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T HE L A ST P E EP J an et Ev an o vi ch A S te p ha ni e P lu m s to r y F IR ST AP PE A RA NC E : On e f or th e M on ey , 1 99 4 J an et Ev an o vi ch st ru c k go l d wi t h he r l ad y b ou
n ty h u nt er St ep h an ie Pl um . R ea d er s a nd c r it ic s a li k e ha i le d b ot h a pp ea r an ce s o n t he s c en e w it h o pe n a rm s a nd en th u si as m . Ha v in g a pp ea r ed i n f iv e n ov e ls t
o d at e , St e ph an i e T hi s s to ry fi rs t a pp e ar ed in t h e Ma r y Hi g gi ns Cl ar k a nt h ol og y T he Pl ot Th ic k en s. " Oh -o h ," L u la s a id . " Th er e 's s o me th i ng c r aw li n g on
me . I t hi n k it ' s bi g a nd bl ac k a nd ug ly . A nd it 's no t m y bo y fr ie n d, y o u se e w ha t I 'm sa vi n g? " L ul a i s a f or me r h oo k er t u rn ed bo un t y hu n te r i n tr a in in g . Sh e
l oo k s li k e Ge o rg e F or em a n wi t h ha i r by Sh ir l ey T e mp le , a nd sh e h as t h e di s po s it io n o f a ' 54 Bu ic k . Lo t s of po we r u nd e r th e h oo d , he a dl ig h ts t h e si z e of ba
sk e tb al l s, p l us y o u ca n h ea r h er co mi n g a m il e a wa y. I d on ' t lo o k at al l l ik e G eo rg e F or e ma n. I' m m or e W on de r W om a n wi t h a B c up . I 'm th e b ou nt y h un t er
w h o' s t ra in i ng L u la , b ut t h e tr u th i s , I 'm n o t ex a ct ly th e b ou nt y h un t er f r om h e ll . A y ea r a go , I b l ac km a il ed my b a il b o nd sm a n co u si n, Vi nn i e, i n to g i vi ng
me t h is j o b, a n d no w I ' m go i ng o n e da y a t a t im e , ho p in g t he b a d gu y s ar e a ll ou t o f bu l le ts . " Th is is y o ur f a ul t, " L ul a s ai d . "Y o u' re th e o ne w a nt ed to s e e
wh a t wa s i n t hi s d um b -a ss ce ll a r. L e t' s g o do w n th o se r i ck et y s ta i rs a n d ha v e a l oo k, yo u s ai d. Le t' s s ee if S a mm y t he S q ui rr e l is do wn th er e . An d t he n s la
m t h e do o r go t c lo s ed a n d lo c ke d, an d y ou d r op y o ur d u mb f l as hl i gh t a nd c a n' t f in d i t, a n d he r e we ar e i n da r k so th ic k I c a n sm e ll i t . He r e w e ar e s ta n di ng
on a di rt fl o or w i th t h in gs cr aw l in g on us ." " I to l d yo u t o b e ca r ef ul of t h e do o r! I to ld yo u t o ma k e su r e it st ay e d op e n! " " We ll , e xc u se m e , Ms . S te p ha ni
e P lu m ," L u la s a id . " I wa s c on c en tr a ti ng on n o t br e ak in g m y n ec k o n th e f ir s t st e p wh i ch h a pp en s t o h av e a b o ar d m is si n g. " " We s h ou ld fe el ar ou n d fo r a l i
gh t s wi tc h ," I sa id . " Th e re m u st b e a l i gh t s wi tc h h er e s om e pl ac e ." " I' m n ot f e el in g n ot h in g. I' m n ot p u tt in g m y h an ds to p l ac es I ca n 't s e e. " " Th en gi ve
me y o ur g u n. M a yb e I c an bl as t t he lo ck of f t he d o or ." " I do n 't h a ve n o g un . I 'm we ar i ng s p an de x . I' m m ak i ng a fa sh i on s t at em e nt h e re . I h av e n' t g ot n o r
oo m f or gu n b ul ge s . I t ho ug h t it wa s y ou r t ur n t o c ar ry th e g un ." " I di d n' t t hi nk I' d n ee d i t. I wa sn ' t pl a nn in g o n s ho ot i ng a n yo ne to da y ." " Yo w! " L ul a s ai
d . "T h er e' s s om e th in g j us t d ro p pe d o n me ag ai n , an d i t' s m ov i ng . S hi t! Th er e 's a n ot he r o ne . T he r e' s t hi ng s a ll ov er me , I 'm te ll i ng y o u. I be t t he y' r e sp i de rs
. I b e t th i s pl a ce i s f il l ed w i th s p id er s ." " Ju st br us h t he m o ff , " I s ai d. "S pi d er s w on 't hu rt yo u. " I c ou l d be re al br av e a s l on g a s th e y we r en 't dr op p in g o n
me . " Ah hh h !" L u la y e ll ed . " I h at e s pi de r s. T h er e' s n ot h in g I h at e m or e t ha n s pi d er s. Le t m e ou t o f t hi s p la ce . W he r e' s t he d o or ? W he re ' s th e f r ea ki n g do o
r? " T he d o or w a s at th e t op o f t he st ai r s, b u t th e d oo r w as lo ck e d. W e 'd a l re ad y t ri e d th e d oo r . " Ou tt a m y w ay ," Lu la sa id , s om e wh er e i n t he b l ac kn e ss . " I'
m n ot s t ay in g d ow n h er e w it h n o s pi de r s. " S to mp , s to m p, s t om p. I co u ld h e ar h e r on th e s ta ir s . An d t he n c ra s h! T h er e w as t h e so u nd o f s pl i nt er i ng w o od a
n d hi n ge s p op pi n g. A n d a s ha f t of li gh t c ut th ro u gh t h e da r k. I r an up t h e st a ir s a nd a n gl ed my se l f th r ou gh th e b ro ke n d oo r . L ul a w as s p re ad - ea gl e o n h er
b a ck , o n th e f lo o r, b r ea th i ng h e av y. "I d o n' t l ik e s pi de r s, " s he s a id . " I go t a ny on m e ?" " Do n' t s ee an y. " I n al l h on e st y, I wa s n' t l oo ki n g to o c lo s el y b ec
au s e my at te n ti on wa s d iv er t ed t o a p i le o f r ag s o n t he o t he r s id e o f th e r oo m . We ' d do n e a f as t , ro o m by ro om ch ec k o f t he h o us e, bu t I h ad n 't l o ok ed un de
r t he so il e d ma t tr es s o r k ic ke d a ro u nd i n t he cl ut t er . S om e f il th y b la n ke t s ha d b ee n T he c o ur t w an te d h im fo r f le ei n g a c ha rg e o f i nd ec e nt e x po su r e. I wa
nt e d hi m f or th e a pp re h en si o n fe e w hi c h wa s t en pe rc e nt o f h is bo nd am o un t. Lu la wa nt e d hi m f or he r s ha re of m y s ha r e. A n d so fa r a s I k no w t ha t w as t h e
ex t en t o f Sa m 's b e in g w an te d . He wa s a s oc i et al dr op o ut of t h e fi r st m a gn it u de . " Uh -o h ," I sa id to L u la . " Sa m' s t ur n ed u p ." L ul a o pe ne d h er ey es an d r ol le
d h er he ad to t h e si d e. " Y ik es ! " sh e s hr i ek ed , j um p in g t o he r f ee t . T he S q ui rr e l ha d a h o le i n t he mi dd l e of hi s f or eh e ad a n d a t oe t a g ti e d to hi s M r. H a pp
y. So me o ne h a d pr i nt ed "G et a li f e" o n t he to e t ag . " Lo ok s l ik e t he Sq ui r re l f la sh e d th e w ro n g pe r so n, " L ul a s ai d . "S o me on e d id n 't l i ke h i m wa g gi ng hi s w
on ki e a ro u nd ." S ee me d l ik e a h i gh p r ic e t o pa y f or wo nk i e wa g gi ng . " He wa sn ' t sh o t he r e, " I s ai d . "N o b lo o d an d b ra i ns o n t he fl oo r ." " Ye ah , a nd he 's be
en de ad aw hi l e, " L ul a s ai d. "H e' s p re t ty s t if f. " S he to ok a cl o se r l oo k. "M os t o f h im , a ny wa y ." W e we r e in a br o ke n- d ow n, bo ar d ed -u p b un g al ow on R y ke r
S tr ee t i n T re nt o n, N e w Je r se y. Th e h ou se ba ck e d up to t h e Co n ra il tr ac k a nd wa s a b lo c k fr o m th e o ld Mi lp e d Bu t to n F ac t or y. Th er e w er e s cr u bb y f ie ld s o n
e it he r s id e o f t he h o us e a nd b e yo nd th at mo re ab an d on ed bu ng a lo ws . V er y i so l at ed . E xc e ll en t p la c e to du m p a b od y. E ve ry o ne k n ew S a m li v ed i n t he ho us e ,
an d e ve r yo ne kn ew he w a sn 't da ng e ro us . L ul a a nd I ha d n' t e xp ec t ed c o mp li c at io n s. L ul a c ut h e r ey e s si d e to si de . " Al l o f a s ud d en , t hi s h ou se is g i vi ng me
t h e cr e ep s. I do n 't l i ke d e ad g u ys . I e sp e ci al l y do n 't l i ke t h em wi th th ei r h ea d v en t il at e d li k e th i s. " T he re wa s a r at t le a t t he ba ck do or an d L ul a a nd I ex ch
a ng ed gl an c es . " Pr ob a bl y t he w i nd ," I sa i d. " I' d g o ta k e a l oo k, bu t o ne o f u s s ho ul d c al l t he po li c e ab o ut t h e bo d y. I t 's n o t th a t I' m a fr a id , o r an y th in g ,
it ' s ju s t I g ot o t he r t hi n gs t o d o. " U nl ik e L ul a , I w as p e rf ec t ly w i ll in g t o a dm it I wa s s po o ke d. No w a y wa s I s t ay in g t he r e al l b y m ys el f , wa i ti ng to g e t fi t
te d f or o n e of th o se t o e ta g s us i ng s o me i n no va t iv e a tt ac h me nt pr oc e ss . " I' m s ur e t he re ' s no re as o n to be a l ar me d ," I sa id . " Bu t j us t i n c as e, we 'l l b ot h c a ll
t h e po l ic e. " " No n e ed t o p an i c, " L ul a s ai d. " Ri gh t . No ne ed . " T he n w e wh i rl ed ar ou n d al m os t k no ck i ng e a ch o t he r o ve r t ry in g t o g et o u t th e f ro n t do o r.
W e s cu t tl ed ac ro s s th e y ar d o f h ar d -p ac k ed d i rt a n d we e ds , t o my bl ac k C RX an d t oo k o ff , l ay in g r ub b er . I u su a ll y c ar ry a ce l l ph o ne , b ut t o da y i t wa s h om
e , re c ha rg i ng o n m y k it ch e n co u nt er , s o w e dr o ve a r ou nd , l oo k in g f or a pl ac e t o m ak e a c a ll . I u se d t o h av e o ne o f t ho s e gi z mo s t ha t l et m y p ho n e ch a rg e i n
my ca r, bu t s om eo n e st o le i t , an d I h a dn 't ha d a c ha n ce t o g et a re p la c em en t . If it h a d be e n an em er g en cy I' d h av e s to pp e d an d r ap p ed o n a s t ra ng e r' s d oo r,
bu t I d id n 't t h in k f iv e m in ut e s he r e or th er e w o ul d m at t er t o S qu ir r el . A ll t h e ki n g' s h or se s a nd al l t he k i ng 's me n w er en ' t go i ng t o p ut Sq u ir re l b ac k t og e th
er ag ai n. I t ur n ed o n to S t at e S tr ee t , dr o ve t w o mo r e bl o ck s a nd f o un d a 7 -E l ev en wi th a pa y p ho n e. I pu t t he c a ll i n to p o li ce di sp a tc h, id en t if ie d m ys e lf a n
d re p or te d t he bo dy . T he n L ul a a nd I re t ra ce d o ur ro ut e b a ck t o t he bu ng a lo w. A b lu e a nd wh it e w as al re a dy o n t he sc en e . Tw o u ni f or ms st oo d b es i de t h e ca
r . On e w as Ca rl Co st a nz a. I' ve kn ow n C ar l f or tw en t y- f iv e y ea rs , e ve r s in c e ki n de rg a rt en . W he n C ar l w as ni ne he c o ul d b ur p i n ti m e to th e " St ar Sp an g le d
B an ne r ." T h is w a s an ac cc m pl is h me nt I u ns uc c es sf u ll y t ri ed fo r y ea rs to e m ul at e . C ar l g av e m e hi s l on g -s uf f er in g c op lo ok . " Le t m e g ue ss , " Ca r l sa i d. " Y
ou w e re t h e on e w ho ma de th e c al l. " " Ye p. " " Is t h is t h e ri g ht h o us e? "

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" Ye p. " " We ll , I d o n' t k no w h ow t o b re a k th i s to yo u. . . bu t t he r e' s n o bo d y he r e. " " It 's la yi n g in th e l iv in g r oo m ," L u la s a id . " Yo u c an 't mi ss it . I t' s a n
ak e d bo d y wi t h a b ig h o le i n i ts he ad . " C ar l r oc ke d b ac k o n h is h e el s, th um b s st u ck i n h is ut il i ty b e lt . " I we n t al l t hr o ug h t he h o us e, an d t he re ' s no bo dy . "
T wo h o ur s l at er , L ul a a nd I we r e ea t in g f re nc h f ri e s an d s uc k in g m il ks h ak es in t h e Mc D on al d 's l o t ju s t ou t si de ce nt e r- c it y. " I kn o w wh a t I s aw , a nd I sa w
a d ea d g uy , " Lu l a sa i d. " T ha t S qu ir r el w a s de a d, d e ad , d ea d. So me o ne c a me a n d sn a tc he d t ha t b od y . An d i t w as n 't t h e po l it e t hi ng to d o e it h er , b ec au s e th a t
wa s o ur bo dy . W e f ou nd it , a nd i t w as ou rs . " Sh e c ra m me d s om e f ri es in to he r m ou th . " Th i s w ho le th in g i s c re ep i ng m e o ut . " I w as cr ee p ed o u t, t o o. B u t mo
r e th a n th a t I w as s l ac k- j aw ed an d b ug - ey ed wi th du mb f ou nd e d cu r io si t y. W h at t h e he l l ha p pe ne d t o S qu ir r el ? W e' d b ee n g on e t hi rt y m in u te s t op s. Wh y w ou
ld so me o ne d u mp a bo dy an d t he n r em o ve i t ? " I ha d p la n s fo r m y s ha re of t h e re c ov er y f ee , " Lu l a sa i d. " I d on ' t su p po se Vi nn i e' s g on na gi ve us t h e mo n ey n
o w th a t so m e lo s er c a me a n d t oo k o ur b o dy ." I t se e me d u nl ik e ly s i nc e w e ha d n' t r ec ov e re d a ny th i ng . " Yo u k no w S qu ir r el ?" Lu la as ke d . " I we n t to sc ho o l
wi t h hi m . He wa s f ou r y ea rs ol de r t ha n m e. St ay e d ba c k a c ou pl e t im e s an d f in a ll y d ro pp e d ou t i n j un io r h ig h . I' v e on l y s ee n h im i n p as s in g l at el y ." " He u s
ed t o t al k t o m e so m et im e s wh e n I w as o n t he co rn e r do i ng m y p re v io us pr of e ss io n . Us e d to ri de up o n t ha t r ic k et y r ed b i ke o f h is . B e t th a t bi k e wa s a h u nd
re d y ea r s ol d ." I 'd f o rg ot t en a b ou t t he b i ke . M os t s tr ee t p eo p le n e ve r v en tu r ed f a rt he r t ha n a c o up le bl oc k s. B e ca us e S qu i rr el ha d a b ik e h e w as a b le t o l i ve
i n a n a ba nd o ne d h ou se an d r an ge fa r a nd w i de f o r re c re at i on al pe ep i ng . " Do y o u re m em be r s ee i ng t h e bi k e at th e h ou se ? " as k ed L u la . " No pe . T ha t b ik e w
as n 't t h er e. An d w e wa l ke d a ll o v er w i th t h e co p s. W e l oo k ed i n t he ba ck an d t he f r on t, an d w e lo o ke d a ll t h ro ug h t he ho u se ." W e bo t h th o ug ht ab ou t t ha t f
or a mo m en t. " Sq ui r re l w as n' t a b a d pe r so n, " L ul a s ai d , se r io us vo ic e d. " W as j u st t h at h i s tr a in s t op pe d a f e w fe e t fr o m th e s ta t io n. He l i ke d t o wa t ch pe op
l e. L i ke d t o lo o k in be dr o om w i nd ow s a t n ig ht . A nd th en on e t hi ng wo ul d l ea d t o a no th e r, a n d pr e tt y s oo n S qu ir r el w o ul dn ' t ha v e no cl o th es on , a nd s o me ti
m es h e 'd g e t ca u gh t a nd g e t hi s b on y w hi t e as s h au l ed o f f to ja il . " L ul a w as r i gh t a bo ut Sq ui r re l n ot b e in g a b ad pe rs o n. H e c ou l d be da mn an no y in g. An d s
ee in g h is no se pr es s ed a g ai ns t y ou r w in d ow a t o ne in th e m or ni n g co u ld b e s ca r y as he ll . B ut Sq ui r re l w as n' t m ea n . an d h e w as n' t v io l en t. An d I d id n 't l i ke
t h at s o me on e h ad ki ll e d hi m . An d , I a ls o d id n 't l i ke t h at I ' d lo s t th e b od y . Wh a t we r e th e p ol i ce g o in g t o te l l Sq u ir re l 's m o th er ? S om e on e s ai d t he y s aw y o
ur s o n wi t h a b u ll et ho le i n h is he ad , b ut we c a n' t f in d h im . S or ry . " Th is ha s g ot te n u gl y ," I sa id to L u la . " Da mn sk ip p y. I ' m fe e li ng do wn r ig ht cr an k y ab o
ut t h e wh o le t h in g. In f a ct , t he m o re I th in k a bo u t it , t he cr an k ie r I 'm g e tt in g . I f in i sh ed my m i lk sh a ke a n d st u ff ed th e s tr aw un de r t he li d. "W e n ee d t o fi n
d Sa m ." " No t m e, " L ul a s ai d. "I 'm no t l oo ki n g fo r n o d ea d g uy . I d on ' t li k e de a d gu y s. " " I th o ug ht yo u h ad p l an s f or t h e re c ov er y m on e y. " " We ll , n ow th
at I th i nk a b ou t i t I g ue ss de ad gu ys ar en ' t so ba d. At l e as t t he y d on 't sh oo t a t y ou ." U su al l y, I re li e d on th e b on d a gr ee m en t t o pr o vi de so me le ad s . In th is
ca se it w a sn 't mu ch he lp . S qu i rr el ' s br o th er , B ru c e, h a d pu t u p t he bo nd to g e t Sq u ir re l o ut of j a il . B ru ce wo rk e d at th e p or k r ol l f ac to r y an d w as an o k ay g
u y, b u t I d id n' t t hi n k he kn ew mu ch mo re th an we di d a bo ut Sq ui r re l. Sq ui r re l w as a br ot h er w h o li v ed o n t he fr in g e. H e w as a th i rt y M yr a S mu li n sk i h ad f i
le d t he i n de ce n t ex p os ur e c ha r ge . I k ne w M yr a , an d I k n ew S q ui rr e l mu s t ha v e ma d e a r oy al nu is a nc e o f hi m se lf fo r M yr a t o c al l t he p o li ce . M yr a l iv e s on
Ro os e ve lt , i n t he h e ar t o f th e b ur g . An d m os t ly S q ui rr e l is to le r at ed in t h e bu r g. A f te r a ll , t ha t' s w h er e h e wa s b or n a nd th at ' s wh e re h i s fa m il y s ti ll li ve s .
T he b u rg i s a t i gh t T re nt o n ne i gh bo r ho od of s e co nd - a nd th ir d -g en e ra ti o n It a li an s , Hu n ga ri a ns a n d Ge r ma ns . I t' s r ou g hl y s ha pe d l ik e a p i ec e o f pi e , an d i t e
xi st s o nl y i n t he m i nd s o f it s r es i de nt s . W in do w s ar e k ep t c le a n. N u mb er s r un n er s n ev er mi ss ma ss . A nd at a n e ar l y ag e , me n l ea r n to ch an g e th e ir o w n oi l i
n t he a l le ys an d s in gl e c a r de t ac he d g ar a ge s t ha t h un ke r a t t he b a ck o f t he i r lo t s. L ik e S qu ir r el , I w as bo rn in t h e bu r g an d l iv e d th e re m o st o f m y l if e. Fo
ur ye ar s a go , a t a ge t w en ty - si x , I m ov ed in to an a p ar tm e nt b e yo nd bu rg bo un d ar ie s . Ph y si ca l ly I ' m at th e c or ne r o f S t. J a me s a nd D u nw or t h. M e nt al l y, I su
sp e ct I ' ll a l wa y s be an ch o re d i n th e b ur g . Th i s is an a d mi ss i on t h at c a us ed my s p hi nc t er m u sc le to t i gh te n i n t er ro r t ha t s om e da y I 'l l t ur n i nt o m y m ot he r . I
s ho v ed t h e la s t fr e nc h f ry i n to m y m ou t h an d c ra n ke d t he e n gi ne ov er . " I t hi nk we s h ou ld vi si t m y g ra nd m a Ma z ur ," I to l d Lu l a. " I f th e re ' s an y th in g g oi n g
th r ou gh th e b ur g r um or mi ll ab ou t S am Fr an c o, G r an dm a M az u r wi l l kn o w. " G ra nd m a Ma z ur m o ve d i n wi t h my pa re n ts t w o ye a rs a g o wh e n my gr an d pa w e nt
t o h is fi na l l ar d -e n ri ch e d, a l l- yo u -c an - ea t b re ak f as t b ar i n t he sk y. Gr an d ma i s p ar t o f a c ha i n of bu rg wo me n w ho ma ke th e i nt er n et l o ok l i ke c h um p c ha ng
e w he n i t c om es to t h e i nf or m at io n h ig h wa y. M y mo t he r o pe ne d t he do or to L u la a n d me . S he ' d ne v er m e t Lu l a, a n d sh e w as ma ki n g a g oo d e ff or t n ot to l o
ok d a ze d a t se e in g a h ug e b lo n d- h ai re d b la c k wo m an w e ar in g b ri l li an t a zu r e ey e s ha d ow s p ec kl e d wi t h si l ve r s pa rk l es , s ho ck i ng p i nk s p an de x s ho r ts a n d a p
oi so n g re e n sp a nd e x ta n k to p , st a nd in g o n h er p o rc h. Gr an d ma w a s jo c ke yi n g fo r p os i ti on be si d e my mo th e r an d w as n 't n e ar ly so c i rc um s pe ct . " Ar e y ou a
Ne gr o ?" G r an dm a a sk e d Lu l a. " I d id n 't k n ow N e gr oe s c ou l d ha v e ye l lo w h ai r. " " Ho ne y , we ca n h av e a ny c o lo r h ai r w e da m n we l l wa n t to ha ve . I 'v e g ot ye
ll o w ha i r be c au se bl on d es h a ve m o re f u n. " " Hm m, " G ra n dm a s ai d, "m ay b e I n ee d t o ma k e my ha ir bl on d . I c ou ld us e s om e f un ." M y fa t he r w as i n t he li vi
n g ro o m wi t h hi s n os e p re s se d t o th e s po r ts s e ct io n . He mu mb l ed a fe w w or ds ab ou t m y g ra nd m ot he r h av i ng f u n on th e m oo n a nd su nk lo we r i n h is c h ai r. " I'
ve go t a c ou p le b i g th i ck s t ea ks fo r s up pe r ," m y m ot h er s a id . " An d I m ad e a c a ke ." " We c a n' t s ta y, " I t o ld m y m ot h er . " I ju s t st o pp ed ar ou n d to se e i f yo u
'd h e ar d a ny th i ng a b ou t S am my Fr an c o. " " Wh at ab ou t h im ? " Gr a nd ma wa nt e d to kn ow . " Ar e y ou lo ok i ng f o r hi m ? Is th is a ca s e yo u 'r e o n? " " He g o t ar r es
te d f or in de c en t e xp os u re a g ai n a nd d i dn 't sh ow up f o r hi s h ea r in g. " " I kn e w he go t a rr es t ed ," Gr an d ma s a id . " Po or My ra di dn ' t ha v e no ot he r c ho i ce . S he
s a id h e w as al wa y s in he r b ac ky a rd . S ai d h e tr a mp le d h e r ma r ig ol d s in t o th e g ro u nd ." " An d t ha t' s i t? Th at ' s al l y ou ' ve h e ar d? " " Is t h er e m or e? " " Sa mm y
's b e en s h ot . S om eo n e ki l le d h im ." G ra nd m a su c ke d i n ai r . "N o ! Ho w t er r ib le ! " M y mo t he r m ad e t he s i gn o f t he cr os s . My fa th e r we n t ve r y st i ll i n h is ch
ai r . I t ol d t he m t he wh ol e t hi n g. " I sa w a T V s ho w o nc e o n b od y s na tc h er s, " G ra n dm a s ai d. "T he re as o n th e y wa n te d t he b o di es wa s s o th e y co u ld e a t th e
ir b r ai ns . " " Do n' t m ea n t o d is re s pe ct th e d ea d, " L ul a s ai d , "b u t th o se s n at ch e rs w o ul dn ' t ma k e mu c h of a me a l on ol ' S qu ir r el ." G ra nd m a sl i d he r u pp e rs a
r ou nd so me wh il e s he th ou g ht . " Ma yb e i t w as o n e of Sq ui r re l' s r el a ti ve s t ha t c am e a nd go t h im . M ay be he 's do wn s ta i rs a t S ti v a' s o n on e o f t he m g ro ov e d ta
b le s. " S ti va wa s t he b u rg u n de rt a ke r o f ch o ic e, an d h is m o rt ua r y wa s t he so ci a l hu b o f G ra nd m a' s u ni ve r se . S he r e ad t h e ob i ts l i ke o t he r p eo pl e r e ad t h e mo
v ie s e ct io n .

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" I su p po se th at ' s po s si bl e ," I sa id . A ny t hi ng wa s p os si b le . " I co u ld c h ec k i t ou t f or yo u. I wa s g oi n g to St iv a 's a n yw ay . B ig do in g s th e re t o ni gh t . Jo e L oj

a k is la id ou t. Th er e 'l l b e a c ro wd on a c co u nt o f J oe wa s a n El k . I' m g oi n g to ha ve to g e t th e re e a rl y i f I w an t a s ea t u p f ro nt . A nd do n' t w or r y ab o ut m e . I
c an t a ke c a re o f m ys e lf . I 'l l g o p re pa r ed , i f yo u k no w w ha t I m e an ." I t oo k G ra n dm a a si de . " Wh a t do yo u m ea n b y 'g o p re p ar ed ' ?" " I' ll ta ke 't he bi g b oy ,'
" Gr a nd ma wh is p er ed . " Ju s t in ca se . " " No ! N o 'b i g bo y .' N o , no , n o! " M y mo t he r g av e m e an in qu i ri ng lo ok , a nd I lo w er ed my v o ic e. " No ' b ig b o y, ' " I s
a id t o G ra n dm a. "I t h ou gh t y ou pr om i se d t o ge t r id of i t ." " I wa s g oi n g to , " Gr a nd ma sa id . " bu t I 'm so rt of a t ta ch e d. " " Wh at ' s th i s di s cu ss i on a b ou t? " m y
m ot he r w an t ed t o k no w , fi x in g h er e y es o n m e. "Y ou r g ra n dm ot h er m a ke s a s ce n e at th e f un er a l pa r lo r, an d I 'm ho ld i ng y o u re s po ns i bl e. La st ti me th e t wo o
f y ou hu dd l ed l i ke t h is s h e se t o ff an e x pl os i on a n d ca u se d t hr ee hu nd r ed t h ou sa n d do l la r s wo r th o f d am a ge ." " It c o ul d h av e h ap pe n ed t o a ny b od y, " G ra n dm
a s ai d. "I t w as a n a cc i de nt . " " Li ke yo ur gr an n y, " L ul a s ai d w he n w e we r e ba c k in th e c ar . " Be t s he k i ck s a ss a t t he fu ne r al p a rl or . W ha t 's t h e 'b i g bo y '? "
" It 's a fo r ty -f i ve l o ng -b a rr el sh e p ic ke d u p a t a y ar d s al e. " " Th at th e g un s h e sh o t th e r oa s t ch i ck en wi th ? " " No ," I sa i d. " S he s h ot t h e ch i ck en wi th my t
h ir ty - ei gh t ." L ul a w as l o ok in g t hr o ug h t he b a g of fo od my m o th er ha d s en t h om e w it h m e. " Y ou g o t tw o c an s o f p ea ch e s, h a lf a po un d o f s li ce d h am , s om e
p r ov ol o ne a n d a t om at o . An d i t l oo ks li ke th er e 's s o me w a ln ut s i n t he b o tt om of t h e ba g ." " Th ey ' re f o r my ha ms t er , R ex ." " Ju st li ke go in g t o t he s u pe rm a
rk et on ly yo u d on 't ha ve to p a y. " " Ac tu a ll y, th er e 's a pr ic e ." I t ur n ed t h e co r ne r a t Ro o se ve l t an d r ol l ed t o a s t op i n f ro n t of My ra Sm ul i ns ki ' s ho m e. T h
er e w er e s ix h o us es on t h e bl o ck , a ll d u pl ex , a l l tw o L ul a l oo ke d a t t he h o us e. "Y ou th in k M yr a w ha c ke d S qu ir r el ?" M yr a w as i n h er la te se ve n ti es . S he ha
d s ev en gr an d ch il d re n a nd a hu nd r ed - ye ar - ol d s ch na u ze r w ho w a s me a n as a sn a ke . S he d r ov e a t en - ye ar - ol d B ui ck at a co ns i st en t t we n ty m p h, a n d sh e w as
bu rg re no w ne d f or h e r so u r cr e am p o un d c ak e. I di d n' t t hi nk My ra wa s t he o n e wh o w ha c ke d S qu i rr el . " Ju st th ou g ht i t 'd b e u se f ul t o t al k t o h er ," I sa i d. M
yr a a ns we r ed a t t he fi rs t k no c k. I wa sn ' t su r e wo r d ha d g ot t en o u t ab o ut S q ui rr e l be i ng s h ot , s o I s im pl y s ai d I w a s lo o ki ng fo r h im . M yr a s ho ok he r h ea d.
"T ha t S qu i rr el is a pi p. I ca l le d t he p o li ce on h i m tw o w ee k s ag o , an d h e' s s ti l l co m in g a ro un d t ra m pl in g m y f lo we r s. If y o u' re lo ok i ng f o r Sq u ir re l , yo u 'v e
c om e t o th e r ig h t pl a ce ." " Ha ve yo u a ct ua l ly s e en h i m? O r i s i t ju s t th a t th e f lo w er s a re t r am pl e d? " " I sa w h im th e n ig ht I ma d e th e p ho n e ca l l. N a ke d a s
th e d ay he w a s bo r n. I he ar d t hi s n oi s e, s o I p u t th e l ig h t on th e b ac k p or ch , a nd th e re h e w as . .. s h ak in g h an d s wi t h th e d ev i l. I t 's a wo nd e r th e m an is n' t b
li n d as a ba t t he wa y h e wa s w or k in g a t th a t th i ng ." " Ha ve yo u s ee n h im r e ce nt l y? " " I ha v en 't , b ut He le n M ol n ar s a id s h e sa w h is bi cy c le l a yi ng in t h e al l
ey w h en s h e ca r ne h o me f r om b i ng o t he d a y be f or e y es te r da y. " " An y o f yo u r ot h er n e ig hb o rs s e e hi m ?" " Ju st He le n . Sh e l iv e s at th e e nd o f t he bl oc k n ex t
t o G re en , a nd sh e s ai d h is b i ke w a s la y in g a t th e b ac k o f m y ya r d. D o n' t k no w w hy h e 's si ng l ed m e o ut . I t i sn 't li ke I' ve go t s om et h in g t o se e ." " Is h i s bi k e
st i ll o n y ou r p ro p er ty ? " " No pe . T he bi ke di sa p pe ar e d. " " Yo u m in d i f we lo ok ar ou n d? " " Go r i gh t a he ad . J us t t ry no t t o ma k e to o m uc h n oi s e. L u ci ll e 's h u
sb an d , Wa l te r, ne xt do or , w or k ed a do ub l e sh i ft l a st n i gh t, an d h e' ll be sl ee p in g. I' m g et ti n g re a dy t o g o o ut t o t he be au t y pa r lo r. Ne ed to g e t a f as t s et t o
m y h ai r f or t o ni gh t . Di d y ou he ar ab ou t J oe Lo ja k b e in g l ai d o ut a t S ti v a' s? He w a s an El k, yo u k no w. Go nn a h av e t o g et t h er e e ar ly if I wa nt a go o d se a t. "
" Go nn a h av e t o m us cl e G ra n ny f o r it , " Lu l a wh i sp er e d be h in d m e. L ul a a nd I wa lk e d th e l en g th o f t he st re e t, t u rn ed th e c or ne r a nd st ar t ed d o wn t h e al l ey .
H el en an d L ou M o ln ar li ve d i n t he e n d ho u se . T he ot he r h al f o f t he d u pl ex wa s o cc up i ed b y B ig g y an d K at h y Za r em ba an d t he ir tw o l it tl e k id s . Bi g gy w o rk
ed fo r h is f a th er . Z ar e mb a a nd S o ns Mo vi n g an d S to r ag e. Th er e w er e f ou r s on s a nd mo st l y wh a t th e y st o re d w er e h ij ac k ed c i ga re t te s a nd C D s. A n d mo s tl y w
ha t B ig gy di d w as pl a y ca r ds w it h h is br ot h er s i n th e w ar e ho us e o n M it ch e ll S t re et . K at hy Za re m ba 's si st e r, L u ci ll e , li v ed t h re e h ou se s d ow n , in th e o th er
ha lf of t h e ho u se o c cu pi e d by My ra . L uc i ll e w or ke d a t t he h o sp it a l, an d h er h u sb an d , Wa l te r, wa s a s ec u ri ty gu ar d . W he n w e' d w al ke d t he al le y i n i ts e n ti re
t y I m ad e m y wa y b ac k , cu t ti ng ac ro s s ya r ds , s no op i ng i n to w i nd ow s . Al l t he ho us e s ha d a b a ck d o or wi th a sm a ll s t oo p. Th e d oo r o pe ne d i nt o t he ki tc h en ,
a nd t h er e w as a ro om to t h e ot h er s i de o f t he do or wh ic h w as in te n de d t o be a fo r ma l d in i ng r o om , b ut s e ve ra l p eo p le , i nc lu d in g M yr a, ha d t ur ne d i t i nt o a
T V r oo m. S ev er a l ho u se s h ad c h ai n l in k f en ci n g wh i ch d e li ne a te d t he y a rd . M yr a a nd L u ci ll e h ad fo re g on e t he f e nc in g i n f av or of a lo w h ed ge r ow b o rd e re d
w it h f lo we r s. I t w as th is he dg e ro w t ha t S am h a d mu t il at e d, p r ob ab l y no t a bl e t o s ee i t i n t he d a rk . N ei th e r My r a' s h ou se no r L uc il l e' s h ou s e ha d c en t ra l a ir .
B ot h h ad a i r co n di ti o ne rs ha ng i ng b u tt " A ba g o f k it ty li tt e r an d a r u g sh a mp oo e r, " L ul a s ai d. "I b e t Lu c il le ' s ca t p ee d o n t he r u g. " A s if on c u e, a gr ay
ca t p ok ed it s h ea d o ut t h e br o ke n s cr ee n d oo r . Th e c at wa s i mm ed i at el y p ul l ed b a ck a n d sc o op ed up b y L uc i ll e. " Hi ," sh e s ai d, se ei n g us st an d in g t he re . "
I' m l oo ki n g fo r S am Fr an c o, " I s ai d . "I kn ow he h u ng o u t he r e so m et im e s. H a ve y o u se e n hi m l at e ly ?" L uc i ll e s te pp e d ou t si de , l ea v in g t he ca t i n th e k it c he
n. Sh e h ad a ro ll of r e d du c t ta p e an d a s c is so r s in he r h an d. Sh e s to od st il l f or a mo m en t. . . th i nk in g , lo w er l i p ca u gh t b et w ee n h er t e et h. "I s a w hi m t he ni
gh t t he po li c e ca m e. D o n' t t hi nk I' ve se en hi m s in ce th en . S om e ti me s I 'd se e h im o n t he st re e t, on hi s b ik e. N o t si n ce t h at n i gh t t ho ug h ." " Yo u' r e no t g on n a
be ab le to p a tc h t ha t d oo r w it h t ap e, " L ul a s ai d . "Y o u ne e d a n ew l e ng th of s c re en . " " It 's th e c at ," Lu ci l le s a ys . " Ev er y t im e I p u t in a ne w s cr e en t h e ca t
p us h es i t o ut . " L uc il l e ha d a r a is ed we lt in t h e mi d dl e o f he r f or e he ad th at wa s s ur ro u nd ed by a br an d -n e w br u is e. I' d b ee n s tu di o us ly tr yi n g no t t o s ta re .
L ul a , on th e o th er ha nd , w as ne ve r l os t t o t he d i ct at e s of et iq u et te . " Bo y, th at ' s a b ea ut y o f a b ru i se y o u' re gr ow i ng ," Lu la sa id . " Ho w 'd y o u ge t t ha t b ig go
os e e gg on y o ur h e ad ?" L uc il l e li g ht ly to uc h ed t h e bu m p. " W as n' t p ay i ng a t te nt i on a n d ra n i nt o a c a bi ne t . Ca u gh t t he c o rn er . " L ul a a nd I le ft Lu ci l le t o w
or r y ab o ut h e r do o r an d c ut ac ro s s tw o m or e d up l ex es , b ri n gi ng us u p t o B ig gy ' s ho u se . U su al l y th e re w a s a Z ar e mb a M ov in g a nd St or a ge E c on ol i ne v a n pa r
ke d i n th e a ll e y. I t w as mi ss i ng t o da y, al on g w it h B ig g y' s F or d E xp lo r er . K at hy wa s i n th e k it c he n, fe ed i ng t h e to d dl er ce re a l. I ra pp e d on th e k it ch e n wi n
do w, an d K at hy ju mp e d in he r s ea t a nd t h e sp o on f l ew o u t o f he r h an d .

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" Je ez ! " Ka t hy s a id , c om in g t o t he b a ck d o or . " Yo u a lm os t s ca r ed m e h al f t o d ea th . " I 'd g o ne t o s ch o ol w i th K a th y, bu t w e di d n' t s ee e a ch o t he r m uc h a ny

mo r e. S h e' d b ee n t he p r om q u ee n i n hi g h sc h oo l. Lo ts of a u bu rn ha ir an d a f a st s m il e. Th e h ai r w as t h e sa m e, b u t th e s mi l e wa s f or c ed n o w an d d id n 't r e ac h
h er e y es . S he w a s to o t hi n , an d h er fa ce wa s t oo p a le , t he on ly co lo r b ei n g a s mu dg e o f a f ad i ng b r ui se hi gh on h e r ch e ek bo n e. N o p oi n t to bl am i ng t h at b r
ui se on a ki tc h en c a bi ne t . Ev e ry o ne kn ew Bi gg y s ma ck e d Ka t hy a r ou nd . " I' m t ry in g t o f in d S am F r an co , " I s ai d t o Ka t hy . " I do n 't s u pp os e y ou ' ve s e en h i m?
" S he s h oo k h er h e ad v i go ro u sl y. "N o! " s he sa id . " I h av en ' t se e n an y on e, an d I c an ' t ta l k no w . I' m f ee d in g T im my he re . " " Th at Ka th y p er s on i s o n t he e d
ge ," Lu la sa id wh en we w e re b a ck a t t he ca r. "I g u es s b ab ie s 'l l d o th a t to yo u. " N ot t o m en t io n B ig gy . " Ma yb e w e s ho ul d t al k t o B ig gy , " I s ai d. "M ay b e
we sh ou l d mo s ey o v er t o t he wa re h ou se an d s ee i f h e' s s ee n S am . " T he Z a re mb a w ar e ho us e w as on t h e ot h er s i de o f B ro a d, d o wn b y t he ri ve r . I d ro ve to M i
tc he l l, f o un d a s pa c e at th e c ur b a t th e e nd of t h e b lo ck an d s at s t ar in g a t t he o p en b a y do o rs . O pe n d oo rs me an t t he r e wa s n o b us in e ss b e in g c on du c te d t od
ay . T ha t w as go od . M os t l ik e ly n o o n e wo u ld w a nt t o t al k t o m e if th e w ar eh o us e w as f i ll ed wi th st ol e n to a st er s . L ul a a nd I go t o ut o f t he ca r a nd w a lk ed
to t h e fi r st b a y. I fl ag g ed d o wn a ma n w ea ri n g Za r em ba co ve r al ls an d t ol d h im I wa nt e d to ta lk to Bi gg y . A m om en t l at e r, B i gg y a pp ea r ed . B ig gy lo ok e d li k
e a P ol is h k no c ko ff of K i ng K o ng i n c lo t he s. " I' m l oo ki n g fo r S am Fr an c o, " I t ol d B ig g y. " I k no w h e s pe nt ti me on R o os ev e lt S t re et . I w a s wo n de ri n g if yo
u' v e se e n hi m r ec e nt ly . " B ig gy gr in n ed a n d ji n gl ed ch an g e de e p in th e p oc ke t o f h is p l ea te d p ol y es te r s la c ks . " I sa w y ou r p ic t ur e i n th e p ap e r wh e n yo u a
nd yo ur gr a nn y b le w u p th e f un e ra l h om e. Yo u' r e th a t tw i nk ie bo un t y hu n te r. " " Tw in k ie ?" Lu la sa id , h an d o n h ip . " Ex cu s e us ? " B ig gy sw iv e le d h is e y es t o
L ul a . "W h o' s t he f a ts o? " " Th at do es it ," Lu la sa id to m e . I' m g on n a sh o ot h i m. " B ig gy ga ve Lu la a pu n ch t o t he sh ou l de r t ha t k no ck e d he r a c o up le fe et
ba ck w ar d. "Y ou ar en ' t go n na s h oo t a ny on e , ch u bs . W e do n 't a l lo w s ho o ti ng in t h is n e ig hb o rh oo d . It lo we r s th e p ro p er ty va lu e s. " L ul a g ot h e r fo o ti ng an d l
ea ne d i nt o B ig g y, n o se t o n os e , lo w er l i p st u ck o u t. "D on ' t yo u t ou c h me , " Lu l a sa i d. " I d on ' t li k e pe o pl e t o to u ch m e . Yo u t ou c h me ag ai n , an d I 'l l b us t a c
a p up yo ur as s. Se e w ha t t ha t d o es t o p ro pe r ty v a lu es , y ou ba g o f mo n ke y s li me . " B ig gy pu sh e d hi s s hi r t as i de s o w e c ou ld se e t he 9 m m Gl o ck s t uc k i n th e
w ai s tb an d o f h is p a nt s. "D ra w ," B i gg y s ai d t o Lu l a. " L et 's se e w ha t y ou go t. " " Ho ld it !" I sh o ut ed . " Th i s is n 't t h e gu n fi gh t a t O K Co r ra l! " " He 's ju st be in
g a s m ar t- a ss ," Lu la sa id . " It ' s ob v io us I do n 't h a ve n o g un . A ny b od y c ou ld se e I l ef t m y g un a t h om e ." B ig gy dr ap e d hi s s hi r t ba c k ov e r hi s G lo c k. " I d on '
t li k e pe o pl e s no op i ng a r ou nd th is wa re h ou se . I f i nd e i th er of y o u he r e ag a in , a nd I ' m g oi ng to g e t ma d . An d b ad th in g s ha p pe n w he n I g et ma d. " I g ra b be d
L ul a b y th e h an d a nd pu ll e d he r a wa y f ro m B ig g y, b a ck t o wa rd th e e nd o f t he st re e t wh e re t h e ca r w as pa rk e d. " I do n 't l i ke h i m on e b it , " Lu l a sa i d, s h oe -h
o rn in g h er s el f i nt o t he p a ss en g er s e at o f t he CR X. "A nd if y o u as k m e, I th i nk h e d id it . I t hi n k he sh ot th e S qu ir r el . H e wo u ld n' t t hi n k n ot hi n g of it . H e' d
j us t g o ba n g. .. sq ui r re l s ea so n ." I d id so me me nt a l ey e r ol l in g a nd s t uc k t he k e y in th e i gn it i on . I r et u rn ed to t h e bu r g an d c ru i se d R oo se v el t f or s e ve ra l b
lo c ks , l oo ki n g f or S q ui rr e l' s r ed b i ke . I t oo k t he co rn e r at Li be r ty a n d ma d e my wa y d ow n H un t, ru nn i ng p a ra ll e l to Ro os e ve lt , a nd ke pt en la r gi ng th e a re a
u nt i l th e re w a s no mo re bu rg le ft . " Ma yb e h e w as n' t i n t he b u rg w h en h e w as sh ot , " Lu l a sa i d. " S qu ir r el w e nt a l l ov e r Tr e nt on on t h at b i ke ." " Ok ay , " I s ai
d, "p la n n um b er t w o. Y o u ch e ck t h e St a rk S t re et ne ig h bo rh o od . I 'l l g o ho m e an d m ak e s om e p ho n e ca l ls ." I w as ha lf w ay t h ro ug h m y l is t o f re l ia bl e g os s ip
mo n ge rs wh en Ed dy Ga za r ra c a ll ed . G az a rr a w as a n ot he r c op fr ie n d, a n d he wa s m ar ri e d to my co us i n Sh i rl ey th e W hi ne r . " I he a rd y o u' re lo ok i ng f o r Sq u ir
re l ," G a za rr a s ai d . "D e ad o r a li v e. " " Yo u k no w w he re he i s ?" " Th e b oy s j us t o pe ne d u p a v an on t h e co r ne r o f Wa l l an d P er r y. S o me on e c al l ed i n a n u is an
c e re p or t. Ap pa r en tl y t he va n' s b ee n s it t in g t he r e in th e s un a l l af t er no o n, g i vi ng of f a b ad od or , d ra w in g a t hi c k fo g o f f li es . " " Sa m F ra nc o ?" " Ye ah . S tr a
pp ed to a ha nd tr uc k f or ea sy tr an s po rt . I f y ou h u rr y y ou m i gh t s ti ll qu al i fy f o r th e r ec o ve ry mo ne y ." I w as on m y f ee t a nd ou t t he d o or b e fo re Ed di e h ad a
ch a nc e t o sa y g oo d -b y e. R e co ve r y of a fe l on w a sn 't su ff i ci en t g ro u nd s f or a bo nd s ma n t o ge t h is bo nd re tu r ne d. Th e b on ds m an 's ag en t h ad to b e p re s en t a t
th e r e co ve r y. C o ns id e ri ng th e b iz ar r e hi s to ry of t h is c a se , I m ig h t st i ll g e t th e m on e y ba c k if I hu s tl ed . I s cr e ec he d t o a s to p b eh i nd a pa ck of c r ui se r s on
Pe rr y S tr e et a n d hi t t he gr ou n d ru n ni ng . I s o rt ed th ro u gh a ga gg l e of co ps , l oo k in g f or a fr i en dl y f ac e a nd fe lt a wa v e of re li e f wh e n I p ic ke d o ut Ca rl Co st
a nz a. " Lo ng ti me no s e e, " C ar l s ai d. "A t l ea st fo ur ho ur s ." " Do y o u th i nk I ' m to o l at e t o g et c r ed it fo r t he r e co ve r y? " " Wh at , w er e n' t y ou a l wa ys he re ? I
w a s fi r st o n t he sc en e , an d I c o ul d h av e s wo rn yo u w er e a lr ea d y in pl ac e ." " I ow e y ou a be e r. " " Yo u o we m e a s i x- pa c k, " C ar l s ai d. "A nd a pi z za . L ar ge .
P ep p er on i ." I g la n ce d a t th e b la c k le t te ri n g on th e y el lo w E co n ol in e . "Z a re mb a M ov i ng a n d St o ra ge . " " A cl u e, " C ar l s ai d. " So rt of a n o bv i ou s c lu e. " C
ar l s hr ug g ed . " Ma yb e B ig g y di d n' t t hi nk th e s me ll wo ul d g et ba d t hi s f as t. Ma yb e h e w as w a it in g f or it t o g et da rk to d u mp t h e bo d y. " " So y o u th i nk i t w as
Bi gg y ?" " It 's hi s p er so n al t r uc k. Th e o ne h e k ee p s in th e a ll ey be hi n d hi s h ou s e. A n d he ' s th e s or t o f h ot he a de d j er k w ho 'd do s o me th i ng l i ke t h is . I 'v e b ee
n t o h is h o us e t wi ce th is mo nt h o n d om es t ic v i ol en c e. N e ve r h is w i fe w h o ca l ls . S he 's to o s ca re d . Al w ay s t he n e ig hb o r or Lu ci l le , t he si st e r. " I a gr e ed w i th
C a rl . B ig gy wa s a h ot h ea de d j er k . Tr o ub le wa s n on e o f th e e ve n ts m a de s e ns e. "T hi s i s a ll p r et ty st ra n ge ," I sa i d to Ca rl . " I s aw th is bo dy in t h e ab a nd on e
d ho u se t h is m o rn in g . Wh y w ou l d Bi g gy t a ke i t b ac k a nd pu t i t in hi s t ru ck ? " " Se co n d th o ug ht s ," C a rl s a id . " Ha pp e ns a l l th e t im e . Yo u 'r e i n a r us h t o ge t r
id of t h e bo d y, s o y ou dr op it a t t he fi rs t p la c e co m es t o m i nd . T he n y ou g e t to wo rr y in g m ay be yo ur fi ng e rp ri n ts a r e on hi s j oy st i ck , s o yo u t hi n k th e r iv e r
mi g ht b e b et t er ." T he re we re tw o s ui ts fr om vi ol e nt c r im es in t h e va n w it h S am . T he me di c al e x am in e r' s p ic ku p a rr i ve d a nd b a ck ed in c l os e t o th e t ru c k. T h
e M E dr o ve a da rk bl ue Fo rd Ra ng e r wi t h a w hi te ca p d iv id e d in t o co m pa rt m en ts th at re mi n de d m e of ke nn e ls . T he M E g ot ou t, st ep p ed o n to t h e v an 's bu mp
e r an d h au l ed h i ms el f u p. I s at on t h e cu r b an d w ai t ed w h il e e ve ry o ne d i d th e ir t h in g. By t h e ti m e I g ot m y b od y r ec e ip t s ig ne d , th e s un wa s l ow i n t he sk y.
Th e m ed i ca l e xa mi n er h a d pl a ce d t he t i me o f d ea t h ar o un d t wo a . m. E v en b e tt er , h e' d b ee n a bl e t o a sc er t ai n t ha t S am my ' d be e n ki l le d w it h a .4 5. . . a s th e s lu
g h ad mi ra c ul ou s ly d r op pe d f ro m S am m y' s h ea d w he n o ne o f t he at te n da nt s l os t h is gr ip on t h e ha n d tr u ck h o ld in g S am , a nd th e h a nd t r uc k cr a sh ed to t h e fl
o or , j ar ri n g th e b ul l et l o os e. At l e as t t ha t' s t he st or y t he y t o ld m e . I d id n 't f e el l i ke b e in g a lo ne wi th my t h ou gh t s, s o I a m bl ed ov er to m y p ar e nt s' ho us e t
o m oo ch le ft o ve rs . " Ot he r w om e n ha v e da u gh te r s wh o w or k i n b an ks an d b us in e ss o f fi ce s . I h av e a d au g ht er wh o l oo ks fo r p eo pl e ," m y m ot h er s a id , w at ch i
ng m e e a t. " H ow d i d th i s ha p pe n? Wh at am I su pp o se d t o sa y t o M ar io n W ei n st ei n w he n s he as ks wh at my d a ug ht e r do e s? " " Te ll he r I 'm i n l aw en fo r ce me n t.
"

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" Yo u c ou ld ge t a g oo d j ob if y o u ju s t pu t y ou r m in d t o i t. I he ar th e p er so n al p r od uc t s pl a nt h a s op e ni ng s ." " Ju st wh at I wa n te d t o do . .. s p en d m y da y s ov

e r- se e in g t he b o xi ng ma ch i ne a t t he ta mp o n fa c to ry . " A c ar do or sl am m ed s h ut o u t on th e s tr ee t , an d G ra n dm a h us tl e d in t o th e h ou s e. " Y ou s h ou ld ha ve be
en th er e ! Th a t St i va k n ow s h ow t o d o a v i ew in g , I' m t el l in g y ou . T he p l ac e w as p a ck ed . J oe Lo ja k l oo k ed r e al g o od . N ic e c ol or to h i s ch e ek s. Re al na tu r al .
H e ha d o n a r ed ti e w it h l it t le b r ow n h or se he ad s o n i t. A n d th e b es t p ar t w as I be a t My r a ou t f or th e b es t s ea t. Sh e e ve n h ad h e r ha i r do n e, b u t I g ot t h e s
ea t i n t he f ir s t ro w n ex t t o t he w i nd ow ! I 'm te ll i ng y o u, I ' m go o d. " An d e ve ry b od y w as t a lk in g a bo u t Sa m F ra n co ! T he y f ou nd hi m i n Bi g gy 's va n. An d t ha t
i sn 't al l. Mi ld r ed S k la r w as t h er e, an d y ou k n ow M i ld r ed 's bo y i s a p ol ic e d is p at ch e r, a n d Mi l dr ed sa id it j u st c a me i n t ha t t he y w en t o ut to B i gg y' s h ou s e
an d f ou n d th e m ur d er w e ap on in B i gg y 's c l os et . C an yo u i ma gi n e! " " I' m n ot s u rp ri s ed ," my m o th er sa id . " Bi g gy Z a re mb a i s a h oo d lu m. " " Wh at ab ou t B ig g
y? " I a sk e d. " D id t h ey a r re st Bi gg y ?" " No pe , " Gr a nd ma sa id . " He cl ea n g ot aw ay . " I c al l ed L u la a n d le f t a m es sa g e on he r m ac hi n e. " F ou nd Sa m F ra nc o ,"
t h e me s sa ge sa id . " So th at ' s th e e nd of t h at . G iv e y ou t h e de t ai ls to m or ro w ." A ft er tw o h ou rs of t e le vi s io n a t my pa re n ts ' h ou se I st i ll d i dn 't fe el co mf o rt ab
l e wi t h th e Z ar e mb a t hi ng . N ot th at it w a s an y o f m y bu s in e ss . M y bu s in es s w as si mp l e. F i nd t h e mi s si ng pe rs o n. D e li ve r h im to t h e co u rt . S ol vi n g mu r de rs
wa s a w ho l e ot h er b a ll g a me , a nd b o un ty hu n te rs we re n 't o n t ha t t ea m . " We ll , " Gr a nd ma sa id , " gu e ss I ' m go i ng t o b ed . G ot t a ge t m y b ea ut y r es t ." M y fa t
he r o pe ne d h is mo ut h t o s ay s o me th i ng , r ec ei v ed a sh ar p l oo k f ro m m y m ot he r , an d c lo s ed h i s mo u th w i th a sn ap . M y f at he r , on oc ca s io n , ha d l ik e ne d m y gr
a nd mo t he r t o a s ou p c hi ck e n, a n d no on e w as a b le t o d en y t he re se m bl an c e. " It 's la te fo r m e to o ," I sa id , p ul l in g m ys el f t o m y fe e t. L at e e no ug h f or me t o
a ct li ke an i d io t a nd s n oo p a lo ng Ro os e ve lt St re e t un d er c o ve r o f da r kn es s . Do n 't a s k wh y I f e lt c o mp el l ed t o d o t hi s . So m et im e s it ' s be s t no t t o e xa mi n e th
e se t h in gs to o c lo se l y. I w av e d go o d- by e t o m y mo t he r a nd d r ov e d ow n H ig h S tr ee t a s i f I w er e g oi ng ho me . A ft e r th r ee b l oc ks I tu r ne d a nd d o ub le d b ac k a
nd pa rk e d at th e c or ne r o f R oo s ev el t a nd Gr ee n . Th e n ei g hb or h oo d w as q u ie t a nd v e ry d a rk . N o mo o n in th e s ky . D ow ns t ai rs li gh t s we r e on in a l l th e h ou s es
. T he bu rg wa s a p ee p er 's pa ra d is e a t ni g ht . N o on e d re w t he i r cu r ta in s o r p ul le d t he i r sh a de s. Dr aw n s ha d es m i gh t m ea n y ou r h ou se wa sn ' t im m a cu la t e, a n d
no b u rg h o us ew i fe w o ul d a dm it to h a vi ng a di r ty h o us e. Wi th th e e xc ep t io n o f B ig gy ' s ho u se . B ig gy ' s cu rt a in s w er e a lw ay s c lo s e d. E v en n o w wh e n Bi g gy w
as n 't i n t he ho us e , th e s ha d es we re dr aw n f ro m f or c e of ha bi t . Bi g gy h a d en e mi es . T he r e we r e pe o pl e wh o m ig h t w an t t o s ni pe at B i gg y w hi le he c r us he d b ee
r c an s o n h is f o re he a d an d w at c he d T ue sd a y Ni g ht F i gh ts . I t r av el e d th i s st r ee t a ll t h e ti m e, a n d I k ne w B ig g y ne v er l e ft h i ms el f o pe n f or ta rg e t pr a ct ic e . I
f th i s wa s t he mo vi e s th e re 'd be a co p w at ch i ng t h e Za r em ba ho us e , wa i ti ng fo r B ig gy . S in c e Ho l ly wo o d wa s a l o ng w a y fr o m Tr e nt on , I w a s o n th e s tr e et a l
on e. Ro un d I f ol l ow ed th e s id ew a lk t o t he al le y a nd hu ng a le f t. I ' d on l y wa l ke d a f ew fe et wh en a ca r c ru i se d d ow n G re en an d p ul le d t o t he c u rb . I t w as a
re d F ir eb i rd w i th r a p mu s ic p l ay in g s o l ou d t he c a r se e me d t o le v it at e a t s ta nd s ti ll . T he dr iv e r cu t t he mu si c a nd go t o ut o f t he ca r . Lu l a. " Ha h! " s he sa id .
" Kn e w I' d f in d y ou sn ea k in g a ro un d h er e . Co u ld h e ar o n t he ph on e y ou we re n 't s a ti sf i ed ." " Cu ri o si ty is a te rr i bl e t hi ng . " " Ki ll e d th e c at , " Lu l a sa i d. " B ig
gy ca tc h es y o u in hi s y ar d i t go n na k i ll y o u to o ." " If B i gg y h as a n y se n se a t a ll , h e' s o n h is w a y to Me xi c o. " " Uh -o h ," L u la s a id . " Do n' t l oo k n ow , b ut we
h a ve c o mp an y ." T he c o mp an y w as Gr an d ma M a zu r. Sh e w as h u sl in g a cr o ss t h e st r ee t, wa vi n g at us , h er w h it e t en ni s s ho e s a b ea co n i n t he d a rk ne s s, a di st
a nt st re e tl ig h t re f le ct i ng o f f th e b ig pa te n t le a th er pu rs e l oo p ed i n to t h e cr o ok o f h er ar m. I dr e ad ed to s p ec ul a te w h at w a s in th e p ur se . " I th o ug ht yo u m ig
ht be c o mi ng he re to d o i nv e st ig a ti ng , " sh e s ai d . "T h ou gh t y ou mi gh t n ee d a h a nd ." W ha t I n ee d ed w a s a p ar ad e p er m it . " Be t y ou s n uc k o ut o f t he ho us e ,"
L u la s a id t o G ra n dm a. " Wa s e as y, " G ra n dm a s ai d. "T he y d on ' t pa y a tt e nt io n t o m e. A l l I h av e t o do is s a y I' m g et t in g a g la s s of wa te r a nd th en wa lk ou t t
he b a ck do or . " " I wa n te d t o go th ro u gh t h e al l ey a t n ig h t, " I s ai d . "I wa nt e d to be o u t he r e li k e Sa m . Se e w ha t h e s aw ." " Th en le t' s d o i t, " L ul a s ai d. " Ye
ah , " Gr a nd ma ch ir p ed . " Le t' s d o i t. " W e st r ol le d f or w ar d i n si l en ce an d s to pp e d wh e n we go t t o th e h ou s e ow n ed b y L uc i ll e a nd W a lt er Ku nt z . We mo ve d t
en fe et in to th e y ar d, an d w e c ou ld cl ea r ly s e e Lu c il le wa tc h in g T V in th e b ac k r oo m. Sh e w as d r es se d i n a n ig h tg ow n , he r h ai r w as sl ic k ed b a ck , a nd I gu es
s ed s h e w as f r es h f ro m t he s h ow er . " Wh er e 's h e r hu s ba nd ? " Gr a nd ma wa nt e d to kn ow . " Wo rk s t he ni gh t s hi f t at th e s ta di u m. S e cu ri t y gu a rd . G et s o ff a t t
we l ve . E xc ep t l as t n ig h t he wo rk e d a d ou bl e s hi f t an d d id n 't g e t ho m e u nt il ei gh t i n t he m o rn in g ." W e si m ul ta n eo us l y sw i ve le d o ur he ad s t o M yr a S mu li n sk
i' s h ou s e wh e n th e d ow n st ai r s li g ht s b li nk e d of f . " My ra go es to b e d ea r ly ," Lu la sa id . W e tu r ne d o ur a t te nt i on b a ck t o L uc i ll e. Lu ci l le s t ay ed up l a te . M
ay be sh e e ve n f el l a sl ee p i n f ro nt of t h e te l ev is i on . " Sq ui r re l w as n' t p ee p in g i n My r a' s w in do w s, " L ul a f in al l y sa i d. " N ot hi n g to se e i n My r a' s w in do w s. L
o ts t o s ee in L u ci ll e 's ." " No th i ng t o s ee in B i gg y' s w in d ow s e it he r ," I sa id . " Bi g gy k e ep s h is s h ad es dr aw n . So wh y d id B i gg y k il l S am i f i t w as n' t f or pe ek
i ng i n h i s wi n do ws ? " " Co ul d b e a ny th i ng ," Lu la sa id . " Sa m c ou l d ha v e se e n Bi g gy u n lo ad i ng a va n f ul l o f ho t b le n de rs . " " Ma yb e i t' s s om e th in g h om o se xu a
l, " G ra nd m a sa i d. " M ay be Sa m a nd B i gg y w er e h av in g a n a ff ai r . An d B ig g y wa n te d t o en d i t, an d S am w o ul dn ' t h ea r o f it . A nd so B i gg y s ho t h im ." W e bo t h
ju s t lo o ke d a t Gr a nd ma . " I wa s w at c hi ng te le v is io n l as t w ee k a nd on e o f ta l k sh o ws w a s ab o ut h o mo se x ua ls , " Gr a nd ma sa id . " I k no w a ll a b ou t t he m n ow . A
nd i t t ur n s o ut t h ey 'r e a ll ov er th e p la ce . Y ou ne ve r k no w w ho ' s go n na p o p ou t o f t he c l os et ne xt . S om e o f t ho se ho mo s ex ua l m en ev en we ar la di e s un d er p an
ts . M us t b e h ar d t o fi t y ou r d in g d on g i nt o a p a ir o f l ac e p an t ie s. Ma yb e t ha t 's w h y Bi g gy i s s o m ea n. Ma yb e h is di ng do ng do n' t f i t. " S or t o f li k e th e G ri n
ch w h os e s ho es we re to o t ig ht . " I go t ta l o t of th eo r ie s, " G ra n dm a s ai d. "O ld la di e s go t a l o t of ti me to t h in k a bo ut th es e t hi n gs ." A c ar sw un g i nt o t he al
le y a nd ca ug h t us in i t s he a dl ig h ts . " Ho pe it 's no t t he p o li ce , " Lu l a sa i d. " T he p o li ce gi ve me t h e hi v es o n a cc o un t o f my pr ev i ou s p ro fe s si on . " " Ho pe it 's
no t m y du m b so n -i n- l aw ," Gr an d ma s a id . " He g i ve s m e th e h iv e s on ac co u nt o f h e' s s uc h a n o ld f a rt ." I w as n 't n e ar ly so c o nc er n ed a b ou t t he h i ve s a s I w as
a b ou t m y li f e ex p ec ta n cy . I d id n 't h a ve a go od fe el i ng a b ou t t he c a r. N o rm al l y a d ri v er w o ul d s lo w a t th e s ig h t of th re e w om e n wa l ki ng in a n a ll e y. T h is c a
r se e me d t o be ac ce l er at i ng . I n fa c t, t h is c a r wa s f la t " Ru n! " I y e lp ed , s pi n ni ng Gr an d ma a r ou nd , p oi n th er at M y ra 's ba ck do or . " Ru n f or co ve r !" " Ho ly co
w! " L ul a s ho u te d. "T hi s d um b s on n ov ab i tc h i s tr y in g t o mo w u s d ow n! " W e sc a tt er e d in th re e d ir e ct io n s. G r an dm a , ha v in g s ee n t he l a st o f h er ru nn i ng d a
ys , d id a fa st sh uf f le t o M yr a 's s i de o f t he ho us e . Lu l a r an t o L uc i ll e' s s id e o f t he h o us e. An d f or n o r ea s on o t he r t ha n d um b p an ic , I j u mp ed be hi n d th e s in
g le g a ra ge th at be lo n ge d t o Lu c il le an d h er hu sb a nd a n d sa t a t t he b a ck e d ge o f t he i r lo t .

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"T Ihesacwa rs om sl i ed thtoin ag stl iko p,e tship sra iyin nag mdiov r ti e,
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ed k on a t mBiy gbgy ar. e " aYormu. sTtohep n h aitno ti nt he
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L g os a id ro ,unt ild tiwnhgachekir nfgacan e holead v len adwa y lr ikd, es qt hi ui s!
nt i I'ngve i ngo tot t bh one raes i n.li ke" G aodbiwr d. a ntAs nuots he to r fo c ra
rg seht an ab do ut m ya l nl ecth ki sc shou ildt an sndapg oli ekeat asodrme y sca ti kec k!. "" W W on ha de
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in ch iat b. ou" tGo o ldd' sl an dio esd um' bmy on ,e "s. Lu "l aEesaeei ed.e,""Hwe eknalol ws s hrc ihek oced ol aon te ci m a kepa ct h e. lp sG cralendarm aa pe su rc soken'd sa hirea . "d Iff ort h at
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n d o thu te nhi Is tt hoir eugs. hTt habat o'l ut l st loh ew wa h iymt he do woln!de" sSt he Za dr rem agbage dki tdhea lw bi ay
g. 4s 5l oo ou kt ed t wo scB ar igedgy. Aga ndveth us en a In thot oheugr hs tmaLuc lk a frmi om g htbebheinr d, ig hLu t. ..la thloatst Icowo nt ur ld
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lo n gd tib mac ek to a t maBi gkegy an , ay ndd ec w ise igon av ae ta acllo. ll Teche t ivEen gd as p w he n h e sp r an g f ro m h is c a r wi t h a t ir e i ro n i n hi s h an d a nd ra ce d t ow a rd u s . " Yo w! " L ul a s hr i ek ed at G
r an dm a . "S h oo t h im ! S ho ot hi m! " G ra nd m a ex a mi ne d h er gu n. "L oo k s to me l i ke I on ly ha d o ne b u ll et . " Sh e r ol l ed h e r wi n do w u p. " D on 't wo rr y , he ca n' t g
et to u s i n h er e. " S ma sh . T he ba ck wi nd o w we n t ou t w it h o ne sw in g o f t he t i re i r on . S ma sh . A no t he r w in do w . I c ro uc h ed t o t he fl oo r , co w er in g a nd pr ay i ng
, a nd ma ki n g pr o mi se s t o G od , a nd s a fe ty gl as s c hu n ke d d ow n o n me . I s h ou ld ha ve li st e ne d t o my mo th e r, I th ou g ht . I s ho u ld h a ve g o tt en a jo b a t t he ta mp
o n fa c to ry . H ar d ly a n y on e g ot be at e n se n se le s s at th e t am po n f ac t or y. If I wo rk e d at th e t am po n f ac t or y I 'd b e h om e w it h m y n o se s t uc k in a th i ck b o ok . A
s mu t ty r o ma nc e w it h a h a lf R ed l i gh t f la sh e d th r ou gh th e s ha tt e re d w in do w s, a n d I r ea li z ed c o ps w e re s h ou ti n g to Bi gg y t o g et o f f th e c ar an d d ro p h is w e
ap on . I r a is e d my he ad an d s aw C a rl C o st an z a lo o ki ng in a t m e. "W e' v e go t ta s t op m e et in g l ik e t hi s ," h e s ai d . "P e op le ar e g on na ta lk . " I t to o k ab o ut a n h ou
r t o c om pl e te t h e po l ic e r ep or t , ge t L ul a 's c a r to w ed a w ay , a nd r e ce iv e a ss u ra nc e s th a t Bi g gy w o ul d b e lo c ke d u p an d n o t le t o ut an yt i me s o on . I t wa s a n i
ce n i gh t o ut , a nd L u la , G ra nd m a an d I w e re o n ly a co up l e bl o ck s f ro m m y pa r en ts ' h ou s e, s o w e d ec id e d t o wa l k. W e t oo k a s h or tc u t th r ou gh th e a ll ey be hi n
d Ro o se ve l t an d f el l q ui e t wh e n we re ac h ed L u ci ll e 's b a ck ya r d. L u ci ll e w as st il l w a tc h in g i n he r n ig ht g ow n. We s t oo d t he re fo r f ew m o me nt s , al l o f u s lo s t
in ou r o wn t h ou gh t s. I wa s t he fi rs t t o b re ak t h e si l en ce . " I th i nk L u ci ll e k il l ed S a m Fr a nc o, " I s a id . L ul a s ma ck e d th e h ee l o f h er h a nd a g ai ns t h er fo re h
ea d. "U nh ! " " I th i nk L u ci ll e w ok e u p o n th e c ou c h he r e, i n t he mi dd l e of th e n ig ht , a nd sa w s om eo n e lo o ki ng in h e r wi n do w. I th i nk s h e go t a ll fl us t er e d
an d g ot a gu n . Wa l te r w as a se cu r it y g ua rd . H e w ou ld ha ve ha d g un s i n th e h ou s e. L u ci ll e w as al on e e ve r y ni g ht . S he w o ul d h av e k no wn wh e re t h e gu n s we r
e ke p t. M a yb e s he k e pt o n e in th e T V ro o m. .. ju st in c a se . T he n I t hi n k wh e n sh e w as ru sh i ng a r ou nd to g e t th e g un , S a m c am e i nt o th e h ou s e. E a sy t o d o i f
Lu c il le on ly ha d t he s c re en do or cl os e d so th e h ou se co u ld c o ol o f f. E s pe ci a ll y if th e s cr ee n w as al r ea d y br o ke n f ro m t he c at . I r e ad t h ro ug h S am ' s pr i or s .
He ' d br o ke n i nt o a h ou s e on c e be f or e. He s a id h e 'd b e en w a tc hi n g a la d y ge t u nd r e ss ed an d s ud de n ly h e w an t ed a so da . " " I co u ld s e e th a t, " G ra nd m a sa i d.
" Ma ke s p er f ec t s en se to m e ," L u la s a id . I a gr e ed . I c ou l d se e S qu i rr el do in g s uc h a r i di cu l ou s t hi ng . .. w a lk in g i nt o a h o us e b uc k n ak ed an d a sk in g f or a so
d a. " N ex t t hi ng yo u k no w , Lu c il le , w ho is n' t i n a l uc i d st a te o f m in d a nd is n' t e ve n v er y g oo d w it h g un s , ha s s om e ho w m an ag e d to dr il l S am Fr an c o sq u ar e i
n th e m i dd le of t h e fo r eh ea d . He ' s st r et ch e d ou t i n h er d e n (a f te r k no ck i ng h e r la m p ov e r) . H e' s o bv io u sl y d ea d. An d e ve n m or e o bv io u sl y h e' s u n ar me d . Wa
lt e r is wo rk i ng , s o Lu c il le ca ll s t he ne xt pe rs o n on he r l is t. Ka th y . An d K at h y s en ds Bi gg y o ve r t o t ak e ch a rg e. Bi gg y p os s ib l y h av in g s om e e xp e ri en ce in g
a ng la n d bo d y di s po sa l , o r at le as t h av i ng w a tc he d G oo d fe ll a s a h un dr e d ti m es , t ag s a m es s ag e on t o Sa m a nd d ri ve s h im ho me to t h e ab a nd on e d ho u se ." " Wh
at ab ou t t he pa rt wh er e w e l ea ve an d t he b o dy d i sa pp ea r s, " L ul a s ai d. "Y ou go t t ha t a ll f i gu re d o ut to o? " " Th e n ex t m or ni n g Bi g gy g o es o f f to th e w ar eh
o us e, an d K at hy an d L uc il l e ge t t og e th er an d s ee t h e po t en ti a l fo r g et t in g r id o f B ig g y. .. wh o w e a ll k n ow b e at s t he c r ap o u t of Ka th y o n a r eg u la r b as is . "
" Fr am e h im fo r t he s h oo ti n g, " L ul a s ai d. " Ex ac t ly . S o th e y hu s tl e o ve r w it h t he m o vi ng va n B ig gy al wa y s ke e ps i n h is ya rd , n ot kn ow i ng t w o pe o pl e h av e
a lr ea d y se e n Sa m i n t he a b an d on ed ho us e , lo a d Sa m o nt o t he ha nd tr uc k , pa r k hi m a nd th e v an i n a p l ac e w it h f oo t t ra ff i c an d p la n t th e g un in B i gg y' s c lo s
et . O r ma y be th ey do n' t e ve n h av e t o p la nt th e g un . M ay be Bi gg y t oo k t he gu n h om e w it h h im ." " I th i nk t h is i s a ll a lo a d of co ck y do od y ," L u la s a id .

file://E:\Evanovich, Janet\Janet_Evanovich_-_Stephanie_Plum_00_-_Last_Peep\Janet Eva..

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