (F] A
M"OY MANAGE;T S]VICE = SUPPLI]S4 ,! -PA-
NY HAS ! CAPABIL;Y 6WIRE ! M"OY OV]S1S
ON A MO;T'S NOTICE--: !Y RCVD E>LI] TD4
,N[1 F\RTE5 MILLION DOLL>S IS WAIT+ =
,TOMMY & ME AT A 4TANT PORT ( CALL4 ,X W
2 A GD LIFE4 ,TOO BAD X TOOK S L;G 6GET
"H40                                #BBE
  ,JESS 0 / /ALL+ :ILE 8 M9D *URN$4
8,F\RTE5 MILLION1 HUH8 ,NO WOND] X TOOK
Y S L;G40
  8,OH1 NO1 ,JESS4 ,Y MIS"U/&4 ,X DIDN'T
TAKE ME T L;G 6A3UMULATE ! F\RTE5 MIL-
LION4 ,LESS ?AN A YE>4 ,I J WI%$ ,I'D H
?"\ ( ? :5 ,I 0 "Y 5 65JOY X L;G] IS
ALL4
  8,H1V5S NO1 X DIDN'T TAKE L;G4 ,Y SEE1
,JESS1 ? IS ! L>GE/ ME?AMPHETAM9E LAB 9
! C.TRY4 ,MAYBE 9 ! _W4 ,WE 7 ACTU,Y BE-
G9N+ 6A6ECT PRICES _W-WIDE4 ,OR S !Y
TELL ME4 ,Y "K1 9 "S PLACES ,I AM "KN Z
! ,8,SPE$ ,K+0'4 ,P :O DON'T EV5 "K MY
"N "K :AT ,I AM DO+ AL? !Y DON'T "K ":
,I AM DO+ X OR H[4 ,I REVOLU;NIZ$ !
BUSI;S1 ,JESS4 ,I 0 6ME? PRODUC;N :AT
,H5RY ,=D 0 6AUTOMOBILES4 ,I MASS PRO-
DUC$ X4 ,USU,Y1 ! /UFF IS MADE ON A TA#
TOP OR 9 A KIT*5 "S": B ,I MASS PRODUC$
X =! F/ "T40
  ,JESS 0 TIR$ ( ,RUB#'S BRA7+ & FRUS-
TRAT$ AT N "K+ :AT 6D NEXT4 ,8 OP;NS N>-
R[$ Z !Y APPROA*$ ! DOOR & SAW ,SA3O'S
C> SITT+ 9 ! B>N OV] ,RUB#'S %\L-   #BBF
D]4 ,"S?+ APPROXIMAT+ PANIC 2GAN 6FILL 8
/OMA*4
  8,/OP60 HE ORD]$ ,RUB# 9 A L\D :ISP]4
8,N[1 WALK V SL[LY UP 6! DOOR & PU% X
OP540
  ,Z !Y G+]LY /EPP$ "? ! FRAME (! DOOR-
WAY1 ,JESS SURVEY$ ! B>N'S 9T]IOR4 ,!
B>N _H A HUGE 3CRETE FLOOR1 CL1N 5 6COOK
ON4 ,& "! WASN'T M* 9 ! WAY ( CLUTT]4
,NO ANIMALS & PRECI\S LL EQUIP;T4
,/RAI<T ACR ! B>N F HM 0 A /ALL$ (F >EA
) TOOLS N1TLY /ACK$ ON %ELVES & HUNG 9
LABEL$ PLACES4 ,F>!R 6! LEFT ON T WALL 0
A L"O ALL-PURPOSE ,JOHN ,DE]E TRACTOR :
HE CD SEE OV] ,SA3O'S C>4 ,& AL;G ! WALL
6HIS LEFT 7 ! V>I\S ATTA*;TS =! TRACTOR1
EA* SUIT$ 6A SPECIALIZ$ TASK4
  ,! BACK WALL _H TWO DOORS4 ,JESS
DIDN'T "K X B ! "O ON ! LEFT1 6! L>G]
ROOM1 L$ 6! ME? LAB4 ,! DOOR ON ! "R L$
6,SA3O & ,TOMMY4 ,ABV ! ROOMS 0 A HUGE
L(T1 PRES5TLY FILL$ 6CAPAC;Y ) HAY F !
SUMM]4
  8,": IS %E80 ,JESS ASK$ QUIETLY4 ,8
VOICE E*O$ SLI<TLY 9 ! CAV]N\S      #BBG
SPACE4
  8,BACK DOOR ON ! "R4 ,& N[1 ,JESS1 ,I
?9K X'S "T Y GAVE ME ! GUN40
  8,N LIKELY4 ,N YET1 AT L1/40 ,JESS 0
HOLD+ ! GUN /RAI<T \ F 8 *E/4 8,LET'S G
BACK "! F/40 ,HE WAV$ ! GUN 9 ! DIREC;N
(! DOOR ) J 8 WRI/S4 ,)9 A FEW /EPS !Y 7
EV5 ) ,SA3O'S C> & ,JESS TOLD ,RUB# TO
WAIT :ILE HE GL.ED 9 ! FRONT & BACK
S1TS4 ,KEEP+ ! ,2RETTA ON ,RUB#1 HE OP5$
! DRIV]'S DOOR & FLIPP$ ! TRUNK LAT* &
!N SL[LY WALK$ BACKW>DS 6LOOK 9SIDE4
  8,JESS4 ,JESS4 ,JESS4 ,5 ( ?4 ,:Y
DON'T Y J GIVE ME ! GUN & Y C SEE ,SA3O4
,X'S RE,Y T SIMPLE40
  8,KEEP WALK+40
  8,F9E1 ,JESS4 ,:AT"E Y SAY40
  ,Z !Y WALK$ T[>D ! BACK1 ,JESS NOTIC$
! DOOR ON ! LEFT 0 MADE (A METAL ) AN
UNUSU,Y /R;G LOCK+ SY/EM4
  8,=T ,KNOX1 HUH80 ,JESS KI4$4
  8,GD Z GOLD4 ,GD Z GOLD40 ,RUB# 0 A
PUN A M9UTE4
  ,!Y R1*$ ! DOOR & /OPP$4 ,RUB# EXT5D$
8 PALM \TW>D Z AN 9VIT,N 6TRY !     #BBH
DOOR4 ,JESS SL[LY TOOK HOLD (! KNOB &
TWI/$ BO? WAYS4 ,"! 0 NO GIVE4
  8,WELL1 ,JESS1 Y H0--HE LOOK$ D[N AT 8
WAT*--8EXACTLY F\R M9UTES4 ,T IS1 IF
,TOMMY'S WAT* IS SYN*RONIZ$ ) M9E4 ,I
C]TA9LY HOPE 8 ISN'T RUNN+ A LL FA/4 ,CD
BE1 Y "K4 ,T WD 2 A %AME4 ,I L YR WIFE1
,JESS4 ,RE,Y4 ,%E'S A F9E PR9CIPAL & DO+
A GD JOB )! -MUN;Y &! /UD5TS &! T1*]S4
,:Y1 ,I BET %E'D EV5 GIVE ME AN EXCELL5T
EVALU,N40 ,RUB#'S VOICE 0 T+$ ) "S BIT-
T];S4
  8,LET'S SAY T 7 6HAPP54 ,SAY ! APPO9T$
H\R >RIVES & "! IS A %OT ON ! O!R SIDE (
! DOOR4 ,:AT WD KEEP ME F EMPTY+ MY ,BE-
RETTA 96YR WOR?.S C>CASS1 ,RUB#8 ,:Y
WDN'T ,I D T80
  8,T C]TA9LY WD 2 YR *OICE1 ,JESS40
,RUB# %[$ NO SIGN ( N]VES :ATSO"E4 ,!
TWO M5 />$ AT "O ANO!R =A FULL M9UTE4
  8,H[ D ,I EV5 "K %E IS 9 "!80
  8,T'S EASY40 ,RUB# /EPP$ 6! DOOR &
GAVE A SPECIAL KNOCK1 OBVI\SLY A
PRE>RANG$ SIGNAL4 ,6,JESS1 X S.D$ L !
8%AVE & HAIRCUT1 SIX BITS0 RHY?M    #BBI
HE _H BE5 TAU<T 9 GRADE S*OOL4 ,"EY?+ )
,RUB# 0 S C>E;LLY PLANN$4 8,TOMMY1 TAKE
! TAPE (F H] M\?40 ,HE /EPP$ BACK & IN-
VIT$ ,JESS 6/EP 6! DOOR4
  8,SA3O4 ,PAISAN1 ? IS ,JESS4 ,>E Y 9
"!80 ,JESS %\T$ AT ! DOOR B KEPT 8 EYES
& ,2RETTA TRA9$ ON ,RUB#4 8,>E Y 9 "!1
,SA3O80
  8,I'M "H1 ,JESS40 ,H] VOICE 0 /1DY &
CLE>LY L\D 5 6BE HE>D4 ,"! 0 A MU6L$
VOICE & %E A4$1 8,I'M F9E4 ,I'M N HURT40
  ,JESS & ,RUB# />$ AT "O ANO!R4 ,RUB#
KEPT A 8,WELL8 ,:AT N[80 LOOK ON 8 FACE
& F9,Y LOOK$ AT 8 WAT*4 8,TWO M9UTES1
,JESS4 X'S YR CALL40 ,HE HELD \ 8 H& TO
TAKE ! GUN4
  ,JESS ?"\ AB %OOT+ ,RUB# 6SEE :AT RE-
AC;N T WD BR+ F ! O!R SIDE (! DOOR1 6SEE
IF ,TOMMY WD KEEP ! S*$ULE OR 2G9 NEGO-
TI,NS1 R1LIZ+ 8 LIFE1 TOO1 0 ON ! L9E4
  ,! ?"\ ( COLD BLOOD$ MURD] *ILL$ HM
EV5 ?\< HE FELT ,RUB# 0 )\T REDEEM+ VAL-
UE4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ANO!R "T :5 HE TOOK O!R
M5'S LIVES1 M5 :O PROBABLY LEFT ! _W A
LESS] PLACE HE ?"\1 AT L1/ -P>$     #BCJ
6? "O4
  ,MAYBE HE CD FAKE %OOT+ ,RUB# 0FIR+ A
%OT4 ,!N HE CD BR1K ! DOOR D[N & RU%
,TOMMY4 ,MAYBE ,TOMMY WD 2 S UNN]V$ 0!
GUNFIRE T HE WD 2 MO;T>ILY %OCK$1 CAU<T1
L A DE] 9 H1DLI<TS4
  8,"O M9UTE1 ,JESS10 ,RUB# ANN\NC$4
  ,JESS LOOK$ AT ! GUN &! DOOR & 96HIS
S\L4 ,HE KNEW ,SA3O 0 ALIVE "R N[4 ,HE
WASN'T SURE %E WD 2 IF HE DID ANY?+ O!R
?AN :AT ,RUB# REQUE/$4
  ,HE REV]T$ 6=M & PLAY$ "O LA/ /ALL4 ,?
"T1 ?\<1 ! /ALL M1NT HE TURN$ ! ,2RETTA
OV] 6,RUB#4 ,X GAVE HM A LL "T4 ,HE J
WASN'T SURE H[ M*4
  8,GD BOY10 ,RUB# SD SMIL+ Z HE TOOK !
GUN & PO9T$ X BACK AT ,JESS4 ,HE GAVE !
SPECIAL KNOCK ON ! DOOR AG & SD1 8,OP5
UP1 ,TOMMY4 ,"EY?+ IS "U 3TROL40





            ,,*APT] ,,N9ETE5        #BCA

  ,! DOOR SWUNG OP5 & ALL ,JESS SAW 0
,SA3O4 ,%E SAT FAC+ HM ON AN OLD1 WOOD51
:ITE *AIR 9 ! MI4LE (! ROOM ) H] LEGS
B.D AT MID-CALF 6! LEGS (! *AIR & H] H&S
TI$ 2H H] BACK4 ,A BALL ( GRAY WA4$ UP
DUCT TAPE T _H ONCE SIL;ED ,SA3O N[ RE/$
ON ! FLOOR 2S H]4
  ,JESS RU%$ OV]1 KNELT D[N & PUT BO?
>MS >.D H]4 ,%E _H N"E FELT S GD 6HM4
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"O4
  ,! ONLY VISI# USE (! ROOM1 O!R ?AN
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  ,2H HM1 ,JESS HE>D ,TOMMY 5TR1T 8
BRO!R1 8,-E ON4 ,WE H !M N[4 ,J L Y SD4
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"H40 ,JESS ?"\ ,TOMMY 0 OV]LY ANXI\S
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LY TWO "DS )\T 8 BE/ FR1 8,C(FEEMATE40
  8,-E ON1 ,B>NEY4 ,LET'S G60 ,HE   #BCC
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  ,JESS TURN$ & PUT 8 >M >.D ,SA3O S T
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DRESS$ 9 BLUE J1NS1 A DIRTY TEE %IRT &
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GUN 9 ,TOMMY'S H&1 PROBABLY A TW5TY-TWO4
,N M* (A W1PON1 ,JESS ?"\4 ,9 FACT1 UN.S
/RATEGIC,Y AIM$ AT CLOSE RANGE1 X WDN'T
/OP M*4
  ,TOMMY LOOK$ TIR$ & N]V\S4 ,HE 0 JUMPY
& 8 BODY B\NC$ F SIDE 6SIDE Z HE PRESS$
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  8,SOON1 LL BRO!R1 SOON10 ,RUB# RE-
SPOND$4 8,JESS1 MOVE AWAY F ,SA3O & GET
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CAPTOR4
  ,JESS SCOOT$ A C\PLE FEET 6! SIDE &
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F+]S B ,RUB# PD NO HE$4 ,RUB# 0 M   #BCD
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! POSI;N OR OB$I;E 6! -M&4
  8,T'S "R1 ,JESS4 ,T W 2 F9E4 ,H[ D YR
KNEES FEEL1 0! WAY8 ,I IMAG9E T 3CRETE
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T"O T CAUS$ ,JESS =! F/ "T 63SID] H[ /A#
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  8,-E ON1 ,B>NEY4 ,LET'S GET \ ( "H40
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  8,SURE4 ,SURE1 LL BRO!R4 ,J "O LL DE-
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& BR+ X D[N8 ,I'LL J /AY & F9I% UP "H &
2 "R \40
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8,:AT D Y H 9 M9D1 ,RUB#8 ,! ,G>Y ,LO!R
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SUBTLE ? "T8 ,NO NE$ 6BE SUBTLE N[1 IS
"!80
  8,%UT UP1 ,/EV5S4 ,TOMMY1 GET \ ( "H4
,G GET ! C>40
  8,:AT DOES HE M1N ,8! ,G>Y ,LO!R
TR1T;T0' ,B>NEY8 ,:AT IS HE SAY-    #BCE
+80
  8,NO?+1 ,TOMMY4 ,J G GET ! C>4 ,HURRY
UP & WE C L1VE40
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KNEW AB & 0 A "P (! MURD]S ( ,LO!R &
,PAGE4 ,HE MOV$ FA/ 6SEE IF ANY OPPORTU-
N;Y WOR? EXPLOIT+ WD PRES5T XF4
  8,GEE1 ,TOMMY4 ,DIDN'T Y "K AB ,G>Y
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  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,TOMMY TURN$ TO
8 OLD] BRO!R4 8,B>NEY1 :AT IS HE TALK+
AB8 ,TELL ME40
  8,NO?+1 ,TOMMY1 NO?+4 ,N[ G GET ! C> &
WE'LL L1VE4 ,D Z ,I SAY1 ,TOMMY40 ,SL[LY
& RELUCTANTLY ,TOMMY />T$ 6TURN 6L1VE
AG4
  8,TOMMY10 ,JESS CALL$1 8,I BET ,B>NEY
"H HAS A C]TA9 COLLEC;N ( ANIMALS T HE
TELLS Y N"E 6G NE>1 DOESN'T HE8 ,MAYBE A
C]TA9 K9D ( FROG4 ,& HE TELLS Y 6/AY
AWAY F !M AT ALL "TS 2C X C 2 DANG]\S80
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,TOMMY TURN$ BACK ONCE AG1 ? "T )A LOOK
( 3FU.N ON 8 FACE4                  #BCF
  8,WELL1 Y1H1 HE DOES4 ,:Y8 ,:AT'S ?
AB1 ,B>NEY80 ,X 0 ,RUB#'S TURN 62COME
AGITAT$ Z HE S5S$ HE 0 LOS+ 3TROL (!
SITU,N & 8 BRO!R4
  8,TOMMY1 GODAMNIT4 ,G GET ! C>60 HE
YELL$4
  8,/OP YELL+ AT ME10 ,TOMMY SCR1M$
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  8,LI/5 6ME1 ,TOMMY10 ,JESS 9T]JECT$4
8,YR BRO!R POISON$ ! ,LO!R BOY ) SECRE;N
F T FROG4 ,HE _H 6KILL HM 6GET HM \ (!
WAY 2C ( ALL ! "TS HE CAME SNOOP+ >.D
"H4 ,REMEMB]1 ,TOMMY8 ,REMEMB] :5 ,G>Y
,LO!R CAME >.D ? SUMM] & Y *AS$ HM (F8
,REMEMB] H[ "S (! EQUIP;T />T$ 4APPE>+ &
H[ ,B>NEY ?"\ X 0 ! ,LO!R BOY8 ,WELL1 HE
KILL$ HM1 & ,TOMMY1 T MAKES Y AN A3ES-
SORY 6MURD]40
  8,IS T TRUE1 ,B>NEY80 HE SD FAC+ 8
BRO!R4 ,RUB# 0 TRAPP$ & KNEW X4 ,HE AL
KNEW T 2+ TOO DIRECTIVE CD PROVE C.T]-
PRODUCTIVE ) 8 TEMP]A;TAL SIBL+4
  8,N[1 ,TOMMY10 HE SD 9 A M* M 3CILIAT+
VOICE1 8,I DIDN'T WANT 6UPSET Y B ! BOY
CD H RU9$ "EY?+4 ,"EY?+1 ,TOMMY4    #BCG
,HE CD H S5T U BO? 6PRISON =A L;G1 L;G
"T4 ,& !N ALL \R HOPES & DR1MS WD 2 G"O1
,TOMMY4 ,\R FREEDOM4 ,\R M"OY4 ,"EY?+40
  8,ASK HM AB ,%]IFF ,PAGE1 ,TOMMY10
,JESS A4$ QKLY1 PLAY+ 8 LA/ C>D4 8,ASK
HM AB PUTT+ A BULLET "? ! H1D ( ? C.TY'S
TOP LAW 5=CE;T (FIC]1 ,TOMMY4 ,ASK HM40
  ,TOMMY />$ F ,JESS 6,B>NEY )A LOOK (
TOTAL 4BELIEF ON 8 FACE4 ,HE _H GOTT5
HOME F ,S1TTLE LATE ! NI<T 2F & 0 N AW>E
(! MURD]4 8,%]IFF ,PAGE80 HE SD S.D+
%OCK$4 8,B>NEY1 :AT HAPP5$80
  ,RUB# 0 CLE>LY 4ORI5T$ 0? DEVELOP;T4
,X _H BE5 A 3T+5CY = : HE _H N FULLY &
C>E;LLY PLANN$ L HE _H "EY?+ ELSE4
8,TOMMY10 HE SD SOO?+LY1 8Y DON'T 2LIEVE
HM1 D Y8 ,I DON'T "K :O KILL$ ,PAGE B ,I
DIDN'T D X4 ,:Y WD ,I D T8 ,HE WASN'T A
?R1T 6U40
  8,/OP LY+ 6ME10 ,TOMMY %\T$4 8,I CALL$
Y & TOLD Y ! ,%]IFF _H BE5 D[N AT ,9L&
,EMPIRE ,*EMICAL )! ,LO!R BOY'S PICTURE4
,& Y KILL$ HM1 DIDN'T Y8 ,DIDN'T Y80
  ,JESS JUMP$ IN4 8,TOMMY1 G *ECK 8
RIFLE 9 ! H\SE4 ,SEE IF X IS /      #BCH
"!40 ,JESS KEPT GAMBL+1 ? "T T ! "E-
C>E;L ,B>NEY WD H DE/ROY$ OR HI45 ! RI-
FLE 2F L1V+ T[N4 ,HE 0 3FID5T T ,B>NEY
_H "S WAY 6COV] MO/ ( 8 TRACKS ON ! WAY
\ ( T[N4 ,HE HIT ! BULL'S EYE4
  8,%UT UP1 ,/EV5S4 ,I'VE _H J AB 5 (
Y40
  8,SURE1 ,RUB#4 ,& !N Y'RE GO+ 6KILL U
J L ,G>Y ,LO!R & ,BILL ,PAGE1 HUH8 ,T'S
:Y Y WANT ,TOMMY 6L1VE4 ,S1 Y C GET RID
( U :5 HE'S G"O4
  8,TOMMY1 Y ?"\ HE 0 J GO+ 6TIE U UP S
Y CD GET \ ( T[N ="E1 "R8 ,WR;G1 ,TOMMY4
,YR BRO!R ISN'T SATISFI$ )! BOY &! ,%]-
IFF2 HE WANTS 6ADD TWO M4 ,IS T :AT Y
WANT1 ,TOMMY80
  8,B>NEY4 ,NO6 ,WE C'T D ?40
  8,I'M N GO+ 6D ANY?+1 ,TOMMY4 ,I'M J
GO+ 6TIE ,JESS UP SECURELY S HE C'T GET
LOOSE UNTIL WE >E L;G G"O4 ,Y'RE "R4 ,"!
IS NO NE$ 6D ANY?+ ELSE AT ? PO9T40
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U4 ,WE "K "EY?+4 ,9CLUD+ T HE       #BCI
KILL$ ! BOY & ,PAGE4 ,=A DRUG *>GE1 !Y
MAY N SE>* ! E>? LOOK+ = Y B = KILL+ A
%]IFF8 ,Y'LL N"E 2 SAFE4 ,HE HAS 6GET
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7 ALL D"O 9 0! SAME KILL]4 ,O!RWISE1 !Y
W N"E /OP LOOK+ = Y4 ,Y'LL N"E 2 SAFE1
,TOMMY4 ,!Y W ALW 2 AF Y40 ,JESS 0 HAM-
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"S?+ HE 9/9CTIVELY KNEW WD UNN]VE ,TOM-
MY4
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! FACE4 ,JESS CAU<T ! BRUNT (! BL[ ON !
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GR.D4 ,JESS KNEW AT ONCE T 8 NOSE 0 BAD-
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  8,LOOK1 ,TOMMY10 HE SD IMMLY TURN+
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OV] N[4 ,ALL WE H 6D IS L1VE4 ,WE W H
"EY?+ WE WANT4 ,NO "O W "K ": WE W5T4
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6D IS WALK \ T DOOR & G GET ! C>40
  ,TOMMY 0 LOOK+ F ,B>NEY 6! C\PLE ON !
FLOOR & BACK AG4 ,HE SEEM$ 6BE CALM+ D[N
& ,B>NEY PU%$ ON4 8,I AM SORRY AB ,G>Y
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NO?+ C *ANGE T N[4 ,NO?+ C *ANGE X N[40
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FUR!R F ! TRU?4
  ,SA3O SD LAT] T %E ?"\ %E ACTU,Y HE>D
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8 FACE & EYES SWELL$ ALM IMMLY4 ,HE _H
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BE5 ! CATALY/4                      #BDA
  ,OR X MAY H BE5 HE>+ ,RUB# SAY 8NO?+ C
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  ,B ,JESS HE>D "S?+ DI6]5T--"S?+ F A
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  ,X 0 A TYPICAL ,JANU>Y "D AT HOME1
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9 ! LOVE S1T SW+ ) LEGISLATIVE REPORTS &
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BOY 8 FULL ATT5;N4 ,X 0 WISDOM HE _H
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8 SON'S H& :ILE HE SLIPP$ F ? LIFE 6!
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2T ,JESS & HMF 9 T LL "T4
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9 H] L[] LEFT LEG & %E YELP$ ) XS IM-
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PREVI\S W.D4 ,ORD9>ILY1 ! =CE MI<T H
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8 H1D L1N+ AG/ ! WALL NEXT 6! DOOR4
,TOMMY'S H& BANG$ H>D AG/ ! WALL &) X1 !
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  ,! ROOM 0 9/ANTLY QUIET4 ,! CACOPHONY
9 ! ROOM 0 IMMLY REPLAC$ ) %E] SIL;E &!
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8,PL1SE1 NO4 ,PL1SE40
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= H]F AT ALL B %E ?"\ IF %E _H A *.E TO
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8 [N SAFETY 9 ! LA/ ?IRTY M9UTES4
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? A FEW "TS UNTIL HE 2CAME AW>E (! BLOOD
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  8,OH1 ?ANK ,GOD1 ?ANK ,GOD1       #BEC
?ANK ,GOD4 ,I LOVE Y1 ,JESS4 ,I LOVE Y S
M*40






















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            ,,*APT] ,,TW5TY         #BEE

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SIL;E />+ \ AT ! LAKE4 ,SA3O J SMIL$ &
PATT$ 8 H& P]IODIC,Y 6REASSURE HM4 ,%E
KNEW :5 HE GOT OV] ! %OCK HE WD 2 UNCON-
TA9ABLY HAPPY4
  ,HE DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE Z TWO LOONS TOOK
LABOR$ FLI<T 6H1D S\? 6F9D _! MATES =
LIFE & RE/ ON ! OC1N 2F RETURN+4 ,! "T
_H -E = _! LIVES 6MOVE =W>D4
  ,! PH"O RANG4 ,X 0 ! ,GOV]NOR4 ,? "T1
HE WDN'T TAKE NO = AN ANSW]4
                                    #BFD