,,! ,,ALP9E ,,K9DR$

             ,,M>Y ,,DAHEIM

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,R&OM ,H\SE ,L>GE ,PR9T1
               ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #AIIH 0,M>Y ,DAHEIM
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,BE? ,MC,GU691 ,BE? ,GOODMAN1
      ,LAURA ,COX1 & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AJC-BJD


          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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                                     ;II
























              ,*APT] ,FIVE          #AJC

  8,:Y ! HELL CDN'T !Y H BUILT A COLLEGE
9 ,SNOHOMI% 9/1D ( ,ALP9E80 ,I OV]HE>D
,MILO SAY 6"S"O 9 8 (FICE ! NEXT MORN+4
8,!N ,E9> CD'VE GOTT5 :ACK$ 9 ,SNOHOMI%
,C.TY 9/1D ( "H4 ,HELL1 !Y'RE MO/LY
,SNOHOMI% TYPES1 N ,ALP9]S40
  ,TONI ,&R1S1 ! ,%]IFF DE"P;T'S RECEP-
;NI/1 GAVE ME AN APOLOGETIC SMILE4 8,I'M
AFRAID ! ,%]IFF ISN'T 9 A V GD MOOD TD4
,HE'S FILL+ 9 8 O!R DEPUTIES AB LA/
NI<T'S HOMICIDE4 ,DWI<T ,G\LD & ,SAM
,HEPPN] & ,BILL ,BLATT 7 (F DUTY40
  ,I DIDN'T "K AB ,SAM & ,DWI<T1 B
GUESS$ T ,BILL _HN'T BE5 "W+ ! LATE
%IFT4 ,HE IS "O ( ,VIDA'S NUM]\S NEPH-
EWS1 & IS TRA9$1 "U P5ALTY ( ,GOD-"KS-
:AT1 6RELAY ANY BIG NEWS 6HIS AUNT IMM-
LY4
  8,H[ L;G 2F ,MILO F9I%ES ) 8 M]RY M580
,I 9QUIR$ Z ,DU/9 ,F;G 5T]$ F ! VIC9;Y (
! EVID;E & 9T]ROG,N ROOMS4
  ,TONI ROLL$ H] BIG BR[N EYES4 8,:O
"KS8 ,D Y WANT "S C(FEE :ILE Y WAIT80
  ,! ,%]IFF'S C(FEE IS N UNLIKE !   #AJD
CURR5T /ATE ( \R REL,N%IP--W1K1 BITT]1 &
IRRITAT+4 ,I DECL9$ ,TONI'S (F]4 ,9/1D1
,I COLL>$ ,DU/94
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,I ASK$ ! "YE/ ( ,MI-
LO'S DEPUTIES1 A QUIET-SPOK5 ,ASIAN-
,AM]ICAN F ,S1TTLE4
  ,DU/9 GE/UR$ AT ! ,%]IFF'S (FICE4 8,Y
M1N ! BRIEF+80
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,I M1N ! 9VE/IG,N XF4
,Y MI<T Z WELL FILL ME IN4 ,I GA!R ,MILO
MAY 2 BUSY =A :ILE40 ,N[ T ,I 0 ON !
PREMISES1 ,I WASN'T SURE H[ M* ,I WANT$
6G "O-ON-"O )! ,%]IFF ? E>LY 9 ! "D4
  ,DU/9 MO;N$ = ME 6-E >.D 6HIS SIDE (!
CURV+ WOOD C.T] & SIT AT 8 DESK4 8,DID Y
HE> ANY?+ AB A W1PON80 HE ASK$1 KEEP+ 8
VOICE L[4
  ,I TOLD ,DU/9 ,I'D BE5 9 ! CAFET]IA
KIT*5 :5 ,JACK ,MULL9S F.D ! KNIFE4 8,>E
!Y SURE T'S :AT DID X80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DU/91 :O IS ! V S\L ( 4CRE;N1 CLE>$ 8
?ROAT4 8,"! HAS 6BE AN AUTOPSY4 ,Z USU-
AL1 WE C'T D X "H 2C ( \R LIMIT$ FACILI-
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,"EETT4 ,X'LL TAKE A C\PLE ( "DS4   #AJE
,Z USUAL4 ,WE'RE N A PRIOR;Y 9 ! O!R
C.TY4 ,Z USUAL40 ,HE GAVE ME A RUE;L
LOOK4
  ,DESPITE PASSAGE (A BOND ISSUE A C\PLE
( YE>S E>LI]1 ,SKY,CO / 0 HAMP]$ 0LACK (
ADEQUATE FUND+4 ,H1DQU>T]S _H BE5 R5O-
VAT$ & EXP&$1 A SMALL-SCALE LAB _H BE5
A4$1 ,DU/9 _H BE5 HIR$ 6EASE ! MANP[]
%ORTAGE1 &! JAIL'S SECUR;Y _H BE5 BEEF$
UP S T PRISON]S CDN'T ESCAPE 0KICK+ A
HOLE 9 ! WALL & CRAWL+ \ ONTO ! SIDEWALK
ACR F ! ,SE>S CATALOGUE PICKUP (FICE4
,9DE$1 _M YE>S AGO AN ESCAPEE :O _H BE5
S]V+ "T = ASSAULT )A D1DLY W1PON _H G"O
DIRECTLY F 8 CELL 6! ,SE>S \TLET & TRI$
6ORD] A D\#-B>REL$ %OTGUN4
  8,S NO?+ DEF9ITE ON ! W1PON UNTIL !
AUTOPSY1 "R80
  ,DU/9 NO4$4 8,SORRY4 ,I "K Y -E \ TM40
  ,T 0 ! CURSE (! WEEKLY4 ,IF NEWS
DIDN'T BR1K )9 TW5TY-F\R H\RS ( PUBLICA-
;N1 X 0 /ALE 0! NEXT EDI;N4
  8,:AT AB WIT;SES80 ,I ASK$1 WRIT+ .NO
.W1PON .NEWS ON MY NOTEPAD4
  8,NO?+ S F>40 ,AG1 ,DU/9'S MAN-   #AJF
N] 3VEY$ APOLOGY4 8,DODGE TALK$ 6,C>LA ?
MORN+ ON ! PH"O1 B %E CDN'T GIVE U ANY-
?+4 ,I GUESS %E'LL MAKE H] =MAL /ATE;T
TM :5 %E FEELS BETT]40
  8,HAS CAMPUS SECUR;Y REPORT$ ANY?+80
,I 9QUIR$4 8,": 7 !Y1 0! WAY8 ,I N"E SAW
!M40
  ,DU/9 (F]$ 8 5GAG+ GR94 8,AT NI<T1
CAMPUS SECUR;Y IS ,RON ,BJORNSON4 ,HE'S
BE5 \ ( "W 9 ! WOODS =A :ILE N[1 & T F>M
( _!S ISN'T 5 6MAKE A LIV+1 S HE CAU<T
ON )! COLLEGE4 ,X TURN$ \ T HE 0 UNPLU7+
A TOILET 9 ! DORM :5 ! MURD] M/ H OC-
CURR$4 ,X SEEMS T ,MR4 ,BJORNSON GETS
/UCK DO+ M ?AN MAK+ SURE ! DOORS >E
LOCK$40
  ,I KNEW ,RON & ,MAYL5E ,BJORNSON1 :O
LIV$ \ ON ! ,BURL ,CREEK ,ROAD & _H TE5-
AG]S 6SUPPORT4 8,! COLLEGE HAS A BI7]
=CE DUR+ ! "D1 DON'T !Y80
  8,"R10 ,DU/9 SD1 & GR9N$ AG4 8,ALL TWO
( !M40
  ,I SEEM$ 6RECALL Z M* F "O ( ,C>LA'S
NUM]\S /ORIES4 ,B )A FACULTY ( ONLY
?IRTY1 &A TOTAL 5ROLL;T J "U FIVE   #AJG
HUNDR$ /UD5TS1 "! WASN'T ANY NE$4 ,UNTIL
N[4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON AT ! CAMPUS80 ,I ASK$1
?\< ,I PLANN$ ON H1D+ "! NEXT4
  ,DU/9 %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I HAV5'T BE5 \ "!
? MORN+4 ,I SUPPOSE "EYBODY'S PRETTY UP-
SET4 ,D Y SUPPOSE !Y'LL C.EL ! D$IC,N80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,I ANSW]$ GRIMLY4 ,IF T
HAPP5$1 \R SPECIAL SEC;N 0 AL C.EL$4 ,I
NE$$ AN ANSW] FA/4 8,LOOK1 ,DU/910 ,I
SD1 CAT*+ A FEW PHRASES F ,MILO 9 8 (-
FICE1 8X S.DS Z IF ! ,%]IFF ISN'T GO+ TO
2 A# 6SEE ME =A :ILE4 ,IS "! ANY?+ ELSE
Y C TELL ME T ,I C USE =! PAP]8 ,:AT AB
,MRS4 ,RASMUSS5 &! RE/ (! FAMILY8 ,H[ >E
!Y TAK+ X80
  ,DU/9 DIDN'T "K T1 EI4 ,MILO _H DRIV5
! %ORT 4T.E D[N ! HI<WAY 69=M ,M>LYS
,RASMUSS5 ( H] HUSB&'S TRAGIC DEMISE4
,DU/9 GUESS$ T ,B1U 0 HOME :5 ! ,%]IFF
CAME BY4 ,Z =! ,RASMUSS5 DAU<T]1 ,DU/9
DIDN'T "K !Y _H "O4
  8,DODGE CALL$ ! ,SNOHOMI% ,C.TY ,%]-
IFF'S (FICE & _H "SBODY G 6,SNOHOMI% &
TELL ,MR4 ,RASMUSS5 ,SR4 ,HE M/ 2   #AJH
A PRETTY OLD GEEZ]40
  ,I HAZ>D$ A GUESS4 8,CLOSE 6N9ETY1
MAYBE4 ,E9> ,JR4 TURN$ SIXTY-F\R 9
,APRIL40 ,I'D D"O MY HOME"W 2F WALK+ OV]
6! ,%]IFF'S4 8,I'LL *ECK 9 ) Y FOLKS 2F
WE G 6PRESS10 ,I SD1 GETT+ 6MY FEET &
D>T+ A GL.E 9 ! DIREC;N ( ,MILO'S OP5
DOOR4 8,"R N[ ,I %D G OV] 6! CAMPUS4
,?ANKS1 ,DU/940
  8,SURE10 ! DEPUTY RESPOND$1 AL RIS+ &
MAK+ :AT LOOK$ L A LL B[4 8,SORRY ,I
CDN'T 2 M HELP4 ,B WE'RE J GETT+ \R FEET
WET40
  8,"R40 ,I HOP$ MY SMILE 0 5C\RAG+4 ,!
TRU? 0 T ,I FELT ,MILO & -PANY W]5'T EV5
CLOSE 6! WAT]4 ,I WALK$ BACK UP ,FRONT
,/REET1 GOT 96! ,JAG1 & DROVE \ 6! COL-
LEGE4
  ,X _H DRIZZL$ A BIT DUR+ ! NI<T1 &!
FRE%LY PLANT$ LAWNS GLI/5$ "U ! MORN+
SUN4 ,? "T ,I P>K$ 2H ! ,,RUB 9 ! DESIG-
NAT$ VISITORS' PLACE4 ,!N ,I H1D$ =! ,AD
,BUILD+ & ,NAT ,C>D5AS'S (FICE4
  ,! PRESID5T'S SECRET>Y1 ,CYN?IA
,KITTIKA*ORN1 IS AN EXOTIC "Y       #AJI
WOMAN :O 0 BORN 9 ,?AIL& B RAIS$ 9 ,TA-
-A4 ,H] LANGUID AIR DOESN'T 9SPIRE 3FI-
D;E1 B ,I'M TOLD T %E'S V E6ICI5T4 ,:5
,I >RIV$1 %E _H ! PH"O PROPP$ 2T H] %\L-
D] & "O E>1 & 0 DIAGRAMM+ :AT LOOK$ L A
FAMILY TREE ON A LEGAL PAD4
  8,I'VE NO IDEA :5 HE'LL 2 FREE10 ,CYN-
?IA SD 96! PH"O1 H] VOICE MUSICAL B DE-
TA*$4 8,I SU7E/ Y CALL BACK >.D F\R40
,%E HUNG UP & TURN$ 6ME4 8,REPORT]S1 F
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6_! [N CRIMES & L1VE U AL"O8 ,! PH"O
HASN'T /OPP$ R++ ALL MORN+40 ,H] USUAL
AIR ( LANGUOR WASN'T EVID5T ? MORN+4
  ,DESPITE ! FACT T ,I 0 9W>DLY SEE?+
OV] 2+ SCOOP$ 0! \TSIDE M$IA1 ,I GAVE
,CYN?IA A SELF-DEPRECAT+ SMILE4 8,I'M A
REPORT]1 B AT L1/ ,I'M LOCAL40
  ,%E MADE A FACE4 8,I DIDN'T M1N 6KNOCK
J\RNALI/S 9 G5]AL4 ,B ? IS A RE,Y UGLY
SITU,N = U1 ESPECI,Y S9CE WE'RE J GETT+
,SKY ,COLLEGE (F ! GR.D4 ,E9> ,RASMUSS5
,JR41 ( ALL P40 ,H] FACE SU45LY CL\D$
OV]4 8,HE DID WOND];L ?+S = U4 ,I WOND]
IF ! /ATE HI<]-$UC,N P 9 ,OLYMPIA   #AAJ
>E R1DY 6C.EL \R FUND+40
  8,!Y WON'T10 ,I SD4 8,!Y C'T4 ,? IS
H>DLY ! COLLEGE'S FAULT4 ,MURD] C HAPP5
ANY":40
  ,! PH"O RANG AG1 B ,CYN?IA IGNOR$ X4
8,I'LL LET ! SWIT*BO>D TAKE T "O40 ,%E
SI<$1 H] PLUMP FIGURE RIPPL+ "U A BEIGE
SILK DRESS4 8,B :Y DID X H 6HAPP5 ."H80
  8,IF WE KNEW T1 WE MI<T "K :O DID X10
,I SD1 P]H A BIT TOO GLIBLY4 ,B ? WASN'T
MY F/ EXP]I;E ) VIOL5T D1?4 ,L MO/ O!R
P1 ,CYN?IA 0 PROBABLY A NOVICE :5 X CAME
6HOMICIDE4 8,IS X POSSI# 6SEE ,PRESID5T
,C>D5AS N[ OR IS HE RE,Y TI$ UP80
  ,NAT ,C>D5AS 0 BUSY1 ,CYN?IA EXPLA9$1
B HE 0 AL"O4 ,! COLLEGE 0 9 ! PROCESS (
HIR+ A4I;NAL /AFF1 & HE 0 GO+ OV] ! RE-
SULTS ( REC5T 9T]VIEWS4
  ,%E TAPP$ ! DIAGRAM ON H] DESK4 8,I 0
J FILL+ 9 ! BLANKS4 ,WE'RE A4+ FACULTY =
,5GLI%1 MA?1 & SOCIOLOGY40
  8,D Y EXPECT 5ROLL;T 6G UP 9 ! FALL80
,I ASK$1 S5S+ A SECOND1 LESS DRAMATIC
/ORY4
  8,"S10 ,CYN?IA ALL[$4 8,OV]ALL1   #AAA
5ROLL;T MAY 2 D[N >.D ! /ATE 2C ! ECONO-
MY IS S GD4 ,B "H 9 ,SKYKOMI% ,C.TY1 ?+S
>E / SL[1 S WE MAY 2 "O (! /ATE COLLEGES
6%[ AN 9CR1SE40 ,%E PICK$ UP ! PH"O4
8,HANG ON1 ,I'LL SEE IF ,PRESID5T ,C>DE-
NAS C SP>E Y A M9UTE40
  ,APP>5TLY HE CD4 ,CYN?IA W5T "? ! =-
MAL;Y ( U%]+ ME 96,C>D5AS'S (FICE1 A
SMALLI% B H&"S ROOM ) TALL W9D[S LOOK+ \
ON A /& ( C$> TREES1 : GAVE A S5SE (
CALM & EXPANSIVE;S4 ,! WALLS 7 F9I%$ 9
UNBL1*$ KNOTTY P9E1 & REM9D$ ME ( MY
H\SE4
  8,EMMA40 ,NAT ,C>D5AS LOOK$ AT ME F
OV] BLACK-RIMM$ HALF GLASSES4 ,?\< WE
DIDN'T "K EA* O!R WELL1 HE PREF]R$ 9=-
MAL;Y AM;G 8 S-CALL$ PE]S4 8,SIT D[N1
TELL ME H[ WE C MAKE ! L1/ ( ? MESS40
  ,! COLLEGE _H NO M$IA-REL,NS EXP]T ON
/AFF1 S ! REGI/R>1 ,%AWNA ,B]ES=D-,HALL1
:O AL TAU<T ,5GLI%1 PRODUC$ ! NEC H&\TS4
,UNTIL 5ROLL;T 9CR1S$ SUB/ANTI,Y1 ,SKY-
,CO,CO1 Z X 0 "S"TS CALL$ LOC,Y1 WD ASK
XS FACULTY 6WE> S"EAL HATS4
  8,I H 6TELL :AT HAPP5$10 ,I SD1   #AAB
SITT+ D[N 9 A -=TA# L1!R-COV]$ >M*AIR
ACR ! DESK F ,C>D5AS4 8,X'S MY JOB40
  ,NAT SI<$4 8,! COLLEGE ISN'T CULPA#4
,Y M/ MAKE T "U/OOD40
  8,! FACTS SP1K = !MVS10 ,I SD PRIMLY4
  ,NAT DIDN'T LOOK BUOY$ 0! -;T4 ,HE IS
9 8 E>LY FIFTIES1 A SOLID MAN ( SIX FEET
) WAVY IRON-GRAY HAIR T 0 PROBABLY ONCE
JET-BLACK1 DEEP-SET BR[N EYES1 & J 5
L9ES 9 8 OLIVE SK9 69DICATE T ! ROAD (
LIFE HASN'T ALW BE5 SMOO?4
  8,LOOK10 HE SD1 PLAC+ BO? H&S ON 8
OVAL DESK1 : LOOK$ Z IF X 7 MADE ( T1K1
8,E9> ,RASMUSS5 ,JR4 WASN'T J A B5EFAC-
TOR1 HE 0 ON ! BO>D ( TRU/EES1 HE HELP$
BR+ ! COLLEGE 6,ALP9E 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,HE
_H 9FLU;E N J 9 ,SKYKOMI% & ,SNOHOMI%
C.TIES1 B 9 ,OLYMPIA4 ,8 "F _H BE5 A
/ATE LEGISLATOR = TWELVE YE>S OV] 9
,SNOHOMI%4 ,8 D1? IS A TREM5D\S LOSS 6!
-MUN;Y1 Z WELL Z 6HIS FAMILY & FRS40
  ,NAT CDN'T H PHRAS$ A /ATE;T =! PRESS
BETT] IF HE'D REHE>S$ X4 ,B !N AG1 HE
PROBABLY _H4 ,! BOOK ON ,NAT ,C>D5AS IS
T HE'S N EXACTLY A POLITICAL NOV-   #AAC
ICE4
  8,:AT AB ! D$IC,N8 ,IS X / ON80 ,MY "Q
0 /RAI<T=W>D1 ) NO POLITICAL /R+S AT-
TA*$4
  ,NAT SI<$ H1VILY4 8,YES4 ,I SP5T OV]
TWO H\RS ? MORN+ )! RE/ (! BO>D ( TRUS-
TEES & \R ADM9I/RATORS4 ,HALF T "T WE 7
ON ! PH"O 6,OLYMPIA1 3F]R+ )! DECI.N
MAK]S AT ! /ATE LEVEL4 ,S9CE ! LIEUT5ANT
GOV]NOR IS ALR SLAT$ 6BE ON H&1 !Y SUG-
GE/$ WE G AH1D )! C]EMONIES1 B TURN !M
96A MEMORIAL 6,E9> ,RASMUSS5 ,JR40
  ,I NO4$4 ,Z CRUEL Z ,E9>'S D1? MI<T
BE1 "! 7 PRACTICAL MATT]S 6RESOLVE4 ,MY
BRA9 2GAN 6BUZZ ) *ANGES = \R SPECIAL
EDI;N4 ,) ,C>LA \1 ,I'D 2 ! "O MAK+ !M4
  8,D Y H ANY !ORIES AB :O MI<T H KILL$
,E9>80 ,I ASK$4
  ,NAT'S FACE1 : IS USU,Y Q MOBILE1 %UT
D[N4 8,T'S UP 6,%]IFF ,DODGE 6F9D \4 ,IF
HE C40 ,8 T"O DIDN'T 3VEY 3FID;E 9 ,MI-
LO'S ABILITIES4
  ,I 0 / FEEL+ P]V]SE1 N AN UNCOMMON
TRAIT ( M9E4 8,MAY ,I QUOTE Y80
  ,! H1VY LIDS DROPP$ D[N OV] !     #AAD
BR[N EYES4 8,SAY+ :AT8 ,T ,I HOPE ! ,%]-
IFF IS A# 6>RE/ ! KILL]8 ,C]TA9LY40
  ,I _HN'T -E 6PLAY ^W GAMES4 8,Y 7 ON
CAMPUS LA/ NI<T4 ,DID Y SEE OR HE> ANY?+
UNUSUAL80
  ,IF HE WASN'T GU>D$ 0NATURE1 ,NAT ,C>-
D5AS N[ SEEM$ 6)DRAW EV5 FUR!R4 8,O!R
?AN A TRAGIC,Y MURD]$ MAN 9 ! ,,RUB
KIT*580 ,"! 0 NO H9T ( HUMOR 9 8 MANN]4
,B P]H "! 0 IRONY4 ,I CDN'T 2 SURE4
8,NO10 ! COLLEGE PRESID5T W5T ON1 8,I
NOTIC$ NO?+ UNUSUAL4 ,I ALR M5;N$ T 6!
,%]IFF40
  8,I'M N ! ,%]IFF40 ,I GAVE ,NAT A TI<T
LL SMILE4 8,I'M TRY+ 6PUT TGR A /ORY4
,LA/ NI<T'S EV5TS L&$ MY REPORT] 9 !
HOSPITAL40 ,I PAUS$1 WAIT+ =A -;T1 B HE
SD NO?+4 8,!N Y H NO IDEA :O MI<T H BE5
LURK+ >.D ! ,,RUB :5 X WASN'T YET OP5 6!
PUBLIC80
  ,NAT SI<$ AG4 8,I "U/& T YR REPORT]--
,C>LA--ASK$ SECUR;Y 6L1VE ! DOORS UN-
LOCK$4 ,ANY"O CD H 5T]$ ! ,,RUB4 ,A VA-
GRANT1 A BURGL>1 A DRUG A4ICT4 ,IF Y'RE
LOOK+ = !ORIES1 MY BE/ GUESS IS T   #AAE
"S"O CAME 9 )! 9T5;N ( RO2]Y4 ,X WD 2 AN
\TSID]1 "S"O :O DIDN'T R1LIZE T 2C !
BUILD+ WASN'T YET 9 OP],N1 "! WD 2 NO
CA% ON H&4 ,:O"E X 0 4COV]$ ,MR4 ,RAS-
MUSS51 & 9 HIS--OR H]1 ( C\RSE--PANIC1
KILL$ HM & FL$40 ,HE GAVE A SLI<T %RUG (
8 BROAD %\LD]S4 8,X HAPP5S1 ESPECI,Y :5
DRUGS >E 9VOLV$40
  ,X 0 A NICE1 PAT EXPLAN,N4 ,X CD EV5 2
TRUE1 ?\< BURGL>S USU,Y DON'T KILL4
8,:AT AB /AFF1 /UD5TS1 FACULTY8 ,HAS
ANY"O REPORT$ ANY?+ UNUSUAL80
  ,NAT %OOK 8 H1D1 SL[LY DECISIVELY4 8,N
A ?+4 ,OH1 ,I'M SURE T SECUR;Y HAS HE>D
A FEW WILD ID1S4 ,"! >E ALW 9DIVIDUALS
:O IMAG9E !Y'VE SE5 "S?+ ( IMPORT.E4
,/UD5TS1 ( C\RSE1 H ACTIVE IMAG9,NS4
,"S"TS4 ,B IF ANY?+ G5U9E _H TURN$ UP1
,I'M C]TA9 ,I WD H HE>D AB X40
  ,MY EYES /RAY$ >.D ! TIDY1 TA/E;L ROOM
) XS FRAM$ DIPLOMAS & C]TIFICATES &
AW>DS4 ,I KNEW HE _H 8 "UGRADUATE DEGREE
F ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,TEXAS & 8 DOCTORATE 9
$UC,N F ,BAYLOR4 ,HE AL _H A /U6$
>MADILLO 9 A GLASS CASE1 : 0 A R    #AAF
UGLY SI<T4 ,I SUPPOS$1 H["E1 T X 0 BETT]
?AN HAV+ A /U6$ /UD5T ON 4PLAY4
  8,I'D L 6TALK 6YR SECUR;Y P10 ,I SD4
8,ESPECI,Y ,RON ,BJORNSON40
  ,FA9T L9ES APPE>$ ON ,NAT'S =EH1D Z HE
BL9K$ TWICE4 8,BJORNSON8 ,OH60 ,! COL-
LEGE PRESID5T LAU<$1 HITT+ A FALSE NOTE4
8,RON ,BJORNSON4 ,"!'S AL A ,BJORN ,RON-
/ADT1 9 SOCIAL SCI;ES4 ,EV5 AF ALM A
FULL S*OOL YE>1 ,I'M / GETT+ ACQUA9T$1
ESPECI,Y ) /AFF P]SONNEL40
  ,I MADE NO -;T ON 8 REM>K4 8,I "U/&
,RON "WS ONLY AT NI<T40
  ,HE GREW V S]I\S AG4 8,YES1 T S.DS "R4
,Y C *ECK ) ,CYN?IA4 ,%E C GIVE Y 8 HOME
NUMB] & A4RESS40
  8,I "K ": ! ,BJORNSONS LIVE10 ,I SD1
GETT+ 6MY FEET4 8,!Y'RE CLOSE BY1 ACTU-
,Y1 (F ! ,BURL ,CREEK ,ROAD40
  ,NAT GAVE A %ORT NOD4 8,GD LUCK ) YR
/ORY40 ,HE TURN$ 8 ATT5;N BACK 6! FACUL-
TY 9T]VIEWS4
  ,I LEFT ! (FICE FEEL+ L A FRE%MAN :O
_H J BE5 PUT ON PROB,N4 ,NAT ,C>D5AS
MI<T 2 SMOO?1 HE MI<T 2 POLITI-     #AAG
CAL1 HE MI<T EV5 2 A NICE GUY--B HE
DIDN'T EXACTLY EXUDE W>M?4 ,AC 6,C>LA'S
F1TURE /ORY (A YE> AGO1 ,NAT _H BE5 BORN
9 ,SAN ,ANTONIO 6,MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS4
,HE _H GR[N UP POOR1 MAYBE T\<1 B DET]-
M9$ 6MAKE "S?+ ( HMF4 ,HE'D "W$ 8 WAY "?
COLLEGE1 & Z ,I RECALL$1 X _H TAK5 HM
OV] TWELVE YE>S 6GET 8 DEGREES4 ,HE'D
TAU<T 9 ,TEXAS1 !N MOV$ 6,CALI=NIA 9 8
F/ ADM9I/RATIVE POSI;N4 ,! SPR+BO>D TO
,SKYKOMI% ,-MUN;Y ,COLLEGE _H BE5 ! ACA-
DEMIC VICE-PRESID5CY (A TWO-YE> S*OOL 9
! ,LOS ,ANGELES >EA4 ,I SUSPECT$ T
,NAT'S RES]VE GREW \ ( 8 RU7$ BACKGR.D4
,I AL FIGUR$ T MAYBE HE 0 SU6]+ F CUL-
TURAL %OCK4 ,! ONLY ?+ T ,ALP9E & ,L4,A4
H 9 -MON IS T !Y >E BO? ON ! SAME PLAN-
ET4 ,I ?9K4
  ,SECUR;Y 0 LOCAT$ 9 ! SAME BUILD+1 B
AT ! F> 5D (A L;G HALL1 )A M* SMALL]1 M
CLUTT]$ (FICE4 ,Z ,I'D EXPECT$1 NO "O 0
>.D4 ,APP>5TLY BO? MEMB]S (! "D CREW 7 \
*ECK+ = /UD5T C>S P>K$ ILLEG,Y 9 SPOTS
RES]V$ = FACULTY & /AFF4 ,OR1 ,I ?"\1 )
AN EF=T AT *>;Y1 !Y 7 HELP+ SOLVE   #AAH
LA/ NI<T'S CRIME4
  ,I DROVE PA/ ! FI% HAT*]Y &! RES]VOIR1
!N TURN$ ONTO ! ,BURL ,CREEK ,ROAD4
,AL;G ) "S SMALL OLD] HOMES1 "! >E / A
FEW MODE/ F>MS FI<T+ (F 5CROA*;T 0DEVEL-
OP]S4 ,ALP9E'S ROCKY T]RA9 ISN'T 3DUCIVE
6AGRICULTURAL SUBSI/;E1 B HE>TY E>?-LOV+
S\LS L ! ,BJORNSONS TRY 6KEEP UP ! PRE-
T5SE4
  ,! TWO-/ORY :ITE FRAME H\SE CD H US$ A
PA9T JOB1 B ! SURR.D+S 7 TIDY4 ,I CD HE>
! CLUCK+ ( *ICK5S F A COOP NE> ! OP5 GA-
RAGE4 ,9 ! UNEV5 PA/URE ": A HALF-DOZ5
C$> & HEMLOCK TREES _H BE5 ALL[$ 6/&
AMID ! /UMPS ( _! FALL5 BRE?R51 ,I CD
SEE TWO C[S &A HORSE GRAZ+ 9 P1CE4
  ,AN OLD]-MODEL ,=D PICKUP 0 P>K$ MID-
WAY 9 ! GRAVEL DRIVE4 ,S9CE ,I'D SE5
,RON ,BJORNSON DRIVE ! TRUCK >.D T[N1 ,I
ASSUM$ X 0 8 & T HE 0 HOME4
  ,RON TOOK "S "T 6ANSW] ! DOORBELL1 &
:5 HE F9,Y >RIV$ X LOOK$ Z IF 8 ;,T-%IRT
& J1NS _H BE5 PUT ON HA/ILY4 8,EMMA80 HE
SD ) J 5 D\BT 9 8 VOICE 69DICATE T ,I 0
/ "S"TS A /RANG] 6! NATIVE-BORN4    #AAI
  ,NOT+ ! DI%EVEL$ FAIR HAIR &! NE$ (A
%AVE1 ,I R1LIZ$ T ,RON _H PROBABLY BE5
ASLEEP4 ,HE 0 ON NI<T DUTY1 AF ALL4
,%EEPI%LY1 ,I APOLOGIZ$4
  8,X'S OKAY10 HE SD1 ?\< HE S.D$ W>Y4
,OR MAYBE J WE>Y4 8,I GOT 6B$ >.D SIX1 &
X'S GO+ ON ELEV5 N[4 ,-E IN1 ,I'LL SEE
IF ,MAYL5E LEFT ANY C(FEE ON40
  8,MAYL5E'S G"O80 ,X 0 AN 9NOC5T "Q4
  ,RON1 H["E1 DIDN'T SEEM 6TAKE X Z S*4
,8 GRAY-GRE5 EYES SP>K$ ) RES5T;T Z HE
GL.ED AT ME ACR ! KIT*5 C.T]4 8,Y1H1 %E
_H 6G 6"W4 ,MAYL5E />T$ "P-"T AT ! COL-
LEGE A C\PLE ( MON?S AGO1 HELP+ \ 9 !
LIBR>Y40
  ,I TRI$ 6REMA9 9G5U\S4 8,DOES %E 5JOY
X80
  ,RON H&$ ME A MUG ( C(FEE4 8,HELL1
NO40 ,HE PAUS$1 F+]+ ! /UB# ON 8 BLUNT
*94 8,WELL1 MAYBE %E DOES1 9 A WAY4 ,B
WE NE$ ! M"OY4 ,H[ _M E7S D Y ?9K WE C
SELL 6! ,GROC]Y ,BASKET 9 A MON?80
  ,I DIDN'T TRY 6GUESS1 B ,I GOT ! PO9T4
8,I ?"\ Y 7 DO+ "S AUTO REPAIR "W "H AT
! H\SE =A :ILE40                    #ABJ
  ,RON SAT D[N ON A /OOL ACR ! C.T] F
ME4 ,EV5 ?\< ! KIT*5 0 AT L1/ Z BIG Z
,NAT ,C>D5AS'S (FICE1 "! 0 A S5SE ( OP-
PRES.N4 ,MAYBE X 0 ! CLUTT] T _H BE5 AL-
L[$ 6A3UMULATE ON ! C.T]S4 ,MAYBE X 0
,RON'S FRU/R,N4 8,I 0 96REPAIR =A :ILE10
HE SD )A GRIMACE4 8,B ,I SPECIALIZ$ 9
TRUCKS1 BIG RIGS1 MO/LY1 & "! >5'T _M (
^? LEFT >.D "H4 ,! LL /UFF ALL GOES TO
,CAL ,VICK]S'S ,TEXACO &! LOCAL D1L]-
%IPS4 ,WE J W]5'T MAK+ X1 &) TWO KIDS1
ME & ,MAYL5E _H 6GET /1DY JOBS40
  ,MAYBE X 0 ! S5SE ( "S?+ / "Y 9 ,RON'S
UNL9$ FACE2 MAYBE X 0 ! BAD GRAMM>4
,:AT"E ! R1SON1 ,I ASK$ IF HE'D ?"\ AB
GO+ BACK 6S*OOL & ACQUIR+ A NEW TRADE4
  ,RON MADE A 4P>AG+ NOISE4 8,I GOT
PL5TY ( TRADES--LO7+1 F>M+1 DRIV+ TRUCK1
REPAIR1 BACKHOE--Y "N X1 ,I C D X4 ,B N
>.D "H4 ,"S"TS WE ?9K AB MOV+1 B PRICES
>E / D[N 9 ,ALP9E4 ,I WDN'T WANT 6TAKE A
HOS+ L ,MAYL5E'S FOLKS DID ON _! PLACE
D[N ! PIKE 9 ,MONROE40
  ,! C(FEE 0 /ALE1 B AT L1/ X 0 HOT4 ,WE
_H /RAY$ F> F ! R1SON = MY VISIT4   #ABA
,CURI\SLY1 ,RON SEEM$ M 9T]E/$ 9 8 F9AN-
CIAL SITU,N ?AN 9 MY UNEXPECT$ APPE>.E
ON 8 DOOR/EP4 ,B !N AG1 MO/ =M] LO7]S WD
PROBABLY REACT 9 ! SAME WAY4
  8,X'S GD1 ?\<1 T WE H ! COLLEGE10 ,I
SD1 TRY+ 6L1D 96MY 9T]ROG,N4 8,X HELPS P
L Y & ,MAYL5E 0PROVID+ JOB OPPORTUNI-
TIES40
  ,RON GAVE A SNORT1 !N LI<T$ A CIGA-
RETTE4 8,"R4 ,WE C BO? PICK UP \R BAG (
P1NUTS TWICE A MON?40
  8,B Y GET B5EFITS "W+ =! /ATE10 ,I
PO9T$ \4
  8,I D4 ,MAYL5E DOESN'T40 ,HE BLEW \ A
BIG PUFF ( SMOKE1 !N C\<$ TWICE4 8,%E'S
ONLY "P-"T40
  ,I />T$ 6-;T T ,RON'S B5EFITS %D COV]
! :OLE FAMILY1 B WE 7 / (F ! M>K4 8,X'S
A %AME ! COLLEGE HAS 6H A TRAG$Y 9 XS F/
ACADEMIC YE>10 ,I SD 9/1D4 8,Z Y MI<T
GUESS1 ,I'M WRIT+ A /ORY AB X40
  ,! GRAY-GRE5 EYES AG TURN$ W>Y4 8,Y
>E8 ,=! PAP]80
  ,I GRITT$ MY TEE?4 ,NO1 ,I'M C>V+ X ON
AN ELEPHANT'S H9D 5D & S5D+ X (F    #ABB
ON A ,C>I21N CRUISE1 ,I WANT$ 6SAY--B
REFRA9$4 8,Y 7 "W+ SECUR;Y LA/ NI<T4
,DID ANY?+ \ (! ORD9>Y HAPP580
  ,RON WAV$ 8 CIG>ETTE 9 AN IMPATI5T
GE/URE4 8,HELL1 NO6 ,D ,I H 6SAY X FIFTY
"TS8 ,I %D'VE GOTT5 (F "W AT F\R1 B 9/1D
,I GOT /UCK ON CAMPUS UNTIL ALM SIX4
,ALL 2C T ,DODGE PRICK _H 6ASK "EY?+ OV]
& OV]40
  ,I IGNOR$ ,RON'S ANG]4 8,:O UNLOCK$ !
,,RUB DOORS = ,MR4 ,RASMUSS5 & MY RE-
PORT]80
  8,I DID1 >.D SEV5-FIFTE540 ,! QU]Y
SEEM$ 6CALM HM A BIT4 8,!N ,I W5T (F ON
MY R.DS4 ,P>K+ LOTS1 BUILD+ DOORS1 J
*ECK+ "EY?+ \4 ,! GR.DS H LOTS ( TREES &
%RU2]Y1 : MAYBE LOOK PRETTY1 B !Y MAKE
GD HID+ PLACES1 TOO4 ,N T WE'VE "E CAU<T
ANYBODY HID+4 ,/1 WE H 6FOLL[ ! 9/RUC;NS
9 ! FRI7+ MANUAL4 ,X'S A DAMN$ PA9 9 !
ASS1 IF Y ASK ME40
  ,X 0 AL ,RON'S JOB1 & 8 RANCOR 9DICAT$
AN ATTITUDE PRO#M4 ,MY JOB1 H["E1 0 N T
(A !RAPI/4 8,H[ DID Y F9D \ AB
,RASMUSS5'S D1?80                   #ABC
  ,RON /U2$ \ 8 CIG>ETTE & TOOK A BIG
SWIG ( C(FEE4 8,! ,*9AMAN TOLD ME40
  ,X S.D$ CRYPTIC UNTIL ,I R1LIZ$ HE 0
REF]R+ 6,DU/9 ,F;G4 8,! DEPUTY80 ,I KEPT
MY EXASP],N 9 *ECK4 8,:5 0 T80
  8,"S"T 2F T54 ,I'D J -E ACR ! ROAD F !
DORMS4 ,!Y _H A PLUMB+ PRO#M4 ,^? DUMB
GIRLS %DN'T PUT :AT*AMACALLITS D[N !
TOILET4 ,!Y PLUG UP ! L9E4 ,B Y C'T TELL
!M ANY?+40
  ,I GUESS$ T :AT*AMACALLITS 7 TAMPONS4
,I KNEW !Y 7 A PRO#M1 B ! ONLY "T ,I'D
"E SU6]$ F S* A BACKUP 0 :5 ,ADAM 0 AB
?REE & PUT M9E D[N \R TOILET :ILE !Y 7 /
9 ! BOX4
  8,Y 7 SURPRIS$80 ,I ASK$ 9 T /UPID
MANN] "*I/IC ( J\RNALI/S 9 SE>* (A M1N+-
.S QUOTE4
  8,HELL1 NO4 ,\R [N DAU<T]1 ,J5NY1 HAS
PULL$ T /UNT A C\PLE ( "TS4 ,T'S H[ ,I
KNEW :AT CAUS$ ! BACKUP40
  ,I 0 GRITT+ MY TEE? AG4 8,I M1N AB
,MR4 ,RASMUSS5 GETT+ MURD]$40
  ,RON BL9K$ A C\PLE ( "TS4 8,OH4 ,WELL1
SURE4 ,Y DON'T EXPECT T K9D (       #ABD
/UFF1 "R8 ,X'S RE,Y TOO BAD40
  ,I AGRE$4 8,DID Y "K HM80
  8,RASMUSS580 ,HE GAVE A %RUG4 8,SURE4
,DIDN'T "EYBODY80
  8,I GUESS S4 ,HE 0 V PROM95T 9 ,SKYKO-
MI% & ,SNOHOMI% C.TIES40 ,MY NOTEPAD 0
BLANK4 ,S 0 MY M9D4 ,B ,I DR$G$ UP "O
LA/ "Q4 8,DID Y "E HE> ANY"O MAKE ANY
?R1TS OR 9DICATE !Y WI%$ H>M 6,MR4 ,RAS-
MUSS580
  ,RON LAU<$1 A B>K+1 H>% S.D4 8,Y KI4+8
,H[ AB HALF ! POPUL,N AL;G ,HI<WAY
,TWO80
  8,:Y 0 T80
  ,RON L1N$ =W>D1 ELB[S PROPP$ ON !
C.T]TOP4 8,2C HE 0 AN ,,SOB1 T'S :Y4
,HEY1 Y RUN ! PAP]4 ,DON'T Y "E HE> !
NEWS80
  ,I REFUS$ 6LET ,RON ,BJORNSON BAIT ME4
8,S* Z80
  ,RON SEEM$ P]PLEX$ 0MY IGNOR.E4 8,L !
WAY HE TR1T$ P4 ,L H[ HE RAN 8 BUSI;SES4
,L ?9K+ HE 0 ,GOD ,ALMI<TY 2C HE 0 ,E9>
,RASMUSS5 ,JR4 ,L 2+ ! BI7E/ BA/>D F "H
6,SNOHOMI%40 ,HE SAT BACK ON !      #ABE
/OOL & SCRAT*$ 8 TEMPLE4 8,HELL1 X'S NO
WOND] HE GOT HMF KILL$4 ,Y ASK$ IF ,I 0
SURPRIS$--,I GUESS ,I 0 ONLY SURPRIS$ T
X DIDN'T HAPP5 SOON]40




















                                    #ABF
























              ,*APT] ,SIX           #ABG

  ,I %D H GUESS$3 ,VIDA _H BE5 ON !
PR[L4
  8,I'VE "KN ! FAMILY = YE>S10 %E SD 9 A
DEF5SIVE T"O4 8,X WD H BE5 AMISS IF ,I
_HN'T CALL$ ON ,M>LYS ,RASMUSS54 ,:AT"E
WD %E H ?"\80
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! FAMILY1 B %E WASN'T GO+ 6GET A PIECE (
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$ITOR H&L$ H] [N SEC;N ADMIRABLY1 B :5 X
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SMALL W9D[ ABV ,VIDA'S DESK & TRY+ 6BL
ME4
  8,H>OLD ,RASMUSS5'S WIFE4         #ABH
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  8,ON10 ,I RESPOND$4 8,I'LL MAKE   #ABI
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  8,DAMN60 ,I DIDN'T H "T 6G ON A WILD-
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PRIMROSES ON H] BLACK /RAW AQUIV]4 8,(
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MANN]4
  ,PASS+ ,LEO EN R\TE 6MY CU2YHOLE1 ,I
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,MAYBE ? DAMN$ BUG HAS MADE ME IRR,NAL4
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MANAG] SD 96! RCVR4 8,N[ T POOR OLD ,E9>
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  8,GD;S60 %E EXCLAIM$1 GRAPPL+ ) H]
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NU7ETS80
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TAKE\T1 B ,I'D BETT] FILL Y IN40
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6A6ECT H] WEI<T1 :1 L ! RE/ ( H]1 REMA9$
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W>EH\SE SITE80
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PROP]TY ,SUN"D AFN10 %E F9,Y SD4 8,!Y _H
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ASK$ Z \R WAITRESS BR"\ MY ,PEPSI & ,VI-
DA'S HOT TEA4
  8,I C.T$ TW5TY-TWO10 ,VIDA RESPOND$4
8,NATUR,Y1 ,I RECOGNIZ$ "EY"O EXCEPT =A
HALF DOZ5 :O MAY H BE5 COLLEGE /UD5TS4
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FACULTY MEMB] F SOCIOLOGY4 ,S"EAL (!
TRESPASS]S _H METAL DETECTORS4      #ACC
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SUPPOSE 0! "T Y GOT BACK1 ! 9ITIAL GOS-
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RESORT 6=CE 6REMOVE ! TRESPASS]S4   #ACD
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  8,NONS5SE10 ,VIDA RETORT$4 8,I'VE (T5
D"O HI/ORICAL F1TURES1 N ONLY = MY PAGE1
B = SPECIAL EDI;NS4 ,2SS1 ,I MI<T N H
BE5 BORN :ILE !Y 7 M9+ 9 ! >EA--GD;S1 "!
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BACKGR.D40
  ,I DIDN'T D\BT X1 S ,I GAVE IN4 ,AT
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B EV5 Y W H 6D "S--EXCUSE ! EXPRES.N--
DI7+40
  8,C]TA9LY4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 ,I'LL NE$ TO
REFRE% MY MEMORY40 ,VIDA SIPP$ DA9TILY F
H] MUG ( TEA4
  ,MY BURG] BASKET >RIV$1 AL;G ) ,VIDA'S
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,B>N B"\ 9 BULK 7 ?ICK ) DEEP-FRI$ BR1D-
+4
  8,OKAY10 ,I SD1 AF FILL+ MY FACE )
FOOD1 85LI<T5 ME AB ,E9> ,JR4'S REPUT,N
9 ,SKYKOMI% & ,SNOHOMI% C.TIES40
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Y KNEW4 ,8 "F [N$ A SAWMILL1 DAB#D 9 R1L
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0 6! ,RASMUSS5S N 6BE A# 6M>RY _! DAU<T]
(F )A BIG FANF>E4 ,X WD H BE5 ! EV5T (!
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  ,I 0 TRY+ 6PICTURE ,M>Y ,JANE & ,DICK
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FIFTIES2 ,DICK 0 A GD-LOOK+ MAN AB !
SAME AGE ) SILV] HAIR & GLASSES4 ,MAYBE
X 0 "T = ME 6D M ?AN M]ELY NOD & SMILE
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  8,:AT DID !Y D80 ,I ASK$ Z AN ,,RV AB
! SIZE ( MY H\SE PURR$ D[N ,FRONT
,/REET4
  8,DICK 0 F ,"EETT1 S !Y 7 M>RI$ 0A
PRIE/ F 8 *UR*4 ,M>Y ,JANE 2CAME A 3V]T
J 2F ! W$D+4 ,?YRA 0 "PICUL>LY \TRAG$4
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  8,?YRA80 ,! "N RANG A FA9T BELL4
  8,E9> ,SR4'S WIFE4 ,%E ?9KS %E RULES
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  8,GD GRIEF1 ,I EXCLAIM$1 8! WOMAN M/ 2
ALM N9ETY6 ,B ( C\RSE10 ,I A4$ 9 A M
MUS+ T"O1 8X 0 ALM =TY YE>S AGO     #ACG
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  ,VIDA GAVE A NOD1 H] HAT TIPP+ 6!
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,RASMUSS5 IS / ! SORT ( SELF-C5T]$ WOMAN
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,CLEMANS FAMILY P]MAN5TLY MOV$ 6,SNOHO-
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ALL B SNU2$ ,MRS4 ,CLEMANS4 ,%E DIDN'T
WANT ANY -PETI;N4 ,B ,MRS4 ,CLEMANS 0 A
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WAY1 B ! MAYOR /OPP$ AT \R TA#1 8 H1DY
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  8,KID GLOVES10 HE MURMUR$1 L1N+ 9 2T
,VIDA & ME4 8,? /ORY AB POOR ,E9> M/ 2
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  8,RIDICUL\S OLD FOOL10 ,VIDA HU6$4
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  ,I SMIL$ 9 AGREE;T1 !N RETURN$ 6! SUB-
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/9KS40
  8,( C\RSE HE WD10 ,VIDA RESPOND$1 P\R+
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OR O!R P--/& 9 _! WAY4 ,MR4 ,CLEMANS 0
AN EXCEP;N4 ,6? "D1 ,I'VE N"E HE>D ANY"O
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  ,C>L ,CLEMANS _H DEF9ITELY A*IEV$
SA9TLY /ATUS 9 ,ALP9E4 ,P]H X 0 DES]V$2
P]H X 0 A FLUKE ( MEMORY4 ,B ,CLEMANS _H
BE5 D1D = ALM SIXTY YE>S & ,E9> ,RASMUS-
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T 0 P>AM.T 9 MY M9D4                #ACI
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Z ,I PU%$ OP5 "O (! D\# DOORS 6! ,SKYKO-
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! O!R4
  8,EMMA10 HE SD1 LOOK+ />TL$4 8,HI40
,HE KEPT GO+4
  8,HEY60 ,I :IRL$ >.D4 8,HOLD X6 ,I NE$
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  ,AT ! CURB1 ! ,%]IFF HESITAT$ B DIDN'T
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8,Y C PUT :AT"E ! HELL Y WANT 6B$ )\T
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,*IEF & SLAMM$ X %UT4
  8,ASSHOLE60 ,I YELL$ J Z ,$NA ,MAE
,DALRYMPLE APPROA*$ )A %OCK$ EXPRES.N ON
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( 8 DIAGONAL P>K+ SPACE4            #ADJ
  8,>E Y ALL "R80 ,$NA ,MAE GASP$1 H]
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HOLE4
  8,I'M UPSET10 ,I ADMITT$4 8,I'M UP AG/
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9 A BAG F ! ,UPP] ,CRU/1 8IS X TRUE T Y
& ,MILO >E ON ! ROCKS80
  8,X'S BE5 TRUE = MON?S10 ,I SD1 MY IR-
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BE5 S9CE ,OCTOB]8 ,/UCK 9 ! /ACKS 9 !
LIBR>Y BASE;T8
  ,B ,$NA ,MAE 0 WIDE-EY$4 8,MAYBE X'S J
A TIFF10 %E SD 9 H] CU/OM>Y N]V\S MANN]4
8,I ALW ?"\ Y & ,MILO MADE S* A CUTE
C\PLE40
  ,I />T$ 6SNAP BACK AT ,$NA        #ADA
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6! =E4 ,I CDN'T TAKE \ MY FRU/R,NS ON A
POOR WOMAN ^: ONLY S]I\S FAULT--2SS N
"K+ A %ORT CLUB BID F A S++ TELEGRAM--
0 LACK ( JUDG;T :5 X CAME 6H] FELL[
HUMAN 2+S4
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TURN$ \1 ?\< HE TRI$ 6HIDE ! FACT4 8,J
MISS$ ,DODGE1 HUH80 HE SD1 & MADE AN AT-
TEMPT AT TURN+ S]I\S4
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DOORS4 8,Y1H1 "R1 ,I GOT DODG$ 0,DODGE4
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BAIL ME \ ON ? ,RASMUSS5 CASE8 ,I WANT
6F9I% MY /ORY = TM'S EDI;N40
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  8,B Y'VE BE5 3DUCT+ 9T]VIEWS1 HAV5'T
Y80
  8,SURE40 ,HE %U6L$ "S PAP]S 2H ! CURV+
C.T]4 8,NO L1DS1 ?\<4 ,H"O/1 ,EMMA1 "!'S
NO?+ 6REPORT40                      #ADB
  ,MY %\LD]S SLUMP$4 8,T'S 4C\RAG+40 ,AF
A PAUSE ,I N>R[$ MY EYES AT ,JACK4 8,S
N[ ,I H 6WRITE T ! ,%]IFF HAS MADE ABSO-
LUTELY NO PROGRESS 9VE/IGAT+ ,E9> ,RAS-
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,SKYKOMI% ,-MUN;Y ,COLLEGE80
  ,JACK'S SK9 D>K5$4 8,HEY1 Y DON'T H TO
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  8,I DIDN'T "K "! 0 A "T L9E =A HOMI-
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,>E Y TRY+ 6TELL ME HE'S -E UP EMPTY80
  ,JACK DIDN'T RESPOND = S"EAL SECONDS4
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RE,Y DON'T H M* 6G ON4 ,& FRANKLY1 "!
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%ORT-/A6$ WE >E40
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R1D]%IP WON'T 2 PL1S$40
  8,LUCKILY1 Y DON'T H A R1D]%IP 9 ,SNO-
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CL\T10 ,JACK SD1 ALL B JE]+4        #ADC
  8,ACTU,Y10 ,I REPLI$ )A LIFT ( MY
%ORT1 UNIMPRESSIVE *91 8,I D4 ,Y'D 2
SURPRIS$ H[ _M P OV] 9 ,SNOHOMI% ,C.TY H
TIES 6,ALP9E & SUBSCRIBE 6.,! .,ADVO-
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?ROAT & %OOK 8 H1D L AN ANGRY PUP4
8,OKAY1 OKAY1 ,I "K Y'RE PISS$ (F4 ,X'S
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MAY H "S?+4 ,"R N[ X'S RE,Y SL[ GO+4
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%E 0 TOO W1K 6-E 6! PH"O40
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LA/ NI<T4 ,DON'T Y REMEMB]8 ,OR _H Y ALR
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,E9>'S %IRT80
  8,I'D G"O10 ,I SD FA9TLY4 ,TIM+1 !Y
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:1 ,I GUESS1 FIGURES4 ,! SON1 ,B1U1 SD T
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>RANGE;TS40
  8,X WASN'T ,C>LA'S LIP/ICK10 ,I ASS]T-
$4 8,%E N"E SAW ,E9> T NI<T4 ,2SS1 ,E9>
0 CLOSE 6SIX FEET TALL1 & ,C>LA'S B>ELY
FIVE FEET4 ,H] M\? WDN'T R1* ,E9>'S
%\LD]40
  ,JACK'S EYES D.ED4 8,X MI<T4 ,:O SD !Y
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ANY?+ OR ANYBODY40 ,JACK'S EYES 7 /
TW9KL+40
  8,V FUNNY4 ,H !Y SET A DATE & "T =!
FUN]AL80
  8,SATUR"D1 T5 ,A4,M41 ,*RI/ ! ,K+ ,LU-
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  ,X 0 MY SIGNAL 6DE"P4 ,BACK AT .,!
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  8,FIVE-SIX10 ,VIDA SD4 8,%ORT]1 )
HEELS40
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DATE80
  8,YES4 ,T'S MY CALCUL,N40 ,VIDA ADJU/$
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HEI<T40
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,I'VE MET ,E9> ,JR4 A FEW "TS1 & HE'S N
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  8,DODGE10 ,I REPLI$ ) ACRIMONY1
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! PRESS & LAW 5=CE;T4 ,G GET 'EM $ITOR-
PUBLI%] BABE40
  8,I 9T5D TO40 ,)A ?UMBS-UP GE/URE1 ,I
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AL 6,JACK ,MULL9S1 B ,I DID WRITE T 8,AC
6! ,%]IFF'S (FICE1 NO "O HAS -E =W>D YET
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NEWS1 & X WASN'T Z UNK9D Z ,I WANT$ 6BE4
.,DUND]H1D IS A T]M M SUITA# 6$ITORIALS
?AN ! FRONT PAGE4
  ,! LA/ ?+ ,I DID 2F TELL+ ,KIP ,MAC-
,DUFF WE 7 R1DY 6ROLL 0 6R1D "? ,VIDA'S
L;G CUTL9E1 : A3OMPANI$ ! PICTURES %E'D
TAK5 AT ! W>EH\SE SITE3
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LA/ ,OCTOB]'S W>EH\SE FIRE ": ,JOHN &
,DAN ,B\RGETTE PLAN 6BUILD A RE/AURANT4
,! ,B\RGETTE BRO!RS >E ! SONS (     #ADG
,DICK & ,M>Y ,JANE ,B\RGETTE1 :O REC5TLY
MOV$ 6,ALP9E1 & >E 5JOY+ SEMIRETIRE;T 9
_! HOME NE> ! GOLF C\RSE40
  ,Z USUAL1 ,VIDA _H WRITT5 ! CAP;N 9 H]
,H\SE & ,HOME /YLE4 ,I DELET$ ! LA/ S5-
T;E1 BROKE UP ! F/ "O1 & A4$ A C\PLE (
M9OR T\*ES4 ,X 0 EXACTLY FIVE O'C :5 ,I
TOLD ,KIP ! PAP] 0 R1DY4 ,X 0 "O M9UTE
AF FIVE :5 ,I 2GAN COLLECT+ MY ?+S 9
PREP>,N = 5D+ MY "D AT "W4 ,I 0 H1D+ \
:5 ,$ ,BRONSKY LIT],Y /UM#D 96! NEWS-
ROOM4
  8,:AT 0 .T80 HE ASK$ 9 A SURPRIS$
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  8,GU3IS1 ,$10 ,I SD PATI5TLY1 EYE+
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TOO LATE80
  8,= :AT80 ,$ _H (T5 BE5 LATE :5   #ADH
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BROK51 8 BRAKES _H FAIL$1 _! DOG1 ,C>-
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MILLION EXCUSES1 "S ( !M TRUE4
  8,= ? WEEK'S .,ADVOCATE10 ,$ REPLI$1 /
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NEWS40
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TRI$ 6LOOK CURI\S4
  8,MY BOOK4 .,MR4 .,$ IS GO+ 96A SECOND
PR9T+4 ,C Y 2LIEVE X8 ,:AT'S M1 EV5 BIG-
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9 ,HOLLYWOOD--,CALI=NIA--:5 !Y TALK AB A
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BOOK'S SOLD ALM T5 ?\S& COPIES 9    #ADI
H>DCOV]1 & ,VANE ,PRESS GOES BACK =A RUN
( FIVE ?\S& M NEXT WEEK4 ,S9CE ! BOOK'S
ONLY BE5 \ TWO MON?S1 X'S 3SID]$ A RUNA-
WAY BE/-SELL] 9 ! 9DU/RY40
  ,I DIDN'T "K 5 AB BOOK PUBLI%+ 6-;T4
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,EA/SIDE1 0 A VAN;Y PUBLI%+ H\SE1 & T ,$
_H ASSUM$ ALL ! EXP5SES ( GETT+ 8 AUTO-
BIOGRAPHY ON ! M>KET4
  8,D Y H A "N (! ,HOLLYWOOD TYPE :O'S
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WEEK'S EDI;N4
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:AT SELLS .,MR4 .,$ IS X'S S .FRE%4 ,OH1
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  8,W %E80 ,I 0 />T+ 6TWIT* A BIT 9 MY
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! LA/ GRAF 9 ,C>LA'S F1TURE AB ,DEE,DEE
& ,AM] ,WASCO'S TRIP 6,EUROPE4 ,! L9ES 7
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8,I ?9K Y & ,DAN H F.D A HUMAN 2+40













              ,*APT] ,SEV5          #AEG

  ,I 0 PA9;LLY REM9D$ ( F9D+ SIMIL> RE-
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( ALCOHOLIC B"EAGES 9 G5]AL & B>S 9
"PICUL> EXCLUD$ H] F ! 9VIT,N4      #AHA
,FIVE M9UTES LAT] ,DEIRDRE & ,I 7 TURN+
96! LOCAL WAT]+ HOLE ON ,FRONT ,/REET4
  ,! PLACE 0 ALR FILL+ UP )! AF-"W REGU-
L>S4 ,WE SAT AT A TA# NEXT 6A TRIO ( "Y-
I% BE>D$ M5 9 PLAID "W %IRTS & CANVAS
PANTS :O GAVE ,DEIRDRE ! EYE4 ,%E IGNOR$
!M1 & SAV$ :AT"E *>M %E POSSESS$ = ,OR5
,RHODES1 ! B>T5D]4
  8,Y'RE N A NATIVE10 ,DEIRDRE SD 9 T
HUSKY VOICE AF ,OR5 _H TAK5 \R ORD]S4
  ,I LAU<$4 8,I'M ORIG9,Y F ,S1TTLE1 BY
WAY ( ,PORTL&4 ,H[ CD Y TELL80
  ,DEIRDRE %RU7$4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,Y J
DON'T SEEM SMALL-T[N40 ,%E LET \ A BIG
SI< Z H] GAZE TRAVEL$ 6! LI<T$ CIG>ETTE
MA*9E NEXT 6A LIFE-SIZ$ CUT\T (A M9I-
SKIRT$ R$H1D HOLD+ A TRAY ( BE]4 8,I'VE
SP5T MY :OLE LIFE TRY+ 6GET AWAY F SMALL
T[NS4 ,I N"E SEEM 6MAKE X4 ,M.TLAKE ,T]-
RACE 0 Z CLOSE Z ,I GOT 6! ,BIG ,C;Y40
  ,M.TLAKE ,T]RACE 0 A SUBURB NOR? (
,S1TTLE1 CLOSE 5 T X 0 IMPOSSI# 6TELL ":
! C;Y /OPP$ &! 'BURBS 2GAN4 ,APP>5TLY X
WASN'T CLOSE 5 = ,DEIRDRE ,RASMUSS54
  8,I DIDN'T WANT 6-E BACK UP       #AHB
"H10 %E 3T9U$ ) NO PROMPT+ F ME4 8,B
,DAD ?"\ ,I NE$$ 6PULL MYF TGR AF ! DI-
VORCE4 ,T 0 BULL4 ,X 0 ,DAV9 GO+ (F T
?REW ME40
  8,DAV9 0 YR HUSB&80 ,I ASK$4 8,I ?"\ 8
"N 0 ,J]K-(F40
  ,DEIRDRE SMIL$1 REV1L+ A S+LE DIMPLE 9
H] "R *EEK4 8,HIS "N .IS ,J]K-(F4 ,I
DIDN'T C>E AB HM4 ,DAV9'S MY SON40 ,%E
L[]$ H] EYES4
  8,OH40 ,MY "M'S HE>T MELT$4 8,H[ OLD80
  8,SEV5TE51 LA/ MON?4 ,( C\RSE HE
WASN'T >.D =! "PY ,I'D H GIV5 HM4 ,HE
LEFT ,*RI/MAS ,EVE40 ,H] FACE CRUMPL$2
EV5 ! BLUE EYE %AD[ SEEM$ 6SLIP4
  ,I REMEMB]$ ,ADAM AT SEV5TE54 ,X
WASN'T A GD AGE1 N =A BOY4 ,TOO M* TO
PROVE1 UNSURE ( /RU7L+ 9 T CLEFT 2T BOY
& MAN4 ,MY SON _H WANT$ 6BE "EY?+1 &
FELT L NO?+4 ,X 0 AN AGE ON ! CUSP1 & V
DANG]\S4
  8,D Y "K ": ,DAV9 IS80 ,I ASK$1 WAIT+
UNTIL AF ,OR5 _H DELIV]$ ,DEIRDRE'S VOD-
KA M>T9I & MY B\RBON & WAT]4
  8,NO40 ,DEIRDRE DIDN'T LOOK UP1   #AHC
B TOOK A DEEP SIP F H] GLASS4 ,%E SIPP$
AG1 & F9,Y H] HAZEL EYES SEEM$ 6BORE 9TO
MY FACE4 8,DAD KNEW4 ,B HE WDN'T TELL
ME40
  8,:Y N80
  ,DEIRDRE DRANK AG4 8,2C MY "F 0 ! BIG-
GE/ PRICK 9 ! _W4 ,HE'S ! R1SON ,DAV9
RAN AWAY40 ,H] EXPRES.N 0 BL1K1 L A
,JANU>Y DAWN4 8,:O CD BLAME ME = HAT+ MY
"F80
  ,I FELT MY EYES WID54 8,DID Y KILL
HM80 ,! ^WS TUM#D \4
  ,DEIRDRE BL9K$ ONCE4 8,NO4 ,B ,I WI%
,I _H40 ,%E F9I%$ ! M>T9I 9 "O BIG1
FI]CE GULP1 & SWALL[$ ! OLIVE :OLE4









                                    #AHD
























              ,*APT] ,EI<T          #AHE

  ,"EYBODY HAS A /ORY 6TELL4 ,"P ( MY
JOB IS 6LI/54 ,B ,DEIRDRE ,RASMUSS5
DIDN'T REV1L ANY?+ ELSE AB H] "F1 H]
SON1 OR ,J]K-(F4 ,! SECOND M>T9I DIDN'T
LOOS5 H] T;GUE2 %E CLOS$ UP L A VACAT$
H\SE4 ,X 0 Z IF %E'D _H A /ATE;T 6MAKE1
& HAV+ D"O X1 DETAILS 7 IRRELEVANT4
  ,WE SANK 96*IT*AT4 ,! FUN]AL >RANGE-
;TS1 SUBURBAN LIV+1 ! UNC]TA9 SPR+ W1!R4
,I'D PD =! F/ R.D1 B %E B"\ ! SECOND4 ,&
!N %E TOOK H] L1VE1 A GRACE.S1 YET VUL-
N]A# FIGURE1 MAK+ H] WAY 2T ! T9Y R.D
TA#S ) FLICK]+ C&LES /UCK 9 OLD MASON
J>S4
  ,I 0 N[ />+ AT ! CIG>ETTE MA*9E4 ,I'D
QUIT S"EAL "TS1 ONCE = FIVE YE>S4 ,B !
URGE REMA9$4 ,I 0 / /RU7L+ ) MY 9N] DE-
MONS :5 ,LEO SAT D[N 9 ! *AIR ,DEIRDRE
_H LEFT EMPTY4
  8,DR9K+ AL"O1 BOSS LADY8 ,BAD IDEA40
,MY AD MANAG] %OOK 8 H1D 9 MOCK 4MAY4
  ,I EXPLA9$ AB ,DEIRDRE ,RASMUSS54 ,LEO
SEEM$ MILDLY 9T]E/$4 8,NOBODY LIK$ ?
,E9> M*1 ,I TAKE X40                #AHF
  8,HE S.DS TYPICAL ( _M SU3ESS;L M510
,I REPLI$ Z ,OR5 ,RHODES NO4$ AT ,LEO1
!N LOOK$ 9QUIR+LY AT ME4 ,WISELY1 ,I DE-
CID$ 6SKIP A ?IRD R.D4 8,!Y "W _! TAILS
(F 6MAKE M"OY1 !Y 9T]ACT J F9E ) _! PE]
GR\P1 B !Y /9K :5 X -ES 6P]SONAL REL,N-
%IPS40
  ,LEO *UCKL$1 "S:AT RUE;LLY4 8,HEY1 ,I
CD QUALIFY--EXCEPT ,I'VE N"E BE5 A SUC-
CESS AT M* ( ANY?+40
  8,DON'T SAY T1 ,LEO10 ,I SD4 8,Y'VE
D"O A GRT JOB = ME4 ,I'LL BET Y DID J
F9E = MO/ ( YR O!R EMPLOY]S OV] ! YE>S40
  8,Y1H1 MAYBE1 EXCEPT :5 ,I 0 DR9K+
BOOZE \ (A TWO-GALLON BUCKET "U MY
DESK40 ,LEO SI<$1 !N LI<T$ A CIG>ETTE4
8,S9CE Y BR"\ X UP1 ,I MI<T Z WELL TELL
Y40
  8,TELL ME :AT80 ,MAYBE ,LEO'S >RIVAL 9
! B> _HN'T BE5 CO9CID5TAL4 ,HE'D PROBA-
BLY RETURN$ 6! (FICE1 ": ,VIDA _H TOLD
HM ( MY ":ABS4
  8,X'S NO BIG D1L10 HE SD1 MAK+ A 4MIS-
SIVE GE/URE ) "O H&4 8,I GOT A JOB (F] ?
WEEK4 ,I 0 DAMN$ NE> TEMPT$1 B      #AHG
,I'VE DECID$ 6SAY NO40
  8,I'M RELIEV$10 ,I ADMITT$4 8,MY ,GOD1
,I C'T LOSE TWO /A6]S 9 ! SAME YE>60
,!N1 F "S D>K CORN] ( MY BRA91 APPREH5.N
SURFAC$4 8,:AT 0 ! (F]80
  ,LEO A3EPT$ 8 ,SCOT* ROCKS F ,OR51
JO%$ A BIT1 & F9,Y TURN$ 8 ATT5;N BACK
6ME4 8,I DON'T "K IF Y REMEMB] ! GUY :O
RECOMM5D$ ME = .,! .,ADVOCATE1 B HE J
B"\ UP "S WEEKLIES 9 ,NAPA & ,YOLO C\N-
TIES1 NOR? & EA/ (! ,BAY ,>EA4 ,HE WANT$
ME 6OV]SEE ! ADV]TIS+ = ALL F\R ( !M40
,HE EXHAL$1 !N SPOKE "? A CL\D ( SMOKE4
8,TOM ,CAVANAU<4 ,REMEMB]80
  .,REMEMB]4 ,! PRO#M WAS1 ,I CDN'T =-
GET4 8,SURE10 ,I SD1 S.D+ UNNATUR,Y *IP-
P]4 ,I 0 FUMBL+ 9 MY H&BAG1 MY H1D DUCK+
D[N "U ! TA#4 8,Y GOT TGR ) HM A :ILE
BACK 9 ,S1TTLE1 "R80
  8,Y1H4 ,HE TALK$ !N AB ! POSSI# ACQUI-
SI;NS1 TRY+ 6GET A FEEL :E!R OR N ,I'D 2
9T]E/$ 9 -+ BACK 6,CALI=NIA10 ,LEO SD1 8
VOICE NORMAL1 NEI CURI\S NOR SUSPICI\S4
8,Y LOOK+ =A CIG>ETTE80
  8,NO40 ,I 0 EMPHATIC1 OV]L\D4     #AHH
8,W]E Y 9T]E/$80 ,I SAT UP /RAI<T1 HAV+
CAU<T MY BR1? & GOTT5 A GRIP ON MY -PO-
SURE4 ,/1 MY EYES /RAY$ 6,OR5 ,RHODES 2H
! B>4
  ,LEO GRIMAC$4 8,Z ,I SD1 ,I 0 TEMPT$4
,! M"OY 0 BETT]4 ,NO (F5SE40 ,MY AD MAN-
AG] GAVE ME A RUE;L SMILE1 !N AC"KL$G$
TWO ( \R ADV]TIS]S1 ,SCOOT] ,HUT*9S &
,LLOYD ,CAMPBELL4 8,B ,I'M N R1DY 6G
BACK 6,CALI=NIA10 HE W5T ON Z ,SCOOT] &
,LLOYD SAT D[N AT A TA# 2H U4 8,I'M GO+
6CALL ,CAVANAU< TN & LET HM "K40
  8,HE CALL$ F ,SAN ,FRANCISCO80 ,I HOP$
! "Q S.D$ 9NOC5T4
  8,Y1H1 ,MON"D NI<T40 ,LEO SI<$ & /U2$
\ 8 CIG>ETTE4 8,I'VE GIV5 X ALM =TY-EI<T
H\RS4 ,X DOESN'T FEEL "R4 ,B ,I ?"\ Y "\
6"K40
  8,I APPRECIATE X40 ,I W9C$ Z ,OR51 IN-
T]PRET+ MY GL.E Z A REQUE/ =A REFILL1
APPE>$ ) ANO!R B\RBON4 ,MEEKLY1 ,I ?ANK$
HM4 8,X DOESN'T SEEM L A GD "T 6BE BUY+
UP WEEKLIES10 ,I SD 6,LEO4 8,! NEWSPAP]
BUSI;S ISN'T V GD ^! "DS40
  8,NOR!RN ,CALI=NIA'S GR[+10       #AHI
,LEO EXPLA9$4 8,P MOV+ UP F ,L4,A41 NEW-
-]S :O WANT 6LIVE 9 ! /ATE1 B AVOID E>?-
QUAKES & RIOTS & BRU%FIRES & MUD SLIDES4
,CAVANAU<'S GOT A GD BUSI;S H1D1 & PL5TY
( M"OY4 ,2SS10 ,LEO A4$1 LI<T+ ANO!R
CIG>ETTE1 8HE DOESN'T H ANY?+ ELSE 6D )
8 "T S9CE 8 WIFE DI$40
  ,I LO/ X4 ,! FULL GLASS W5T FLY+ ONTO
! FLOOR1 MY M\? DROPP$ OP51 & ,I ?9K ,I
ACTU,Y LET \ A SMALL SCR1M4 ,OR MAYBE X
0 A GROAN4 ,LEO />$1 & S DID ,SCOOT]1
,LLOYD1 &! ?REE "W+M5 AT ! NEXT TA#4
  8,EMMA60 ,LEO GAP$ AT ME1 !N GRA2$ MY
WRI/4 ,OR5 ,RHODES HURRI$ OV] 6COLLECT !
GLASS1 :1 =TUNATELY1 _HN'T BROK54 ,! B>-
T5D] VOLUNTE]$ 6MOP UP ! SPILL :ILE ,I
SAT MUTELY 9 ! *AIR & %OOK ALL OV]4
  8,:AT ! HELL '''80 ,LEO 0 / HOLD+ ON
6ME1 N[ LOOK+ M WORRI$ ?AN />TL$4 8,HEY1
-E ON1 TELL ME '''0 ,HE GAVE A %AKE ( 8
H1D1 Z IF HE 7 TRY+ 6-E \ (A BAD DR1M4
  ,B ! BAD DR1M 0 M9E4 8,I'M OKAY10 ,I
SD ?ICKLY Z ,OR5 SWIP$ AWAY AT ! C>PET4
8,C WE GET \ ( "H80
  8,SURE40 ,LEO LET G ( MY WRI/1    #AIJ
GULP$ D[N ! RE/ ( 8 DR9K1 & TOSS$ A
TW5TY-DOLL> BILL ON ! TA#4 8,LET'S G40
,)A PROTECTIVE >M >.D MY %\LD]S1 HE
CALL$ A ?ANK-Y 6,OR5 & HU/L$ ME \ (! B>4
  ,X _H 2GUN 6RA9 :ILE WE 7 9 ! ,V5ISON
,9N4 ,S(T1 SP>SE DROPS FELL F D>K5+
CL\DS T _H SETTL$ OV] ! M.TA9S4 ,! COOL
DAMP AIR CLE>$ MY H1D Z WE WALK$ ! %ORT
BLOCK 6\R C>S1 : 7 P>K$ 9 FRONT ( .,!
.,ADVOCATE4 ,LEO SD NO?+ UNTIL WE R1*$ 8
,TOYOTA4
  8,": TO80 HE ASK$1 8 FACE / MASK$ )
3C]N4
  ,I WANT$ 6G HOME4 ,I WANT$ 6CALL ,B54
,I NE$$ 6TALK 6,ADAM4 ,B ,I [$ ,LEO AN
OV]DUE EXPLAN,N4 ,8 A"P;T ON ,C$> ,/REET
0 ONLY ?REE BLOCKS AWAY4 ,I CD DRIVE T
F> )\T KILL+ MYF OR ANY"O ELSE4 ,MAYBE4
  ,LEO DIDN'T AGREE4 8,I'LL DRIVE Y 6MY
PLACE10 HE SD1 OP5+ ! DOOR ON ! ,TOYO-
TA'S PASS5G] SIDE4 8,WE C -E BACK LAT] &
COLLECT ! JAG40
  ,I _HN'T BE5 9 ,LEO'S A"P;T = "S "T4
,X 0 AN OLD] TWO-/ORY BUILD+ )A BL1K
BRICK EXT]IOR & AN 5TRY HALL T      #AIA
_HN'T YET BE5 SWEPT CL1N ( XS AUTUMN
L1VES4 ,B S9CE MY LA/ VISIT 6HIS SECOND-
FLOOR UNIT1 MY AD MANAG] _H MADE "S IM-
PROVE;TS4 ,HE'D PA9T$ ! WALLS1 A4$ "S
DEC5T FURNITURE1 & 9/ALL$ AN ELABORATE
/]EO SY/EM4 ,! SMALL LIV+ ROOM 3VEY$ A
S5SE ( -=T : _H BE5 M>K$LY LACK+ A C\PLE
( YE>S E>LI]4
  8,I %D H GUESS$10 HE SD1 AF ,I 0 S1T$
ON ! BLUE FABRIC-COV]$ C\* & HE'D />T$
UP ! C(FEEMAK]1 8T Y KNEW ,CAVANAU<4 ,Y
ASK$ IF HE'D CALL$ F ,SAN ,FRANCISCO40
  ,! :OLE /ORY CAME \1 ! FATAL MEET+ AT
.,! .,S1TTLE .,"TS1 ": ,I 0 A /UD5T 9T]N
& ,TOM 0 A COPY $ITOR1 ,TOM'S UNHAPPY
M>RIAGE 6A W1L?Y B UN/A# WOMAN1 MY PREG-
NANCY1 H] PREGNANCY1 MY FLI<T 6,MISSIS-
SIPPI1 ": ,B5 0 "W+ 9 ! HOME MIS.NS1
,ADAM'S BIR?1 & MY PIGH1D$ DECI.N 6KEEP
,TOM ="E \ ( \R LIVES4
  8,!N10 ,I W5T ON Z ! RA9 CAME D[N H>D]
AG/ ! W9D[S1 8"O "D A YE> OR S AF ,I B"\
! PAP]1 ,TOM %[$ UP4 ,X 0 /RA9$ AT F/1 &
,I ?"\ HE ONLY WANT$ 6MEET ,ADAM4 ,I
F9,Y ALL[$ X1 & !Y'VE BE5 9 3TACT   #AIB
"E S9CE40
  ,LEO'S BR[N SPANIEL EYES 7 DIRECT & N
)\T SYMPA?Y4 8,:AT ELSE DID HE WANT80
  8,OOOH '''0 ,MY H& FLAPP$ AT ! AIR4
8,ME1 B J ONCE1 OV] AT ,LAKE ,*ELAN1 ":
"! 0 A NEWSPAP] 3F];E4 ,WE TRI$ 6MAKE "S
O!R PLANS1 B !Y ALW FELL "?1 USU,Y 2C (
,S&RA4 ,HE'D N"E L1VE H]1 ?\< HE SD HE
WD4 ,TOM 0 RI4L$ ) GUILT40 ,I BL9K$ S"E-
AL "TS AT ,LEO4 8,GD ,GOD6 ,I DIDN'T ASK
Y :AT HAPP5$ 6,S&RA6 ,Y M/ ?9K ,I'M "O
SELFI% BIT*40
  ,LEO PATT$ MY KNEE4 8,"O UPSET LL KIT-
T54 ,ACTU,Y1 ,I'M N SURE4 ,I ?9K %E MAY
H ,,OD'D ON ALL T M$IC9E %E TOOK4 ,! ON-
LY "TS ,I "E SAW H]--TWICE1 MAYBE--%E 0
PRETTY CRANK$ UP ON "S?+4 ,B ,TOM R>ELY
TALK$ AB H]40
  ,I FELT SICK4 8,,OD'D80 ,I CD PICTURE
,TOM1 9 ! HILLSIDE MAN.N ,I'D ALW 5VI-
.N$1 F9D+ 8 WIFE LY+ ON ! ELEGANT BA?-
ROOM TILES4 8,AN A3ID5T80 ,S&RA 0 "KN TO
?R1T5 SUICIDE4
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,LEO %RU7$4 8,Z ,I SD1
,TOM KEPT T /UFF 6HMF40             #AIC
  8,:580 ,:Y _HN'T ,TOM TOLD ME8 ,_H HE
LET ,ADAM "K8
  8,AH '''0 ,LEO SCANN$ ! CEIL+4 8,I ?9K
X 0 >.D ! HOLI"DS4 ,I ONLY F.D \ :5 HE
CALL$ ,MON"D NI<T40
  ,! S5SE ( NAUSEA 0 2G9N+ 6PASS4 ,FIVE
MON?S AGO4 ,MAYBE ,TOM 0 / GRIEV+4 ,MAY-
BE HE 0 9 %OCK4 ,MAYBE HE 0 A%AM$4
  8,I WOND] H[ _! KIDS TOOK X10 ,I SD4
,! LA/ ,I'D HE>D (! ,CAVANAU< SON &
DAU<T]1 !Y 7 LIV+ AWAY F HOME4
  8,I N"E MET 8 KIDS10 ,LEO REM>K$4
8,DID Y80
  8,NO40 ,I _H />T$ 6%AKE MY H1D1 B
/OPP$ ABRUPTLY4 8,YES4 ,ADAM4 ,X'S ODD
H[ NOBODY--9CLUD+ ME--SEEMS 6REMEMB] T
,ADAM IS ,TOM'S SON40
  ,LEO FELL BACK AG/ ! C\* CU%IONS4
8,HELL1 ,I %D H GUESS$6 ,HE LOOKS L
,CAVANAU<6 ,B ,I N"E '''0 ,UTT]+ A /UNT$
LL LAU<1 HE %OOK 8 H1D4
  8,CALL HM N[40 ,MY VOICE _H AN UNFA-
MILI> IMP]I\S R+4
  8,N[80 ,LEO REG>D$ ME CURI\SLY4 8,X'S
SIX O'C1 HE MI<T N 2 HOME40         #AID
  8,": WD HE BE80 ,I ASK$ ) BITE4 8,ON A
DATE80
  ,LEO WAV$ A H&4 8,HE CD 2 ANY":4 ,HE
TRAVELS Q A BIT4 ,HELL1 HE [NS PAP]S ALL
OV] ! ,WE/1 EV5 ,BRITI% ,COLUMBIA40
  8,CALL HM40
  ,LEO />T$ 6RESUME 8 PROTE/S1 !N SLUMP$
AG/ ! >MRE/4 8,OKAY4 ,:Y N80
  ,B ,LEO _H JUDG$ CORRECTLY2 ,TOM
WASN'T HOME4 ,ONLY AN ANSW]+-MA*9E MES-
SAGE CAME ACR ! L9E4 ,X 0 ,TOM'S VOICE1
& ,I %UT MY EYES Z ,LEO HELD UP ! RCVR &
,I HE>D ! FA9T1 FAMILI> 9FLEC;NS4
  8,I'LL CALL BACK LAT]10 ,LEO SD1 HANG+
UP )\T L1V+ A MESSAGE4
  ,NEI ( U SPOKE =A C\PLE ( M9UTES4 ,!
RA9 0 SPLATT]+ ! OLD1 WAVY GLASS1 &!
LI<T 0 DY+ 9 ! WE/4 ,LEO GOT UP 6FET*
C(FEE4 ,I DIDN'T FEEL L DR9K+ X1 B HAT$
6TURN D[N ! (F] AF MY HO/'S K9D;S4
  8,DON'T D ANY?+ J YET10 ,LEO CAU;N$1
H&+ ME A MUG : BORE ! LOGO (A ,CALI=NIA
DE"P;T-/ORE *A94
  8,I DIDN'T 9T5D TO10 ,I REPLI$ /I6LY4
  8,Y1H1 Y DID40 ,LEO *UCKL$ &      #AIE
SAT BACK D[N NEXT 6ME4 8,LET ME D A LL
DETECTIVE "W40
  8,L :AT80 ,I 0 SKEPTICAL4
  8,L ": ,CAVANAU< IS EMO;N,Y40 ,LEO
SIPP$ 8 C(FEE4 8,MAYBE HE'S NUTS1 TOO40
  8,MAYBE HE ALW WAS40 ,I CDN'T KEEP !
$GE \ ( MY VOICE4
  ,LEO DIDN'T RESPOND IMMLY4 ,:5 HE DID1
HE TURN$ >.D 6/>E 96MY FACE4 8,I'VE WON-
D]$ :O HE WAS4 ,I FELT ,I 0 FI<T+ A
PHANTOM40
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80
  8,ADAM'S DAD4 ,MY -PETI;N40 ,HE PUT
BO? H&S ON 8 KNEES & WI7L$ 8 P9KIE F+]S4
8,"!'VE BE5 "TS :5 ,I ?"\ Y & ,I MI<T H
"S?+ GO+ = U4 ,B ! M9UTE ,I GOT A LL BIT
CLOSE1 Y PUT UP ! ,8,NO ,VACANCY0' SIGN4
,!N T GO(Y ,%]IFF MADE (F ) Y1 AT L1/ =A
:ILE1 & ,I CDN'T FIGURE X \4 ,DODGE
WASN'T YR TYPE4 ,HE'S AB Z EXCIT+ Z G>D5
MUL*4 ,N[ X ALL MAKES S5SE40
  8,X DOES80
  8,SURE40 ,LEO TOOK ANO!R DR9K ( C(FEE4
  ,N"O ( X MADE ANY S5SE 6ME4 ,X N"E _H4
  ,B OH1 H[ ,I REMEMB]$4            #AIF

  ,HALF AN H\R LAT] AF TWO CUPS ( C(FEE
& ?REE CIG>ETTES1 ,I 0 CAPA# ( DRIV+4 ,I
GOT HOME >.D SEV51 B WASN'T HUNGRY4 ,IN-
/1D ( EAT+1 ,I CALL$ ,B5 9 ,TUBA ,C;Y4
  ,MY TALE ( WOE EVOK$ A LAU<4 ,PREDICT-
A# BRO!R1 TYPICAL ,B54 8,Y'RE A PRIE/10
,I PRACTIC,Y %\T$4 8,Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6-=T
ME40
  8,NO1 ,I'M N10 ,B5 RESPOND$ 9 ! VOICE
T ALW SEEM$ 6CRACKLE >.D ! $GES4 8,Y
DON'T WANT -=T4 ,Y J WANT 6TALK AB X &
ACT L A LOVE-CRAZ$ M>TYR4 ,HEY1 ,SLUG-
GLY10 HE 3T9U$1 RESURRECT+ 8 *ILDHOOD
NICK"N = ME1 8:AT WD Y D IF ,CAVANAU<
CALL$ "R N[ & ASK$ Y 6M>RY HM80
  8,I '''0 ,MY H& /RAY$ 6! GLASS ( ,PEP-
SI ON ! 5D TA# NEXT 6MY S(A4 8,I DON'T
"K10 ,I ADMITT$4
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,M>RIAGE WD RU9 X40 ,B5
3T9U$ 6S.D Q JOCUL>4 8,? IS YR GRTE/
ROLE4 ,IF ,I 7 A PRIE/ 6! />S1 ,I'D CALL
X ..,HOPE.S ''' & ,DAMN$ ,GLAD ( .,X40
  8,DROP D1D1 ,B540
  8,HEY--NEI ( U 0 SUIT$ =! M>RI$   #AIG
/ATE4 ,HAV5'T Y FIGUR$ T \ 0N[8 ,I C
MANAGE 2+ CELIBATE1 S C Y--MO/ (! "T4
,:Y FI<T YR S+LE VOC,N80
  8,>E Y SAY+ ,I %D H BE5 A NUN80 ,!
SN>L 9 MY VOICE WASN'T PRETTY4
  8,NO4 ,Y'D H MADE A CRAPPY NUN4 ,Y C'T
D MA?1 S Y CDN'T H G"O 96M$IC9E1 Y
HAV5'T ! TEMP]A;T 6T1*1 Y'VE GOT TOO M*
-MON S5SE 6BE A C\NSELOR--EXCEPT :5 X
-ES 6YR [N PRO#MS--& Y WON'T %UT UP = M
?AN TWO M9UTES AT A "T1 : NIXES A 3TEM-
PLATIVE ORD]4 ,Y'RE F9E J Z Y >E--S+LE
"M1 C>E]1 9DEP5D5T1 ALL T /UFF4 ,& ONCE
9 A :ILE Y C B1T YRF UP OV] ,TOM ,CAVA-
NAU< 2C "SH[ Y ?9K Y %D H BE5 LEG,Y W$4
,G AH1D1 WALL[ >.D =A C\PLE ( "DS4 ,!N
TAKE UP ) "S TW5TY-YE>-OLD /UD F YR NEW
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  8,NO1 N S9CE J AF ! ,ASC5.N40 ,X 0
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F1/ "DS4
  8,T 0 ALM TWO WEEKS AGO10 ,I NOT$4 8,D
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,TOM 9 ,/4 ,PAUL A C\PLE ( "DS 2F ,L5T
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  ,I FELT MY FACE /I654 8,DID ,ADAM "K T
,TOM'S WIFE _H DI$80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,0 ,B5 LY+8 ,DID PRIE/S "E LIE8 ,(
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HUMAN ?AN MO/4 ,OR MAYBE T 0 2C ,I KNEW
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FACT1 Y'RE A L\SY LI>1 ,/5*40 ,I TACK$
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  ,B5 SI<$4 8,TOM ASK$ ,ADAM N 6TELL Y4
,N YET1 ANYWAY4 ,HE NE$$ "T40
  8,"T8 ,! SONUVABIT* HAS _H TW5TY-FIVE
YE>S60
  8,DUR+ : "T HE 0 M>RI$ 6A WOMAN   #AII
:O HAS REC5TLY DI$40 ,B5'S VOICE 0 S DRY
T X N ONLY CRACKL$1 B SEEM$ 6%R$4 8,-E
ON1 ,SLU7LY1 GIVE ! GUY A BR1K4 ,I DON'T
"K :AT HAPP5$ 6,MRS4 ,CAVANAU<--,ADAM
DIDN'T SAY1 MAYBE HE DOESN'T "K1 EI--B
:AT"E X WAS1 Y C 2 SURE ,TOM IS BLAM+
HMF4 ,HAV5'T Y TOLD ME HE'S GOT GUILT
ET*$ ON 8 MANLY *E/80
  8,%UT UP40 ,I _H L1N$ BACK ON ! S(A1 )
A H& OV] MY EYES4 ,( C\RSE ,TOM WD FEEL
GUILTY2 ( C\RSE HE'D BLAME HMF4
  ,MY DOORBELL RANG4 ,X 0 "W+ AG1 AF A
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  8,I'VE GOT 6G10 ,I SD 6,B54 8,"S"O'S
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EXPRES.N _H BE5 REPLAC$ )A SELF-
DEPRECAT+ SMILE4
  8,MAY ,I -E IN1 ,EMMA80 ,HE PLAC$ "O
T5TATIVE FOOT ON ! ?RE%OLD4
  8,SURE4 ,C ,I GET Y "S?+ 6DR9K80 ,I
WAV$ AT MY GLASS ( POP ON ! 5D TA#4
  8,NO1 ?ANKS4 ,I J ATE D9N]40 ,NAT S1T$
HMF 9 "O ( MY TWO MAT*+ >M*AIRS4 8,I'M
AFRAID ,I WASN'T V HELP;L :5 Y CAME 6SEE
ME YE/]"D4 ,I WANT 6APOLOGIZE4 ,I 0 / V
UPSET40
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M9E4 8,I APPRECIATE T4 ,S DOES ! RE/ (!
FACULTY & /AFF40
  ,3C5TRAT+1 ,I TRI$ 6REMEMB] EXACTLY
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6EYE4 ,DON'T TAKE ME WR;G1 HE 0 A WOND]-
;L B5EFACTOR & 8 BUSI;S ADVICE 0 S.D4 ,B
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8,"! 7 "S H1T$ 4CUS.NS AT \R PRIVATE
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TEES W5T AL;G ) ,E9>4 ,=TUNATELY1 ! O!R
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MEMB]S40
  8,? IS (FICIAL80 ,I ASK$4
  8,X W BE1 AT ! NEXT BO>D-(-TRU/EES
MEET+10 ,NAT SD1 8 GAZE TAK+ 9 MY COZY
LIV+ ROOM ) XS /"O FIREPLACE & P9E-LOG
WALLS4 8,WE HOPE 6H ^W F ! GOV]NOR ON A
NEW APPO9T;T 0!N40
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,DUGAN40
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LIPS4
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SD1 MAK+ A WILD GUESS4              #BJC
  8,NO1 NO40 ,NAT FR[N$4 8,I HOPE WE'RE
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"Y MAN1 & %E SEEMS ''' WELL1 A BIT
FLI<TY4 ,Y N"E "K AB P1 ?\<1 :5 X -ES TO
ROM.E40
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,E9> 0 TYPICAL ( "S ,ALP9]S1 9T]M>RIAGE
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_H A UNIV]SAL R+ 6ME4
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,NAT SMIL$1 ! BRILLIANT
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0 NO?+ (! SORT10 HE W5T ON1 GETT+ 6HIS
FEET4 8,J A 4AGREE;T AM;G ! TRU/EES : WD
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