,,F/ ,,AV5UE

             ,,L[5 ,,CLAUS5

            ,AN ,ONYX ,BOOK
    ,PUBLI%$ 0,NEW ,AM]ICAN ,LIBR>Y
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
            ,COPY"R #AIII BY
              ,L[5 ,CLAUS5
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
          ,NANCY ,BAIRD ,BR[N
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #ABA-BDB

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
























               ,*APT] #F            #ABA

  ,Z %E NE>$ ! B1* 9 8 KAYAK1 ,SAM SAW
,GEORGIA SITT+ AM;G ! ROCKS T JUTT$ 2Y
H] H\SE4 ,HE PREP>$ 6CAT* A SMALL WAVE &
SPR9T ) X 6%ORE1 B J !N %E UNFOLD$ H]
L;G LEGS & /OOD4 ,! W9D CAU<T H] HAIR &A
FLA% ( R$ COV]$ H] FACE4 ,HE ALL[$ A
WAVE 6PASS & !N ANO!R & WAT*$ H] CROSS
OLD ,SIMPSON'S B1* 6HIS4 ,%E _H /YLE EV5
ON ROCKS1 & HE ADMIR$ ! L5G? ( H] /RIDE4
,%E WAIT$ = HM ) H&S ON H] HIPS Z HE
LUR*$ T[>D %ORE4 ,%E GRA2$ ! B[ ( 8 KAY-
AK & PULL$ HM \ (! WAT]4 ,H] FRECKL$
SMILE GL1M$ 9 ! SUNLI<T4
  8,WELCOME HOME1 SAILOR10 ,GEORGIA SD4
8,>E Y SURE Y H ! "R B1*80
  8,I AM N[4 ,:5 DID Y GET BACK80
  8,LA/ NI<T4 ,L;G AF \R PROTECTOR 0 FA/
ASLEEP40
  8,Y CD H -E ANYWAY40
  8,I "K40
  ,UNLIKE MO/ "DS1 ! PA4LE HOME F "W _H
N ALL[$ HM 6=GET ! MORN+1 B HE 0 C]TA9
HE WD =GET N[4 ,HE /U6$ ! PA4LE 96AN
ELA/IC /RAP ON ! KAYAK & LOOS5$ !   #ABB
WAI/ SKIRT T /RET*$ OV] ! COCKPIT & KEPT
8 LEGS DRY4 ,HE LIFT$ HMF \ (! KAYAK4
,!Y 7 ! SAME HEI<T4
  8,H[ 0 ,SAN ,FRANCISCO80
  8,BOR+4 ,SAME OLD MEET+S4 ,SAME OLD
/UFF4 ,H[ WE MAKE \R CLI5TS RI*] :ILE
GETT+ RI*] \RVS40
  8,S H[ D ,I GET RI*]80
  8,Y H 6PAY = T K9D ( 9=M,N40
  8,I'LL PAY10 HE SD Z HE LIFT$ ! KAYAK
OV] 8 H1D4
  ,GEORGIA SMIL$ MIS*IEV\SLY & PATT$ HM
SWIFTLY ON ! BUTT4 ,HE CD ONLY LAU< Z !Y
WALK$ TGR T[>D 8 H\SE4 ,X M/ H BE5 A
BOR+ WEEK4 ,0UNSPOK5 AGREE;T !Y SELDOM
T\*$ EA* O!R ON ! B1*4 ,! NEI<BORS _H 5
6TALK AB )\T T4
  8,I DIDN'T H 6G 6! (FICE ? MORN+1 S ,I
BR"\ LUN*10 %E SD4 ,%E /OOD 2S ! /AIRWAY
:ILE HE PUT ! KAYAK ON TWO SAWHORSES 2L
! DECK4
  8,:AT K9D ( LUN*80
  8,:AT D Y M1N1 ,8,:AT K9D ( LUN*80' ,I
W5T 6! ,M>KET & B"\ FRE% FRUIT4 ,I ?"\
,I MI<T BUMP 96Y "!40               #ABC
  8,N TD40
  8,DON'T TELL ME Y _H "W 6D40
  ,=A MO;T HE 0 AFRAID T ! SMILE HE PRE-
T5D$ 6GIVE 0 N GO+ 6MOVE !M ON4 ,HE SAW
XS 3SEQU;E 9 H] EYES4 ,%E _H ONLY M1NT
6T1SE HM1 & %E 0 "PICUL>LY GD AT T4 ,X
ALW MADE HM FEEL GD4 ,HE PUT 8 H& ON H]
BACK & GUID$ H] UP ! /EPS 6! DECK4
  8,LET'S H "S ( T FRUIT10 HE SD4
  ,%E SMIL$1 "O NO M R1L ?AN HIS1 & H]
R$ HAIR DROPP$ ACR H] FACE Z %E LOOK$
BACK AT HM4
  ,!Y SAT AT 8 TA# ) FRUIT1 PA/A SALAD1
& ,FR5* BR1D 2T !M4 ,AL ON ! TA# 0 A
NEW1 R$ FL[] %E _H BR"\ T "D4 ,HE _H NO
FL[]S ( 8 [N4 ,2F %E CAME1 "! 0 NO?+
GRE51 NO?+ GR[+ ANY": 9 8 H\SE4 ,EV5 N[
%E WAT]$ & T5D$ ! PLANTS %E BR"\1 & :5
%E LEFT =A "T1 !Y _H 6WAIT UNTIL %E CAME
BACK4 ,! SURVIVAL (! FITTE/1 HE TOLD H]4
  8,I ?9K X WD 2 F9E IF Y TELL ME :5 "S-
?+ IS BO!R+ Y4 ,A TIDAL WAVE WDN'T WA% U
AWAY4 ,X WDN'T MAKE U SEEM OLD & M>RI$
6TALK AB ?+S40
  8,WE'RE N M>RI$10 HE SD4          #ABD
  ,H] M\? /RET*$ 6"O SIDE ( H] FACE1 H]
LEFT SIDE1 Z X DID :5 HE P]PLEX$ H]4
  8,WE'RE N OLD EI10 HE A4$4
  8,I "K T4 ,T'S N :AT ,I M1NT4 ,I TELL
Y AB MY "W10 %E SD4 8,N T Y'RE 9T]E/$1 B
,I / TELL Y40
  8,I TALK AB "W40
  8,Y TALK AB HAV+ C(FEE AT ,SILVE'S OR
AB T FI% MAN4 ,:AT'S 8 "N80
  8,ZEKE40
  8,YES1 ,ZEKE4 ,B N AB ANY?+ IMPOR-
TANT40
  8,HAV+ C(FEE ) ,SILVE IS ! MO/ IMPOR-
TANT ?+ ,I D40
  8,DON'T ?9K ,I C'T TELL :5 "S?+ HAS
HAPP5$40
  8,NO?+ HAPP5$40
  8,OKAY4 ,NO?+ HAPP5$4 ,2 MY/]I\S IF Y
M/40
  8,Y L MY/]IES40
  ,HE LIK$ T %E CD SMILE J !N4 ,"! 0 M*
M HE LIK$1 B HE ALW APPRECIAT$ H] UNEX-
PECT$ SMILES4
  8,D Y R1LIZE X 0 ?REE YE>S AGO ? WEEK
T ,VICTOR & ,I MOV$ "H80            #ABE
  8,RE,Y80
  8,YES1 RE,Y4 ,! H\SE 0 F9,Y F9I%$ T
,SEPTEMB]40
  8,Y 7 ! F/ G5TRY 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD40
  8,WE >E DEF9ITELY N T10 %E SD4
  8,X SEEM$ L X 6! RE/ ( U--! H\SE ,I
M1N40
  8,B ! H\SE M1NT NO?+1 DID X80
  ,HE %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S 9 RESPONSE4
  8,Y >E A MODEL ( -MUNIC,N ? MORN+10 %E
SD4 8,TELL ME ! TRU?4 ,DIDN'T WE FIT 9 J
F9E80
  8,Y C]TA9LY DID40
  8,T'S N :AT ,I M1NT4 ,AL?1 Y H A PO9T4
,?REE YE>S1 ,SAM4 ,:O WD H ?"\ ?REE
YE>S80
  8,N ME40
  8,B DON'T Y ?9K X'S SORT ( /RANGE8 ,X
WD SEEM L "O ( U WD WANT "S?+ 6*ANGE40
  8,:Y WD WE WANT "S?+ 6*ANGE8 ,I ?9K
X'S J AB P]FECT ! WAY X IS40 ,HE LOOK$
ACR ! TA# AT ,GEORGIA'S FAMILI> FACE &
2CAME 3V9C$ ALL OV] AG T X 0 J AB P]-
FECT4
  8,P]FECT8 ,H[ IS X P]FECT80       #ABF
,GEORGIA ASK$4 ,H] FACE %[$ H[ M* %E
D\BT$ P]FEC;N4
  ,S MAYBE X WASN'T P]FECT4 ,HE KNEW HE
%D 2 M C>E;L :5 %E />T$ TALK+ L ?4 ,:Y
CDN'T HE REMEMB] F "O "T 6! NEXT8 ,WEEKS
& MON?S CD G BY1 & "EY?+ WD 2 F9E1 B !N
"S?+ WD HAPP5--MAYBE A NEI<BOR WD LOOK
AT H] A C]TA9 WAY OR "S KIDS WD A3ID5T,Y
/RAY D[N ! B1*--& ? 3V]S,N WD -E UP AG 9
"O =M OR ANO!R4
  8,-E ON1 ,GEORGE GIRL4 ,WE H X PRETTY
GD1 Y & ME4 ,:AT WD Y WANT 6*ANGE8 ,IF Y
CD FIX X ANY WAY Y L1 :AT WD Y *ANGE80
  8,IF ,I CD FIX X80 ,H] T"O LET HM "K
HE _H AG N US$ ! "R ^WS4
  8,Y "K :AT ,I M1N40
  8,MAYBE ,I WD H Y & ,VICTOR 2 ! SAME
MAN--A LL ( Y1 A LL ( HM :5 HE 0 "Y]4
,PRE/O40
  8,: "P ( ME WD Y KEEP80
  8,:Y1 ALL ( Y1 ( C\RSE40
  8,& ,VICTOR80
  8,"S ( HM40
  8,! "PS T / "W80
  8,DON'T 2 NA/Y40                  #ABG
  8,I DON'T M1N 6BE NA/Y10 ,SAM SD4 8,I
WDN'T 2 HALF S DEC5T IF ,I 7 HM40
  8,X'S N EASY1 Y "K4 ,N "EYBODY C %UT
^! ?+S \40
  8,I "K4 ,& WE C'T *ANGE !M EI4 ,I ?9K
WE'RE /UCK4 ,B ? ISN'T A BAD PLACE 6GET
/UCK1 IS X80
  8,I GUESS N40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT HM ) EYES T M1NT HE _H TO
SAY "S?+ M4
  8,:5 Y F/ MOV$ "H1 ,I US$ 6WAT* Y D[N
ON ! B1*4 ,Y LOOK$ L Y 7 WAIT+ = "SBODY4
,I IMAG9$ X 0 ME4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 "K YR "N
!N1 B ,I 0 WI%+ X 0 ME40
  8,S Y _H YR LL FANTASY4 ,T'S N L Y1
,SAM4 ,& AF Y IMAG9$ ,I 0 ! "O Y 7 WAIT+
=1 :AT M DID Y IMAG9E80
  8,I DON'T REMEMB]40
  8,YES1 Y D40
  8,"O ADMIS.N IS ALL Y GET4 ,ANYWAY1 X
0 ME Y 7 WAIT+ =4 ,I DIDN'T H 6IMAG9E
T40
  8,B ,SAM1 X'S ! IMAG9+ T GIVES PL1S-
URE4 ,"S"TS ,I WD WAKE UP E>LY1 & ,I WD
SEE ? /RANGE MAN \ 9 ! WAT]4 ,I     #ABH
WOND]$ :AT Y CD 2 DO+ ALL 0YRF 9 T LL
BOAT1 & :Y Y WD L1VE & RETURN AT S* ODD
H\RS4 ,Y 7 A MY/]Y !N4 ,T'S C]TA94 ,X 0
! IMAG9+ T MADE X S 9T]E/+4 ,I TOLD MYF
T ,I WDN'T GET UP 6WAT*1 OR IF ,I DID1 T
X 0 J A CO9CID;E4 ,B X 0 UNCOMMON H[ _M
"TS ,I WOKE UP :5 Y 7 \ "!4 ,WASN'T X
/RANGE H[ WE BO? ?"\ (! O!R8 ,T M/ H
BR"\ U TGR40
  8,X 0 ! /ORM T DID X40
  8,T _H NO?+ 6D ) X40
  8,( C\RSE X DID4 ,DON'T Y REMEMB]8 ,!
WAT] CAME ALL ! WAY UP 6MY F.D,N40
  ,! WAT] _H BE5 L A BATT]+ RAM ON !
B1*1 &! W9D _H BE5 S /R;G T ! RA9 CAME
D[N SIDEWAYS & B>ELY T\*$ ! GR.D4 ,X 0 !
WOR/ /ORM HE _H WIT;S$ S9CE BUY+ ! H\SE1
& HE _H EV5 WOND]$ IF ! H\SE WD SURVIVE4
,! NEXT "D 0 ! OPPOSITE4 ,! SUN 0 B"R &!
WAT] 0 UNUSU,Y CALM4 ,_! B1* _H *ANG$4
,LOGS T _H BE5 9 ! SAME PLACE = YE>S 7
G"O OR TRANSPLANT$ 6NEW HI<-WAT] M>KS4
,9 ! AFN FOLL[+ ! /ORM1 HE _H G"O \ TO
WALK ON ! ALT]$ SURFACE1 6PUT 8 FEET ":
! WAT] _H BE51 6REASSURE HMF T !    #ABI
B1* 0 / "!4
  ,OLD ,MR4 ,SIMPSON 0 \ ) 8 PLA/IC
BAGS1 PICK+ UP DEBRIS4 ,SIMPSON 0 !
SELF-APPO9T$ JANITOR1 & HE TOOK X ^U HMF
6PICK UP ANY TRA% T WA%$ A%ORE OR 0 LEFT
0\TSID]S :O _H F.D _! B1*4 ,2C ( HM ALL
! NEI<BORS 7 M C>E;L 6PICK UP AF !MVS &
AF O!RS4
  ,"! 0 TOO M* = ,MR4 ,SIMPSON T "D4 ,"O
0"O1 ! NEI<BORS CAME \ 6HELP1 & !N %E
CAME4 ,%E KNEW ,SIMPSON1 :O LIV$ 2T ,SAM
& H]4 ,SIMPSON 9TRODUC$ H] 6"EY"O4 ,G>-
BAGE BAGS 9 H&1 ! NEI<BORS WAV$ & SMIL$4
,ALL 7 PL1S$ T ! IMMIGRANT 0 LE>N+1 TOO4
,:5 X 0 8 TURN 6BE 9TRODUC$1 ,SAM /EPP$
=W>D & %OOK H] H&4 ,%E 0 WE>+ L1!R G>D5+
GLOVES4
  ,H] R$ HAIR 0 TI$ BACK1 & %E WORE
BOOTS & BLUE J1NS &A H1VY SW1T]4 ,!Y "W$
TGR1 =GETT+ ! O!RS1 PICK+ UP 9=M,N AB
EA* O!R AL;G )! G>BAGE T FILL$ _! BAGS4
,!Y "W$ UNTIL ,SIMPSON TOLD !M 6QUIT4
8,WE'VE GOT X GD 5\<10 HE %\T$ 6!M1 Z
?\< !Y 7 "U 8 *>GE4 ,L GD NEI<BORS1 HE &
,GEORGIA "P$ & WALK$ _! SEP>ATE     #ACJ
PA?S >.D ,SIMPSON'S H\SE4
  8,X 0 ! /ORM10 HE REM9D$ ,GEORGIA4
  8,T /ORM _H NO?+ 6D ) X4 ,WE _H ALR
MET 9 \R M9DS40
  8,OKAY10 HE SD1 GIV+ 9 6H] 9T]PRET,N4
8,S H[ DID ,I M1SURE UP 6YR M9D80
  8,Y M1SUR$ UP F9E1 Z F> Z X W5T40
  8,:AT D Y M1N 0T80
  8,X TOOK A LL :ILE1 IF Y REMEMB]1 6GET
6"K Y4 ,X WASN'T BAD AF T40
  ,H] FACE RETURN$ 6! EXPRES.N T _H MET
HM AT ! WAT] )! SAILOR GREET+ &! PAT ON
! BUTT4 ,HE "U/OOD T "O BE/1 AL;G )! WET
"O HE SAW Z !Y /OOD 9 ! %[]4 ,%E ADMON-
I%$ HM N 6GET H] HAIR WET1 : HE DID IMM-
LY4 ,X 0 TOO CR[D$ = H] 6D ANY?+ B KISS
HM 9 RESPONSE--A T;GUE-PROB+ KISS T MADE
X EV5 M CR[D$ 9SIDE ! %[]4
  ,!Y MADE LOVE ) H] HAIR WRAPP$ 9 A T[-
EL4 ,H] BR1/S 7 COOL] ?AN ! RE/ ( H]1 &
HE LIK$ 6FEEL !M ) 8 FACE4 ,? 0 :AT HE
M1NT :5 HE _H TOLD H] X 0 P]FECT--!
COOL;S ( H] BR1/S & H] HAIR PULL$ WET &
/RAI<T Z X LO/ ! T[EL4 ,=! MO;T HE
DIDN'T WANT ANY?+ M1 & HE DIDN'T    #ACA
5VY ,VICTOR H] -PANY OR _! SEP>ATE B$-
ROOMS OR :AT"E ELSE !Y %>$4
  ,POOR OLD ,VICTOR1 HE ?"\1 Z HE LAY 2S
H] ) 8 EYES CLOS$ & RELAX+ 96SLEEP4 ,IF
HE 7 9 ,VICTOR'S PLACE1 WD HE H ! SAME
TOL].E8 ,N LIKELY4 ,N 9 A MILLION YE>S4
  ,GEORGIA GOT UP & WALK$ 96! BA?ROOM4
,? _H BE5 AN AWKW>D "T ONCE1 B %E CD GET
UP N[ & D :AT %E WANT$1 6REJO9 HM 9 B$
OR KISS HM S(TLY ON ! =EH1D 6SIGNAL %E 0
L1V+4 ,& HE CD D :AT"E HE WANT$--: WAS8
HE ASK$ HMF1 )\T TRY+ 6ANSW]1 )\T EV5
OP5+ 8 EYES4
  ,:5 HE GOT UP AN H\R LAT]1 HE SAW T
,GEORGIA _H CL1N$ ! TA#4 ,ON X %E _H
LEFT A NOTE 9 H] ELEGANTLY LOOP+ H&WRIT-
+4 ,X R1D1 8,NE$ 6DROP 0! (FICE4 ,I'LL
POP 9 LAT] IF Y HAV5'T G"O \4 ;,G40
  8,OKAY1 ;,G10 HE SD AL\D4 8,POP 9 :5"E
Y WANT40
  ,HE TE/$ ! KIT*5 DOOR & F.D X LOCK$ Z
HE EXPECT$4 ,%E _H A KEY & 0 M* BETT] AB
KEEP+ X LOCK$ ?AN HE WAS4 ,HE ( ALL P1
%E (T5 REM9D$ HM1 "\ 6REMEMB] 6LOCK 8
DOORS4 ,YES1 HE ADMITT$ FREQU5T-    #ACB
LY1 %E 0 "R4 ,HE "\ 6BE A# 6REMEMB]1 B
HE _H 2COME US$ 6L1V+ X UNLOCK$ BACK 9 !
"DS :5 %E _H 6SLIP SECRETLY \ ( H] H\SE
AF HE _H G"O 6B$4 ,%E WD LIFT ! COV]S &
CRAWL 9 NAK$ 2S HM ) DESIRE TOO /R;G TO
WAIT UNTIL HE 0 AWAKE4 ,T 0 2F %E TOLD
,VICTOR1 2F ,VICTOR %[$ H[ "U/&+ A P]SON
CD BE4 ,X 0 2F %E & ,SAM & ,VICTOR _H -E
6_! "S:AT LEGITIMATE >RANGE;T T CALL$ =
M PRACTICAL ME?ODS S* Z A KEY4 ,N"E!.S1
HE LIK$ 6L1VE ! DOOR UNLOCK$ 6REM9D HM (
! "TS %E SLIPP$ 9 L A ?IEF & /OLE 8
HE>T4
  ,HE OP5$ ! REFRIG]ATOR & SAW T %E _H
PUT ! REMNANTS (! PA/A SALAD ON ! TOP
%ELF4 ,HE PU%$ X ASIDE & PULL$ \ A BE] F
! BACK4 ,HE POPP$ OP5 ! C & WALK$ \ 6!
DECK4 ,HE L1N$ AG/ ! RAIL+1 ?"\ =! ?\S&?
"T H[ F> X WD 2 6FALL IF ! NAILS GAVE
WAY1 & EAS$ 8 WEI<T (F X A LL4
  ,SAM LOOK$ \ ACR ! SMOO? WAT] ( ,ELLI-
OTT ,BAY1 BLUE F ! BLUE SKY ABV1 &
TRACK$ ! PROGRESS (A GRA9 %IP L1V+ ! T]-
M9AL4 ,"! 7 TUGBOATS ON ALL SIDES1 NIPP+
AT ! HEELS (! HUGE %IP 6GET X       #ACC
PO9T$ 9 ! PROP] DIREC;N4 ,!Y WD BR1K (F
:5 X R1*$ ! SEA-LANES4 ,WAVES 4TURB$ !
%OREL9E :5 ! %IP PASS$4 ,F>!R (F ACR !
BAY SL\*$ ! ORANGE-COLOR$ CRANES T LIFT$
FREI<T 3TA9]S ONTO WAIT+ %IPS OR (F !M
ONTO RAILROAD C>S4 ,!Y LOOK$ L SKELETONS
( PREHI/ORIC PR$ATORS GO2L+ PREY T /OOD
PASSIVELY 2L4 ,PR\DLY1 F> 9 ! 4T.E1 ROSE
,M.T ,RA9I]1 XS SN[-:ITE C"O REFUS+ 6AC-
"KL$GE ANY T>NI% F ! LATE-SUMM] SMOG4 ,&
HE 0 "H AT ! WAT]'S $GE1 ! SMELL (! SEA
9 8 NOSE1 /&+ ON ! DECK HE _H MADE 9 !
H\SE HE _H B"\ FOLL[+ A TOO %ORT & TOO
UNHAPPY M>RIAGE DUR+ A FLUKE 9 A CRUEL
ECONOMY4
  ,HE /EPP$ BACK F ! DECK RAIL+1 AW>E T
8 "W _H HELD HM UP "O M "T4 ,"! 0 NO
R1SON 6?9K T X WD N4 ,HE _H HAMM]$ 9 EX-
TRA NAILS1 ALL 9 P]FECT R[S1 & _H PO9T$
!M 9 DI6]5T DIREC;NS S T !Y CD N ALL
GIVE WAY AT ONCE4 ,/1 "O "D A NAIL CD
BR1K FREE 9 WOOD T _H BE5 W1K5$ 9 A YE>
( DR"\1 & ANO!R CD 2 DAMAG$ 0RU/1 & AN
9VISI# WORM CD P5ETRATE 96! HE>T (!
WOOD4 ,NO?+ REMA9$ P]FECT4 ,"S"D1   #ACD
HE KNEW1 EV5 8 C>E;LLY BUILT DECK CD
FALL4






















               ,*APT] #G            #ACE

  ,KA!R9E LEFT ! C;Y E>LY 9 ! AFN &
DROVE EA/ ACR ! M.TA9S ON ,HI<WAY #B TO-
W>D ! :1T FIELDS %E / CALL$ HOME4 ,%E _H
N PLANN$ ? TRIP1 B :5 %E WOKE 9 ! MORN+
& FAC$ TWO EMPTY "DS 2F H]1 %E DECID$ TO
G4
  ,%E _H BR"\ ! GRADUATE /UD5T ONCE1 A
WELL-PLANN$ MISTAKE N REP1T$4 ,HE MADE
"EY"O UNCOM=TA#4 ,%E REMEMB]$ H[ CLUMSY
HE LOOK$ :5 HE WALK$ ) H] 9 ! PA/URES 2C
(! IMPORT.E HE PLAC$ ^U AVOID+ C[ DUNG4
,%E CD N REMEMB] HM TAK+ A FULL -PLETE
/EP DUR+ T 5TIRE %ORT5$ VISIT4 ,ON ! WAY
BACK 6,S1TTLE A "D E>LI] ?AN PLANN$1 HE
_H WOND]$ AL\D H[ %E _H "E SURVIV$ )\T
TREES1 )\T P1 )\T BUILD+S4 ,X _H N BO!R$
H] S M* T HE DID N SEE B1UTY ": %E SAW
X4 ,X BO!R$ H] T HE SAW NO?+4 ,X 0 H>D
6IMAG9E ,SAM WORRY+ AB A LL MANURE ON 8
%OES4
  ,%E W>N$ H]F AB PUTT+ ,SAM 9 PLACES ":
"S"O ELSE _H BE54 ,:AT DID %E "K AB HM8
,HE 0 PL1SANT 6H]1 & PROP]1 B T M1NT
NO?+4 ,AL? HE 0 N M>RI$1 "! MI<T    #ACF
ALR 2 "SBODY SPECIAL4 ,PROBABLY "! WAS4
,:AT MADE H] ?9K %E WANT$ 6BE SPECIAL1
ANYWAY8
  ,EV5TU,Y ! /RAI<T ROADS 9 ! :1T C.TRY
CLE>$ H] M9D4 ,A P]SON CD ALM FIX ! /E]+
:EEL1 TAKE A NAP1 WAKE E S (T51 & RESET
! C\RSE4 ,Z A * %E _H N LIK$ ^! ROADS (
9T]M9A# /RAI<T;S4 ,%E _H LIK$ CROSS+ !
M.TA9S1 ": "! 7 EXCIT+1 W9D+ ROADS )
PRECIPIT\S & DANG]\S CLI6S4 ,%E NO L;G]
WI%$ = EXCITE;T4 ,UNLIKE H] =M] FR :O
WOND]$ H[ %E CD H 5DUR$ ! BOREDOM1 %E
WOND]$ 9/1D :AT %E WD D )\T ! /RAI<T
ROADS T TOOK H] HOME4
  ,%E CD H /AY$4 ,"S ( H] FRS _H /AY$1
M>RI$1 & LIV$ ON F>MS L _! P>5TS4 ,9/1D
%E _H *OS5 E>LY 6L1VE1 6G 6! UNIV]S;Y 9
,S1TTLE 9/1D (! AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 9
,PULLMAN4 ,%E _H SURPRIS$ "EY"O EXCEPT
H]F ) T *OICE4 ,%E SURPRIS$ !M AG1 & ?
"T MAYBE H]F1 :5 %E TOOK ! JOB )! POLICE
DE"P;T4 ,%E _H TRI$ 63V9CE H] FAMILY X 0
A PLACE 6USE H] PSY*OLOGY DEGREE1 AL? BY
!N %E 0 3V9C$ T %E CD N USE X ANY":4
  ,! C> SP$ OV] ! HILLS1 FA/] ?AN   #ACG
! ALL[$ LIMIT--A LIB]TY %E TOOK )! ROAD4
,X 0 ODD T Z ! C> W5T FA/] ! RE/ ( H]
2GAN 6SL[4 ,%E CD PHYSIC,Y FEEL ! *ANGE4
  ,%E TOOK A DET\R %E _H N TAK5 = YE>S
ON A DIRT ROAD M>K$ )A SIGN T SD 8,L[
,MA9T5.E10 : M1NT NO MA9T5.E AT ALL4
,F;ES ON BO? SIDES M>K$ ! "R-(-WAY4 ,EX-
CEPT = TWO B>E TRACKS 9 ! GR.D1 NATIVE
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9 _! A3U/OM$ PLACES--H] "F AT ! 5D F>!/
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8,WE'LL 2 FE$+ ! CATTLE PRETTY SOON !
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8,X DOESN'T MAKE M* DI6];E IF WE />T A
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  8,DID Y "E F9D 8 BOOK ( POEMS80
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  8,D Y80
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,:AT'S X BE51 FIFTE5 YE>S S9CE WE MOV$8
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SIDE4
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H& 0 TREMBL+4
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ANYMORE40
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! *EEK4
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GIRL ?AN ! WOMAN :O _H GR[N UP4
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8,NOPE1 ! MOON'S N "R40
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W9D[S AG/ ! /ORM1 %E WAIT$ A FEW M9UTES
6SEE IF X WD /OP1 HOP+ ALM T X WD4 ,!N
%E HE>D W9D[S 2+ CLOS$ D[N/AIRS Z ! RA9
9CR1S$1 & %E ROSE \ ( B$ 6CLOSE H]S4 ,!
/AIRWAY DOOR OP5$ & H] "M CALL$ UP 6H]4
8,KA!R9E1 >E Y AWAKE80
  8,YES4 ,I'VE CLOS$ ! W9D[S UP "H40
  8,OKAY10 H] "M SD4 8,:AT D Y SUPPOSE
HAPP5$ 6T MOON80
  ,%E LAU<$ ) H] "M1 B AT ! SAME "T FELT
A SAD;S M+LE )! WELCOME RA94


               ,*APT] #H            #AEC

  ,9 ! MAILBOX M>K$ ;,W1 ,SAM PULL$ \ A
US$ MANILA 5VELOPE A4RESS$ 6HM4 ,HE OP5$
! 5VELOPE & REMOV$ ! AUTOPSY REPORT
,M>K[ITZ _H S5T4 ,! FATE ( ,OLIVIA ,SAN-
*EZ 0 CIRCL$ 9 R$1 & HE FELT ! PECULI>
HOLL[;S T SEEM$ 6FOLL[ ? *4 8,Y 7 "R10
,M>K[ITZ WROTE 9 ! M>G9 )! SAME R$ P54
8,NO 9DIC,N ( PHYSICAL ABUSE40
  ,X 0 A POOR COPY1 A COPY (A COPY1 & HE
_H DI6ICULTY R1D+ X4 ,! TE*NICAL J>GON
M1NT NO?+ 6HM ANYWAY4 ,! ^WS CD H BE5
DESCRIB+ A BROK5 MA*9E R ?AN A *4 ,! RE-
PORT CD SIMPLY H SD T ! BABY DI$ 2C %E
NE$$ A DR9K ( WAT]1 & AF A DR9K ( WAT]1
%E NE$$ H] "M'S MILK1 & AF ! MILK OR P]H
2F X1 H] "M'S C>E OR C>E F ANYBODY ELSE
:O CD H GIV5 X4
  8,Y 7 "R10 ,M>K[ITZ _H WRITT54 ,UN-
WRITT5 B CLE> ANYWAY 0 8 OP9ION T ANSW]S
WD FOLL[4 ,) ANSW]S1 !Y WD SOLVE ! CASE
& "EY?+ WD !N 2COME CLE>4 ,T 0 A LIE4
,NO?+ WD 2COME CLE>4
  ,2H HM A /EEL DOOR ) XS ME*ANICAL
CLOS] "W+ IMPROP]LY REP1T$LY        #AED
BANG$ %UT Z COPS CAME 9 6"W OR H1D$
HOME4 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT ! WALL CLOCK M.T$
ABV ! MAILBOX4 ,X 0 TW5TY SECONDS 2F
#D3CJ4
  ,AT ! BOTTOM (! AUTOPSY REPORT1 "! 0
ANO!R MESSAGE F ,M>K[ITZ4 8,S9CE Y "K !
P>5TS N[1 :Y DON'T Y PACK UP ! P]SONAL
/UFF 9 ! GIRL'S ROOM & TAKE X 6!M4
,WE'RE F9I%$ "!40
  ,! S]G1NT WALK$ BRISKLY "? ! DOOR AT !
OPPOSITE 5D (! L;G ROOM4 ,HE _H A CLIP-
BO>D & P5CIL 9 H&4 ,SAM WALK$ 6! CLOSE/
5D (! QKLY =M+ L9E ( M54 ,! S]G1NT CALL$
! "NS & GAVE ASSIGN;TS RAPIDLY4 ,HE
PLAC$ A *ECK M>K ON ! RO/] Z EA* MAN AN-
SW]$4 ,! 5TIRE ,F/ ,WAT* B>ELY FILL$ A
S+LE L9E1 & ROLL CALL TOOK NO M ?AN A
M9UTE4 ,"! 0 LL 5?USIASM4 ,I MADE X1 EA*
MAN SEEM$ 6SAY1 B DON'T EXPECT ME 6BE
EXCIT$4 ,WE'RE J HANG+ ON UNTIL ! RE9-
=CE;TS -E4
  ,2F GO+ 6! C> ,SAM /OPP$ AT ! PROP]TY
ROOM & PICK$ UP F\R C>DBO>D BOXES4 ,BY
PLAC+ ! SMALL] "OS 9SIDE ! L>G]1 HE 0 A#
6C>RY ALL ( !M AT ONCE4 ,HE ?REW    #AEE
!M 96! BACKS1T4 ,9SIDE ! C> HE %IFT$ >.D
UNTIL HE F.D A -=TA# POSI;N4 ,!N HE AD-
JU/$ ! MIRRORS1 MOV$ 8 BRIEFCASE F>!R
AWAY1 & R1*$ D[N 6MAKE SURE 8 BLACK1
/EEL FLA%LI<T 0 ON ! FLOOR 2S HM4
  ,) "EY?+ 9 XS PROP] PLACE1 HE DROVE
DIRECTLY 6! ,DONALD ,HOTEL4 ,! B> ON !
/REET LEVEL 0 D>K1 &! BE] SIGNS 7 TURN$
(F4 ,HE PULL$ ! BOXES \ (! BACKS1T & C>-
RI$ !M PA/ F\L1 S\R-SMELL+ G>BAGE CANS T
/OOD 9 4>RAY ON ! SIDEWALK4
  ,HE /EPP$ >.D A DRUNK :O LAY SNOR+ IN-
SIDE ! HOTEL DOOR4 ,HE CLIMB$ ! /AIRS &
PASS$ ! MANAG]'S (FICE )\T /OPP+4 ,AT
,ALB]TA'S ROOM1 HE DROPP$ ! BOXES ONTO !
FLOOR & R1*$ 96HIS POCKET = 8 KEYS4 ,HE
UNLOCK$ ! POLICE PADLOCK T _H S1L$ !
ROOM S9CE ! DETECTIVES LEFT4
  ,! ODOR 0 NO L;G] SU6OCAT+4 ,EV5 S HE
RAIS$ ! OP5 W9D[S Z HI< Z !Y WD G4 ,HE
LOOK$ >.D ! ROOM & PLANN$ :AT 6TAKE4 ,!
BABY CRIB WD /AY1 & "! 0 NO NE$ 6TAKE
COOK+ UT5SILS OR FOOD4 ,! DETECTIVES _H
TAK5 ALL ! SOIL$ CLO!S 6! LABORATORY1 Z
WELL Z ! B$D+1 & !Y _H TAK5 "EY?+   #AEF
T RESEM#D A DOCU;T4 ,"! 0 LL LEFT AF T4
,HE 2GAN 0PLAC+ ! TWO L>GE/ BOXES 9 !
C5T] (! FLOOR--"O = ,ALB]TA1 "O =! BABY4
,HE TOOK ! CLO!S \ (! DRESS] & PLAC$ !M
96! BOXES F/4 ,!N HE 2GAN LOOK+ = P]SON-
AL ITEMS 6PUT ON TOP4 ,HE F.D TWO *N'S
BOOKS1 "O 9 ,SPANI% )A PICTURE (A SMALL
BOY /&+ 2S A CACTUS1 & "O 9 ,5GLI%1 ..,A
,*'S ,G>D5 ( .,V]SES 0,ROB]T ,L\IS ,/E-
V5SON4 ,"! 0 A PAGE )A CORN] FOLD$ D[N1
& HE OP5$ X 6T M>K4

                ,! ,SW+

,H[ D Y L 6G UP 9 A SW+1
,UP 9 ! AIR S BLUE8
,OH1 ,I D ?9K X ! PL1SANTE/ ?+
,"E A * C D6
,UP 9 ! AIR & OV] ! WALL1
,TILL ,I C SEE S WIDE1
,RIV]S & TREES & CATTLE & ALL1
,OV] ! C.TRYSIDE--
,TILL ,I LOOK D[N ON ! G>D5 GRE51
,D[N ON ! RO( S BR[N--
,UP 9 ! AIR ,I G FLY+ AG1           #AEG
,UP 9 ! AIR & D[N6

  ,HE R1D ! POEM S"EAL "TS :ILE /&+ AT !
W9D[4 ,F/ ,AV5UE 0 S CLOSE T NOISE F !
/REET 5T]$ ! ROOM & S.D$ ! SAME Z IF HE
_H BE5 \TSIDE4 ,"M & * WD H 6SW+ HI< TO
SEE TREES1 OR CATTLE1 OR RIV]S F ? W9D[4
  ,AL? HE 0 N SURE : * %D H ! BOOK1 HE
PUT X 96! BABY'S BOX &1 )A S5SE ( URG5-
CY1 SET \ 6F9I% ! JOB4 ,TWO /U6$ TOYS
96! BABY'S1 MAKEUP &A H&HELD MIRROR 9TO
,ALB]TA'S4 ,%OES1 "O PAIR S SMALL !Y FIT
9 ! PALM ( 8 H&4 ,TWO BOXES1 "O EA*1 7
ALL HE NE$$4
  ,HE PULL$ ! BOXES G5TLY 6! DOOR AL? "!
0 NO?+ FRAGILE 9 EI ( !M4 ,HE OP5$ !
DOOR & /OOP$ AWAY F X 6PICK UP ! BOXES4
,SU45LY HE R1LIZ$ HE 0 N AL"O & SPUN
>.D4 ,AN OLD MAN /OOD 9 ! HALLWAY PEEK+
96! ROOM4 ,)\T SAY+ ANY?+1 ! OLD MAN
SLIPP$ 9SIDE4 ,SAM MI<T H DEM&$ 6"K :AT
HE 0 DO+1 B ! OLD MAN LOOK$ Z IF A RAIS$
VOICE OR A RAIS$ ANY?+ WD 2 5 6SC>E HM
AWAY4 ,SAM /OOD / & WAT*$ Z ! OLD MAN
CLOS$ ! DOOR & FAC$ HM4             #AEH
  8,Y'RE ! "O :O 0 "H T NI<T1 >5'T Y80
  8,I 0 "H10 ,SAM SD4
  8,I SAW Y PULL UP 9 FRONT4 ,I %D H
TOLD Y :5 Y 0 "H 2F40
  8,TOLD ME :AT80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,I CDN'T HE> T BABY CRY+ EXCEPT :5 ,I
WALK$ BY4 ,I'M D[N AT ! 5D (! HALL4 ,Y
GOT 6M9D YR [N BUSI;S "H1 B IF ,I'D "KN
X 0 T BAD1 ,I WD H CALL$4 ,I HOPE Y C
SEE T1 MI/]4 ,I WD H CALL$ IF ,I'D "KN X
0 S BAD40
  ,SAM NO4$ 8 H1D & =C$ HMF 6P]MIT ! OLD
MAN 6TELL 8 /ORY4 ,HE TRI$ 6REMEMB] 9 :
ROOM HE _H SE5 HM1 B "! 7 TOO _M ROOMS
6REMEMB]4 ,! OLD MAN LOOK$ ,9DIAN OR
,ESKIMO1 %AV$ & CL1N--A P5.N]1 P]H1 /AY+
2C (! *1P R5T R ?AN ! PROXIM;Y 6! TAV-
]NS4 ,HE 0 SOB] ON ? "D1 ANYWAY4
  8,"! 0 A MAN T CAME "H1 & "S"TS !Y WD
FI<T AW;L BAD1 HM &! GIRL4 ,I CD HE> :5
HE 0 YELL+4 ,"EYBODY CD HE> T4 ,I ONLY
SAW HM A FEW "TS1 B ,I CD HE> HM ALL "R4
,HE'D %\T L A MADMAN1 & ,I DON'T ?9K T
GIRL CAME \ ( X TOO GD4 ,I ?"\ MAYBE Y'D
WANT 6"K AB T4 ,LA/ "T HE CAME1     #AEI
,I DIDN'T SEE H] ANYMORE4 ,I DIDN'T WANT
6GET MIX$ UP ) ? MESS1 B )! BABY & ALL1
,I ?"\ MAYBE Y'D WANT 6"K40
  8,YES1 ?ANK Y4 ,I APPRECIATE T4 ,C Y
TELL ME :AT ? MAN LOOK$ L80
  8,L ,I SD1 ,I ONLY SAW HM A FEW "TS1 &
!N X 0 J A PEEK4 ,HE 0 A :ITE MAN1 D>K
:ITE IF Y "K :AT ,I M1N40
  8,"Y8 ,OLD80
  8,N TOO OLD4 ,AB L Y4 ,=TY MAYBE4 ,N"E
%AV$ M*4 ,X SEEM$ L HE 0 ALW WE>+ A :ITE
%IRT40
  8,DID HE WE> A TIE80
  8,NO4 ,J ! :ITE %IRT4 ,L;G SLEEVES40
  ,DON'T L1D HM1 ,SAM REM9D$ HMF4 ,DON'T
L1D HM ": Y "K X IS GO+4
  8,SK9NY GUY80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,NO4 ,K9D ( FAT4 ,N TOO TALL EI4 ,AB
L ME4 ,M1N-LOOK+ EYES40
  8,CD Y HE> :AT !Y 7 SAY+80
  8,NO4 ,NO?+ "PICUL>4 ,A ^W N[ & !N1 B
,I DON'T REMEMB] ANY ( X4 ,HE TALK$ FUN-
NY ?\<4 ,"S K9D ( A35T4 ,HE'D 2 A BAD "O
6GET MIX$ UP )40
  8,:AT D Y M1N 0T80                #AFJ
  8,Y'RE ! POLICE4 ,Y M/ "K ALL AB ^!
P40
  8,WE'RE ! LA/ "OS 6"K ANY?+40
  8,I WI% ,I CD HELP Y \ A LL M1 B T'S
ALL ,I "K1 (FIC]40
  8,I "U/&10 ,SAM SD4 8,DID Y SEE ANY-
BODY ELSE -E 6? A"P;T80
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K S40
  8,DID Y "E HE> ? GUY'S "N1 ! "O :O _H
! A35T80
  8,NOBODY HAS "NS "H4 ,T'S ALL ,I C
TELL Y1 (FIC]40
  8,Y'VE BE5 V HELP;L10 ,SAM SD4 ,HE
R1*$ \ 8 H& 6%AKE )! OLD MAN1 :O LOOK$
R1DY 6BOLT AG4 8,MY "N IS ,W"R4 ,SAM
,W"R40
  ,! OLD MAN 0 SURPRIS$ )! (F] (! H&-
%AKE1 B HE RESPOND$ F "S BYG"O S5SE (
ETIQUETTE4 8,GABRIEL ,ROMANOV10 ! OLD
MAN SD1 /RAI<T5+ 8 FRAME Z HE %OOK
,SAM'S H&4 8,I DIDN'T "K X 0 GO+ 6GET T
BAD40
  8,I "U/&10 ,SAM SD1 8,I'D L 6TALK 6Y
AG "S "T IF Y WDN'T M9D4 ,J ME4 ,NOBODY
ELSE NE$S 6"K AB X40                #AFA
  8,I GUESS T WD 2 OKAY4 ,I LIVE 9 #DJH1
B ,I'M LOOK+ =A NEW PLACE4 ,X'S H>D 6GET
ANY SLEEP "H ANYMORE4 ,I EAT BR1KFA/ D[N
AT ,TOMMY'S AB T5 O'C4 ,T WAY X LA/S MO/
(! "D40
  8,IF ,I NE$ 6TALK 6Y10 ,SAM SD1 8,I'LL
F9D Y 9 ,TOMMY'S4 ,I C NOD 6Y OR "S?+1 &
WE C TALK \TSIDE40
  8,NO4 ,TOMMY'S IS A GD PLACE4 ,Y C J
WALK "R UP 6ME "!4 ,NOBODY W ?9K ANY?+
AB X AT ,TOMMY'S40
  ,) T ! OLD MAN 0 G"O1 OP5+ ! DOOR J
WIDE 5 6PASS "?4 ,SAM WAT*$ HM L1VE & !N
FIL$ 8 "N 96MEMORY4 ,GABRIEL1 ! TRUMPET
PLAY]4 ,ROMANOV1 ! ,RUSSIAN CZ>4 ,HE _H
N WRITT5 ! "N D[N :ILE ! OLD MAN 0 ) HM4
,IF ,GABRIEL _H SE5 ! P5 & NOTEBOOK1 HE
MI<T H =GOTT5 ALL AB 8 /ORY4
  ,SAM =GOT T HE 0 9 A HURRY 6L1VE &
/OOD 9 ! C5T] (! ROOM )! TWO BOXES AT 8
FEET & ?"\ AB ,PI]RE'S VOICE L\D 5 6BE
HE>D D[N ! HALL4 ,H[ L\D WD X H BE5 IN-
SIDE ! ROOM8
  ,HE /ACK$ ! SMALL] BOX ON TOP (! L>G]
"O & PU%$ BO? ( !M \ ! DOOR1 L1V+   #AFB
! TWO EMPTY BOXES 2H4 ,HE TOOK ! PADLOCK
(F ! HASP1 /UCK X 96HIS POCKET1 & CLOS$
! DOOR4 ,!N HE PICK$ UP ! TWO BOXES &
WALK$ D[N/AIRS 6! MANAG]'S ROOM4
  ,! DOOR 0 CLOS$2 S 0 ! W9D[ 2H ! B>S4
,X 0 TOO E>LY = BUSI;S4 ,SAM PUT ! BOXES
ON ! FLOOR & KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR ) 8 FLA%-
LI<T4 ,A FEW MO;TS LAT]1 HE KNOCK$ AG4
,! FLA%LI<T LEFT M>KS 9 ! WOOD4 ,9SIDE A
GRUMBL+ VOICE CAME CLOS]4
  8,X'S ! POLICE10 ,SAM SD1 REF]R+ 6HMF4
  ,RALPH LOOK$ Z IF HE 7 WE>+ ! SAME
;,T-%IRT Z 2F4 ,AF OP5+ ! DOOR1 HE /OOD
SIL5TLY1 )\T SURPRISE1 )\T ! -PUL.N 6SAY
"S?+ TRIVIAL OR PROP]4
  8,WE'RE D"O )! ROOM10 ,SAM SD4 8,Y C D
:AT Y WANT ) X N[40
  ,RALPH NO4$ GLUMLY Z ,SAM PICK$ UP !
BOXES & H1D$ D[N ! LA/ FLI<T ( /AIRS4
,HE 0 ALM \ ! DOOR :5 HE HE>D ,RALPH AT
! TOP4
  8,:O'S GONNA PAY =! WEEK80 HE WANT$ TO
"K4
  ,"S"TS HE WI%$ "! 7 S* ?+S Z ! VAPOR
GUNS T !Y _H 9 SCI;E FIC;N MOV-     #AFC
IES4 8,BILL ! E/ATE10 ,SAM TOLD HM4 ,HE
/OPP$ J L;G 5 6?9K AB SAY+ M & DECID$
AG/ X4
  ,HE PUT ! BOXES ON TOP (! C> :ILE HE
UNLOCK$ ! TRUNK4 ,EMPTY BUSES ROLL$ PA/
HM ON R\TES 6! NEI<BORHOODS4 ,_! BIG
TIRES S.D$ L\D & ?R1T5+ ON ! 3CRETE4 ,HE
LOOK$ UP 6! /-OP5 W9D[S ON ! F\R? FLOOR
": ,ALB]TA &! BABY _H LIV$4 ,! LI<T 0
ON4 ,HE _H N BO!R$ 6TURN X (F4 ,HE %OOK
8 H1D 9 4BELIEF4 ,HE 2LIEV$1 ALL "R4













                                    #AFD
























               ,*APT] #I            #AFE

  ,M>IA 0 ! ONLY PASS5G] :O GOT (F !
,NUMB] #G BUS AT ,?IRD ,AV5UE & ,PIKE
,/REET4 ,H] NEWLY PLAIT$ BRAIDS ( BLACK
HAIR B\NC$ AG/ ! BACK ( H] NECK Z H]
FEET /RUCK ! SIDEWALK4
  ,! ,DONUT ,%OP 0 ! ONLY BUSI;S ON
,PIKE ,/REET T 0 LIT B"RLY4 ,%E PE]$ 96!
W9D[ & SAW ,PI]RE 9 ! BACK 2S ! D\<NUT
MA*9E4 ,%E KNOCK$ ON ! GLASS DOOR--TOO
TIMIDLY = HM 6HE>4 ,%E KNOCK$ A SECOND
"T1 M =CE;LLY1 & /OOD ON H] TOES 6MAKE X
EASI] = HM 6SEE H]4 ,HE SC[L$ Z HE LOOK$
T[>D H]4 ,HE SEEM$ SURPRIS$ :5 %E RAIS$
H] H& & WAV$1 B HE 0 N SURPRIS$ 5 6ERASE
! O!R EXPRES.N -PLETELY4
  ,:5 HE UNLOCK$ ! DOOR1 A BOY AB SEV5-
TE5 OR EI<TE5 /EPP$ =W>D F A SMALL GR\P
( KIDS :O 7 /&+ AT ! R.D$ CURB ": X CON-
NECT$ ,F/ ,AV5UE & ,PIKE4
  8,>E Y OP580 ! BOY ASK$4
  8,NO10 ,PI]RE SD R\<LY4 8,X'S TOO E>-
LY40
  8,GOT ANY D\<NUTS LEFT OV]80
  8,SURE1 ,I GOT D\<NUTS4 ,I        #AFF
DON'T SEE Y 2F4 ,Y GOT ANY M"OY 6PAY80
  8,WE HE>D Y GIVE !M AWAY "S"TS40
  8,S Y HE>D T8 ,Y HE>D ,PI]RE GIVES
AWAY FOOD80
  ,HE SPOKE Z IF HE 7 TALK+ AB "S"O
ELSE4 ,L>GE SW1T R+S /A9$ ! >MPITS ( 8
:ITE %IRT4 ,%E SMELL$ ! ODOR ( 8 BODY 9
! OP5 AIR4 ,! BOY ASK+ = D\<NUTS DID N
-E CLOS]1 NOR DID HE ANSW] ,PI]RE4
  8,Y WAIT "H10 ,PI]RE SD4 8,I'LL F9D "S
= Y4 ,Y -E IN10 HE SD 6,M>IA4 8,I'LL %[
Y ": !Y >E40
  ,M>IA SQUEEZ$ PA/ HM "? ! DOOR4 ,ONCE
9SIDE %E /OOD AWAY F HM4 ,PI]RE CLOS$ !
DOOR & WALK$ T[>D ! KIT*54
  8,BACK "H10 HE DIRECT$4
  ,HE OP5$ ! GLASS DOOR (! D\<NUT CASE &
PUT D\<NUTS 96A PAP] BAG ) 8 B>E H&4 ,:5
! BAG 0 FULL1 HE WIP$ 8 H&S ON 8 PANTS &
H&$ X 6H]4
  8,GIVE ? 6HM4 ,ALL ^! FREE D\<NUTS4
,!Y W MAKE ME A POOR MAN40
  ,%E DIDN'T WANT 6TAKE ! BAG4 ,X SEEM$
UNCL1N4 ,%E _H NO *OICE1 H["E1 UN.S %E 0
PREP>$ 6WALK PA/ ! BOY & D[N !      #AFG
/REET AG4 ,X 0 ONLY A PAP] BAG1 %E REA-
SON$4 ,%E TOOK X F ,PI]RE & WALK$ 6!
DOOR4 ,%E OP5$ X & /UCK ! BAG \TSIDE4 ,!
BOY TOOK X )\T SAY+ A ^W1 & 8 "PY FOLL[$
HM D[N ,F/ ,AV5UE4
  8,LOCK ! DOOR10 ,PI]RE TOLD H]4
  ,%E TURN$ ! ?UMB LAT* & HE>D ! METAL
CLICK 96PLACE4
  8,Y -E TOO E>LY10 HE SD Z %E WALK$
SL[LY T[>D ! BACK ": HE WAIT$4 8,I DON'T
PAY UNTIL SIX40
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]4 ,I'LL />T E>LY40
  8,Y C DUMP ^? OLD D\<NUTS 96! G>BAGE40
,HE PO9T$ 6! CASE ": HE _H GOTT5 ! D\<-
NUTS T WD MAKE HM A POOR MAN4 8,I H NEW
PANS R1DY40
  8,D Y WANT ME 6CL1N ! GLASS F/80
  8,SURE1 :Y N4 ,"!'S SOAP 9 ! BACK4 ,!N
Y C CL1N ! TA#S4 ,WE OP5 AT SIX40
  ,%E F.D A RU2] DI% TUB 2N ! S9K & R9S$
X "U ! TAP4 ,!N %E FILL$ X ) HOT WAT]1
SQUIRT$ DI% DET]G5T 96X1 & C>RI$ X 6!
D\<NUT CASE4 ,%E EMPTI$ & REFILL$ ! TUB
TWO M "TS 2F %E F9I%$4 ,%E TOOK A FRE%
TUB ( WAT] 6! D9+ ROOM & WIP$ D[N   #AFH
! TA#S T 7 / DIRTY F ! "D 2F4 ,)\T ASK+
%E GOT A BROOM F ! BACK & SWEPT ! FLOOR4
,! SPECKL$ :ITE TILE 2CAME M>G9,Y CL1N]4
,X %D 2 MOPP$1 B "! WASN'T 5 "T 2F !Y
OP5$4
  ,Z %E SWEPT ! FLOOR1 %E HE>D ! S.D (
5G9ES RISE & FALL 9 "T )! TRA6IC LI<T T
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"O (! 5G9ES A POLICE C>8 ,0 HE \ "! N[8
,%E PUT H] FACE CLOSE 6! W9D[ S T X %AD$
! GLASS F ! FLUORESC5T KIT*5 LI<TS &
LOOK$ ACR ! /REET 6! OLD BUILD+S ": !
/REET 5D$4
  ,SIX O'C CAME & ,PI]RE DID N UNLOCK !
DOOR4 ,A CU/OM] PU%$ ON X1 EXPECT+ X TO
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NUTS4 ,%E BUSI$ H]F AWAY F ! DOOR S T
CU/OM]S WD N LOOK T[>D H]4 ,AT FIFTE5
M9UTES AF SIX ,PI]RE TURN$ ON ! FRONT
LI<TS & UNLOCK$ ! DOOR4
  ,_! F/ CU/OM]S 7 N CU/OM]S4 ,A DOZ5 OR
M KIDS L ^? :O _H WAIT$ \TSIDE FIL$ 9 &
SPR1D \ AM;G ! EMPTY TA#S4 ,N"O CAME 6!
C.T] 6ORD] ANY?+4 ,PI]RE WAT*$ !M B SD
NO?+4 ,!Y DIVID$ 96SMALL GR\PS4     #AFI
,"! SEEM$ 6BE FRIC;N AM;G S"EAL ( !M1 &
_! LANGUAGE 0 (T5 CRUDE4
  ,PI]RE %[$ H] H[ ! CA% REGI/] "W$ &
/OOD 2S H] :ILE %E MADE ! F/ SALE4 ,X 0
V SIMPLE4 ,%E DIDN'T NE$ HM 6/& S CLOSE4
,2SS "W+ ! C.T]1 %E 0 6MAKE C(FEE & KEEP
! TA#S CL1N4 ,N"O (! KIDS SPOKE 6H]1 B
%E KNEW !Y 7 WAT*+4
  ,\TSIDE1 ! BUSES 2GAN PASS+ 9 L>GE
NUMB]S4 ,F ! NOR? & S\?1 PASS5G]S GOT (F
AT ! CORN]4 ,"S TRANSF]R$ 6O!R BUSES4
,"S1 "W+ P :O C>RI$ BLACK LUN* BUCKETS
OR PAP] LUN* SACKS1 CAME 9SIDE ! ,DONUT
,%OP & PICK$ UP A D\<NUT &A CUP ( C(FEE
6G4 ,!Y VIEW$ ! KIDS SUSPICI\SLY4 ,M>IA
WOND]$ :Y ,PI]RE ALL[$ !M 6/AY4 ,!Y O3U-
PI$ ! TA#S & B"\ NO?+ 9 RETURN4 ,HE
DIDN'T SEEM 6BE ! K9D ( MAN :O WD LET !M
/AY = NO?+4
  ,EA* "T ! DOOR OP5$1 %E PREP>$ H]
SMILE & FELT BO? 4MAY & RELIEF T X 0 N !
POLICEMAN4 ,"S"TS A CU/OM] WD SMILE BACK
AT H]4 ,M (T5 !Y WD N LOOK AT H] L;G 5
6SEE H] SMILE OR 6RESPOND4
  ,%E R1LIZ$ %E DIDN'T "K ! COLOR   #AGJ
( 8 EYES4 ,! PICTURE 9 ! BOOK 0 BLACK &
:ITE4 ,! O!R 0 TOO F> AWAY4 ,HE MI<T H
*ANG$ F ! PICTURE4 ,HE MI<T H GOTT5 FAT
OR LO/ 8 HAIR4 ,8 SMILE MI<T 2 DI6]5T4
,IF HE WALK$ "? ! DOOR1 %E MI<T N EV5
RECOGNIZE HM4
  ,T 0 "O R1SON N 6TELL H] "F AB ! JOB4
,%E WDN'T WANT 6EXPLA9 H[ %E WD RECOG-
NIZE ! POLICEMAN4 ,H] "F WD N"E "U/&4
,%E CD IMAG9E 8 REAC;N4 8,A JOB8 ,":8 ,=
:AT80 ,T 0 NO WAY 6MEET HM4 8,H[ M* W Y
SEE IF HE -ES 9 =A FEW M9UTES80 HE WD
ASK4 ,:AT IF HE DOESN'T -E 9 AT ALL8 ,%E
CD HE> 8 >GU;TS Z IF %E _H ?"\ ( !M H]F4
  ,%E WI%$ ,PI]RE WD /OP WAT*+ H] ALL !
"T4 ,HE M/ ?9K %E 0 GO+ 6/1L 8 M"OY4 ,WD
X HELP IF %E TOLD HM ! TRU?1 IF %E TOLD
HM %E WD "W = NO?+8 ,"SH[ %E DIDN'T ?9K
X WD HELP4
  ,%E RECOGNIZ$ ! OLD MAN :O CLOS$ !
DOOR C>E;LLY 2H HM4 ,HE _H BE5 A CU/OM]
! "D 2F :5 %E _H BE5 ! CU/OM]1 TOO4 ,HE
LO/ 8 BAL.E =A MO;T :5 HE TURN$ F ! DOOR
& *ANG$ 8 DIREC;N T[>D ! C.T]4 ,%E 0
AFRAID ! FOOT ( "O "Y BOY MI<T      #AGA
TRIP HM1 B ! BOY PULL$ 8 FOOT \ (! AISLE
J 2F ! OLD MAN PASS$4
  8,I'M GLAD 6SEE Y BACK AG1 "Y LADY10
HE TOLD H]4 8,H Y _H A VAC,N80 ,HE SMIL$
AT H] PRACTIC$ SMILE4 ,HE _H MISS$ A
POR;N ( 8 *EEK 9 %AV+4
  8,I ?9K Y H ME MIX$ UP ) "SBODY ELSE10
,M>IA SD4 8,I J />T$ TD40
  ,! OLD MAN /UDI$ H] FACE M C>E;LLY4
  8,OH YES1 ,I GUESS ,I H40
  8,:AT WD Y L ? MORN+1 SIR80
  8,A CUP ( C(FEE WD 2 GD4 ,OH YES1 & "O
( ^? TWI/$ ?+S4 ,I L ^? 9 ! MORN+40
  ,M>IA OP5$ ! D\<NUT CASE & SELECT$ !
L>GE/ C9NAMON TWI/4 ,%E PUT X ON A SMALL
PAP] PLATE1 !N P\R$ C(FEE 96A PLA/IC CUP
F ! FRE%] (! TWO POTS W>M+ ON ! BURN]S4
,! OLD MAN C.T$ *ANGE F 8 CO9 PURSE &
PUT ! CO9S ON ! C.T]4
  8,I 2LIEVE T IS ! CORRECT AM.T10 HE
SD4
  8,YES4 ,:Y DON'T Y SIT D[N1 SIR4 ,I'LL
BR+ ^! 6Y40
  8,:Y1 ?ANK Y4 ,I'LL J SIT "R OV] "H40
  ,HE H1D$ =! TA# CLOSE/ 6! C.T]4   #AGB
,M>IA FOLL[$ HM )! C(FEE & TWI/$ D\<NUT4
,IF %E "E TOLD H] "F AB ! JOB1 %E CD SAY
%E TOOK X 6HELP OLD M5 6_! TA#S4





















               ,*APT] #AJ           #AGC

  ,SAM WAIT$ UNTIL SEV5 O'C 6TAKE ! BOX-
ES 6,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ4 ,SAN*EZ 0 AT !
DOOR1 Z ?\< HE _H N MOV$ F X1 DRESS$ 9 !
SAME FAD$ D5IM %IRT Z ! "D 2F4 ,? "T
,SAM DID N FEEL L AN 9TRUD]4
  ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ MOV$ "O (! TWO *AIRS
CLOSE 6! B$ & SAT D[N ON ! B$ 2S 8 WIFE4
,SAM SAT 9 ! *AIR4 ,ALR !Y KNEW _! PLAC-
ES4
  8,BABY ,OLIVIA 0 N ABUS$10 HE 2GAN4
8,%E DI$ F DEHYDR,N1 F LACK ( WAT]40
  ,SAN*EZ TRANSLAT$ 6HIS WIFE4 ,%E NO4$
SL[LY T %E "U/OOD & ,SAM 3T9U$4
  8,WE DON'T "K ANY M AB ,ALB]TA4 ,%E IS
/ MISS+1 B Z ,I SD 2F1 ,I FE> "S?+ HAS
HAPP5$40
  ,AG HE WAT*$ ! TRANSL,N &! SOLEMN NOD
( "U/&+4 ,H[ M* M CD !Y TAKE8 ,! PROCESS
0 ONLY 2G9N+4 ,= !M X _H 2GUN M* E>LI]1
HE REM9D$ HMF4
  8,I H PAP]S "H = Y 6SIGN 6RCV ! BODY4
,I'M GO+ 6TELL Y T ,I ?9K X WD 2 A GD
IDEA 6H ! BODY CREMAT$ 2F Y G BACK HOME4
,OLIVIA HAS BE5 D1D A L;G "T40      #AGD
  ,X 0 A SU7ES;N PRES5T$ AT ! ,CORON]'S
,(FICE 0! DEPUTY 9 *>GE4 ,SAM 0 GRATE;L
= X4 ,HE R1LIZ$ T IF ! ,SAN*EZES SAW !
DECOMPOS$ & SURGIC,Y MUTILAT$ BODY1 !Y
MI<T N"E H P1CE AG4 ,HE CD TELL F ! T"O
( H] VOICE T ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ OPPOS$ !
IDEA1 B !N ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ SPOKE AG & X
SEEM$ T ! GROTESQUE;S 2CAME CLE> 6H]4
,RELUCTANTLY %E AGRE$4 ,BABY ,OLIVIA WD
2 CREMAT$4
  8,I H A PHOTOCOPY (A PICTURE ( ,ALB]TA
&! BABY10 ,SAM SD4 ,HE REMOV$ A FOLD$
%EET ( PAP] F 8 %IRT POCKET4 ,M>K[ITZ _H
GIV5 X 6HM E>LI] 9 ! MORN+4
  ,HE UNFOLD$ X & H&$ ! PHOTOCOPY 6,MRS4
,SAN*EZ1 :O TOOK X F HM Z DELICATELY Z
%E WD A SACR$ DOCU;T4 ,%E HELD X )! TIPS
( H] F+]S & !N G5TLY T\*$ ! FACES (! "M
& BABY Z ?\< %E 7 TRY+ 6FEEL M ?AN A
FLAT1 UNRESPONSIVE SURFACE4 ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ
LOOK$ AWAY ) TE>S 9 8 EYES1 B =! L;GE/
"T ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ DID N MOVE H] GAZE F !
PICTURE4 ,:5 %E DID1 %E 0 M -POS$ ?AN HE
?"\ POSSI#4
  8,X'S ! ONLY PICTURE WE F.D4      #AGE
,I'LL MAKE SURE Y GET ! ORIG9AL :5 ! IN-
VE/IG,N IS OV]40
  8,& T W TAKE "S "T80 ,SAN*EZ ASK$4
  8,YES4 ,I'M AFRAID S4 ,"! IS A GD MAN
9 *>GE4 ,DETECTIVE ,M>K[ITZ4 ,Y MET HM40
  8,YES10 ,SAN*EZ SD1 8& Y4 ,Y W LOOK AF
?1 TOO40
  8,YES10 ,SAM SD4 ,9 _! TRU/ !Y REM9D$
HM ( 8 P>5TS4
  8,I H ^! =MS10 HE SD1 WANT+ 6MOVE AWAY
F S* ?"\S4 8,Y M/ SIGN !M 6APPROVE !
CREM,N40 ,HE FLIPP$ "? PAGES ON 8 CLIP-
BO>D & PULL$ ! =MS F 2L4 ,HE _H N WANT$
!M ON TOP4 8,X C 2 D"O ? AFN4 ,I C >-
RANGE T1 IF Y'D L1 & BR+ ! A%ES BACK "H
6Y40
  8,T WD 2 K9D ( Y1 SIR10 ,SAN*EZ SD1 8B
! "F IS "H4 ,HE W HELP U ) T4 ,Y H D"O
M* ALR40
  8,"F8 ,:AT "F80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,\R PRIE/1 ,(FIC] ,W"R4 ,F ! *UR*4
,HE CAME LA/ NI<T4 ,WE'LL G HOME Z SOON
Z WE H \R BABY40
  8,T'S GD4 ,T'S GD10 ,SAM REP1T$4
  8,WE WANT 6?ANK Y = YR HELP4 ,X   #AGF
IS V K9D ( Y 6BR+ ! PICTURE40
  8,"!'S NO NE$ 6?ANK ME4 ,WE'LL F9D
,ALB]TA1 ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ4 ,I PROMISE Y T40
  8,I "K Y W1 SIR40
  ,N[ HE 0 MAK+ PROMISES4 ,X 0 EASY TO
MAKE PROMISES SITT+ 2S !M 9 _! SORR[-
BURD5$ ROOM4 ,X MI<T N 2 S EASY 6C>RY !M
\ :5 HE LEFT4
  8,! ,"F WI%ES 6H A S]VICE = \R BABY ON
,FRI"D10 ,SAN*EZ SD4 8,"! IS NO NE$ TO
WAIT4 ,WE WD L Y 6-E IF Y >E N BUSY40
  8,I'M N BUSY10 ,SAM SD4 8,:AT "T W X
BE80
  8,TWO O'C4 ,AT ,/4 ,AN?ONY'S *UR*4 ,I
C GIVE Y DIREC;NS 6! *UR*40
  8,NO1 T'S ALL "R4 ,I'LL F9D X40
  8,YES4 ,A POLICEMAN F A BIG C;Y C F9D
8 WAY >.D 9 \R SMALL T[N4 ,S1TTLE IS TOO
BIG = U4 ,WE >E R1DY 6G HOME40
  8,I "U/&40
  ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ SPOKE BRIEFLY 6HIS WIFE4
,SAM R1LIZ$ %E _H FOLL[$ MO/ ( _! 3V]S,N
)\T TRANSL,N4 ,%E ASK$ A "Q DIRECTLY TO
,SAM1 B ,SAM _H 6LOOK 6,MR4 ,SAN*EZ =
HELP4                               #AGG
  8,MY WIFE WI%ES 6"K IF Y H *N80 ,SAN-
*EZ ASK$4
  8,NO10 HE SD 6H]4 8,I 0 M>RI$ ONCE1 B
! M>RIAGE DID N "W4 ,WE _H NO *N10 HE
FELT OBLIG$ 6EXPLA94
  8,B Y'RE A "Y MAN1 /10 ,SAN*EZ SD4
  8,I'M N S "Y ANYMORE40
  8,"Y MAN10 ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ SD 9 ,5GLI% &
PATT$ 8 H& ) "O %E _H REL1S$ F ! PIC-
TURE4
  ,:5 HE & ,SAN*EZ W5T \ 6! C> =! BOXES1
HE CD SMELL ! D1? ODOR F ! TRUNK4 ,HE
DECID$ N 6M5;N X4 ,!Y ALR KNEW M AB D1?
?AN HE CD "E EXPLA94 ,Z ,SAM DROVE (F1
,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ /OOD ) H] HUSB& AT ! DOOR
& WAV$4 ,%E / HELD ! PICTURE4
  ,! MORN+ LI<T 0 UNUSU,Y B"R4 ,Z HE
CROSS$ ! ,AURORA ,BRIDGE ON 8 WAY BACK
6,F/ ,AV5UE1 HE FELT A NE$ 6SL[ D[N &
TAKE 9 ! SI<TS T PRES5T$ !MVS ON ALL
SIDES--M.TA9S EA/ & WE/ & ,M.T ,RA9I] 2Y
! C;Y 6! S\?4 ,2L HM1 B>E-MA/$ SAILBOATS
PL[$ "? ! %IP CANAL 3NECT+ ,LAKE ,WA%+-
TON & ,PUGET ,S.D4 ,! BOATS 7 ON _! WAY
6! ,BALL>D ,LOCKS1 : WD L[] !M TO   #AGH
SEA LEVEL & SALT WAT]4 ,! W1!R 0 W>M &
HE _H ! W9D[ D[N4 ,HE WANT$ 6FEEL ! W>M
AIR & H X C>RY AWAY ! ODOR TRAPP$ 9 !
TRUNK4
  ,HE F.D HMF ?9K+ (A SPECIAL SET ( ^WS4
,!Y 7 N ^WS ( 8 [N1 OR ^WS F ! WORN K9D
VOICES ( ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ1 OR F ,GA-
BRIEL ! F"R5$ ,ESKIMO4 ,! ^WS CAME F !
POET4 ,HE CD ALM HE> ,ALB]TA'S VOICE
R1D+ !M \ L\D4 8,H[ D Y L 6G UP 9 A SW+1
UP 9 ! AIR S BLUE80 ,HE WD 2 HAPPY IF HE
CD WRITE ^WS L T1 ^WS T MADE Y ?9K ( "S-
PLACE ELSE4











               ,*APT] #AA           #AGI

  ,X 0 ! SECOND 3SECUTIVE "D T ,SAM _H
MADE ! BACK/AIRS TRIP 6,HOMICIDE4 ,HE
C>RI$ A FILE FOLD] T HE _H DUG \ (!
SELDOM-EXPLOR$ POCKETS ( 8 BRIEFCASE4
,9SIDE ! FOLD]1 HE _H >RANG$ ! HOMICIDE
REPORTS4 ,ON TOP 0 ! ONLY COPY ( AN ,(-
FIC] ,/ATE;T F 8 BRIEF & T5U\S 5C.T] )
,GABRIEL ,ROMANOV4
  ,M>K[ITZ FOLD$ ! NEWSPAP] HE _H BE5
R1D+ & LAID X ON 8 DESK4 ,HE DID N LOOK
*E];L4 ,SAM WOND]$ IF HE 0 2COM+ IMPA-
TI5T ) ^! MORN+ 9T]RUP;NS4
  8,?"\ Y MI<T 2 9T]E/$ 9 ?10 ,SAM SD Z
HE PLAC$ ! ,ROMANOV /ATE;T 9 FRONT (
,M>K[ITZ4
  ,M>K[ITZ PICK$ UP ! S+LE PAGE & ROCK$
BACK 9 8 *AIR4
  8,K9D ( S.DS L \R GUY1 ,PI]RE :AT'S-
HIS-"N10 ,M>K[ITZ SD4
  8,X IS ,PI]RE10 ,SAM SD4 8,WE "\ 6-P>E
8 F+]PR9TS )! "OS Y F.D 9 ! ROOM40
  8,YES4 ,WE %D1 & WE TRI$1 B WE C'T4
,WE DON'T H 8 PR9TS ON FILE40
  8,S1 WE'LL GET !M40               #AHJ
  8,SURE4 ,I'LL J DROP 0? MORN+ & ASK HM
6BE A GD CITIZ5 & GIVE U A SET ( F+]-
PR9TS S T WE C TIE HM 96? HOMICIDE40
  8,I DON'T ?9K HE'S A CITIZ510 ,SAM SD4
  8,:AT D Y M1N80
  8,HE CLAIMS HE'S ,FR5*--MAKES A BIG
D1L \ ( T4 ,8 F+]PR9TS M/ 2 ON FILE "S-
PLACE40
  8,I'LL *ECK ) ,IMMIGR,N & SEE IF !Y H
ANY?+10 ,M>K[ITZ SD4
  8,MAYBE WE CD GET 8 PR9TS F "O ( ^?
GR1SY D\<NUTS HE MAKES40
  8,ACTU,Y1 T'S N A BAD IDEA10 ,M>K[ITZ
SD4 8,GET HM 6S]VE Y "S?+ 9 A GLASS1 !N
SN1K \ ) X40
  8,WE C D T80
  8,SURE4 ,TELL ME10 ,M>K[ITZ SD1 Z HE
PE]$ ONCE M AT ,SAM'S WRITT5 /ATE;T1
8DID ? ,MR4 ,ROMANOV SAY ANY?+ AB O!R
VISITORS80
  8,NO40
  8,NO?+ AB ANY "Y FELL[S80
  8,NO40
  8,DID Y R1D ! PAP] ? MORN+80 ,M>K[ITZ
ASK$4                               #AHA
  8,"S ( X40
  8,DID Y R1D ?80 ,M>K[ITZ PU%$ ! NEWS-
PAP] T[>D ,SAM & PO9T$ 6A SMALL H1DL9E
BURI$ 9SIDE4 ,PUBLI%]'S ,SON ,DR[NS4
  ,SAM _H N R1D ! >TICLE4 ,X 0 TWO P>A-
GRAPHS L;G4 ,B5 ,A2OTT1 ! SON ( ,MILDR$
,A2OTT1 PUBLI%] (! .,S1TTLE .,TRIBUNE1 &
! LATE ,RALPH ,A2OTT1 _H DR[N$ ,MON"D
NI<T 9 A BOAT+ A3ID5T 9 ,LAKE ,WA%+TON4
,DIV]S 3T9U$ 6SE>* = 8 BODY4
  8,GOT A CALL F ? ,MRS4 ,A2OTT'S LAWY]
AT EI<T %>P ? MORN+4 ,? WASN'T A BOAT+
A3ID5T4 ,! /ORY GIV5 6! PATROL GUYS 0 T
! KID 0 HI< ON DOPE & JUMP$ (F ! BOAT1 B
X'S N A V GD /ORY4 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT SAYS H]
SON 0 AN EXCELL5T SWIMM]40
  8,:Y >E Y TELL+ ME ?80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,2C1 AC 6! LAWY]1 ? ,A2OTT KID MI<T H
BE5 ,OLIVIA'S "F40
  8,Y H 6BE KI4+40
  8,NO4 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT KNEW AB ,ALB]TA
,SAN*EZ1 B N AB ! BABY4 ,N UNTIL YE/]-
"D40
  8,I'LL 2 DAMN$40
  8,I ?9K ! PATROL GUYS SCREW$ UP   #AHB
:5 !Y TOOK ! REPORT4 ,!Y 2LIEV$ ! A3ID5T
/ORY40
  8,S :AT >E Y GO+ 6D8 ,*ECK \ ! BOAT80
,SAM ASK$4
  8,C'T4 ,X BURN$4 ,SIX O'C ? MORN+ AT !
,S1TTLE ,YA*T ,CLUB40
  8,I'LL 2 DAMN$10 ,SAM REP1T$4
  8,Y C SAY T AG10 ,M>K[ITZ SD4 8,!Y
USU,Y TAKE BETT] C>E ( _! BOATS40
  8,B5 ,A2OTT10 ,SAM SD4 ,HE TRI$ 6RE-
MEMB] IF HE _H "E HE>D T "N 2F4 ,HE
DIDN'T ?9K S1 B HE KNEW ! ,A2OTT "N WELL
5\<4 ,MO/ P 9 ,S1TTLE KNEW T "N4
  8,:AT WD A RI* KID L ,A2OTT 2 DO+ )
,ALB]TA ,SAN*EZ80
  8,DON'T "K4 ,SURE L 6F9D \1 ?\<4 ,AP-
P>5TLY ,MRS4 ,A2OTT IS TOO GRIEV$ 6TALK
"R N[4 ,S SAYS ! LAWY]4 ,WE H 6GIVE H] A
LL M "T 6COLLECT H]F40
  8,:AT'S ! "N (! LAWY]80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,MAYES OR ,HAYES--"S?+ L T4 ,BIG%OT
FIRM D[NT[N4 ,:Y8 ,:AT DI6];E DOES X
MAKE :O X IS80
  8,J WOND]+1 T'S ALL40
               ,*APT] #AB           #AHC

  ,X 0 A /RANGE BUSI;S1 ,M>IA ?"\1 :5
MO/ (! CU/OM]S B"\ NO?+4 ,MR4 ,POLANSKI
WD H TR\# MAK+ M"OY 9 8 DRUG/ORE IF KIDS
/OOD 9 ! AISLES ALL "D S T PAY+ CU/OM]S
CD N GET BY4 ,WD ^! KIDS /AY ALL "D8
  ,BILL >RIV$ = "W T5 M9UTES AF T54 ,%E
KNEW X M/ 2 HM 0! WAY HE WALK$ 96! KIT*-
EN4 ,H] SMILE 0 WA/$ Z HE SIL5TLY PASS$
H]4 ,PI]RE SD NO?+ 6HM AB 2+ LATE1 AL?
HE _H MADE A BIG PO9T ( TELL+ H] 6BE ON
"T :5 HE HIR$ H]4 ,PI]RE DID N 9TRODUCE
!M1 EI4 ,HE M/ N H ?"\ X 0 IMPORTANT =
!M 6"K EA* O!R4
  ,BILL PUT ON A DIRTY :ITE APRON T 0
HANG+ ON A HOOK 2S ! S9K & IMMLY 2GAN
WA%+ D\<NUT PANS4 ,PI]RE WALK$ OV] 2S
HM4 ,BO? _H _! BACKS 6,M>IA4 ,PI]RE
SPOKE 6,BILL 9 A VOICE TOO L[ = H] 6"U-
/&4
  8,I G UP/AIRS =A :ILE10 ,PI]RE TOLD H]
Z HE WALK$ UP 6! CA% REGI/]4 ,HE /OPP$ &
PO9T$ 8 F+] UP Z ?\< T WD EXPLA9 "EY?+4
8,IF Y H "QS1 Y C ASK HM40
  ,%E TURN$ >.D 6LOOK AT ,BILL4     #AHD
,HE DID N LOOK AT H]1 & %E D\BT$ %E WD H
ANY "QS4
  8,Y C SIT D[N =A :ILE IF Y WANT4 ,EAT
A D\<NUT4 ,TAKE C>E ( CU/OM]S :5 !Y -E40
  8,?ANK Y10 %E F.D H]F SAY+1 !N ?9K+ X
RIDICUL\S4
  8,SURE4 ,MAYBE "O (! C9NAMON TWI/S40
,8 VOICE S(T5$ SLI<TLY4 ,P]H HE REMEMB]$
%E 0 N "O (! KIDS ASK+ = FREE D\<NUTS4
8,!Y CAME \ GD ? "T40
  ,%E NO4$1 B "! 7 NO ^WS F H] ? "T4 ,8
D>K BLOOD%OT EYES SCANN$ ! ROOM4 ,SE-
CRETLY ! KIDS WAT*$ HM1 B !Y PRET5D$ O?-
]RWISE4 ,X 0 UNCOM=TA# & /RANGE ! WAY !Y
WAT*$ "EY?+4
  8,NO FREE D\<NUTS TD10 HE SD Z HE
WALK$ PA/ _! TA#S4 8,TM MAYBE4 ,NO M
TD40
  ,AB HALF ! KIDS LEFT AF ,PI]RE4 ,^? :O
/AY$ 7 3T5T 6LOOK \ ! W9D[ & D NO?+ M4
,"! 0 LESS FRIC;N AM;G ! HOLDOV]S4
  ,%E GOT A C>TON ( MILK F ! REFRIG]ATOR
& SAT D[N AT ! TA# CLOSE/ 6! CA% REGI/]4
,X FELT GD 6BE (F H] FEET4 ,%E 0 HUNGRY
B _H NO 9T]E/ 9 ! D\<NUTS OR !      #AHE
C9NAMON TWI/S4 ,TM1 IF "! 7 A TM "H1 %E
WD BR+ "S?+ 6EAT4
  ,TM %E WD DECIDE :AT 6D4 ,%E WD CALL
H] "F AG4 ,HE WDN'T 2 HAPPY T %E _HN'T
CALL$ = S"EAL "DS1 B HE WDN'T H BE5 HAP-
PY IF %E _H CALL$ EI4
  ,BILL CAME UP 6H] TA#4 ,HE _H ALR TAK5
8 APRON (F4 8,GO+ \ =A SMOKE10 HE SD4 ,8
VOICE 0 S FLAT T X DIDN'T S.D HUMAN4 ,HE
DIDN'T HESITATE = H] REPLY4 ,\TSIDE ON !
SIDEWALK1 HE /OOD AT ! CORN] A MO;T1 !N
4APPE>$ D[N ! /REET4 ,:AT K9D ( BUSI;S 0
?8 ,:AT WD HAPP5 IF %E WALK$ \ ! DOOR1
TOO8
  ,:5 %E SAW ! BLUE UNI=M 9 ! WE/ W9D[1
%E ROSE 6H] FEET & FROZE4 ,! BLUE UNI=M
W5T PA/ ! NOR? W9D[ & >RIV$ AT ! DOOR4
,%E RECOGNIZ$ HM ! 9/ANT HE /EPP$ 9SIDE4
,%E WD H RECOGNIZ$ HM EV5 IF %E _H N
LOOK$ AT ! PICTURE A ?\S& "TS4 ,) IMPOS-
SI# DI6ICULTY %E LOOK$ AWAY F HM1 WALK$
S(TLY 6! CA% REGI/]1 & WAIT$4
  ,HE WALK$ SL[LY T[>D H] "? ! O3UPI$
TA#S1 LOOK$ AT EA* "O (! N]V\S KIDS1 &
SAT D[N AT ! C.T]4 ,HE /OOD 8 RA-   #AHF
DIO UP"R 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,%E /OOD A LL
TALL] & SMOO!D ! SLEEVE ( H] :ITE BL\SE4
,H] "M _H TOLD H] %E CD N"E G WR;G )A
CL1N :ITE BL\SE4 ,HE LOOK$ 96H] EYES &
SMIL$4
  8,I'LL H A CUP ( C(FEE40
  ,PI]RE US$ PLA/IC CUPS = C(FEE1 &! US$
L9]S 7 ?R[N AWAY4 ,! CUPS WEI<$ NO?+1 &
%E F.D X DI6ICULT 6HOLD ! CUP 9 ! AIR BY
XS LL PLA/IC H&LE & SET X D[N ON ! C.T]
)\T SPILL+ ! C(FEE4 ,%E WI%$ X 7 H1VY L
A R1L CUP4
  ,HE TURN$ SIDEWAYS ON ! /OOL & LOOK$
AT ! KIDS )\T DR9K+ ANY (! C(FEE4 ,! FEW
3V]S,NS T SURVIV$ 8 5TR.E SPUTT]$ &
/OPP$ Z VOICES F 8 RADIO FILL$ ! ROOM4
,%E /OOD ": %E _H LEFT ! C(FEE CUP &
/UDI$ ! \TL9E ( 8 FACE4 ,%E CD N LOOK
AWAY F HM4
  8,Y M/ 2 NEW10 HE SD :5 HE TURN$ T[>D
H] AG4
  ,%E CLE>$ H] ?ROAT 2F SP1K+4 8,? IS MY
F/ "D40
  ,HE LOOK$ 96! KIT*5 & EXAM9$ !
RECESSES & CORN]S (! BACK ROOM4     #AHG
,%E 0 GLAD HE DID N SCRUT9IZE H] T WAY4
  8,I DON'T SEE ,PI]RE >.D10 HE SD4
  8,HE LEFT40
  8,& T O!R KID1 ,BILL4 ,DID HE L1VE1
TOO80
  8,HE SD HE 0 GO+ \ =A SMOKE40
  8,LEFT Y 9 *>GE !N80
  8,I GUESS S40
  8,MY "N IS ,SAM1 0! WAY40 ,HE PO9T$ TO
8 "N TAG4 ,%E LOOK$ AT 8 "N TAG T SD
8,SAM ,W"R10 B %E ALR KNEW :AT X SD4
8,:AT'S YR "N80
  ,%E HESITAT$ A MO;T4 ,8 EYES1 GRE5 L !
S1WAT] T CAME UP ! 9LET T[>D ,AN*ORAGE1
OP5$ WID] & WAIT$4 ,HE WD ?9K %E 0 DE-
CID+ :E!R 6TELL HM H] TRUE "N4 ,T 0 N !
R1SON = H] DELAY4
  8,M>IA10 %E SD S(TLY4
  8,GLAD 6MEET Y1 ,M>IA4 ,I "W ? 4TRICT
9 ! MORN+S40
  ,2H HM ! MORN+ *N LEFT _! S1TS & SCAT-
T]$ 96! /REET4 ,!Y 7 DI6ICULT 6IGNORE1 B
HE IGNOR$ !M4 ,%E _H ! FEEL+ %E 0 WAT*+
!M = HM 2C HE 0 N WAT*+4
  8,I DON'T SEEM 6BE V GD = BUSI-   #AHH
;S10 HE SD AF ! LA/ ( !M _H LEFT4 ,"! 0
ONLY "O CU/OM] :O REMA9$4
  8,!Y DIDN'T BUY ANY?+4 ,!Y J SAT "!40
  8,PI]RE'S FRS1 ,I GUESS4 ,H[ AB Y8 ,H
Y "KN ,PI]RE = Q A :ILE80
  8,S9CE YE/]"D :5 HE HIR$ ME4 ,I'M N L
!M1 IF T'S :AT Y WANT 6"K40
  ,%E _HN'T M1NT 6SP1K T WAY4 ,H] VOICE
S.D$ H>% 6H]4 ,%E _H N M1NT 6BE H>%4
  8,I DIDN'T ?9K Y W]E10 HE SD4 8,": >E
Y F1 IF Y DON'T M9D ME ASK+80
  8,AN*ORAGE40
  8,ALASKA4 ,Y'RE A L;G WAY F HOME4 ,YR
P>5TS "K ": Y >E1 ,I HOPE40
  8,MY "F "KS4 ,I'M EI<TE540
  8,I SEE4 ,I GUESS Y C G ": Y WANT !N1
B ? DOESN'T HAPP5 6BE ! BE/ PLACE 6"W4
,MAYBE Y'VE NOTIC$ T ALR40
  8,Y "W "H10 %E SD4
  ,HE LAU<$ !N1 J L\D 5 = H] 6HE>4 ,%E 0
PL1S$ %E _H MADE HM LAU<4 ,%E FELT %E CD
F9,Y TAKE A BR1? )\T %AK+4
  8,YES ,I D1 & ,I -E 9 "H Q (T54 ,I
HOPE T DOESN'T BO!R Y40
  8,:Y WD X BO!R ME80               #AHI
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,X SEEMS 6BO!R "EY"O
ELSE4 ,:5"E ,I ASK "O ( ^! KIDS "S?+1 !Y
C'T GET AWAY F ME FA/ 5\<40
  8,MAYBE !Y'RE AFRAID ( Y40
  8,MAYBE1 OR MAYBE !Y'RE AFRAID ( ,PI-
]RE4 ,:AT D Y ?9K80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,J !N A BOY CAME 96! ,DONUT ,%OP Z ?\<
HE _H HE>D ! POLICEMAN TALK+ AB _! FE> &
WD PROVE HM WR;G4 ,H1VY BLACK SUNGLASSES
HID 8 EYES4 ,HE WALK$ 6! OPPOSITE 5D (!
C.T] & />$ M5AC+LY T[>D ! BACK (! %OP ":
"! 0 NO "O 6M5ACE4 ,:5 %E WALK$ OV] 6HM1
HE ABRUPTLY ORD]$ C(FEE 6G4 ,HE DIDN'T
LOOK AT H]4 ,%E P\R$ ! C(FEE 96A ,/YRO-
FOAM CUP4 ,H] H&S DID N %AKE ? "T4
  8,T'S ?IRTY-FIVE C5TS10 %E SD4
  8,PI]RE DOESN'T *>GE ME ANY?+10 HE SD4
  8,HE DIDN'T TELL ME 6GIVE C(FEE AWAY40
  8,Y DR9K X !N4 ,I DON'T WANT X40
  ,N"E!.S HE REMA9$ /&+ 9 ! SAME PLACE4
,:AT DID HE WANT8 ,%E KNEW IF %E LOOK$
AT ! POLICEMAN HE WD /EP 9 6HELP H]1 B
%E DIDN'T WANT ANY HELP4 ,%E PULL$ !
C(FEE AWAY F HM4                    #AIJ
  8,I'M N GETT+ Y ANY?+ M40
  ,"E S SL[LY ! BOY :O PRET5D$ 6BE "S?+
ELSE L[]$ 8 H1D 6LOOK AT H] & EQU,Y SL[-
LY LIFT$ X AG 6! BACK WALL4 ,%E SAW 8
EYES "? ! D>K GLASSES4
  8,I'LL -E BACK :5 ,PI]RE IS "H10 HE
SD4
  ,!N HE TURN$ & WALK$ AWAY4 ,8 H1D BO2$
9 RHY?M 6AN 9T]NAL MET] T SL[$ 8 PROG-
RESS 6! DOOR4
  ,SAM GOT UP F ! /OOL AF ! BOY _H LEFT
& R1*$ 96HIS BACK POCKET = 8 WALLET4
8,F9E CU/OM]S Y H "H1 ,M>IA4 ,I GUESS HE
DELIV]$ 8 MESSAGE40
  8,:AT MESSAGE80 %E ASK$4
  8,DON'T TALK 6! COP40
  8,HE'S NO?+4 ,"! >E LOTS L HM >.D "H40
  8,YES "! >E40
  ,HE TOOK A DOLL> BILL F 8 WALLET &
PLAC$ X ON ! C.T]4 ,8 H& REMA9$ OV] X Z
?\< X MI<T BL[ AWAY4 ,%E LOOK$ UP F !
M"OY & 0 HELD AT ATT5;N 0! S1WAT] COLOR
( 8 EYES4
  8,DID ,PI]RE TELL Y AB ! LA/ GIRL :O
"W$ "H80                            #AIA
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D B SD NO?+4
  8,WE C'T F9D H]1 B WE F.D H] BABY A
FEW "DS AGO--A LL BABY GIRL40
  8,%E _H A BABY80
  8,T'S "R4 ,! BABY 0 D1D--AB&ON$4 ,WE
?9K ! "M IS D1D1 TOO4 ,NOBODY "H SEEMS
6"K ANY?+ AB X4 ,H[ C T BE80
  ,HE WAIT$ = H] ANSW]1 B %E _H N"O4
  8,?9K AB X1 ,M>IA4 ,Y "W "H =A :ILE1 &
"O "D Y DON'T %[ UP & NOBODY ?9KS ANY?+
AB X4 ,NOBODY ASKS ANY "QS4 ,:AT K9D (
PLACE IS T80
  ,%E / _H NO ANSW]S = 8 "QS1 B %E FELT
%E MI<T DR[N IF %E DID N LOOK AWAY F 8
SEA-GRE5 EYES4 ,%E DID N LOOK AWAY4
  8,I DIDN'T ASK ANY "QS1 EI10 HE SD1 &
HE LOOK$ Z IF HE MI<T DR[N1 TOO4 8,IF ,I
7 Y1 ,M>IA1 ,I WD F9D A JOB "S": ELSE40
  ,%E SL[LY REMOV$ ! DOLL> BILL F 8 F+]S
& RANG UP ! SALE ON ! CA% REGI/]4 ,%E
HELD ! *ANGE \ = HM4
  8,Y KEEP T10 HE SD )\T T\*+ ! M"OY 9
H] H&4 8,X'S BE5 A PL1SURE MEET+ Y40
  ,X 0 H] F/ TIP1 & %E 3T9U$ 6HOLD !
M"OY T HE _H N T\*$4 ,AF HE LEFT1   #AIB
%E NOTIC$ HE _H N T\*$ ! C(FEE EI4























               ,*APT] #AC           #AIC

  ,SAM WOKE 6! FAMILI> S.DS ( WAVES WA%+
! ROCKS 2N 8 OP5 W9D[ & S1GULLS SCREE*+
OV] ! WAT]4 ,HE />$ AT ! CEIL+ & FOLL[$
A DEEP CRACK 9 ! PLA/]4 ,"S"D HE WD FIX
T CRACK & SMOO? ! CEIL+4 ,HE 0 TIR$ (
WAK+ UP 6X4
  ,HE GOT \ ( B$ & WALK$ 96! KIT*54 ,HE
FILL$ ! C(FEE MA*9E ) WAT] & LOOK$ "? !
W9D[S 6! WE/ SIDE ( ,SIMPSON'S H\SE4 ,X
NE$$ PA9T4 ,SIMPSON HAT$ ANY MESS ON !
B1* B 0 LESS "PICUL> ) 8 H\SE4 ,! RO( (
,GEORGIA'S H\SE ROSE ABV ,SIMPSON'S1
ROSE ABV !M ALL4
  ,HE PICK$ UP A C(FEE CUP F ! S9K1 R9S$
X1 & PUT X "U ! DRIP BASKET (! C(FEE
MAK]4 ,:5 ! CUP 0 ALM FULL1 HE PULL$ X \
& SLID ! C(FEEPOT 9 XS PLACE4 ,A SMALL
/R1M ( C(FEE DRIPP$ ONTO ! HOT PLATE
DUR+ ! EX*ANGE4 ,HE L1N$ AG/ ! KIT*5
C.T] & SIPP$ ! HOT /R;G C(FEE4
  ,HE _H ! TIR$ FEEL+ T FOLL[S TOO M*
SLEEP--TOO M* SLEEP AF TOO LL4 ,HE _H
SLEPT LATE Z HE ALW DID ON 8 F/ "D (F TO
MAKE UP ! "T MISS$ "? ! WEEK1 Z     #AID
IF 9 "O SPLURGE HE CD -P5SATE =! ABSURD
H\RS ( 8 %IFT4 ,HE FELT Z IF HE CD SLEEP
=A WEEK1 B HE 0 AWAKE & ALR /&+4
  ,HE SAT D[N AT ! KIT*5 TA#--A LUXURY
RES]V$ = 8 WEEK5DS4 ,HE 0 Q C]TA9 X 0
,?URS"D4 ,N T X MADE ANY DI6];E1 B HE
LOOK$ AT ! CAL5D> F ,POPP'S ,H>DW>E ANY-
WAY4 ,"! 7 CIRCLES >.D ,?URS"D & ,FRI"D
6REM9D HM ( 8 "DS (F4 ,X 0 ,?URS"D4
  ,HE HE>D NOISE AT ! KIT*5 DOOR1 !N !
S.D (A KEY 9 ! LOCK4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N AT
HMF 6SEE :AT HE 0 WE>+--,JOCKEY %ORTS &A
;,T-%IRT4 ,"! 0 M FUMBL+ )! LOCK & HE
SMIL$4 ,%E WD 2 ANGRY IF X DID N SOON
GIVE WAY4 ,%E 0 AN >TI/ ) KEYS4
  ,! DOOR POPP$ OP5 & ,GEORGIA CAU<T H]
BR1?4 ,%E 0 />TL$ 6SEE HM SITT+ AT !
KIT*5 TA#4 ,8 SMILE 3T9U$4 ,:O DID %E
?9K WD 2 AT ! TA#8
  8,OH HI10 %E SD4
  8,MORN+40
  8,I ?"\ Y'D 2 AWAKE40
  8,I AM4 ,WANT "S C(FEE80
  8,?ANKS4 ,I'LL GET X40
  ,%E OP5$ A CUPBO>D & TOOK \ A     #AIE
CL1N CUP4 ,:5 %E PULL$ ! C(FEEPOT \ F !
MA*9E1 C(FEE P\R$ F ! BASKET & SIZZL$
ONTO ! HOT PLATE4 ,%E GAVE A SURPRIS$
SQU1K & ?RU/ ! POT BACK 6CAT* ! C(FEE4
  8,X'S N D"O BREW+ YET10 %E SD4
  8,I J GOT UP40
  ,%E F.D A DI%CLO? LY+ 9 ! S9K & C>E;L-
LY WIP$ >.D ! GLASS B1K]4 ,%E B5T D[N &
PE]$ 96! C(FEEPOT4 8,AH10 %E SD1 3V9C$
"! WD 2 NO M SURPRISES4 ,%E P\R$ A CUP =
H]F1 TOPP$ 8 (F1 & W5T 6! REFRIG]ATOR =
MILK4 ,HE _H N (T5 SE5 H] DRESS$ = "W1 &
HE WAT*$ AN 9T]E/+ CURVE =M "? H] DRESS
Z %E B5T D[N 6PUT ! MILK AWAY4
  ,GEORGIA SAT ACR ! TA# F HM & CROSS$
H] LEGS4 ,AL? HE ?"\ HE KNEW :Y %E _H
-E1 HE WAIT$ = H] 6TELL HM4 ,HE 0 C]TA9
T WD -E SOON 5\<4
  8,I'M ON MY WAY 6"W4 ,WE _H Q A /IR AT
! (FICE YE/]"D10 %E SD4 8,:AT D Y "K AB
,B5 ,A2OTT80
  8,I 0 WOND]+ IF Y WD H ANY?+ 6D ) T10
,SAM SD4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y ASK ME !N80
  8,D Y H ANY?+ 6D ) X80            #AIF
  8,"EYBODY 9 ! FIRM HAS "S?+ 6D ) X4
,MILDR$ ,A2OTT IS \R BI7E/ CLI5T4 ,B
,I'VE TOLD Y T 2F1 HAV5'T ,I80
  8,YES4 ,>E Y "W+ ON :AT !Y CALL DAMAGE
3TROL80
  8,N = ,MRS4 ,A2OTT4 ,%E J WANTS 6"K
:AT HAPP5$40
  8,S D WE4 ,Q A GUY1 ? ,B5 ,A2OTT4 ,!
P]FECT "F1 IF HE 0 ! "F40
  8,I R1D YR REPORT YE/]"D1 ,SAM4 ,X M/
H BE5 HORRI# 6F9D T BABY40
  8,X 0 WORSE =! BABY4 ,S :AT K9D ( J]K
IS ? ,A2OTT80
  8,I GUESS ,B5 0 A PRETTY MIX$-UP KID40
  8,HE 0 TW5TY-FIVE YE>S OLD4 ,T'S N A
KID40
  8,NO1 X'S N10 ,GEORGIA SD4
  8,HE MI<T H KILL$ !M1 Y "K--BO? ! "M &
! *40
  8,I DON'T ?9K HE DID T40
  8,I DON'T ?9K S EI1 N DIRECTLY1 B HE
LET !M LIVE 9 T FL1BAG HOTEL4 ,S DID YR
CLI5T1 ? ,MRS4 ,A2OTT & ALL H] M"OY4 ,%E
LEFT !M "!1 TOO40
  8,%E DIDN'T "K AB ! BABY4 ,N      #AIG
UNTIL YE/]"D4 ,%E WANTS 6TALK 6Y40
  8,ME80
  ,X MADE HM ANGRY 6?9K T ? RI* LADY ?"\
%E CD DECIDE :5 %E WD TALK1 & :O %E WD
TALK TO1 & H A BUN* ( LAWY]S SMOO?+ !
WAY4
  8,LET ME EXPLA910 ,GEORGIA SD4
  8,%E NE$S 6TALK 6,DETECTIVE ,M>K[ITZ1
N ME4 ,HE'S H&L+ ! FOLL[-UP40
  8,LET ME EXPLA91 ,SAM4 ,"! 7 TWO GUYS
ON ! BOAT :5 ,B5 DR[N$1 &A GIRL4 ,! LAT-
E/ FR1 ,I GA!R4 ,! GIRL ?9KS ,B5 MAY H
BE5 9VOLV$ 9 "S TYPE ( ILLEGAL 2HAVIOR40
  8,Y'RE 2G9N+ 6S.D L A LAWY]1 ,GEOR-
GIA40
  8,I AM A LAWY]4 ,I'M REPRES5T+ ?
GIRL40
  8,:Y80
  8,X'S OBVI\S1 ISN'T X8 ,? CD GET AW;L-
LY MESSY40
  8,B :Y Y8 ,D Y ?9K ,I'LL HELP Y ALL
MAKE X LESS MESSY80
  8,MAYBE40
  8,:AT DID Y TELL ^! P AB U80 HE ASK$4
  8,: P80                           #AIH
  8,YR LAWY] "PN]S & YR RI* LADY CLI5T
:O [NS ! .,TRIBUNE & HALF ! FREE _W4 ,^?
P40
  8,I TOLD !M WE'RE NEI<BORS & FRS40
  8,FRS10 HE SD ) S>CA/IC AMUSE;T4 8,N"O
(! GD /UFF80
  ,GEORGIA DID N SMILE4 ,%E _H N SMIL$
ONCE S9CE -+4 8,NO40
  8,&! GIRL8 ,:AT DID Y TELL H]80
  8,I TOLD H] %E CD TRU/ Y40
  8,I WDN'T 2 S SURE AB T40
  8,%E KNEW ,ALB]TA ,SAN*EZ PRETTY WELL1
,SAM4 ,%E CD HELP40
  8,Y'RE TALK+ 6! WR;G COP4 ,L ,I SD1
,M>K[ITZ IS H&L+ ! FOLL[-UP4 ,HE'S ! EX-
P]T "H40
  8,I'VE R1D YR FOLL[-UP REPORTS10
,GEORGIA SD4 8,!Y'RE "P (! PUBLIC REC-
ORD4 ,LOOK1 ,SAM1 ? GIRL IS SC>$ 6D1?4
,%E ?9KS %E MI<T DR[N1 TOO4 ,%E WON'T
TALK IF ANY"O ELSE -ES4 ,I WON'T LET
H]40
  ,GEORGIA />$ 96HIS EYES4 ,H] EYES 7 N
Z HE _H "E SE5 !M 2F1 N Z :5 !Y 7 EYE TO
EYE ) 8 & DEM&+ NO?+ M ?AN PL1S-    #AII
URE4 ,FA9T WR9KLES SPR1D F ! CORN]S (
EA* EYE & DEEP5$ 96FUTURE FOLDS4 ,%E
LOOK$ ALM SAD4 ,HE 3SID]$ R1*+ ACR ! TA#
& T\*+ H] H&1 B :AT WD HE D AF T8
  8,I WI% Y WD H TOLD ME AB ?10 %E SD
S(TLY4
  8,H[ CD ,I TELL Y8 ,I J F.D \ AB ?
,A2OTT GUY YE/]"D10 ,SAM SD4
  8,T'S N :AT ,I M1N4 ,I WI% Y WD H TOLD
ME AB ! BABY40
  8,:Y8 ,:AT GD WD T D80
  ,GEORGIA REMA9$ SIL5T A MO;T1 B DID N
ANSW] 8 "Q4 8,? IS ,MRS4 ,A2OTT'S AD-
DRESS10 %E SD4 ,%E REMOV$ A FOLD$ PIECE
( PAP] T %E _H HELD 9 H] H& ! 5TIRE 3V]-
S,N & PLAC$ X ON ! TA# 2F HM4 8,X'S J
NOR? ( ,VOLUNTE] ,P>K4 ,! GIRL W 2 "! AT
"O O'C ? AFN4 ,I'LL 2 "!1 TOO4 ,Y DECIDE
IF Y WANT 6-E40
  ,%E /OOD1 PICK$ UP H] C(FEE CUP1 &
TOOK X 6! S9K4 ,IF %E _H LEFT ! CUP ON !
TA#1 IF %E _H N HESITAT$1 HE MI<T H RE-
MA9$ SIL5T & LET H] G4 ,HE ROSE & /OOD
2S H] AT ! KIT*5 C.T]4
  8,! BABY'S FUN]AL IS TM AFN10     #BJJ
,SAM SD4 8,MAYBE Y %D TELL ,MRS4 ,AB-
BOTT--IN CASE ? BABY IS H] GR&*ILD40
  8,I W40
  8,I GUESS X'S RE,Y N A FUN]AL4 ,X'S A
MEMORIAL S]VICE ( "S K9D4 ,!Y'RE N GO+
6BURY ! BABY UNTIL WE F9D ! "M40
  ,GEORGIA BR"\ H] H& UP 6H] M\? 6COV]
H] TI<TLY PRESS$ LIPS4 ,NO?+ COV]$ H]
EYES1 H["E--SAD EYES T HE _H N"E SE5 2F4
  ,SAM LOOK$ AWAY F H]1 \ 6! BLUE1 SUN-
%9E WAT]1 & TRI$ 6HE> XS SOO?+ S.DS4 ,HE
DIDN'T WANT 6?9K AB ! BABY4 ,HE WANT$ TO
TAKE 8 C(FEE \ 6! DECK 9 ^! LA/ "DS (
SUMM]1 OR TAKE ! KAYAK1 .,GLORIA1 PA/ !
BLUFF & UP 6,%ILSHOLE ,BAY1 OR FIX !
CRACK 9 8 B$ROOM CEIL+4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT
6?9K AB ,ALB]TA ,SAN*EZ1 OR ,B5 ,A2OTT1
OR BABY ,OLIVIA4 ,HE DIDN'T EV5 WANT TO
?9K AB ,GEORGIA4
  8,? LL BABY SEEMS 6HE TURN+ UP "EY":10
HE SD S(TLY--6HMF4



               ,*APT] #AD           #BJA

  ,! ,A2OTT PROP]TY O3UPI$ AN 5TIRE
BLOCK )! H\SE /&+ 9 ! C5T]4 ,A WR"\-IRON
F;E SURR.D$ ! PROP]TY4 ,"! 0 A GATE AT !
5TR.E SUPPORT$ 0BRICK COLUMNS4 ,SAM
DROVE 8 C> "? ! OP5 GATE & P>K$ 9 ! CIR-
CUL> DRIVE 2S ,GEORGIA'S R$ SPORTS C>4
,! H\SE 0 L ! ,5GLI% MANORS HE'D SE5 ON
TELEVI.N1 & HE WOND]$ IF A BUTL] WD AN-
SW] ! DOORBELL4
  8,Y M/ 2 ,(FIC] ,W"R10 SD ! WOMAN :O
OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,%E 0 9 H] FIFTIES & LOOK$
M L A LIBR>IAN OR A G>D5] ?AN A BUTL]4
8,I'M ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT4 ,PL1SE -E IN40
  8,I'M SORRY AB YR SON1 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT40
,HE ?"\ HE %D SAY T4 ,HE WD H SD T 9 ANY
HOME4
  8,?ANK Y4 ,YR POLICE DIV]S >E / TRY+
6F9D HM40
  ,MRS4 ,A2OTT TURN$ ABRUPTLY & L$ HM
D[N A L;G HALLWAY4 ,8 FOOT/EPS CLA%$
L\DLY ON ! H>DWOOD FLOOR4 ,9 A SMALL
ROOM ) BIG W9D[S1 ,GEORGIA 0 SITT+ 9 A
:ITE WICK] *AIR AM;G A =E/ ( PLANTS4
  8,Y "K ,GEORGIA1 ( C\RSE10        #BJB
,MRS4 ,A2OTT SD4 8,WE ?"\ X WD 2 BE/ IF
WE 4CUSS$ A FEW ?+S 2F CALL+ ,DIANE4
,PL1SE SIT D[N40
  ,SAM *OSE A *AIR NEXT 6,GEORGIA4 ,%E
GREET$ HM )A FACE T LOOK$ L A %EET ( PA-
P] ) NO?+ WRITT5 ON X1 ) N"O (! GD /UFF
ANYWAY4 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT SAT ACR F !M4
  8,WD Y L C(FEE OR TEA80 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT
ASK$ & GE/UR$ 6A TRAY ) TWO SILV] POTS
ON A GLASS TA#4
  ,HE 0 TEMPT$ 6SAY TEA J 6SEE IF ,GEOR-
GIA'S FACE WD *ANGE1 B HE *OSE C(FEE IN-
/1D4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT ,GEORGIA 0 DR9K+4
,MRS4 ,A2OTT P\R$ C(FEE 96A CUP )A SAUC]
2N X & H&$ ! SAUC] 6HM4 ,! *9A FELT
FRAGILE & HE CD N SLIP 8 F+] "? ! N>R[
CUP H&LE4 ,HE ?ANK$ ,MRS4 ,A2OTT1 TOOK A
SIP1 & PUT ! CUP & SAUC] BACK D[N ON !
TA#4 ,HE ?"\ ! C(FEE "\ 6TA/E BETT] )
ALL ! FUSS T ATT5D$ X4
  8,T POOR *10 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT :ISP]$4
8,GEORGIA HAS TOLD Y T WE 2LIEVE ,B5 0 !
BABY'S "F4 ,GEORGIA HAS SU7E/$ WE CD
*ECK ! BLOOD TYPES 6BE C]TA91 B ,I SEE
NO PO9T 9 T4 ,I J C'T "U/& H[ MY    #BJC
SON WD LET S* A ?+ HAPP540
  ,MRS4 ,A2OTT LOOK$ AT HM & WAIT$ = HM
6SAY "S?+ T WD HELP H] "U/&1 B X _H BE5
TOO L;G S9CE HE _H TR\# 2LIEV+ S* ?+S4
,HE REMA9$ SIL5T4
  8,:5 MY HUSB& DI$ T5 YE>S AGO1 ,B5
SEEM$ 6LOSE 8 WAY4 ,I ALW ?"\1 OR AT L1/
,I HOP$1 HE WD F9D X "S"D4 ,HE 0 N 9T]-
E/$ 9 BUSI;S4 ,HE SP5T A YE> AT ! NEWS-
PAP] AF COLLEGE1 B HE DIDN'T L X4 ,HE SD
"EYBODY 0 WAT*+ HM4 ,I SUPPOSE1 ,(FIC]
,W"R1 T Y MI<T ?9K HE 0 J A SPOIL$ KID4
,I WDN'T BLAME Y4 ,T'S :AT ,I ?"\1 TOO4
,HE LIV$ "H 9 ? H\SE UNTIL A LL OV] A
YE> AGO4 ,I TOLD HM T HE M/ GET \ ON 8
[N4 ,HE LIV$ ON ! BOAT AF T4 ,HE & MY
HUSB& DID 5JOY T BOAT4 ,!Y WD TAKE (F =
WEEKS AT A "T1 J ! TWO ( !M1 & SAIL >.D
6ALL ! ISL&S OR UP 6,CANADA4 ,!Y WD -E
BACK 9 S* GD _SS4 ,B N[ ! BOAT IS G"O1
TOO40
  ,%E LOOK$ AT ! FLOOR & %OOK H] H1D4
8,"EY?+'S G"O10 %E SD 6H]F4
  ,SAM WAIT$ QUIETLY = H] 6RAISE H] H1D
AG4                                 #BJD
  8,AB EI<T OR N9E MON?S AGO10 %E 3T9U$1
8,B5 BR"\ ,ALB]TA 6! H\SE--69TRODUCE H]1
,I SUPPOSE4 ,AL? ,I DIDN'T "K X1 %E M/ H
BE5 PREGNANT AT ! "T4 ,HE SEEM$ FOND (
H] & %E 0 V NICE4 ,B ,I REFUS$ 6TAKE X
S]I\SLY4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE ,I REJECT$ H]1
,I SIMPLY *OSE N 6TAKE H] S]I\SLY4 ,Y
SEE1 ,B5 _H _M FRS :O DID N /AY L;G4 ,HE
J CDN'T /ICK ) ANY?+4
  8,A FEW MON?S AF T1 HE CAME 6! H\SE &
DEM&$ ! M"OY T MY HUSB& _H LEFT 9 A TRU/
= HM4 ,HE 0 6RCV ONLY A MODE/ /IP5D UN-
TIL HE 0 ?IRTY4 ,HE ?"\ HE 0 2+ TR1T$ L
A *1 T WE 7 DECID+ :AT 0 BE/ = HM1 R ?AN
LETT+ HM MAKE 8 [N DECI.NS4 ,I SUPPOSE
HE 0 "R1 B ON ! O!R H&1 HE DID ACT L A
*4 ,I WANT$ HM 6ACT RESPONSIBLY40 ,H]
VOICE 2CAME 9FUS$ ) ANG] & FRU/R,N4 8,I
TOLD HM 6GET A JOB1 6TAKE 3TROL ( 8 LIFE
9/1D ( WAIT+ = M"OY T HE _H NO "P 9 MAK-
+4 ,X WD H BE5 BETT] IF HE _H GOTT5 NO
M"OY AT ALL1 IF HE _H 6"W 6EAT4 ,HE MI<T
H FOCUS$ HMF A LL BETT] !N4
  8,I CD H A3EPT$ ,ALB]TA10 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT
3T9U$1 8B HE _H 6TAKE ! F/ /EPS4    #BJE
,HE _H 6GR[ UP1 %[ HE 0 RESPONSI#1 & D
"S?+ ) 8 LIFE4 ,WE CD N"E GET FUR!R ?AN
T40 ,%E /OPP$ Z %E SU45LY R1LIZ$ %E 0 N
>GU+ ) H] SON AG4 8,WE W N"E GET ANY
FUR!R ?AN T4 ,X 0 MY FAULT1 TOO4 ,WE N"E
"U/& ^! ?+S1 D WE80
  8,X WASN'T YR FAULT10 ,GEORGIA SD1
FILL+ 9 ! SPACE AF H] "Q4 8,Y DID "EY?+
Y CD40
  8,P]H4 ,I'M N LOOK+ = SYMPA?Y1 ,GEOR-
GIA4 ,I WANT ,(FIC] ,W"R 6"K "EY?+ HE
NE$S 6"K S T WE C F9D \ :AT HAPP5$4 ,I
AM ,B5'S "M1 B ,I AM AL ? POOR *'S GR&-
"M4 ,I WI% 6"K ! TRU?1 NO MATT] :AT X
IS40
  8,T'S :AT WE ALL WANT10 ,SAM SD1 AT
LA/ F9D+ A SUBJECT 6TALK AB4 8,MR4 &
,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ1 TOO40
  8,( C\RSE40
  ,GEORGIA GAVE HM A %>P1 4APPROV+ LOOK
T TOLD HM X 0 N NEC 6BR+ UP O!R SU6]]S4
  8,IF POSSI#1 ,I WD L 6HELP AT ! FUN]AL
TM10 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT SD4 8,I WOND] IF Y "K
H[ ,I C R1* ! ,SAN*EZ FAMILY80
  8,I D\BT !Y H M* M"OY1 ,MRS4      #BJF
,A2OTT1 B !Y H Q A LOT ( PRIDE40
  8,I'M N TALK+ AB M"OY1 ,(FIC] ,W"R4
,I'M TALK+ AB HELP+40
  8,I "U/&10 HE SD1 & P]H HE 0 2G9N+ TO
"U/&4 8,I'LL GET _! PH"O NUMB] = Y40
  8,?ANK Y40
  8,IS ,ALB]TA _! ONLY *80 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT
ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K :Y1 B ,I H A FEEL+ %E
IS40
  8,YES40
  8,J L ,B54 ,& BO? LO/40
  ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT />$ AT ! BIG W9D[S 2H
HM1 B HE D\BT$ %E SAW ANY?+ "? !M4 ,M
QKLY ?AN HE EXPECT$1 %E LOOK$ AT HM AG4
8,D Y H ANY "QS Y WD L 6ASK AB MY SON1
,(FIC] ,W"R80 %E ASK$4
  8,DID YR SON "E TALK AB A MAN "ND ,PI-
]RE ,B]N>D80
  8,:O IS HE80 ,GEORGIA ASK$4
  8,HE [NS ! ,DONUT ,%OP D[NT[N AT ,F/ &
,PIKE10 ,SAM EXPLA9$4 8,ALB]TA "W$ "!40
  8,YES1 ,B5 DID TALK 6ME AB HM A FEW
"TS4 ,N REC5TLY1 H["E4 ,HE SEEM$ Q
IMPRESS$ )! MAN4 ,HE TOLD ME ,MR4   #BJG
,B]N>D TRI$ 6LOOK AF ! "Y P :O DRIFT$
>.D ! /REETS D[NT[N4 ,"S ( !M MADE 8 C(-
FEE %OP A SORT ( HOME AWAY F HOME4 ,T'S
H[ ,B5 PUT X4 ,I "K HE GAVE ,MR4 ,B]N>D
"S M"OY 6HELP ) ^! *N40
  8,H[ M* M"OY80
  8,AT L1/ TWO ?\S& DOLL>S4 ,B5 ASK$ ME
=! M"OY1 & ,I GAVE X 6HM4 ,I C IMAG9E N[
:AT Y MAY ?9K ( T4 ,I "K ,B5 TOOK "S (!
"Y P \ ON 8 BOAT4 ,I HOPE HE DID "S?+
WOR?:ILE ) T M"OY40
  ,SAM LET H] HOPE Z %E WI%$4
  8,WAS T :Y YR NEWSPAP] DID ! /ORY AB !
,DONUT ,%OP80
  8,I WDN'T CALL X MY NEWSPAP]10 %E SD4
8,I'M SIMPLY "O (! %>EHOLD]S4 ,I DID M5-
;N ,MR4 ,B]N>D 6,GORDON1 ,GORDON ,MON-
ROE1 \R $ITOR-IN-*IEF1 AT A FUND-RAIS+
EV5T "S "T AGO1 & Z ,I REMEMB]1 ! PAP]
WROTE A /ORY AB HM AF T4 ,I D N 9T]F]E )
! OP],N (! PAP]1 B ,I SUPPOSE X'S FAIR
6SAY T ,GORDON ASSIGN$ A REPORT] 6TAKE A
LOOK AT ,MR4 ,B]N>D AF \R 3V]S,N40
  8,! REPORT] DIDN'T LOOK V H>D40
  8,I DON'T "K IF T'S TRUE OR N4    #BJH
,I HOPE N4 ,I TAKE X Y DON'T ?9K V HI<LY
( ,MR4 ,B]N>D80
  8,HE'S A DANG]\S MAN1 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT4 ,I
DON'T "K H[ YR SON GOT MIX$ UP ) HM1 B X
WASN'T A GD IDEA40
  ,SAM ASK$ A FEW M "QS1 B ,PI]RE 0 !
MA9 "Q HE WANT$ ANSW]$4 ,:5 ,MRS4 ,A2OTT
LEFT ! ROOM 6F9D ! GIRL1 ,DIANE1 ,SAM
R1*$ =! LL C(FEE CUP & TOOK A SIP4
  8,C(FEE ISN'T V GD10 HE SD4
  8,MILDR$ MADE X4 ,I'M SURE %E WD L YR
OP9ION ON T1 TOO40
  ,SAM CD N HELP SMIL+4 ,X 0 N 8 SOCIAL
SKILL T BR"\ HM 96S* F9E HOMES & -PANY4
  ,HE SAW A "Y GIRL /&+ AT ! DOOR4 ,H]
FACE 0 :ITE Z ?\< %E _H SE5 F"R5+ ?+S OR
SELDOM SAW SUN%9E4 ,%E HELD H] H&S 9
FRONT ( H]4 ,GEORGIA DID N SEE H] AT F/1
&! GIRL SEEM$ EV5 M UNC]TA9 AB SOCIAL
PROPRIETY ?AN ,SAM4
  8,"H1 ,DIANE10 ,GEORGIA SD1 RIS+ QKLY
F H] *AIR4 ,%E TOOK ! GIRL 0! >M & 5C\R-
AG$ H] 6SIT 9 ! *AIR ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT _H
US$4 8,? IS ,(FIC] ,W"R40
  ,GEORGIA SPOKE S(TLY & GE/UR$     #BJI
T[>D ,SAM 9 S* A DELICATE WAY T HE WON-
D]$ IF ! GIRL WD CRUM# ) ANY 4PLAY (
H>%;S4 ,%E 0 EXTREMELY ?94
  8,H[ >E Y1 ,DIANE80 ,HE TRI$ 6SP1K
NORM,Y1 B F.D T 8 VOICE 0 AL S(T]4
  8,OKAY10 %E SD4
  ,! GIRL MI<T H BE5 ANY": 2T FIFTE5 &
TW5TY YE>S OLD1 OR ELSE %E 0 "P ( ALL ^?
YE>S4
  8,DIANE1 ? IS ! (FIC] :O IS TRY+ 6F9D
\ :AT HAPP5$ 6,ALB]TA & H] BABY4 ,HE
WON'T WRITE ANY?+ D[N OR PUT ANY?+ 96A
REPORT UN.S WE SAY X'S OKAY4 ,ISN'T T
CORRECT1 ,(FIC] ,W"R80
  8,YES40
  8,:AT D Y WANT 6"K80 ! GIRL ASK$4
  8,:Y DON'T WE />T ) ,ALB]TA10 ,SAM SD4
8,:5 DID Y MEET H]80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  8,WAS X A MON? AGO8 ,SIX MON?S8 ,A
YE>80
  8,A YE> MAYBE40
  8,": DID Y MEET H]80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I J GOT 6"K H]1 T'S
ALL40                               #BAJ
  8,W]E Y FRS80
  8,I GUESS S10 ,DIANE SD4 8,I US$ 6TAKE
C>E (! BABY :5 %E W5T 6"W4 ,B5 DROPP$ H]
:5 %E />T$ %[+ A LOT4 ,HE SD ! BABY
WASN'T HIS4 ,EXCEPT1 HE KNEW X WAS4 ,D Y
WANT ME 6TELL Y AB T NI<T HE DR[N$80
  8,SURE40
  ,%E 2GAN TALK+ )! URG5CY ( "S"O :O _H
A /ORY 6TELL & CD ?9K ( NO?+ ELSE4 ,HE
WAT*$ H] EYES REV1L H] FE>4 ,"! 7 F\R (
!M ON ! BOAT1 %E SD4 ,TWO GUYS 2SS ,B5--
8BOYS10 HE TRANSLAT$ = HMF4 ,!Y 7 \ ON
,LAKE ,WA%+TON & GO+ >.D & >.D 9 BIG
CIRCLES4 ,B5 SNI6$ COCA9E & DRANK VODKA
/RAI<T F A BOTTLE4 8,%OOT]0 KEPT LAU<+
AT HM4 ,B5 GOT S HI< T HE CDN'T /E] !
BOAT1 & ,JACK1 ! O!R BOY1 TOOK OV]4 ,!Y
7 CRAZY4 ,%E 2CAME COLD & SICK & W5T 96!
CAB9 AF %E />T$ ?R[+ UP4 ,!N %E HE>D !M
YELL+4 ,B5 0 9 ! WAT]4
  8,I RAN UP 6! DECK1 B ,I CDN'T SEE
HM10 %E SD4 8,HE 0 9 ! WAT]1 & X 0 S
D>K4 ,I SCR1M$ & SCR1M$1 B ,B5 DIDN'T
ANSW]4 ,X 0 S D>K4 ,WE CDN'T SEE HM40
  8,H[ DID ,B5 GET 96! WAT]80       #BAA
,SAM ASK$4
  8,HE GOT CRAZY4 ,JACK SD HE GOT CRA-
ZY40
  8,Y SD HE 0 CRAZY 2F Y W5T 96! CAB94
,:AT HAPP5$80
  ,! GIRL'S H&S GRIPP$ ! SIDE ( H] *AIR
Z ?\< HANG+ ON 6! BOAT4 ,%E LOOK$ AT
,GEORGIA1 ! P]SON :O 0 SUPPOS$ 6HELP H]1
B ,GEORGIA DID N HELP4
  8,%OOT] SD HE JUMP$40
  8,D Y 2LIEVE T80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I DIDN'T SEE X40
  8,Y TOLD ! (FIC]S :O CAME T NI<T T ,B5
FELL OV]BO>D A3ID5T,Y4 ,N[ Y SAY HE
JUMP$40
  8,I "K4 ,I 0 SC>$4 ,T'S :AT !Y TOLD ME
6SAY40
  ,SAM WOND]$ H[ L;G ,B5 _H LA/$ 9 ! WA-
T]--DRUNK1 /ON$1 %OES & CLO!S ACT+ L AN
AN*OR4 ,FIFTE5 M9UTES1 TW5TY8 ,HE 0 GLAD
,MILDR$ ,A2OTT 0 N "!1 B P]H %E _H HE>D
! /ORY ALR 9 P]FECT DETAIL4 ,IMP]FECT
DETAIL4 ,X 0 ALW IMP]FECT4
  8,H[ D ,I F9D ,%OOT]80
  8,I DON'T "K40                    #BAB
  8,:AT'S 8 R1L "N80
  8,I ONLY "K HM 0,%OOT]40
  8,H[ AB ,JACK8 ,": C ,I F9D HM80
  8,I DON'T "K T1 EI40
  8,>.D ! ,DONUT ,%OP80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,H] VOICE 2CAME HI<] ) EA* D5IAL4 ,HE
0 C]TA9 %E KNEW "S (! ANSW]S4 ,HE LOOK$
AT ,GEORGIA1 B %E 0 N GO+ 6HELP HM ANY M
?AN %E _H HELP$ ! GIRL4
  8,& ,ALB]TA8 ,Y SD %E 0 YR FR4 ,Y TOOK
C>E ( H] BABY4 ,": C ,I F9D H]80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ! GIRL SD AG4 8,I ?"\
%E _H G"O BACK HOME4 ,I DIDN'T "K ! BABY
0 / "!40 ,! GIRL'S VOICE _H 2GUN ! LA/
S5T;E 9 /RANGL$ S.DS Z ?\< H&S _H GRIPP$
H] ?ROAT1 B %E SCR1M$ ! LA/ ^WS CLE>LY4
  ,GEORGIA JUMP$ F H] *AIR & GRA2$ !
GIRL'S H&S4 8,X'S ALL "R1 ,DIANE4 ,X'S
ALL "R40
  ,GEORGIA LOOK$ AT ,SAM4 ,NO M "QS1 %E
SD "? ! 9T5SE LOOK 9 H] EYES4 ,"! >E _M
"QS1 HE WANT$ 6REPLY4 ,GEORGIA LIFT$
,DIANE F ! *AIR & ESCORT$ H] \ (! ROOM1
L1V+ ,SAM AL"O4 8,I DIDN'T "K AB    #BAC
! BABY10 HE HE>D ! GIRL SCR1M "O LA/ "T
F ! HALLWAY4 ,^? ^WS 7 2COM+ AN AN!M =
ALL ( !M4
  ,HE GOT UP F ! *AIR & WALK$ OV] 6"O (!
TALL W9D[S4 ,HE SAW A R.D CE;T POND )A
F.TA9 SQUIRT+ WAT] 96! AIR4 ,>.D ! POND
! GRASS _H TURN$ BR[N4 ,"! 7 _M BR[N
SPOTS 9 ! Y>D4
  ,HE _H N EXPECT$ ! GIRL 6REACT T WAY4
,X WASN'T A FAKE \TBUR/ 6AVOID M "QS4
,HE IMAG9$ ,GEORGIA WD N 2 PL1S$ OR IM-
PRESS$ ) 8 TACT4 ,X 0 A MESS ANY WAY HE
LOOK$ AT X4
  ,HE HE>D ,GEORGIA'S FOOT/EPS 9 ! HALL1
SAW H] 9 ! DOORWAY1 & WAT*$ H] WALK OV]
6! W9D[ 2S HM4
  8,%E'S ) ,MILDR$4 ,%E'LL 2 OKAY SOON40
  8,Y %D H LET ME BR+ ,M>K[ITZ40
  8,NO4 ,%E'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,%E WDN'T H SD
ANY?+ IF ,DETECTIVE ,M>K[ITZ _H -E40
  8,I'M N S SURE AB T40
  8,I AM4 ,%E SEEMS 6"K Y "SH[4 ,I CD
TELL :5 ,I TOLD H] YR "N40
  8,I'VE N"E SE5 H] 2F4 ,CD H1 ,I GUESS1
B ,I USU,Y REMEMB] P4 ,%E "KS A     #BAD
LOT M ?AN %E TOLD ME4 ,DID %E TELL Y
ANY?+ ELSE80
  8,NO4 ,I ?9K Y HE>D "EY?+ IMPORTANT %E
TOLD ME--EV5 M4 ,? 0 ! F/ ,I HE>D AB H]
TAK+ C>E ( ,ALB]TA'S BABY40
  8,:Y IS ? GIRL "H80 HE ASK$4
  8,": ELSE CD %E BE80 ,GEORGIA ASK$4
  8,I DON'T "K1 B ? DOESN'T LOOK L A
%ELT] = /REET KIDS4 ,:AT'S ! D1L1 ,GEOR-
GIA80
  8,%E'S PREGNANT40
  8,I SEE4 ,& ,B5 ,A2OTT IS AG ! NO#
"F80
  8,X WD SEEM S40
  8,S N[ :AT80 HE ASK$4 8,IS %E J GO+ TO
/AY "H & HIDE8 ,%E NE$S 6TELL U ! TRU?40
  8,Y NE$ H] 6TELL ! TRU?10 ,GEORGIA SD4
8,I DON'T ?9K ANY ( U "KS YET :AT %E
NE$S4 ,%E'S SC>$ 6D1?40
  8,%E %D BE4 ,I'VE GOT 6BR+ ,M>K[ITZ 9
ON ?40
  8,N YET4 ,DIANE ?9KS !Y W -E AF H] IF
!Y F9D \ %E IS TALK+ 6! POLICE40
  8,S PUT H] "SPLACE4 ,T BABY IS D1D4
,ALB]TA1 TOO1 MO/ LIKELY40          #BAE
  8,I "K4 ,J GIVE ME A "D OR TWO ) ,DI-
ANE & ,MILDR$4 ,Y C'T IMAG9E H[ H>D ? IS
ON !M4 ,J A FEW "DS4 ,X W 2 BETT] IF !
GIRL DECIDES ON H] [N40
  8,A FEW "DS4 ,B TALK 6! GIRL4 ,NO MAT-
T] :AT Y SAY1 ,I ?9K %E %D TELL U "EY-
?+40
  8,I ?9K S1 TOO40
  ,GEORGIA 0 S CLOSE 6HM T ! FRECKLES "U
H] "R EYE /OOD \ L SMALL FLAGS DRAP$ OV]
H] *EEKB"OS4
  8,I'M SORRY IF ,I DIDN'T H&LE ? V
WELL10 HE SD4
  8,Y DID J F9E40 ,H] VOICE 0 G5TLE--N A
VOICE T CAME (T5 2T !M4 ,!Y 7 M LIKELY
6T1SE OR JOKE ) EA* O!R4 8,I WI% Y WD H
TOLD ME AB ?40
  ,X 0 ! SECOND "T %E _H SD ^? ^WS4
  8,TOO LATE N[4 ,2SS1 Y C'T TELL ! OP-
POS+ LAWY] ALL YR SECRETS40 ,8 VOICE
HELD 9/9CTIVELY 6! "O HE KNEW4
  8,I WASN'T ! LAWY] !N40
  ,!Y _H /OOD L ? (T5--RELUCTANT 6T\* 2C
"S"O MI<T SEE !M--BALANC+ _! FACES )
LIES4 ,H] FACE 0 N BAL.ED4          #BAF
  8,I "K10 HE SD4 8,%[ ME ! WAY \ ( "H1
W Y80






















               ,*APT] #AE           #BAG

  ,KA!R9E WI%$ !Y WDN'T H 6/OP1 B ,SAM
TURN$ 8 C> 96! DIRT DRIVEWAY F ! C.TRY
ROAD & P>K$ 2S ! LA/ C> 9 A R[ ( C>S &
OLD PICKUPS4
  8,X MI<T N 2 S BAD10 HE SD4
  ,AT ! *UR* ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ 9SI/$ !Y -E 6!
H\SE4 ,"EY"O 0 -+ 6! H\SE1 HE SD4 ,!Y %D
FOLL[ ! C>S4
  ,!Y _H FOLL[$ ! C>S ON A DU/Y ROAD
AWAY F T[N4 ,NEI ( !M _H SD ANY?+1 B
,KA!R9E FELT Z IF %E 7 ALR \ ( PLACE 9 !
SAD PROCES.N4 ,!Y %D H SAT 9 ! BACK (!
*UR* & SLIPP$ AWAY :5 ! S]VICE 0 OV]4
  ,:AT _H BE5 ! PURPOSE = -+ ANYWAY8 ,%E
_H -E 2C ,SAM ASK$ H]1 B NEI ! PRIE/'S
^WS1 NOR ! S;GS1 NOR ! RECIT$ PRAY]S CD
FILL ! EMPTY SPACE 9 ! *UR*4 ,:AT CD ANY
( !M REMEMB] AB A * N"O ( !M KNEW8 ,!
S]VICE 0 /RANGE & =EIGN 6H]1 & %E CD N
FEEL ANY "P ( X4
  ,%E & ,SAM WALK$ T[>D A GIANT TREE ":
P _H GA!R$1 B !N %E SAW !Y 7 ONLY M5--
MO/LY OLD M5 9 OLD SUITS1 SMOK+
CIG>ETTES & LOOK+ AT ! GR.D4        #BAH
,WOM5 7 C>RY+ PLATES F ! H\SE 6A TA# T 0
(F 6! SIDE4 ,! TA# CAME F ! H\SE1 OR F
"S O!R PLACE1 B X DIDN'T 2L;G \TSIDE4
,KA!R9E WALK$ OV] 6! TA# :ILE ,SAM 5T]$
! -PANY ( M5 :O SURR.D$ ,SAN*EZ4
  8,Y M/ 2 ,(FIC] ,MURPHY10 SD A TALL
WOMAN :O /OOD (F 0H]F4 8,I'M ,GEORGIA
,W9?ROP40
  8,OH YES4 ,Y & ,SAM >E NEI<BORS10
,KA!R9E SD4
  ,F ! EXPRES.N ON ! TALL WOMAN'S FACE1
,KA!R9E FELT %E _H ALR SD "S?+ WR;G4
  8,I CAME ) ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT10 ,GEORGIA
SD4 8,SAM PROBABLY TOLD Y AB H] SON40
  8,YES40
  8,MILDR$ SP1KS EXCELL5T ,SPANI%4 ,%E'S
9 ! KIT*5 ) ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ4 ,I TOOK
,SPANI% 9 HI< S*OOL1 B ,I C'T REMEMB]
ANY ( X40
  8,NEI C ,I40
  ,KA!R9E _H ! FEEL+ T %E & ,GEORGIA
,W9?ROP 7 /&+ A"P--! ONLY :ITE P 9 !
Y>D4 ,X MADE H] UNCOM=TA#4 ,SAM 0 "!1 %E
REM9D$ H]F4 ,!N %E REM9D$ H]F T X DID N
MATT]4 ,X DID MATT]4                #BAI
  8,SAM TELLS ME ! TWO ( Y "W ! SAME
C>40
  8,YES1 DI6]5T %IFTS40
  8,T'S "R4 ,Y "W T HORRI# NI<T %IFT4 ,I
DON'T "K H[ Y D X40
  8,X'S N S BAD :5 Y GET US$ 6X10 ,KA!R-
9E SD4 ,%E DIDN'T WI% 6TALK AB ! NI<T
%IFT 6? LADY4 8,I GUESS ,I'LL G 9 ! H\SE
& HELP )! FOOD4 ,T SEEMS 6BE \R JOB40
  ,KA!R9E WALK$ PA/ ! M5 /&+ CLOSE 6!
TREE4 ,X 0 A MAGNIFIC5T TREE1 & XS
BRAN*ES R1*$ P[];LLY 9 ALL DIREC;NS4 ,A
SW+ HUNG F "O SPECIAL BRAN* T RAN P>AL-
LEL 6! GR.D4 ,! SUPPORT+ ROPES LOOK$
WORN & FRAY$1 & %E D\BT$ !Y CD 2 TRU/$
ANYMORE4 ,2L ! SW+ "! 0 A DEPRES.N 9 !
GR.D ": "Y FEET _H ONCE KICK$ & DRA7$ &
SCRAP$ AWAY ! DIRT4 ,X 0 N[ COV]$ )
GRASS4
  ,F ! SW+ %E CD SEE ! C.TRY--A BR[N
FIELD ( DRY GRASS1 GRE5 APPLE TREES ON !
HILL1 BLUE1 BLUE SKY 6! WE/ ABV ! HAZY
\TL9E ( M.TA9S4 ,B1UTI;L1 %E ?"\4 ,:Y >E
WE S EAG] 6L1VE8 ,%E R1LIZ$ %E _H 9CLUD$
H]F AM;G ! "Y GIRLS L ,ALB]TA--!    #BBJ
SW+]S ( ^? SW+S4
  ,%E SAW ! 3C]N EXPRESS$ "? ,SAM'S
EYES4 ,HE WD H -E 6H] !N1 B %E 0 ON H]
WAY 96! KIT*54 ,%E SMIL$ T %E 0 ALL "R1
TURN$ AWAY F ! M5 & F ! HILLS1 & CLIMB$
! POR* /EPS 96! H\SE4
  ,%E HE>D ! FA/ FRLY VOICES (! WOM54
,%E CD N "U/& ! ^WS1 B ! M1N+ 0 SIMPLE
5\<4 ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ & ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT SAT
SIDE 0SIDE AT ! KIT*5 TA# SLIC+ R$ &
GRE5 BELL PEPP]S 96?9 DELICATE /RIPS4
,"! 7 WOM5 ON EA* SIDE ( !M1 ASSI/+ 9 !
SLIC+1 MAK+ C]TA9 ! TWO S1T$ WOM5 _H
PEPP]S 2F !M4 ,ALL H1DS 7 B[$ 9 "W1 EYES
D[NCA/ & SEP>AT$ F 3TACT4 ,!Y 7 L9K$ 0_!
VOICES4 ,!Y _H EXP]I;ED VOICES & KNEW
:AT 6SAY4
  ,KA!R9E W5T 6! KIT*5 S9K & R9S$ H] H&S
Z %E WD 9 ! KIT*5 ON ! F>M4 ,A WOMAN AP-
PE>$ AT H] SIDE4 ,%E SMIL$1 SPOKE ^WS4
,KA!R9E RETURN$ ! SMILE4 ,! WOMAN PO9T$
6A BOTTLE ( DI% SOAP & GE/UR$ ) H] H&S4
8,SOAP10 %E SD4 ,KA!R9E SQUIRT$ SOAP 9TO
H] H&S & WA%$ !M 2N ! FAUCET4 ,! K9D
WOMAN GAVE H] A T[EL 6DRY H] H&S4   #BBA
  8,:AT C ,I D 6HELP80 ,KA!R9E ASK$4
  8,-E ) ME10 ! WOMAN SD4
  ,:5 ,KA!R9E 0 BR"\ 6! TA# ( "W1 "S (!
VOICES 2GAN 6SP1K ,5GLI%4 ,X DIDN'T SEEM
6MATT]4 ,! "W W5T ON4 ,H] -PANION GAVE
H] LETTUCE 6*OP & PO9T$ 6! ONION CUTT]S
AT ! C.T] 2S ! S9K4
  8,BETT] JOB "H10 ! WOMAN SD1 & !N T\*$
H] *EEKS 6%[ :AT %E M1NT4 ,! ONION CUT-
T]S BORE _! TE>S SIL5TLY4
  8,YES1 BETT] JOB10 ,KA!R9E AGRE$4
  8,OLIVIA ASKS ME 6?ANK Y = -+1 ,(FIC]
,MURPHY4 ,WE BO? APPRECIATE T40
  ,! F/ "N SPOK5 0,MILDR$ ,A2OTT S5T A
%IV] "? ,KA!R9E--REM9D+ H] (! * !Y _H -E
6M\RN4 ,%E LOOK$ D[N ! TA# 6! S1T$ WOM5
:O _H /OPP$ _! "W =A MO;T4
  8,PL1SE CALL ME ,KA!R9E40
  8,KA!R9E10 ,OLIVIA ,SAN*EZ SD )\T
TRANSL,N4 ,%E NO4$ H] H1D & SMIL$ Z ?\<
%E _H SD A -PLETE S5T;E4 ,MILDR$ ,A2OTT
SMIL$ ! SAME WAY4
  8,OLIVIA ?9KS Y >E N F ! C;Y10 ,MILDR$
SD4 8,I ?9K %E M1NS T Z A -PLI;T40
  8,I GREW UP ON A F>M10 ,KA!R9E    #BBB
SD4 8,I 0 "! J YE/]"D40
  ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ %OOK H] H1D "K+LY )
,MILDR$'S TRANSL,N4 8,AH10 %E SD--ANO!R
S5T;E4 ,H[ DID %E "K T8 ,KA!R9E WOND]$4
  8,H[ DID %E "K T80
  8,X'S 9 ! FACE10 ,MILDR$ SD4 8,X'S A
GD SIGN4 ,Y H A LOVELY FACE40
  ,KA!R9E BLU%$4 ,%E 0 R1DY =! H&S 62G9
AG1 6MOVE ! 3V]S,N AWAY F H] FACE1 AWAY
F H]4 ,%E LOOK$ D[N & MADE A SMALL CUT
"? ! LETTUCE4
  8,SI10 ! OLD WOMAN SD4 ,%E SPOKE S"EAL
M ^WS ( ,SPANI% & T\*$ H] FACE4 ,!N %E
RESUM$ CUTT+ ! PEPP]S4
  ,:5 !Y W5T \ 6! TREE1 ANO!R TA# _H AP-
PE>$4 ,%E & ,SAM SAT TGR Z 9/RUCT$4
,GEORGIA TOOK A PLACE ON ! O!R SIDE (!
TA#4 ,MRS4 ,SAN*EZ SAT AT "O 5D AM;G !
WOM51 ,MR4 ,SAN*EZ AT ! O!R AM;G ! M54
,HE AL"O 3T9U$ 6WE> A SUIT JACKET4
  ,KA!R9E 0 N US$ 6,MEXICAN FOOD1 IF T 0
:AT X WAS4 ,! OLD MAN ACR F H] 5C\RAG$
H] 6TRY ! HOMEMADE R$ SAUCE 9 BOTTLES
/&+ E FEW FEET ON ! TA#S4 ,A SLY GR9
SPR1D ACR 8 W1!R$ FACE1 & %E KNEW   #BBC
6USE ! SAUCE SP>+LY4 ,EV5 S X BURN$ H]
T;GUE4 ,%E DRANK COLD TEA1 REFUS+ 6*OKE1
& HELD ! COLD LIQUID 9 H] M\? UNTIL X
LO/ XS ABIL;Y 6COOL4 ,!N %E DRANK M4
  8,GD10 %E SD4 8,X'S V GD40
  ,! OLD MAN MO;N$ H] 6USE M4 ,HE _H
DIRT 9 8 F+]NAILS1 IMMOVA# DIRT F !
SOIL4 ,DIRT _H AL "W$ 96! WR9KLES ( 8
H&S1 96! SK9 XF4 ,! H&S W]E1 H["E1 Z
CL1N Z !Y CD BE4
  8,NO ?ANKS10 %E SD & !N DECID$ 6TELL
HM ! TRU?1 : 0 :AT HE 0 WAIT+ = ANYWAY4
,%E WAV$ H] H& 9 FRONT ( H] M\?4 8,TOO
HOT4 ,X'S L FIRE40
  8,FIRE10 ! OLD MAN REP1T$1 GR9N+ OP5-
LY4 8,X IS FIRE4 ,WE DON'T USE X EI40
  ,X 0 TRUE4 ,%E SAW NO "O ELSE :O US$ !
HOT R$ SAUCE4 ,X 0 DECOR,N =! TA#1 A
MEMORY (! "DS :5 _! /OMA*S _H BE5 /R;G]4
,IF S ! FIRE 9 ! BOTTLES WD LA/ ="E4
  ,SAM LAU<$ AT H] ADV5TURE )! HOT
SAUCE4 ,! OLD MAN CD N P]SUADE HM 6TRY
X4 ,! OLD MAN'S EYES D>T$ BACK & =? AM;G
! ?REE /RANG]S4 ,HE DID N A4RESS
,GEORGIA1 Z ?\< %E 7 (F-LIMITS TO   #BBD
8 HUMOR4
  8,D Y "W )! OR*>DS80 ,SAM ASK$4
  8,OH YES4 ,WE H \R [N OR*>D4 ,TGR10 HE
SD PR\DLY4 ,HE MADE A CIRCLE ) 8 F+]S T
9CLUD$ ! O!RS4 8,ALL ( U40
  8,>E ^? YR TREES80 ,SAM PO9T$ OV] !
MAN'S H1D 6! OR*>D ON ! HILL4
  8,NO10 ! MAN SD )\T TURN+ >.D4 8,\R
OR*>D IS N S BIG4 ,WE "W "!1 TOO1 "S"TS4
,BIG -PANY4 ,WE >E SMALL1 B WE H GD AP-
PLES40
  8,! BE/ APPLES10 SD 8 NEI<BOR1 ^: OP5
:ITE COLL> 0 FRAY$ AT ! $GES F HAV+ RU2$
TOO L;G AG/ 8 R\< SK94
  8,YES4 ,5RICO IS CORRECT4 ,WE ?9K S1
ANYWAY40
  8,Y %D -E :5 WE PICK10 ,5RICO SD4 8,Y
W SEE ,I TELL ! TRU?4 ,BR+ ! LADIES1
TOO40
  ,5RICO SEEM$ UNSURE AB H[ ELSE 6DE-
SCRIBE !M1 H[ 6FIX ! ASSOCI,N AM;G !
?REE4 ,KA!R9E "U/OOD 8 3FU.N4 ,Z "O (!
LADIES1 %E SMIL$1 B A SMILE WD N CLE> UP
,5RICO'S 3FU.N4 ,%E WOND]$ H[ ,GEORGIA
_H RESPOND$4 ,"! 0 A MO;T :5 NO     #BBE
"O SD ANY?+4
  8,!Y H "W 6D10 ! OLD "O SD4 8,? MAN &
? LADY1 !Y >E POLICE (FIC]S4 ,!Y _C -E
6SEE \R APPLES40
  ,5RICO DID N APPRECIATE ! OLD] MAN'S
%>P VOICE1 B HE SEEM$ 6AGREE T "S"O NE$$
6SAY "S?+4 ,HE SMIL$ MEEKLY :ILE ,KA!R9E
LET H]S G4
  8,:AT K9D ( APPLES D Y GR[80 ,GEORGIA
ASK$ ,5RICO4 ,! OLD MAN _H LEFT H] \ ( 8
S5T;E1 & %E LEFT HM \ ( H] "Q4
  8,DELICI\S10 ,5RICO SD4 8,& ,JONAGOLD4
,X IS ! ,JONAGOLD T ,I L BE/40 ,HE LIK$
X1 AL1 T ,GEORGIA _H SPOK5 6HM4
  8,R$ DELICI\S OR GOLD580 ,GEORGIA
ASK$4
  8,BO?1 LADY40
  8,GEORGIA10 ,GEORGIA SD & PO9T$ 6H]
*E/4
  8,GEORGIA80 ,5RICO ASK$4
  8,MY "N10 ,GEORGIA EXPLA9$4 8,MY "F 0
F ! ,S\?4 ,HE SD MY R$ HAIR 0 ! SAME
COLOR Z ! DIRT 9 ,GEORGIA4 ,S T'S :AT HE
CALL$ ME40
  8,I H HE>D ( T DIRT10 ,5RICO      #BBF
SD4
  8,R$ DIRT 9 ,AM]ICA80 ! OLD MAN ASK$4
  8,X'S TRUE10 ,5RICO SD4 8,I H HE>D (
X40
  8,X _C 2 Z GD Z \R DIRT40 ,! OLD MAN
:O 5JOY$ TRICKS 0 N SURE T A TRICK 0 N
2+ PLAY$ ON HM4
  8,:AT DI6];E IS ! COLOR80 ,5RICO ASK$4
8,X'S :AT -ES \ (! SOIL T MATT]S4 ,!Y
RAISE P1*ES 9 ,GEORGIA4 ,GD P1*ES4 ,J L
"H4 ,ISN'T T "R40 ,HE LOOK$ 6,GEORGIA =
3FIRM,N4
  8,T'S "R40
  8,WE D BETT] ) APPLES ?AN P1*ES10 !
OLD MAN SD4 8,! CLIMATE "H IS BETT] =
APPLES40
  8,YES1 ,$U>DO1 B ! P1*ES >E ALL "R1
TOO40
  8,"S"TS1 B X IS BETT] )! APPLES40
  ,5RICO LOOK$ >.D ! TA# 6SEE :AT ! O!RS
MI<T ?9K4 ,KA!R9E ?"\ HE MI<T H SD M 9
ANO!R PLACE1 B "H HE SMIL$ AT ,GEORGIA1
! LADY "ND AF R$ DIRT1 & RELUCTANTLY
NO4$ 9 AGREE;T )! OLD MAN4
  ,KA!R9E LOOK$ D[N ! TA# ":        #BBG
,MILDR$ ,A2OTT & ,OLIVIA ,SAN*EZ SAT
SIDE 0SIDE--"O PALE & "O BR[N4 ,!Y _H
LI/5$ 6! OLD MAN'S HOMILY ON APPLES &
NO4$ _! AGREE;T L SI/]S4 ,%E SCANN$ !
FACES (! P :O SAT TGR ON ! O!R SIDE (!
TA# ON AN ASSORT;T ( *AIRS & B5*ES UNTIL
%E CAME 6,MR4 ,SAN*EZ AT ! 5D4 ,8 PLATE
0 / FULL )! FOOD HE _H F/ TAK54 ,HE
LOOK$ AT "S?+ ABV !M1 ABV ! TA#1 ABV !
TREE )! AB&ON$ SW+1 ABV ! DRY HILLS )
UNNATURAL GRE5 TREES4 ,HE AL NO4$ AGREE-
;T ) OLD ,$U>DO4 ,ALL AGRE$1 !N1 T X 0
BETT] )! APPLES4











                                    #BBH
























               ,*APT] #AF           #BBI

  ,:5 X 0 TOO LATE = HM 6-E1 :5 %E _H
GIV5 UP HOPE =! SECOND "D 9 A R[1 ,M>IA
SAW ! UNMISTAKA# BLUE (A POLICE UNI=M AT
! FRONT DOOR4 ,"! 7 TWO UNI=MS & TWO
DI6]5T POLICE (FIC]S4 ,%E 0 4APPO9T$ T X
0 N ,SAM ,W"R1 B %E 0 CURI\S1 AL1 6SEE
IF !Y 7 ANY?+ L HM4 ,PI]RE SAW !M1 TOO1
& WALK$ UP 6! CA% REGI/] ": %E /OOD4
  8,I W TAKE C>E (! C.T]10 HE SD4 8,Y G
ON A BR1K N[40
  ,%E LEFT ! C.T]1 WOND]+ :Y ,PI]RE _H
REPLAC$ H]1 & SAT D[N 0! W9D[ )\T BR++ )
H] ANY?+ 6EAT OR DR9K4 ,X _H N BE5 T L;G
S9CE H] LA/ BR1K4
  ,! TWO POLICEM5 SAT AT ! C.T]4 ,PI]RE
P\R$ !M C(FEE EV5 2F !Y ASK$ & /OOD
CLOSE 6!M4 ,! POLICEM5 SIPP$ _! C(FEE4
,:5 O!R M5 CAME 9 TGR = C(FEE1 !Y USU,Y
TRI$ 6MAKE "S JOKE1 6F9D "S?+ 6LAU< AB4
,PI]RE 4LIK$ _! JOKES & N"E CAME 6!
FRONT :5 "! 7 M5 AT ! C.T]4 ,! POLICEM5
DID N LAU< OR MAKE JOKES4
  ,! TWO POLICEM5 DID N CAUSE A /IR Z
HAPP5$ ! MORN+ :5 ,SAM _H -E4 ,"!   #BCJ
0 NO "O LEFT 6/IR4 8,NO FREE D\<NUTS10
,PI]RE _H SD AG T MORN+4 8,!Y'RE ALL
G"O40 ,X 0 ! SAME ?+ T HE _H SD ! PREVI-
\S MORN+1 & YET HE _H ?R[N ! OLD D\<NUTS
AWAY4 ,X 0 8 BUSI;S :AT HE DID )! D\<-
NUTS1 B %E CD SEE NO R1SON 6LIE4 ,MAYBE
!Y WD /OP -+ IF HE TOLD !M ! TRU?4
  ,!Y / CAME--^? SEV5 OR EI<T KIDS4
,MAYBE !Y 7 N KIDS1 B !Y 7 N ADULTS EI4
,!Y 7 AB H] AGE4 ,!Y CAME 96! ,DONUT
,%OP E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 SAT 9 ! *AIRS1 &
WAIT$4
  ,"EY"O SEEM$ 6BE WAIT+1 9CLUD+ ,PI]RE
&! POLICEM54 ,%E1 TOO1 SAT AT ! TA# )
NO?+ 6D & WAIT$4 ,%E _H N TAK5 ,SAM'S
SU7ES;N 6F9D A NEW JOB1 B :AT GD WD X D
6"W & WAT* & LI/5 9 ,PI]RE'S DIRTY D\<-
NUT %OP IF HE DIDN'T -E BACK8 ,:AT 0 "!
6SEE8
  ,)\T SAY+ ANY?+1 ! TWO POLICEM5 GOT UP
F ! C.T]4 ,PI]RE WAT*$ !M RISE1 B HE DID
N MOVE T[>D !M OR AWAY4 ,HE /OOD /1
SMIL$ FALSELY1 & NO4$ 8 H1D Z IF HE 7
GLAD = _! BUSI;S4 ,MR4 ,POLANSKI WD N
GIVE 8 CU/OM]S A SMILE L T4 ,"! 0   #BCA
NO "P (! SMILE 9 ,PI]RE'S EYES4 ,%E
LOOK$ AT ! POLICEM5 :5 !Y PASS$ H] TA#4
,"! 7 NO SMILES 9 _! EYES EI4 ,!Y 7 TALL
M51 & "O 0 M* OLD] ?AN ! O!R4 ,BO? _H
BR[N /ICKS HANG+ F _! GUN BELTS4
  ,ONCE \TSIDE ! OLD] MAN PULL$ \ 8 /ICK
& TWIRL$ X4 ,%E ?"\ ! /ICK WD FLY (F 96!
AIR4 ,X DID1 B !N X CAME BACK 6! POLICE-
MAN'S H&4 ,A /R+ WRAPP$ 9 ! POLICEMAN'S
F+]S BR"\ ! /ICK BACK 6HM4 ,SIDE 0SIDE !
TWO POLICEM5 WALK$ D[N ,F/ ,AV5UE PA/ H]
W9D[ 9 SL[1 PRACTIC$ /EPS4 ,!Y DID N RE-
M9D H] AT ALL ( ,SAM ,W"R4
  ,)\T SAY+ ANY?+ ,PI]RE W5T 6! BACK AG1
L1V+ ! TWO CUPS ON ! C.T]4 ,HE TALK$ TO
,BILL BRIEFLY & !N WALK$ \ ! FRONT DOOR4
,L ! POLICEM51 HE WALK$ S\? ON ,F/ ,AVE-
NUE4 ,HE DIDN'T TELL H] T H] BR1K 0 OV]4
  ,%E W5T 6! C.T] & PICK$ UP ! TWO PLAS-
TIC CUPS4 ,"! 0 C(FEE 9 BO? CUPS1 TOO M*
6?R[ 96! G>BAGE4 ,%E TOOK ! CUPS 6! BACK
& EMPTI$ ! C(FEE 96! S9K4 ,X GA!R$ 9 T9Y
RIVULETS & RAN D[N ! DRA94 ,%E /UDI$ !
SPLA%$ RESIDUE L A =TUNE-TELL] /UDY+ TEA
L1VES4 ,9 H] M9D %E SAW ,PI]RE      #BCB
/&+ 2S ! POLICEM5 & _! /RANGE 9DI6];E4
,!Y 7 N L ANY CU/OM]S :O _H -E 2F4
  ,! ABS;E ( MO;N1 R ?AN MO;N1 REM9D$ H]
%E 0 N AL"O4 ,%E LOOK$ T[>D ! FRONT
DOOR1 & 9 DO+ S1 QKLY PASS$ ,BILL'S />+
EYES4 ,HE _H BE5 WAT*+ H] F ! D\<NUT MA-
*9E4 ,%E TOOK A MO;T 6PREP>E H]F1 !N
TURN$ T[>D HM )! SAME 9DI6];E %E _H SE5
9 ! POLICEM54
  8,IF HE WANTS 6WAIT ON P1 HE CD AT L1/
CL1N UP AFW10 %E SD 6HM IF HE 7 LI/5+4
  ,HE 0 LI/5+4 ,"S?+ *ANG$ 9 8 FACE--A
SMALL *ANGE4
  8,HE DOES :AT HE WANTS ) 8 BUSI;S10
,BILL SD4
  ,%E WALK$ BACK 6! C.T] )A DI%CLO? &
WIP$ X CL1N4 ,!Y _H LEFT NO M"OY 6R+ 96!
REGI/]4 ,%E 3T9U$ 6WIPE ! C.T] SL[LY &
?OR\<LY Z ?\< !Y _H LEFT 2H A MESS4 ,!Y
_H LEFT NO?+ 2H4




               ,*APT] #AG           #BCC

  ,! WAT] 0 EXCEP;N,Y /--L[ TIDE1 NO
W9D1 NO %IPS "UWAY 6PROVIDE AN >TIFICIAL
4TURB.E4 ,EA* DIP (! PA4LE LEFT A <O/-
LIKE PR9T ON ! FLAT WAT]4 ,! KAYAK CUT
/RAI<T ACR ,ELLIOTT ,BAY4 ,! ONLY S.D
,SAM HE>D 0 F 8 PA4LE DIPP+ 9 & \ (! WA-
T]4 ,HE WOND]$ H[ F> HE WD 2 HE>D IF HE
CALL$ \4
  ,Z HE PASS$ ! *ECKPO9T ": HE USU,Y
LOOK$ AT 8 WAT*1 ! CROSS+ (! IMAG9>Y CO-
ORD9ATES 2T ! ,SPACE ,NE$LE 9 ! ,D5NY
,REGRADE SEC;N ( D[NT[N &! LI<TH\SE AT
,ALKI ,PO9T ACR ! BAY1 HE LEFT ! "T HI45
ON 8 SLEEVE4
  ,HE %D H G"O 6! FUN]AL AL"O1 HE ?"\4
,HE %D H LE>N$ 0N[ N 6MAKE ?+S -PLICAT$4
,_H HE =GOTT5 ! K9D;S HE _H ONCE TAK5 F
ANO!R GIRL ) W>M BR[N EYES--S* R>E1 UN-
DES]V$ K9D;S--&! MESS HE _H MADE ( X8
,HE _H BE5 J A BOY !N1 B :AT A MESS HE
_H MADE4
  ,L1V+ Y8 HE REMEMB]$ SAY+4 ,I'M N L1V+
Y4 ,I N"E CAME = Y4 ,! SUMM] IS OV]4 ,!
JOB IS OV]4 ,DON'T Y "U/&8 ,ALL     #BCD
"R4 ,I'LL -E BACK4 ,I DON'T "K H[ SOON1
B ,I'LL -E BACK4
  ,X _H TAK5 A L;G "T = HM 6G BACK--M*
L;G] ?AN HE _H PROMIS$1 AL? HE _H N"E
PROMIS$ :54 ,AF T SUMM] HE _H ?+S 6D1 A
LIFE 6LIVE4 ,AT EI<TE5 HE _H N "KN :AT
LIFE HE _H ALR F.D1 & HE _H N G"O BACK--
N UNTIL %E 0 G"O4
  ,:5 HE W5T BACK1 HE _H M1NT 6GET AWAY
F 8 MISTAKES1 N 6F9D !M AG4 ,HE 9T5D$ TO
BR1! FRE% AIR 2F />T+ AG1 2F RESUM+ 8
ORD9>Y LIFE AF ! 9T]RUP;N ( M>RIAGE4 ,HE
9T5D$ 63V9CE HMF T X 0 N 5TIRELY 8 FAULT
T 8 WIFE _H LEFT & _H GIV5 BACK 6HM :AT
HE _H GIV5 T SUMM] YE>S 2F4 ,HE _H TAK5
ALL 8 VAC,N & _H G"O FI%+ ) 8 UNCLE AG4
,:Y N8 ,F9D \ IF 8 H&S CD / D AN H"O/
"D'S "W4 ,F9D \ IF !Y _H 2COME TOO S(T1
IF 8 /OMA* CD / TOL]ATE R\< WAT]4 ,R\<
WAT] HE CD TOL]ATE1 B HE F.D ! GO+ M
DI6ICULT 9 ! SMOO?1 CALM BAY )9 SI<T (!
FI%+ VILLAGE4
  ,! CANN]Y 0 G"O4 ,! BUILD+ 0 "!1 B !
"W 0 G"O4 ,E6ICI5CY _H -E S9CE HE LEFT4
,! FI% W5T 6FLOAT+ FACTORIES 9/1D   #BCE
( FACTORIES A%ORE4 ,"! 0 NO L;G] A NI<T-
%IFT :I/LE T REL1S$ "Y GIRLS 6WAIT+ LOV-
]S1 ! SMELL ( FI% 9 ! AIR L /R;G P]FUME
C>RI$ ) !M 96! WAIT+ B$S4 ,! SMELL ( FI%
0 "EY": & 0 M PL1SANT ?AN HE _H "E IMAG-
9$4 ,%E _H MADE NO APOLOGY = T : CD N 2
WA%$ AWAY1 & HE _H N WI%$ = "O4 ,HE _H
GIV5 N"O ( 8 [N4
  ,%E 0 G"O1 G"O F>!R ?AN HE CD "E R1*4
8,C.ER10 SD ! OLD MAN :O RAN ! GROC]Y
SQUEEZ$ 2T ! DOCK &! PROCESS+ PLANT4 ,HE
0 "S REL,N ( H]S1 AL? EXACTLY H[ X WAS1
! "Y FI%]MAN N"E & / DID N "U/&4 ,"! 0
M* 9 T VILLAGE HE _H N "U/OOD4 ,HE /OOD
9 FRONT (! OLD MAN1 NO4+ Z ?\< HE "U-
/OOD1 WOND]+ IF HE CD ASK ANY?+ M OR %D
L1VE X Z X WAS4 ,Z X WAS1 X 0 OV]4 ,DID
%E "E =GIVE ! BOY :O KNEW H] =A "T1 AC-
CEPT$ H] G5]OS;Y1 LEFT H] )A BROK5 PROM-
ISE8
  8,C.ER10 ! OLD MAN REP1T$4 8,SIX MON?S
AGO40
  ,WD X H MADE ANY DI6];E IF HE _H G"O
BACK SOON]8 ,:AT CD HE H D"O T WD H MADE
ANY DI6];E8                         #BCF
  ,ODD ?\<1 T X 0 SIX MON?S 2F--! SAME
"T 8 WIFE _H F.D ! POEMS AB ! ,9DIAN
GIRL & _H ?R[N !M AT HM4 ,X 0 N ! POEMS4
,X 0 "EY?+ ELSE4 ,:Y ID1LIZE :AT IS G"O
& _C 2 _H8 8 WIFE _H ASK$4 ,:Y N IMPROVE
:AT IS N[8 ,H[ C Y IMPROVE :AT 0 N"E "!1
HE _H %\T$ Z %E WALK$ \ ! LA/ "T4 ,"! _H
N"E BE5 ANY ID1L1 HE _H WANT$ 6SAY B DID
N 2C %E 0 G"O 0!N--ONLY /UPID;Y & %AME &
4H"O/Y4
  8,DID Y "K H]80 ! OLD MAN ASK$4
  ,YES1 B N WELL4
  8,D Y WANT 6BUY "S?+80
  ,SAM B"\ CIG>ETTES1 TWO PACKS1 EV5 ?\<
HE DIDN'T SMOKE4 ,HE WALK$ \ (! /ORE )\T
ASK+ M "QS & UP ! /REET C>RY+ ! CIGA-
RETTES UNTIL HE CAME 6A G>BAGE C1 ALW 9
%ORT SUPPLY ON ! VILLAGE ROAD1 & DROPP$
! CIG>ETTES ONTO ! PILE ( REFUSE4
  ,DID %E F9D HAPPI;S8 ,DID %E F9D "S"O
:O 0 N AFRAID 6SAY ) PL1SURE & HOPE1
8,MOM1 ,DAD1 ? IS ,GLORIA40
  8,G-,L-,O-,R-,I-,A10 HE SANG FLATLY Z
HE PA4L$ DET]M9$LY T[>D ANO!R DOCK4 ,X 0
! ONLY "P (! OLD S;G HE "E REMEM-   #BCG
B]$4 ,! GIRL1 H["E1 CAME BACK 6HM AG &
AG 9 8 DR1MS & 9 8 POEMS--! ONLY WAY HE
"E _H ! C\RAGE 6FACE H]4
  8,GODDAMN POEMS10 HE MUTT]$ S(TLY 2T
/ROKES (! PA4LE S T F9,Y "! 0 ANO!R S.D
ON ! WAT]4
  ,HE GRIPP$ ! PA4LE TI<T]1 Z HE DID :5
8 H&S 2CAME NUMB4 ,!Y 7 US$ 6COLD AIR &
COLD WAT]4 ,H>D "W WD MAKE !M =GET !
COLD1 B X 0 N COLD ? MORN+4 ,HE DUG 8
PA4LE DEEP 96! WAT]1 AG & AG1 UNTIL 8
%\LD]S BURN$ ) EX];N4
  ,HE WD 2 )9 H] SI<T 0N[ IF %E 7 "!4
,IF %E 7 "!1 H] LI<T WD F9D HM4 ,OV] !
LA/ /RET* ( WAT] HE PA4L$ T[>D ! DOCK Z
IF 9 A RACE )! WAIT+ F]RY T WD DEM& !
LANE AT ANY MO;T4 ,HE GULP$ 9 ! CRISP
SEA AIR1 S5T X DEEP 96HIS LUNGS1 & PU%$
X \ AG :5 X 0 ALL US$ UP4 ,F9,Y ONLY
Y>DS F ! DOCK & / 9 ! D>K1 HE _H 6/OP4
,HE /UCK 8 PA4LE 96! WAT] Z A BRAKE ON !
LEFT SIDE (! KAYAK4 ,! BOAT SWUNG %>PLY
T[>D ! PI]1 NE>LY /RIK+ BROADSIDE AG/ A
PIL+4 ,HE EXT5D$ 8 "R H& 6PROTECT !
BOAT4 ,HE M/ H WON 8 SILLY RACE4    #BCH
,"! 0 NO "O ELSE >.D4
  ,HE WALK$ AL;G ! WAT] 6,YESL] ,/REET1
": HE CROSS$ ,ALASKAN ,WAY4 ,HE WAT*$ =
POLICE C>S4 ,ON ! HILL 2T ,SECOND ,AV5UE
& ,?IRD ,AV5UE1 HE L1N$ 96! 9CL9E & L[]$
8 H1D L A WE>Y PILGRIM4 ,%E M/ H _H A
LATE CALL4
  ,9 ! LOCK] ROOM HE %[]$ & PUT ON 8
UNI=M4 ,HE SAT ON ! B5* 9 FRONT ( 8
LOCK]1 PULL$ \ 8 BLACK "W %OES1 & TOSS$
8 T5NIS %OES 96! BOTTOM (! LOCK]4 ,!
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ALL AT "O "T1 B !Y TALK$ M QUIETLY N[1 M
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  ,HE GOT A CUP ( C(FEE F ! MA*9E 9 !
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*ECK$ = MAIL 9 ! ROLL CALL ROOM4 ,"! 0
ANO!R REPORT F ,M>K[ITZ4 ,HE /OOD (F 6!
SIDE & R1D A SUMM>Y ( 9T]VIEWS F P :O
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  8,I C GIVE Y A LIFT UP ! HILL10 ,SAM
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DOOR & SLID 96! FRONT S1T4
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S L;G0 OR ANO!R PHRASE T WD EASE H] 96!
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MI<T SIT "! =A L;G "T4
  8,X 0 A L;G WALK UP ! HILL ? MORN+4
,GUESS ,I'M GETT+ LAZY40
  8,WE _H A LATE CALL--A PR[L] ON ,QUE5
,ANNE40
  8,CAT* ANYBODY80                  #BDA
  8,NO40
  8,<O/S MAYBE40
  8,MAYBE40
  ,HE />T$ ! C> & CIRCL$ UP "? ! G>AGE4
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LATE 5 6MISS ! USUAL JAM ( PATROL C>S AT
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& HE PULL$ OV] 2S X4
  8,?ANKS = GO+ ) ME YE/]"D10 HE SD4
  8,Y'RE WELCOME10 %E REPLI$4 8,I'M GLAD
,I W5T40
  8,I'LL SEE Y TM !N40
  ,%E OP5$ H] DOOR & GOT \4 ,!N %E /OOP$
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HM L ! *>M (A HYPNOTI/4
  8,GD NI<T10 %E SD4 8,OR IS X GD MORN-
+80
  8,I DON'T "K10 HE REPLI$4






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