,,"D ,,( ,,! ,,D1D

             ,J4 ,A4 ,,J.E

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
      ,H>P],COLL9S ,PUBLI%]S1 ,9C4
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #BJJD 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 BY
     ,C>OLYN ,RI<I1 ,%>ON ,CILLEY1
   ,NANCY ,HAMILTON1 & ,BE? ,GOODMAN
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-AJF

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
























                                    ;III







     ,? BOOK IS D$ICAT$ 6! MEMORY (
      BE/SELL+ ,AM]ICAN /ORYTELL]
    ,H>OLD ,BELL ,W"R1 :O1 9 ! E>LY
     #AIJJ'S1 R1LIZ$ T IF !Y W]5'T
     WRITT5 D[N1 ! ANCI5T /ORIES (!
    ,TOHONO ,O'ODHAM P WD 2 ="E LO/4
           ,X IS ?ANKS 6HM T
         _M ( ^! /ORIES REMA94









                                     ;IV
























           ,,"D ,,( ,,! ,,D1D         #A

                PROLOGUE

    ,NOVEMB] #B1 #AIGJ
  ,X 0 ,MON"D1 S ,B5NY ,GUTI]REZ 0 FI<T+
A HANGOV]--A S]I\S HANGOV]4 ,HE _H G"O
6! D.E AT ,CR[ ,HANG ON ,FRI"D & !N SP5T
ALL ( ,SATUR"D & ,SUN"D "TD-\ ) "S ( 8
BU4IES OV] AT ! ,?REE ,PO9TS ,TRAD+ ,PO/
J EA/ (! ,PAPAGO ,RES]V,N B.D>Y4 ,N[1 Z
HE HALFHE>T$LY DRA7$ ! PLA/IC TRA% BAG
AL;G ,HI<WAY #HF WE/ ( ,SELLS1 :AT HE
WANT$ 9 ! WOR/ WAY 0 A HIT ( =TIFI$ W9E
--! DR9K "EY"O ON ! RES]V,N CALL$ ,BIG
,R$4 ,B HE'D SETTLE =A BE]4
  ,F/1 ?\<1 ,B5NY _H 6MAKE X "? ! "D4
,HE _H 6"W4 ,T 0 ! D1L HE'D MADE ) ,ROB-
]T & ,DORE51 8 BRO!R & SI/]-IN-LAW1 AF
,ES!R _H KICK$ HM \4 ,IF HE'D "W1 ,ROB]T
& ,DORE5 WD GIVE HM A PLACE 6/AY--A B$1
ANYWAY--& T B1T SLEEP+ ON ! GR.D4 ,9 !
SUMM] ! GR.D WASN'T BAD4 ,EV5 :5 HE &
,ES!R _H / BE5 TGR1 HE'D SLEPT \TSIDE A
"T OR TWO--IN 8 TRUCK "S"TS1 OR ELSE ON
! GR.D4 ,B ! CR$IT UNION _H REPOS-    #B
SESS$ 8 PICKUP1 & ,ES!R _H S5T HM D[N !
ROAD4 ,N[1 9 E>LY ,NOVEMB]1 X 0 WAY TOO
COLD 6SLEEP \TSIDE AT NI<T1 EV5 9 A
TRUCK4
  ,B5NY DIDN'T RU%4 ,"! 0 NO R1SON 6HUR-
RY4 ,! ,TRIBAL ,"W ,EXP]I;E ,PROGRAM
DIDN'T PAY 5 6MAKE "W+ H>D WOR?:ILE4 ,:5
"O BAG 0 FULL1 HE DRA7$ T "O OV] 6! PILE
HE 0 GRADU,Y A3UMULAT+4 ,ACR ! HI<WAY1
,ALV9 ,N>*O'S PILE 0 GR[+ AT AB ! SAME
SEDATE PACE4 ,IF ! TWO M5 7 RAC+1 X 0 A
V SL[ RACE4 ,& S9CE ,ALV9 _H BE5 \ 2H
,?REE ,PO9TS ,TRAD+ ,PO/ ALL ,SUN"D AFN
"R AL;G ) ,B5NY1 HE PROBABLY WASN'T 9
ANY BETT] %APE ?AN ,B5NY WAS4
  ,! SUN 0 HI< 9 ! SKY :5 ,B5NY SPOTT$ !
COOL]4 ,A BIG BLUE-&-:ITE ,COLEMAN ICE
*E/--A RELATIVELY NEW "O1 F ! LOOKS ( X
--LAY HI45 J 9SIDE ! YAWN+ OP5+ 6A CUL-
V]T T RAN "U ! HI<WAY4 ,Z SOON Z HE SAW
X1 ,B5NY 0 SURE HE KNEW :AT _H HAPP5$4
,X _H PROBABLY BL[N \ (! BACK (A PICKUP
DRIV5 0"S ,ANGLO RETURN+ F A TRIP TO
,ROCKY ,PO9T 9 ,OLD ,MEXICO4 ,"! 0 ALW A
*.E T ! COOL] WD 2 FULL ( ONCE FRO-   #C
Z5 B N[ ROTT+ FI%1 B IF ,B5NY 0 LUCKY--
RE,Y LUCKY--MAYBE "!'D 2 BE] 9 ! COOL] Z
WELL4 ,W>M BE] 0 BETT] ?AN NO BE]4
  ,DROPP+ 8 BAG1 ,B5NY SCRAM#D D[N ! $GE
(! WA%4 ,DESPITE 8 BIG BELLY1 HE MOV$ )
SURPRIS+ SPE$ & AGIL;Y4 ,HE NE$$ 6B1T
,ALV9 6! PRIZE4 ,IF "! 7 TWO BE]S1 ,B5NY
MI<T 2 WILL+ 6%>E4 ,B IF "! 0 ONLY "O8
,TOO BAD = ,ALV94
  ,PANT+1 ,B5NY GRA2$ ! H&LE4 ,! COOL] 0
SURPRIS+LY H1VY4 ,GRUNT+ ) EF=T1 ,B5NY
PULL$ X \ (! CULV]T & (F 6"O SIDE S X WD
2 \ ( ,ALV9'S L9E ( VI.N ONCE HE R1*$ !
F> 5D (! CULV]T4 ,ONLY :5 ! ICE *E/ 0
SAFELY 3C1L$ F ,ALV9'S VIEW DID ,B5NY
R1* D[N 6UNFA/5 ! LID4 ,Z SOON Z HE DID
S1 A CL\D ( UNBE>A# /5* EXPLOD$ 96! AIR4
,COV]+ 8 M\? & NOSE1 ,B5NY /A7]$ AWAY F
! COOL]4 ,9 8 RU%1 HE /UM#D & FELL4 ,8
H& BANG$ H>D AG/ ! TOP (! COOL]1 KNOCK+
! LID WIDE OP54 ,! J>R+ BL[ CAUS$ ! CON-
T5TS (! COOL] 6%IFT & "S?+ WET & F\L
SLOPP$ ONTO ,B5NY'S L;G-SLEEV$ %IRT4
  ,! SMELL AL"O 0 5 6/UN HM4 ,B5NY TRI$
63TROL 8 GAG REFLEX L;G 5 6PU% HMF    #D
AWAY4 ,X 0 !N1 Z HE ATTEMPT$ 6REGA9 8
FEET1 T HE SAW H]4 ,A FACE />$ \ AT HM4
,/R&S ( L;G BLACK HAIR FLOAT$ ON TOP (A
VILE-SMELL+ /EW4
  ,GROAN+ 9 HORROR1 ,B5NY LUR*$ AWAY4
,HE MANAG$ ONLY A FEW /EPS 2F HE FELL
ONCE AG4 ,HE DROPP$ H1VILY 6! GR.D &
VOMIT$ UNCONTROLLABLY 96! S&4 ,:5 !
SPASMS F9,Y LEFT HM1 ,B5NY LAY "!1 EX-
HAU/$ & UNA# 6MOVE1 WOND]+ IF HE WD "E
BR1! AG )\T ! H1VY ODOR ( ROTT+ FLE% P]-
M1T+ 8 LUNGS4
  ,LESS ?AN TWO YE>S AF T ,NOVEMB] AFN1
,B5NY ,GUTI]REZ 0 D1D AT AGE ?IRTY-EI<T
--A VICTIM ( CIRRHOSIS (! LIV] &( ACUTE
ALCOHOL POISON+4 ,T 0 :AT 8 M$ICAL *>T
SD1 & X 0 TRUE4
  ,B _H ANY"O BO!R$ 63SULT A M$IC9E MAN
--A .SIWANI1 !Y MI<T H LE>N$ "S?+ ELSE 0
WR;G4 ,A M$IC9E MAN CD H TOLD !M T ,B5-
NY'S _S _H BE5 9FECT$ 0A <O/1 A .KOKOI--
0! _S ( "S"O :O 0 D1D4 ,& T 0 TRUE Z
WELL4 ,EV5 Z ,B5NY LAY DY+ 9 A SPOT.SLY
CL1N HOSPITAL B$1 ! AW;L SMELL F !
MURD]$ GIRL 9 ! COOL] L+]$ 9 8 WA-    #E
V]+ S5SES4 ,DORE5 & ,ROB]T 7 "! ) HM1 &
S 0 ,ES!R1 B ! LA/ ?+ ,B5NY SAW1 SWIMM+
HAZILY 2F 8 EYES Z HE DRIFT$ 96UNCON-
SCI\S;S =! LA/ "T1 0 T T]RI# FACE />+
BLLY UP AT HM F DEEP 9SIDE A BLUE-&-:ITE
,COLEMAN COOL]4
  ,X ONLY :5 ,B5NY ,GUTI]REZ 0 D1D1 TOO1
T HE MANAG$ 6ESCAPE ! GIRL 9 ! BOX4 ,ON-
LY !N DID %E F9,Y SET HM FREE4















                                      #F
























                   "O                 #G

  ,!Y SAY X HAPP5$ L;G AGO T .,I'ITOI1
,ELD] ,BRO!R1 CAME 6A VILLAGE 6SEE IF 8
,DES]T ,P _H 5 WAT] AF ! L;G SUMM] H1T4
  ,Z HE WALK$ AL;G HE HE>D A CR[D ( ,IN-
DIAN *N PLAY+4 ,HE /OPP$ =A :ILE & WAT*$
!M1 LI/5+ 6! MUSIC ( _! VOICES & LAU<T]4
,AB T "T1 ,ELD] ,BRO!R SAW AN OLD WOMAN
C>RY+ A H1VY LOAD ( WOOD = H] COOK+
FIRE4 ,OLD ,WOMAN 0 N Z HAPPY & C>EFREE
Z ! *N4 ,%E _H NO 5]GY 6S+ OR PLAY4
  ,AB T "T AN OLD COYOTE CAME & /OOD BY
.,I'ITOI4 ,HE1 TOO1 WAT*$ ! *N4 ,OLD
,COYOTE'S RIBS %[$ "U 8 ?91 RA7$ COAT4
,L ,OLD ,WOMAN1 ,OLD ,COYOTE CD NO L;G]
PLAY & D.E4 ,8 PAWS 7 TOO /IFF & SORE F
J WALK+ >.D 9 ! DES]T4
  ,SEE+ ,OLD ,WOMAN & ,OLD ,COYOTE MADE
.,I'ITOI SAD4 ,2C ,ELD] ,BRO!R'S HE>T 0
H1VY1 HE CDN'T WALK V FA/4 ,HE W5T 6!
%ADE ( "S COTTONWOOD TREES 6RE/4 ,X 0
AUTUMN1 S ! L1VES ON ! TREE _H TURN$
YELL[1 B !Y / MADE %ADE4
  ,Z ,GRT ,_S SAT "U ! TREES1 HE ?"\ AB
! *N AT PLAY & AB H[ DI6]5T !Y WD 2   #H
:5 !Y GREW OLD4 ,HE ?"\ AB "S "Y CALVES
HE _H SE5 T MORN+ 9 A FIELD & AB H[ !Y
WD *ANGE Z !Y GREW OLD]4 ,HE ?"\ AB A "Y
COLT HE _H SE5 KICK+ UP XS HEELS ) JOY1
& HE ?"\ AB H[1 "O "D1 ,"Y ,COLT WD BE-
-E ,OLD ,HORSE4 ,HE ?"\ AB FL[]S & AB H[
_! L1VES )]$ & _! COLORS FAD$ :5 !Y GREW
OLD4
  ,?9K+ AB ^! ?+S1 .,I'ITOI DECID$ HE WD
L 6H "S?+ >.D HM T WD N *ANGE Z X 2CAME
OLD4 ,HE WANT$ "S?+ T WD N GR[ H1VY L !
C[S & HORSES OR WR9KL$ & B5T L OLD M5 &
WOM5 OR DRY & COLOR.S L D1D FL[]S4 ,GRT
,_S WANT$ "S?+ T WD ALW /AY HAPPY & B1U-
TI;L L ! *N4
  ,Z .,I'ITOI 0 ?9K+ ^! ?+S "U ! COTTON-
WOOD TREES1 HE LOOK$ UP4 ,HE SAW ! YELL[
L1VES4 ,HE SAW ! BLUE SKY "? ! L1VES4
,HE SAW ! %AD[S "U ! YELL[ L1VES4 ,HE
LOOK$ D[N & SAW /R1KS & SPOTS ( SUNLI<T
DANC+ >.D ON ! GR.D J Z ! ,9DIAN ,*N _H
D.ED4 ,!N ,GRT ,_S LAU<$1 = Y SEE1
.NAWOJ--MY FR1 .,I'ITOI _H F.D J :AT HE
WANT$4
    ,,M>* #AF1 #BJJJ                  #I
  ,BR&ON ,WALK] /OOD 9 FRONT (! BA?ROOM
MIRROR LOCK$ 9 MORTAL -BAT )! /U2ORN
/R+S ( 8 B[ TIE4 ,Z SW1T DAMP5$ 8 BR[ &
SOAK$ "? ! "U>MS ( 8 />*$ :ITE %IRT1 HE
L;G$ =! GD OLD "DS :51 Z ,PIMA ,C.TY %]-
IFF1 HE CD H %[N UP AT "O ( ^! CATTLE
CALLS 9 8 DRESS UNI=M 9/1D ( HAV+ 6PUT
ON A /UPID TUX$O4
  ,"! 0 A TAP ON ! DOOR4 8,>E Y R1DY80
,DIANA ASK$4 8,X'S GETT+ LATE40
  8,!N Y'D BETT] -E HELP ME ) ? DAMN$
TIE10 ,BR&ON GRUNT$4
  ,DIANA OP5$ ! DOOR1 & H] REFLEC;N JO9$
8 9 ! MIRROR4 ,%E 0 S B1UTI;L T SEE+ H]
TOOK ,BR&ON'S BR1? AWAY4 ,%E 0 DRESS$ 9
A DEEP BLUE FULL-L5G? TA6ETA G[N T -PLE-
;T$ E 9* ( H] / SLIM FIGURE4 ,9 ! CLEFT
AT ! BASE ( H] ?ROAT A DIAMOND SOLIT>E
P5DANT HUNG F A SL5D] GOLD *A94 ,T S+LE
PIECE ( JEWELRY _H CO/ M ?AN ,BR&ON'S F/
H\SE4 ,H] AUBURN HAIR1 HI<LI<T$ N[ )
NATURAL /R1KS ( GRAY1 0 PULL$ BACK 9 AN
ELEGANT ,FR5* TWI/4
  8,HI1 GORGE\S10 HE SD4
  ,%E SMIL$ BACK AT HM4 8,Y'RE N S   #AJ
BAD YRF4 ,:AT'S ! TR\#80
  8,! B[10 HE SD4 8,I'M ALL FUM# F+]S40
  ,X TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS = H] 6UN-
TANGLE & /RAI<T5 ! TIE4 8,"!10 %E SD1
PATT+ 8 %\LD]4 8,N[ LET'S GET GO+40
  ,BR&ON PICK$ UP 8 JACKET F ! B$ &
%RU7$ 8 WAY 96X Z HE FOLL[$ 8 WIFE D[N !
HALL4 8,: C>80 HE ASK$4 8,M9E OR YRS80
  8,YRS10 %E SD4
  ,!Y DROVE EA/ F ,GATES ,PASS & 96D[N-
T[N ,TUCSON 6! -MUN;Y C5T] ": ! ,TUCSON
,MAN & ,WOMAN (! ,YE> B5EFIT GALA 0 2+
HELD4 ,! HONOREES1 ,GAYLE & ,DR4 ,LAWR;E
,/RYK]1 7 FRS ( ,DIANA ,LADD'S DAT+ BACK
6H] "DS Z A T1*] ON ! ,TOHONO ,O'ODHAM
,RES]V,N4 ,N[ A LOCAL LUM9>Y1 ,DIANA _H
BE5 ASK$ 6GIVE A %ORT 9TRODUCTORY & NO
D\BT LAUDATORY SPEE*4 ,BR&ON'S PLAN 0 TO
G1 2 SE51 & D 8 BE/ 6BE AGREEA#4 ,B :5 X
CAME 6,L>RY & ,GAYLE ,/RYK]1 HE 9T5D$ TO
KEEP 8 M\? FIRMLY %UT4 ,T WD 2 BE/ = ALL
3C]N$4

  ,L>RY ,/RYK] SAT ON ! DAIS OV]LOOK+ !
DECORAT$ BALLROOM FILL$ ) C&LELIT    #AA
BANQUET TA#S & LI/5$ Z ,DIANA ,LADD /OOD
AT ! MICROPH"O & SPOKE AB OLD "TS4
  8,Z "S ( Y "K1 9 ! E>LY SEV5TIES ,I
W5T "? A R\< PAT*4 ,I 0 T1*+ ON ! RES]-
V,N1 _H LO/ MY HUSB&1 & _H A BR&-NEW BA-
BY4 ,N _M P /UCK ) ME DUR+ T "T1 B ,L>RY
& ,GAYLE ,/RYK] DID1 & ,I'LL ALW 2
GRATE;L = T4 ,OV] ! YE>S X'S BE5 GRATI-
FY+ = ME 6SEE :AT !Y'VE D"O ) _! LIVES &
6WAT* Z !Y'VE TURN$ A S+LE IDEA 96A P[]-
;L TOOL = GD40
  ,L>RY SE>*$ ! SEA ( UPTURN$ FACES UN-
TIL HE CAU<T SI<T ( ,BR&ON ,WALK] SITT+
AT "O (! =EMO/ TA#S4 ,! =M] %]IFF1 LOOK+
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A R5T$ TUX1 SAT ) 8 >MS FOLD$ ACR 8 *E/4
,_! EYES MET BRIEFLY4 ,BR&ON NO4$ 9 AC-
"KL$G;T1 B "! 0 NO?+ FRLY 9 ! GE/URE--ON
EI SIDE4
  .,=M] %]IFF4 ,T 0 ! OP]ANT ^W "H4
,:ILE ,DIANA ,LADD SPOKE (! GD OLD "TS1
,L>RY 0 FREE 6LET 8 ?"\S DRIFT BACK 6^?
"TS Z WELL4 ,=TUNATELY1 NO "O 9 ! ROOM--
MO/ ESPECI,Y ,BR&ON ,WALK]--WAS A# 6R1D
8 M9D4                               #AB

    #AIGJ
  ,L>RY ,/RYK] _H NO IDEA H[ L;G ,GAYLE
_H BE5 G"O4 ,TRU? 2 "KN1 HE'D BE5 HALF
DRUNK :5 %E LEFT ! H\SE4 ,HE'D _H 6BE 2F
HE CD F9D ! C\RAGE 6TELL H] :AT _H HAP-
P5$--:AT HE'D D"O4 ,HE _H NO IDEA H[ %E
WD REACT--_HN'T GIV5 HMF "T 6?9K AB T4
,9/1D1 HE BLURT$ \ ! BAD NEWS & WAIT$ =
ALL HELL 6BR1K LOOSE4
  ,=A MO;T "! 0 ABSOLUTE SIL;E 2T !M1 !N
%E _H LOOK$ UP AT HM ) H] GRE5 EYES
FLA%+ SP>KS ( FURY4 8,GIVE ME ! KEYS10
%E SD1 HOLD+ \ H] H&4
  8,! KEYS80 ,L>RY /AMM]$4 8,:AT KEYS80
  8,! C> KEYS1 /UPID4 ,:AT KEYS DID Y
?9K ,I M1NT80
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%E8 ,GIV5 ! SORDID CIRCUM/.ES1 :AT ELSE
CD HE EXPECT8 ,)\T A ^W1 ,L>RY R1*$ 9TO
8 POCKET & RETRIEV$ ! KEYS 6HIS 2LOV$
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R+ ( KEYS 96H] UPTURN$ H&4
  8,": W Y G80 HE ASK$4
  8,G80 %E FLUNG BACK4 8,I'M GO+     #AC
6CL1N UP YR MESS4 ,I'M GO+ 6TAKE C>E (
X40
  ,) T1 %E _H /ALK$ \ (! H\SE & DRIV5
AWAY4 ,T _H BE5 H\RS E>LI]--"S"T AF
S*OOL B / 9 ! AFN4 ,L>RY _H SAT "! 9 !
LIV+ ROOM 9 FRONT (A BL>+ TELEVI.N SET
ALL EV5+ L;G1 B HE HE>D NO?+4 ,SAW NO?+4
,9/1D1 HE SAT "! 5VI.N+ H[ "EY?+ HE _H
"E WANT$--"EY?+ HE _H "E DR1M$ (& "W$ =
--WAS GO+ UP 9 FLAMES4 ,! YE>S HE _H
SP5T /RU7L+ 6MAKE 5DS MEET 9 COLLEGE & 9
M$ICAL S*OOL M1NT NO?+4 ,EVID5TLY 8 M>-
RIAGE 0 OV] Z WELL4 ,& X 0 ALL 2C HE'D
BE5 /UPID--& N[ HE 0 GO+ 6BE CAU<T4
  ,"S"T AF MIDNI<T1 :5 ! ,TUCSON ,,TV
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WD HAPP5 NEXT4
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S.D ( RU2] TIRES CRUN*+ ON ! GRAVEL
DRIVEWAY &! GR9D+ NOISE Z ! G>AGE DOOR
OP5$4 ,AMAZ$ 6?9K ,GAYLE _H -E BACK 6HM1
HE L1P$ UP & RU%$ 6! KIT*5 6MEET H]4 ,HE
FLUNG OP5 ! DOOR 6! G>AGE J Z        #AD
,GAYLE GOT \ (! C>4
  ,"O GLIMPSE ( H] 0 5 6/OP ,L>RY ,/RYK]
9 8 TRACKS4 ,%E 0 COV]$ ) BLOOD--DRI$
BLOOD4 ,X 0 "EY":--ON H] FACE1 9 H]
HAIR1 & ON H] CLO?+ & %OES4
  8,MY ,GOD60 HE EXCLAIM$4 8,:AT ! HELL
HAPP5$8 ,DID Y WRECK ! C>8 ,>E Y HURT80
  8,GD10 %E SD1 WE>ILY AC"KL$G+ 8 PRES;E
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TRA% BAG &A ROLL ( PAP] T[ELS40
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UP40
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F ! KIT*5 )! T[ELS & WAT] &! TRA% BAG1
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WAT]1 !N /OOD SPEE*.S & HOLD+ ! BAG OP5
:ILE %E DUMP$ 9 H] ,LEVI'S JACKET1 H]
%IRT1 & BRA4 ,%E FOLL[$ ^? ) H] %OES1
J1NS1 & PANTIES4
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8,TELL ME40
  8,:AT D Y ?9K ,I'VE D"O80 %E RE-   #AE
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D4 ,Y _H A PRO#M4 ,I TOOK C>E ( X40
  ,%E TURN$ AWAY F HM1 L1N$ D[N 96! C>1
& REMOV$ "S?+ F ! BACKS1T4 ,:5 %E FAC$
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H&LE4 ,L>RY SAW X & KNEW T X 0 _!S--! "O
F ! WOOD5 BLOCK T SAT ON ! KIT*5 C.T]4
  8,Y'LL PROBABLY WANT 6CL1N ? UP :ILE
,I G TAKE A %[]40
  ,%E />T$ T[>D ! DOOR :ILE ,L>RY />$
D[N 9 A/ONI%;T AT ! BLOODI$ KNIFE 9 8
H&4 ,? 0 A NI<TM>E4 ,SURELY X CDN'T 2
HAPP5+1 & YET '''
  8,Y DIDN'T '''0 HE 2GAN4
  ,%E TURN$ BACK ON HM4 8,DIDN'T :AT80
%E DEM&$4 8,DIDN'T LET Y WRECK "EY?+
WE'VE "W$ =80
  ,= "S R1SON ALL ! MUSCLES 9 BO? ,L>-
RY'S H&S QUIT "W+ AT ONCE4 ,HE DROPP$ !
TRA% BAG1 LETT+ ! BLOODI$ CLO?+ SPILL
MESSILY ONTO ! FLOOR4 ,! KNIFE SLIPP$ F
8 O!R H&4 ,X FELL 6! 3CRETE FLOOR & L&$
ON XS TIP4 ,! TOP 9* OR S (! /EEL BLADE
%ATT]$ :ILE ! RE/ (! KNIFE SPUN \ ( R1*
"U ! C>4 ,L1V+ !M ": !Y FELL1 ,L>-   #AF
RY FOLL[$ 8 NAK$ WIFE 96! H\SE & D[N !
HALL 6! BA?ROOM4
  ,GAYLE _H TURN$ ON ! %[] 9 ! TUB & 0
/EPP+ 96X :5 ,L>RY 5T]$ ! ROOM 2H H]4
,SEE+ HM1 %E %OOK H] H1D 9 RESIGN,N4
8,WELL10 %E SD1 8Z L;G Z Y'RE "H1 Y CD J
Z WELL -E WA% MY BACK40
  ,&1 ,GOD HELP HM1 T'S EXACTLY :AT ,L>-
RY ,/RYK] DID 2C1 NO MATT] :AT1 HE ALW
DID :AT ,GAYLE WANT$ HM 6D4 ,HE /RIPP$
(F 8 CLO?+ & CLAMB]$ 96! TUB 2H H]4 ,%E
0 WAIT+ = HM1 /&+ "U ! /1M+-HOT CASCADE
) LL RIVULETS ( BLOODI$ WAT] /R1M+ F H]
HAIR4 ,HE WAT*$ 9 FASC9,N Z !Y C\RS$ D[N
H] NECK & ACR ! G5TLE SLOPE ( H] BR1/S4
  8,"H10 %E SD1 H&+ HM A B> ( SOAP4 8,Y
D "K H[ 6USE ?1 DON'T Y80
  ,& S HE _H SCRU2$ H] CL1N4 ,A PALE P9K
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,HE 0 "S"O :O _H -E 6,EL ,ASILO ,SEGURO
! SUMM] 2F1 A K9D DOCTOR :O _H TR1T$ !
*N "!1 _M ( :OM _HN'T SE5 A R1L DOCTOR 9
YE>S1 IF "E4
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  ,W1K ) RELIEF1 %E GRA2$ UP H] KNAPSACK
& RAC$ =! DOOR4







                                     #CB
























                  TWO                #CC

    ,APRIL #BJJB
  ,"U A CLE> BLUE ,APRIL SKY1 ,BR&ON
,WALK] SWAM 8 LAPS "O AF ! O!R4 ,HE
DIDN'T BO!R AB TIM+ !M4 ,AT AGE SIXTY-
"O1 HE 0 NO L;G] 9T]E/$ 9 SETT+ SPE$
RECORDS1 & HE DIDN'T C.T LAPS1 EI4 ,:AT
HE WANT$ 0 6MA9TA9 8 5DUR.E1 S HE SWAM
UNTIL HE CDN'T SWIM ANY L;G]1 !N HE
/OPP$4 ,HE 0 A LL W9D$1 B N TOO BAD4 ,!
H1T$ WAT] 9 ! NEWLY 9/ALL$ LAP POOL 0
K9D 6HIS JO9TS1 ESPECI,Y 8 "R HIP & LEFT
KNEE1 BO? ( : _H BE5 GIV+ HM TR\# REC5T-
LY4
  ,:5 HE _H G"O 9 = 8 ANNUAL PHYSICAL1
,DR4 ,BR[D] _H H9T$ T X 0 AB "T 64CUSS !
POSSIBIL;Y ( HIP- & KNEE-REPLACE;T SUR-
G]Y4 ,BR&ON 0 3SID]+ ! POSSIBIL;Y ALL
"R1 B N V S]I\SLY4 ,HE'D GET >.D 6HAV+
JO9T REPLACE;T SURG]Y AB ! SAME "T "S"O
P]FECT$ ! >T ( HUMAN BRA9 TRANSPLANTS4
,9 ! M1N"T1 HE'D GET AL;G Z BE/ HE CD )-
\T -PLA9+4 ,IF HE DIDN'T GRIPE AB X1
MAYBE HE CD KEEP 8 WIFE1 ,DIANA ,LADD1 F
SETT+ ANO!R DOCTOR'S APPO9T;T4       #CD
  ,! CORD.S PH"O HE _H C>RI$ \ 6! PATIO
RANG )! 4T9CTIVE R+] T SD "S"O 0 CALL+ F
! LOCK$ SECUR;Y GATE AT ! FRONT WALL4
,_H HE BE5 HOME AL"O1 HE WD H _H 6SCRAM#
\ (! POOL 6SEE :O 0 "! & LET !M IN4 ,=-
TUNATELY1 ,DIANA 0 HOME & 9 H] /UDY1
LOCK$ 9 MORTAL -BAT )! /ALL$ 2G9N+ ( H]
NEXT BOOK4 ,3V9C$ %E WD WELCOME ANY 9T]-
RUP;N1 ,BR&ON KEPT SWIMM+4 ,2SS1 ! VISI-
TOR 0 PROBABLY ,,UPS OR ,F$,EX BR++ "S
NEW MISSIVE OR ASSIGN;T F ,DIANA'S ,NEW
,YORK PUBLI%]S4 ,MO/ (! MAIL1 PACKAGES1
& ;E-MAILS T >RIV$ AT _! ,GATES ,PASS
HOME NE> ,TUCSON ^! "DS 7 "P ( ,DIANA'S
ONGO+ BUSI;S4 ,YE>S AF ,BR&ON'S FAIL$
REELEC;N BID =! (FICE ( ,PIMA ,C.TY %]-
IFF1 HE _H ADJU/$ 62+ RETIR$ & MO/LY \ (
! LOOP4 ,DIANA ,LADD 0 / "W+ H>D2 ,BR&ON
0 H>DLY "W+4
  ,8 WIFE CAME \ "? ! SLID+ DOOR ONTO !
PATIO TRAIL$ 0,DAMSEL1 A N[ ?REE-YE>-OLD
L;G-E>$ MUTT ,DIANA _H F.D Z A %IV]+1
/>V+1 & AB&ON$ PUP \TSIDE _! FRONT GATE
ON A *ILLY ,?ANKSGIV+ MORN+ TWO &A HALF
YE>S E>LI]4 ,BR&ON & ,DIANA _H       #CE
AGRE$ T1 ) _! DAU<T] ,LANI (F AT S*OOL1
! LA/ ?+ !Y NE$$ 0 A PUPPY4 ,9 ! 5D1 H[-
"E1 S5TI;TAL;Y _H WON \ OV] GD S5SE4 ,_!
,DAMSEL 9 ,4TRESS--,DAMN ,DOG1 Z ,BR&ON
(T5 CALL$ H]1 S9CE %E 0 USU,Y "UFOOT--
0 N[ A WELL-LOV$ & DECID$LY SPOIL$ MEMB]
(! FAMILY4
  ,WALK+ T[>D ! POOL1 ,DIANA BECKON$ H]
HUSB& 6CLIMB \4 ,!Y _H BE5 M>RI$ = M ?AN
TW5TY-FIVE YE>S1 B 9 8 EYES %E 0 / Z
B1UTI;L Z %E _H BE5 T /ORMY SUMM] AFN "S
?IRTY YE>S E>LI]1 :5 HE _H KNOCK$ ON !
DOOR ( H] MOBILE HOME 9 A T1*]S' LIV+
-P.D NE> ! ,PAPAGO VILLAGE ( ,TOPAWA4
,HE _H G"O "! LOOK+ = ,DIANA'S F/ HUSB&1
,G>RISON1 :O 0 A SUSPECT 9 A HOMICIDE T
!N ,PIMA ,C.TY HOMICIDE DETECTIVE ,BR&ON
,WALK] 0 9VE/IGAT+4
  ,0! "T ,BR&ON >RIV$ AT ,DIANA'S H\SE1
,G>RISON ,LADD 0 ALR D1D ( :AT WD 2 RUL$
A SELF-9FLICT$ GUN%OT W.D1 B NEI ,BR&ON
,WALK] NOR ,DIANA ,LADD _H "KN T !N4 ,!
DETECTIVE _H SAT ACR F H] 9 ! LIV+ ROOM
(A ?R1DB>E S+LE-WIDE MOBILE HOME1 ASK+
T\< "QS AB H] HUSB&'S DO+S & ":-     #CF
ABS4 ,Z HE DID S1 ,BR&ON 0 /RUCK 0,DIAN-
A'S DELICATE B1UTY2 0! H>D-WON POISE ) :
%E ANSW]$ 8 TR\BL+ "QS2 & 0H] UNWAV]+
LOYALTY 6H] J]K (A HUSB&1 EV5 ?\< 0!N %E
M/ H SUSPECT$ "S ( :AT _H G"O ON 2H H]
BACK4
  ,T V AFN1 Z ,DIANA ,LADD /RU7L$ 6COPE
)! LOOM+ 4A/] T 0 AB 65GULF H] LIFE1
,BR&ON ,WALK] _H L;G$ 6TAKE ! 4TRAU<T
WOMAN 9 8 >MS & -=T H]1 B HE _HN'T--N
!N4 ,M>RI$ AT ! "T1 ,BR&ON _H MANAG$ TO
MA9TA9 8 PROFES.NAL 4T.E !N & SIX MON?S
LAT]1 Z WELL1 :5 A PROF.DLY PREGNANT
,DIANA ,LADD _H "W$ DET]M9$LY 6SEE 6X T
H] D1D HUSB&'S A3OMPLICE1 ,&REW ,C>-
LISLE1 0 S5T 6PRISON4 ,SIX YE>S AF T1 :5
,C>LISLE 0 REL1S$ F PRISON & CAME /ALK+
,DIANA1 ,BR&ON ,WALK] _H ONCE AG BE5
?R[N 96,DIANA'S ORBIT4 ,DUR+ ^? 9T]V5+
YE>S1 A DIVORC$ ,BR&ON ,WALK] _H LOOK$
AT A FEW O!R WOM5 & EV5 DAT$ "O OR TWO1
B N"O ( !M _H M1SUR$ UP4
  ,BR&ON REMEMB]$ H[ "S"O "S": _H ONCE
ASK$ HM IF HE 2LIEV$ 9 LOVE AT F/ SI<T4
,NATUR,Y HE _H LAU<$ (F ! "Q &       #CG
BRU%$ X ASIDE Z IF X 7 TOO 9ANE 6BO!R
ANSW]+1 B DEEP D[N HE KNEW BETT]4 ,HE _H
FALL5 9 LOVE ) ,DIANA ,LADD ! MO;T HE
SAW H]4 ,& HE LOV$ H] /4
  8,:AT'S UP80 HE ASK$ Z %E CAME T[>D !
POOL1 HOLD+ \ A T[EL4
  8,Y MAY WANT 6G 9 ! BACK WAY 6DRESS10
%E SD4 8,"SBODY'S "H 6SEE Y40
  ,BR&ON TOOK ! PR(F]$ T[EL & SCRAM#D \
(! POOL4 8,:O IS X80 HE ASK$4
  8,AN OLD ,9DIAN LADY "ND ,EMMA ,OROZ-
CO10 ,DIANA REPLI$4 8,%E'S US+ A WALK]1
S ,I LEFT H] 9 ! LIV+ ROOM40
  8,%E'S ON A WALK] & DROVE "H 0H]F80
  8,NO4 ,H] SON-IN-LAW BR"\ H]4 ,HE'S
WAIT+ \ FRONT4 ,I (F]$ 69VITE HM IN1 B
%E SD NO1 HE'D /AY 9 ! C>40
  8,:AT DOES %E WANT80
  ,DIANA %RU7$4 8,B1TS ME4 ,"S?+ AB H]
DAU<T]40
  ,ONCE \ (! WAT]1 ,BR&ON F.D ! MORN+
AIR F> *ILLI] ?AN EXPECT$4 ,HE HURRI$ 6!
SLID+ DOOR & LET HMF 96! B$ROOM4 ,AF
DRESS+ HE MADE 8 WAY 96! SPACI\S LIV+
ROOM1 ": A WIZ5$ ,9DIAN WOMAN1 H]    #CH
FACE A ROAD MAP ( WR9KLES1 SAT PRIMLY
ERECT ON ! L1!R S(A1 "O GN>L$ H& RE/+ ON
! CROSSB> ( H] WALK]4
  8,MS4 ,OROZCO80 ,BR&ON ASK$ T5TATIVE-
LY1 TAK+ A S1T OPPOSITE ! OLD WOMAN4
8,I'M ,BR&ON ,WALK]40
  ,%E TURN$ 6LOOK AT HM & NO4$4 8,YR
BASKETS >E V NICE10 %E SD4
  ,BR&ON GL.ED >.D ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,DIANA'S
COLLEC;N ( ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN BASKETS1 _M
( !M F9ELY CRAFT$ MUSEUM-QUAL;Y PIECES1
7 >RAY$ >.D ! ROOM ) WILD EXTRAVAG.E4
,!Y _H BE5 "P (! H\SEHOLD FURNI%+S = S
L;G T ,BR&ON ,WALK] NO L;G] NOTIC$ !M4
  8,?ANK Y10 HE REPLI$4 8,"S ( !M 7 MADE
0,RITA ,ANT"O1 A ,TOHONO ,O'ODHAM WOMAN
:O 0 ONCE MY WIFE'S H\SEKEEP] & BABY-
SITT]40
  ,EMMA ,OROZCO NO4$ AG4 8,I KNEW .,HE-
JEL .,WI .I'?AG10 %E SD4 8,H] NEPHEW IS
! "O :O S5T ME 6TALK 6Y40
  ,DESPITE YE>S ( LIV+ >.D ! ,TOHONO
,O'ODHAM1 ! ,DES]T ,P1 ,BR&ON 0 / /RUCK
0! L+]+ 9FLU;E ( OLD WAYS & OLD ?+S4
,RITA ,ANT"O _H BE5 D1D = FIFTE5     #CI
YE>S1 YET ON ! RES]V,N %E 0 / .,HEJEL
.,WI .I'?AG--,LEFT ,AL"O4 ,Z A LL OR-
PHAN$ GIRL "ND ,DANC+ ,QUAIL1 ,RITA _H
BE5 GIV5 ! "N ,LEFT ,AL"O 9 ! E>LY "P (!
TW5TIE? C5TURY1 L;G 2F ,EMMA ,OROZCO _H
BE5 BORN4 ,NO D\BT /ORIES AB .,HEJEL
.,WI .I'?AG & H] ODD LOYALTY 6AN ,ANGLO
WOMAN "ND ,DIANA ,LADD 7 N[ AN 5DUR+ "P
( RES]V,N LORE4
  ,RITA ,ANT"O'S NEPHEW1 RETIR$ ,TRIBAL
,*AIRMAN ,GABE ,ORTIZ1 & 8 WIFE1 ,W&A1 7
L;G"T FAMILY FRS4 ,9 ! ,WALK]/,LADD
H\SEHOLD1 ,GABE 0 USU,Y REF]R$ 60HIS FA-
MILI> "N ( ,FAT ,CRACK--.,GIHG .,TAHPA-
NI4 ,N WANT+ 62TRAY :AT MI<T SEEM L UN-
DUE 9TIMACY1 ,BR&ON MADE NO REF];E 6T "N
N[4
  8,H['S ,MR4 ,ORTIZ DO+80 ,BR&ON ASK$4
  8,N S GD10 ,EMMA ,OROZCO REPLI$4
  ,? 0 N NEWS4 ,A FEW MON?S E>LI]1 ,FAT
,CRACK _H BE5 DIAGNOS$ ) DIABETES4 ,A
/UD5T ( ,*RI/IAN ,SCI;E1 ,FAT ,CRACK _H1
9 MI4LE AGE &) "S RELUCT.E1 ANSW]$ A
SUMMONS 62COME A ,TOHONO ,O'ODHAM M$IC9E
MAN4 ,ONCE AW>E ( 8 DIAGNOSIS1       #DJ
,FAT ,CRACK _H REFUS$ 6A3EPT ! S]VICES (
! ,9DIAN ,H1L? ,S]VICE PHYSICIANS & 8GET
POK$ FULL ( HOLES40 ,9/1D1 HE 0 D1L+ ) 8
AIL;T--"O S PREVAL5T ON ! RES]V,N T X 0
"KN Z ! ,PAPAGO ,PLAGUE--) DIET & EX]-
CISE1 AL;G ) AN UNLIKELY REGIM5 ( TR1T-
;TS T 0 Z M* ,M>Y ,BAK] ,$DY Z X 0 ,NA-
TIVE ,AM]ICAN4
  8,I DON'T "K :Y HE HAS 6BE S DAMN$
/U2ORN10 ,BR&ON'S DAU<T] ,LANI _H RAIL$4
,HOME = ,*RI/MAS VAC,N F H] PRE-M$ /UD-
IES 9 ,NOR? ,DAKOTA1 %E _H HE>D AB ! DI-
AGNOSIS :ILE VISIT+ ,W&A & ,FAT ,CRACK 9
_! HOME AT ,SELLS4 8,HE %D 2 "U A DOC-
TOR'S C>E10 ,LANI _H DCLD4 8,B HE WON'T
EV5 3SID] X40
  ,DOLORES ,LANITA ,WALK] 0 A ,TOHONO
,O'ODHAM * :O1 Z A TO4L]1 _H BE5 ADOPT$
0,DIANA ,LADD & ,BR&ON ,WALK]4 ,%E _H
BE5 RE>$ 0!M &1 =! F/ S"EAL YE>S1 0,RITA
,ANT"O Z WELL4 ,FAT ,CRACK & ,W&A ,ORTIZ
7 ,LANI'S GODP>5TS1 & ,FAT ,CRACK & ,LA-
NI _H ALW BE5 ESPECI,Y CLOSE4
  8,Y C'T TAKE ? P]SON,Y10 ,BR&ON _H
C\NSEL$ 8 DAU<T]4 8,FAT ,CRACK HAS   #DA
6D1L ) 8 ILL;S 9 8 [N WAY1 N YR WAY40
  8,B HE'S GO+ 6DIE10 A SU45LY TE>;L
,LANI _H OBJECT$4 8,HE'S GO+ 6DIE & L1VE
U1 & HE DOESN'T H TO40
  8,Y'RE WR;G "!1 SWEETIE10 ,BR&ON _H
TOLD H]4 8,WE ALL H 6DIE40
  ,BR&ON REFOCUS$ 8 ATT5;N ON ! PRES5T &
ON ,EMMA ,OROZCO1 SITT+ /OLID & / ON !
LIV+ ROOM C\*4 ,AT F/ ,BR&ON ?"\ %E 0 /
/>+ AT ! BASKETS1 B !N HE R1LIZ$ %E
WASN'T4 ,%E 0 LOOK+ 2Y !M--"? !M--IN A
WAY T TOOK HM BACK 6HIS "DS 9 ',NAM & 6!
?\S&-Y>D />E4
  8,B ,MR4 ,ORTIZ SU7E/$ Y %D SEE ME10
,BR&ON SU7E/$ G5TLY4 8,MY WIFE SD X 0
"S?+ 3C]N+ YR DAU<T]40
  ,EMMA SI<$ & NO4$4 8,%E'S D1D40
  ,BR&ON GAVE HMF PO9TS4 ,HE _H RECOG-
NIZ$ ! LOOK ON H] FACE1 &! HURT1 TOO4
8,I'M SORRY10 ,BR&ON SD4
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,EMMA RETURN$4 8,ROSE-
ANNE'S BE5 D1D =A L;G "T40 ,%E PAUS$ !N1
SE>*+ = ^WS4
  ,YE>S 9 LAW 5=CE;T _H TAU<T ,BR&ON
,WALK] ! DI6ICULT >T ( SIL;E4 ,"!    #DB
7 "TS :5 X 0 APPROPRIATE 6ASK "QS &
PROBE = ANSW]S4 ,B "! 7 O!R "TS1 L ? "O1
:5 KEEP+ SIL5T 0 ! ONLY ?+ 6D4 ,EMPTY+ A
ROOM ( S.D LEFT 2H A VACUUM T CD ONLY 2
FILL$ 0A TORR5T ( ^WS4 ,OR1 Z 9 ? CASE1
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HO>SELY4 8,IN #AIGJ40
  ,SU45LY ,BR&ON ,WALK] KNEW EXACTLY :Y
,EMMA ,OROZCO 0 SITT+ "! & :Y ,FAT
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F]$ QUIETLY4 8,H] KILL] 0 N"E CAU<T40
  ,EMMA NO4$ AG4 ,BR&ON CD SEE T1 M ?AN
?IRTY YE>S AF H] DAU<T]'S D1?1 ,EMMA
,OROZCO / F.D ! SUBJECT PA9;L 64CUSS4 ,Z
! OLD WOMAN /RU7L$ 6KEEP F %$D+ %AME;L
TE>S 9 FRONT (A RELATIVE /RANG]--"S?+
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H] PRIVACY4
  8,I'LL GET "S IC$ TEA10 HE SD1 RIS+ F
! C\*4 8,WE'LL DR9K F/1 !N WE'LL TALK40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,EMMA :ISP]$4 8,?ANK Y V
M*40

                  ?REE               #DC

  ,:ILE BU/L+ >.D 9 ! KIT*51 GA!R+
GLASSES & ICE1 P\R+ TEA1 ,BR&ON ,WALK]
REMEMB]$ E ^W (! UNEXPECT$ PH"O CALL SIX
MON?S E>LI] T _H RESCU$ HM F WALL[+ 9 A
SEA ( DESPAIR & DR[N+ 9 A POT ( SELF-
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NANCIAL LIVES M SECURE ?AN EI "O ( !M _H
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  ,DIANA _H BE5 "S": ON ! ,EA/ ,COA/1 (F
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: PROBABLY M1NT X 0 "S TELEPH"O SOLICI-
TOR1 B ON ! (F *.E T X 0 ,DIANA CALL+ F
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ANYWAY4
  8,HELLO40
  8,MR4 ,WALK]80 AN UNFAMILI> MALE VOICE
ASK$4                                #DD
  8,YES10 ,BR&ON GR[L$1 ADOPT+ 8 MO/ (F-
PUTT+1 CROT*ETY VOICE4 ,! LA/ ?+ HE
WANT$ 6D 0 H 63V9CE "S SLIMY SALESMAN T1
Z [N] (A H\SE 3/RUCT$ PRIM>ILY ( RIV]
ROCK1 HE _H NO NE$ ( V9YL SID+4
  8,MY "N IS ,RALPH ,AMES10 ! MAN SD4
8,I HOPE X'S N TOO E>LY 6CALL40
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  8,I C ASSURE Y ? HAS NO?+ 6D ) ,AM-
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8,B HE'S "P (A PROJECT ,I'M 9 ! PROCESS
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  8,I SUPPOSE X'S POSSI#10 ,BR&ON ALL[$4
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  8,SURE10 HE BLURT$ 96! PH"O4 8,:Y N8
,ELEV5-?IRTY X IS4 ,SEE Y "!40
  ,! RE/ (! MORN+ ,BR&ON 2RAT$ HMF = 2+
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  ,HOP+ 6B1T ,RALPH ,AMES 6! PUN*1
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NOY+LY E>LY--AT ELEV5-FIFTE54 ,:5 HE
PE]$ 96! SPACI\S D9+ ROOM ) XS L95-
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WE>+ A SMOO? GRAY SUIT &A BLAZ+LY P9K
TIE4 ,EV5 ACR ! ROOM1 ,BR&ON REC-    #DG
OGNIZ$ ! TIE = :AT X WAS--EXP5SIVE Z
HELL4
  .,DAMN6 ,BR&ON ?"\4 ..,) MY LUCK1 T'S
GOT 6BE HM4 ,MAYBE IF ,I L1VE MY JACKET
BUTTON$1 ! SPOT ON MY [N TIE WON'T .%[4
  8,MAY ,I HELP Y80 ! "Y HO/ESS ASK$4
  8,I'M LOOK+ = ,RALPH ,AMES10 HE TOLD
H]4
  8,YES1 ( C\RSE10 %E SD )A SMILE4 8,MR4
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WAY '''0
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,Z !Y NE>$ ! TA#1 ,RALPH ,AMES ROSE 6HIS
FEET & HELD \ A H&1 SMIL+ 9 WELCOME4
,AMES WASN'T Q Z TALL Z ,BR&ON1 & HE 0
DEF9ITELY A YE> OR TWO "Y]4 ,8 RAZOR-CUT
LI<T BR[N HAIR 0 -B$ BACK ) ONLY !
SLI<TE/ H9T ( GRAY AT ! TEMPLES1 MAK+
,BR&ON AW>E T 8 [N HAIR PROBABLY RESEM#D
AN UNM[$ :1T FIELD4 ,AMES 0 GD-LOOK+ &
SEEM$ 6BE 9 4GU/+LY GD %APE4 ,! SUIT FIT
HM WELL 5 T ,BR&ON 0 =C$ 63CLUDE X 0
PROBABLY CU/OM-MADE4 ,AMES EXUD$ ! AIR &
SELF-3FID;E ( "S"O :O _H N"E FAIL$   #DH
AT ANY?+ HE ATTEMPT$4
  ..,ALL "R1 N ,AMWAY1 .!N1 ,BR&ON CON-
CLUD$ IRRITABLY4 ..,M LIKELY A .TELEVAN-
GELI/4
  8,MR4 ,WALK]1 ,I PRESUME80 ,AMES ASK$4
,Z ,BR&ON _H EXPECT$1 ! \TRAGE\S P9K TIE
0 ABSOLUTELY BLEMI%-FREE1 B ! MAN'S H&-
%AKE 0 FIRM4 ..,T5NIS OR H&BALL1 M ?AN
RUNN+ A TELEVI.N REMOTE = .EX]CISE1
,BR&ON DECID$4 ,AMES'S /RAI<T-TOO!D
SMILE SEEM$ G5U9E 5 & 8 GAZE REFRE%+LY
DIRECT4
  ,/ ,BR&ON WASN'T R1DY 6DROP 8 GU>D4
8,YES10 HE ALL[$4 8,T'S ME40
  8,H A S1T4 ,WD Y C>E =A DR9K80
  ,A GLASS 3TA9+ A HALF-3SUM$ COCKTAIL
SAT 9 FRONT ( ,RALPH ,AMES1 AL;G )A
L1!R-B.D M5U &A ?9 FILE FOLD] T HE _H
CLOS$ Z ! HO/ESS APPROA*$ ! TA#4
  .,:5 .9 .,ROME ''' ,BR&ON ?"\4
8,SURE10 HE SD1 TAK+ ! 9DICAT$ *AIR4
8,CAMP>I & SODA W 2 F9E40
  ,BR&ON WA/$ NO "T4 ,HE WAIT$ ONLY Z
L;G Z X TOOK ! HO/ESS 6G 3F] )A MEMB] (!
WAIT-/AFF4 ,IF ? 0 "S?+ HE WANT$     #DI
NO "P (1 X WD 2 EASI] 6L1VE AF A3EPT+ A
S+LE DR9K ?AN X WD 2 AF AN 5TIRE LUN*4
  8,:AT'S ? ALL AB1 ,MR4 ,AMES80 HE DE-
M&$4
  ,! MAN H&$ OV] A BUSI;S C>D T SD
8,RALPH ,AMES1 ,ATTORNEY AT ,LAW40 ,!
C>D LI/$ TWO SEP>ATE (FICE A4RESSES1 "O
9 ,S1TTLE & "O 9 ,SCOTTSDALE4 ,S N A
TELEVANGELI/ !N B AN ATTORNEY1 : 9
,BR&ON ,WALK]'S OP9ION1 0 PROBABLY
WORSE4
  8,D Y "E PLAY ,P[]BALL80 ,RALPH ,AMES
ASK$4
  8,Y M1N Z 9 ! MULTI/ATE LOTT]Y80
  8,YES1 T'S CORRECT40
  ,A WAIT] >RIV$ ) ,BR&ON'S ,CAMP>I4 ,HE
DROPP$ (F ! DR9K & BACK$ AWAY1 :ILE A
C\RTE\S BUSBOY DELIV]$ A BASKET ( FRE%
BR1D4
  ,BR&ON SIPP$ 8 DR9K & 3SID]$ 8 ANSW]4
8,I SP5T TOO _M YE>S 2+ A COP 6BE 96LE-
GALIZ$ GAMBL+4 ,I "K A FEW ,9DIAN TRIBES
>E MAK+ A KILL+ AT X4 ,! 9COME IS HELP+
*ANGE ECONOMIC \TLOOKS ON "S (!
RES]V,NS1 B NO1 LOTT]IES >5'T =      #EJ
ME40
  ,RALPH ,AMES SMIL$4 8,NOR = ME10 HE
AGRE$4 8,B "O ( MY CLI5TS WAS--IN A BIG
WAY4 ,H] "N 0 ,H$DA ,BR9K]4 ,%E 0 ,G]-
MAN4 ,H] HUSB&1 ,TOBY1 0 ,DUT*1 BO? ( !M
,JEWS4 ,!Y MANAG$ 6ESCAPE ,EUROPE J AH1D
(! ,NAZIS4 ,!Y MET ON ! BOAT -+ OV] &
M>RI$ )9 WEEKS ( >RIV+ 9 ,NEW ,YORK4 ,!Y
CAME 6,>IZONA & B"\ A DAIRY F>M 9 :AT'S
N[ PRETTY M* D[NT[N ,SCOTTSDALE4 ,TOBY'S
BE5 G"O = YE>S1 B HE 0 CAGEY4 ,HE HUNG
ON 6! L& L;G 5 6MAKE M"OY H& OV] FI/ 9
R1L E/ATE40
  8,! WID[ _H ALL ! M"OY %E NE$$1 B %E /
PLAY$ ,LOTTO80 ,BR&ON ASK$4
  8,T'S "R4 ,Y MAY H R1D AB H] 9 ! PA-
P]S4 ,%E HIT X BIG--A 4#AGH MILLION
JACKPOT--& H]S 0 ! ONLY W9N+ TICKET40
  ,_! WAIT] MADE A T5TATIVE APPROA*4
,RALPH ,AMES WAV$ HM AWAY4
  8,S ! LADY 0 LOAD$ TWICE OV]4 ,:AT
DOES ? H 6D ) ME80 ,BR&ON ASK$4
  8,I'M -+ 6T4 ,H$DA & ,TOBY ,BR9K] _H A
S+LE DAU<T]--AN ONLY * "ND ,URSULA--:O 0
BORN 9 #AICH4 ,URSULA 0 B"R1 \T-     #EA
GO+1 & POPUL>4 ,%E 0 A *E]L1D]1 /UD5T-
BODY TR1SUR]1 & VALEDICTORIAN ( H]
CLASS4 ,%E 0 MURD]$ 0P]SON OR P]SONS UN-
"KN DUR+ SPR+ BR1K ( H] JUNIOR YE> AT
,>IZONA ,/ATE ,UNIV]S;Y 9 ,TEMPE40
  ,BR&ON %IFT$ UNEASILY 9 8 *AIR4 8,I'M
SORRY 6HE> T10 HE SD4 8,HAV+ M"OY ISN'T
"EY?+40 ,HE PAUS$ & !N ASK$1 8,! CASE 0
N"E SOLV$80
  ,RALPH ,AMES %OOK 8 H1D4 8,N"E4 ,X'S /
OP5 EV5 N[40
  8,T'S TOO BAD40
  8,AC 6,H$DA1 ,TOBY ALW 2LIEV$ T :O"E
DID X 0 WELL 3NECT$--BETT] 3NECT$ ?AN !Y
W]E--& T ! R1SON ! KILL] 0 N"E CAU<T 0
DUE 6"S K9D ( COV]-UP1 B EV5 ! PRIVATE
9VE/IGATORS ,TOBY HIR$--& HE HIR$ S"EAL
--W]E N"E A# 6-E UP ) AN ANSW] OR EV5 )A
VIA# SUSPECT4 ,& !Y DIDN'T F9D ANY EVI-
D;E (A COV]-UP1 EI40
  8,IF ! "F'S [N 9VE/IGATORS CDN'T SOLVE
X1 Y SURE Z HELL DON'T EXPECT ME 6D X M
?AN =TY YE>S LAT]10 ,BR&ON PUT IN4 8,IF
T'S :AT Y'RE AF1 X'S WI%;L ?9K+40
  8,N Y P]SON,Y10 ,RALPH ,AMES       #EB
AGRE$1 8B X'S POSSI# ! CASE W 2 SOLV$
EV5TU,Y4 ,/RANG] ?+S H HAPP5$4 ,B 6GET
BACK ON TRACK--Z Y C WELL IMAG9E1 ,URSU-
LA'S D1? HAUNT$ ,TOBY4 ,AC 6,H$DA1 HE
N"E GOT OV] X4 ,! ,BR9K]S 7 MY "F'S CLI-
5TS4 ,:5 ,DAD RETIR$1 !Y CAME 6ME4 ,AF
,TOBY'S D1?1 & S9CE !Y _H NO LIV+ HEIRS1
,H$DA TALK$ 6ME S"EAL "TS AB ! ,VIDOCQ
,SOCIETY4 ,"E HE>D ( X80
  8,SURE10 ,BR&ON RETURN$4 8,!Y'RE "S-
PLACE BACK EA/--,PHILADELPHIA1 ,I ?9K4
,Z ,I REMEMB]1 X'S A GR\P MADE UP MO/LY
( RETIR$ COPS & ,,FBI AG5TS & =5SICS
FOLKS :O GET TGR O3A.N,Y & DECIDE :E!R
OR N 6FOLL[ UP ON "S COLD CASE OR O!R40
  ,RALPH ,AMES NO4$4 8,T'S "R4 ,H$DA SAW
A TELEVI.N PROGRAM AB !M1 & %E 0 RE,Y
9T]E/$4 ,%E TRI$ 6GET !M 6TAKE ON ,URSU-
LA'S CASE4 ,!Y TOOK A PASS40
  8,S80
  8,%E ASK$ IF ,I ?"\ %E _H 5 M"OY 6/>T
! SAME K9D ( ?+ ON ? SIDE (! C.TRY--ON !
,WE/ ,COA/1 ACTU,Y F ! ,MISSISSIPPI ON10
,AMES REPLI$4 8,I TOLD H] ,I DIDN'T ?9K
%E _H SU6ICI5T FUNDS 6ATTEMPT S* A   #EC
MAJOR "UTAK+40
  8,& !N %E WON ! JACKPOT40
  8,T'S "R4 ,%E DIDN'T COLLECT ! F/ PRO-
CE$S UNTIL AF %E _H G"O 6! TR\# ( CR1T+
A #EJA;,C NONPR(IT =! M"OY 6BE PD 9TO4
,X'S CALL$ ,! ,LA/ ,*.E4 ,MEMB]%IP 9
,,TLC IS 09VIT,N ONLY4 ,WE SE>* \ & EN-
C\RAGE "PICIP,N 0MO/LY RETIR$ POLICE IN-
VE/IGATORS & =5SICS EXP]TS--P WE 2LIEVE
W 2 MOTIVAT$ 0! IDEA ( HELP+ FIX ! UN-
FIXA#4 ,WE *OOSE P WE ?9K %>E \R GOALS &
OBJECTIVES4
  8,9VE/IGATORS VOLUNTE] _! S]VICES &
EXP]TISE1 AL? ,,TLC H&LES _! EXP5SES1
PAYS = LABORATORY FACILITIES & ANALYSES4
,,TLC AL SUPPLIES CL]ICAL & O!R SUPPORT
P]SONNEL4 ,"! >E MON?LY MEET+S--MO/LY 9
,PHOENIX B "S"TS 9 ,D5V]--": P -E & MAKE
PRES5T,NS AB _! "PICUL> COLD CASES4 ,!
PRES5T]S >E USU,Y FAMILY MEMB]S :O "U/&
T _! LOCAL LAW 5=CE;T AG5CIES >E EI UN-
WILL+ OR UNA# 69VE/ A4I;NAL ASSETS ON
:AT !Y REG>D Z A D1D-5D 9VE/IG,N4 ,"S"TS
TWO OR ?REE ,,TLC MEMB]S W TACKLE A
CASE4 ,O!R "TS1 ! GR\P W VOTE 6AP-   #ED
PROA* X EN MASSE4
  8,G4 ,T4 ,F>RELL 0 A "Y CAMPUS COP AT
,>IZONA ,/ATE ,UNIV]S;Y :5 ,URSULA
,BR9K] 0 MURD]$4 ,OV] ! YE>S HE /AY$ 9
T\* ) ,H$DA & ,TOBY4 ,HE'S "O ( \R F.D+
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  ,BR&ON ,WALK] CD B>ELY 2LIEVE 8 E>S4
,"H 0 "S"O (F]+ HM A H& (F ! SCRAP H1P (
LIFE--"S"O :O ?"\ ,BR&ON ,WALK] / _H :AT
X TOOK 9 T]MS ( EXP]I;E & EXP]TISE 6MAKE
A DI6];E4
  8,DON'T SAY ANO!R ^W10 ,BR&ON ,WALK]
SD1 F9I%+ (F 8 ,CAMP>I4 8,I'M IN4 ,NEXT
"T Y SEE ,GEET ,F>RELL1 TELL HM ,I [E HM
BIG40
  8,TELL HM YRF10 ,RALPH ,AMES REPLI$4
8,! NEXT MEET+ IS TWO WEEKS F N[ AT !
,WE/9 9 ,D5V]4 ,I'LL H ! ,,TLC TRAVEL
AG5T 3TACT Y AB FLI<T >RANGE;TS40
  ,AMES PICK$ UP 8 M5U & DREW A PAIR (
R1D+ GLASSES \ ( 8 POCKET4 8,S9CE T'S \
(! WAY10 HE A4$1 P]US+ ! SELEC;NS1 8H[
AB "S LUN*80
  ,( C\RSE X _H BE5 A SNAP DECI.N1 &
,BR&ON _H B1T5 HMF UP AB X LAT]      #EE
ON4 ,HE _H LUNG$ AT ,RALPH ,AMES'S EGO-
SALVAG+ PROPOSAL L A DR[N+ SAILOR GRA2+
=A LIFEL9E1 & LAT] WOND]$ IF HE'D APPE>$
TOO DESP]ATE4 ,BR&ON D\BT$ ,RALPH ,AMES
_H EV5 ! DIMME/ 3CEPT ( 2+ CA/ (F & IG-
NOR$--H[ LIV+ A =GOTT5 HALF-LIFE MADE Y
SECOND-GUESS "EY?+ Y'D "E D"O4
  ,B SIX MON?S LAT]1 ,BR&ON ,WALK] KNEW
T1 SNAP DECI.N OR N1 HOOK+ UP ) ,RALPH
,AMES & ,,TLC _HN'T BE5 WR;G4 ,X _H GIV5
HM 8 LIFE BACK--HIS LIFE & PURPOSE1 BO?4
,& N[1 ?ANKS 6,FAT ,CRACK ,ORTIZ1 ,BR&ON
,WALK] _H ! RESPONSIBIL;Y =A CASE T NE$$
6BE %EPH]D$ 96& "? ,! ,LA/ ,*.E4
  ,HE 0 SURPRIS$ 0H[ EXCIT$ HE FELT &1
AT ! SAME "T1 H[ GUILTY4 ,Z HE C>RI$ !
IC$-TEA-LAD5 TRAY BACK 96! LIV+ ROOM1 HE
0 ONLY TOO AW>E T 8 [N RU% ( NEWF.D HAP-
PI;S CAME Z A DIRECT RESULT ( "S"O
ELSE'S L;G-T]M HURT & HE>TBR1K4
  ,BR&ON ,WALK] SU45LY _H A JOB 6D &A
CASE 6"W ON--A R1L CASE4 ,EMMA ,ORTIZ &
,H$DA ,BR9K] _H NO?+ 9 -MON B _! TWO
MURD]$ DAU<T]S4 ,& 2C ( !M1 ,BR&ON
,WALK] _H RETURN$ F ! D1D4           #EF

  ,M>IA ,EL5A ,DOM+UEZ LAY NAK$ ON ! B$
& WAIT$1 DR[N+ 9 DESPAIR4 ,%E _H NO WAY
6TELL "T4 ,9 ? D>K5$ ROOM ) NO W9D[S &
ONLY A T9Y P9PRICK ( LI<T OV] ! CORN]
TOILET1 %E DIDN'T "K IF X 0 NI<T OR "D4
,%E DIDN'T "K IF %E'D BE5 "H = WEEKS OR
MON?S OR YE>S4 ,ALL %E KNEW 0 T AT "S
"T1 ! OV]H1D LI<T WD FLA% ON1 TEMPOR>ILY
BL9D+ H]4 ,!N ! LAT* WD CLICK1 ! DOOR WD
CR1K OP51 & ONCE AG %E WD 2 PLUNG$ 96A
LIV+ HELL4
  ,%E _H BE5 GLAD 6SEE ,SE@NOR ! ,DOCTOR
AT ! BUS T SUNNY AFN 9 ,NOGALES1 : N[
SEEM$ S V L;G AGO4 ,%E _H BE5 ?RILL$ TO
?9K T HE & 8 WIFE--! WOMAN )! B"R GRE5
EYES & B1UTI;L SILV] HAIR--W]E ! "OS :O
7 TAK+ H] IN4 ,& HE _H BE5 S K9D 6H] Z
!Y LEFT ! BUS /,N 2H & DROVE ACR ! BORD]
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:AT _H 6BE NEW L1!R4 ,! S1T _H FELT S(T
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  ,"! _H BE5 NO "Q AB H] PAP]S4 ,9 FACT1
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GU>D _H L1N$ D[N1 PE]$ ACR ! S1T     #EG
AT H]4 ,HE !N SMIL$1 SALUT$ ! DRIV]1 &
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LAT] !Y 7 GLID+ AL;G F> FA/] ?AN ! LUM-
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WIDE ROADWAY--A WOND];LLY SMOO? HI<WAY--
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,EL5A 0 RID+ 9 A C> ": ! AIR FL[+ \ (!
V5T 0 S IMPOSSIBLY COOL T %E %IV]$ )
COLD4
  ,SE@NOR ! ,DOCTOR _H ASK$ IF %E 0 HUN-
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  8,D Y DR9K C(FEE80 HE _H ASK$4
  8.,S@I10 %E SD1 AL? X _H BE5 YE>S S9CE
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B$4 ,&! DOCTOR1 :O KNEW = SURE T     #EH
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2SS1 5JOY+ H] SU6]+ & LAU<+ AT H] :5 %E
CRI$ \ 9 PA94
  ,HE ALW BR"\ H] FOOD--= AFW4 ,%E
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MIS]Y1 ,M>IA ,EL5A AT F/ _H TRI$ N EAT+
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ALIVE4 ,N[ %E PRAY$ T !Y 7 D1D4 ,&   #FJ
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ONLY HOPE4






















                  F\R                #FA

  ,AT ! 5D (A L;G1 SLEEP.S NI<T1 ,]IK
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WELCOM$ ! SUN Z X $G$ UP OV] ! ,R9CONS4
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JOBS L ! CU%Y "O HE'D _H =! PA/ FIVE
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  ,]IK MISS$ ,GLADYS ,JOHNSON DR1D;LLY--
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"M/"F1 AUNT/UNCLE1 SI/]/BRO!R4 ,&1 UNTIL
HE MADE X 96JUNIOR HI<1 %E _H AL BE5 8
BE/ FR4 ,HE CD REMEMB] RID+ 9 ! C> ) H]
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,_W40 ,! S;G 0 SUPPOS$LY AB A "M & H] LL
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WELL-E>N$ CRITICISM = 8 FOOLI%;S &   #FC
!N HELP SEE HM "? 6! O!R SIDE (! PRO#M4
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  8,T'S :AT'S WR;G ) LIV+ 9 ! C;Y10
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COOL %ADE (! COTTONWOODS4

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FUR--W]5'T DANG]\S1 B ,]IK 0 M ?AN HAPPY
6G \ ( 8 WAY 6AVOID !M4 ,TWICE HE SAW
COYOTES 4APPE> 96! "UBRU%1 & ONCE HE N>-
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XF 9 AN OP5 SPACE 2T ROCKS4
  ,Z ! TEMP]ATURE W>M$1 ,]IK SAT ON A
ROCK L$GE1 SIPP$ WAT]1 MOPP$ SW1T F 8
BR[1 & WAT*$ A PAIR ( ;,A-#AJ'S CIRCLE
LAZILY OV] ! VALLEY 2F SETTL+ 9 6L& AT
,DAVIS ,MON?AN4 ,! PILOTS KNEW J ": !Y 7
GO+4 ,]IK _H NO S* DELU.NS4
  ,TUCSON _H ALW BE5 HOME 6HM4 ,8 GR&"M
_H RAIS$ HM "H4 ,8 "M _H BE5 A GIRL :5
,GR&MA ,JOHNSON BR"\ H] DAU<T] & H] 4A#D
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2 C>$ = AT ! ,,VA HOSPITAL4 ,B BO? (
,]IK'S GR&P>5TS 7 G"O N[4 ,S 0 8     #HA
"M4 ,Z = 8 "F8 ,]IK _H NO IDEA ": HE 0
OR :E!R ! MAN 0 ALIVE OR D1D4 ,]IK / _H
A FEW FRS 9 T[N--GRADE S*OOL & HI< S*OOL
BU4IES :O _H GR[N UP "H & _H N"E LEFT4
,B ) NO REMA9+ FAMILY 3NEC;NS TY+ HM TO
,TUCSON1 & )\T 8 JOB1 ,]IK WD NE$ 6F9D
"S O!R PLACE 6LIVE & "W4 ,LOOK+ OV] !
C;Y-FILL$ DES]T 2L HM1 HE FELT A CLUT* 9
8 GUT4 ,HE LOV$ ? PLACE & DIDN'T WANT TO
L1VE4 ,WD HE 2 L ,GR&MA :5 %E _H MOV$
AWAY F ,LAKE ,SUP]IOR'S ,ISLE ,ROYALE--
L1VE & N"E RETURN8
  ,"O NI<T :5 ,]IK 0 FIVE OR SIX1 AF
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,SAFEWAY1 ,]IK _H ASK$ H] AB T :ILE !Y
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C.T.S /ORIES AB H] *ILDHOOD ON ,ISLE
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IDYLLIC PLACE--"O HE WANT$ 6SEE ) 8 [N
EYES4
  8,CDN'T WE G BACK "! "S"T80 HE ASK$4
8,J 6VISIT80
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SAD;S WAFT$ ACR H] FACE4 8,X'S DI6]5T N[
--A N,NAL P>K--NO?+ AT ALL L X US$   #HB
6BE4 ,NO "O ,I KNEW / LIVES "!40
  8,B IF X'S A P>K1 CDN'T WE G LOOK AT
X80 ,]IK _H 9SI/$4 8,I CD SEE ": Y US$
6PLAY ON ! ROCKS & PICK B]RIES40
  ,GR&MA _H PUT D[N H] =K1 R1*$ OV]1 &
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TOO M*40
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,LA,GRANGE CD SEE H[ T MI<T 2 TRUE = HM1
TOO4 ,ONCE HE LEFT ,TUCSON1 HE WDN'T 2
-+ BACK4 ,IF HE DIDN'T BURN ALL 8 BRIDG-
ES1 ,GAYLE ,/RYK] 0 SURE 6D X = HM4

  ,%E _H CUT HM \ (! H]D AT A BIG-DONOR
ALUMNI FUNC;N ":1 Z A L[LY JUNIOR-GRADE
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,>IZONA FUND-RAIS] ADRIFT 9
A SEA ( MOV]S & %AK]S1 ,]IK ,LA,GRANGE
_H BE5 KEEP+ A SUITABLY L[ PROFILE4
  8,S :O >E Y80 %E _H DEM&$1 WALK+ UP TO
HM )A DR9K 9 "O 2JEWEL$ H& &) H] O!R H&
RE/+ PROVOCATIVELY ON A CURVACE\S HIP4
8,I SUPPOSE Y'RE ! SON ( "SBODY IMPOR-
TANT10 %E A4$ ) AN IRONIC SMILE4
  ,"S (! ;,U ( ;,A'S MO/ WELL-       #HC
HEEL$ GRADUATES 7 MILL+ AB ,LA ,PALOMA'S
GLITZY BALLROOM4 ,9 ,TUCSON1 M5 SELDOM
F"\ _! WAY 96TUXES1 B ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,>I-
ZONA'S ,ALUMNI ,ASSOCI,N'S ,PRESID5T'S
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=CE & BOLO TIES BANI%$4 ,AM;G ! SP>KL+
COLLEC;N ( WOM5 DRESS$ 9 _! DESIGN] BE/1
,GAYLE ,/RYK] 0 ! H&S-D[N /&\T4 ,H]
CRIMSON FLOOR-L5G? G[N 0 SET (F 0AN EM]-
ALD P5DANT BIG 5 6*OKE A HORSE4 ,A CL\D
( SILV]Y-BLOND HAIR 5CIRCL$ A P]FECT
FACE1 &! WOMAN'S FIGURE 0 NO?+ %ORT (
AMAZ+4
  8,NOBODY'S SON10 ,]IK _H /AMM]$ ) F> M
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HUSB&1 ,DR4 ,LAWR;E ,/RYK]1 7 9 A CLASS
0!MVS4 ,4TURB$ 0! WOMAN'S UNBL9K+LY
FRANK SCRUT9Y1 ,]IK F.D HMF TRY+ 6GUESS
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  8,I "W "H10 HE MURMUR$4            #HD
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  8,NO10 HE ANSW]$4 8,=! ALUMNI ASSOCIA-
;N1 ,I M1N4 ,! DEVELOP;T (FICE40
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ALR GAVE AT ! (FICE1 ,I DON'S SUPPOSE
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  8,A M>G>ITA10 %E SD4 8,BL5D$4 ,NO
SALT40
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0! ELB[1 & DRA7$ HM =W>D4
  8,N[1 TELL ME1 ,TOMMY1 S9CE :5 DID !
ALUMNI ASSOCI,N />T HIR+ BABIES 6:E$LE U
\ ( \R H>D-E>N$ CA%80
  ,DAMN+ 8 BLOND HAIR & FAIR -PLEXION1
,]IK ,LA,GRANGE BLU%$4 ,HE CDN'T HELP X4
,& HE _H NO IDEA :AT 6SAY4 ,CALL+ ! WIFE
( "O (! UNIV]S;Y'S MAJOR DONORS AN UN-
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LY1 ,PRESID5T ,MOORE E6ECT$ ,]IK'S
RESCUE4                              #HE
  8,HE>1 HE>10 ,?OMAS ,MOORE SD JOVI,Y4
8,MR4 ,LA,GRANGE HAS BE5 ) U = YE>S1
HAV5'T Y1 ,]IK4 ,2SS1 ,GAYLE1 DON'T WE
ALL PREF] 6LOOK "Y] ?AN WE RE,Y >E80
  ,]IK 0 A/ONI%$4 ,HE _H NO IDEA ,PRESI-
D5T ,MOORE EV5 KNEW 8 "N4 ,! FACT T HE
WD SAVE ,]IK 0NAIL+ "S"O L ,GAYLE ,/RYK]
0 2Y ! R1LM ( POSSIBIL;Y4
  8,T\*@E10 ,GAYLE ,/RYK] MURMUR$ ) YET
ANO!R SMILE Z %E COLLECT$ ! DR9K ,]IK _H
BR"\ H]4 8,S HE'S GD1 !N80 %E ASK$
,PRESID5T ,MOORE1 ALL ! :ILE /UDY+ ,]-
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YET ANO!R BLU% ERUPT$ F ! TOP ( ,]IK'S
N[ TOO-TI<T COLL>4
  8,OH1 YES10 ,PRESID5T ,MOORE AGRE$1
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/ AN "UGRADUATE--0
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ALUMNI ASSOCI,N GAVE ME A JOB :ILE ,I 0
TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT ELSE ,I WANT$ 6BE :5
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: %E H&$ 6HM4
  8,IF Y'RE TIR$ ( RAIS+ M"OY =! UNIV]-
S;Y10 %E SD1 8Y MI<T WANT 6-E SEE ME4
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_W4 ,I'LL 2 9 ! (FICE ALL WEEK4 ,I MI<T
MAKE Y AN (F] Y WON'T 2 A# 6REFUSE40
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SD 8,GAYLE ,/RYK]1 ,,CFO1 ,M$ICOS =
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8 TUX4 ,!N1 2C HE DIDN'T "K :AT      #HG
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& POLI%$ X (F 9 A S+LE GULP4
  ..,T 0 ! .2G9N+1 ,]IK ,LA,GRANGE ?"\
6HMF Z HE SAT ON ! ROCK-B.D L$GE (! M\N-
TA94 ..,& FIVE YE>S LAT]1 ? IS ! .5D4

  ,AT TWO O'C 9 ! MORN+ A BLE>Y-EY$ ,DO-
LORES ,LANITA ,WALK] SAT 2F H] -PUT]
SCRE5 & L;G$ = SLEEP1 B SLEEP PROV$ ELU-
SIVE ? L;G ,FRI"D NI<T1 J Z X _H = "DS
N[4 ,%E KNEW %E %D 2 /UDY+4 ,F9ALS 7 -+4
,%E DIDN'T RE,Y NE$ 6SW1T !M4 ,%E'D ALR
BE5 A3EPT$ 96! M$ICAL S*OOL AT ! ,UNIV]-
S;Y ( ,>IZONA BACK HOME 9 ,TUCSON4 ,B
:AT %E RE,Y WANT$ 0 6BE "! "R N[1 6BE
HOME ": ,LANI KNEW %E 0 NE$$4
  ,F\R YE>S E>LI]1 H] P>5TS _H TRI$ TO
3V9CE H] T X WD 2 F> SIMPL] = H] 6D H]
"UGRADUATE "W 9 ,TUCSON4 ,H] "F _H BE5
ESPECI,Y ADAMANT ON T SCORE4 ,"O WAY OR
ANO!R1 ,BR&ON ,WALK] _H LO/ TWO ( 8 ?REE
SONS4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT 6LOSE H]1 TOO1 B
,LANI _H /UCK 6H] GUNS4 ,R ?AN /AY HOME1
%E _H -E 6,GR& ,=KS1 ,NOR? ,DAKOTA1 &
5ROLL$ 9 A PROGRAM CALL$ ,,INMED--   #HH
,9DIANS 96,M$IC9E AT ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,NOR?
,DAKOTA'S ,S*OOL ( ,M$IC9E & ,H1L? ,SCI-
;ES4
  ,Z AN ORPHAN$ ,TOHONE ,O'ODHAM * :O _H
BE5 RAIS$ 9 AN ,ANGLO H\SEHOLD & ATT5D$
PREDOM9ANTLY ,ANGLO S*OOLS1 ,LANI _H
WANT$ 6G "S": ELSE 6S*OOL1 6A PLACE ": X
WD 2 POSSI# = H] 6MEET & 9T]ACT ) O!R
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OV] ! C.TRY1 :O WD "K :AT X 0 L 6LIVE 9
T UNC]TA9 NO-MAN'S-L& 2T ,ANGLO & ,9DIAN
CULTURES4 ,%E WANT$ 6SP5D "T ) P :O1 L
H]1 NEGOTIAT$ ^? TR1*]\S M9EFIELDS E "D
( _! LIVES4
  ,LANI _HN'T BE5 WR;G4 ,H] ?REE ROOM-
MATES 9 ? POORLY 9SULAT$ R5TAL H\SE 7
PRO( 5 ( T4 ,M>GIE 0 A ,PAIUTE F ,NE-
VADA1 ,D>L5E A ,ROSEBUD ,SI\X1 & ,LAURA
A ,BLACKFOOT F ,MONTANA4 ,LAURA1 AN AC-
-PLI%$ SKI]1 _H TAU<T !M ALL 6SKI1 :ILE
,D>L5E _H HELP$ ,LANI LE>N H[ 6ICE-
SKATE4 ,! F\R GIRLS %>$ _M (! SAME VAL-
UES & LAU<$ AT ! SAME JOKES4 ,& !Y ALL
%>$ SIMIL> 2LIEFS T DECRE$ /ORYTELL+ 6BE
A W9T]"T O3UP,N4                     #HI
  ,X / SURPRIS$ ,LANI 6R1LIZE T H] BE/
FR1 ,L1H ,DONN]1 :O / LIV$ 9 A DORM1 0
ACTU,Y A ,:ITE ,M.TA9 ,APA*E4 ,9 ! LAN-
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M1NS ,APA*E4 .,OHB AL 9T]*ANGEABLY M1NS
5EMY4
  ,B :5 ,L1H ,DONN] & ,LANI ,WALK] _H
MET 9 A ,SOCIETY & ,LIT]ATURE CLASS _!
FRE%MAN YE>1 !Y 4COV]$ !Y _H M 9 -MON
?AN EI EXPECT$4 ,"S ,,INMED /UD5TS CAME
6! ;,U ( ,,ND NE$+ & F9D+ REM$IAL HELP 9
"O OR M SUBJECTS4 ,L1H ,DONN] & ,LANI 7
BO? \T/&+ /UD5TS4 ,N ONLY 7 !Y BO? SM>T1
!Y 7 AL ORPHANS :O _H BE5 RAIS$ 9 ADOP-
TIVE FAMILIES4 ,! TWO GIRLS _H BE5 ABAN-
DON$ L;G AF ! PRACTICE ( ,ANGLO P>5TS'
ADOPT+ ,9DIAN *N _H FALL5 \ ( FA%ION4
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HOLD4 ,%E 0 SURPRIS$ 6LE>N T ,LANI'S P>-
5TS 7 BO? ,ANGLOS4
  ,X 0 6,L1H T ,LANI TOLD ! /ORY (!
BLOND & BLACK P HAIR *>M--! .KUSHPO
.HO'OMA--%E WORE >.D H] NECK4 ,X 0 6,L1H
T ,LANI F/ REV1L$ H] PRIZE POSSES.N--!
/URDY M$IC9E BASKET ,LANI _H WOV5    #IJ
= H]F1 MAK+ X Z M* L ,NANA .,DAHD'S
ORIG9AL Z POSSI#4 ,X WASN'T Q Z WELL
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SPECTA# 5\<4 ,& X 0 6,L1H T ,LANI _H
F9,Y 3FID$ H] WORRIES AB :AT 0 GO+ ON )
,FAT ,CRACK ,ORTIZ--AB H[ SICK HE 0 & H[
M* %E NE$$ 6BE HOME ) HM4
  8,I DON'T GET X10 ,L1H _H SD IMPATI5T-
LY OV] D9N] ! NI<T 2F4 ,MON?S LAT]1 ,L1H
0 / SM>T+ OV] ! FACT T ,LANI _H BACK$ \
ON _! V]BAL AGREE;T 6SP5D ! SUMM] AF
GRADU,N TGR1 VOLUNTE]+ = ,DOCTORS ,)\T
,BORD]S4 ,L1H 0 / SIGN$ UP 6G4 ,LANI 0
RETURN+ 6,TUCSON Z SOON Z %E F9I%$ H]
LA/ EXAM4
  8,T ,FAT ,CRACK GUY ISN'T RE,Y A RELA-
TIVE ( YRS10 ,L1H SD4 8,IF HE'S DIABETIC
& TOO /U2ORN 6TAKE 8 M$IC9E1 :AT >E Y
GO+ 6D AB X8 ,SIT "! & WAT* HM DIE80
  8,YES10 ,LANI SD4 8,IF T'S :AT'S NE$$1
X'S EXACTLY :AT ,I'LL D--SIT & WAT* HM
DIE40 ,& T 0 ALL %E SD1 2C EV5 ) ,L1H--
EV5 ) H] V BE/ FR--,LANI ,WALK] CDN'T
EXPLA9 X ALL1 CDN'T TELL ! :OLE      #IA
/ORY4























                                     #IB
























                  SIX                #IC

  ,LANI ,WALK] /EPP$ \ (! /1MY %[] & T[-
EL$ H]F DRY4 ,Z ALW1 %E CDN'T IGNORE !
UGLY SC> ,MIT* ,JOHNSON'S SUP]H1T$ KIT*5
T;GS _H SE>$ 96H] BR1/ SIX YE>S E>LI]4
,EV5 :5 ! DAMAGE 0 HI45 2N H] CLO?+1 =
,LANI X 0 ALW "!1 J L ! BROK5 :ITE M>KS
,&REW ,C>LISLE'S TEE? _H LEFT ON H] "M'S
BR1/ YE>S E>LI]4
  ,9 A WAY ,LANI CDN'T EXPLA9--! SAME
WAY %E CDN'T EXPLA9 :AT %E "S"TS SAW 9 !
SACR$ CRY/ALS /OR$ 9 H] M$IC9E BASKET--
%E KNEW T ! SIMIL> SC>S %E & H] ADOPTIVE
"M WORE ON _! BODIES MADE H] ,DIANA
,LADD'S DAU<T] 9 A WAY F> M PROF.D ?AN
ADOP;N PAP]S F ANY TRIBAL C\RT4 ,X 0 AL
:Y %E KEPT ! SC> A SECRET F H] "M Z WELL
Z F "EY"O ELSE1 9CLUD+ H] BE/ FR4 ,X WD
HURT ,DIANA TOO M* 6"K AB X1 & 6TELL
,L1H WD REQUIRE TOO M* EXPLAN,N4
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%E 0 SURE HE KNEW4 ,HE _H -E 6H] E "D1
BR++ H] A SOO?+ SALVE Z WELL Z ! SALT-
FREE EV5+ M1L CALL$ = DUR+ ! REQUIR$
SIXTE5-"D FA/ & PURIFIC,N C]EMONY    #ID
--H] .;E .LIHMHUN--AF ,LANI _H KILL$
,MIT* ,JOHNSON4 ,%E & ,FAT ,CRACK _H
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SALVE1 B !Y _HN'T TALK$ AB X4
  ,ON ! LA/ NI<T1 ,FAT ,CRACK _H BR"\ N
ONLY ! FOOD = T NI<T'S EV5+ M1L1 B AL 8
.HUASHOMI--! FR+$ BUCKSK9 M$IC9E P\* HE
_H BE5 GIV5 YE>S E>LI] 0AN OLD BL M$IC9E
MAN "ND ..,S'AB ,NEID ,PI .,HAS--,LOOKS
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,FAT ,CRACK _H TAK5 A /ICK & DRAWN A
CIRCLE >.D BO? ,LANI & HMF4 ,ONCE !Y 7
BO? 9SIDE X1 HE OP5$ ! P\*1 TOOK \ "S
.WIW--WILD TOBA3O--& ROLL$ X 96A CRUDE
CIG>ETTE1 : HE LIT ) ,LOOKS AT ,NO?+'S
OLD ,ZIPPO LI<T]4 ,SITT+ ON ! M.TA9 )A
2LOV$ FAMILY FR :O 0 N ONLY ! TRIBAL
*AIRMAN &A RESPECT$ M$IC9E MAN B AL H]
GOD"F1 ,LANI SMOK$ ! TRADI;NAL P1CE
SMOKE =! F/ "T4
  ,! P[];L SMOKE _H LEFT H] LI<T-H1D$1 S
"S ( :AT !Y SD T NI<T _H DRIFT$ AWAY F
H] 3SCI\S MEMORY 9 ! SAME WAY ! SILV]Y
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"PS ( X %E REMEMB]$ CLE>LY4          #IE
  8,:AT'S ! PO9T (! .;E .LIHMHUN80 %E _H
ASK$4 8,:Y DID ,I H 6/AY \ "H 0MYF ALL ?
"T80
  8,:AT H Y BE5 DO+ :ILE Y'VE BE5 AL"O80
,FAT ,CRACK ASK$ 9 RETURN4
  8,I MADE A M$IC9E BASKET10 %E SD4 8,I
GAVE ,NANA .,DAHD'S M$IC9E BASKET 6,DAVY
2C ,I KNEW HE WANT$ X4 ,I MADE A NEW "O
( MY [N40
  8,GD10 ,FAT ,CRACK SD4 8,:AT ELSE80
  8,I KEPT ?9K+ AB ! EVIL .,OHB10 %E SD1
8! "O :O CAME AF ME1 N ! "O :O CAME AF
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UNBROK5 POTT]Y40
  8,:AT DID Y DECIDE AB .,OKS .,GAGDA80
,FAT ,CRACK ASK$4
  ,LANI CLOS$ H] EYES4 8,:5 ,NANA .,DAHD
F/ TOLD ME ! /ORY1 ,I ?"\ X 0 J A
.HA'ICHA .AHGIDATHAG--A LEG5D--L ,SANTA
,CLAUS OR ! ,TOO? ,FAIRY40
  8,& N[80 ,FAT ,CRACK 9QUIR$ PATI5TLY4
  8,I "K %E 0 A R1L P]SON ONCE10 ,LANI
REPLI$4 8,Z R1L Z Y & ME4 ,:5 ,I     #IF
BROKE H] POTT]Y1 ,I FRE$ H] _S & LET H]
G40
  ,FAT ,CRACK NO4$4 8,T'S TRUE1 TOO4 ,S
Y'VE PUT ? "T 6GD USE40
  8,B ,I / DON'T "U/& :Y40
  8,2C Y TOOK A HUMAN LIFE10 ,FAT ,CRACK
EXPLA9$4 8,EV5 ?\< X 0 SELF-DEF5SE &
JU/IFI$1 X'S / A T]RI# ?+ = Y &= YR
.THOAKAG--YR S\L4 ,Y NE$ 6-E 6T]MS ) :Y
X HAPP5$ & 6"U/& .,I'ITOI'S PURPOSE 9
ALL ?--:Y Y'RE ALIVE & :Y ,MIT* ,JOHNSON
IS D1D4 ,TELL ME N[10 ,FAT ,CRACK A4$1
8:O >E Y80
  8,LANI10 %E REPLI$4 8,LANI ,WALK]40
  8,:O ELSE8 ,:AT DID ,NANA .,DAHD CALL
Y80
  ,LANI SMIL$1 REMEMB]+4 8.,MUALIG
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2C :5 ,I 0 LL1 ,I'D TWIRL >.D & >.D L !
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