,,! ,,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
      ,%>ON ,CILLEY1 ,LAURA ,COX1
           & ,NANCY ,HAMILTON
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #E
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #DJG-DHF


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
























            ,*APT] ,SEV5TE5         #DJG

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  8,NO4 ,MOLLY %[$ ME IN10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,HUNH40 ,$ SAT D[N 9 "O (! LAWN
*AIRS1 CAUS+ X 6CR1K OM9\SLY4 8,MAYBE %E
DIDN'T HE> Y R+40
  ,%IRLEY LET \ A SMALL SQU1L ( ANNOY.E4
8,$1 Y C HE> T *IME 9 ,/>TUP6 ,I WI% Y'D
FIGURE \ "S WAY 6L[] ! VOLUME40 ,TURN+
6ME1 %E SEEM$ UNUSU,Y PROVOK$4 8,EI
,BIRGITTA IS LAZY1 OR %E ?9KS       #DBB
%E'S TOO GD = U4 ,%E TOLD ME ? MORN+ %E
WASN'T A MAID1 %E 0 AN AU PAIR4 ,"E S9CE
%E GOT ? NO;N AB T GOLD 2L;G+ 6H]1 %E'S
BE5 IMPOSSI#4 ,! NEXT "T %E ?R1T5S 6G
BACK 6,SW$51 ,I'M GO+ 6HELP H] PACK40
  8,N[1 ,%IRL10 ,$ 2GAN1 8HOLD ON4 ,:5 !
MOVIE D1L -ES "?1 ,I'M GO+ 6NE$ ALL !
HELP ,I--0
  ,BIRGITTA /OOD ON ! S+LE /EP \TSIDE (!
,FR5* DOORS4 8,Y WI%$ = ME80 %E ASK$ 9 A
*ILLY VOICE4
  ,$ /AMM]$ A BIT1 B ,%IRLEY 0 / ANGRY4
8,YES1 WE DID1 ,BIRGITTA4 ,MS4 ,"L IS "H
6SEE Y40
  ,ONCE AG1 ,I FELT 9SIGNIFICANT4 ,9 !
GROC]Y AISLE ( LIFE1 IF ,BIRGITTA _H BE5
A L;G1 LUSCI\S CUCUMB]1 ,I'D 2 A MIDGET
DILL PICKLE4 ,B ,I HELD MY GR.D Z BE/ ,I
CD "U H] )]+ ICE-BLUE GAZE4
  8,I H "S 9=M,N Y'VE BE5 SEEK+10 ,I SD1
GRATE;L T MY VOICE DIDN'T -E \ 9 A
SQU1K4 8,X'S AB YR GRT-GR&"F40
  ,! BLUE EYES WID5$ &! B1UTI;L FACE
SEEM$ 6S(T54 8,GRT-GR&"F ,ULF80 %E SD 9
A HU%$ T"O4                         #DBC
  ,I NO4$4 8,CD WE G 9SIDE80
  8,NO NE$ = T10 ,$ ALL B %\T$4 8,WE'RE
ALL FAMILY "H4 ,H A S1T1 ,GITTY4 ,LET'S
BR1K \ ! ,LABLATT'S4 ,A BE] S.DS GD AB
N[40
  8,I ?9K X'S ,LABATT'S10 ,I SD "U MY
BR1?4 8,ANYWAY1 X'S RA9+4 ,BIRGITTA &
,I'LL G 96! ''' AH ''' BALLROOM40 ,I
HURRI$ PA/ ! AU PAIR GIRL1 ASSUM+ %E WD
FOLL[4
  ,BIRGITTA DID1 B %E OBVI\SLY KNEW H]
EMPLOY]S V WELL4 8,MY ROOM10 %E SD S(T-
LY4 8,X IS UP/AIRS1 V PRIVATE1 V NICE1
EXCEPT = HAM/]S40
  ,! HAM/]S1 ,B1VIS & ,BUTT-H1D1 2L;G$
6,JOEY ,BRONSKY1 :O LIKES 6LET 8 PETS
ROAM FREE4 ,H["E1 ,I SAW NO SIGN (! ANI-
MALS :5 WE 5T]$ ,BIRGITTA'S SECOND-FLOOR
ROOM1 :1 3SID]+ ,$ & ,%IRLEY'S PROP5SI-
TIES1 0 ALM AU/]E4
  ,WE SAT 9 MAT*+ >M.S *AIRS COV]$ 9 "S
SORT ( BLUE MAT]IAL ) BIG DU/ RU6LES4
8,TELL ME1 PL1SE1 AB MY ANCE/OR10 %E
VIRTU,Y BE7$4 8,I "K ! GOLD IS HIS1 & S
IS N[ M9E40                         #DBD
  ,I DECID$ AG/ W>N+ ,BIRGITTA T MY K
WDN'T NECESS>ILY HELP ) H] CLAIM4 ,SL[-
LY1 C>E;LLY1 ,I EXPLA9$ T ,ULF ,L9DHOLM
_H BE5 ROMANTIC,Y 9VOLV$ )A "Y WOMAN "ND
,*RI/9A ,&]S54 ,!Y _H N"E M>RI$1 ,I SD1
AVOID+ ,VIDA'S SUSPICION T ,*RI/9A _H
BE5 A HOOK]4
  8,!Y _H DAU<T]80 ,BIRGITTA'S EYES _H
MOI/5$4 8,:AT 2CAME ( DAU<T]80
  8,?YRA ,&]S5 M>RI$ A MAN "ND ,E9>
,RASMUSS510 ,I SD4 8,!Y >E BO? / ALIVE &
LIV+ 9 ,SNOHOMI%40 ,I L[]$ MY VOICE1 &
D>$ 6R1* \ A H& 6,BIRGITTA4 8,X 0 _!
SON1 ,E9> ,RASMUSS5 ,JR41 :O 0 MURD]$ A
WEEK AGO LA/ ,MON"D40
  ,6MY A/ONI%;T1 ,BIRGITTA BROKE 96A
BROAD SMILE4 8,GD4 ,HE _C CLAIM GOLD4 ,?
,?YRA &! O!R ,E9>--!Y M/ 2 V OLD4 ,SOON
!Y W DIE1 EH80
  8,I WDN'T BET ON ,?YRA10 ,I SD1 & R1L-
IZ$ F ,BIRGITTA'S PUZZL$ EXPRES.N T %E
DIDN'T "U/& :AT ,I M1NT4 8,T IS1 ,?YRA
IS 9 FAIRLY GD H1L?4 ,MR4 ,RASMUSS5 IS
N40
  8,I M/ SEE ? ,?YRA10 ,BIRGITTA    #DBE
SD4 8,%E W 2 FAIR4 ,I HE> T ? MURD]$ MAN
0 V RI*40
  8,?YRA10 ,I SD 4T9CTLY1 8IS A SELFI%
WOMAN4 ,IF Y M/ SEE H]1 S9CE %E IS YR
K9SWOMAN1 DON'T 2 TOO OPTIMI/IC40
  ,! CAU;N SEEM$ 6ROLL "R (F ,BIRGITTA'S
T\<1 B1UTI;L HIDE4 8,I W MAKE H] SEE :AT
IS "R4 ,"! W 2 NO TR\#40
  ,I _H 6ADMIRE ! GIRL'S SPUNK4 ,MAYBE
,?YRA 0 AB 6MEET H] MAT*4 ,! AG$ MATRI>*
&! "Y AU PAIR 7 K91 AF ALL4 ,I WI%$
,BIRGITTA GD LUCK & /1L?ILY SLIPP$ \ (
,CASA DE ,BRONSKA4 ,I CD H H&L$ AN 5C.T]
) ,B1VIS & ,BUTT-H1D1 B ,$ & ,%IRLEY 9
SWIMWE> 0 DEF9ITELY A SC>Y SI<T4

  ,D9N] 0 A GRILL$-*EESE S&WI* & AN AP-
PLE4 ,I NOT$ ! FAT R$ Z]O ON MY ANSW]+
MA*9E1 OP5$ MY UN9T]E/+ BAT* ( MAIL1
TURN$ ON ! BASEBALL GAME1 & R1D .,!
.,S1TTLE .,"TS4 ,X 0 ALM SEV5 :5 ,I 2GAN
6WOND] :Y ,I _HN'T HE>D F ,VIDA4 ,P]H AF
H] VISIT 6,M>LYS & ,DEIRDRE1 %E'D G"O ON
6,SNOHOMI%1 6TAUNT ,?YRA ,RASMUSS54
  ,! ,M>9]S _H J MADE ! LA/ \ TO    #DBF
DEF1T ! ,BLUE ,JAYS 9 ,TORONTO :5 MY
DOORBELL RANG4 ,I ASSUM$ X 0 ,VIDA1 /OP-
P+ 6REPORT ON H] VISIT,NS1 S ,I OP5$ !
DOOR )\T BO!R+ 6LOOK "? ! PEEPHOLE4
  ,X 0 ,MILO4 ,RA9DROPS _H DAMP5$ 8 REG-
UL,N HAT & JACKET1 & 8 L;G FACE LOOK$ F>
L;G] ?AN USUAL4
  8,:AT'S WR;G80 ,I ASK$ Z A SU45 SPASM
( FE> TOOK HOLD ( MY HE>T4
  ,MILO TOOK "O /EP =W>D1 !N /OPP$ & RE-
MOV$ 8 HAT4 8,X'S ,VIDA10 HE SD1 WIP+ 8
BR[4 8,%E'S BE5 %OT40












             ,*APT] ,EI<TE5         #DBG

  ,I _HN'T HE>D ,MILO "R4 ,! PRESID5T1 !
POPE1 ! PUPPETS ON .,! .,MUPPETS CD ALL
GET %OT1 & ,I'D 2 UPSET1 B N 9CR$UL\S4
,VIDA 0 9DE/RUCTI#1 IMMORTAL1 IMP]VI\S
6A3ID5T1 41SE1 OR W1PONRY4 ,! ,%]IFF _H
6REP1T 8 9=M,N ?REE "TS 2F X SANK IN4 ,I
M/ H /A7]$1 2C HE PUT AN >M >.D ME &
MUTT]$ "S?+ T S.D$ L 8/1DY40
  8,DOC ,DEWEY SAYS %E'LL 2 OKAY10 HE SD
AT LA/1 /E]+ ME 96! LIV+ ROOM & %UTT+ !
DOOR 2H U4 8,RE,Y40
  ,MY E>S 7 / R++ Z ,I FLOPP$ ONTO ! SO-
FA4 8,I ''' ,I ''' ,:AT HAPP5$80
  ,MILO /OOD AWKW>DLY 0"O (! >M*AIRS1
HAT 9 H&4 8,TAKE X EASY4 ,D Y WANT A
DR9K80
  ,I NO4$4 8,GET "O = YRF10 ,I CALL$ AF
HM4
  ,I HE>D HM 9 ! KIT*51 GETT+ GLASSES1
TAK+ D[N ! B\RBON &! ,SCOT* BOTTLES F !
TOP %ELF ABV ! REFRIG]ATOR1 RATTL+ ICE1
P\R+ WAT]1 ALL ! FAMILI> S.DS T BR"\
BACK A FLOOD ( MEMORIES4 ,0! "T HE
RETURN$ 6! LIV+ ROOM1 ,I 0 FI<T+    #DBH
TE>S4 ,= ,VIDA1 = ,MILO1 = ME4
  8,VIDA _H G"O 6,E9> ,RASMUSS5 ,JR4'S
H\SE ON ! ,SKY10 ,MILO 2GAN AF TAK+ A
DEEP SIP ( ,SCOT*4 8,Y "K ! PLACE80 ,HE
SAW ME NOD4 8,%E GOT \ (! C> & 0 H1D$ UP
! WALK :5 "SBODY %OT H] TWICE F 2H4 ,!Y
GOT H] 9 ! LEFT %\LD] & "? ! HAT4 ,Z
,DOC SD1 %E %D 2 F9E1 B "O ( H] :ITE
DOVES IS D1D Z A DODO40 ,! M]E/ H9T (A
SMILE PLAY$ AT 8 L;G M\?4
  8,JESUS10 ,I BR1!D1 MY %\LD]S SLUMP+ 9
RELIEF4 8,? DOESN'T SEEM R1L4 ,/>T OV]40
  ,MILO SAT BACK 9 ! >M*AIR1 AL LOOK+
SLI<TLY M RELAX$4 8,VIDA GOT AB SIX FEET
F ! ,BUICK1 & 0 HIT4 ,T'S PRETTY M* :AT
HAPP5$4 ,%E ?9KS %E BLACK$ \4 ,F9,Y1 %E
CRAWL$ 6! C> & />T$ HONK+ ! HORN4 ,NO-
BODY HE>D H]1 S "SH[ %E MANAG$ 6GET BACK
6! HI<WAY40
  ,I REMEMB]$ ! W9D+ ROAD T L$ 6! DRIVE-
WAY4 ,X 0 FLANK$ 0V9E MAPLES1 COTTON-
WOODS1 "EGRE5S1 F]NS1 & SALMONB]RY BU%-
ES4 ,"S"O CD EASILY H HI45 "!4 ,B X 0 !
TW5TY Y>DS ( DIRT ROAD T UPSET ME Z ,I
PICTUR$ ,VIDA /A7]+1 P]H ON H&S &   #DBI
KNEES1 TRY+ DESP]ATELY 6SEEK HELP4
  8,ANYWAY10 ,MILO W5T ON1 8%E FLA7$ D[N
A GUY F ,W5AT*EE 9 A PICKUP4 ,HE BR"\ H]
96! HOSPITAL "H4 ,LUCKILY1 ,DOC 0 / AT !
CL9IC4 ,HE REMOV$ ! BULLET1 B %E'S / 9 !
RECOV]Y ROOM40
  ,MY P]SONAL FEEL+S _H 9T]F]$ ) MY PRO-
FES.NAL RESPONSIBILITIES4 ,I _HN'T ?"\
6ASK IF ,MILO _H A SUSPECT4 ,:5 ,I DID1
HE MADE A FACE4
  8,N YET4 ,X />T$ RA9+ :ILE ,VIDA 0
TRY+ 6GET 6! MA9 ROAD4 ,DWI<T & ,SAM H
BE5 LOOK+ = FOOTPR9TS OR "S O!R EVID;E1
B S F>1 NO G40
  ,?"\;LLY1 ,I SWIRL$ ! RE/ ( MY B\RBON
& WAT] 9 ! *IMNEY GLASS4 8,DIDN'T ANY-
BODY HE> ,VIDA HONK ! HORN8 ,:AT AB !
,RASMUSS5S80
  ,MILO RAIS$ 8 H&S1 PALMS UP4 8,!Y'RE
G"O40
  8,G"O8 ,Z 9 ,8MOV$ \0'80
  8,! H\SE IS FULL ( PACK+ CRATES10 HE
REPLI$4 8,DWI<T & ,SAM CD SEE !M "? !
W9D[S4 ,"! >E "S O!R H\SES (F T ROAD1 B
! DIP%ITS :O LIVE "! CLAIM !Y       #DCJ
DIDN'T HE> ANY HONK+4 ,!Y DIDN'T SEE
ANY?+1 EI4 ,X MAY 2 TRUE4 ,_! PLACES
>5'T ALL T CLOSE 6! ,RASMUSS5S'40
  8,& POOR ,VIDA SAW NO?+80
  ,MILO %OOK 8 H1D4 8,N T %E C RECALL40
  ,I F9I%$ MY DR9K & /OOD UP4 8,I'M GO+
6! HOSPITAL4 ,VIDA %D 2 \ (! RECOV]Y
ROOM SOON4 ,I WANT 6BE "!4 ,H Y CALL$ H]
DAU<T]S OR ,BUCK YET80
  ,MILO _H AL GOTT5 6HIS FEET4 8,I _H
,TONI D T4 ,I WANT$ 6TELL Y 9 P]SON40
  ,I FELT W1K4 8,?ANKS1 ,MILO40 ,IMPUL-
SIVELY1 ,I KISS$ 8 *EEK4
  8,S'OKAY10 HE MUM#D1 S.D+ N UNLIKE AN
EMB>RASS$ ?IRTE5-YE>-OLD4 8,Y WANT 6RIDE
) ME 6! HOSPITAL80
  ,I HESITAT$4 ,RID+ "! M1NT RID+ BACK4
,AT ! MO;T ,I WASN'T CAPA# ( PREDICT+ MY
EMO;NS4 8,NO10 ,I SD1 GO+ 6GET MY JACKET
\ (! FRONT CLOSET4 8,Y MAY GET A CALL1 &
!N ,I'D 2 /UCK4 ,I'LL TAKE ! ,JAG40
  8,:AT"E40 ,HE PUT 8 HAT BACK ON & OP5$
! DOOR = ME4 ,!N1 Z WE WALK$ "? ! RA9 TO
\R RESPECTIVE C>S1 HE *UCKL$ GRIMLY4 8,!
FUNNY ?+ IS1 ,I 0 AB 6GET HOLD (    #DCA
,VIDA :5 ! CALL CAME 9 F ! HOSPITAL4 ,WE
GOT T SKULL-RECON/RUC;N DRAW+ LATE ?
AFN4 ,I WANT$ H] 6LOOK AT X40
  ,I PAUS$ 0MY C>PORT4 8,D Y H X ) Y80
  ,! ,%]IFF NO4$4 8,I'VE GOT A HUNDR$
COPIES4 ,WANT A PEEK80
  8,SURE4 ,C Y BR+ X 9 ) Y :5 WE GET 6!
HOSPITAL80
  ,MILO NO4$ AG4 8,IF ,DOC'S "!1 ,I'LL
%[ X 6HM4 ,9 FACT1 ,I'LL PO/ A COPY 9 !
LO2Y40
  8,GD40 ,I GAVE HM A W1K SMILE & GOT
96! ,JAG4
  ,VIDA'S DAU<T]1 ,AMY1 & H] HUSB&1 ,T$
,HI2]T1 7 ALR 9 ! WAIT+ ROOM4 ,I SAW NO
SIGN ( _! WRET*$ SON1 ,ROG]1 ?\< ,I M/
3FESS 6A FLEET+ VI.N ( HM "UGO+
ELECTRIC-%OCK !RAPY 9 "S %AD[Y CORN] (!
HOSPITAL4 ,9 R1L;Y1 A SADI/IC ,ROG] WD 2
ADM9I/]+ X 6"S HAP.S VICTIM4 ,L ME4
  8,EMMA60 ,AMY CRI$1 JUMP+ UP & EMBRAC+
ME4 ,%E IS Z TALL Z H] "M1 B N NE>LY S
IMPOS+4 8,BE? & ,MEG WANT$ 6-E1 B ,I
TOLD !M 6WAIT10 %E SD1 REL1S+ ME &
SQUEEZ+ A MANGL$ ,KLE5EX 9 "O H&4   #DCB
8,MOM W FEEL M* BETT] TM1 & X'S ,SATUR-
"D1 S T "WS \ BETT] E : WAY40
  ,S9CE ! O!R DAU<T]S & _! FAMILIES LIV$
\ ( T[N1 ,AMY'S R,NALE MADE S5SE4 ,:5 X
CAME 6PRACTICAL;Y1 ! TRIO TOOK AF ,VIDA4
8,YR "M'S 9 NO DANG]1 ,I'M TOLD10 ,I SD1
%AK+ ,T$'S LIMP H&4
  8,NO1 NO10 ,AMY REPLI$1 H] R.D FACE &
BLUNT F1TURES EXPRESS+ RELIEF4 8,DOC
,DEWEY SAYS %E'LL 2 A HUNDR$ P]C5T 9 NO
"T4 ,B ISN'T X AW;L8 ,ALL ^! GUNS6 ,:Y
DON'T P G 6"O (! GRAVEL PITS IF !Y WANT
6%OOT T>GET PRACTICE8 ,J LOOK AT ALL !
HI<WAY SIGNS1 FULL ( BULLET HOLES40
  ,"SH[1 X _H N"E O3URR$ 6ME T ,VIDA _H
BE5 %OT 0A3ID5T4 ,I R1LIZ$ T IF X _H OC-
CURR$ 6,MILO1 HE'D RUL$ \ ! POSSIBIL;Y4
,C]TA9LY HE'D N"E SU7E/$ S* A ?+ 6ME4 ,B
"! 0 NO NE$ 6AL>M ,AMY FUR!R4
  8,YR "M'S V /R;G1 PHYSIC,Y & M5T,Y10
,I PO9T$ \1 SEEK+ SAF] GR.D ?AN H[ OR :Y
,VIDA _H 5D$ UP 9 ! HOSPITAL4 8,H Y ANY
LATE ^W ON H] 3DI;N80
  ,AMY %OOK H] H1D4 8,ONLY T %E %D 2 9
H] ROOM >.D N9E4 ,X'S TW5TY 6N[40   #DCC
  ,=! NEXT FIFTE5 M9UTES WE MADE 9NOCU\S
3V]S,N4 ,OR1 R1 ,AMY DID4 ,T$1 A TALL1
?9 MAN NE>+ FIFTY1 ALW LETS 8 WIFE D !
TALK+4 ,I SUPPOSE T 0 ! PRICE A MAN PD
:5 HE M>RI$ A ,RUNKEL WOMAN4
  8,S ! T1*] SD 6,ROG]1 ,8,IF Y DON'T
PUT T PELICAN D[N1 ,I'M GO+ 6H TO '''0'0
,AMY RAM#D ON :ILE ,I WOND]$ ": ,MILO
WAS4 ,PUTT+ UP FACIAL-RECON/RUC;N PO/]S1
,I FIGUR$1 MAYBE N ONLY 9 ! HOSPITAL
LO2Y1 B ON UTIL;Y POLES NE>BY4
  ,AT TWO M9UTES 2F N9E1 ! ,%]IFF F9,Y
JO9$ U4 ,HE W5T "? ! MO;NS ( GREET+ ,AMY
& ,T$1 !N TURN$ 6ME ) AN ANNOY$ EXPRES.N
ON 8 FACE4
  8,I *ECK$ 9 )! ,SNOHOMI% ,RASMUSS5S J
N[10 HE SD4 8,I TALK$ 6! H\SEKEEP]1
,MRS4 ,/EELMAN4 ,%E TOLD ME T !Y _HN'T
SE5 ANY SIGN ( ,DEIRDRE1 ,B1U1 OR ,DAV-
IN40
  ,I />$ AT ,MILO4 8,": >E !Y80
  ,MILO %RU7$ 9 4GU/4 8,:O "KS8 ,WE'LL
PUT \ AN ,,APB4 ,"H10 HE SD )A %ORT SI<1
& H&$ ME ! DRAW+4 8,LOOK FAMILI>80
  ,! >TI/'S SKET* REM9D$ ME ( ^?    #DCD
P5CIL PORTRAITS R5D]$ AT %OPP+ MALLS &
C.TY FAIRS4 ,! FACE LOOK$ SU6ICI5TLY
R1L1 YET "! 0 AN E]IE QUAL;Y 6X1 Z IF ,I
CD ACTU,Y SEE ! SKULL T LURK$ "UN1? !
IMAG9$ FLE%4
  8,NO10 ,I SD1 / /UDY+ ! DRAW+4 ,! WOM-
AN 0 MI4LE-AG$1 R PRETTY1 ) WIDE-SET
EYES & /R;G-LOOK+ TEE?4 ,"! 0 NO "* 9 !
FACE1 H["E2 SKELETAL REMA9S ONLY %[ ":
Y'VE G"O1 N H[ Y GOT "!4
  ,NEI ,AMY NOR ,T$ RECOGNIZ$ ! POR-
TRAIT1 EI4 ,DOC ,DEWEY 5T]$ ! WAIT+ ROOM
J !N 6TELL U T ,VIDA 0 9 H] ROOM & DO+ J
F9E4
  8,DON'T WE> H] \1 ?\<10 ,G]ALD ,DEWEY
CAU;N$1 DIRECT+ 8 MESSAGE M 6,AMY ?AN !
RE/ ( U4 8,%E'S / A LL WOOZY4 ,KEEP !
VISIT 6T5 M9UTES40 ,HE SMIL$1 ! SAME
K9DLY EXPRES.N T 8 "F1 ,OLD ,DOC ,DEWEY1
_H %[N 8 PATI5TS = =TY YE>S4
  ,I H>DLY RECOGNIZ$ ,VIDA4 ,%E 0 PROPP$
UP ON PILL[S1 ) ALL SORTS ( ,,IV'S RUNN+
96H] H&S4 ,H] USU,Y T\SL$ GRAY CURLS 7
LIMP1 & H] SK9 0 V PALE4 ,"SH[ %E LOOK$
SMALL]1 ?9N]1 B T WASN'T POSSI#4    #DCE
,N EV5 A BULLET CD DIM9I% ,VIDA4
  ,CLUMSILY1 ,AMY KISS$ H] "M'S *EEK1 !N
2GAN 6CRY4 8,OH1 ,T$60 %E SO2$1 COLLAPS+
AG/ H] HUSB&4 8,ISN'T X AW;L8 ,POOR
,MOM60
  ,VIDA EMITT$ A NOISE T S.D$ L 8%U%40
,I PATT$ H] H& & ,MILO WAV$4 ,AMY TOOK
ANO!R ,KLE5EX F A BOX ON ! /& 0,VIDA'S
B$ & WIP$ H] EYES4
  8,? IS HORRI#1 T]RI#10 ,AMY RATTL$ ON4
8,:O CD H D"O ?8 ,OH1 ,MOM1 ,I WI% .,I
_H A GUN60
  ,VIDA TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,PL1SE1 ,AMY4
,Y'RE 4TRESS+ ME40
  ,AG1 ,AMY FLUNG H]F ON H] "M4 ,I 0
AFRAID %E'D 4LODGE ! ,,IV'S4 8,MOM6
,DON'T SAY T6 ,I'D N"E D ANY?+ 6UPSET Y6
,I LOVE Y1 ,MOM6 ,I LOVE Y S60
  8,YES1 YES10 PANT$ ,VIDA F 2N ! WEI<T
( H] DAU<T]4 8,N[1 D GET UP40
  ,MILO 0 HOLD+ A COPY (! RECON/RUC;N4
8,VIDA1 WD Y M9D TAK+ A QK LOOK8 ,WE GOT
? BACK F ,"EETT A FEW H\RS AGO4 ,S F>1
NO TAK]S40
  ,MO;T>ILY1 ,VIDA LOOK$ 3FUS$4     #DCF
8,:AT8 ,OH6 ,! SKULL40 ,%E TRI$ 6SCOOT
UP A BIT F>!R ON ! PILL[S4 8,OH1 DE>--":
>E MY GLASSES80
  ,MILO LOOK$ EMB>RASS$4 8,!Y FELL (F :5
Y GOT %OT4 ,9 FACT1 !Y'RE BROK54 ,SAM &
,DWI<T H !M4 ,!Y'LL BR+ ! FRAMES & YR
O!R /UFF :5 !Y GET D"O SE>*+ ! ,RASMUSS5
PLACE40
  ,VIDA SC[L$1 !N TURN$ 6,AMY4 8,Y H A
KEY 6MY H\SE4 ,FET* MY OLD PAIR1 )! TOR-
TOISE%ELL FRAMES4 ,!Y'RE 9 ! TOP DRAW] (
MY BUR1U40
  ,AMY />T$ 6PROTE/1 B ,VIDA WAV$ A F+]4
8,G4 ,X WON'T TAKE T5 M9UTES4 ,I M/ SEE
? DRAW+40
  ,AMY & ,T$ LEFT4 ,MILO & ,I LI/5$ :ILE
,VIDA REC.T$ H] H>R[+ EXP]I;E AT ! ,RAS-
MUSS5S'4 8,I DIDN'T R1LIZE ! H\SE 0 VA-
CANT10 %E SD AF ,MILO 9=M$ H] AB ! PACK+
CRATES4 8,I DIDN'T GET Q T CLOSE4 ,RE,Y1
X'S ALL S HAZY4 ,I WI% ,I CD 2 M SPECIF-
IC40
  ,I RELAT$ MY VISIT 6,CASA DE ,BRONSKA4
,VIDA 0 AMUS$ 0,BIRGITTA'S PLUCK4 8,T W
SAVE ME A TRIP 6,SNOHOMI%4 ,I       #DCG
SUPPOSE ,I'LL 2 \ ( -MIS.N =A "D OR TWO4
,H[ VEX+40
  ,DOC ,DEWEY _H 5T]$ ! ROOM4 8,M ?AN T1
,VIDA10 HE SD )A SMILE4 8,I'M N LETT+ Y
\ ( "H UNTIL ,MON"D1 AT L1/4 ,& !N ,I
WANT Y 6TAKE X EASY =! RE/ (! WEEK4
,DOCTOR'S ORD]S40
  8,G]ALD60 ,VIDA />T$ 6RISE F ! PILL[S1
B IMMLY FELL BACK4 8,DE> ME6 ,I D FEEL A
BIT /RANGE4 ,I SUPPOSE X'S T ANES!TIC40
  ,DOC NO4$4 8,I'M AB 6?R[ YR VISITORS
\4 ,Y NE$ "S P1CE & QUIET40
  ,MILO PRODUC$ ! DRAW+4 8,DOC1 TAKE A
LOOK4 ,DOES ? FACE SEEM FAMILI>80
  ,DOC PE]$ AT ! DRAW+4 8,I DON'T ?9K S4
,%D X80
  8,PROBABLY N10 ,MILO SD )A SMALL SI<4
  ,AMY RETURN$ AL"O1 GLASSES CASE 9 H&4
8,T$'S WAIT+ 9 ! C>4 ,HE 9SI/S ,I %DN'T
/AY4 ,"H1 ,MOM40 ,%E H&$ ! CASE 6,VIDA4
  ,) EF=T1 ,VIDA REMOV$ ! FAMILI> TOR-
TOISE%ELL GLASSES F ! CASE & PUT !M ON4
8,MY4 ,^! SEEM /RANGE N[ T ,I'VE GOTT5
US$ 6! NEW "OS4 ,LET'S SEE T PICTURE1
,MILO40                             #DCH
  ,DOC />T$ 69T]V5E4 8,-E ON1 FOLKS1 Y
C'T WE> ,VIDA \40
  ,MILO HELD UP "O F+]4 8,? WON'T TAKE
H] ANY L;G] ?AN X TOOK Y4 ,A YES OR NO
IS ALL ,I WANT40
  ,VIDA 0 />+ AT ! DRAW+4 ,H] JAW _H
DROPP$ & H] H&S %OOK "E S SLI<TLY4 ,%E
MOV$ ! GLASSES UP & D[N ON H] NOSE1 !N
PU%$ ! DRAW+ BACK AT ,MILO4
  8,9CR$I#10 %E SD 9 A /RICK5 VOICE4 8,I
M/ 2 HALLUC9AT+40
  ,GA!R$ >.D ! B$1 WE ALL L1N$ =W>D4 8,Y
"K :O X IS80 ,MILO ASK$4
  ,VIDA NO4$ ONCE1 H] H1D TURN$ AWAY F
U4 8,YES40 ,%E SWALL[$ ) DI6ICULTY4
8,X'S ,M>LYS ,RASMUSS540

  ,MILO />T$ :AT S.D$ L A B>RAGE ( "QS1
B ,DOC ,DEWEY GRIPP$ ! ,%]IFF 0! %\LD] &
/E]$ HM \ (! ROOM4 ,AMY & ,I KNEW BETT]
?AN 6L+]4 ,) %\TS ( LOVE = H] "M1 ,AMY
FOLL[$ ME 96! CORRIDOR4
  8,*RI/10 ,MILO BR1!D :5 WE 7 \ ( HE>+
RANGE4 8,VIDA M/ 2 3FUS$4 ,H[ ! HELL CD
? 2 ,M>LYS8 ,DIDN'T Y SAY Y SAW     #DCI
H] AT ! FUN]AL80
  ,I1 TOO1 D\BT$ ! CURR5T /ATE ( ,VIDA'S
M5TAL PR[ESS4 8,2T ! ANES!TIC &! %OCK1
%E M/ 2 4ORI5T$4 ,%[ X 6H] AG TM1 :5
%E'S _H "S RE/ &! ANES!TIC'S WORN (F40
  ,MILO DIDN'T RESPOND4 ,WE 7 WALK+ "? !
N[ EMPTY WAIT+ ROOM4 ,HE KEPT SIL5T UN-
TIL WE 7 \ ON ! /REET4
  8,I'M ALL MIX$ UP10 ! ,%]IFF SD SU45-
LY4 8,NO--MAYBE ,I'M J ! _W'S BI7E/ DUMB
%IT40
  ,X 0 D>K1 )! RA9 S(TLY FALL+ ON ,MI-
LO'S HAT & MY UNCOV]$ H1D4 ,I TRI$ 6/UDY
! ,%]IFF'S FACE "U ! WIDE BRIM4 8,:Y D Y
SAY T80 ,I ASK$4
  ,HE TURN$ 8 H1D1 GAZ+ D[N ,P9E ,/REET
T[>D ! LIBR>Y &! S5IOR-CITIZ5 C5T]4
8,MAYBE ,I'M ! "O :O'S 3FUS$40 ,UNEX-
PECT$LY1 HE GRA2$ ME 0! UPP] >MS4 8,AM
,I SCREW$ UP80
  8,PROBABLY10 ,I REPLI$4 8,MO/ ( U >E40
  8,%IT40 ,HE DROPP$ 8 H&S1 AG LOOK+ N
AT ME B AT 8 SURR.D+S4 8,RON ,BJORNSON
DIDN'T %OOT ,VIDA40
  8,S80 ,MY [N 3FU.N 0 GR[+4 8,!    #DDJ
P]SON :O DID X ISN'T NECESS>ILY ! "O :O
KILL$ ,E9>40
  ,MILO %OOK 8 H1D4 8,VIDA 0 %OT AT ,EI-
N>'S H\SE4 ,N[ Y'RE SAY+ T ,BIRGITTA
,:AT"E-H]-"N-IS HAS A 3NEC;N 6! ,RASMUS-
S5S4 ,! GOLD1 MAYBE EV5 ! B"OS1 !Y MAY
ALL TIE IN4 ,& N"O ( X HAS JACK%IT 6D )
,RON ,BJORNSON40
  ,Z A NATIVE ,PUGET ,S.D] A3U/OM$ 6\R
S(T RA91 ,I N"E USE AN UMBRELLA4 ,IF
,VIDA 0 GO+ 6BE (F ! JOB =A :ILE1 ! LA/
?+ ,I NE$$ 0 6CAT* COLD4 8,MILO1 LET'S G
"SPLACE & H A DR9K4 ,H[ AB ! SKI LODGE80
,I SU7E/$4
  8,! ,V5ISON ,9N IS CLOS]10 HE SD4
8,I'VE GOT 6GET BACK 6! (FICE4 ,DWI<T &
,SAM %D 2 "! PRETTY SOON40
  ,I DIDN'T >GUE4 ,WE GOT 96\R RESPEC-
TIVE C>S & DROVE ! ?REE BLOCKS 6,ALP9E'S
ONLY R1L WAT]+ HOLE 9 ! D[NT[N SEC;N4
,DUR+ ! F\R M9UTES T X TOOK 6GET "! &
P>K1 MY M9D 0 9 *AOS4 ,:Y 0 ,I HAV+
DR9KS ) ,MILO8 ,:Y 0 HE L1N+ ON ME :51 =
! PA/ FEW MON?S1 HE PRACTIC,Y SPAT AT ME
ON SI<T8 ,:Y DID ,I FEEL SORRY =    #DDA
HM :5 HE _H BE5 S BLA/$ ORN]Y8
  ,I'D TOLD HM ,I WANT$ 6BE FRS4 ,? 0
FR%IP1 HE>+ \ ! O!R P]SON'S TR\#S4 ,X 0
POSSI# T WE 7 TAK+ A T5TATIVE /EP T[>D
RESOLV+ HO/ILITIES4 ,! PRO#M 0 T ,I
DIDN'T "K IF X 0 A /EP BACKW>D OR =W>D4
  ,OR5 ,RHODES &! REGUL>S AT ! ,V5ISON
,9N PELT$ ,MILO ) "QS AB ,VIDA4 ,NATU-
R,Y1 H] %OOT+ _H 2COME ! EV5+'S HOT TOP-
IC4 ,! ,%]IFF ANSW]$ T]SELY1 B MADE X
CLE> HE WASN'T 9 ! MOOD = IDLE *ATT]4 ,&
( C\RSE WE RCVD \R %>E ( CURI\S />ES4
,NO "O _H SE5 U Z A C\PLE S9CE LA/ ,OC-
TOB]4
  ,MILO DIDN'T SP1K UNTIL ,OR5 _H DELIV-
]$ \R DR9KS4 8,Y GOT MOTIVE1 Y GOT OP-
PORTUN;Y1 Y GOT A W1PON10 ! ,%]IFF SD Z
HE SET 8 CIG>ETTE D[N 9 ! A%TRAY4 8,Y
GOT A GUY :O'S BE5 ON ! $GE =A :ILE 2C (
8 JOB SITU,N1 Y GOT A WIFE :O P SAY IS
SCREW+ >.D )! VICTIM4 ,! GUY C'T P9PO9T
8 ":ABS1 MAYBE HE EV5 LIES 6COV] 8 ASS
2C HE DID "S?+ DUMB T MAKES HM LOOK
GUILTY4 ,!N Y GOT AB F\R ?\S& P 9 T[N1
ANO!R C\PLE ( ?\S& \ 9 ! C.TY1 &    #DDB
EV5 M OV] 9 ,SNOHOMI%1 PRESSUR+ Y = AN
>RE/ 2C ! VICTIM 0 A BIG %OT4 ,LET'S
FACE X--MO/ HOMICIDES >5'T PREM$ITAT$4
,WIFE GETS PISS$ (F AT HUSB&1 B1NS HM )A
GOLF CLUB1 TWO DRUNKS MIX X UP 9 A B>1
"O PUTS \ ! O!R'S LI<TS4 ,MAYBE T'S !
PRO#M--,I SEE ! OBVI\S ANSW]4 ,& ,GOD
"KS1 J1L\SY IS ALW "O HELL (A MOTIVE40
,HE RETRIEV$ 8 CIG>ETTE & TOOK A DEEP
DRAG4 8,": DID ,I G WR;G80
  ,I'D BE5 WOND]+1 TOO4 ,YET ,I _H NO
3CRETE ANSW]4 ,MILO WASN'T "O 6JUMP TO
3CLU.NS4 ,": 9DE$ _H HE G"O WR;G8
  8,X'S N ! CASE XF10 ,I F9,Y SD4 8,X'S
H[ Y P]CVD X4 ,Y WANT$ 6APP1SE ! PUBLIC4
,N Z VOT]S1 2C Y DON'T H 6BE ELECT$ 6YR
JOB S9CE ! NEW LEGISL,N 0 PASS$ LA/ ,NO-
VEMB]4 ,B Y FELT PRESSUR$4 ,E9> ,RASMUS-
S5 ,JR4 WAS1 Z Y SD1 A BIG %OT4 ,! PRO#M
IS1 HE WASN'T A NATIVE4 ,0>RE/+ A G5U9E
LOCAL BOY1 Y ALI5AT$ ,ALP9E4 ,:5 X CAME
"R D[N 6X1 ,E9> WASN'T Z BIG Z ,RON4
,E9> WAS0--,I PAUS$ AT ! IRONY--8F ,SNO-
HOMI%40
  ,MILO REV1L$ 8 [N *AUV9ISM 0N     #DDC
2TRAY+ EV5 ! SLI<TE/ ( SMILES4 8,MAYBE
Y'RE "R4 ,! BIG "Q IS1 0 ,I WR;G 6>RE/
,RON8 ,T'S :AT'S DRIV+ ME NUTS40
  8,I C'T ANSW] T10 ,I ADMITT$4 8,PUBLIC
OP9ION DOESN'T M1N ,RON'S 9NOC5T40
  8,Y1H1 "R40 ,MILO CRADL$ 8 DR9K4 8,N[1
) ,VIDA GETT+ %OT1 "EYBODY'S RE,Y GO+ TO
2 UP 9 >MS4 ,EXCEPT = C]TA9 LOCALS1 :O
WD'VE LIK$ 6%OOT H] !MVS 2C %E'S PISS$
!M (F10 HE A4$1 F9,Y EXHIBIT+ A T\* (
HUMOR4
  8,:Y WD ANY"O--S]I\SLY--WANT 6%OOT
,VIDA80 ,I SD4 8,H] DAU<T] ,AMY ?9KS X 0
AN A3ID5T40
  8,T'S POSSI#10 ,MILO ALL[$4 8,WE'VE
GOT \R %>E ( NUTS :O CRUISE ,HI<WAY #B1
TAK+ POT%OTS AT :AT"E CAT*ES _! W>P$
FANCY40
  8,B10 ,I SD DRYLY1 8Y DON'T 2LIEVE X40
  ,MILO SI<$4 8,I DON'T "K :AT 62LIEVE
ANYMORE4 ,I'D 2 AN EV5 BI7] JACKASS ?AN
,I ALR AM IF ,I DIDN'T 3SID] X LIKELY T
:O"E %OT ,VIDA MAY H AL KILL$ ,E9>40
  8,E9> WASN'T %OT40
  8,DOESN'T MATT]4 ,MURD]]S USE     #DDD
:AT"E'S H&Y40
  8,B :Y80 ,I P]SI/$1 !N _H A SU45 BRA9-
/ORM4 8,6KEEP H] F GETT+ 6! H\SE80
  ,MILO'S SLEEPY EYES OP5$ WIDE4 8,CD
BE4 ,:AT--2SS ^? PACK+ CRATES--WAS 9
,E9>'S H\SE T ! P]P DIDN'T WANT F.D80
  ,I DIDN'T "K4 8,Y'LL H 6GET A SE>* W>-
RANT4 ,DID ,DWI<T & ,SAM TALK 6! ,RAS-
MUSS5S 9 ,SNOHOMI%80
  ,MILO %OOK 8 H1D4 8,\ ( \R JURISDIC;N4
,I'VE ASK$ ! ,SNO,CO ,%]IFF 6*ECK !M \4
,! "K-NO?+ NEI<BORS 0,E9>'S H\SE SD !Y
_HN'T SE5 ANY C>S 9 ! DRIVEWAY =A C\PLE
( "DS40
  ,VIDA & ,I _H BE5 "! ,W$NES"D4 ,DEIR-
DRE _HN'T SPOK5 Z IF ! MOVE 7 IMM95T4
,OBVI\SLY1 X _H BE54 8,:AT IF ,VIDA'S
"R80 ,I ASK$1 ?9K+ ( ,M>LYS'S 9A3ESSI-
BIL;Y4
  ,MILO FR[N$4 8,Y SD Y SAW H] AT ! FU-
N]AL40
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 ASK$ ,MILO =A
CIG>ETTE1 & TRI$ 6EXPLA93 8,WE SAW "S"O
WE ASSUM$ 0 ,M>LYS4 ,?9K+ BACK1 X CD H
BE5 ANYBODY4 ,%E 0 SWA!D 9 VEILS    #DDE
&A L;G COAT4 ,%E /AY$ )9 ! FAMILY CIRCLE
AT ! GRAVE SITE1 & ALL ( !M 7 9 !
SCRE5$-(F M\RN]S' ROOM AT ! *UR*40
  ,MILO / LOOK$ SKEPTICAL4 8,! RE/ (!
,RASMUSS5S WD "K IF X 0 ,M>LYS40
  8,YES40 ,I PU6$ AWAY ON ! CIG>ETTE1
FEEL+ A BIT DECAD5T4 8,B !Y'D AL B& TGR
6KEEP A SECRET4 ,?YRA WD SEE 6T4 ,Z F> Z
,I C TELL1 %E / RULES ! FAMILY ) AN IRON
H&40 ,SU45LY ,I REMEMB]$ MY PREVI\S CIG-
>ETTE (! "D1 ) ,M>Y ,JANE ,B\RGETTE4 ,I
REC.T$ H[ ,M>Y ,JANE _H APPROA*$ H]
SI/]-IN-LAW AT ! CEMET]Y & ,M>LYS _H ON-
LY MUM#D "S?+ 9COMPREH5SI#4 8,DON'T =-
GET1 ,M>Y ,JANE HASN'T SE5 ,M>LYS = GO+
ON =TY YE>S4 ,%E MI<T N RECOGNIZE H] )\T
ALL ^? VEILS &! HAT40
  8,WEIRD40 ,MILO F9I%$ BO? 8 DR9K & 8
CIG>ETTE4 8,I'VE GOT 6/OP 0! (FICE40 ,HE
PAUS$4 8,Y WANT 6-E AL;G80
  ,I 0 />TL$4 8,SURE4 ,I'LL MEET Y "!40
  ,! ,%]IFF 0 /&+1 PUTT+ 8 HAT BACK ON4
8,Y "K "S?+80 HE SD 9 A WI/;L VOICE4
8,:AT ,I RE,Y WOND] IS IF ,I 0 TRY+ TO
APP1SE ! PUBLIC OR TRY+ 6PL1SE      #DDF
Y40
  ,I /U2$ \ MY HALF-SMOK$ CIG>ETTE4
8,PL1SE ME80 ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,MAYBE Y 7
TRY+ 6%[ ME40
  8,%[ Y80 ,MILO SEEM$ PUZZL$4
  ,I GAVE ! ,%]IFF A WRY GL.E4 8,%[ ME
UP40
  ,MILO DIDN'T RESPOND4

  ,! ,%]IFF'S DEPUTIES 7 WET1 DIRTY1
TIR$1 & \ ( SORTS4 ,DWI<T SD !Y'D F.D
ALL SORTS ( JUNK 2T ! HI<WAY &! ,RASMUS-
S5'S FRONT Y>D4
  8,P >E FRI7+ PIGS10 ,DWI<T DCLD4 8,!Y
DRIVE "? ALL ? B1UTI;L C.TRY & TOSS "EY-
?+ \ ! C> W9D[ EXCEPT _! KIDS40
  8,WE CDN'T GET LUCKY & H ! ,RASMUSS5S
LIVE 0"O (! M>%Y >1S AL;G ! RIV]10 ,SAM
-PLA9$4 8,RA9 OR N1 WE MI<T H F.D A
FRE%1 CLE> FOOTPR9T4 ,Z X IS1 WE F.D AB
TWO DOZ51 9CLUD+ DE] & C\G> TRACKS4
,"!'RE PL5TY ( FI%]M51 HIK]S1 & WILDFL[]
GA!R]S1 ESPECI,Y ? "T ( YE>1 EV5 IF X'S
AG/ ! LAW40
  8,! RIV]'S K9D ( SL[ 9 "!10       #DDG
,DWI<T NOT$4 8,FI%]M5 -E UP T[>D ! HI<-
WAY 2C "! >5'T ANY GD HOLES & !Y DON'T
WANT 6GET YELL$ AT = WALK+ "? P'S FRONT
Y>DS40
  8,WE'RE ALR GETT+ CA/S (! PR9TS MADE10
,SAM PUT IN4 8,MO/ ( !M LOOK L M5'S
%OES40
  ,WE 7 /&+ 9SIDE ! C.T] >EA1 ) ,MILO
RE/+ A FOOT ON ! $GE ( ,TONI ,&R1S'S
EMPTY DESK4 ,DU/9 ,F;G 0 H&L+ ! PH"OS &
,I GUESS$ T ,BILL ,BLATT 0 \ ON PATROL4
,NO D\BT ,BILL 0 *ECK+ 9 FREQU5TLY 6KEEP
ABR1/ ( 8 AUNT'S 3DI;N4
  8,F/ ?+ TM10 ,MILO SD1 8WE GET A SE>*
W>RANT =! H\SE4 ,:AT AB TIRE TRACKS AL;G
! HI<WAY80
  ,DWI<T & ,SAM EX*ANG$ SULL5 LOOKS4 8,Y
"K ! ROAD1 *IEF10 SD ,SAM4 8,"!'S AN AC-
TUAL %\LD] 9 T /RET*4 ,Y CD PULL OV]
ANY?+ B A BIG RIG & X'D FIT ON ! PAVE-
;T40
  ,MILO SWORE "U 8 BR1?1 !N SC[L$4 8,T'S
! PO9T4 ,:Y PULL OV]80
  ,I "U/OOD :AT ,MILO M1NT4 8,"!'S AB A
QU>T] MILE ( /RAI<TAWAY 9 "!10 ,I   #DDH
SD4 8,IF Y 7 DRIV+ "?1 Y CD SEE A C>
TURN 9 ! ROAD 6! ,RASMUSS5 PLACE40
  ,MILO &! ?REE DEPUTIES 7 ALL LOOK+ AT
ME4 8,S10 ,DWI<T DRAWL$1 8Y J HAPP5 6BE
-+ AL;G & Y SEE ,VIDA'S BIG ,BUICK PULL
(F ! HI<WAY & Y DECIDE 6/OP & %OOT H]80
  ,I 0 UNFAZ$ 0! IMPLI$ CRITICISM4 8,X'S
N Z HAPHAZ>D Z T4 ,Y MI<T 2 H1D$ =! SAME
DE/9,N4 ,OR MAYBE Y J LEFT40
  ,MILO SCRAT*$ 8 H1D4 8,VIDA DOESN'T
REMEMB] SEE+ ANO!R C>1 P>K$ OR O!RWISE40
  ,I ?"\ AB ! WAY ,VIDA DROVE3 %E 0 A
R1L RU2]NECK]1 ESPECI,Y 9 T[N4 ,%E'D
DEF9ITELY NOTICE ANO!R VEHICLE 9 ! VIC9-
;Y4 ,B GIV5 :AT _H HAPP5$ 6H]1 WD %E RE-
MEMB]8
  8,MAYBE10 ,MILO SU7E/$1 8"! WASN'T ANY
VEHICLE40
  ,WE ALL LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4 ,C]TA9LY T 0
POSSI#4 ,B :AT DID X M1N8 ,UN=TUNATELY1
,I _H NO ANSW]4

  ,! NEXT MORN+1 ,I /OPP$ 9 AT ! HOSPI-
TAL %ORTLY AF N9E4 ,I'D ALR CALL$ 6*ECK
ON ,VIDA'S 3DI;N1 & _H BE5 TOLD     #DDI
%E'D SP5T A RE/;L NI<T4 ,F MY [N1 ADMIT-
T$LY LIMIT$1 SICK-BAY EXP]I;ES1 T M1NT T
%E _HN'T FALL5 \ ( B$1 BE5 ATTACK$ BY
WOLVES1 OR SET FIRE 6H] HAIR4 ,"! IS NO
RE/ 9 ! HOSPITAL1 ) NURSES & ORD]LIES
P>AD+ 9 & \ (! ROOM E TW5TY M9UTES--EX-
CEPT :5 Y NE$ !M4
  ,VIDA LOOK$ M* BETT]1 H["E4 ,%E 0 SIT-
T+ UP ON H] [N1 H] COLOR _H RETURN$1 &!
FAMILI> TORTOISE%ELL GLASSES MADE H] AP-
PE>.E SEEM ALM NORMAL4
  8,S* A FUSS60 %E EXCLAIM$4 8,Y'D ?9K
,I'D BE5 BL[N UP 0AN ATOM BOMB6 ,I'VE
TOLD !M 6SCRE5 MY CALLS4 ,ELEV5 P H ALR
PHON$ ? MORN+4 ,I SC>CELY GOT "? BR1K-
FA/40
  ,EV5 Z WE SPOKE1 A DELIV]YMAN WE>+
BLUE J1NS &A METALLIC L1!R JACKET >RIV$
) TWO BIG B\QUETS4 ,"U ,VIDA'S GUID.E1
HE PLAC$ ! FL[]S ON ! W9D[SILL4 8,M>JE
,BLATT1 MY NIECE10 %E SD1 OP5+ "O (! AC-
-PANY+ C>DS4 8,H[ SWEET40 ,%E PAUS$1
R1D+ ! O!R C>D4 8,! ,RUNKEL 3T+5T4
,LOVELY GLADS1 S _M COLORS4 ,I C N"E GET
! *>TREUSE "OS 6W9T]40              #DEJ
  ,I'D SETTL$ 96"O (! MODUL> PLA/IC
*AIRS4 8,H Y REMEMB]$ ANY?+ ELSE AB YES-
T]"D AFN80 ,I ASK$4
  ,VIDA MADE A S\R FACE4 8,N RE,Y4 ,:AT
,I D RECALL HAS -E 96FOCUS1 B "!'S N M*
,I C ADD4 ,I SAW NO "O1 HE>D NO?+1
DIDN'T NOTICE ANY C>S OR TRUCKS ": !Y
%DN'T BE4 ,/1 ,I'M SURE ( "O ?+--T IS
DEF9ITELY ,M>LYS ,RASMUSS5'S FACE 9 T
DRAW+4 ,^? REM>KA# TEE?--DIDN'T ,I TELL
Y %E _H A WOND];L SMILE80
  ,I NO4$4 8,P]FECT TEE?1 NO D5TAL *>TS4
,B10 ,I W5T ON1 GR[+ S]I\S1 8:O PRET5D$
6BE ,M>LYS AT ! FUN]AL8 ,& :Y KILL H]80
  8,M>LYS .& ,E9>10 ,VIDA REPLI$ GRIMLY4
8,! "Q 2COMES1 :O WANT$ 6GET RID ( !M
BO?8 ,:O B5EFITS8 ,! OBVI\S ANSW] IS
,B1U1 ,DEIRDRE1 & ,DAV94 ,H>OLD & ,GLAD-
YS 6A LESS] EXT5T4 ,B DON'T =GET ! ,B\R-
GETTES4 ,&10 %E A4$ )A D>K LOOK1 8,BIR-
GITTA ,L9DHOLM40
  8,B IF T 0 ,M>LYS AT ! W>EH\SE SITE1
%E 0 KILL$ 2F ! FIRE LA/ ,OCTOB]10 ,I
PO9T$ \4 8,BIRGITTA >RIV$ 9 ,ALP9E LESS
?AN A MON? AGO4 ,PLUS1 %E CLAIMS    #DEA
N 6H "KN AB ! 3NEC;N 2T H]F &! ,RASMUS-
S5S40
  ,VIDA EXAM9$ ! DRESS+ ON H] %\LD]4 8,S
%E SAYS4 ,! ^W .CLAIM SEEMS 6APPLY 6,MS4
,L9DHOLM 9 _M WAYS4 ,:AT IF %E _H BE5 "H
2F8 ,:AT BETT] WAY 6-E BACK ?AN Z AN AU
PAIR 6! ,BRONSKYS80 ,MY ,H\SE & ,HOME $-
ITOR MADE A FACE4 8,U<4 ,"! .%D 2 A BET-
T] WAY1 B ,BIRGITTA MI<T N H "KN ( X40
  ,! DELIV]YMAN REAPPE>$ ) ANO!R BAT* (
FL[]S1 9CLUD+ A L>GE :ITE AZALEA4 8,MY1
MY10 %E MURMUR$ AF R1D+ ! C>DS1 8P >E S
V K9D40
  8,Y H LOTS ( FRS10 ,I NOT$4 8,& RELA-
TIVES40
  8,RELATIVES40 ,VIDA GREW ?"\;L4 8,H[
/RANGE4 ,"EY?+ 9 ? CASE SEEMS 6BE
FAMILY-ORI5T$1 ?\< X C]TA9LY DIDN'T LOOK
T WAY 9 ! 2G9N+4 ,X 0 ALL AB ,RON &
,MAYL5E1 & SEEM$ 6C5T] ON ! COLLEGE4 ,!N
"! 0 ,MR4 ,YO%IDA &! NU7ETS1 B EV5 T 0 A
BL4 ,X'S ! ,RASMUSS5S1 "EY": Y LOOK4 ,S
TYPICAL40
  8,I WOND] IF ,MILO W REL1SE ,RON10 ,I
MUS$4                               #DEB
  8,P]H10 ,VIDA SD4 8,IF ,I 7 ,MILO1 ,I
WDN'T WAIT UNTIL ! R1L KILL] IS F.D40
  8,MILO WON'T L ADMITT+ 9 PUBLIC T HE 0
WR;G10 ,I SD4 8,RON 9T5DS 6SUE ! C.TY40
  8,V EMB>RASS+40 ,VIDA NO4$4 8,B ,MILO
W D ! "R ?+40
  ,A *UNKY NURSE ) ROSY *EEKS & GRAY+
BLACK HAIR /EPP$ 96! ROOM4 8,BA? "T10 %E
ANN\NC$4 8,% ,I BR+ ! RU2] DUCKY80
  ,VIDA LOOK$ HORRIFI$4 8,GD H1V5S6 ,?
DOESN'T S.D AT ALL DIGNIFI$4 ,CDN'T Y
WAIT A FEW M9UTES8 ,I H A VISITOR40
  ,! NURSE1 :O ,I RECALL$ 0 A ,PET]SON
OR A ,PET]S51 GL.ED AT H] WAT*4 8,X'LL 2
AT L1/ A HALF H\R4 ,I'M GO+ ON BR1K40
  8,!N G1 ,3/.E10 ,VIDA -M&$4 8,I HAV5'T
D"O M* 6GET DIRTY4 ,& D SP>E ME ! DUCK40
  ,I ASK$ ,VIDA :O 0 TAK+ C>E ( ,CUPCAKE
9 H] ABS;E4 ,Z USUAL :5 ,VIDA ISN'T AT
HOME1 ,AMY TOOK OV] ! H\SEHOLD DUTIES4
8,ROG] IS GO+ 6M[ ! LAWN40 ,%E B1M$4 8,S
RESPONSI#1 S 3SCI5TI\S1 S* A H>D LL "W-
]40
  ,IF ,VIDA 0 GO+ 6S+ ,ROG]'S PRAISES1
,I DECID$ ,I MI<T Z WELL L1VE4      #DEC
8,I'LL 2 BACK LAT] TD10 ,I PROMIS$4
8,I'LL LET Y "K :AT'S GO+ ON ) ,MILO4
,MAYBE ! ,SNO,CO ,%]IFF W H TALK$ 6!
,RASMUSS5S4 ,I HOPE :O"E "QS !M HAS A
COPY ( T DRAW+40
  ,ON MY WAY \1 ,I /OPP$ >.D ! CORN] (!
HALLWAY 0! NURSES' /,N1 : 0 TEMPOR>ILY
VACANT4 ,I R1LIZ$ T ,MILO _HN'T SD ANY?+
AB ! BULLET T _H W.D$ ,VIDA4 ,MAYBE HE'D
TOLD H] ! CALIB] & :AT TYPE ( GUN MI<T H
FIR$ X4 ,I DECID$ 6G BACK & ASK H]4
  ,I 0 J TURN+ >.D :5 ,I HE>D ! SCR1M4
,X 0 -+ F D[N ! CORRIDOR1 & ,I 0 SURE X
0 ,VIDA4










                                    #DED
























             ,*APT] ,N9ETE5         #DEE

  ,Z ,I TORE >.D ! CORN] ,I SAW ,DOC
,DEWEY RUNN+ AF "S"O AT ! 5D (! HALL4
,DOC 0 A GD T5 FEET 2H 8 PREY1 & CAME 6A
SU45 /OP :5 HE R1*$ ! /AIRWAY EXIT4
  8,GODDAMN X10 ,DOC YELL$ Z HE GAVE !
DOOR A FI]CE KICK4 8,! SONUVABIT* LOCK$
X6 ,QK1 "SBODY6 ,PRESS ! AL>M60
  ,TWO NURSES1 AN ORD]LY1 A CL1N+ WOMAN1
& ?REE PATI5TS _H ERUPT$ 96! HALL4 ,MY
F/ ?"\ 0 = ,VIDA4 ,I RAN 96H] ROOM & F.D
H] GASP+ AG/ ! PILL[S4
  8,VIDA60 ,I CRI$4 8,>E Y OKAY8 ,:AT
HAPP5$80
  8,MAN10 %E :EEZ$1 TRY+ 6RAISE TREMBL+
H&S 6H] ?ROAT4 8,FL[]S40 ,VIDA 0 / GASP-
+4
  ,I DIDN'T "K :AT %E 0 TALK+ AB4 ,H]
FACE 0 CRIMSON1 ! B$CLO!S 7 9 4>RAY1 &!
DRESS+ ON H] %\LD] 0 PULL$ "PI,Y (F4 ,MY
[N H&S 7 %AK+ Z ,I TRI$ 6GIVE H] "S WA-
T]4 ,"O (! TWO NURSES ,I'D J GLIMPS$ 9 !
CORRIDOR RU%$ 96! ROOM4
  8,MRS4 ,RUNKEL60 %E EXCLAIM$1 PU%+ ME
\ (! WAY4 8,HOLD ON4 ,DOC W 2 "H    #DEF
9 J A SECOND40
  ,! NEXT FEW M9UTES FLEW 0IN A BLUR4
,AL>M BELLS RANG1 P RAN UP & D[N ! HALL
%\T+1 ,DOC CAME *U7+ 96! ROOM 6TAKE OV]4
,I MADE MYF SMALL1 QUIV]+ NEXT 6! CLOS-
ET4 ,!N ,I HE>D SIR5S APPROA*+1 NO D\BT
,MILO OR "O ( 8 M54 ,X WASN'T AN AMBU-
L.E2 ,I C TELL ! DI6];E4
  8,OKAY10 ,I HE>D ,DOC SAY4 8,WE'VE GOT
"S?+ 9 ! ,,IV 6RELAX Y1 ,VIDA4 ,Y'LL 2
F9E1 ?\< Y MAY H A SORE ?ROAT & NECK =A
C\PLE ( "DS40 ,HE SQUEEZ$ H] H&4 8,DON'T
EV5 ?9K4 ,X'S GO+ 6BE OKAY40
  ,TIMOR\SLY1 ,I MOV$ AWAY F ! CLOSET4
8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,I REP1T$1 ? "T 6,DOC1 ^:
USUAL UNRU6L$ APPE>.E 0 9 WILD 4>RAY4
  ,HE GUID$ ME \ (! ROOM1 CLOS+ ! DOOR &
L1V+ ! NURSE ) ,VIDA4 8,JESUS10 ,DOC
MOAN$1 LOOK+ N"O TOO /1DY HMF4 8,T 0 !
DAMN$E/--EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE1 ,EMMA--B ,I
N"E '''0 ,HE PRESS$ 8 F+]S AG/ 8 TEM-
PLES4 8,I 0 -+ UP 6MAKE MY R.DS10 ,DOC
SD1 SP1K+ M SL[LY4 8,I'D US$ ! /AIRS IN-
/1D (! ELEVATOR4 ,I USU,Y D1 !
HOSPITAL'S ONLY TWO /ORIES1 B T'S   #DEG
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! W>D & DECID$ 6*ECK ON ,VIDA F/1 EV5
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AT F/ HE 0 HU7+ H]1 B %E SCR1M$1 & ,I
R1LIZ$ HE 0 *OK+ H]4 ,I GRA2$ HM & WE
WRE/L$ >.D1 !N HE BROKE LOOSE & RAN D[N
! HALL4 ,I TRIPP$ OR /UM#D OR "S DAMN$
?+1 & DIDN'T CAT* HM 2F HE TRIPP$ ! LOCK
ON ! /AIRWAY DOOR4 ,DAMN1 DAMN1 DAMN4 ,I
CD H _H HM40
  8,:O 0 HE80 ,I ASK$1 FEEL+ 2WILD]$ 0?
LATE/ TURN ( EV5TS4
  ,DOC %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE
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OKAY1 ,DOC8 ,H[ AB ,VIDA80 ,RCVG ASSUR-
.ES1 ,JACK RELAY$ :AT 9=M,N HE _H3 8,!
GUY GOT AWAY1 PROBABLY ON FOOT4 ,DOT &
,DURWOOD ,P>K] 7 -+ \ (! S5IOR C5T] D[N
! /REET4 ,!Y SAW "SBODY 9 A L1!R JACKET
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DELIV]YMAN _H ON A L1!R JACKET40 ,VIDA
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M1NT4
  ,DOC & ,JACK BO? />$ AT ME4 8,:AT DE-
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  8,F ,POSIES ,UNLIMIT$1 ,I SUPPOSE4 ,HE
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T5;N 6! FL[]S ?AN 6! BE>]4
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6,DELPH9E ,CORSON1 ,POSIES ,UNLIMIT$'S
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UP LAT]40
  ,I FR[N$ AT ,DOC4 8,!N :Y DIDN'T !
NURSES NOTICE HM80
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SEE HM4 ,!Y GET BUSY ) PATI5TS OR FILL+
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WE>+ AN >GYLE SW1T]4 ,NOBODY SAW ,CRAZY
,EI<TS UNTIL HE W5T 96! WOM5'S RE/
ROOM40
  8,WE'LL KEEP LOOK+10 ,JACK SD4 8,DODGE
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2F HE W5T 6SE>* ! ,RASMUSS5 H\SE40
  8,I %D H CAU<T T BA/>D10 ,DOC SD 9 *A-
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KIDS40
  ,"! 0 NO?+ ,I CD D =! "T 2+1 S ,I
LEFT4 ,I 0 GETT+ 96! ,JAG :5 ,S&=D ,CLAY
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  8,:AT'S ALL ! -MO;N80 HE ASK$4
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ATTACK ON ,VIDA4 ,NATUR,Y1 HE 0 A<A/4
8,:O WD WANT 6D 9 ,VIDA8 ,%E'S AN ICON40
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  8,:AT'S T80 ,I ASK$ POLITELY4
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  8,AT :AT80 ,I 0 GR[+ A BIT IMPATI5T Z
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  8,T *E/4 ,I F.D "S?+ />TL+ 9 X ? MORN-
+40
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H\SES ,S&Y'S (FICE1 0 ACR ! /REET F !
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FLOOR1 ": HE TOOK ! *E/ \ ( 8       #DFJ
SAFE4
  8,I CAME 9 ? MORN+ 6TIE UP "S LOOSE
5DS10 ,S&Y EXPLA9$1 OP5+ ! LID1 B L1V+ !
NU7ETS AT ! BOTTOM4 8,!N ,I GOT 6?9K+ AB
T ,SW$I% GIRL :O SD ! GOLD 2L;G$ 6H]4 ,J
=! HECK ( X1 ,I GOT ! *E/ \ & GAVE X A
RE,Y ?OR\< GO+-OV]4 ,I %D'VE D"O X 2F1 B
,I HAT$ 6TAMP] )! *E/4 ,EV5 ) "S EXT]IOR
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9 ! GAUZY L9+ (! LID4 8,Y SEE80
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PAP]S & H&$ !M 6ME4
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AWKW>D ,5GLI% 0 DI6ICULT 6"U/&4 ,B ,I CD
R1D ! SIGNATURE1 : _H BE5 WRITT5 )A
FL\RI%3 ,ULF ,L9DHOLM1 ,MALM@O1 ,SW$54
,! DATE 0 ,NOVEMB] #C1 #AIJH4
  ,! GI/ (! LR 0 T ,ULF _H SAV$ ! LIFE (
,K5ZO ,YO%IDA1 A RAILROAD "W] & AMATEUR
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GOLD NE> :AT _H !N BE5 CALL$ ,WELL+TON &
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M5 ^: "NS 7 GIV5 ONLY Z ,CAP & ,AXEL _H
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_H GIV5 HALF ( 8 TR1SURE 6,ULF 2F FLEE+
6SAFETY 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,B ! WD-BE ?IEVES &
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6G ON ! RUN4 ,HE PLANN$ 6HOP A FREI<T &
H1D EA/ = ,NEW ,YORK1 ": HE WD USE "S (
8 NU7ETS 6PAY 8 PASSAGE HOME4 ,S"EAL
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= ,ULF1 AWAIT+ 8 RETURN 6,AM]ICA4
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ANO!R LOVE 9 ,MALM@O40
  8,BIRGITTA'S CLAIM IS SOLID10 ,I SD4
8,%E HAS N SU6]$ ! ,BRONSKYS 9 VA94 ,B
%E'LL / H 6COPE )! ,RASMUSS5S40
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R1L PI/OL40
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TAPP$ ! *E/4 8,I DON'T "K H[ ,*RI/9A
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0 GO+ 6H 8 BABY4 ,?YRA 0 BORN ! FOLL[+
SPR+40
  8,FASC9AT+10 SD ,S&Y1 C>ESS+ ! *E/4
8,? JOB C TAKE "S 9T]E/+ TWI/S & TURNS4
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5JOY "W+ ) !M4 ,B X'S ! /ORIES 2H ! OB-
JECTS T MAKE MY "W WOR?:ILE40
  8,M9E1 TOO10 ,I SD4

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& ,MAYOR ,BAU< Z SOON Z POSSI#4 ,I TRI$
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! NU7ETS 7 H]S4 ,"! WD 2 NO SQU1LS ( EX-
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CALMLY1 COOLLY4 ,BIRGITTA EXPECT$ 6GET !
GOLD4 ,IF N 9 "N1 %E 0 A ,RASMUSS5 9 _S4
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,FAIRBANKS APPROA*$ ME4
  8,EMMA10 HE CALL$4 8,GOT "S       #DFC
NEWS40
  ,0 ,I N"E GO+ 6L1VE ,P9E ,/REET8 ,!
LA/ ?+ ,I NE$$ 0 ANO!R NUTTY SI<T+ F
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  8,WON'T KEEP40 ,HE L1N$ 8 /U2Y BODY
AG/ ! ,JAG'S BONNET4 8,I BE5 TRY+ 6TELL
,VIDA1 B T MULE (A WOMAN WON'T LI/54
,X'S AB !M PROSPECTORS40
  ,I 0 TRAPP$4 8,:AT PROSPECTORS80 ,I
ASK$1 MY VOICE WE>Y4
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8,>E Y TALK+ AB ! NU7ETS T 7 F.D AF !
FIRE80
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8,MAYBE4 ,MAYBE N4 ,I'M TALK+ AB ! GUY
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"S?+1 N[ ,I -E 6?9K ( X40
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8,WAS ? J 2F ! FIRE8 ,MAYBE ! SAME
NI<T80                              #DFD
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8,MI<T H BE5 AT T4 ,0 X 'R.D AB ,HALL[-
E580
  ,N HAV+ BE5 9 ,ALP9E AT ! "T1 ,I CDN'T
REMEMB] ! EXACT DATE4 8,A WEEK OR S 2F1
MAYBE40
  8,H'M-MM40 ,AV]ILL NO4$ SL[LY4 8,S.DS
"R4 ,HE _H "O ( !M MOON-WALK+ MA*9ES )
HM40
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HM4 ,FACT & FIC;N M+L$ S CLOSELY 9 ,AVE-
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LEGE80
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PIA40
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NY1 NO D\BT1 ALM TWO YE>S E>LI]4 8,:O
DID Y SEE LA/ ,OCTOB]80 ,I ASK$1 PESSI-
MI/IC AB GETT+ A S5SI# ANSW]4
  8,X 0 "O ( ^? ,PLUTO GUYS10 ,AV]ILL
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  8,COATS80 ,I REP1T$4              #DFE
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( PLUTONIUM40
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CD TAKE OV] F "H1 Z SOON Z HE _H "T4
  ,I FIGUR$ ! ,%]IFF WDN'T /AY L;G AT !
HOSPITAL EXCEPT 6QU]Y /AFF4 ,HE'D BE5
H1D$ =! ,RASMUSS5 PLACE4 ,I'D MEET HM
"!4 ,I1 TOO1 0 CURI\S AB ! H\SE4
  ,X 0 P\R+ Z ,I H1D$ D[N ,HI<WAY #B4
,\R ,MAY W1!R 0 2HAV+ M L ,NOVEMB]4
,USU,Y X 0 PL1SANT 9 ,MAY1 DRE>Y 9
,JUNE1 ) SUMM] F9,Y >RIV+ 9 ,JULY4 ,EL
,NI@NO 0 PLAY+ XS TRICKS4
  ,AF TURN+ (F ! HI<WAY 6R1* ! ,RASMUSS5
H\SE1 ,I DROVE D[N ! DIRT ROAD4 ,"! 0 NO
SIGN ( ,MILO4 ,X WDN'T 2 SM>T 6P>K MY C>
": ,VIDA _H LEFT ! ,BUICK4 ,REV]S+1 ,I
TOOK A "R-H& TURN T L$ 6! O!R H\SES AL;G
! RIV]4 ,! SPLIT-LEVEL 9 FRONT ( ME
LOOK$ DES]T$4 ,P]H ! [N]S _H G"O 96T[N4
,I P>K$ ! ,JAG Z F> (F ! DRIVE Z POSSI#1
6ALL[ ROOM = ANO!R VEHICLE4 ,! ROAD 96!
,RASMUSS5 PROP]TY 0 3C1L$ 0TREES4 ,)!
RA9 P.D+ ON ! C>'S RO(1 ,I MI<T N   #DFF
2 A# 6HE> ,MILO PULL UP4 ,GETT+ \ (!
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0 TAK+ ,MILO S L;G8 ,OV] AN H\R _H PASS$
S9CE ,I'D LEFT ! HOSPITAL4
  ,A NOISE F "S": (F ON MY "R />TL$ ME4
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SAW NO?+4 ,A DE]1 P]H4 ,I TRI$ 6RELAX4
  ,AF T5 M9UTES ,I =C$ MYF 6MAKE A DECI-
.N3 ,%D ,I G BACK 6,ALP9E & F9D \ :Y
,MILO _HN'T %[N UP8 ,OR1 S9CE ,I _HN'T
SE5 ANY"O LURK+ AB1 %D ,I TAKE A QK PEEK
AT ! H\SE8
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W5T1 H1D D[N1 B E>S AL]T4 ,I R1*$ !
DRIVEWAY SAFELY4 ,SURE 5\<1 ,I CD SEE !
PACK+ CRATES "? ! W9D[S4 ,! KIT*51 :
,VIDA & ,I _H VIEW$ 2F F ? SAME VANTAGE
PO9T1 0 SWEPT CL1N ( 2L;G+S4 ,C]TA9 T
,MILO WD %[ UP AT ANY M9UTE1 ,I W5T >.D
6! RE> (! H\SE1 : FAC$ ! RIV]4
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CORN]4 ,! ?"UCLAP FOLL[$ ALM IMMLY1 :
M1NT ! /ORM 0 CLOSE BY4 ,I PULL$ MY
JACKET OV] MY H1D & SAW ! RIV] FL[+ PA/
! BACKY>D4                          #DFG
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A FEW SMALL FRUIT TREES _H BE5 C>E;LLY
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  ,X APPE>$ 6BE A PET CEMET]Y1 & X MADE
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  8,HI40 ,! FIGURE /&+ T5 FEET AWAY 0 T
(A "YI% MAN WE>+ BLUE J1NS &A METALLIC
L1!R JACKET4 ,MY F/ REAC;N 0 T ,I'D N"E
SE5 HM 2F 9 MY LIFE1 B ,I _H4 ,HE 0 !
DELIV]] ( FL[]S 6,VIDA1 &! MAN :O _H
TRI$ 6KILL H]4 ,TWICE4
  ,I _H 6?9K FA/4 8,>E Y "H 6LOOK AT !
H\SE8 ,X DOESN'T (FICI,Y G ON ! M>KET
UNTIL ,W$NES"D40
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AV]AGE HEI<T1 ) ?9N+ FAIR HAIR1 & S(T
F1TURES T LOOK$ Z IF !Y _HN'T "W$ V H>D
AT LIFE4                            #DFH
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AD W APPE> 9 ? WEEK'S .,ADVOCATE10 ,I
SD1 TRY+ 6FIGURE \ H[ 6GET >.D HM & R1*
! ,JAG4 8,X'S A WOND];L PROP]TY1 PL5TY (
SQU>E FOOTAGE1 RIV] VIEW1 ?REE B$ROOMS
'''0
  .,?REE .B$ROOMS4 ,SU45LY ,I KNEW :O ?
MAN WAS1 ,I KNEW :AT _H HAPP5$ 6,M>LYS1
6,E9>1 & :AT 0 AB 6HAPP5 6ME4 8,CALL
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  .,?REE .B$ROOMS4 ,DEIRDRE _H IMPLI$ T
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C.T$ = H]1 = ,DAV9--&= ,B1U4 ,B N ,M>-
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D1D = SIX MON?S4
  8,HOLD X40 ,8 VOICE1 L 8 F1TURES1 0 V
S(T4
  ,I TURN$1 AW>E T MY ATTEMPT AT A SMILE
PROBABLY LOOK$ SICKLY4 8,YES80
  8,Y'RE N A ,R1LTOR40 ,AG1 T S(T VOICE1
Z IF X _HN'T _H M* USE OV] ! YE>S4
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WAY4 8,Y 7 "H 2F1 A C\PLE ( "TS1    #DFI
) T OLD BAT )! BIRDS ON H] H1D4 ,Y 7 AT
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  ,MY BRA9 0 TURN+ 6MU%4 8,I ''' ,I SAW
! AD1 2F X GOES 9 ! PAP]4 ,? IS A WOND]-
;L H\SE4 ,I WANT$ 6H A LOOK4 ,I MI<T BUY
X MYF40
  ,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,Y'RE SNOOP+4 ,L YR
FR40
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,Y WON'T SELL ?
PLACE IF Y TR1T POT5TIAL BUY]S S RUDELY4
,X'S OV]PRIC$ 62G9 )1 ,B1U40
  ,8 H1D J]K$ BACK4 8,Y DON'T "K ME40
  8,8,D Y "K ,B1U0'80 ,I SD1 QUOT+ !
CAT*PHRASE T _H G"O 'R.D ! >EA = YE>S4
8,I D N[40
  8,S :AT80 ,! ^WS /AY$ S(T1 B "! 0 A
SNE] ON 8 FACE4 8,DON'T Y ?9K MY LL CEM-
ET]Y IS WOR? AN EXTRA FIFTY GR&8 ,"EY?+
,I "E LOV$ IS "!40
  ,MY ONLY HOPE ( ESCAPE 0 4TRAC;N4 ,I
WDN'T RUN =! ,JAG4 ,I'D H A BETT] *.E
H1D+ =! HI<WAY1 ": ,I CD FLAG "S"O D[N4
  8,I SAW ALL ! LL SIGNS10 ,I SD1   #DGJ
=C+ MY VOICE 6S.D NORMAL4 8,:AT 7 !Y1
,B1U8 ,DOGS8 ,CATS8 ,HAM/]S80
  8,CATS10 ,B1U REPLI$1 TAK+ ANO!R /EP
CLOS]4 8,P]SIANS1 ,SIAMESE1 ,MANX4 ,ALL
SORTS ( CATS4 ,!Y 7 B1UTI;L4 ,B !Y DON'T
LIVE L;G40
  ,DEIRDRE _H TAK5 \ AN AD =A LO/ CAT
"ND ,FLUFF4 ,B S9CE !N1 ,FLUFF'S GRAVE
_H BE5 M>K$ )A SIGN1 L ! O!R CATS T
,DEIRDRE _H IMPLI$ 7 RUNAWAYS4 ,!Y
W]5'T4 ,!Y'D BE5 MURD]$1 0,B1U4 ,I CLOS$
MY EYES 9 HORROR1 IMAG9+ :AT ? GROTESQUE
MAN _H D"O 6^? ANIMALS--& 6HIS [N P>5TS4
  8,NO1 !Y DON'T10 ,I AGRE$4 8,Y %D H
GOTT5 A P>ROT4 ,!Y LIVE L;G] ?AN HUMANS4
,0! WAY1 ":'S YR BICYCLE80
  ,:5 ,B1U GL.ED OV] 8 %\LD]1 ,I RAN4
,>.D ! CORN] ,I *U7$1 PA/ ! KIT*51 ! D9+
ROOM1 ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,I HE>D HM CALL S(TLY
2H ME1 / N RAIS+ 8 VOICE4 ,DID HE H !
GUN8 ,MAYBE N1 OR HE WD H 4PLAY$ X 2F ?4
  ,B HE 0 "R ON MY HEELS Z ,I RAC$ UP !
DRIVE4 ,0! "T ,I R1*$ ! DIRT ROAD1 HE 0
ALM ^U ME4 ,ANO!R FLA% ( LI<TN+ LIT UP !
SKY & !N ! ?"U RUM#D S CLOSE T ,I   #DGA
WOND]$ IF ! H\SE _H BE5 HIT4
  ,I FELT 8 WEI<T ON MY BACK1 PU%+ ME 6!
GR.D4 ,HE DIDN'T H ! GUN2 HE WD G = MY
?ROAT4 ,I WRI!D 2N HM1 HUN*+ MY %\LD]S
6PROTECT MY NECK4 ,I ?9K ,I SCR1M$1 ?\<
,I'M N SURE4 ,B ,I "K ,I HE>D ,B1U LET \
A T]RIFI$ YELP4 ,SU45LY HE REL1S$ ME1 &
,I ROLL$ OV] 6SEE :Y4 ,MAYBE ,MILO 0 /&+
9 ! ROAD1 8 SIDE>M AT ! R1DY4
  ,"! 0 NO ,MILO NOR ANY O!R HUMAN4 ,:AT
,I SAW "? ! RA9 0 A C\G> ON XS H9D LEGS1
TEE? B>$1 & =EPAWS RAIS$4 ,IF ,B1U'S CRY
_H BE5 ( T]ROR1 ! %RILL S.D (! BIG CAT 0
A S]IES ( SURR1L %RIEKS & GR[LS4 ,I FELT
P>ALYZ$1 B ,B1U />T$ 6RUN T[>D ! H\SE4
  ,! C\G> P\NC$4 ,B1U 0 DRA7$ 6! GR.D4
,! ANIMAL1 ) XS SMALL H1D & SLEEK GRAY
BODY1 M/ H BE5 SIX FEET L;G4 ,HE ATTACK$
ALM ME?ODIC,Y1 & ,B1U'S ANGUI%$ SCR1MS
CD B>ELY 2 HE>D ABV ! NEXT CLAP ( ?"U4
,I CDN'T WAT*1 B NEI CD ,I %UT MY EYES Z
! C\G> MAUL$ ,B1U &! /ORM RAG$ >.D U4
  ,SU45LY ! SAVAGERY 0 OV]4 ,B1U DIDN'T
MOVE4 ,! CAT SAT BACK ON XS HAUN*ES1
LICK+ BLOOD F XS PAWS4 ,ONLY !N     #DGB
DID ,I R1LIZE ,I 0 NEXT4 ,:Y _HN'T ,I
ESCAP$ 6! ,JAG8 ,I />T$ 6SOB Z MY FOOL-
I%;S SANK IN4
  ,! C\G> N"E LOOK$ MY WAY4 ,) LI!1
GRACE;L MOVE;TS1 X SLUNK PA/ ! H\SE4 ,!N
X TURN$ ! CORN] & 4APPE>$4
  ,MILO PULL$ UP 9 ! ,*]OKEE ,*IEF4 ,Z
HE GOT \ X 0 OBVI\S HE DIDN'T SEE ,B1U
AT F/4 8,EMMA1 Y IDIOT10 HE CALL$1 8:AT
! HELL >E Y DO+ "H80
  ,I CDN'T SP1K4 ,FEEL+ SICK1 ,I GE/UR$
AT ! MANGL$ BODY 9 ! DRIVEWAY4 ,MILO
/>$1 !N DREW 8 W1PON4
  8,:O ! HELL IS T80 HE DEM&$1 $G+ CLOS]
6,B1U4 8,JESUS6 ,HE'S "O D1D MESS6 ,H[ !
HELL '''80
  ,I / CDN'T SP1K1 B AT L1/ ,I CD MOVE4
,AVOID+ ,B1U1 ,I GRA2$ ,MILO'S >M &
MUTELY L$ HM 6! RE> (! H\SE4 ,! C\G> SAT
AT ! $GE (! LL CEMET]Y L A S5TRY4
  8,CATS10 ,I F9,Y CROAK$4 8,B1U'S
CATS40
  ,MILO SEEM$ 2WILD]$4 ,! C\G> / DIDN'T
LOOK AT U4 ,! ANIMAL 3T9U$ SITT+ "!1 P]H
-MUN+ ) 8 FALL5 BRE?R54 ,MILO _H    #DGC
RAIS$ 8 GUN1 B N[ HE HOL/]$ X4 ,APP>5TLY
HE "U/OOD "S?+ T ,I DIDN'T4
  8,LET'S G10 ,MILO SD1 8 VOICE HO>SE4
,R\<LY1 HE PUT AN >M >.D ME & /E]$ ME
BACK UP 6! ROAD4 8,H['D Y GET "H80 HE
ASK$ Z ,I BURI$ MY H1D AG/ 8 *E/ 9 ORD]
6AVOID SEE+ ,B1U4
  8,MY C>'S OV] "!10 ,I SD1 MU6L$4 8,(F
! DOGLEG40
  8,C Y DRIVE8 ,I'VE GOT 6/ICK >.D40
  ,I NO4$4 ,! ,RASMUSS5 PROP]TY 0 6\R
RE>1 S ,I RAIS$ MY H1D4 8,I'LL 2 OKAY 9
A BIT4 ,I NE$ "S "T40
  ,/ ) 8 >M >.D ME1 ,I L$ ,MILO 6! ,JAG4
8,B1U ,RASMUSS5 KILL$ 8 P>5TS10 ,I SD4
  8.,:AT80 ,MILO 0 TAK5 ABACK4
  8,T 0 ,B1U BACK "!4 ,! C\G> KILL$ HM
2C HE KILL$ ALL 8 CATS40
  8,Y BETT] N DRIVE10 SD ,MILO1 SKEPTI-
CISM WRIT L>GE ON 8 FACE4 8,-E ON BACK )
ME 6! ,*IEF40
  ,I />T$ 6PROTE/1 B 0 IGNOR$4 ,MILO ALL
B %OV$ ME H1DF/ 96HIS VEHICLE1 !N CAME
>.D 6! DRIV]'S SIDE4 ,HE 2GAN RADIO+ 9 !
9=M,N T "! 0 A D1D MAN AT ! ,RAS-   #DGD
MUSS5 H\SE1 APP>5TLY ! VICTIM (A C\G>
ATTACK4 ,!N HE SAT BACK & WAIT$ = ME TO
COLLECT MYF4
  8,OKAY10 HE SD AF S"EAL M9UTES _H G"O
BY4 8,YR COLOR IS ALM NORMAL4 ,TELL ME1
IF Y C1 :O T IS 9 ! DRIVEWAY BACK "!4
,ALL ,I "K IS T ! GUY'S D1D40
  ,I GAVE MYF A GD %AKE1 S5D+ RA9DROPS
FLY+ ALL OV] ! FRONT S1T & DA%BO>D4
8,HE'S ,B1U ,RASMUSS51 ! MAN NOBODY "E
SAW4 ,HE 0 CRAZY1 & DON'T ASK ME 6GET
SPECIFIC1 ?\< ,I'D GUESS HE 0 BIPOL>4
,T'S :Y 8 P>5TS N"E LET HM \ (! H\SE4
,IMAG9E ,?YRA ,RASMUSS5 SU6]+ ! 9DIGN;Y
(A GR&SON :O'D CR1TE HAVOC 9 ! R1L _W40
  8,I'VE N"E MET ,?YRA ,RASMUSS540 ,MILO
/ LOOK$ DUBI\S4
  8,I H4 ,%E'S A DR1D;L WOMAN40 ,I TOOK
A DEEP BR1?4 8,I SUPPOSE ,B1U GOT 6!
PO9T ": HE RES5T$ 8 P>5TS1 ": HE 2LIEV$
!Y 7 KEEP+ HM PRISON]4 ,M>LYS H>DLY "E
LEFT ! H\SE1 EI4 ,%E PROBABLY DIDN'T
D>E4 ,%E M/ H SEEM$ M L A PRISON W>D5
?AN A "M4 ,B1U _H R1*$ 8 MID-?IRTIES )\T
"E HAV+ _H ANY P]SONAL FREEDOM4     #DGE
,I FIGURE HE F9,Y SNAPP$ LA/ ,OCTOB]1 &
KILL$ ,M>LYS4 ,HE 0 US$ 6BURY+ ?+S4 ,Y
SAW 8 CAT CEMET]Y4 ,B HE CD H>DLY BURY 8
"M 9 ! BACKY>D4 ,S HE BR"\ H] 96,ALP9E1
BURI$ H] AT ! OLD W>EH\SE1 & SET ! PLACE
ON FIRE40
  8,? IS ALL 3JECTURE40 ,MILO'S L;G M\?
SET 9 A FIRM L9E4
  8,NO40 ,I PAUS$ 6MAKE SURE MY ?"\
PROCESS 0 /AY+ UNSCRAM#D4 ,RA9 RAN D[N !
W9D%IELD1 : 0 2G9N+ 6FOG UP 9SIDE4 8,"!
0 A WIT;S4 ,AV]ILL ,FAIRBANKS SAW ,B1U
BURY ,M>LYS40
  8,AV]ILL ,FAIRBANKS80 ,MILO 0 JU/IFIA-
BLY 9CR$UL\S4
  ,I NO4$4 8,HE TOLD ME ? MORN+4 ,OH1 HE
WDN'T H MADE A V GD WIT;S ON ! /&1 B HE
DEF9ITELY SAW ,B1U4 ,AV]ILL SD HE 0
BURY+ "S?+1 & T X 0 PROBABLY "R >.D ! "T
! W>EH\SE BURN$ D[N4 ,AV]ILL DESCRIB$
,B1U Z WE>+ A PLUTONIUM COAT4 ,PLUTONIUM
IS A SILV] COLOR1 ,I 2LIEVE1 : WD DE-
SCRIBE ,B1U'S METALLIC L1!R JACKET1 ES-
PECI,Y 0MOONLI<T4 ,AV]ILL AL M5;N$ A
MOON-WALK MA*9E1 OR "S?+ L T1 B     #DGF
,I SUSPECT X 0 ,B1U'S BICYCLE4 ,HE'D NO
D\BT TRANSPORT$ 8 "M ON X AF HE KILL$
H]4 ,B1U PROBABLY N"E _H A DRIV]'S LI-
C5SE1 S9CE HE R>ELY LEFT ! H\SE4 ,MY
GUESS IS1 HE W5T 0BICYCLE4 ,I'LL BET
Y'LL F9D "O OV] 9 ! WOODS 0! HI<WAY1 &
T'S :Y ,VIDA N"E SAW OR HE>D A C>4 ,NEI
DID ,I4 ,& :O'D NOTICE HM ON 8 R>E =AYS
96T[N8 ,) ALL ! /UD5TS >.D "H N[1 WE'VE
GOT P ON BIKES ALL OV] ! PLACE40
  ,! RA9 ?RUMM$ ON ! ,*]OKEE ,*IEF'S
RO(4 ,MILO 0 2G9N+ 6LOOK LESS SKEPTICAL1
?\< H>DLY 3V9C$4 8,:Y KILL ,E9> ,JR4 SIX
MON?S LAT]80
  8,MAYBE ,E9>--:O WASN'T A BAD MAN1 J A
SELF-C5T]$ "O--CDN'T G ON LIV+ ) 8 SON'S
GUILT4 ,E9> M/ H GUESS$ :AT _H HAPP5$ TO
8 WIFE4 ,B WE'VE GOT ,?YRA 6RECKON )4
,F/1 %E _H 6HIDE "S SORT ( S]I\S H1D
CASE4 ,!N HE KILL$4 ,%E M/ H BE5 FRAN-
TIC4 ,?YRA M/ H W>N$ ,E9> T ! TRU? M/
N"E GET \40
  ,MILO 0 RU2+ 8 L;G *94 8,S ,B1U 0
AFRAID 8 DAD WD GIVE HM UP4 ,:Y KILL
,E9> AT ! COLLEGE8 ,:Y N AT HOME1   #DGG
L ,M>LYS80
  8,TOO RISKY4 ,REMEMB]1 :5 ,M>LYS 0
KILL$1 ONLY ,B1U & ,E9> 7 LIV+ "H40 ,I
WAV$ 9 ! DIREC;N (! ,RASMUSS5 H\SE4 8,B
,DEIRDRE MOV$ 9 REC5TLY4 ,%E MI<T PUT UP
) ,B1U IMP]SONAT+ H] "M--MAYBE %E ?"\ HE
0 J DO+ X = "S K9D ( MORBID /UNT--B %E'D
BALK AT MURD]4 ,"! 0 AL ,DAV9 63SID]40
  8,DEIRDRE _H 6"K10 ,MILO SD4
  8,T ,B1U 0 A KILL]8 ,MAYBE %E DID1 &
T'S :Y %E TOOK (F ) ,DAV94 ,I DON'T
BLAME H]4 ,%E 0 PROBABLY AFRAID = _!
LIVES40
  8,%E _H A R1SON40 ,MILO GRUNT$4 8,B
:AT AB ,SCOTT ,KURAMOTO8 ,I ?"\ !Y 7 A
DUO40
  8,!Y MAY BE4 ,B C Y SEE ,SCOTT M>RI$
96T FAMILY80 ,I C.T]$4 8,HE WDN'T WANT
X1 ! S5IOR ,RASMUSS5S WD HATE X4 ,LET'S
CALL X A FL+4 ,L"OLY P D /RANGE ?+S40
  ,MILO'S HAZEL EYES 7 FIX$ ON MY FACE4
8,!Y SURE D40
  ,I DIDN'T WANT 6GET SIDETRACK$4 8,I
CAME 6! ,RASMUSS5 H\SE 2C ,I ?"\ Y'D 2
"H )! SE>* W>RANT4 ,": 7 Y8 ,I      #DGH
ALM GOT KILL$40
  ,MILO LOOK$ 9DIGNANT4 8,I 0 ) ,VIDA4
,D Y ?9K ,I'D L1VE H] AL"O =A ?IRD AT-
TACK8 ,I _H 6WAIT = ,BILL ,BLATT 6RE-
LIEVE ME4 ,:AT 0 ! D1L8 ,:Y TRY 6KILL
,VIDA80
  ,I _H 6SMILE4 8,VIDA'S REPUT,N ALM DID
H] IN4 ,?YRA M/ H LE>N$ T ,VIDA _H -E
CALL+ ON ,M>LYS1 M ?AN ONCE4 ,! OLD WIT*
KNEW T ,VIDA'S P]SI/;E--& CURIOS;Y--CD
PAY (F4 ,I ?9K ,?YRA GAVE ,VIDA M CR$IT
?AN 0 DUE1 B ( C\RSE "! 0 T "E-PRES5T
FE> ( 2+ F.D \4 ,! ,RASMUSS5S _H LIV$ )
T = MO/ ( ,B1U'S LIFE4 ,X M/ H EAT5 AT
,?YRA L A C.ER4 ,"K+ T ,B1U _H ALR
KILL$1 ,I SUSPECT %E TOLD HM 6GET RID (
,VIDA4 ,L ! RE/ ( !M1 HE D.ED 6H] TUNE40
  ,MILO L1N$ BACK AG/ ! DRIV]'S S1T4 ,!
/ORM _H PASS$ OV]1 &! ?"U 0 N[ A 4TANT
RUM#4 8,JESUS4 ,:AT A FAMILY4 ,!Y EV5 F$
ON EA* O!R40 ,J]KILY1 HE TURN$ BACK TO
FACE ME4 8,S :AT ! HELL HAPP5$ TD80
  ,I EXPLA9$ AB ! PET CEMET]Y1 !N AB
,B1U'S >RIVAL4 8,WE HE>D ( C\G> SI<T+S
AT ! $GE ( T[N10 ,I SD4 8,I DON'T   #DGI
"U/& X1 B T BIG CAT W5T "R = ,B1U1 &
-PLETELY IGNOR$ ME4 ,?ANK ,GOD40
  ,MILO GAVE A NOD4 8,ANIMALS >E L T4
,ESPECI,Y CATS4 ,!Y'RE PROTECTIVE1 !Y
S5SE DANG] 6_! SPECIES4 ,& "S"TS !Y SEEK
REV5GE40
  ,MILO'S UPBR++ _H MADE HM FAMILI> )
ALL =MS ( WILDLIFE4 ,I'D WAT*$ HM FI%1 B
,I'D N"E SE5 HM HUNT4 ,HE _H L[]$ ! GUN
ON ! C\G>1 2C HE RESPECT$ ! ANIMAL'S
GRIEF4 ,I RESPECT$ ,MILO'S "U/&+4
  ,A SQUAD C> & AN AMBUL.E 7 >RIV+ 2H U4
,I HESITAT$4 ,%D ,I WAIT 6SEE :AT HAP-
P5$8 ,B = ONCE1 MY P]SONAL NE$S OV]CAME
MY PROFES.NAL DUTIES4 ,MILO CD TELL ME
:AT W5T ON4 ,I _H 6GET AWAY F ? PLACE (
HORROR4
  8,I C DRIVE N[10 ,I SD1 OP5+ ! DOOR4
8,Y H 6WAIT "H1 "R80
  ,MILO HESITAT$4 8,Y1H4 ,I'LL WAIT "H40
  ,=A MO;T1 ,I />$ /RAI<T 96HIS EYES4
8,I'LL 2 AT ! HOSPITAL ) ,VIDA4 ,I'LL
WAIT "!40
  8,OKAY40
  ,I W5T \ 96! RA94 ,:5 ,I DROVE    #DHJ
PA/ ,MILO ON MY WAY \1 HE 0 / WAIT+4

  8,OOOOH60 ,VIDA 0 PUNI%+ H] EYES AG1
4TRAU<T 2C %E _HN'T BE5 9 ON ! DEN\E;T4
8,Y 2HAV$ S RECK.SLY6 ,Y MI<T H BE5
KILL$6 ,:Y CDN'T Y USE .S5SE80
  8,I ALR EXPLA9$ T ,I 0 SURE ,MILO 0 "!
--OR WD 2 -+ V SOON4 ,ANYWAY1 Y'RE ! "O
:O GOT %OT & ALM /RANGL$40
  8,T'S DI6]5T40 ,VIDA PUT H]
TORTOISE%ELL-FRAM$ GLASSES BACK ON1 !N
SMIL$ WICK$LY4 8,I C'T HELP X1 ,I WD
LOVE 6BE A LL M\SE 9 ! CORN] :5 !Y TELL
,?YRA AB ,B1U4 ,AT LA/1 T NA/Y WOMAN W
GET :AT %E DES]VES40
  8,ACTU,Y10 ,I RESPOND$1 8%E'S E BIT Z
M* (A KILL] Z ,B1U4 ,H] MANIPUL,N (!
FAMILY & H] OBSES.N ) KEEP+ UP APPE>.ES
HELP$ TURN HM 96A MURD]]4 ,%E1 TOO1 HAS
BLOOD ON H] H&S40
  ,VIDA SC[L$ AT ME4 8,YES1 YES1 ( C\RSE
%E DOES4 ,I'M N TALK+ AB .T40 ,%E PAUS$1
CLE>+ H] RAW ?ROAT4 8,I M1NT MY "M'S
G\RDS40
                                    #DHA
  ,RON ,BJORNSON1 RELIEV$ B BELLIG]5T1 0
REL1S$ F JAIL ,MON"D MORN+4 ,ON ,FRI"D1
AF ! /ORY ( ,B1U'S D1? &! C>E;LLY ^W$
/ATE;T F ,MILO T ! ,RASMUSS5 CASE 0
CLOS$1 ,E9> ,SR4 KILL$ HMF ) 8 %OTGUN4
,I _H WRITT5 & REWRITT5 ! >TICLE AT L1/
SIX "TS1 6AVOID A LIBEL SUIT4 ,B ! 9F]-
;ES 7 "!3 ! LATE ,B1U ,RASMUSS5 _H KILL$
8 P>5TS4
  ,IF ,E9> ,SR4 _H NO L;G] BE5 A# 65DURE
! WEB ( EVIL : 5TW9$ XF >.D 8 FAMILY1
,?YRA 0 UNREP5TANT4 ,%E WDN'T TALK 6ME1
B %E'D ISSU$ A /ATE;T : ALL (! LOCAL PA-
P]S PICK$ UP1 9CLUD+ .,! .,ADVOCATE4
  8,:5 A FAMILY 2COMES PROSP]\S & PROMI-
N5T10 %E _H SD1 8"! >E ALW 5VI\S P>A-
SITES :O TRY 6BR+ !M D[N4 ,LIES1 RUMORS1
& UNF.D$ ALLEG,NS >E _! TOOLS4 ,WE H _H
\R %>E ( UNDES]V$ TRAG$Y1 B WE % P]SEV]E
& MA9TA9 \R /ATUS 9 ! -MUN;Y40
  ,VIDA1 :O 0 \ (! HOSPITAL1 B 3F9$ AT
HOME = ANO!R WEEK1 _H NO -;T4 ,%E 0 /
SAVOR+ :AT %E 3SID]$ A P]SONAL VICTORY
OV] ,?YRA ,RASMUSS54
  ,X 0 A SUBDU$1 HA7>D ,DEIRDRE     #DHB
:O 0 ! MO/ WILL+ 6TALK 6ME4 ,%E CAME 96!
(FICE ! FOLL[+ ,MON"D1 AF H] GR&"F'S FU-
N]AL4
  8,DAV9 & ,I >E MOV+ 6,S1TTLE10 %E SD1
ALM 9 A :ISP]4 8,I DON'T C>E :AT ,I H 6D
6GET "W4 ,I CD N"E /AY ) ,GR&MAMA1 &
,DAV9 NE$S A BIG SUPPORT NET"W = 8 DR9K-
+1 : HE C GET 9 A BIG C;Y4 ,I DON'T 2L;G
>.D "H1 ANYWAY4 ,I'VE N"E LIK$ SMALL
T[NS40
  ,I SMIL$1 A BIT SADLY4 8,2L;G+ IS A
T\< 3CEPT4 ,I'M N SURE ,I 2L;G 9 ,ALP9E4
,& ,I "K T EV5 AF ALL ! YE>S ,I'VE BE5
"H1 ! LOCALS ."K ,I DON'T 2L;G4 ,I GUESS
X -ES 6": YR HE>T FEELS AT HOME40
  8,I N"E FELT AT HOME ) MY FAMILY10
,DEIRDRE DCLD1 H] USU,Y S(T F1TURES
/RA9$ & H>D4 8,B1U & 8 HORR5D\S PRO#MS
GOT ALL ! ATT5;N4 ,T'S :Y ,I M>RI$ ,J]K-
(F :5 ,I 0 S "Y4 ,I _H 6GET AWAY4 ,!N ,I
CAME BACK 6?40 ,%E MADE A %>P GE/URE )
"O H&4 8,B1U 0 :AT !Y US$ 6CALL MANIC-
DEPRESSIVE4 ,MY P>5TS TOOK HM 6DOCTORS
:5 HE 0 "Y]1 B !Y DIDN'T H Z _M M$IC,NS
!N4 ,LAT] ,GR&MAMA PUT A /OP 6M     #DHC
SOPHI/ICAT$ TR1T;T4 ,%E 9SI/$ ,B1U 0
F9E1 J MOODY4 ,MY "M DID H] BE/ 6GET HM
6TAKE "S K9D ( M$IC9E1 B Z HE GOT OLD]
HE 2CAME M REBELLI\S4 ,IF T'S ! ^W = 8
K9D ( MAD;S40 ,%E SPOKE ) GRT BITT];S4
  8,DID YR "F TELL Y T ,B1U _H KILL$ YR
"M80 ,I ASK$4
  ,DEIRDRE %OOK H] H1D4 8,HE SD %E'D J
G"O (F1 %E CDN'T TAKE 2+ ,B1U'S KEEP]
ANYMORE4 ,I ALM 2LIEV$ X4 ,B ,I IMMLY
S5S$ ! T5.N 2T MY "F & ,B1U4 ,I KNEW :AT
_H HAPP5$4 ,!N ,DAD 0 KILL$1 & ,I 0 SURE
,I 0 "R4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D G MAD MYF :5 ,B1U
DECID$ 6DRESS UP Z ,MOM AT ,DAD'S FUN]-
AL4 ,X 0 HORRI#40
  8,B Y WDN'T TELL80
  8,NO4 ,I CDN'T1 !N4 ,I 0 TOO UPSET4 ,&
,I 0 AFRAID = ,DAV94 ,C Y IMAG9E :AT A
NI<TM>E ? HAS BE5 S9CE ,I MOV$ 9 ) ,DAD
& ,B1U8 ,T H\SE--,I'D L 6GIVE X AWAY40
  8,N AT T PRICE10 ,I NOT$4
  ,DEIRDRE SNORT$4 8,T 0 ,B1U'S IDEA4
,HE WANT$ 6LIVE ) ,GR&MAMA4 ,HE KNEW
%E'D TAKE C>E ( HM4 ,I ?9K !Y 7 K9DR$
_SS40                               #DHD
  ,X 0 ,DEIRDRE :O 5LI<T5$ ME AB ! WOMAN
,E9> _H BE5 SEE+ ON ! SLY4 ,%E 0 ,CYN?IA
,KITTIKA*ORN1 N ,MAYL5E ,BJORNSON4
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