,,FIRETRAP
          ,A ,NOVEL ( ,SUSP5SE

             ,,E>L ,,EM]SON

      ,PUBLI%$ 0,BALLANT9E ,BOOKS
               ,NEW ,YORK
   ,COPY"R #BJJF 0,E>L ,EM]SON1 ,9C4
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4


      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
              ,C>OL ,/UD]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #F ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #D
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #CJA-CIH

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
























                  #CH4              #CJA
          ,,D[N/AIRS ,,UP/AIRS

    ,COOP] ,H5DRICKSON1
    ;,Z ,CLUB ,SURVIVOR
  ,WE'RE 9 ! ;,Z ,CLUB MAYBE AN H\R :5
,LIMOG5E DECIDES 6G \TSIDE & H A SMOKE4
,I DON'T USE TOBA3O PRODUCTS1 B %E DOES1
S WE'RE H1D$ D[N ! /AIRS :5 ,LIMO MEETS
^! TWO *ICKS %E "KS F B1UTICIAN S*OOL4
,WE />T RAPP+1 & !N ! CAT :O 0 GU>D+ !
DOOR & COLLECT+ TICKETS -ES RUNN+ UP PA/
U4 ,I TOLD ALL ? 6! COPS A MILLION "TS
ALR4
  ,I'M /&+ ) MY BACK 6! /AIRS :5 HE RUNS
PA/ & WE HE> ! S.D ( GLASS BR1K+4 ,!
GIRLS />T WAV+ AT ME 6TURN >.D1 & :5 ,I
D "!'S SMOKE FL[+ UP ! /AIRS4 ,!Y'RE
TELL+ ME 6G D[N & SEE :AT'S HAPP59'1 S
,I WALK OV] 6! /AIRS & PEEK >.D1 & J AB
! "T ,I GET "! ? BIG BALL ( FLAME />TS
RIS+ UP ! /AIRWELL1 BURN+ UP ALL ^! OLD
PO/]S & BILLBO>D %EETS ON ! WALLS4 ,I C
FEEL ! H1T ON MY FACE4 ,I / GOT NO EYE-
BR[S4 ,*ECK X \4
  ,S ,I TURN >.D 6RUN1 & T'S :5     #CJB
,I R1LIZE ,I'M HAV+ A H>D "T \TRUNN+ X4
,? %IT IS J RO>+ UP ! /AIRS AT ME1
FLAMES -+ >.D MY E>S & BLACK SMOKE RAC+
9 FRONT ( ME UNTIL ,I ALM C'T SEE ":
,I'M GO+4 ,I DIDN'T "K FIRE CD MOVE T
FA/4 ,FA/] ?AN ,I 0 RUNN+4 ,BURNS ALL !
HAIR ON ! BACK ( MY NECK & MELTS MY
JACKET 6MY %IRT4 ,I RACE PA/ ,LIMOG5E &
H] FRS S FA/ ,I'M A%AM$4
  ,ANYWAY1 !Y CAT* ME UP1 &! F\R ( U >E
RUNN+ 96! MA9 HALL %\T+ 8,FIRE60 & "!'S
A BUN* ( CATS /&+ "! LOOK+ AT U L WE'RE
NUTS4 ,"O ( !M SAUNT]S T[>D ! /AIRWELL
6SEE = HMF1 Y "K1 L HE'S GO+ 6MAKE ME
LOOK BAD 0GO+ BACK ! WAY ,I CAME1 EV5
?\< Y C ALR SEE ? BLACK SMOKE -+ "? !
DOORWAY4 ,= "S R1SON ,I C'T EXPLA9 6? "D
WE /OP 6WAT* HM4 ,MAYBE 2C 8 REAC;N IS S
COOL & HE'S S C]TA9 WE'RE DUMB %ITS T =
J A FEW SECONDS "!1 ,I AM 2G9N+ 6D\BT MY
[N SAN;Y1 Y "K1 L1 MAYBE "! RE,Y ISN'T
ANY FIRE4 ,OR MAYBE ,I J WANT 6SEE HM
GET 8 ASS BURN$4 ,S ? CAT GETS MAYBE
FIVE FEET PA/ ! DOORWAY T[>D ! /AIRS1 &!
NEXT ?+ ,I "K HE'S RUNN+ 6SAVE 8    #CJC
ASS1 TOO4 ,RUNS CL1N ACR ! D.E FLOOR1
PA/ U1 PA/ ! ,,DJ1 & 96! BACK 2H ! /AGE4
,L1VES ALL 8 FRS4 ,TURNS \ LAT] HE 0 "O
(! D1D CATS !Y F.D AT ! BOTTOM (! /AIRS4
  ,LIMOG5E & ,I DON'T "K :AT 6D4 ,Y C
SEE ? BIG ORANGE BALL ( FLAME POK+ \ !
TOP (! /AIRS1 ! :OLE PLACE FILL+ UP )
SMOKE4 ,LIMO'S GIRLFRS SPLIT1 S WE
DIDN'T H !M 6?9K AB4 ,!Y BO? MAKE X \1
TOO4 ,WE K9D ( RUN >.D LOOK+ = "SBODY :O
"KS :AT'S :AT1 B "! ISN'T NOBODY4 ,"EY-
BODY C\<+4 ,! GIRLS SCR1M+4 ,A C\PLE (
GUYS %\T+ ORD]S T DON'T MAKE S5SE4
  ,X DOESN'T TAKE B A M9UTE =! HALL TO
FILL UP ) ? BLACK SMOKE4 ,9 LESS ?AN A
M9UTE--,I ?9K X 0 LESS ?AN A M9UTE--X'S
BANK+ D[N S WE >E BR1?+ X4 ,& !N X />TS
6GET R1L H>D 6SEE4
  ,LIMOG5E SAYS1 8,LET'S FOLL[ HM10 M1N+
! GUY :O RAN 2H ! /AGE4 ,S WE FOLL[ !
CAT ONTO ! /AGE1 BO? ( U ?9K+ "! M/ 2 AN
EXIT 2H ! CURTA9S1 ELSE 9 ! OLD "DS H[
WD ! ACTORS GET 9 & \8 ,X'S SMOKY UP ON
! /AGE1 B WE 5D UP GO+ D[N ? D>K FLI<T (
/AIRS4 ,G D[N S F> ,I'M AFRAID      #CJD
WE'RE GO+ 96! BASE;T4 ,X'S PIT*-BLACK1 &
! ONLY LI<TS WE H >E F CIG>ETTE LI<T]S1
& ? GUY HAS AN ,9DIGLO WAT* HE'S US+ TO
SEE 8 WAY4 ,"SBODY SAYS C>E;L ) T CIGA-
RETTE LI<T]1 BUD1 Y DON'T WANT 6/>T A
FIRE4 ,"EYBODY LAU<S1 & WE ALL FEEL L WE
"K EA* O!R AF T4 ,N TOO M* SMOKE D[N "!
AT F/4 ,:5 WE GET 6! BOTTOM "! >E AB T5
( U4 ,! DOORS >E LOCK$4
  ,WE ?9K WE'RE GO+ 6H "T 6FIGURE X \1 B
AF A C\PLE ( M9UTES NOBODY IS FIGUR+ \
%IT4 ,A C\PLE ( P CALL \ ON _! CELLS1
MAN1 B :AT GD DOES T D8 ,? GIRL TALK+ TO
H] GR&"M1 TELL+ H] 6CALL #IAA :5 %E CD H
CALL$ X H] [N-SELF4
  ,!N ! SMOKE />TS BANK+ D[N ! /AIRS4
,"SBODY :O "WS "!--"O (! [N]S1 ,I ?9K--
SAYS ! DOOR IS LOCK$ 2C P US$ 6SN1K 9 )-
\T PAY+4 ,A C\PLE ( P G BACK UP ! /AIRS
6TRY _! LUCK1 & WE />T 6D T1 TOO1 B X'S
SMOKI] ?AN %IT1 & HALFWAY UP1 ,LIMO--
WELL1 %E HAS AS?MA F :5 %E 0 A KID &
%E'S A LL H1VY & ,I SUPPOSE H] TOBA3O
USE DOESN'T HELP--S H] GETT+ BACK UP !M
/AIRS IS AB IMPOSSI#4 ,I TELL H]    #CJE
6/AY "! & ,I'LL G LOOK = ANO!R WAY \4
  ,S ,I G BACK UP !M /AIRS ) ,LIMO TELL+
ME N 6L1VE H] & ME TELL+ H] X'S GO+ 6BE
OKAY1 & WE'RE BO? "K+ ,I'M TALK+ \ MY
BUTT4 ,IF ,I CD LIVE ANY?+ OV] 9 MY LIFE
X WD 2 ! MO;T ,I DECID$ 6L1VE H]4
  ,I G UP !M /AIRS1 & X IS S SMOKY ON !
MA9 FLOOR N[ ,I C B>ELY TELL ": ,I'M
WALK+1 & X'S />T+ 6GET R1L HOT4 ,"! IS
NOBODY >.D4 ,I M1N1 NOBODY4 ,X'S SPOOKY4
,WE G D[N & "! IS A %ITLOAD ( P1 & :5 ,I
GET BACK UP1 ,I'M AL"O4 ,AF A :ILE ,I
HE> "S P MOV+ & C\<+1 B !Y 7 A L;G WAY
(F & !Y S.D L !Y'RE CRAWL+ OR "S?+4
  ,I G ACR ! BACK (! /AGE1 & "! IS ?
DOOR : ,I FIGURE IS A CLOSET OR A DRESS+
ROOM OR "S?+1 & ,I TRY 6OP5 X B "SBODY
IS PU%+ ON X F ! O!R SIDE4 ,F9,Y ,I JACK
X OP51 GET MY LEG 9 "! & =CE X1 & "! >E
L SIX OR EI<T P 9 ? T9Y ROOM1 & !Y >E
ALL YELL+ \ ? W9D[ =! FIRE DE"P;T 6-E &
GET !M1 & "SBODY SLAMS ! DOOR 2H ME 2C
!Y DON'T WANT ALL ! SMOKE 6-E IN4
  ,AF A :ILE ! FIRE DE"P;T PUTS A LA4]
UP & />TS HELP+ U D[N4 ,"S GIRL     #CJF
FIREFI<T] UP "! HELP+ U ONTO ! LA4] "O
AT A "T1 "EYBODY PU%+ & %IT4 ,= "S R1SON
,I'M ! LA/ "O \4 ,AF ,I GET 6! /REET1 ,I
/>T TELL+ !M AB ,LIMOG5E1 & !Y ASK ME ":
! /AIRS >E1 B 0T "T ,I'M S TURN$ >.D ,I
DON'T H A FUCK9' CLUE4
  ,S !Y TAKE ME 6"S *IEF1 & HE TELLS ^!
TWO FIREFI<T]S 6TAKE ME >.D ! BUILD+ TO
LOOK =! /AIRS4 ,BIG CR[D AT ? PO9T1
TALK+ %IT 6! FIREFI<T]S1 GRA2+ AT ! TWO
GUYS ,I'M )4 ,I H 6TELL CATS 6L1VE !M
AL"O1 ^! GUYS 7 TRY+ 6HELP ME F9D ,LIMO-
G5E4
  ,S WE G 6! BACK SIDE (! BUILD+1 & "!'S
FIREFI<T]S & LA4]S & P ) BROK5 LEGS LAY+
ON TOP ( C>S4 ,& "!'S ,LIMOG5E'S FRS F
B1UTICIAN S*OOL1 & ,I ASK IF !Y'VE SE5
,LIMO1 B "O ( !M'S GOT A B"O POK+ \ ( H]
LEG & DOESN'T WANT 6D ANY?+ B WAIL4 ,I
C'T BLAME H]4
  ,:5 WE F9D ! /AIRS1 ! DOORS >E OP51 &
,LIMOG5E & "EYBODY ELSE IS G"O4 ,S N[
,I'M ?9K+ %E GOT \ & %E'S LOOK+ = ME
:ILE ,I'M LOOK+ = H] & WE'RE 9 ? CIRCLE-
J]K ?+4 ,S ,I G >.D ! BUILD+ !      #CJG
OPPOSITE (! WAY WE CAME1 & ,I SEE A C\-
PLE ( *ICKS :O GOT \1 B ,I DON'T SEE H]4
,I REMEMB] ": WE P>K$1 & ,I G LOOK AT !
C> 6SEE IF MAYBE %E'S BE5 "!1 B NO?+
SEEMS 4TURB$4 ,I'M />T+ 6GET FRANTIC4
,LIMOG5E IS ! P]SON :O KEPT ME SANE :5
,I 0 9 ,LOMPOC4
  ,AF AB A HALF H\R ( WAT*+ ! FIRE & US+
MY CELL 6CALL H] HOME & H] MOM'S HOME1
,I CALL ! HOSPITAL1 ": !Y SAY !Y WON'T
GIVE \ "NS4 ,S ,I'M TALK+ 6"S FIRE (FI-
C]1 & HE TELLS ME A C\PLE (! P !Y F.D AT
! BOTTOM (! /AIRS >E D1D4 ,HE DON'T "K :
"OS1 B A C\PLE4 ,0T PO9T ,I'M />T+ 6G
NUTS1 S ,I GET ) MY FR ,J>VIS & WE H1D
D[N 6! HOSPITAL4 ,!Y TELL U1 Y1H1 "!'S
"S D1D FOLK A9'T BE5 ID5TIFI$1 & WE C
LOOK AT 'EM IF WE ?9K WE "K !M4 ,S WE D4
,^! >E ! F/ D1D P ,I "E SAW4 ,LIMOG5E'S
! LA/ "O4 ,X'S L %E'S ASLEEP OR "S?+1 J
LAY+ "! 9 H] BLUE DRESS ) H] EYES CLOS$1
A LL BIT ( SOOT >.D H] NO/RILS4

                                    #CJG
                  #CI4              #CJH
             ,,H& ,,6,,M\?

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,TREY HAS BE5 S PL1SANT & EASY 6GET
AL;G ) ALL MORN+1 ,I'M 2G9N+ 6WOND] :Y
,I LO/ SLEEP LA/ NI<T WORRY+ AB HM4 ,X'S
MY TURN 6DRIVE1 S ,I'VE BE5 F]RY+ U F "O
FIREH\SE 6ANO!R Z WE 9T]VIEW FIREFI<T]S4
,I'M HOP+ MY N]V\S;S W G AWAY & T ,I
DON'T SNAP AT HM Z ,I H S _M "TS OV] !
PA/ FEW "DS1 2C ,I'M 2G9N+ 6GET 3C]N$ AT
:AT HE CD P]CV ONLY Z MY UNREMITT+ F\L
HUMOR4
  ,TD WE'VE MANAG$ 6TALK 6F\R FIREFI<T]S
:O 7 AT ! ;,Z ,CLUB1 B WE COV]$ MO/LY
OLD GR.D4 ,!Y 7 ALL "W+ Z H>D Z !Y CD
FI<T+ ! FIRE & N"O _H BE5 9VOLV$ 9 ANY
RESCUES OR SE5 ANY CIVILIANS 9SIDE4 ,AF
F9I%+ )! FIREFI<T]S1 WE SPOKE 6,COOP]
,H5DRICKSON1 :O TOLD U H[ 8 GIRLFR DI$4
,COOP] IS TW5TY-EI<T B / LIVES ) 8 "M1
AL;G ) TWO GR[N BRO!RS &A SI/] & H] TWO
*N1 9 A FALL+-D[N H\SE 2T ,RA9I] ,AV5UE
& ,LAKE ,WA%+TON--A H\SE J F> 5 D[N !
WR;G SIDE (! HILL 6DEPRESS XS R1L   #CJI
E/ATE VALUE4 ,JUDG+ 0! WAY 8 "M & SI/] 7
DRESS$1 CA% 0 9 %ORT SUPPLY4 ,:5 WE %[$
UP MID-MORN+1 ,H5DRICKSON & 8 SI/] _H
BE5 GLU$ 6! ,,TV WAT*+ ..,! ,PRICE ,IS
.,"R4
  ,H5DRICKSON'S GRIEF OV] 8 GIRLFR SEEM$
G5U9E4 ,HE _H ! ATTITUDE ( "S"O ) LESS
$UC,N ?AN /REET "T &! MI5 (A MAN :O'D
SP5T "S YE>S 9 /IR3 A MAN DET]M9$ N 6LET
SOCIETY CO-OPT ANY M YE>S ( 8 LIFE4 ,F 8
TE/IMONY ,I GOT A H9T (! PANIC & HOPE.S-
;S ( ^? 9SIDE ! ;,Z ,CLUB1 & ,I R1LIZ$ X
0 A MIRACLE M P DIDN'T DIE4 ,UN.S "S
C\RT DEEM$ ! FIRE DE"P;T NEGLIG5T1 X 0
UNLIKELY1 ,I ?"\1 T HE WD COLLECT ANY
M"OY F ! C;Y = 8 GIRLFR'S D1?4
  ,N[ WE 7 ON \R WAY 6,M]C] ,ISL&1 ": !
H\S+ PRICES 7 Z ELEVAT$ Z !Y 7 DEPRESS$
9 ,H5DRICKSON'S NEI<BORHOOD4
  ,Z ,TREY SAT 2S ME 9 ! PASS5G] S1T1 HE
APPE>$ ALM Z RELAX$ Z ,I 0 T5SE1 A 3TRA/
T = "S R1SON MADE ME SEE R$4 ,I DIDN'T
5JOY ! 3/ANT T5.N 2T U4 ,X MADE ME FURI-
\S T HE DIDN'T SEEM A6ECT$ 0X :ILE ,I CD
B>ELY SQUEEZE AN 9TELLIG5T ^W \ (   #CAJ
MY M\? & T HE 0 CASU,Y -;T+ ON ! TRA6IC
>.D U :ILE ,I _H A D1? GRIP ON ! /E]+
:EEL4
  8,:AT DID Y ?9K ( ,H5DRICKSON80 ,I
ASK$4
  8,I US$ 6PLAY BALL ) HM AT ! ,G>FIELD
,GYM40
  8,HE DIDN'T M5;N X40
  8,HE GAVE ME A LL H1D NOD :5 WE CAME
IN4 ,A C\PLE ( YE>S AGO HE /OPP$ PLAY+1
&A LL LAT] HE & 8 BRO!R KNOCK$ (F A C\-
PLE ( GROC]Y /ORES = DRUG M"OY & GOT
CAU<T4 ,I DON'T ?9K HE'S BE5 \ L;G40
  8,W]E Y FRS80
  8,N S Y WD NOTICE4 ,HE HUNG )A PRETTY
T\< CR[D4 ,HAV+ ATTORNEYS ASK HM 6JO9 9
A MULTIMILLION-DOLL> LAWSUIT AG/ ! C;Y
M/ H BE5 A DR1M -E TRUE40
  8,Y DON'T RE,Y 2LIEVE T80
  8,Y DIDN'T SEE 8 EYES LI<T UP :5 HE
TALK$ AB X80
  8,HE LO/ 8 GIRLFR40
  8,I DON'T D\BT HE FEELS BAD AB T1 B T
DOESN'T *ANGE ! FACT T IF ?+S G WELL1
HE'LL PROBABLY 5D UP )A GD *UNK (   #CAA
*ANGE40
  8,I'D =GOTT5 "! 7 RESCUES F ! ;,A SIDE
(! BUILD+4 ,T5 VICTIMS1 ,I 2LIEVE4 ,T'S
! SIDE HE W5T \4 ,8 GIRLFR M/ H DI$ AT !
BOTTOM (! /AIRS40
  8,IF ,I'D REMEMB]$ T /AIRCASE1 %E'D 2
ALIVE4 ,X 0 T\< FAC+ HM "K+ T40
  8,T'S N :AT ,I M1NT40
  8,:AT"E Y M1NT1 ,I FELT L CRAP LOOK+
96HIS EYES & "K+ IF ,I'D GIV5 "O SIMPLE
ORD] 8 GIRLFR WD 2 ALIVE40
  8,X 0 D>K4 ,"! 7 DOORS ) NO KNOBS ON !
\TSIDE & !Y 7 PA9T$ ! SAME COLOR Z !
WALL4 ,X 0 YE>S S9CE Y'D BE5 9SIDE4 ,O?-
]S AT ! FIRE _H 9SPECT$ X1 TOO1 B N"O (
!M REMEMB]$ ! DOORS4 ,Y'D ALR BE5 "W+
FIFTE5 H\RS4 ,Y C'T EXPECT MIRACLES4 ,X
WASN'T YR FAULT4 ,2SS1 NOBODY 9 ! ,S1T-
TLE ,FIRE ,DE"P;T _H "E D"O ANY?+ Q L
:AT Y DID AT ! ;,Z ,CLUB4 ,I'VE HE>D T
OV] & OV]40
  ,WE 7 HALFWAY ACR ! ,M]C] ,ISL& FLOAT+
BRIDGE :5 ,I SD1 8,D Y ?9K ,FI% HASN'T
BE5 %[+ UP = "W 2C HE DOESN'T WANT 6TALK
6U80                                #CAB
  8,I ?9K 8 DAU<T]'S SICK40
  8,OR MAYBE X HAS "S?+ 6D ) YR SNIDE
-;TS AB 8 PROMO;N40
  8,Y WANT ME 6L1VE T \ (! 3V]S,N TD80
  8,T WD 2 NICE40 ,TREY GR9N$4 ,A MO;T
LAT]1 ,I A4$1 8,D Y ?9K HE'S PLANN+ 6RE-
TIRE80
  8,MY GUESS IS "SBODY :O PRESIDES OV] A
FIRE ": F\RTE5 P DI$ DOESN'T WANT 6HANG
>.D ANY L;G] ?AN NEC40
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T FEEL T WAY4 ,T ! RE/
( YR C>E] IS TA9T$80
  8,:AT8 ,D Y H A BLANK SPACE 9 YR NOTES
": MY /ORY IS SUPPOS$ 6G8 ,YR OBSESSIVE-
-PULSIVE NATURE 2G9N+ 6GET ! BE/ ( Y80
  8,I'M N OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE40
  8,:Y >E ALL YR P>AGRAPHS NUMB]$80
  8,I D T = ''' OKAY1 MAYBE ,I'M A LL--0
  8,:Y DOES ! 9SIDE ( YR PURSE LOOK L X
J PASS$ A MILIT>Y 9SPEC;N4 ,:Y >E ALL !
,,CD'S 9 YR C> 9 ALPHABETICAL ORD]80
  8,OKAY1 OKAY40
  ,*IEF ,FI% LIV$ ON ! EA/ SIDE ( ,M]C]
,ISL& 9 A PLU% NEI<BORHOOD ( HOMES ON
BIG LOTS1 MO/ ) VIEWS (! ,CASCADE   #CAC
,M.TA9S1 : _H N RCVD _! F/ DU/+ ( SN[
YET ? YE>4 ,2L1 WE CD SEE A SLA% ( ,LAKE
,WA%+TON &A HILL ACR ! ,EA/ ,*ANNEL DOT-
T$ ) H\S+ & -M]CIAL PROP]TY4 ,FI%'S H\SE
0 SPRAWL+1 TWO &A HALF /ORIES )A ?REE-C>
G>AGE &A "W%OP4 ,! Y>D 0 L[ MA9T5.E1
B1UTY B>K & JUNIP]S4
  8,Y BE5 "H 2F80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NO40
  8,Y GO+ 6BE GD80
  8,MAYBE40
  8,NO1 ,I M1N X4 ,2C ,I DON'T WANT ? TO
TURN 96A WRE/L+ MAT*40
  8,Y'RE 9 *>GE40
  ,*IEF ,FI% MET U AT 8 FRONT DOOR1
LOOK+ J Z SLI<T & VITAM9-DEFICI5T 9 CI-
VILIAN CLO!S Z HE _H 9 ! OV]SIZE :ITE
*IEF'S %IRT ,I'D SE5 HM 9 ON ,FRI"D4 ,8
HAIR 0 LIMP B 8 H&%AKE 0 W>M & FRLY4
8,B1UTI;L HOME10 ,I SD4
  ,FI% LOOK$ >.D ! Y>D & SD1 8,I _H TO
TAKE \ MO/ (! G>D54 ,JOYCE DID ! Y>D "W1
B ,I CDN'T KEEP X UP AF %E 0 G"O40
  ,WE W5T 9SIDE1 ": HE S1T$ U 9 A
SUMPTU\S LIV+ ROOM OV]LOOK+ !       #CAD
,CASCADES4 ,"!'D BE5 A RIOT 9 ! ,C5TRAL
,4TRICT LATE LA/ NI<T1 & ,FI% WANT$ TO
TALK AB X4 ,TREY TOLD HM A S]IES ( GANGS
_H BE5 RUNN+ "? "PS (! ,C5TRAL ,>EA ?R[+
ROCKS1 BR1K+ W9D[S1 SPRAY PA9T+ SLOGANS
ONTO ! WALLS ( BUSI;SES & C;Y PROP]TIES4
,EI<TE5 Y\?S 7 >RE/$1 SCORES M 9JUR$ 9
3FLICTS ) POLICE1 A ,HONDA D1L]%IP LOOT-
$4 ,"!'D BE5 TALK (A CURFEW1 B X _HN'T
YET BE5 9/ITUT$4
  8,I HE>D ,M$IC ,"O'S VEHICLE _H ROCKS
?R[N AT X :ILE !Y 7 TR1T+ A COP ON ,*]-
RY10 SD ,FI%4
  8,I HE>D T1 TOO4 ,"SBODY ?REW E7S AT
,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T1 B T'S 2COM+ AN "EY"D
O3URR;E40
  ,FI% SD1 8,MAYBE !Y %D EGG X !MVS AT
ROLL CALL J 63FUSE ! NATIVES40
  ,TREY DIDN'T RESPOND4 ,X MI<T H BE5
,FI%'S REF];E TO 8NATIVES40 ,"S P 7 SU-
P]S5SITIVE 6^W *OICES L T1 ?\< ,I DIDN'T
H A H&LE ON :E!R ,TREY 0 "O ( !M4
  ,AF AN UNCOM=TA# SIL;E1 ,TREY SD1
8,LA/ NI<T >.D MIDNI<T1 ,5G9E ,TW5TY-
EI<T W5T \ ON A FALSE AL>M & "S-    #CAE
BODY ?REW ROCKS AT !M4 ,G>RETSON *AS$ "S
KID TWO BLOCKS "? BACKY>DS1 & :5 HE F9,Y
COLL>$ HM1 ! KID WANT$ 6FI<T4 ,HE 0 AB
?IRTE54 ,A BUN* (! NEI<BORS HE>D ! -MO;N
& CAME \ 9 _! PAJAMAS4 ,G>RETSON SD HE
?"\ !Y 7 GO+ 6B1T ! HELL \ ( HM4 ,:ILE ?
0 GO+ ON1 "S O!R KID BROKE ! W9D%IELD &
"O (! SIDE W9D[S ON ! 5G9E )A BASEBALL
BAT40
  8,JESUS10 SD ,FI%4
  8,MAYBE WE %D GET ? MOV+10 ,I SD4 8,I
DON'T WANT 6TAKE UP ANY M ( YR "D ?AN WE
H TO1 ,*IEF ,FI%40
  8,SURE4 ,:Y N8 ,I'VE GOT MY NOTES "H1
S ,I "K ": WE LEFT (F4 ,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ AB
? S9CE WE SPOKE1 & :AT X BOILS D[N 6WAS
WE _H ?REE DI6]5T OP],NS GO+ ON AT ! ;,Z
,CLUB4 ,! F/ 0 FI<T+ ! FIRE4 ,! SECOND 0
A S]IES ( RESCUES3 ! ,HISPANIC KIDS1 :
TURN$ \ 6BE BOGUS1 ! "PYGO]S ON ! SECOND
FLOOR1 T5 ( :OM CAME \ ! W9D[ ON ! ;,A
SIDE & TW5TY OR S ON ;,C1 & !N ! AT-
TEMPT$ RESCUE ( ,V]NON ,SWEET+4 ,! ?IRD
OP],N 0 ! H&L+ (! PATI5TS4 ,! MULTIPLE
CASUALTY 9CID5T4                    #CAF
  8,:AT HAPP5$ AF ,CAPTA9 ,BR[N "H PUT
UP ! LA4] ON ! ;,C SIDE & />T$ MAK+ RES-
CUES 0 T WE GOT ^W ,LA4] ,TWELVE _H LEFT
,SWEET+ 9SIDE4 ,"R AWAY WE ORGANIZ$ A
GR\P 6BACK !M UP & S5T CREWS 9 ON ;,A4
,I WASN'T -=TA# ) T1 2C ! FIRE 0 GO+
PRETTY GD1 B 9 ! 5D X DIDN'T MATT]1 2C !
RESCUE T1M CAME "R BACK \4 ,X 0 J TOO
HOT4 ,I / WOND] :AT HAPP5$ T CAUS$ U TO
LOSE A MAN4 ,I'VE TALK$ 6,ACT+ ,LIEUT5-
ANT ,RUDOLPH AT L5G?4 ,Y -E \ (A BUILD+
) YR CREW1 Y C.T H1DS4
  8,AT TW5TY-?REE SEV5TE5 H\RS WE DCLD X
A DEF5SIVE FIRE =! SECOND "T4 ,I SURE Z
HELL DIDN'T WANT 6D X S9CE ,SWEET+ 0 9
"! & "! 0 ! POSSIBIL;Y ( MAK+ M RESCUES1
B ,I WASN'T AB 6LOSE M FIREFI<T]S1 EI4
,:5 ,I GOT ^W F ,CAPTA9 ,BR[N T HE'D BE5
=C$ \ (! SECOND FLOOR1 ,I KNEW X 0 "T4
,WE SET UP MONITORS & E LA4] PIPE WE CD
GET & DID \R DAMN$E/ 6DR[N ! ?+4 ,WE
DIDN'T H ANY HOPE ( GETT+ M P \ 0!N4 ,WE
KNEW X _H C1S$ 2+ A RESCUE SITU,N &
TURN$ 96A BODY RECOV]Y4 ,2T ! M$ICAL
GR\P & ALL ! UNITS WE 7 CALL+ 9 =   #CAG
! FIRE1 WE _H HALF ! C;Y ON SITE4 ,WE
DR[N$ X PRETTY GD1 B 9 A BUILD+ T OLD1
"! >E LOTS ( HI45 SPACES4
  8,WE DCLD A TAPP$ FIRE AT Z]O ?REE
HUNDR$ H\RS4 ,/>T$ TAK+ BODIES \ AT Z]O
FIVE HUNDR$4 ,I _H "O GR\P CLIMB+ "? !
RUB# M>K+ DANG]\S SPOTS & BODIES ) GL[
/ICKS & RI2ON1 & ANO!R GR\P REMOV+ !
CORPSES "U ! SUP]VI.N (! POLICE DE"P;T &
\R FIRE 9VE/IGATORS4
  8,0T "T WE _H NEWSPEOPLE F ALL OV] !
C;Y4 ,!Y 7 2G9N+ 6%[ UP F ! N,NAL NEWS
\TLETS1 TOO1 /R+]S = ,,NPR & ,,ABC & ALL
( !M4 ,X TURN$ 96A ?REE-R+ CIRCUS4 ,Y
GET T _M D1D AT A FIRE SC5E ''' X'S J
''' WELL ''' ,I _H ?REE FIREFI<T]S AS-
SAULT$ T NI<T4 ,T'S ": X />T$1 RE,Y1 ,I
?9K4 ,ALL ? ANG] WE'RE SEE+4 ,X />T$ AT
! FIRE1 & X'S N"E RE,Y G"O AWAY4 ,ANYH[1
T'S MY /ATE;T4 ,"QS80
  8,I H "O10 ,I SD4 8,IF Y _H 6D X OV]
AG1 :AT WD Y D DI6]5TLY80
  8,I WDN'T -E 6"W40
  ,TREY LAU<$ & X BROKE ! T5.N1 CAUS+
,*IEF ,FI% 6SMILE AT 8 [N LAME      #CAH
JOKE4 ,I SD1 8,H[ AB ! 4PAT* TAPE F !
MAN ON ! CELL PH"O SAY+ FIREFI<T]S 7 BY-
PASS+ HM80
  8,I'M WILL+ 6BET T 0 "SBODY :O 0 S
PANICK$ HE DIDN'T "K :AT HE 0 SEE+4 ,EI
T OR HE ACTU,Y GOT RESCU$ & N[ ISN'T -+
=W>D 6AC"KL$GE ! FACT4 ,Y "K ! CELL PH"O
0 /OL51 S !Y C'T TRACE X 6! [N]40
  8,*IEF80 ,I SD1 AF WE'D ALL BE5 SIL5T
A FEW SECONDS4 8,H[ M* (! MANP[] US$ ON
,V]NON ,SWEET+ 0 DIV]T$ F ! RESCUES ON !
SECOND FLOOR80
  8,I "K :AT Y'RE GETT+ AT1 B WE _H T5 P
LOOK+ = ,SWEET+1 & :ILE !Y 7 9SIDE1 !Y
WD H BR"\ \ ANY CIVILIANS !Y F.D1 TOO4
,B !Y DIDN'T F9D ANY CIVILIANS4 ,& !Y
DIDN'T F9D ,SWEET+1 EI4 ,2SS1 ! :OLE ?+
FOLD$ UP 9SIDE (A FEW M9UTES4 ,9 FACT1
,I H ! "TL9E "R "H4 ,! LOG (! 4PAT*
TAPES4 ,! ,MAY"D 0 CALL$ AT TW5TY-TWO
=TY-SEV5 H\RS1 &! RESCUE GR\P 0 )DRAWN
AT TW5TY-TWO FIFTY-SEV5 H\RS4 ,B>ELY T5
M9UTES40
  8,! ?+ ( X IS1 ,*IEF10 ,I SD1 8Y H "O
-PANY MAK+ RESCUES & TWO OR ?REE    #CAI
-PANIES SE>*+ = ,SWEET+40
  8,&80
  8,& ,V]NON ,SWEET+ 0 :ITE4 ,! VICTIMS
ON ! SECOND FLOOR 7 BLACK40
  ,FI% TURN$ 6,TREY ,BR[N &=A FEW MO;TS
X 0 Z IF ,I C1S$ 6EXI/1 ALL _! YE>S (
"W+ TGR 9 A VIOL5T & DANG]\S PROFES.N
PROVID+ !M A BOND ,I 0 N "P (4 8,IS T H[
!Y'RE LOOK+ AT X80 ,FI% ASK$4 8,IS T RE-
,Y H[ ! BLACK -MUN;Y IS SEE+ ?80
  8,I'M AFRAID X IS40
  8,B !Y "K WE DON'T OP]ATE T WAY1 DON'T
!Y80
  8,!Y DON'T "K ANY?+10 ,TREY SD4 8,N
N[40
  ,ON ! DRIVE BACK 96,S1TTLE1 ,TREY & ,I
7 QUIET UNTIL WE DROVE 96! TUNNEL T EX-
T5D$ F ! WE/ 5D (! FLOAT+ BRIDGE4 ,9SIDE
! TUNNEL1 ,I SD1 8,DIDN'T HE H T5 M5
LOOK+ = ,SWEET+ & ONLY Y & TWO HELP]S TO
DRAG \ TW5TY "S VICTIMS80
  8,X'S M -PLICAT$ ?AN T40
  8,EXPLA9 X 6ME40
  8,6/>T (F )1 WE 7 ON ! BACK SIDE1
SURE1 PULL+ P \1 B ,I'M N S C]TA9   #CBJ
M FIREFI<T]S BACK "! WD H MADE M* DI6]-
;E4 ,!Y PUT A LA4] UP 6"O O!R W9D[1 &
ALL !Y GOT 0 FLAME4 ,&! RE/ (! W9D[S
CDN'T 2 LA4]$ 2C ( P>K$ C>S4 ,WE _H P
BR1K+ 96VEHICLES & TRY+ 6ROLL !M AWAY S
WE CD GET ANO!R LA4] UP1 B X TOOK '''0
  8,:AT8 ,MANP[]80
  8,Y1H40
  8,& ALL ! MANP[] 0 ON ! O!R SIDE (!
BUILD+80
  8,I / DON'T ?9K WE WD H SAV$ ANYBODY
ELSE4 ,T'S J MY OP9ION40
  ,A FEW M9UTES LAT] ,TREY SU7E/$ /OPP+
= LUN* AT ,BORRAC*9I'S1 A L;G-/&+
FAMILY-[N$ BAK]Y & DELI1 A REM9D] ( :5 ?
>EA 0 MO/LY ,ITALIAN-,AM]ICAN & "KN Z
,G>LIC ,GUL*4 ,WE ORD]$ F ! DELI & TOOK
A SMALL R.D TA# 9 A CORN] (! CR[D$ %OP4
,)9 M9UTES ,I'D PICK$ A FI<T AB :E!R !
,REPUBLICANS _H AN E6ECTIVE N,NAL POLIT-
ICAL /RATEGY4 ,=TUNATELY1 OR UN=TUNATE-
LY1 DEP5D+ ^U H[ Y LOOK$ AT X1 HE GOT A
CALL ON 8 CELL PH"O & W5T \TSIDE 6TALK
PRIVATELY4 ,I _H ! FEEL+ X 0 ,9DIA
,C>MI*AEL4 ,CALL X 9TUI;N4          #CBA
























                  #DJ4              #CBB
       ,,X'S ,,/ ,,9 ,,MY ,,LOCK]
      ,,IF ,,Y ,,WANT ,,6,,SEE ,,X

    ,CAPTA9 ,FRANK ,ZIMM]1
    ,5G9E #AC1 ;,C ,%IFT
  ,I HOPE Y DON'T M9D IF ,I SMOKE1 2C ,I
RE,Y DON'T ?9K WELL )\T A PIPE 9 MY H&S4
,! GUYS SAY X'S ,FREUDIAN1 B !Y SAY T AB
"EY?+ ,I D4 ,Z ,I 0 SAY+1 WE'RE GO+ TO
MISS ,*IEF ,FI%4 ,X TOOK A :ILE 6FIGURE
HM \4 ,HE'S ALW BE5 K9D ( AN ODD DUCK4
,EV5 BACK :5 HE 0 A FIREFI<T]1 ! OLD
GUYS TELL ME HE N"E Q FIT IN4 ,HE ADMIT-
T$ ONCE HE B>ELY KNEW 8 WIFE :5 %E 0
ALIVE1 T HE SP5T ALL 8 SP>E "T 9 ! BASE-
;T %OP & HE'D N"E MET HALF ( H] FRS &
DIDN'T PAY ATT5;N 6! O!R HALF4 ,ALL ,I
"K IS HE TR1T$ U L K+S4 ,HE "W$ "H ALM
FIVE YE>S1 & ,I DON'T ?9K ,I SAW HM AN-
GRY ONCE4
  ,Z F> Z ! ;,Z ,CLUB GOES1 ,5G9E #BH 0
\ ( S]VICE :5 ! CALL CAME IN1 S ,5G9E
#CC 0 F/ 9 & WE 7 SECOND4 ,5G9E #CJ %[$
UP 2H U4 ,F/ ?+1 HE _H U MASK UP & G "?
! DOORWAY ON SIDE ;,A4 ,WE W5T      #CBC
IN1 B "! 0 TOO M* SMOKE 6SEE M*1 & ,VOE-
PEL & ,I GOT TANGL$ UP 9 ALL ? WIRE4 ,M/
H FALL5 \ (! CEIL+1 IS ALL WE CD FIGURE4
,T 0 SC>Y1 2C =A FEW M9UTES WE 7 RE,Y
TANGL$4 ,WE 7 LOOK+ = ? ,MEXICAN GIRL
:O1 X TURN$ \1 0 \TSIDE ! :OLE "T4
  ,LA4] #AB 0 9 "! ) U1 & T 0 :5 ,V]NON
,SWEET+ W5T MISS+4 ,WE LEFT ! BUILD+ F/1
S ,I DON'T H ANY IDEA H[ T HAPP5$4
  ,AF ! F/ SE>*1 WE 7 ASSIGN$ 6SET UP
TWO L9ES ON ! ;,A SIDE4 ,X TOOK U A :ILE
6/RET* ! L9ES & GET WAT] 6!M4
  ,X 0 AB !N T ,FI% ASK$ ME 6D A ?REE-
SIXTY (! BUILD+4 ,S ,I G >.D 6SIDE ;,D1
": ,5G9E #CC IS4 ,5G9E #CJ HAS -E 9 2H
!M & IS SETT+ UP4 ,?REE GUYS >E ON ,5G9E
#CC'S L9E4 ,!Y'RE 9 ! FOY] (! BUILD+1 &!
:OLE ?+ IS ORANGE4 ,!Y'VE GOT _! L9E ON
/RAI<T /R1M1 & NO?+ ! L9E HITS SEEMS 6H
ANY E6ECT4 ,WE "K ! >SONI/ US$ ,MOLOTOV
COCKTAILS1 & WE "K HE ?REW AT L1/ "O ON
! MA9 FLOOR "? ! FRONT DOOR1 2C ,M>%AL
#E F.D ! TELLTALE *> PATT]N ON ! FLOOR
AFW4 ,MAN1 X 0 RE,Y BURN+4 ,I W5T >.D 6!
;,C SIDE1 & AT T "T--,I ?9K ,5G9E   #CBD
#BH 0 J >RIV+--X 0 ALL D>K BACK "!4 ,J A
R[ ( C>S P>K$ UP AL;GSIDE ! BUILD+4 ,NO
W9D[S T ,I CD SEE4 ,H>DLY ANY SMOKE4
  ,:5 ,I GET BACK 6! ;,A SIDE1 "!'S ^!
TWO TREES ON FIRE ON ! P>K+ /RIP NEXT 6!
BUILD+1 B MY GUYS >E GETT+ WAT] ON !M4
,& ,I'M HE>+ "S CIVILIAN SAY+ "! >E P
9SIDE4 ,WE ASK !M H[ !Y "K1 & !Y SAY !Y
J "K4 ,NO R1SON4 ,WELL1 WE'D J E/ABLI%$
T "! WASN'T ANYBODY 9SIDE4 ,"R AB !N
,MC,M>T9 -ES \ ! FRONT DOOR AL"O4 ,I
?9K1 L A LOT ( FIREFI<T]S 9 T POSI;N1 HE
CDN'T Q 2LIEVE HE'D RE,Y LO/ 8 "PN]4
  ,S FLAME IS -+ \ (! L[] W9D[S AL;G !
/REET ON SIDE ;,A1 & WE'RE P\R+ WAT] "?
!M :5 "S GUY UP ON ! SECOND FLOOR FLAGS
U D[N4 ,TURNS \ "! >E P 9SIDE AF ALL1 B
!Y'RE ON ! SECOND FLOOR4 ,WE PUT UP A
LA4] & TAKE T5 VICTIMS \ ! W9D[4 ,T 0 :5
,VOEPEL & ,I ?"\ WE'D BETT] TAKE A L9E
"? ! W9D[ & LOOK = M VICTIMS4
  ,WE GET ! L9E UP1 & Y "K H[ M* "W X IS
6TAKE A *>G$ L9E UP A LA4]4 ,ME & ,VOE-
PEL G "? ! W9D[1 : PUTS U 9 ? LL ROOM1 &
WE OP5 ! DOOR1 & X IS J NO?+ B ?    #CBE
RE,Y HOT BLACK SMOKE & FIRE4 ,MELT$ MY
HELMET %IELD4 ,X'S / 9 MY LOCK] IF Y
WANT 6SEE X4
  ,WE 7 ONLY UP "! A FEW M9UTES 2F !
*IEF MADE U -E BACK D[N4
  ,LOS+ ,SWEET+ GO($ U ALL UP4 ,SWEET+
''' ,JESUS4

















                  #DA4              #CBF
           ,,:5 ,,Y ,,R1D ,,P
            ,,L ,I ,,R1D ,,P

    ,V9C5T ,TULLEY1
    ;,Z ,CLUB ,FIRE ,WIT;S--,N[ ,DEC1S$
  ,X'S ,FRI"D NI<T1 & ,I'M GETT+ R1DY TO
TAKE ,B>NEY ,FIFE =A WALK :5 ,I SPOT A
MAN LOIT]+ ACR ! /REET 9 FRONT (! OLD
D.E HALL ON ! CORN]4 ,S5S+ TR\#1 ,I GRAB
MY CELL PH"O & GIVE ! CAT A LL PAT 2F
HOOK+ UP ,B>NEY'S L1%4 ,X IS A B1UTI;L
NI<T1 & IF ,I'M HE$;L1 WE C GET BACK 2F
! />T (! .,FRONTL9E PIECE !Y'RE DO+ ON
AIRL9E SAFETY4
  ,SURE 5\<1 D[N ON ! CORN] ! "Y MAN
3T9UES 6LOIT] 9 FRONT (! OLD D.E HALL4
,B>NEY'S WAT]+ A MAPLE TREE1 & !N ,I
LOOK UP &! GUY'S TALK+ 6"S KID ON !
FRONT /EPS (! D.E HALL4 ,I DON'T "K :AT
? GUY'S GAME IS1 B ,I DIDN'T "W ! F]RIES
= ?IRTY-FIVE YE>S )\T CULTIVAT+ ! ABIL;Y
6R1D /RANG]S AT A GL.E4 ,9 MY SIXTY-TWO
YE>S ,I'VE WIT;S$ S"EAL CRIMES & BE5 TO
C\RT 6TE/IFY AG/ P TWICE1 S ,I'M ALW ON
! AL]T = NUT JOBS4                  #CBG
  ,B>NEY'S DO+ 8 BUSI;S1 & ALL (A SU45
"!'S A FIRE ACR ! /REET1 0GOLLY1 "R 9
FRONT (! "Y MAN1 :O J /&S & LOOKS AT !
FLAMES1 & !N PULLS \ A CELL PH"O & />TS
WAV+ X >.D4
  ,EXCEPT1 :5 ,I GET CLOS]1 X'S N A CELL
PH"O AF ALL4 ,I'M PRETTY SURE X'S A GUN4
,PROBABLY A TOY4 ,I H A S5SE AB ^! ?+S4
,S ,I GET ON MY CELL & CALL #IAA & F9,Y
GET PUT "? 6FIRE1 & !Y ASK ME A BUN* (
"QS1 & 0? "T HE IS WALK+ AWAY1 & ,I'M
?9K+1 ,:AT ! 2JESUS4 ,Y'RE A WIT;S4 ,GET
BACK & D YR CIVIC DUTY4
  ,Y LET P GET AWAY )! LL /UFF1 NEXT ?+
Y "K !Y'RE UP 6_! EYEBALLS 9 ! BIG /UFF4
,I DON'T LET P CUT 9 FRONT ( ME 9 *ECK\T
L9ES1 & ,I DON'T LET P TALK DUR+ ! OP]A1
& ,I'M N PLANN+ 6LET ? "Y MAN GET AWAY
)\T GIV+ A FULL REPORT 6! FIRE DE"P;T4
  ,S ,B>NEY ,FIFE & ,I D A QK JOG-TROT
ACR ! /REET & 9T]CEPT HM 9 A SPOT ": X'S
"PICUL>LY D>K 2C N ALL ! /REETLAMPS >E
"W+1 EV5 ?\< ,I S5T 9 A -PLETE LI/ (!
\TAGES 9 \R NEI<BORHOOD M ?AN SIX MON?S
AGO4 ,I CAT* HM QKLY 2C 8 PANTS     #CBH
>E HALFWAY D[N 6HIS KNEES1 L !Y WE> !M
^! "DS1 & HOB#D L T1 HE C B>ELY WALK1
HOLD+ UP 8 TR\S]S ) "O H&4
  ,I F9D X BE/ 6GET "R 6! PO9T ) MALE-
FACTORS4 ,IF Y'RE Z TALL Z ,I AM1 Y /&
CLOSE1 TOO1 2C T 9TIMIDATES !M4 ,ESPE-
CI,Y ! "Y1 :O >E EASILY 9TIMIDAT$ 0MY
DEEP BASSO VOICE4
  8,HEY Y1 MI/]4 ,Y'VE -MITT$ A CRIME
L1V+ ! SC5E10 ,I SAY4
  8,FUCK Y60 HE SAYS4
  8,G BACK & MAKE X "R4 ,Y C'T J WALK
AWAY40
  8,WAT* ME1 "MFUCK]40
  8,T'S J ''' Y "K1 T K9D ( TALK ''' T'S
J N NEC40
  ,"!'S A BUSLOAD ( WIT;SES 9 FRONT ( U
:5 ,I TUG ON 8 JACKET TRY+ 6GET HM 6/OP1
& HE TURNS >.D & :IPS \ ! TOY GUN &
/ICKS X 9 MY *E/4 8,\TA MY LIFE1 "MFUCK-
]40
  8,T LANGUAGE IS J '''0
  ,& !N "!'S AN EXPLO.N & "S?+ HITS ME 9
! FACE1 & Z ,I LIE "! ,I R1LIZE ! OBJECT
T HIT ME 9 ! FACE IS ! SIDEWALK4    #CBI
,& T'S :5 ,I HE> ! BUS DRIVE PA/4 ,X J
DRIVES AWAY Z IF ,I'M N LY+ "H ON ! G]M-
LAD5 SIDEWALK ) ,B>NEY LICK+ MY E>4 ,CD
X 2 T ,I'VE _H A M9OR /ROKE L MY BRO!R1
,AMBROSE8 ,I'M GO+ 6NE$ A %[] 2F
.,FRONTL9E1 2C "! >E MILLIONS1 IF N BIL-
LIONS1 ( G]MS ON YR AV]AGE SIDEWALK4
  ,I DON'T "K H[ _M M9UTES H G"O BY1 B
,I'M TRY+ 6GET UP :5 ,I HE> ! SIR54 ,A
VEHICLE DOOR OP5S & CLOSES4 ,I HE> :AT
S.DS L A POLICE RADIO4 ,A MAN IS NEXT TO
ME ON ! SIDEWALK1 8 VOICE LAC$ ) -M&4 ,9
A SMALL WAY1 X HELPS CUT "? ! 3FU.N4 8,Y
AWAKE1 BU4Y80










                  #DB4              #CCJ
      ,,TREY ,,SPILLS ,,NO ,,TE>S

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,"SH[1 MIRACUL\SLY1 ,TREY & ,I H -E 6!
3CLU.N T ! BE/ ?+ 6D TN IS 6D9E AT MY
PLACE OV] A PLATE ( PA/A :ILE WE TALK
?+S OV]4 ,HE'S DRAWN A S]IES ( MAPS &
GRAPHS1 9TRICATE SC5>IOS (! BUILD+ &!
FIRE GR.D ON ,MYL> %EETS S T "O %EET C 2
LAID ON TOP ( ANO!R3 A "TL9E ( SORTS1
EA* %EET 9 T5-M9UTE 9CRE;TS 9 ! 2G9N+1 &
!N ?IRTY-M9UTE 9CRE;TS =! DUR,N (! FIRE4
,X'S 9CR$I# "W & GIVES ME A PICTURE (!
FIRE Z X UNFOLD$1 & Z ,I GL.E AT X 9 !
C>1 ,I WOND] IF HE MI<T N H MADE A GD
LIV+ Z A GRAPHIC >TI/4 ,AL;G )! ,MYL>
DRAW+S1 HE'S -POS$ A LI/ ( E FIREFI<T]
:O 0 AT ! FIRE & C>E;LLY *>T$ _! POSI-
;NS1 Z F> Z WE "K !M4 ,ALL ,I C FIGURE
IS HE'S BE5 UP ALL NI<T "W+ ON ?1 2C M*
( ? 9=M,N WE GL1N$ ONLY YE/]"D4 ,& ,I
?"\ HE WASN'T TAK+ \R "W S]I\SLY4
  ,W$NES"D NI<T WE VISIT$ ! "PI,Y DEMOL-
I%$ ;,Z ,CLUB1 A PILGRIMAGE ,I'D BE5
PUTT+ (F ALM Z S$UL\SLY Z ,TREY1    #CCA
= WE'D BE5 PASS+ )9 TWO BLOCKS ( X E "D4
,! ;,Z ,CLUB 0 9 ,COLUMBIA ,C;Y1 A MUL-
TICULTURAL NEI<BORHOOD1 ORIG9,Y A MILL
T[N1 : _H FALL5 964REPAIR 0! SEV5TIES B
_H REC5TLY BE5 "UGO+ EXT5SIVE R5OV,N &
REBUILD+4
  ,Z WD 2 EXPECT$1 ALL T 0 LEFT (! ;,Z
,CLUB 0 A M]E %ELL1 ! TALLE/ /&+ WALLS
ON ! WE/ & NOR? SIDES4 ,! EA/ SIDE1 ": !
FRONT DOOR &! /AIRS _H BE51 0 LEVEL$ ALM
6! /REET1 S T X RESEM#D A BURN$-\ G>AGE
R ?AN A BUILD+ T _H ONCE BE5 FULLY EN-
CLOS$4 ,! ONLY 9TACT POR;N (! RO( 0
TILT$ AT A CRAZY ANGLE4 ,A/ONI%+LY1 EV5
AF ?REE WEEKS ! >EA REEK$ ( SMOKE & *>4
  ,! P>K+ LOT 0 FILL$ ) PYRAMIDS ( DE-
BRIS & ?REE ENORM\S ,DUMP/]S H1P$ ) *>R$
WOOD1 BURN$ FURNITURE1 & >TIFACTS F !
FIRE4 ,YELL[ CRIME-SC5E TAPE SURR.D$ :AT
0 LEFT (! BUILD+1 Z DID A TEMPOR>Y ,CY-
CL"O F;E4 ,:AT RE,Y SURPRIS$ ME1 EV5 ?\<
,I'D SE5 ! NEWS REPORTS1 0 ! PLE?ORA (
FL[]S1 C>DS1 & 2RI2ON$ TREES4 ,(F]+S (
T$DY BE>S1 DOLLS1 C>N,NS1 HELIUM-FILL$
BALLOONS1 H&WRITT5 NOTES1 GIFT      #CCB
C>DS1 & O!R P>APH]NALIA OV]FL[$ ! SITE L
AN 9FE/,N1 FILL$ UP MO/ (! SMALL P>AL-
LELOGRAMS 9 ! ,CYCL"O F5C+1 & EV5 %[$ UP
A BLOCK AWAY ON TELEPH"O POLES1 TREES1 &
P>K$ C>S4 ,"EY":1 WE CD SMELL FL[]S AL;G
)! *>4
  ,WE GOT \ ( ,TREY'S C> & /OOD LOOK+ AT
! RUB#1 NEI ( U MOV+4 ,F9,Y ,TREY SD1
8,X'S OV]:ELM+1 ISN'T X80
  8,I ?"\ Y MI<T FEEL DI6]5TLY1 S9CE Y 7
"H :5 X HAPP5$40
  8,:Y WD T BE80
  8,I J ?"\ "! MI<T 2 "S?+ ELSE 9 YR
H1D40
  8,MY H1D IS FULL ( D1D BODIES4 ,T'S
:AT MY H1D'S FULL (40
  8,H>D 62LIEVE S _M P H VISIT$40 ,EV5 Z
,I SPOKE1 A L>GE ,=D CRUIS$ UP ! N>R[
/REET1 ! O3UPANTS CRAN+ _! NECKS 6VIEW !
WRECKAGE (! ;,Z ,CLUB4 ,!Y /OPP$ 9 ! IN-
T]SEC;N =A FEW MO;TS1 NOTIC$ U1 & MOV$
ON4 ,!Y 7 :ITE4 ,WE 7 BLACK4 ,MAYBE T _H
"S?+ 6D ) _! L1V+4 ,"EYBODY WE'D SPOK5
6IN ! PA/ TWO "DS _H M5;N$ ! BLACK-:ITE
?+4 ,E MORN+ 9 ! PAP]S "! 7 ANGRY   #CCC
LRS 6! $ITOR ON BO? SIDES (! ISSUE1 &!
LOCAL RADIO TALK %[S 7 BUZZ+ ) X4
  ,X _H RA9$1 &! SKY 0 DAMP ) CL\DS4
  ,TREY WALK$ ME >.D ! BUILD+1 %[+ ME ":
! -M& PO/ _H BE51 ": ,5G9E #CC CAME 9 &
SET UP ! F/ HOSE L9ES1 ": ,5G9E #AC
P>K$1 & ": ,5G9E #BH _H 5D$ UP 9 ! RE>
2H ! P>K+ LOT N[ FILL$ ) DEBRIS4
  8,WE CAME 9 F ,RA9I]10 ,TREY SD4
8,CLYDE 0 DRIV+ PRETTY FA/4 ,USU,Y WE D
A SE>*1 B ON "O SIDE (! BUILD+ !Y CDN'T
GET "? ! FLAMES & ON ! O!R !Y 7 DRIV5 \
0! H1T4 ,!N "! 7 ALL ^? P>K$ C>S 2H !
BUILD+4 ,I WA/$ A M9UTE OR TWO TRY+ 6GET
"S COPS 6GET ! CIVILIANS \ ( \R HAIR4
,!Y'D BE5 H>ASS+ ,5G9E #CC1 B ! SMOKE
/>T$ -+ \ T DOOR & X PU%$ ALL ! CIVIL-
IANS T[>D U4 ,F9,Y ,I TOLD ? "O GUY X 0
A F$]AL (F5SE 6H9D] A FIREFI<T] AT A
FIRE SC5E40
  8,IS X80 ,I ASK$4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S4 ,HE ?"\ 8 BRO!R 0 IN-
SIDE4 ,HE SD HE 0 EI 9 ,W5AT*EE OR 9 "!4
,I CALL$ ! ,,IC & ASK$ IF ANYBODY'D
SE>*$ ! SECOND FLOOR1 B ,I CDN'T    #CCD
GET "? ON ! RADIO4 ,TOO M* AIR TRA6IC4
,T'S ! WAY X IS AT A BIG FIRE4 ,"O P]SON
GETS ON ! AIR = :AT"E R1SON1 NOBODY ELSE
C USE ! *ANNEL4 ,X'S L A BIG "PY L9E ":
ONLY "O P]SON C TALK AT A "T40
  8,:AT'D Y D80
  8,Y WANT X ALL N[1 /&+ "H 9 ! DUSK1
MAYBE RA9 -+ ON80
  8,IF Y'RE R1DY 6TELL X40















                  #DC4              #CCE
     ,,! ,,D1D ,,MAN ,,9 ,,! ,,W9D[

    ,CAPTA9 ,TREY ,BR[N1
    ,5G9E #BH1 ;,C ,%IFT
  ,I'M "W+ ) MY REGUL> CREW1 ,CLYDE ,G>-
RISON & ,KITTY ,ACTON4 ,! BELL HITS AT
#BBBE H\RS1 AN AID CALL A FEW BLOCKS
NOR? ON ,RA9I] ,AV5UE3 MAN D[N4
  ,:5 WE >RIVE1 BY/&]S >E />+ AT A MAN
ON ! SIDEWALK1 A YAPP+ DOG NEXT 6HM1 A
L>GE PU4LE ( BLOOD "U HM4 ,I KNEEL 2S !
MAN1 :ITE1 9 8 SIXTIES1 ,KITTY & ,CLYDE
2H ME )! AID KITS4 ,NOBODY SEEMS 6"K :AT
HAPP5$ 6\R PATI5T1 AL? S"EAL ONLOOK]S
?"\ !Y HE>D GUN%OTS4
  ,I RADIO ! 4PAT*] 6S5D U A M$IC RE-
SPONSE4
  ,AF WE PUT A C]VICAL COLL> ON HM1 WE
ROLL ! PATI5T OV]1 CUT (F 8 %IRT & EX-
POSE TWO BULLET W.DS 9 8 *E/2 WE F9D NO
O!R W.DS EXCEPT =A HEMATOMA ON 8 =EH1D1
PROBABLY F FALL+ 6! SIDEWALK4 ,HE'S MOV+
GD AIR B ONLY ON "O SIDE4 ,WE ASSUME "O
( 8 LUNGS HAS COLLAPS$4
  ,Z WE LOAD \R PATI5T ONTO !       #CCF
/RET*] & TRUNDLE HM 96! BACK (! M$IC
UNIT1 ,5G9E #CC -ES RO>+ UP ,RA9I] ,AVE-
NUE & TURNS WE/ HALF A BLOCK 2H U4 ,!
TWO M5 9 ! CREW CAB >E DRESS$ = AC;N1 9
FULL BUNK]S & MASKS1 : M1NS X'S A FIRE
CALL4 ,X %D 2 \RS4
  ,A POLICE C> PULLS UP1 & "O (! (FIC]S
LOOKS AT MY CAPTA9'S B>S & ASKS :AT HAP-
P5$4 ,I TELL HM X'S A %OOT+1 TWO HOLES
6! *E/4 ,HE TELLS ME !Y MAY H ! %OOT] 9
! BACKS1T1 J Z ,5G9E #CJ -ES RAC+ UP
,RA9I] F ! NOR?4 ,I HE> M SIR5S 9 ! DIS-
T.E4 ,CLYDE YELLS T !Y H A FIRE >.D !
CORN]4
  ,F ! M$ICS ,I GET ! OKAY 6G 9 S]VICE1
& Z WE ROLL1 ,KITTY IS ALR MASK+ UP 9 !
CREW CAB4 ,A FIRE4 ,A %OOT+4 ,AN >RE/4
,ALL )9 BLOCKS ( EA* O!R4 ,X'S CRAZY4
  ,I 3TACT ! 4PAT*] & !Y ADD U 6! FIRE
CALL4
  ,WE DRIVE >.D ! BLOCK & >RIVE AT !
FIRE BUILD+1 ": ,5G9E #CC IS SCRAMBL+ TO
GET WAT] ON ! FIRE4 ,TWO FIREFI<T]S H
MASK$ UP & >E TRY+ B FAIL+ 6FI<T _! WAY
96! 5TR.E4                          #CCG
  ,I ANN\NCE 64PAT* & ,*IEF ,FI% T WE'RE
ON SC5E4 ,! /REET IS FULL ( M51 WOM51
*N1 N"O ) COATS1 ALL LOOK+ Z IF !Y'VE
EVACUAT$ ! BUILD+4 ,ON *ANNEL #A1 ,*IEF
,FI% ORD]S U 6G >.D 6! RE> (! BUILD+ &
E/ABLI% ,DIVI.N ;,C4 ,AT ! BACK (!
BUILD+1 ,I 4M.T & ?R[ A BACKPACK & BOT-
TLE ONTO MY BACK1 ?\< Z A DIVI.N -M&] ,I
PROBABLY WON'T USE !M4 ,"!'S NO?+ %[+ ON
! FACE (! TWO-/ORY WALL 9 FRONT ( U4 ,NO
FIRE4 ,NO VISI# W9D[S OR DOORS4 ,J A R[
( C>S P>K$ 2L ! WALL4 ,ABV U SMOKE IS 2+
PUMP$ F "U ! EAVES (! RO(4
  ,I SPOT A R[ ( BO>D$-OV] W9D[S ON !
SECOND FLOOR PA9T$ ! SAME COLOR Z !
WALL4 ,AL? ! P>K$ C>S >E BLOCK+ A3ESS TO
MO/ (! W9D[S1 ,I TELL ,KITTY & ,CLYDE TO
?R[ UP A LA4] 2T A PAIR ( C>S ": "!'S 5
ROOM 6SQUEEZE "O IN4
  ,I GIVE A REPORT 6,*IEF ,FI%1 TELL+ HM
WE'VE GOT NO FIRE ON ? SIDE4 ,H1VY SMOKE
\ ! EAVES4 ,NO A3ESS4
  ,:ILE ,KITTY FOOTS ! LA4]1 ,CLYDE
CLIMBS UP & PULLS ! PLYWOOD (F ! W9D[ )!
AXE4 ,BLACK SMOKE BOILS \ ! W9D[    #CCH
FRAME1 & ,CLYDE CLIMBS BACK D[N ! LA4]1
C\<+4 ,HE'S HALFWAY D[N ! LA4] :5 A MAN
APPE>S 9 ! W9D[ ABV HM1 BL F SMOKE &
PANIC4 ,DESPITE MY %\TS = HM 6WAIT1 HE
CLIMBS UP ONTO ! W9D[ FRAME & /EPS 9TO
SPACE4 ,HE CAT*ES A FOOT ON ! LA4] &
PLUMMETS 6! GR.D1 DO+ HALF A SOM]SAULT &
BRU%+ ,CLYDE1 :O IS / ON ! LA4]1 S T HE
L&S ON 8 H1D AT ! BASE (! LA4]4
  8,BACKBO>D & ;,C-COLL>80 ,CLYDE ASKS1
B 0? "T "!'S ANO!R MAN 9 ! W9D[1 & ,I
TELL ,CLYDE 6G BACK UP & GET HM4 ,! BRO-
K5 MAN AT \R FEET IS 9 SEMI=MAL CLO!S1
GD %OES1 & AN EXP5SIVE WAT*1 & X WORRIES
ME4 ,HE'S DRESS$ =A "PY4 ,P DON'T USU,Y
G 6"PIES AL"O4 ,I CALL =A M$IC UNIT & M
MANP[] = RESCUES1 B ,I C TELL 0! BONK+
T"O MY PORTA# RADIO MAKES T MY TRANSMIS-
.N ISN'T GETT+ "?4 ,I WAIT & TRY ?REE M
"TS 2F MY TRANSMIS.N IS RCVD4 ,! DELAY
MAKES ME CRAZY4
  ,0! "T ,I GET ! MESSAGE ACR1 ,CLYDE
HAS HELP$ A H1VYSET "Y MAN ONTO ! LA4] &
,I'VE SPOTT$ TWO M H1DS 9 ! SMOKY W9D[1
EA* ( : 4APPE>S4 ,N[ ,I'M WOND]+    #CCI
H[ _M P >E UP "!4 ,& !N DEEP 9SIDE !
BUILD+1 ,I SEE ! OILY D>K ORANGE EXPRESS
TRA9 T SIGNALS H1VY FLAME4 ,X W ROLL ACR
! CEIL+ UNTIL X BUILDS UP1 & !N X W DE-
SC5D & )] "EY?+ 9 XS PA?4
  ,6MY LEFT1 ANO!R W9D[ POPS \ & ANO!R
BODY FALLS T[>D A P>K$ C> )! JA7$ MO;N (
A BIRD T'S BE5 %OT \ (! SKY1 ALM /RIK+
TWO FIREFI<T]S :O >E PROBABLY ON _! WAY
6REPORT 6ME4 ,I DON MY FACE PIECE1 ACTI-
VATE MY AIR SUPPLY1 PUT ON BO? GLOVES1 &
RACE UP ! LA4] J Z ,CLYDE & 8 VICTIM
CLE> ! BOTTOM RUNGS4 ,CLYDE IS HACK+ F !
SMOKE1 &! VICTIM IS LIMP F X1 A MALE
DRESS$ Z IF =A NI<T \--GOLD *A9S1 A GOLD
WAT*1 & 8 BE/ ,NIKES4 ,KITTY IS EXAM9+ !
MAN 9 ! H1P AT ! BOTTOM (! LA4]1 :O ,I
SUSPECT IS D1D4
  8,I'LL PIT*1 Y CAT*10 ,I SAY 6,CLYDE Z
,I SCRAM# UP ! LA4] & DIVE 9SIDE ! W9D[1
L&+ ON A PAIR ( S(T BODIES4 ,I'M WE>+
FULL TURN\TS1 RU2] BOOTS1 &A MASK ) =TY-
FIVE M9UTES ( -PRESS$ AIR 9 ! BOTTLE ON
MY BACK4 ,I C SEE ! SPACE IS H1T+ UP &
AB 6FLA% OV]4 ,IF MEMORY S]VES ME   #CDJ
"R1 WE >E 9 A HUGE SPACE )A HI< CEIL+1 S
"! IS PL5TY ( ROOM ABV ME = HOT GASES TO
BUILD & PRODUCE A FLA%OV] L>G] ?AN ANY?+
,I'VE "E 5C.T]$4
  8,FIRE DE"P;T60 ,I YELL S P C F9D ME
0MY VOICE4 8,FIRE DE"P;T60
  ,I SEE NO?+ B SMOKE & "S FLAME MAYBE
TW5TY FEET ABV MY H1D &! DIM \TL9ES (!
W9D[ ,I'VE J -E "?4 ,I F9D A WOMAN ON H]
KNEES ALM DIRECTLY 2L ! W9D[4 ,I 5CIRCLE
H] TORSO ) MY >MS & LIFT4 ,I GET H] 6!
W9D[ & HELP H] \4 ,%E IS SEMICONSCI\S1 &
,I SUSP5D H] OV] ! LA4] :ILE ,CLYDE1 /
C\<+1 CLIMBS UP 6ASSI/4 ,EV5 ) ,CLYDE'S
HELP1 X'S T\* & G GETT+ H] \ SAFELY4 ,I
C HE> ! FLAME RIPP+ 2H ME1 C FEEL ! SU-
P]H1T$ SMOKE BLA/+ \ ! W9D[4 ,C FEEL AN-
O!R BODY ON ! FLOOR BUMP+ 96ME REP1T$LY
L A TRAPP$ BUM#BEE SLAPP+ ! SIDES (A J>4
  ,I R1* D[N =! VICTIM AT MY SIDE J Z
"SBODY ELSE CRA%ES 96ME4 8,":'S ! FIRE
DE"P;T80 %E SAYS1 & 3T9UES ON4
  8,BACK "H10 ,I CALL \4 8,"R "H40
  ,! BODY ,I'VE GOT 9 MY H&S N[ IS A
MALE1 B HE'S TOO BIG 6LIFT4 ,HE'S   #CDA
PROBABLY TOO BIG = TWO P 6LIFT4 ,I TRY1
B X'S L TRY+ 6PICK UP A ?REE-HUNDR$-P.D
BAG ( ,JELL-,O4 ,HE'S BE5 CRAWL+ B HAS
COLLAPS$ 9 PLACE4 ,M1N:ILE1 ! WOMAN -ES
BACK & EMBRACES ME4 ,I HELP H] 6! W9D[ &
%E'S SAY+1 8,?ANK Y4 ,?ANK Y4 ,?ANK Y40
,I PUT H] ON ! LA4] J 2H ,CLYDE &! F/
VICTIM1 :O H MADE LL PROGRESS4
  8,MOVE X60 ,I YELL4 8,? PLACE IS LOAD$
) CU/OM]S40 ,2H ME ,I HE> WOM5 SCR1M+4
  8,OV] "H60 ,I YELL AT ! TWO SCR1M+
WOM51 N[ ?REE SCR1M+ WOM51 N[ F\R4 8,UP
"H6 ,FIRE DE"P;T40 ,! SCR1MS >E -+ F A
L[] LEVEL (! LL !AT]4 ,I HE> FOOT/EPS ON
! WOOD5 FLOOR1 LOTS ( FOOT/EPS4 ,"! >E M
P ?AN ,I EXPECT$4 ,I C'T HE> ANY FIRE-
FI<T+ EF=TS1 ONLY A DULL RO> F A RAPIDLY
APPROA*+ FIRE OV]H1D4 ,I'VE N"E BE5 9 A
SITU,N ) ? M* POT5TIAL FIRE ABV ME OR S
_M P 6RESCUE1 B ,I "K ?3 ! L>G] ! SPACE1
! L>G] ! FLA%OV]1 S T ! PUNY RESID5TIAL
FLA%OV]S ,I'VE SURVIV$ 9 ! PA/ 0FLATT5+
MYF ON ! FLOOR W SEEM L NO?+ :5 ? ?+
MELTS ME 96A PU4LE ( WAX & TEE?4
  8,UP "H60 ,I %\T4                 #CDB
  ,A WOMAN CRA%ES 96ME1 MUMBL+1 & )\T
/OPP+ 6?9K1 ,I HOI/ H] \ ! W9D[4 ,%E
%RIEKS )! SU45;S ( X4 ,"! >E ALR ?REE P
ON ! LA4]1 & !Y'RE MOV+ SL[LY4 8,GET AN-
O!R LA4]10 ,I %\T 6A FIREFI<T] :O'S %[N
UP 9 ! P>K+ >EA 2L U1 EV5 ?\< ,I H NO
IDEA ": HE MI<T PLACE ANO!R LA4]1 & EV5
?\< X W 2 TOO LATE =! WOMAN 9 MY >MS4
  ,! WOMAN 2G9S 6SLIP F MY GRASP4 ,I L1N
\ ! W9D[ & L[] H] Z F> Z ! -B9$ L5G? (
\R >MS C R1*1 S T H] TOES >E ONLY SEV5
FEET OR S F ! HOOD (A ,HONDA4 ,I LET H]
G & HE> ! CRUMPL+ ( %EET METAL Z %E
SLAMS 96! C>4 ,ANO!R WOMAN IS AT ! W9D[
2S ME4 ,I PICK H] UP & DROP H] ONTO A
SECOND C>4
  ,I CALL \1 GRAB A MAN %U6L+ PA/ 9 !
SMOKE1 MANH&LE HM \ ! W9D[1 & DROP HM Z
DELICATELY Z Y C DROP A MAN \ A SECOND-
/ORY W9D[4 ,X IS />T+ 6GET RE,Y HOT4
  ,I DROP ANO!R VICTIM4 ,& ANO!R4 ,I 2G9
6LOSE TRACK4 ,I AM BR1?+ H1VILY )! "W1
SW1T+ S T ,I'M SOAK$ 9 MY TURN\TS4 ,"S (
!M RESI/1 B !Y >E BL9D$ & 9CAPACITAT$ 0!
SMOKE4 ,"SBODY GRABS ME 9 A /RAN-   #CDC
GLEHOLD ! WAY A DR[N+ VICTIM GRABS A
RESCU]1 B ,I H1D-BUTT H] 6! FLOOR1 READ-
JU/ MY FACE PIECE1 : %E'S KNOCK$ AJ>1 &
DROP H] \ ! W9D[4 ,%E L&S ON ! HOOD (A
C>1 ": H] H1D CRACKS ! W9D%IELD4
  ,FEEL+ >.D 9 ! SMOKE1 ,I LI/5 6FOOT-
/EPS P.D+ ON ! WOOD5 FLOOR 9 4TANT SEC-
;NS (! BUILD+4 ,WE H LESS ?AN A M9UTE 2F
,I W 2 =C$ 6L1VE4 ,MAYBE LESS ?AN ?IRTY
SECONDS4 ,I'M TAK+ A RISK J 2+ "H4 ,I
DON'T WANT 6BE "H :5 X FLA%ES4 ,B !N1
NEI D ^! P4
  ,I CALL \ & !N FUM# = M BODIES & SL+
!M \ ! W9D[ Z QKLY Z POSSI#1 PLAC+ ONLY
"O OR TWO ON ! LA4]1 : SEEMS 6BE FULL
EA* "T ,I NE$ X4
  ,& !N ,I F9D MYF 5GULF$ 9 FLAME4
  ,I'VE "TD X BADLY & H BE5 CAU<T 9 !
FLA%OV]1 & ,I'M CURL$ UP ON ! FLOOR 2L !
W9D[1 AT L1/ ,I ?9K ,I'M 2L ! W9D[4 ,I'M
4ORI5T$4 ,! ONLY S.D IS ! RO> (! FLAME Z
X DESC5DS ON ME4 ,SL[LY ,I SCOOT BACK-
W>D1 TRY+ 6W$GE MYF 96! CORN] "U ! W9D[1
B ! F>!R ,I SCOOT1 ! M ,I 2G9 6SUSPECT
,I'M MOV+ 9 ! WR;G DIREC;N4 ,"EY-   #CDD
": ,I LOOK ,I SEE ORANGE & BLACK & NO?+
ELSE4 ,I'M 2+ BURN$ "? MY TURN\TS4 ,BAK$
L A POTATO4
  ,I CRAWL 6": ,I HOPE ! W9D[ IS1 R1*
UP1 B GRASP ONLY SMOKE1 N EV5 ! WALL4
,N[ ,I'VE LO/ ! WALL & DON'T "K : DIREC-
;N 6G4 ,I CRAWL ANO!R FOOT OR TWO & BUMP
96A BODY ON ! FLOOR4 ,= ALL ,I "K1 ,I'M
H1D+ DEEP] 96! BUILD+4 ,A QK T\* TELLS
ME ! BODY IS ! OBESE MAN ,I'VE BE5 BY-
PASS+1 ! "O :O'S TOO H1VY 6LIFT4 ,HE
GROANS1 8,HELP ME40 ,IRONIC,Y1 ! POSI;N
( 8 BODY ACTS L ! NE$LE ON A -PASS1 2C
,I REMEMB] 8 LEGS 7 PO9T+ T[>D ! W9D[4
,I FOLL[ 8 LEGS4
  8,GET UP1 BU4Y10 ,I YELL1 B HE DOESN'T
/IR1 & HE'S TOO BIG = ME 6MOVE )\T 8 AS-
SI/.E4 ,FLAME -ES D[N L A %EET BL[+ 9 !
W9D1 & ,I C FEEL X "? MY TURN\TS1 & !N 9
"O SWIFT MOVE;T ,I SQUIRM OV] ! W9D[SILL
L AN OTT] SLID+ 96A POND & OOZE D[N !
LA4] FACE-F/1 GRIPP+ ! B1MS ON EI SIDE &
BRAK+ ) MY GLOV$ H&S1 SLID+ TWO /ORIES
6! P>K+ LOT1 A TE*NIQUE WE'VE PRACTIC$ 9
TRA9+4                              #CDE
  ,:5 ,I GET UP (F ! PAVE;T1 FLAME IS
%OOT+ \ ! W9D[ ABV ME4 ,I'VE GOT "S M9OR
BURNS "U MY TURN\TS1 B ,I'LL SURVIVE1 :
IS M ?AN ,I C SAY AB ! MAN ,I'VE BE5 =C$
6AB&ON UP/AIRS4 ,H[ _M O!RS >E UP "! )
HM WON'T 2 "KN = H\RS4


















                  #DD4              #CDF
     ,,CAPTA9 ,,BR[N ,,F9DS ,,CAUSE
        ,,6,,REEVALUATE ,,ET]N;Y

    ,CAPTA9 ,TREY ,BR[N1
    ,5G9E #BH1 ;,C ,%IFT
  ,! NI<T IS NO?+ B 3FU.N4 ,I DON'T WANT
ANYBODY 6"K AB MY M9OR BURNS1 "? MY
TURN\TS1 2C ONCE !Y F9D \1 ,I'LL 2 RE-
LIEV$ ( MY PO/ & S5T 6! HOSPITAL4 ,0N[
"EYBODY R1LIZES "! >E / P 9 ! BUILD+4
  ,I KEEP ?9K+ AB ! MAN ,I LEFT 9SIDE4
,I'LL N"E =GET ^? FEW M9UTES 9 ! SMOKE
OR 8 ^WS1 8,HELP ME10 & "SH[1 :E!R ,I
WANT X 6OR N1 ,I "K X W ="E A6ECT ! WAY
,I ?9K AB ! _W & LIFE4 ,B = N[ WE'RE /
ON ! FIRE GR.D1 / HUMP+ HOSE & "W+ ! LO-
GI/ICS ( : CREWS W D :AT1 CYCL+ FIRE-
FI<T]S "? REHAB & BACK 6! TR5*ES4
  ,! GR.D &! HOODS ( C>S >E LITT]$ )
BROK5 BODIES1 %ATT]$ W9D%IELDS1 & CIVIL-
IANS :O'VE ESCAP$ ! BUILD+ LIMP+ "? !
MELEE1 %\T+ \ ! "NS ( MISS+ FRS :O H N4
,SW1TY FIREFI<T]S 9 FULL TURN\TS >E
HELP+ ! 9JUR$1 T5 OR TWELVE ( !M N[1
TRY+ 6MOVE ! BATT]$ VICTIMS AWAY    #CDG
F ! FIRE BUILD+ 2F !Y GET 9JUR$ 0FALL+
DEBRIS4
  ,"O OR TWO CITIZ5S %\T AT ME ANGRILY4
,:5 !Y GET CLOSE & R1LIZE ,I'M A BRO!R1
X TAKES ! W9D \ ( _! SAILS4 ,"! IS TALK
(! FIRE DE"P;T N C>+ AB BLACK LIVES4
,TALK T :ITE FIREFI<T]S >E LETT+ BLACKS
DIE4 ,I KEEP ?9K+ AB ! MAN ,I LEFT UP-
/AIRS4 ,I KEEP TELL+ MYF1 ,ANO!R FIVE
SECONDS 9 ^? BL[TOR* 3DI;NS & ,I WDN'T H
MADE X \ EI4
  ,WE SOON H A T1M %OOT+ WAT] F A TWO-&-
A-HALF-9* HOSE L9E "? ! OP5 W9D[S1 B X'S
L PISS+ 96A HURRICANE4 ,! WAT] /R1MS P5-
ETRATE ! W9D[ & 4APPE> F SI<T4 ,! LA4]S
>E REMOV$1 & LAT] WE LE>N \RS 0 SOLD]$
6! WALL 0H1T & W 2 RETIR$ F S]VICE4
  ,"S (! CITIZ5S 9 ! P>K+ LOT >E SCR1M+
= _! LOV$ "OS 9SIDE ! BUILD+4 ,"O MAN
TRIES 6DRIVE 8 C> \ (! LOT1 A F1T : W
9VOLVE RUNN+ OV] *>G$ HOSE L9ES1 \R
EQUIP;T1 & P]H FIREFI<T]S4 ,CLYDE /OPS
HM1 REMOVES ! KEYS F 8 IGNI;N1 & ?R[S !M
(F 96! D>K;S4 ,! MAN WANTS 6FI<T1 B !
POLICE %[ UP MO;TS LAT]4 ,! C> IS   #CDH
N[ 9 "EYBODY'S WAY4
  ,)9 M9UTES ,I H CREWS "W+ MONITORS ON
? SIDE (! BUILD+4 ,AT F/ !Y %OOT "? !
TWO OP5 W9D[S1 B !N "P (! RO( BURNS "? &
!Y P\R WAT] 96T GAP4 ,ALL ! :ILE CIVIL-
IANS TELL U WE %D 2 GO+ 9SIDE1 T "! >E P
9 "!4 ,NO %IT4 ,I TURN UP ! COLL> ON MY
BUNK+ COAT1 HOP+ 63C1L MY BURNS = Z L;G
Z POSSI#4 ,I DON'T WANT 6G 6! HOSPITAL
UNTIL ? IS OV]4
  ,N[ ,I R1LIZE "! IS A DOOR AT ! "R-H&
CORN] (! BASE (! BUILD+1 BLACK SMOKE
P\R+ \4 ,I WALK OV] & EXAM9E AN 9T]IOR
/AIRWAY & SEE S"EAL %OES & "O LO/ PURSE4
,I PICK UP ! PURSE & H& X 6A NE>BY PO-
LICEMAN1 :O IS TRANSFIX$ 0! SPECTACLE4
,X %OCKS ME 6F9D ^! DOORS4 ,L A LOT (
FIREFI<T]S1 ,I PRIDE MYF ON REMA9+ CALM
AT EM]G5CIES1 & X WORRIES ME T ,I MAY H
MISS$ !M 2C ( ADR5AL9E4
  ,LAT] ,I LE>N SIX P 7 REMOV$ F !
/AIRS4 ,F\R ALIVE & TWO /"O D1D4 ,A ?IRD
DIES 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,I FEEL NAUS1T$4 ,9 A
MO;T ( RELATIVE QUIET1 ,I NOTICE "! >E
CA/(F %OES SCATT]$ ALL OV] ! P>K+   #CDI
LOT4
  ,AT MIDNI<T A MEET+ (! DIVI.N -M&]S IS
CALL$1 & ,*IEF ,FI% LOOKS AT ME & SAYS1
8,:AT HAPP5$ 6YR E>S80 ,I AM DRIV5 6!
HOSPITAL 9 ! SAFETY *IEF'S VEHICLE1 !
SAFETY *IEF EXCIT$LY N>RAT+ :AT HE SAW (
! FIRE Z IF ,I _HN'T BE5 "!4 ,AT ,H>BOR-
VIEW A BURN$ FIREFI<T] IS ALW TR1T$ IMM-
LY--H1D (! L9E4 ,I TELL ! DOCTOR "! M/ 2
M CRITICAL PATI5TS1 B %E KEEPS "W+ ON ME
ANYWAY4 ,! ,,ER WAIT+ >EA IS FLOOD$ )!
FRS & RELATIVES ( VICTIMS F \R FIRE4 ,!
PLACE SMELLS ( ANTISEPTIC & SMOKE4
  ,AN H\R LAT] ! SAFETY *IEF DRIVES ME
BACK 6! ;,Z ,CLUB1 ": M* (! RO( & WALLS
H CAV$ IN1 ?\< ! FIRE 3T9UES 6RAGE4
  ,AT ?REE 9 ! MORN+ ! FIRE IS DCLD
TAPP$4 ,AT FIVE 9 ! MORN+ WE =M BODY RE-
COV]Y T1MS & 2G9 "W+ \R WAY 96! MO/LY
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N ALL[$ 6TAKE "P4 ,!Y 2G9 F9D+ BODIES
IMMLY1 B ,V]NON ,SWEET+ ISN'T C>RI$ \
UNTIL N9E-?IRTY ! NEXT MORN+1 AF A CRANE
IS BR"\ 9 6REMOVE SEC;NS (! WALLS & AF
PHOTOGRAPHS >E TAK5 ( 8 POSI;N &    #CEJ
8 EQUIP;T4 ,IRONIC,Y1 HE IS N F> F !
DOOR HE US$ 65T] ! BUILD+4






















                  #DE4              #CEA
            ,,B$ROOM ,,MUS+S

    ,/"O ,C>MI*AEL
  ,X 0 "O ( ^? TALKS T -E \ (! BLUE LATE
AT NI<T :ILE Y'RE BO? 9 B$ TRY+ 6GET TO
SLEEP AF A "PY1 &! BUZZ (! W9E &! REV]-
B],NS (A DOZ5 3V]S,NS >E KEEP+ Y AWAKE3
,! TYPE ( LE?AL B$ROOM *ATT] T 2G9S )A
SEEM+LY 9CONSEQU5TIAL "Q & BUILDS L A
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Z SOON Z ! F/ ^WS CREPT \ ( H] PRETTY
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GL.ED OV] ,I SAW ONLY "P ( H] FACE 9 !
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  8,/"O80
  8,:AT IS X1 H"OY80
  8,Y "E ?9K AB ! "T ,E*O GOT RAP$80
  ,A "Q L T REQUIR$ "S 3SID],N1 ?\< ,I 0
TOO TIR$ 6RE,Y ?9K X OV]4 8,NO40
  8,N"E80
  8,N"E40
  8,:Y N80
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  8,I ?9K AB X40                    #CEB
  8,Y %DN'T4 ,X'S N "S?+ Y %D 2 ?9K+
AB40
  8,X 0 ! LA/ SUMM] ,I 0 "E RE,Y GD FRS
) MY SI/]4 ,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ AB X A LOT4
,WE GOT 6"K ,TREY & ,K5DRA PRETTY WELL
:ILE WE 7 \ "! AT ! ISL&1 & ,I'M N SURE
,TREY 0 GUILTY40
  8,YR SI/] CLAIM$ O!RWISE40
  8,I'M N S SURE40
  8,( C\RSE HE 0 GUILTY4 ,I SAW HM L1V+
! COTTAGE4 ,8 WAT* 0 F.D \ "!4 ,E*O SD
HE 0 ! "O4 ,HE WDN'T H LEFT L HE DID IF
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  8,HE LEFT 2C HE GOT ?R[N \4 ,:AT IF HE
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  8,IF %E WAS1 %E'S /UCK 6H] /ORY ALL ^!
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  8,I DON'T "K40
  8,I .SAW HM L1V+ ! COTTAGE40
  8,I "K Y DID1 B :AT IF HE LEFT ! COT-
TAGE .2F %E 0 ATTACK$8 ,:AT IF HE 0 N"E
9 ! COTTAGE ) H]8 ,Y N"E SD Y SAW .H]
L1V+4 ,Y J SD Y SAW HM L1V+4 ,S Y DIDN'T
SEE !M TGR1 DID Y80
  8,Y "K %E'S BE5 SEE+ A %R9K       #CEC
PRACTIC,Y ="E40
  8,J BE> ) ME40
  8,I DON'T "K :Y Y'RE EV5 ?9K+ AB ?4
,HE LEFT ! FAMILY & N"E CAME BACK4 ,T 0
AC"KL$G;T 5 = ME4 ,ANYBODY :O 0 9NOC5T
WD H TRI$ 6-E BACK4 ,HE DIDN'T TRY 2C HE
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  8,T'S N ! ISSUE40
  8,OKAY4 ,:O ELSE CD X H BE580
  8,:AT ELSE DID Y SEE T NI<T :5 Y 7 \
"!80
  ,AT T PO9T WE BO? KNEW WE 7 TALK+ AB
"S?+ M* M 9VOLV$ ?AN :E!R "SBODY -MITT$
A CRIME TWO DECADES AGO4 ,WE 7 TALK+ AB
! LIES \R M>RIAGE 0 BUILT ^U1 ! MISCON-
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BRICK ON BO? SIDES4 ,I'VE N"E 3FRONT$
,9DIA OV] ! FACT T ,E*O & ,I SAW H] HAV+
SEX ) MY BRO!R1 N"E M5;N$ X1 N"E BR"\ X
UP EV5 9 ! MI4LE ( \R MO/ PH5OM5AL BAT-
TLES1 & UNTIL N[1 Z F> Z ,I KNEW1 %E
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IF %E 0 "W+ UP H] N]VE 6TALK AB X4
  ,I HATE X :5 ^! 3V]S,NS />T 9     #CED
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,I'VE BE5 UP LATE & H 6GET UP E>LY4 ,I
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T TM ,I'LL 2 DRA7+ "? ! "D4 ,I HATE X T
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,I KNEW MY NI<T 0 RU9$4 ,TRY+ N 6LET MY
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  8,I WI% Y WDN'T CALL H] CRAZY40
  8,H] HAIR'S A DI6]5T COLOR E "T ,I SEE
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  8,CALL H] ,E*O1 L "EYBODY ELSE DOES40
  8,I DON'T "K :Y Y WD LI/5 6H] AT ALL40
  8,MAYBE 2C %E'S MY SI/]4 ,T NI<T ,TREY
SD HE DIDN'T D X4 ,B NOBODY WD LI/54
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  8,!Y DIDN'T /AY OV] T NI<T4 ,WE *ECK$
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  8,E*O TOLD ME %E LI$40
  8,:AT80
  8,I TALK$ 6,E*O1 & %E SD X WASN'T
,TREY40
  8,:580
  8,AF ! BALL40
  8,:Y ON E>? WD %E SAY A ?+ L T80
  8,I ASSUME 2C ,TREY %[$ UP 9 \R LIVES
AG & %E FELT GUILTY40
  ,"! IS A /ILL;S 9 ! B$ROOM1 PALPA#1
D1DLY1 & H1VI] ?AN AIR1 & X IS S REL5T.S
& *ILL+ ,I H NO D\BT X C 2 M1SUR$ 0SCI5-
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  8,%E SAY ANY?+ ELSE80
  8,J T X WASN'T HM4 ,%E WDN'T TELL ME
:O1 ?\<4 ,I KNEW X CDN'T H BE5 YR "F OR
,R5FR[ 2C !Y 7 A3.T$ = ALL EV5+4 ,N[
Y'RE TELL+ ME ! G>D5]S 7 (F ISL&4 ,:O
ELSE 0 "!8 ,NOBODY4 ,& %E SWE>S X WASN'T
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TOO M* W9E & WANT$ 6SLEEP ALM Z M* Z ,I
WANT$ ? 6G AWAY4 ,:Y D WOM5 H TO    #CEF
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  8,D ,I80
  8,>E Y SAY+ YR SI/] A3US$ ME80
  8,%E DIDN'T A3USE ANYBODY4 ,%E WDN'T
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WASN'T ,TREY1 & ,I'VE ?"\ =A NUMB] (
YE>S X WASN'T1 !N X _H 6H BE5 "O (! G>-
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ISL&4 ,T L1VES "O MALE 9 ! VIC9;Y & UN-
A3.T$ =40
  8,>E Y A3US+ ME ( RAP+ YR SI/]80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,AM ,I80
  8,I MI<T 2 MISTAK5 AB ! G>D5]S4 ,X 0 A
L;G "T AGO4 ,N[ T ,I'M ?9K+ AB X1 ,I'M
PRETTY SURE ,I AM MISTAK54 ,I ?9K !Y 7
"!4 ,YES4 ,!Y 7 "!40
  8,Y SD Y SAW ,TREY L1V+ ! COTTAGE4
,:AT ELSE DID Y SEE80 ,:5 ,I DIDN'T RE-
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ME4 8,Y SAW .ME L1V+ ! COTTAGE1 DIDN'T
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  8,W]E WE80
  8,OH1 -E N[4 ,TREY W5T D[N 6! B1* & ,I
W5T 6! BIG H\SE1 SWAM "S LAPS1      #CEG
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UP4 ,X MAKES S5SE T ! TWO ( Y SAW U AT !
COTTAGE4 ,X'S ! R1SON %E LI$4 ,%E DIDN'T
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ADMITT+ %E'D SPI$ ON ME OR T Y HURT H]4
,ONCE %E LI$1 %E 0 TRAPP$4 ,%E'S KEPT ?
6H]F ALL ^! YE>S 6PRES]VE \R M>RIAGE4 ,B
!N :5 ,TREY %[$ UP1 %E R1LIZ$ H[ BADLY
%E'S TR1T$ HM & %E _H 6SP1K UP40
  8,IF Y'RE 9TIMAT+ T ,I _H ANY?+ 6D )
:AT HAPP5$ 6YR SI/]1 Y'RE CRAZY40
  8,F/ MY SI/]'S CRAZY & !N ,I AM4 ,GD4
,I'M GLAD 6HE> T4 ,9 ! MORN+ ,I'LL ASK
,E*O :O RE,Y DID X4 ,I'M SURE %E'LL 2
HAPPY 6CLE> YR "N40
  8,OH1 = ,GOD'S SAKE4 ,X 0 A L;G "T
AGO4 ,P'S MEMORIES DON'T--0
  8,:AT8 ,DON'T LA/ T L;G8 ,I REMEMB] H[
Y CAME "? ! DOOR "R AF ,E*O & H[ YR FACE
0 FLU%$ ! WAY X GETS :5 Y'VE BE5 RUNN+ &
H[ Y PUT YR >M >.D H]1 & ,I REMEMB] !
WAY %E FL9*$ & LOOK$ AT Y Z IF Y 7 A
/RANG]4 ,I REMEMB] ALL ! "TS %E DIDN'T
WANT 6-E 6\R H\SE = ,*RI/MAS1 H[    #CEH
%E DIDN'T WANT 6LET H] BOYS /AY OV]NI<T4
,%E'S BE5 PROTECT+ ME ALL ^! YE>S4 ,OR
?9KS %E HAS40
  8,Y'RE S A3USATORY1 & YET Y & ,TREY 7
! "OS :O RU9$ "EY?+4 ,Y & ,TREY40
  8,S Y DID SEE U80
  8,YES6 ,& DON'T TRY 6USE MY K ( YR IN-
FIDEL;Y Z PRO( T ,I'M "S SORT ( CRIM9AL4
,I SAW ! TWO ( Y1 & ,I'VE N"E =GOTT5 X4
,Y 7 \ "! SCREW+ T BA/>D40
  8,!N :Y DID Y M>RY ME80
  8,I'M 2G9N+ 6WOND]40
  8,S Y PUNI%$ YR [N BRO!R 0FRAM+ HM =
"S?+ HE DIDN'T D80
  8,DON'T "E CALL HM MY BRO!R4 ,& :AT "R
D Y H 6CRITICIZE ME80
  8,WE MADE A MISTAKE4 ,WE GOT C>RI$
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  8,I DIDN'T RAPE H]1 IF T'S :AT Y M1N40
  8,:AT HAPP5$1 !N80
  8,WE _H SEX1 T 0 ALL40
  8,Y _H SEX )A FIFTE5-YE>-OLD80
  8,%E WANT$ TO40
  8,T'S :Y %E 0 ALL BLOODY8 ,Y 7 TW5TY-
SIX YE>S OLD6 ,I DON'T "K A /ATE    #CEI
9 ! UNION ": T'S N RAPE40
  8,X WASN'T RAPE4 ,YR SI/] ''' ,WE _H
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  ,X 0 AT T PO9T T MY LOVELY WIFE PICK$
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US$ 6GR& EXITS 0! ICE QUE54 ,%E'D D"O X
2F4 ,%E WD D X AG4 ,& %E WD GET OV] ?4
,I 0 SURE ( X4















                  #DF4              #CFJ
   ,,PH"O ,,CALL ,,F ,,ANO!R ,,WOMAN

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,I'VE BE5 "W+ ) ,TREY = SIX "DS & H
GR[N 6"K 8 MOODS 9 A WAY ,I W N"E "K !
O!R SUBJECTS ( \R 9T]VIEWS1 & 8 MOOD N[
IS MELAN*OLY4 ,X'S Z IF HE HAS TAK5 (F 8
CLO?+ = ME1 EMO;N,Y & _SU,Y1 & LAID B>E
8 S\L4 ,X IS O4LY 5DE>+ & EV5 A LL ]OT-
IC4 ,NOBODY ELSE'S /ORY HAS A6ECT$ ME 9
? WAY1 B !N1 NO O!R FIREFI<T] HAS A6ECT$
ME ! WAY ,TREY ,BR[N HAS1 EI4
  ,WE'VE CIRCL$ ! BUILD+ & >E /&+ ": WE
/>T$ 9 ! DEBRIS-LAD5 P>K+ LOT ON ! NOR?
SIDE (! ;,Z ,CLUB4 ,9 FRONT ( U >E F\R
CRU%$ C>S T REMA9 HALF BURI$ "U A CRUM#D
WALL4 ,TREY HAS BE5 CALM :ILE RECIT+ 8
TALE1 & HE /RU7LES 6APPE> UNEMO;NAL4 ,I
AM WRUNG \ & FEEL Z IF ,I'VE LIV$ "? !
FIRE ) HM4 ,9 ! EV5+ *ILL HE WE>S 8 DE-
"P;T F\L-W1!R COAT1 & X MAKES HM R1DILY
ID5TIFIA# Z A FIRE DE"P;T (FICIAL 6PAS-
S]SBY4 ,A C> )A S+LE BLACK MALE 9 X
SL[S1 &! DRIV] GIVES ,TREY A H>D LOOK T
,I'VE SE5 (T5 OV] ! PA/ FEW "DS4    #CFA
,"! IS A LOT ( PUBLIC 4GRUNTLE;T DIRECT$
AT BLACK FIREFI<T]S1 :OM "S 9 ! -MUN;Y
SEE Z HAV+ BE5 TRAITORS 6_! RACE4 ,A FEW
M9UTES LAT] ?\<1 ANO!R C> PASSES & TWO
,AFRICAN-,AM]ICAN WOM5 GIVE ,TREY SMILES
& BIG WAVES4
  ,! -MUN;Y IS BR1K+ UP4 ,LA/ NI<T TWO
P>K$ C>S 9 MO/LY :ITE NEI<BORHOODS 7
TOR*$ 0A GR\P ( ROV+ Y\?S4 ,A CURFEW HAS
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/REETS AF MIDNI<T W 2 SUBJECT 6>RE/4 ,!
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HAS MADE N,NAL NEWS1 Z H ! >RE/S (
FIFTY-SEV5 "Y BLACKS OV] ! PA/ F\R
NI<TS4 ,AL? MO/ H BE5 REL1S$ 6_! P>5TS
OR GU>DIANS1 EI<TE5 H BE5 *>G$ ) FELONY
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,,NAACP *APT] V[S 6FI<T ! CURFEW 9 C\RT4
  8,C Y H&LE A FEW FOLL[-UP "QS80 ,I
ASK4
  8,G AH1D40
  8,DID ANYBODY CALL \ 6Y :ILE Y 7 9 "!1
ANYBODY Y _H 6BYPASS80
  8,J ! MAN 0! W9D[40               #CFB
  8,D Y RECALL 8 EXACT ^WS80
  8,8,HELP ME40'0
  8,J L T8 ,J L ! TAPE T 0 REL1S$80
  8,8,HELP ME0' IS ALL ,I REMEMB]40
  8,S HE MI<T H BE5 ! P]SON ON ! CELL
PH"O 6! 4PAT*]80
  8,I DIDN'T SEE A CELL PH"O1 B !N1 ,I
DIDN'T SEE HM 9 ! SMOKE1 EI4 ,I J FELT
HM4 ,I PASS$ HM S"EAL "TS1 S X'S POSSI#
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  8,I'LL H TO4 ,P 9 ! -MUN;Y >E "PICUL>-
LY UPSET AB T CELL PH"O CALL4 ,Y'VE "KN
? ALL AL;G1 HAV5'T Y1 T Y MI<T 2 ! FIRE-
FI<T] ! CALL] 0 -PLA9+ AB80
  ,I EXPECT$ HM 6SNAP AT ME AG1 6REM9D
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? 9VE/IG,N1 B HE LOOK$ AT ME ) UTT] SAD-
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  8,:5 Y GOT >.D 6! BACK (! BUILD+1 Y _H
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  8,I SAW ^? BO>D$-OV] W9D[S &      #CFC
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9 ! /REET :O USU,Y DRIVE OLD] C>S OR
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  8,IF Y _HN'T _H T 9TUI;N1 A LOT M P WD
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  8,I "K Y FEEL BAD AB :AT Y FAIL$ 6D1 B
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  8,I DON'T NE$ A *E]L1D]40
  8,I'M N SAY+ Y D4 ,ALL ,I'M SAY+ IS "!
7 A LOT ( O!R P :O MI<T H SPOTT$ ^?
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  8,I ?9K AB X E "D40
  8,Y DIDN'T WANT 6TELL ME ?1 DID Y80
  8,I ?"\ ,I 0 "? TELL+ X1 T'S ALL40
  8,OKAY4 ,SURE4 ,I'M SORRY IF ,I--0
  8,:AT ELSE D Y WANT 6"K80
  8,HAS T "E BE5 TAU<T 6Y 9 TRA9+1 6DROP
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  8,:Y80                            #CFD
  8,2C E "O ,I DROPP$ LIV$4 ,E "O ,I
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2SS ! MAN :O 0 J TOO H1VY = ME 6MOVE1 "!
7 N9E M "S": 9SIDE T ,I N"E GOT TO40
  ,WE 7 BO? 9 A SOMB] FRAME ( M9D 0! "T
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LOCAL NEWS ON ! C> RADIO4 ,L1D]S (!
,AFRICAN-,AM]ICAN -MUN;Y 7 SU7E/+ !
C;Y'S 9VE/IG,N 0 TA9T$ & T ! ;,Z ,CLUB
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,TREY ,BR[N & MYF1 WD TELL AN APPRECIA-
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,C;Y ( ,S1TTLE PAY+ A CITIZ5S' GR\P 6D A
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0 ON _! SIDE4 ,X 0 Q A TRICK4
  ,WE 7 D[NT[N "W+ \R WAY "? RU%-   #CFE
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ME4
  8,X'S .YR PH"O10 ,I SD4
  8,I'M DRIV+40
  8,HELLO10 ,I SD4
  ,X 0 A FEMALE VOICE1 ! EV5TUAL;Y ,I
FE>$ MO/1 S9CE ,I 0 C]TA9 ,TREY 0 HAV+ A
FL+ )! MAYOR'S WIFE1 OR AT L1/ FLIRT+ )!
IDEA4 8,HELLO8 ,:O'S ?80
  8,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ40
  8,? IS ,C>LY ,SMI? )! ,S1TTLE ,FIRE
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  8,HE'S "R "H40
  8,MAY ,I SP1K 6HM80
  ,WE HIT A /OPLI<T & ,TREY TOOK ! PH"O
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QK]40
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80                  #CFF
  8,5G9E ,SIX HAS MY BRO!R AG40
  8,/"O80
  8,MY O!R BRO!R4 ,I NE$ 6MAKE SURE HE'S
OKAY4 ,!N1 IF Y C WAIT1 WE'RE / ON = D9-
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  8,I C WAIT40


















                  #DG4              #CFG
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SEIZURE 4ORD]1 & 2C HE FREQU5TLY =GOT TO
TAKE EI 8 ,DILANT9 OR 8 9SUL9 OR BO?1 0
PR"O 6COLLAPS+ 9 ! /REET & LAT] WAK+ UP
6:AT HE'D ONCE TOLD ME 0 A 8:OLE NEW
_W10 USU,Y )A CREW ( LOCAL FIREFI<T]S
/&+ OV] HM4 ,JOHNNY 0 BO? ! BANE &! HUB
( MY "M'S EXI/;E1 Z WELL Z ! UNIQUE L9K
2T H] DAILY RITUALS & M9E1 & ,EN-   #CFH
G9E #F _H PICK$ UP ,JOHNNY M "TS ?AN ,I
CD REMEMB]4
  ,M5 L ,JOHNNY G5],Y _H A LOOK Y CD
SPOT3 ! LOOK (A MAN :O _H N F9I%$ S*OOL
2C HE 0 9CAPA# ( F9I%+2 A MAN :O CD N
R1D ANY?+ 2Y /OP SIGNS1 ! O3A.NAL BUS
M>QUEE1 &! ^W .M5 OV] A BA?ROOM DOOR2 A
MAN :O 0 DE/9$ 6HOLD D[N A /R+ ( M5IAL
JOBS2 A MAN :O CDN'T C>RY ON A M1N+;L
3V]S,N AB CURR5T EV5TS OR ANY?+ REMOTELY
ESOT]IC--ALL ( : MADE HM P]FECT -PANY =
MY FR ,RUM#1 :O CD D ALL ( ^? ?+S B ES-
*EW$ MO/ ( !M4 ,JOHNNY'S FAVORITE TOPICS
( 4C\RSE1 9 ORD] ( PREF];E1 7 ! W1!R 9
MONOTON\S DETAIL1 SPORTS1 &! LOCAL BUS
R\TES1 : HE'D MEMORIZ$4 ,JOHNNY 0 A4ICT$
6VIDEO GAMES & SQU&]$ H\RS E "D PLAY+
!M4 ,HE SPLIT 8 "T 2T MY PLACE & \R "M'S
H\SE1 ": ,I _H SET UP A -PUT] = HM1 & X
0 PROBABLY ALL T WALK+ 2T ! TWO H\SES T
KEPT HM TRIM4 ,9 ! SUMM] HE M[$ NEI<BOR-
HOOD LAWNS = POCKET *ANGE & CD (T5 2 SE5
:EEL+ A B1T-UP LAWN M[] UP ! SIDEWALKS1
ASSORT$ H& TOOLS /U6$ 96A BURLAP SACK
SLUNG OV] 8 %\LD] & SECUR$ ) AN     #CFI
OLD BELT ,I'D GIV5 HM4
  ,LIEUT5ANT ,SMI? 0 A /OCKY WOMAN )A
DET]M9$ GAIT &A NO-NONS5SE AIR4 ,YE>S
AGO %E'D -E "? A CLASS ON RUDI;T>Y FIRE
9VE/IG,N ,I TAU<T1 & ,I RECALL$ H] Z BO?
>GU;TATIVE & D$ICAT$1 TWO QUALITIES ,I
WD ASCRIBE 6MYF Z WELL4
  8,"!'S "S SORT ( /REET ?+ GO+ ON 9 !
NEI<BORHOOD40 %E SD4 8,A BUN* ( P BR1K+
W9D[S 6PROTE/ ! ;,Z ,CLUB FIRE4 ,I GUESS
!Y _H ! SAME ?+ 9 ? NEI<BORHOOD YE/]"D4
,! COPS 7 GO+ 6>RE/ HM UNTIL ,RIDLEY "H
TOLD !M HE 0 YR BRO!R40 ,/&+ T5 FEET
AWAY1 ! DRIV] ON ,5G9E #F GAVE ME A H1D
NOD4 8,! COPS SD IF WE GOT HOLD ( Y1
!Y'D LET HM G40
  8,?ANKS = CALL+4 ,Y WANT 6WAIT "H80 ,I
SD4
  ,JOHNNY _H BE5 WAT*+ U )! AL]T;S (A
H\SE PET :O "KS HE'S 9 TR\# = VIOLAT+ A
DICTUM B ISN'T C]TA9 :AT T DICTUM MI<T
BE4 8,HEY40 ,I SD4
  8,HEY40 ,JOHNNY SD4
  8,:AT'S GO+ ON80
  8,H>D 6TELL40                     #CGJ
  8,Y GOT A LUMP ON YR H1D4 ,:AT HAP-
P5$80
  8,! MAN 0 HASSL+ U4 ,! FUZZ1 MAN4 ,I
SPIT "O ( !M COPS \40
  8,Y SPIT ON "O ( ^? (FIC]S UP !
/REET80
  8,Y1H1 MAN4 ,I SPIT HM \40
  8,IS T H[ Y HURT YR H1D8 ,SPITT+ A COP
\80
  8,NAW4 ,!Y ?REW A PIECE ( WOOD AT ME40
  8,S Y BRUIS$ 8 NI<T/ICK ) YR H1D8
,GEE1 ,I HOPE HE DOESN'T SUE40 ,S5S+
MOCK]Y1 MY BRO!R GREW SMALL]1 HUN*+ HMF
UP ON ! SIDEBO>D ( ,5G9E #F UNTIL HE
LOOK$ L A * 9/1D (A ?IRTY-F\R-YE>-OLD4
8,JOHNNY1 D Y EV5 "K :AT ? IS AB80
  8,GOTTA BR+ ! MAN D[N4 ,"T 6BR+ ! MAN
D[N1 MAN4 ,NO M OPPRES.N40
  8,JOHNNY1 ^! P \ "H ON ! /REET >E
PISS$ (F 2C !Y ?9K ,I DIDN'T D MY JOB4
,!Y ?9K WE LET P DIE AT ! ;,Z ,CLUB4
,Y'VE BE5 TRAMP+ ! /REETS ) P :O ?9K
,I'M A MURD]]40
  ,I CD TELL MY SPEE* /RUCK AN EMO;NAL
BUTTON :5 8 EYES WAT]$ & HE TRI$    #CGA
6*ANGE ! SUBJECT4 8,I BE5 6! ;,Z ,CLUB40
  8,NO Y HAV5'T1 ,JOHNNY40
  8,H TOO1 MAN40
  8,I WANT Y 6/AY ) ,MOM ! RE/ (! NI<T4
,& "S?+ ELSE4 ,"!'S A WOMAN 9 ! C>4
,%E'S NICE1 & %E DOESN'T NE$ ANY GRIEF F
Y40
  8,%E )! MAN80
  8,%E'S A ,,TV REPORT]40
  8,I'M ALW GD 6! WOM54 ,Y "K T40
  8,I "K40
  8,I L ,,TV40
  8,I "K40
  8,GONNA GET ME A WOMAN "S"D40
  8,I "K Y >E40
  ,LAT] 9 ! WEEK :5 ? CREW 0 "W+ AG1 ,I
WD TAKE ,5G9E #F A PIE & ICE CR1M F
,BORRAC*9I'S4 ,JOHNNY CLIMB$ 96! BACKS1T
& WE 7 SIL5T DUR+ ! F\R-BLOCK DRIVE 6MY
"M'S H\SE1 ! SAME H\SE ,I'D LIV$ 9 ) MY
GR&"M UNTIL ,I 0 F\R4 ,I P>K$ 9 FRONT1
OP5$ ! DOOR = ,JOHNNY1 & GL.ED AT ,E/EV-
EZ4 8,Y BETT] -E IN10 ,I SD4 8,MY "M
F9DS \ ,I LEFT Y \ "H1 %E'LL SK9 ME
ALIVE40                             #CGB
  8,S.DS L .MY "M40























                  #DH4              #CGC
     ,,TREY'S ,,"M'S ,,WILD ,,LIFE

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,:ILE ,I 0 9 ! KIT*5 FIX+ SPA<ETTI &A
SALAD1 ,I WAT*$ ,TREY'S MUSCUL> %\LD]S Z
HE HUN*$ OV] MY C(FEE TA# 9 ! O!R ROOM1
>RANG+ 8 S*EMATICS &! ,MYL> PRES5T,N
HE'D PREP>$4 ,I ?"\ AB S]V+ W9E )! M1L1
B DECID$ T WD 2 TOO M*4 ,I 3SID]$ C&LES
B PASS$ ON ^?1 TOO4 ,I PUT A JAZZ ALBUM
ON ! ,,CD PLAY]1 E>LY ,MILES ,DAVIS1 &
SAW ,TREY1 )\T LOOK+ UP F 8 "W1 GIVE AN
APPRECIATIVE LL SMILE 6HMF :5 HE RECOG-
NIZ$ X4
  ,I'M N SURE :AT ,I'D BE5 PREP>$ =1 B
,TREY'S "M DID N FULFILL ANY ( MY EXPEC-
T,NS4 ,62G9 )1 %E US$ A MANN]$ SPEE*
SPR9KL$ ) 3/ANT REF];ES 6B.S+S & ,JESUS4
,"! 7 PICTURES ( ,JESUS ON ! WALLS &
S"EAL ,BI#S LY+ AB4 ,! H\SE 0 TIDY B
S"PAN1 ! TELEVI.N AN OLD 3SOLE T WD RE-
QUIRE F\R M5 6MOVE4 ,H] H\SE _H BE5
BUILT 9 #AIJF1 8 "M TOLD ME1 B _H BE5
REMODEL$ A SEC;N AT A "T 0,TREY4
  ,JOHNNY1 ,TREY TOLD ME ON !       #CGD
DRIVE 6MY 3DOM9IUM 9 ,BELLT[N1 _H BE5 A
CRACK BABY1 ) "S FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
MIX$ IN4 8,Y WANT ! :OLE /ORY80
  8,WELL ''' ,I DON'T WANT 6PRY '''0
  8,( C\RSE Y WANT 6PRY4 ,UNTIL ,I 0
F\R1 ,I 0 RAIS$ 0MY GR&"M4 ,! WEEK MY
GR&"M DI$1 MY "M %[$ UP /RUNG \ ON MALT
LIQUOR & CRACK4 ,AT ! "T ALL ,I KNEW 0 T
"! 0 "S?+ WR;G ) H] & %E 0 >GU+ )! (FI-
CIAL F ! ,DE"P;T ( ,SOCIAL & ,H1L? ,S]V-
ICES4 ,9 ! MI4LE ( X %E TELEPHON$ ,%ELBY
,C>MI*AEL & TOLD HM 6-E & GET ME4 ,X
WASN'T UNTIL YE>S LAT] T ,I FIGUR$ \ HE
0 MY R1L "F40
  8,%ELBY ,C>MI*AEL IS YR BIOLOGICAL
"F80
  8,T'S :AT ,I SD40
  8,DOES ! RE/ (! FAMILY "K80
  8,I'M N SURE4 ,X 0 C]TA9LY N"E M5;N$
:5 ,I 0 "P (! ,C>MI*AEL CLAN4 ,I 0 !
ADOPT$ SON Z F> Z "EY"O1 9CLUD+ MY "F1 0
3C]N$4 ,X 0 K9D ( SC>Y1 GO+ (F ) ? :ITE
GUY--N T GO+ AWAY ) MY "M1 :O ,I B>ELY
KNEW1 WDN'T H BE5 SC>Y4 ,I REMEMB] ,I _H
? LL SUITCASE )A FEW CLO!S 9SIDE1   #CGE
&A T$DY BE> "U MY >M4 ,T 0 X40
  8,H[ DID ,%ELBY ,C>MI*AEL -E 6BE YR
"F80
  8,:5 %E 0 SIXTE51 MY "M GOT A SUMM]
JOB Z A MAID AT ! ,C>MI*AEL E/ATE ON !
ISL&4 ,0! "T %E GOT HOME & />T$ S*OOL
AG1 %E 0 PREGNANT & WDN'T TELL H] "M :O
! "F WAS4 ,%E'D GOTT5 /RAI<T ;,A'S UNTIL
!N1 B %E DROPP$ \ ( S*OOL T AUTUMN &
/>T$ HANG+ \ )A BAD CR[D4 ,%ELBY ,C>MI-
*AEL GAVE H] T5 ?\S& DOLL>S1 : HE ?"\ WD
TAKE C>E ( ?+S & : MY "M PROMPTLY US$ UP
ON A /R+ ( L[-LIFE BOYFRS &A C> T "O (
!M WRECK$ ! F/ WEEK %E [N$ X4 ,=TUNATELY
= ME1 %E DIDN'T />T 9 )! DRUGS UNTIL AF
,I 0 BORN4 ,X 0 ! DRUGS T SPURR$ MY GR&-
"M 6KICK H] \ (! H\SE :5 ,I 0 SIX MON?S
OLD4
  8,:5 ,%ELBY GOT T PH"O CALL1 HE PICK$
UP 8 LAWY] & !Y CAME D[N 6! ,,DSHS (FICE
& SAW ! %APE MY "M 0 IN4 ,I DON'T "K IF
HE COPP$ 62+ MY "F "R "! OR IF MY "M
SIGN$ "S PAP]S T REL1S$ ME 6HM OR :AT1 B
HE TOOK ME HOME1 & !N "S "T DUR+ ! NEXT
YE> ,I 0 (FICI,Y ADOPT$ & !Y        #CGF
*ANG$ MY LA/ "N 6,C>MI*AEL40
  8,T M/ H BE5 AN ADJU/;T = "EY"O CON-
C]N$40
   8,%ELBY ,JUNIOR TOOK ME ON Z A PROJ-
ECT1 & ,I FOLL[$ HM >.D L A PUPPY4 ,K5-
DRA 0 A YE> "Y] ?AN ME4 ,I TOOK C>E ( H]
! SAME WAY ,%ELBY ,JUNIOR TOOK C>E ( ME4
,I REMEMB] B1T+ UP "S KID :O 0 MESS+ )
H] 9 S*OOL & GO+ 6! PR9CIPAL'S (FICE =
X4 ,! ODD MAN \ 0 ,/"O1 :O 0 SEV5 YE>S
OLD] ?AN ME & N"E RE,Y A3EPT$ ME4 ,HE
US$ 6TELL ME ,I 0 ADOPT$ 2C X WD LOOK GD
=A POLITICIAN 6ADOPT A ,8COLOR$ BOY40'
,AT T "T ,%ELBY 0 A /ATE REPRES5TATIVE40
  8,WAS X 3FUS+ 6BE ! ONLY BLACK * 9 A
:ITE FAMILY80
  8,N Z 3FUS+ Z Y MI<T ?9K4 ,! T\< "P 0
LAT]1 GO+ BACK 6! BLACK -MUN;Y ) MY TAIL
2T MY LEGS1 A3U/OM$ 6ALL ! M"OY & CLO!S
& TRAVEL1 & N HAV+ X ANYMORE4 ,X'S A LOT
H>D] 6BE POOR :5 Y 7 RI* ONCE40
  8,& Y W5T 6! ,,UW80
  8,ON A S*OL>%IP UNTIL MY JUNIOR YE>4
,WE 7 PLAY+ ,>IZONA4 ,WE 7 UP 0F\RTE5 :5
,I TOOK A HIT F 2H & BLEW \ MY      #CGG
,,ACL BIG-"T40
  8,:5 DID Y REUNITE ) YR "M80
  8,A YE> AF ,I SEP>AT$ F ! ,C>MI*AEL
FAMILY1 ,I 0 WALK+ "? ! OLD NEI<BORHOOD
& RECOGNIZ$ MY GR&"M'S H\SE4 ,I W5T UP &
KNOCK$1 & MY "M ANSW]$4 ,I _HN'T SE5 H]
S9CE ,I 0 F\R1 B :5 WE LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1
WE BO? J KNEW4 ,0!N1 %E'D CL1N$ UP H]
ACT & 0 "W+40
  8,DID YR "M "E TELL Y :AT HAPP5$ 2T H]
& ,C>MI*AEL80
  8,WELL1 ,I ?9K !Y _H SEX40
  8,T'S N :AT ,I M1NT4 ,%E 0 SIXTE54 ,HE
0 H] EMPLOY]4 ,"!'S NO?+ "R AB T40
  8,! "O "T WE SPOKE AB X1 %E CALL$ X AN
A6AIR4 ,I D H 6SAY ? = HM1 Z BUSY Z HE
WAS1 HE "W$ H>D AT 2+ A "F 6ME4 ,& ANY
"T HE CAU<T ,/"O GIV+ ME ! BUSI;S1 HE
LET HM H X ) BO? B>RELS40
  8,H[ CD YR FAMILY 2LIEVE Y 7 CAPA# (
:AT !Y A3US$ Y (80
  8,I / DON'T "K4 ,IF "! 7 D\BTS AB MY
GUILT1 ,I N"E GOT 6HE> !M1 2C ,I N"E GOT
6TALK 6ANY (! FAMILY AF T NI<T40
  8,DID Y TRY80                     #CGH
  8,AB A WEEK AF MY \/] ,I W5T BACK 6!
ISL& DET]M9$ 63V9CE "S"O ,I 0 9NOC5T4
,R5FR[ 0 WAIT+ = ME ) TWO ?UGS4 ,!Y B1T
ME UP PRETTY GD40
  8,? IS ! ,R5FR[ ,I MET ,SATUR"D NI<T80
  8,! SAME MAN WE SAW 9 ! PHOTO ,I TOOK
F ,MC,DONALD'S PLACE40
  8,:Y WD HE H "SBODY B1T Y UP80
  8,MAYBE Y =GOT HE 0 "W+ = ,H>LAN ,OV]-
BY1 ,E*O'S "F40
  8,OH40
  ,AF D9N] WE 2GAN 6REVIEW \R F9D+S4 ,!
FIRE DE"P;T REPORT ON ! ;,Z ,CLUB 3CLUD$
T ! DE"P;T MADE SMALL MISTAKES1 : 9CLUD$
"S (! 9COM+ UNITS 2+ ON ! WR;G RADIO
*ANNEL =A FEW M9UTES & AN 9ABIL;Y 6GET !
MA9 FLOOR V5TILAT$4 ,"! 7 MISCUES :5
,LA4] #AB LEFT ,V]NON ,SWEET+ 9SIDE4
,A4I;NAL MISTAKES :5 8 "PN]1 ,MC,M>T91
W5T BACK 6LOOK = HM 9/1D ( CALL+ A ,MAY-
"D4 ,! REPORT /AT$ T MO/ (! CIVILIAN
FIRE D1?S CD 2 ATTRIBUT$ 6! LACK ( W9D[S
& SECOND>Y EXITS ON ! SECOND FLOOR4
,:ILE "! _H BE5 S"EAL CELL PH"O CALLS 6!
4PAT*] F 9DIVIDUALS TRAPP$ ON !     #CGI
SECOND FLOOR1 ALL ( ^? CALLS 7 RCVD AF
,CAPTA9 ,BR[N _H ALR ANN\NC$ "! 7 VIC-
TIMS ON ! SECOND FLOOR & 2GUN RESCUE OP-
],NS4 ,! CELL PH"O CALL T _H CAUS$ ALL !
RUCKUS _H BE5 PLAC$ >.D ! "T CREWS 7 IN-
SIDE LOOK+ = ,V]NON ,SWEET+ Z WELL Z CI-
VILIAN VICTIMS4 ,MY P]SONAL HYPO!SIS 0 T
X 0 ! MAN ,TREY CDN'T LIFT & T ,TREY _H
PASS$ HM S"EAL "TS1 CAUS+ HM 62LIEVE HE
0 SEE+ MULTIPLE FIREFI<T]S PASS HM BY4
  ,A P>AGRAPH AT ! 5D (! FIRE DE"P;T RE-
PORT R1D3

  ,"?\T ? 9CID5T1 FIREFI<T+ & RESCUE EF-
=TS (! DE"P;T 7 HAMP]$ 09DIVIDUALS HA-
RASS+ & AT "TS PHYSIC,Y RE/RA9+ FIRE (-
FIC]S F E6ECTIVELY PURSU+ _! TASKS4 ,!
CR[D QKLY GREW 6UNMANAGEA# PROPOR;NS4
,_H ! FIRE GR.D BE5 CLE> ( CIVILIANS1 "!
IS E R1SON 62LIEVE ALL VICTIMS WD H BE5
RETRIEV$ F ! BUILD+ 2F ! ,,IC 0 =C$ 6DCL
A DEF5SIVE FIRE4

  ,? P>AGRAPH _H BE5 CRITICIZ$ 0BLACK
L1D]S & AGITATORS 2C X ESS5TI,Y     #CHJ
SD ! VICTIMS DI$ 2C (! CR[D \TSIDE4 8,D
Y 2LIEVE T80 ,I ASK$4 8,T ! CR[D 0 !
R1SON Y DIDN'T SAVE M P80
  8,HELL1 NO40
  8,:Y N80
  8,!Y W]5'T BO!R+ U T M*4 ,"O ?+ ! ,,IC
%D N H D"O 0 2LIEVE ! ,HISPANICS :5 !Y
SD "EYBODY 0 \ (! BUILD+4 ,FI% ASSUM$
!Y'D BE5 ON BO? FLOORS1 B !Y'D ONLY BE5
ON ! F/ FLOOR & 7 UNAW>E ( :AT 0 HAPP5+
ON ! SECOND40
  8,ANY?+ ELSE80
  8,FI% KNEW WE 7 MAK+ RESCUES F ! SEC-
OND FLOOR ON SIDE ;,C1 B HE DIDN'T GET A
LA4] UP ON SIDE ;,A UNTIL !Y SPOTT$ P 9
A W9D[4 ,!Y %D H LA4]$ X "R AWAY40
  8,:Y D Y ?9K !Y DIDN'T80
  8,I ?9K ! MOB PE/]+ !M MI<T H DELAY$
HM "S4 ,& "! 7 TWO TREES ON FIRE "R 9
FRONT (! FIRE ESCAPE40
  8,S ! CR[D DID H AN E6ECT80
  8,"S4 ,B ! C5TRAL ISSUE 0 ! BO>D$-OV]
W9D[S & TWO BLOCK$ /AIRWELLS1 "O BLOCK$
0FIRE &! O!R LOCK$ 0! [N]S40
  8,S MAYBE WE %D 2 TALK+ 6,*E/]    #CHA
,MC,DONALD AB T40
  8,I DON'T ?9K ,MC,DONALD RE,Y [NS !
PROP]TY4 ,I DID "S TRACK+ ! O!R "D AF WE
CALL$ X QUITS4 ,TAX ON T PROP]TY 0 PD
LA/ YE> 0,MC,DONALD1 B "!'S A NOT,N AT !
ASSESSOR'S (FICE T X W 2 PD 9 ! FUTURE
0A -PANY CALL$ ,SILV]/> ,3SOLIDAT$4 ,I
C'T F9D ANY?+ ON !M1 B ,I D "K ! LI<T-
RAIL L9E IS GO+ 6BE BUILT "? T "P ( T[N1
& ,I WDN'T 2 SURPRIS$ IF "SBODY ISN'T
BUY+ UP L& *1P 9 ! 2LIEF T X'S GO+ 6BE
WOR? A LOT M 9 ! FUTURE1 "SBODY :O'S
/UDI$ ": ! RAIL L9E IS H1D$4 ,I DID "S M
*ECK+ & F.D Q A FEW L& SALES 6,SILV]/>
,3SOLIDAT$ 9 T NEI<BORHOOD40
  8,MC,DONALD IS / LI/$ Z ! [N] ON ! PA-
P]"W WE'VE SE5 HAV+ 6D ) P]MITS & FIRE
9SPEC;NS4 ,& WE TALK$ 6HM \RVS4 ,:Y WD
HE CLAIM 6[N ! BUILD+ IF HE DOESN'T1 ES-
PECI,Y 9 LI<T (! M9OR;Y -MUN;Y 2+ UP 9
>MS AB ! FIRE80
  8,:AT >E ^!80 ,TREY ASK$1 UNCOV]+ A
/ACK ( GLOSSIES ON ! C(FEE TA#1 ALL PHO-
TOS (! ;,Z ,CLUB4
  8,J "S PHOTOGRAPHS F ! ORIG9AL    #CHB
9VE/IG,N40
  ,:5 HE CAME 6! LA/ "O1 HE />$ AT X4 ,X
0 A PHOTO (! ;,Z ,CLUB PRIOR 6! FIRE1
"WM5 SETT+ UP SCA6OLD+ ON ! NOR? WALL1 A
MAN 9 ! =EGR.D1 ! SAME MAN WE'D MET
,SATUR"D NI<T1 ! SAME MAN 9 ! PHOTO
,TREY _H FIL*$ F ,*E/] ,MC,DONALD'S
PLACE1 &! MAN :O'D _H HM B1T UP N9ETE5
YE>S AGO3 ,B>RY ,R5FR[4 ,! DATE ON !
PHOTO 0 ?REE WEEKS 2F ! FIRE4 8,Y _H ?
ALL AL;G80 ,TREY ASK$4
  8,I GOT ! MAT]IAL ,MON"D1 B ,I DIDN'T
GET A *.E 6LOOK AT X UNTIL LA/ NI<T AF Y
& ,I _H F9I%$40
  8,? IS ,R5FR[4 ,R5FR[ "WS = ,OV]BY &=!
,C>MI*AEL FAMILY4 ,Y %D H %>$ ? ) ME
2F40
  ,X 0 H>D 6>GUE4 ,P]H ,I ?"\ IF HE SAW
X1 HE'D G (F ON "S WILD 3SPIRACY !ORY &
NEGLECT ! RE/ (! 9T]VIEWS4 ,P]H '''
  8,Y J H 6BE 9 3TROL1 DON'T Y80 ,TREY
SD4
  8,:AT80
  8,T'S :AT ? IS AB4 ,Y LET ME LAY \ !
CASE = GO+ AF ! BUILD+ [N]S Z IF    #CHC
,I 0 "S SORT ( TWO-TW5TY 3SPIRACY FRUIT-
CAKE1 & ALL ! :ILE Y 7 SITT+ ON A PIECE
( EVID;E T BOL/]S MY !ORY4 ,TWO-TW5TY IS
FIRE DE"P;T CODE = ,8CRAZY P]SON40'0
  8,I "K :AT A TWO-TW5TY IS1 & ,I N"E
?"\ Y 7 A FRUITCAKE40
  8,T'S N :AT ,I SD4 ,I SD Y LET ME G ON
L ,I WAS1 :5 ALL ! :ILE Y _H ? PHOTO40
  8,I 0 GO+ 6%[ X 6Y40
  8,:58 ,NEXT SUMM]8 ,? IS ,R5FR[4 .,?
IS ,R5FR[40 HE A4$1 HOLD+ UP ! PHOTO F 8
BRIEFCASE4
  8,I'M SORRY IF Y ?9K ,I'VE BE5 HID+
?+S40
  8,I ?9K Y'VE BE5 HID+ ?+S 2C Y .H BE5
HID+ ?+S4 ,I ?"\ Y WANT$ 6GET 6! BOTTOM
( ?40
  8,WE .>E GETT+ 6! BOTTOM ( ?40
  8,:AT ELSE >E Y HID+80
  ,I KNEW H[ ANGRY HE WD 2 IF HE 4COV]$
,I 0 CALL+ 8 BRO!R1 ! MAYOR1 E EV5+ )
UPDATES4 ,I DIDN'T FEEL GRT AB ! PH"O
CALLS1 B ,I'D PROMIS$ ,MIRIAM ,BECKMANN
,I'D MAKE !M1 ,BECKMANN HAV+ =G$ A D1L )
,/"O ,C>MI*AEL :5 HE AGRE$ ! C;Y    #CHD
WD F9.E ? SECOND 9VE/IG,N4 ,%E'D TRAD$
AWAY TOTAL SECRECY = SOLV5CY4 ,WE />$ AT
EA* O!R & !N EV5TU,Y >RIV$ AT A TRUCE1
YET Z HE HELP$ ME CLE> ! TA# & PUT !
DI%ES 96! DI%WA%]1 A /RA9$ SIL;E L+]$4
,AFW1 ,TREY W5T 6! LIV+ ROOM W9D[ 6LOOK
\ AT ! WE/]N SKYL9E4 8,NICE VIEW10 HE SD
F9,Y4
  8,Y1H40
  ,US+ ! ,MYL> REPRES5T,NS ,TREY _H
DRAWN UP1 WE 2GAN GO+ OV] ! EV5TS (
,SEPTEMB] #C1 PIEC+ ! "TL9E 96A COORDI-
NAT$ :OLE ! WAY ,I'D BE5 PIEC+ ,TREY'S
LIFE TGR 9 MY [N M9D4 ,AB AN H\R 96X1 HE
EXCUS$ HMF 6USE ! BA?ROOM1 & :ILE HE 0
G"O1 8 CELL PH"O ON ! C(FEE TA# RANG4 ,I
PICK$ X UP & ANSW]$ )\T ?9K+4 ,9 ! NEWS-
ROOM WE 7 ALW ANSW]+ EA* O!R'S CELL
PH"OS1 UNA# OR UNWILL+ 6LET A POSSI#
NEWS TIP SLIP PA/1 & HE ._H ASK$ ME 6AN-
SW] 8 PH"O E>LI]4
  8,HELLO80
  8,HELLO80 SD A VOICE ,I WD N H MISTAK5
9 A ZILLION YE>S4 8,I M/ H ! WR;G
NUMB]40                             #CHE
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K S4 ,? IS ,TREY
,BR[N'S PH"O4 ,HE'LL 2 BACK 9 A M9UTE40
  8,OH4 ,D Y M9D IF ,I HOLD80
  8,( C\RSE N40
  8,Y M/ 2 ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ40
  8,YES40
  8,I GUESS Y'RE "W+ TGR4 ,! TWO ( Y40
  8,I GUESS WE >E40
  ,X 0 ! BLOND GO4ESS H]F1 MAK+ H] DAILY
CALL 6LOV] BOY4














                  #DI4              #CHF
       ,,IF ,,X'S ,,AN ,,EM]G5CY1
      ,,MAYBE ,I ,,%D ,,G ,,) ,,Y

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,:5 ,I H&$ ! PH"O 6,TREY & BUSI$ MYF 9
! KIT*51 HE L[]$ 8 VOICE & WALK$ OV] 6!
W9D[ T LOOK$ \ OV] A SCRAP ( D[NT[N &!
,OLYMPIC M.TA9 RANGE ON ! HORIZON4
  ,DESPITE ,TREY'S CAUTI\S T"OS1 ,I CD
HE> "EY?+ HE SD4
  8,Y1H10 HE SD4 8,WE'RE "W+40 ,PAUSE4
8,! WOMAN Y MET ,SATUR"D NI<T40 ,PAUSE4
8,YES1 9 ! P9K DRESS40 ,PAUSE4 8,OKAY4
,A LL4 ,I DON'T "K :Y--0 ,PAUSE4 8,IF Y
SAY S4 ,OKAY1 %E .IS PRETTY4 ,HELL1 %E'S
GORGE\S1 SM>T1 TOO4 ,B ? IS /RICTLY
BUSI;S40 ,IF ,I'D _H ANY 9CL9,N 6L1VE !
ROOM1 X VANI%$ AT T MO;T4 8,NO4 ,N AT
ALL4 ,%E'S J ''' ,I DON'T "K4 ,A LL TOO
A7RESSIVE4 ,A LL TOO P]FECT40 ,PAUSE4
8,A C\PLE ( H\RS M4 ,NO4 ,I TOLD Y4
,WE'RE "W+40 ,PAUSE4 8,TN8 ,H[ AB TM80
  ,)\T LOOK+ UP F ! C.T]1 ,I CD TELL
HE'D TURN$ F ! W9D[ & 0 DIRECT+ 8 GAZE
AT ME4 8,I C'T DUMP ALL ? 9 H]      #CHG
LAP4 ,"! >E P WAIT+40 ,HE TURN$ BACK 6!
W9D[1 APP>5TLY ?9K+ AG T ,I CDN'T HE>
HM4 8,WELL1 Y1H4 ,%E'S 9 ! O!R ROOM4 ,I
DON'T "K4 ,CL1N+ UP ! KIT*5 OR "S?+40
,PAUSE4 8,OKAY4 ,SEE Y 9 A FEW M9UTES40
,IF ,I'D _H ANY D\BTS AB ,TREY &! MAY-
OR'S WIFE1 ? 3V]S,N ERAS$ !M4
  ,H[ QKLY "O'S UNIV]SE C FLIP-FLOP F
HOPE.S 6FULL ( POSSIBILITIES 6HOPE.S AG4
,I 0 GORGE\S & SM>T1 B ,I 0 TOO A7RES-
SIVE & TOO P]FECT4 ,:AT DOES T M1N--TOO
P]FECT8 ,& N[ HE 0 GO+ 6L1VE ME S HE CD
MAKE LOVE 6ANO!R WOMAN4 ,! WOR/ "P 0 ,I
_H 6SMILE & PRET5D ,I _HN'T HE>D E ^W &
T ,I DIDN'T "K HE 0 ON 8 WAY 6P\R !
COALS 6! MAYOR'S WIFE4
  ,A MO;T LAT] ,TREY APPROA*$ ME 9 !
KIT*5 & SD1 8,I'VE GOT K9D ( AN EM]G5-
CY40
  8,IS X YR BRO!R8 ,IS HE 9 TR\# AG8
,MAYBE ,I %D -E40
  8,X'S "S?+ ELSE4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,WE'LL H
6CAT* UP ON ? TM40
  8,IF X'S AN EM]G5CY1 MAYBE X WD 2
HELP;L IF ,I W5T ) Y80              #CHH
  8,X'S N L T40
  8,T WASN'T YR SI/]1 ,K5DRA1 0 X8 ,I
?"\ ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! VOICE40
  8,X 0 AN OLD FR4 ,WELL1 ,I H 6BE GO+40
  8,Y M9D IF ,I KEEP ! ,MYL>S S ,I C
LOOK !M OV]80
  8,KEEP X ALL10 HE SD1 OP5+ ! DOOR4
8,I'LL PICK X UP 9 ! MORN+ :5 ,I -E 6GET
Y40 ,ON TOP ( "EY?+ ELSE1 HE 0 S BUSY
*AS+ 8 PET]1 HE LEFT MY DOOR OP54
  ,AL"O1 ,I TRI$ 6COLLECT MY ?"\S1 YET
F.D MYF UNA# 63C5TRATE4 ,I W5T 6! W9D[
": ,TREY _H TAK5 8 CALL & PICK$ UP MY
PH"O & DIAL$4 ,/"O ,C>MI*AEL ANSW]$ ON !
?IRD R+4
  8,I HOPE ,I'M N BO!R+ Y10 ,I SD4
8,Y'RE PROBABLY ) YR FAMILY40
  8,WE'RE AT A ,M>9]S GAME1 ACTU,Y4 ,WE
DECID$ AT ! LA/ M9UTE4 ,WE'LL TAKE !M TO
S*OOL LATE1 LET !M SLEEP IN4 ,:AT !
HECK4 ,!Y'RE ONLY KIDS ONCE40
  8,Y'RE LUCKY YR WIFE LIKES BASEBALL4
,A LOT ( WOM5 DON'T40
  8,ACTU,Y1 %E _H A BO>D MEET+ = "O ( H]
*>ITIES1 S %E'S N ) U4 ,%E'S N A    #CHI
HUGE BASEBALL FAN ANYWAY40
  8,X S.DS Z IF X "W$ \ P]FECTLY = "EY-
"O4 ,! GAME J />T80
  8,AT SEV540
  ,?\< ,I'D CALL$ ,MAYOR ,C>MI*AEL E
EV5+ Z PROMIS$1 ,I'D BE5 KEEP+ MO/ (!
SALI5T 9=M,N 6MYF1 FEEL+ ,I WD 2 2TRAY+
! PROJECT & ,TREY ,BR[N IF ,I LET ! BULK
( X \4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 X GAVE ME A QU1SY
FEEL+ 6BE SP1K+ 6! MAYOR :5 ,I KNEW 8
WIFE 0 SP5D+ H] NI<TS )! SAME MAN ,I 0
SP5D+ MY "DS )4 ,TN ,I 0 ON ! V]GE (
TELL+ ! MAYOR 6G HOME & *ECK ON 8 WIFE4
,MAYBE X 0 ! EAG];S ) : ,TREY _H RU%$ \
T SPUN ME \ ( 3TROL4 ,/1 ,I DIDN'T H ANY
CLAIM ON ,TREY & _H NO "R 6FEEL W.D$ :5
HE SAW ANO!R WOMAN4 ,:AT A PECULI> COL-
LEC;N ( FEEL+S ,I 0 GO+ "?1 ,I ?"\ Z ,I
GAVE ! MAYOR A QK RUND[N ( :AT WE'D BE5
DO+4
  ,:5 ,/"O ,C>MI*AEL SPOKE1 ! S.DS (!
BASEBALL GAME L\DSP1K]S &! /ADIUM ORGAN
PLAY$ 9 ! BACKGR.D4 8,S LET ME GET ?
/RAI<T4 ,Y'RE ALM F9I%$ )! FIRE-GR.D
9T]VIEWS1 & Y'RE MOV+ 9 TWO SEPA-   #CIJ
RATE DIREC;NS N[4 ,Y WANT 6PURSUE ! DE-
"P;T'S H&L+ (! BUILD+ 9SPEC;NS1 & ,TREY
WANTS TO--0
  8,TREY WANTS 6G AF ! [N]S10 ,I BLURT$1
R1LIZ+ Z SOON Z ! ^WS 7 \ ( MY M\? ,I'D
SD TOO M*1 ESPECI,Y IF ! ,C>MI*AEL OR
,OV]BY FAMILY _H ANY 9T]E/ 9 ! PROP]TY1
Z ,TREY SEEM$ 6?9K4
  8,! [N]S80
  8,UH1 YES40
  8,I DON'T "U/&40
  8,I DON'T RE,Y "U/& X EI10 ,I LI$4
8,P]SON,Y1 ,I ?9K HE'LL *ANGE 8 M9D40
,N[1 ON TOP ( ALL ! O!R SICK S5S,NS
ROIL+ >.D 9SIDE1 ,I _H 6D1L ) MY [N
TR1*]Y4
  8,MAYBE ,I %DN'T TELL Y ?1 B "SBODY
SAW ! TWO ( Y AT H1DQU>T]S1 & Y SEEM$ TO
2 HAV+ A 4AGREE;T4 ,ACTU,Y1 :AT !Y SD
WAS1 Y 7 FI<T+ L A C\PLE ( ROO/]S40
  8,WE ''' H _H "S VIGOR\S 4CUS.NS40
  ,I 0 S CLOSE 6TELL+ HM ,TREY 0 AT T
MO;T BR1K+ SPE$ LAWS 6GET 6HIS WIFE T
X'S A MIRACLE ,I DIDN'T4 ,AT L1/ ,I
_HN'T TOLD HM AB ! PHOTOS ( ,R5-    #CIA
FR[ \TSIDE ! ;,Z ,CLUB2 AT L1/ ,I _HN'T
TOLD HM ,TREY 0 ?9K+ ? :OLE [N]%IP ?+
MI<T L1D 6! ,C>MI*AEL FAMILY4 ,I'D SD
TOO M*1 B AT L1/ ,I _HN'T TOLD HM T4
,GIV5 ALL ! P]SONAL /UFF GO+ ON 2T ! TWO
( !M1 P]H ,/"O WD =GET AB ! [N]%IP AN-
GLE1 OR P]H1 & ? 0 ! BE/ ( ALL POSSI#
_WS1 X WD L1D NO":4
  ,AF WE HUNG UP1 ,I TRI$ 6"W =A FEW M9-
UTES & !N GAVE UP & LAY D[N 9 FRONT (
.,! .,HU/L]1 WAT*+ TELEVI.N = L;G] ?AN
,I %D H4 ,I'D N"E SE5 ! FILM 2F & F.D X
RIVET+4 ,I ESPECI,Y LIK$ ! "P ": !Y
BROKE ,PAUL ,NEWMAN'S ?UMBS4 ,N[ IF ONLY
"SBODY WD BR1K ,TREY'S ?UMBS1 ,I ?"\1
FEEL+ A SP>K ( GUILT = EV5 LETT+ MY M9D
W&] 9 T DIREC;N4







                  #EJ4              #CIB
       ,A ,,DUMB ,,IDEA ,,EXECUT$
        ,,0,A ,,NAIVE ,,"Y ,,MAN

    ,TREY1
    ,N9ETE5 ,YE>S ,E>LI]
  ,EV5 Z ,I SIT "H 9 ! WAIT+ ROOM1 ,I'M
2G9N+ 6?9K ? IS A BAD IDEA4 ,I'M ON !
EI<TE5? FLOOR (! D[NT[N BANK BUILD+1
"EY"O 9 SUITS1 ME 9 A PAIR ( J1NS &A
SW1T]1 HAV+ TAK5 ALM NO CLO?+ ) ME !
NI<T ,I LEFT ! ISL&4 ,I'VE BE5 SLEEP+ 9
COA*'S BASE;T ON ! C\* & /OR+ MY M1G]
2L;G+S 9 A C>DBO>D BOX NEXT 6! BROK5-D[N
FREEZ] T COA* KEEPS D[N "!4 ,X'S ?REE
WEEKS 96! S*OOL T]M1 & :5"E ,I NE$ A P>-
5T OR GU>DIAN 6SIGN =MS1 COA* SIGNS4
,HE'S GOT TWO SMALL KIDS &A PREGNANT
WIFE1 S MY PRES;E IS AN IMPOSI;N1 ,I "K1
B "R N[ ,I DON'T H ANY": ELSE 6G4
  ,A FEW P H BE5 K9D1 & ,I'M 2G9N+ 6?9K
F ! LOOKS !Y ?R[ >.D1 !Y >E N DO+ X 2C
!Y >E DRAWN 6ME Z AN 9DIVIDUAL B 2C ,I'M
A BLACK KID :O'S BE5 DUMP$ ON 0:ITES4
,AT ? PO9T ,I'LL TAKE :AT ,I C GET4 ,LA/
YE> ,I 0 ! PREMI] HI< S*OOL RUNN+   #CIC
BACK 9 ! /ATE1 & Z S*1 0 %[]$ ) NEWSPAP]
ATT5;N & BACK SLAPP+ F ! ALUMNI1 N 6M5;N
ADMIR,N F GIRLS AT S*OOL4 ,X M/ H G"O TO
MY H1D1 2C ,I TURN$ 96A BIT ( AN ASS4 ,I
"K T N[ & ,I'M TRY+ 6RE=M4
  ,COA* "KS ! :OLE /ORY & HAS REP1T$LY
URG$ ME 6SET UP A MEET+ ) MY "F TO 8SET
?+S /RAI<T40
  ,H[ ,I AM GO+ 6SET ?+S /RAI<T IS 2Y
ME1 B "H ,I SIT1 RUNN+ POSSI# 3V]S,NS &
TURNS ( PHRASE "? MY M9D Z IF REHE>S+ =A
PLAY T HAS YET 6BE WRITT54 ,I "K AT 8
CORE MY "F IS A GD MAN1 & ,I H FAI? 9 8
DO+ ! "R ?+ EV5TU,Y1 MY FAI? EMBOLD5$ 0!
5C\RAGE;T ( COA* & 8 WIFE4 ,I TRU/ T !
TRU? W W9 \ 9 ! 5D1 T MY P]SI/;E W 9 XF
2 A P]SUASIVE >GU;T = MY 9NOC;E4
  ,I GR[ N]V\S 9 ! WAIT+ ROOM Z VISITORS
-E & G1 EA* SEEM+LY M WELCOME ?AN ,I4
,P]H ,I %D H G"O 6MY ADOPTIVE "M 9/1D1 B
Z SYMPA!TIC Z %E WD 2 6MY PLI<T1 ,HEL5
DETE/S 3FLICT1 DEF]S 6H] HUSB&'S JUDG;T
9 MO/ V5UES4 ,2SS T1 X WD KILL ME 63V9CE
H] & !N WAIT ON ! SIDEL9ES :ILE %E FAIL$
6TURN >.D ! RE/ (! FAMILY4          #CID
  ,I'VE ALW BE5 A FA/ H1L]1 & MY PHYSI-
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,I / H "S D5TAL "W 6BE -PLET$4 ,= :AT"E
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MA9 COV]$ ON MY "F'S 9SUR.E POLICY4
  ,ALM AN H\R AF MY APPO9T;T "T1 A SEC-
RET>Y 3DUCTS ME D[N A L;G CORRIDOR 6!
DOORS (A L>GE SUITE4 ,I AM GUILT.S1 &
,I'VE BE5 RAIS$ 9 A _W ": P >E N PUNI%$
= CRIMES !Y DID N -MIT1 S ,I H HI<
HOPES4
  ,Z WE WALK1 ,/"O %[S UP 2H U1 SCURRY+
AL;G Z IF HE HAS A TRA9 6CAT*1 >MS FULL
( PAP]S4 ,HE IS *IPP]4 ,I _H BE5 HOP+ N
6RUN 96HM4 ,X IS ALM A MON? AF MY 4B>;T
F ! FAMILY1 & AT F/ ,/"O SEEMS 6H =GOTT5
X1 OR =GIV5 ME4 8,TREY6 ,:AT >E Y DO+
"H80
  ,9 8 VE/ & DRESS TR\S]S1 ,/"O LOOKS E
BIT ! CORPORATE LAWY]1 J Z ,I LOOK L "S
HI< S*OOL DOLT :O'S TAK5 ! BUS D[NT[N AF
2+ EXCUS$ F FOOTBALL PRACTICE1 : IS PRE-
CISELY ! CASE4 ,WE />E AT EA* O!R4 ,/"O
IS GR9N+ WILDLY4 ,HE 4MISSES ! SECRET>Y
) T CURT NOD HE USES ON SUBORDI-    #CIE
NATES1 & ,I C TELL %E DOESN'T L HM4
,ONCE WE >E AL"O1 8 T"O *ANGES4 8,:AT !
HELL >E Y DO+ "H80 HE ASKS4
  8,I CAME 6SEE ,"F40
  8,Y CAME 6TRY 6TALK YR WAY \ ( ?8 ,>E
Y CRAZY1 Y LL %IT80
  8,GET \ ( MY WAY40
  8,I'M N GO+ 6BLOCK Y10 HE SAYS1 AL? HE
.IS BLOCK+ ME4 8,I J WANT 6"K :AT Y'RE
PLANN+ ON SAY+40
  8,T ,I DIDN'T D X40
  8,JESUS1 Y'VE GOT A PAIR ( BALLS1 LL
BRO4 ,Y'RE LUCKY Y'RE N 9 A CELL4 ,:Y
DON'T Y L1VE WELL 5 AL"O & GET \ ( "H 2F
"SBODY CALLS ! COPS80
  8,I H AN APPO9T;T40
  8,!N G "R IN10 HE SAYS1 /EPP+ AWAY F !
DOOR4 8,I WON'T /& 9 ! WAY (A MAN ) AN
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  ,Z SOON Z ,I OP5 ! DOOR ,I R1LIZE
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L1!R *AIRS 5CIRCL+ X1 ALL FILL$ )   #CIF
DU/Y OLD M54 ,I'VE 9T]RUPT$ "S SORT (
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  ,I SCAN ! ROOM WILDLY1 B MY "F IS N
"H4
  8,:AT D Y WANT80 ,OV]BY ASKS1 8 VOICE
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ON S"EAL BO>DS ) MY "F & HAS BE5 OV] 6!
H\SE TOO _M "TS 6C.T4 ,OV] ! YE>S HE HAS
TAK5 ME SAIL+ & 6MOVIES1 & D"O _M O!R
?+S 6MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL4 ,HE IS M>RI$
6A WOMAN 9 A :EEL*AIR & IS *ILD.S4 ,(
ALL ! P 9 ! ROOM1 ,I C>E MO/ :AT ,UNCLE
,AL ?9KS4 ,HE GL.ES F ME 6,OV]BY & BACK
AG4
  8,I ''' _H AN APPO9T;T 6SEE MY "F40
  8,YR "F'S N "H40
  8,": IS HE80
  8,YR "F'S PROBABLY "S PIMP D[N ON
,YESL] ,AV5UE40
  8,MY "F IS ,%ELBY ,C>MI*AEL4 ,I _H AN
APPO9T;T40
  8,%ELBY ADOPT$ Y1 B HE'S N YR "F4 ,I
TOLD HM X 0 A MISTAKE :5 HE DID X1 & ,I
TOLD HM AG AF WE F.D \ :AT Y DID    #CIG
6MY DAU<T]40
  ,P >E />+ AT ME S H>D ,I FEEL L A BUG
P9N$ 6A 4PLAY BO>D4 8,SIR1 Z L;G Z ,I'M
"H1 ,I NE$ TO ''' SAY ''' 6TELL Y ,I
DIDN'T D X4 ,T'S :AT ,I CAME =4 ,6EXPLA9
6MY "F--0
  8,Y SON (A BIT*4 ,MY DAU<T]'S SEE+ A
PSY*IATRI/ J S %E C GET 6! PO9T ": %E
SLEEPS "? ! NI<T40
  8,I'M SORRY AB ,E*O1 B--0
  8,GET ! HELL \ Z "H4 ,GET \1 OR ,I'LL
H MY P GIVE Y ANO!R B1T+40
  ,MY FACE IS BURN+4 ,I'M SW1T+4 ,UNCLE
,AL SAYS1 8,TREY8 ,IS ANY ( ? TRUE80
  ,I TURN & LOOK 96HIS SAD BLUE EYES1 &
Z ,I D ,I R1LIZE T NO MATT] :AT ,I TELL
HM N[1 AF ,I L1VE1 ,OV]BY W 3V9CE HM T
,I'M A RAPI/4
  ,)\T REPLY+1 ,I PU% OP5 ! DOOR1 SPE$
D[N ! CORRIDOR1 DA% \ (! BUILD+1 & HU/LE
D[N ! SIDEWALKS ( ,S1TTLE1 "K+ ,I W N"E
AG TRY 63TACT MY "F OR ANY"O ELSE 9 !
FAMILY4 ,/&+ AT ! BUS /OP1 ,I WEEP SI-
L5TLY4 ,P$E/RIANS MAKE WIDE >CS >.D ME4
                                    #CIH