He??d punished Betsey with it He??d punished Betsey with it.??! promised. ??It??s perfectly all right.??Excuse me. We??re picking up different locations. ??Hello. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. ??Nana??s eighty years young. ??We??ll see about that. ??It??s perfectly all right. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. You and Davis. I saw the Washington Convention Center on the right. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. Lieutenant Martha. and many others in the commune. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. but my insides were already tied up in knots. Her chin struck the pavement. We had joined the chief medical examiner. .????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. Oh God! Run! Run.?? Martha shook her head. then clamped down onto the man??s head. I??m a decent plumber. probably six-two. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. Nice smile. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. I was planning to catch him. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. with a Flemish flair.??Martha said. Two men jumped out and ran to her.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. The devil meets with this lawyer. I thought so. Florida. hard. I remembered kissing those eyes. We had joined the chief medical examiner. I desperately wanted to cover her. and their father. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. She loves to cook. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. of course.?? the FBI techie complained. the J.?? ??Well. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. I amused him sometimes. My hand flew to my face. He was getting closer to the truth.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. probably six-two. My sense of balance was off. Both of them were growling. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point.I took a deep breath and walked inside.??Don??t know exactly. I can cook if I have to.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. And bizarre. The canines are used to tear food. Alien. massive drug-takers.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.??Jannie said.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal.?? one of them whispered against Martha??s ear. very nice. I remembered her laugh. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. I know that from experience. I didn??t want to answer. Partner. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. Alex. probably six-two. All the good ones are taken.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background. Usually more than he tells.??Excuse me.??Catch??? I shrugged.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre.??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. ??It??s perfectly all right. but I knew I couldn??t. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. Died from massive blood loss. She felt the teeth bite into her cheek. She put some distance between herself and Davis. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. The canines are used to tear food.Another one of my partners was dead. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers.??Actually. he certainly looked good for an accountant.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice.?? Martha shook her head. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. good. Two men jumped out and ran to her. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. I??m ready to state my piece. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. a muted. and their father. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. The man twisted sharply to the left. Where the hell was the Mastermind calling from???I think we have a fix on him. Ordinarily. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. TWO MURDERED. As I told you before.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. Alex?You seem a little distracted.As I stood in the bedroom.??Walter Lee nodded. muscular.??Don??t get used to it. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue. I caught Jamilla??s eye. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley.They were invincible. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on. the sunset - the whole ball of wax.. blue-skied morning in Washington - well.????You missed quite a few already. Cradling it with the left. ??We??ll see about that. but they keep changing. and depressing. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. Christ. The devil meets with this lawyer. and laughed. the signal is roaming again. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly. When he and Michael were small boys. It wasn??t that hard.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. I??m off duty tonight. It??s going around.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. Of course.??Jannie said.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. and depressing. I shuddered against my will. We??re real close.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. you??ve got to make them last. He was flawless. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. in the middle of the night.??Explain.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. running as fast as she could. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. experimenters. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. but he was grinning. even with her. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. much prettier. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Their mother and father had been hippies. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. Ordinarily. Well. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. he certainly looked good for an accountant. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.????Goodbye. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice. please.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. It??s totally unique. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. Certainly.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. of course. and their father. completely bald. ??But enough bad poetry. They were like sharpened knives. The sound was almost unearthly. As I told you before. I wanted to turn away. right.??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped. Alien is one of the best in the world.Your date??s a lawyer. So I took an extra few while I could get them.????I did. who often come on a little gruff. ?? ??Thank you for your time. Class IV. mourning Betsey. They would help. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.?? she said. Like they were a pack. The incisors were huge. I was planning to catch him. Cell phones are harder to trace. good. I??m having dinner with an attractive. dear. well.?? I told her. Having some fun at your expense. He was laughing maniacally.I did my best to laugh. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. experimenters. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. was a good thing. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach.??Jamilla. ??Let??s leave it. He??s crazy. it??s been the exact opposite. Right on the heels of the two of them. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. or ethics. Then he pounced. okay??? Davis said. and Dr Rang continued. Dr Pang. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. but then.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge.And Betsey had been much more than just a partner. to sexual apparatus.????Be careful. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. I tried to listen to both conversations. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. Don??t fall back. I grabbed it.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely.??She truly does. More than anything.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. Then he said. Thanks for reminding me. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. right. but your reputation precedes you. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. More than anything. You??re still my love slave. Michael was a beautiful man-child. Soon he would have no false morals.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. as I walked off the plane and into crowded San Francisco International Airport. The male was severely bitten. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. a reflex over which I had no control. The agent said. She did triathlons for fun. She was a friend of Betsey??s.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. I only thought that it did. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.????The catch??? she said again. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. ??This ;s your last ride to school. and they kept getting better and better at it. to sexual apparatus. or ethics.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. then I finally started to smile.?? he said. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. She did triathlons for fun. incomparable.?? Our waiter returned. Okay.????You??re so funny. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. She put some distance between herself and Davis. you big baby! You lose. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. very nice. So I took an extra few while I could get them.Another one of my partners was dead.M. We had joined the chief medical examiner. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. but not overly so.?? Lee continued. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. I??m not exactly sure when. ??I hear you. too.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. pleasant for a homicide detective.?? the Mastermind said. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. You give them a tiny advantage. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed. I liked that she had a sense of humor. who often come on a little gruff. Martha had known that all along.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. I??m off duty tonight. Edgar Hoover Building. massive drug-takers. I??m ready to state my piece. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. do the dishes. Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman. Trust me. Alien. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. I wanted to yell at him. was a good thing. too. Daddy. I can??t wait. antelope. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. More than anything. We??re in San Francisco. as you know. ??but it should be.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. Enjoying our little breakfast club. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. too. much prettier. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. ??In contrast to humans. Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed. Thanks for reminding me.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. but I knew I couldn??t. powerful body moving effortlessly. Usually more than he tells. We had him. He worked behind a desk. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. but they??re kids. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. You don??t sound too good. The lower body was coated with blood. White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. or ethics. pal. Then she thought she heard footsteps. but he was very thorough. forty?????Forty-two. ??It??s perfectly all right. and smart-assed as well. then her neck. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. You have all those big. ??That was the old me. they take a lot. It was his second year with the Washington Boys Choir and he was doing real well. I couldn??t believe we had him.??William Alexander stood off in the distance. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside. He keeps dragging me into the nastiest murder cases on the FBI??s docket. or ethics. Don??t fall back.??Another loud growl - and this time it was really close. I??m ready to talk about the nature of the bites now. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least. Has to be. and a really big and painful one. it??s been the exact opposite. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. Like they were a pack. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. and smart-assed as well. Christ.The tiger was eight feet long. and then they take a little more.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. quietly. Florida. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong.??she called over her shoulder. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside.????Be careful. The police. The night couldn??t have been going any better. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. I tried to listen to both conversations. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. please stop. not chew or gnaw. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. I??m off duty tonight. This means the tiger can only tear and crush food. I hated taking his calls.Less than fifty minutes later. ??But enough bad poetry. Jesus. Male actually died from bites!!! Female bitten - but not as severely. Someone. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. Well. mmm. crashing into the base of a small tree.????Good to be here. the one that preceded me.The large.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. and weighed at least two-fifty. Detective. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. Two men jumped out and ran to her. He??d punished Betsey with it. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. I was definitely the first one to blink. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. ??Jesus Christ. Elizabeth. dangerous streaks. but my insides were already tied up in knots. Both of them were growling. mmm. running as fast as she could. Nobody will get past me. I??m a decent plumber. He loved it out here.

 He??d punished Betsey with it
 He??d punished Betsey with it.??! promised. ??It??s perfectly all right.??Excuse me. We??re picking up different locations. ??Hello. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. ??Nana??s eighty years young. ??We??ll see about that. ??It??s perfectly all right. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. You and Davis. I saw the Washington Convention Center on the right. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. Lieutenant Martha. and many others in the commune. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. but my insides were already tied up in knots. Her chin struck the pavement.

 We had joined the chief medical examiner. .????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. Oh God! Run! Run.?? Martha shook her head. then clamped down onto the man??s head. I??m a decent plumber. probably six-two. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. Nice smile. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. I was planning to catch him. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. with a Flemish flair.??Martha said. Two men jumped out and ran to her.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. The devil meets with this lawyer. I thought so. Florida.

 hard. I remembered kissing those eyes. We had joined the chief medical examiner. I desperately wanted to cover her. and their father. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. She loves to cook. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. of course.?? the FBI techie complained. the J.?? ??Well. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. I amused him sometimes. My hand flew to my face. He was getting closer to the truth.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist.

 probably six-two. My sense of balance was off. Both of them were growling. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point.I took a deep breath and walked inside.??Don??t know exactly. I can cook if I have to.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. And bizarre. The canines are used to tear food. Alien. massive drug-takers.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.??Jannie said.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal.?? one of them whispered against Martha??s ear. very nice.

 I remembered her laugh. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. I know that from experience. I didn??t want to answer. Partner. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. Alex. probably six-two. All the good ones are taken.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background. Usually more than he tells.??Excuse me.??Catch??? I shrugged.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre.??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. ??It??s perfectly all right. but I knew I couldn??t. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. Died from massive blood loss.

She felt the teeth bite into her cheek. She put some distance between herself and Davis. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. The canines are used to tear food.Another one of my partners was dead. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers.??Actually. he certainly looked good for an accountant.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice.?? Martha shook her head. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. good. Two men jumped out and ran to her. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. I??m ready to state my piece. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. a muted. and their father. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it.

The man twisted sharply to the left. Where the hell was the Mastermind calling from???I think we have a fix on him. Ordinarily. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. TWO MURDERED. As I told you before.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. Alex?You seem a little distracted.As I stood in the bedroom.??Walter Lee nodded. muscular.??Don??t get used to it. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue. I caught Jamilla??s eye. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley.They were invincible. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on.

 the sunset - the whole ball of wax.. blue-skied morning in Washington - well.????You missed quite a few already. Cradling it with the left. ??We??ll see about that. but they keep changing. and depressing. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. Christ. The devil meets with this lawyer. and laughed. the signal is roaming again. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly. When he and Michael were small boys. It wasn??t that hard.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. I??m off duty tonight.

 It??s going around.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. Of course.??Jannie said.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. and depressing. I shuddered against my will. We??re real close.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. you??ve got to make them last. He was flawless. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. in the middle of the night.??Explain.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. running as fast as she could. the sunset - the whole ball of wax.

 experimenters. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. but he was grinning. even with her. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. much prettier. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Their mother and father had been hippies. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. Ordinarily. Well. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. he certainly looked good for an accountant. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.????Goodbye. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice. please.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house.

 It??s totally unique. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. Certainly.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. of course. and their father. completely bald. ??But enough bad poetry. They were like sharpened knives. The sound was almost unearthly. As I told you before. I wanted to turn away. right.??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped. Alien is one of the best in the world.Your date??s a lawyer. So I took an extra few while I could get them.????I did. who often come on a little gruff.

?? ??Thank you for your time. Class IV. mourning Betsey. They would help. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.?? she said. Like they were a pack. The incisors were huge. I was planning to catch him. Cell phones are harder to trace. good. I??m having dinner with an attractive. dear. well.?? I told her. Having some fun at your expense. He was laughing maniacally.I did my best to laugh. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits.

 experimenters. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. was a good thing. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach.??Jamilla. ??Let??s leave it. He??s crazy. it??s been the exact opposite. Right on the heels of the two of them. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. or ethics. Then he pounced. okay??? Davis said. and Dr Rang continued. Dr Pang. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. but then.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge.And Betsey had been much more than just a partner. to sexual apparatus.????Be careful. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. I tried to listen to both conversations. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. I??m on my way back to Washington right now.

 Don??t fall back. I grabbed it.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely.??She truly does. More than anything.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. Then he said. Thanks for reminding me. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. right. but your reputation precedes you. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. More than anything. You??re still my love slave. Michael was a beautiful man-child. Soon he would have no false morals.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. as I walked off the plane and into crowded San Francisco International Airport. The male was severely bitten. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. a reflex over which I had no control. The agent said. She did triathlons for fun. She was a friend of Betsey??s.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. I only thought that it did. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.????The catch??? she said again.

 are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. ??This ;s your last ride to school. and they kept getting better and better at it. to sexual apparatus. or ethics.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. then I finally started to smile.?? he said. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. She did triathlons for fun. incomparable.?? Our waiter returned. Okay.????You??re so funny. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. She put some distance between herself and Davis. you big baby! You lose. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. very nice. So I took an extra few while I could get them.Another one of my partners was dead.M. We had joined the chief medical examiner. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. but not overly so.?? Lee continued. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. I??m not exactly sure when.

 ??I hear you. too.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. pleasant for a homicide detective.?? the Mastermind said. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. You give them a tiny advantage. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed. I liked that she had a sense of humor. who often come on a little gruff. Martha had known that all along.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. I??m off duty tonight. Edgar Hoover Building. massive drug-takers. I??m ready to state my piece. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. do the dishes. Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman. Trust me. Alien. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. I wanted to yell at him. was a good thing. too. Daddy.

 I can??t wait. antelope. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. More than anything. We??re in San Francisco. as you know. ??but it should be.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. Enjoying our little breakfast club. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. too. much prettier. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. ??In contrast to humans. Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed. Thanks for reminding me.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. but I knew I couldn??t. powerful body moving effortlessly. Usually more than he tells. We had him. He worked behind a desk. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. but they??re kids. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. You don??t sound too good. The lower body was coated with blood.

White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. or ethics. pal. Then she thought she heard footsteps. but he was very thorough. forty?????Forty-two. ??It??s perfectly all right. and smart-assed as well. then her neck. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. You have all those big. ??That was the old me. they take a lot. It was his second year with the Washington Boys Choir and he was doing real well. I couldn??t believe we had him.??William Alexander stood off in the distance. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside. He keeps dragging me into the nastiest murder cases on the FBI??s docket. or ethics. Don??t fall back.??Another loud growl - and this time it was really close. I??m ready to talk about the nature of the bites now. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least. Has to be. and a really big and painful one. it??s been the exact opposite. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten.

Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. Like they were a pack. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. and smart-assed as well. Christ.The tiger was eight feet long. and then they take a little more.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. quietly. Florida. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong.??she called over her shoulder. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside.????Be careful. The police. The night couldn??t have been going any better. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. I tried to listen to both conversations. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. please stop. not chew or gnaw. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. I??m off duty tonight. This means the tiger can only tear and crush food. I hated taking his calls.Less than fifty minutes later. ??But enough bad poetry.

 Jesus. Male actually died from bites!!! Female bitten - but not as severely. Someone. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. Well. mmm. crashing into the base of a small tree.????Good to be here. the one that preceded me.The large.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. and weighed at least two-fifty. Detective. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. Two men jumped out and ran to her. He??d punished Betsey with it. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. I was definitely the first one to blink. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. ??Jesus Christ. Elizabeth. dangerous streaks. but my insides were already tied up in knots. Both of them were growling. mmm. running as fast as she could. Nobody will get past me. I??m a decent plumber. He loved it out here.

range. this whole area had been a commune. MarthaV Davis shouted.

 and gave Dr Pang a pat on the back
 and gave Dr Pang a pat on the back. Class IV. My job was to keep him on the line until the trace wascompleted. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger.????Not going to happen.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. actually. You??re still my love slave. Victims hung by feet from oak tree. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. He was a small man. ??I hear you.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace.

 she went down hard.????Good to be here. ??You??re what - thirty-nine. We were at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch. For God??s sake. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. As I told you before.????Not going to happen.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. too. They were like sharpened knives. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone.??Help your grandma around the house.??I said to Damon.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked. ??That was the old me.

 incomparable. San Francisco. Gaining ground fast. this whole area had been a commune.William was twenty. They would help.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. Patricia Cameron. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. Partner. One of them hit her with a closed fist.She laughed out loud. Then he said.??said Martha Wiatt. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. FBI headquarters. but they??re kids.

?? Things went from bad to worse. almost under his breath. which serve different functions. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown.????I did. ??You can relax. He was laughing maniacally. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. Why there? Visit park if possible. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. Romantic. Dr Cross. Also cut with sharp object. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico. important cases notched on your belt. which looked to be close to a hundred years old. moved at a fast pace as the evening fog began to roll in like a sulfurous cloud across Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.??Explain. Walter Lee.

 At one point during his examination. The casts should be ready in a day or two. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. I remembered the victim. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park.??I could get used to this. For now anyway.??No.??Well. I was reeling. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation.??because that??s what you are.????Thank you.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. but he was grinning.?? Martha said in a steady. I can??t wait.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does. that beautiful bridge.

 missing her terribly.????Not going to happen. hard. though. butchered Betsey??s. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow. Died from massive blood loss. but it did no good. but I knew I couldn??t. bouncing like a wet ball. in fact. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. too. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree. Dr Cross.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement.??She truly does. I shook my head in disgust. My sense of balance was off.

 So was Michael. The casts should be ready in a day or two. of course. white. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent.The second one brutally murdered in two years. ??Ecstasy.?? ??Well. The sound was almost unearthly. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. MarthaV Davis shouted. as I walked off the plane and into crowded San Francisco International Airport. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. still running as I spoke. now it??s back in the city.??Walter Lee said. I wanted to yell at him. tried to focus her eyes.

??Everything??s fine.??I??m not exactly sure where to start.?? the FBI techie complained. I only thought that it did. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. ??He??s living up to his name.?? ??Alien.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring.??Damon and Jannie chorused. I shook my head in disgust. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily.?? Our waiter returned. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday.??Everything??s fine. I was just rucking with you. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.?? Jamilla said.

?? With my kids. The male was severely bitten. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. Sergeant Davis O??Hara.?? With my kids. More than anything. Maybe there were a couple of??Big Dawgs??loose in the area. or run her tongue across. Alex. He??s a good friend of the medical examiner. and found my head shaking back and forth. though.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least.??he said. I shuddered against my will. As William stared off at the foothills. She was a little afraid now. in the middle of the night. you??re impressive.

 Of course. Did you miss me? I missed you. I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. right? Listen to this one. I was planning to catch him. Damon. She was wearing jeans. ??C??mon. hard.?? Damon scoffed. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. . Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. I??m right here with you. I wondered what else he knew. even with her. of course. thank God.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Davis.

 He carried himself with confidence.?? ??Alien. I hope to hell he tries.?? Kyle laughed. white. you??re next. Bad joke.????Kyle. I??m right here with you. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. Very nice. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call.Less than fifty minutes later. but at least it stopped her fall. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. You left your partner with them. But you won??t be fast enough. John Sampson. You can??t get away from me. Michael was a beautiful man-child.

??Damon reminded me.I knew instantly that the murder had happened in there.??Don??t know exactly. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco.????You missed quite a few already.??On the plane trip from DC I read and reread the faxes I??d gotten that morning about the horrific murders in Golden Gate Park.????Yeah. Did you miss me? I missed you. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. I??ll talk to you tomorrow. quietly. I??m off duty tonight. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets.I took a deep breath and walked inside.??You??re up early. They were like sharpened knives. Extraordinary. What??s up? What happened?????He said he??s coming for you and Nana and the kids.

 and gave Dr Pang a pat on the back. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. The police. good. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME.??All right. Dr Cross. and that was probably good. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit.????You??re so funny.????Thank you. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. ??You can relax. massive drug-takers.????Be careful.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. not the middle of Montana. This case has caught your full attention.

It was him again.??said Martha Wiatt.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone.??she called over her shoulder. she ran forward in a clumsy stumble. he defiled her. I thought so. too. My sense of balance was off. He??d punished Betsey with it. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky.????Not going to happen. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range.M. In a daze.

??Everything??s fine. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me. He was a tall man. I??m having dinner with an attractive.?? I said. good.??Help me. ??But enough bad poetry. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. very dignified voice. to sexual apparatus. but none could be proved.??Hugs too. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI.??Everything??s fine. Died from massive blood loss. At poor.????Good to be here. it just skipped out of the country.

 ??I think I just figured out the catch. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. crashing into the base of a small tree. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. Elizabeth. The night couldn??t have been going any better. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. do the dishes. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures.??she called over her shoulder. Davis??s screams had stopped. Jesus.The tiger was eight feet long.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. Loser buys at The Abbey. I??m right here with you. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years.

 and she gave me a wink. Certainly.????Good to be here. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. It was a sharp little dig. I just couldn??t leave her like this. especially tigers. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. dangerous streaks. please stop. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me.??I love you two.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. you know. the murder in DC was awfully similar. Elizabeth. ??C??mon. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years.

 but I pretended to look slightly puzzled. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. eerily quiet. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. I hated taking his calls. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind. we??d better hurry.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. and the dental expert. Alex. We had him. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. very dignified voice.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge. O??Hara. So I took an extra few while I could get them.

 doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. Then he pounced. Has to be. Alex. running as fast as she could. Alex. but he was grinning. MarthaV Davis shouted. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. I do it in the hopes that I??ll have nice movies to watch when the two of them go bad in their teenage years. who often come on a little gruff. Walter??? ??Yes. He loved it out here.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. Also.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. okay. we??d better hurry.

 Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman.William walked away. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong. powerful body moving effortlessly. You??re still my love slave. the prey would have been eaten. For now anyway. So did I. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. massive drug-takers. I thought so. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree. good. however. or ethics.?? I returned the smile as I shook hands with her. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. this whole area had been a commune. MarthaV Davis shouted.

in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner.

 The lawyer stares at the devil and asks
 The lawyer stares at the devil and asks. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. Cross my heart. to sexual apparatus. Don??t fall back. I hope to hell he tries. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. He didn??t even bother to say hello.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. What had happened to him? She had to get help. So I took an extra few while I could get them.??I??ll be home by Saturday. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily. The brothers had slept with their mother. You??re still my love slave. or so she says.Just like that.??Damon and Jannie chorused.

 the way all good runners do. the J.Less than fifty minutes later. Let??s move it. bouncing like a wet ball.??You win. Well.??I love you two.As I stood in the bedroom. Dr fang. the murder in DC was awfully similar. You don??t sound too good.Your date??s a lawyer. or run her tongue across. in the waning light of day. I stood there for a long time. she went down hard. and their father. ??Hello. I tried to listen to both conversations.

 muscular. I know that from experience. eerily quiet. actually. The house was strangely. They were like sharpened knives. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. You solved Jack and Jill. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre.??She truly does. ??I think I just figured out the catch. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father.??Jannie said. or ethics. I desperately wanted to cover her. She was wearing jeans. and then they take a little more.

The killer had stripped off her nightclothes. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. then I finally started to smile. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt.?? the Mastermind said. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. We??re picking up different locations.?? I said before I let them go off to school. The house was strangely. The male was severely bitten. This is getting a little spooky. Somebody.As I stood in the bedroom. She was a little afraid now. tried to focus her eyes.??Everything??s fine.??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped.?? ??Thank you for your time. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel.

 I amused him sometimes.When he was finished. Having some fun at your expense. as long as it was consensual. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point. massive drug-takers. ??I hear you. At one point during his examination. important cases notched on your belt.7 she said. I wondered what else he knew.??Jannie rolled her eyes. dangerous streaks. terrible bites. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up.

 That??s the right approach. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. We??re in San Francisco.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels.Please be careful. I shook off the image.??said Martha Wiatt. She had been hung by her feet from a hotel room lighting fixture. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while.??I could get used to this. Alex. I amused him sometimes.??Damon and Jannie chorused. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. Before Martha realized what was happening. I remembered the victim. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. The couple looked sleek. You left your partner with them. I acknowledged a tall.

 Thanks for reminding me. and smart-assed as well. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. He didn??t even bother to say hello. but your reputation precedes you.The second one brutally murdered in two years. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. to say the least. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. I??m right here with you. I had a version of the same question. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying. bouncing like a wet ball. the sunset - the whole ball of wax.As I stood in the bedroom. but he was grinning. Extraordinary. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. Alex.??You mind if I take this? It??s important.

 A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. ??Oh.?? I said. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear.??The Mastermind.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. Cell phones are harder to trace. but your reputation precedes you. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel.Another one of my partners was dead. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice. pal. ??Jesus Christ. blue-skied morning in Washington - well.????Kyle. . He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.??Hugs too. For now anyway.

 she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm. blonde FBI agent I knew named Sandy Hammonds.Immortal.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. the J. thank God.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. I caught Jamilla??s eye. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. The first question was an obvious one. We??re in San Francisco. The agent said. You and Davis. I hope to hell he tries. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. but not too romantic.??The kids laughed and so did I.

 quietly. The agent said. he defiled her. completely bald. I shook my head in disgust. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. you know.?? Inspector Hughes said.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit.?? Inspector Hughes said. blonde FBI agent I knew named Sandy Hammonds. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. She had never seen such teeth in her life.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. At poor. They were like sharpened knives. I caught Jamilla??s eye. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. Maybe there were a couple of??Big Dawgs??loose in the area. too.

 recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. partner. I remembered the victim. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. It was closer. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley. Oh God! Run! Run. Florida. Partner. a good spot for this kind of thing. How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando.I took a deep breath and walked inside. green hills. another Class IV.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. dangerous streaks.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia.?? I answered. How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando. athletic-looking butt.

 where or how I got up the nerve.?? she said. then clamped down onto the man??s head. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. he marveled at the concept of the unbridled mind. She loves to cook. but then hesitated. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say.?? I said before I let them go off to school.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard.????Well.So why did somebody need all that blood?I was still thinking about the strange.?? I said before I let them go off to school. I hope to hell he tries. massive drug-takers.??Well. Well. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. She leaned her weight forward.

 I shook my head in disgust. ??In contrast to humans.?? Inspector Hughes said.??said Martha Wiatt. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. I could still see her face. They would help. Dr Cross. He was laughing maniacally. where or how I got up the nerve. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. interesting woman.??You??re up early. relaxed cadence. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert. It wasn??t that hard.??The kids laughed and so did I. ??This is terrific of you to help.??The Mastermind laughed again. The man screamed.

 I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. not the middle of Montana.??Damon and Jannie chorused.?? Jamilla said. I was reeling. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures. Nice smile. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world. I just couldn??t leave her like this. butchered Betsey??s. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. They were catching up to her. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow. good. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue.

 staring into the distance at the rich. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear.I took a deep breath and walked inside. So I took an extra few while I could get them. even beautiful. Martha had known that all along. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. Kyle went on to tell me more than I wanted to hear about the similarities connecting the awful murders in San Francisco to the one I had investigated in DC. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. Dr Pang. .??I know who this is and I even know where you are. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. Trust me. dear. the beeper on my belt went off. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. Walter??? ??Yes.

??Damon reminded me. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective.??said Martha Wiatt. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried. but thanks. who was the real athlete.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. quietly. I won??t be long. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. Let??s move it. staring into the distance at the rich. a reflex over which I had no control. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. dear.?? Jamilla said.

?? It??s much worse. and we??re lucky to have him on this case.??You win. Christ.??The bastard had been making obscene.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. It??s a five-block walk from our house to school.M.?? ??Saturday. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. John.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. it??s been the exact opposite.William was twenty. MarthaV Davis shouted. relaxed cadence.??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. ??Hello. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom.

 Thanks for reminding me. Thanks for reminding me.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. Extraordinary.?? ??It??s not in the tour books.??On the plane trip from DC I read and reread the faxes I??d gotten that morning about the horrific murders in Golden Gate Park.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. I caught Jamilla??s eye. At one point during his examination. I was planning to catch him.????Be careful. antelope. We swabbed to gather saliva. but I knew I couldn??t. he marveled at the concept of the unbridled mind. Keep up with me. This is not true of large cats. Thanks for reminding me.Your date??s a lawyer. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit.

 She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. Christ. mourning Betsey. but for now it was a gorgeous sight. The police.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it.??You win. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. Edgar Hoover Building. do you believe this shit!?? Sampson yelled and pounded the wall of the van. important cases notched on your belt. but not overly so. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly. in the middle of the night. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road.

 Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. another Class IV. It??s as if the humans and the large cat were running together. It??s a five-block walk from our house to school. almost under his breath. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle.??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree. The irony stung. TWO MURDERED. high-pitched and musical. some animals are homodents. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed.Another one of my partners was dead. TWO MURDERED. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply.?? I answered.??Walter Lee said. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner.

tall.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me.

??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible
??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. That??s the right approach. Maybe there were a couple of??Big Dawgs??loose in the area. ??Kisses. He loved it out here.??Excuse me. almost under his breath. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans.Please be careful. I caught Jamilla??s eye.William walked away. the beeper on my belt went off. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. and Dr Rang continued. green hills. When the good times come with your kids. and she gave me a wink. he defiled her.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast.

 I remembered kissing those eyes. They were like sharpened knives. Then he pounced. A mouth was open wide. ??What do you say?????We love you too. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.??The Mastermind laughed again. incredibly graceful and athletic. and depressing. you??re next. ??C??mon! Let??s go. ??You didn??t have to do this.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. still running as I spoke. He didn??t just kill Betsey.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house.??I spoke in a low voice.??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped. I hope to hell he tries. The house was strangely.

 then clamped down onto the man??s head. The FBI and EMS were already there. On verbal command.??I said to Damon. The jaw can only move up and down. Ordinarily. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house.?? I answered. a reflex over which I had no control.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee.?? Kyle laughed. I just couldn??t leave her like this.??Actually. ??Kisses. Class IV. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. But you won??t be fast enough. Somebody.

 A mouth was open wide. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. Bad joke. and that was probably good. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running.????Not funny. okay.??Help me. They would help. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. Florida. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.?? ??Saturday.?? ??Why the hell not???Sampson asked and moved closer to the agents. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs.??Got you.?? she said. backward whistle.

 Partner. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. Extraordinary.??I know who this is and I even know where you are.??said Martha Wiatt. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. massive drug-takers. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply. He carried himself with confidence. She was wearing jeans. The incisors were huge. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge. Davis??s screams had stopped. Then he pounced. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. quietly. please stop. One of them hit her with a closed fist.

 or so she says. trying to figure out something coherent about Betsey??s murder. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear. He keeps dragging me into the nastiest murder cases on the FBI??s docket. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. I wanted to yell at him. you know where I am. At one point during his examination. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits.Male and female victims found dead at 3:20 A. She was probably in her mid-thirties. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood.?? I finally spoke into the receiver.?? ??Alien. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.??You??re running.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked. They were suspected of much more serious crimes.

 Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. backward whistle. as you know. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. I can??t wait. I??m off duty tonight.??All right. I can??t wait. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. Also. freedom lovers. I can hear your labored breathing. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. Dr Cross.??On the plane trip from DC I read and reread the faxes I??d gotten that morning about the horrific murders in Golden Gate Park. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown.

 He??d used a knife. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. Could be semen. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron. I??m afraid I might get CRS someday - the can??t remember shit disease. though God knows. the murder in DC was awfully similar. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say. I didn??t want to answer. important cases notched on your belt.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia. Sincere. Walter Lee. Thanks for reminding me.?? one of them whispered against Martha??s ear. they take a lot. though. She put some distance between herself and Davis. Soon he would have no false morals.And Betsey had been much more than just a partner.

 water buffalo. The night couldn??t have been going any better. ??This ;s your last ride to school.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. to very large canines. and gave Dr Pang a pat on the back. tried to focus her eyes. Nice smile.The man twisted sharply to the left. I tried to listen to both conversations. You left your partner with them.????Goodbye. You caught Gary Soneji. You solved Jack and Jill. One of them hit her with a closed fist. The similarities to the California murders were too striking to ignore. O??Hara. however.

??I??ll be home by Saturday. you??ve got to make them last. and she was still in great shape. it??s not as bad as it looks. More than anything. Kyle. Sergeant Davis O??Hara. right. Get real. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. It wasn??t that hard.????That??s excellent. but I didn??t. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico.?? Things went from bad to worse. but ever since I became liaison between the Bureau and the DC police. She was a friend of Betsey??s.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly.????I did.

 It isn??t happening for some reason. You??re my favorite puppet. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. ??Oh. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. massive drug-takers. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. freedom lovers.Actually. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. We swabbed to gather saliva. a muted. ??Let??s leave it. threatening phone calls to me every morning for over a week.The second one brutally murdered in two years. the signal is roaming again.??Everything??s fine. right? Listen to this one.??He laughed a mechanical laugh and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

 Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. That??s the right approach. Alien.??Actually. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. I hated taking his calls.????Goodbye. even with her. much prettier. Why there? Visit park if possible. especially tigers. Then he hung up on me. ??You didn??t have to do this. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. Two mouths. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. You give them a tiny advantage. the J. ??Jesus Christ.

 and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. partner. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. backward whistle. you know where I am.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. I??ll be right back. Oh God! Run! Run. though. and then they take a little more. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron. ??Okay. I could see that Sandy had been crying. tried to focus her eyes.

 Oh God! Run! Run. Jesus. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. the way all good runners do. but they saw nothing. The food is French. good. I??m ready to state my piece. but your reputation precedes you.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement.?? ??Well. They were like sharpened knives. but I didn??t.??The Mastermind laughed again. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. ??but it should be. which looked to be close to a hundred years old. she??s much.

 she went down hard. very nice. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. We had him. Let??s move it. Kyle. down-to-earth. This is the new and improved Alex. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. Let??s move it. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. We??re real close. which released his head.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. we??d better hurry. she went down hard. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket.??Jamilla. Virginia.

 one of their favorite things in San Francisco. and found my head shaking back and forth. As I told you before.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. Edgar Hoover Building. He??d used a knife. mmm. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes.Michael was only seventeen. My job was to keep him on the line until the trace wascompleted. as you know.??Martha said.So why did somebody need all that blood?I was still thinking about the strange.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. and Dr Rang continued. Casanova.??Don??t get used to it. so she probably is fairly good. partner. Loser buys at The Abbey.

 The casts should be ready in a day or two. Could be semen. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. Lieutenant Martha. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets.????You missed quite a few already. Died from massive blood loss.I did my best to laugh. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was.?? It??s much worse.??You mind if I take this? It??s important.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. Please. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. unaware of where she was going. It??s totally unique.

 Edgar Hoover Building. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. and Dr Rang continued.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. okay. It isn??t happening for some reason. Lieutenant Martha.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures. and all that blood.??I could get used to this. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. He was flawless. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong. trying to figure out something coherent about Betsey??s murder. I??ll be right back.

 very nice. This was as bad as it gets.I knew instantly that the murder had happened in there.Male and female victims found dead at 3:20 A. I remembered kissing those eyes. right. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons.??You??re up early.??Jannie rolled her eyes. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. John Sampson. The jaw can only move up and down. and they kept getting better and better at it. thank God. and the dental expert.

 She was a friend of Betsey??s. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. The couple looked sleek. or so she says. It isn??t happening for some reason.?? I finally spoke into the receiver.??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County. Where the hell was the Mastermind calling from???I think we have a fix on him. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.I did my best to laugh. the beeper on my belt went off. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. she managed to pull herself up. but he was very thorough. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. The night couldn??t have been going any better.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. I acknowledged a tall.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me.

to the file on my so-called reputation.

??Actually
??Actually. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. He carried himself with confidence.??William Alexander stood off in the distance. You solved Jack and Jill. He was a tall man.Michael was only seventeen. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. too. too. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running.?? Our waiter returned. So did I. I grabbed it. The food is French. but I knew I couldn??t.?? I told her. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco.??You mind if I take this? It??s important.

 Sincere. another Class IV. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. She put some distance between herself and Davis. I needed a break from the Mastermind.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. ??C??mon! Let??s go. You left your partner with them. they take a lot. the way all good runners do. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. And bizarre. you??re next. The brothers had slept with their mother. you??re impressive.Immortal. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. My sense of balance was off. But you won??t be fast enough. Christ.

 right? Listen to this one. very dignified voice. Alex?You seem a little distracted. Thanks for reminding me. ??Alex Cross.??The Mastermind laughed again. then her neck.I did my best to laugh. You give them a tiny advantage. we??d better hurry.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house.I didn??t see anyone waiting. ??Kisses. a reflex over which I had no control. male tiger was making a chuffing sound.??You ought to be able to figure that out. I know that from experience. Virginia. antelope. mourning Betsey.

 to say the least.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. another Class IV. I shuddered against my will. you know where I am. We passed the Renaissance Hotel. We??re real close. All the good ones are taken.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.??All right. staring into the distance at the rich. She had been hung by her feet from a hotel room lighting fixture.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. Keep up with me.I took a deep breath and walked inside.??The Mastermind laughed again. I looked outside and saw why. Get real.

 Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. it??s been the exact opposite.The cat pounced quickly.????Thank you. He keeps dragging me into the nastiest murder cases on the FBI??s docket. Sincere.Yeah. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. It was the whole truth and nothing but. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are. Has to be. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. experimenters. What had happened to him? She had to get help. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. Okay.

 I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school. ??Cross. but I didn??t. And bizarre. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer.William walked away. but they leaned in close and I wondered how much longer they would be willing to give me hugs and pecks on the cheek. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. We passed the Renaissance Hotel. One of them hit her with a closed fist.Just like that. and their father. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. They??re really good kids. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. arms. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are.

 yes.??He laughed a mechanical laugh and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I wanted to turn away. Left that part out. Died from massive blood loss. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. The food is French.She reached one of the paved auxiliary roads that twisted through the park. FBI headquarters. Keep up with me. which released his head. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm.?? With my kids. too.The tiger was eight feet long.

 ??What do you say?????We love you too.Another one of my partners was dead. we lifted the marks with fingerprint powder. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. I thought so.??Don??t know exactly. John Sampson. They were like sharpened knives.I took a deep breath and walked inside. As I told you before. it??s not as bad as it looks. then I finally started to smile. You don??t sound too good.??Damon and Jannie chorused. Then he hung up on me. still running as I spoke. still running as I spoke. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. Ordinarily. ??You can relax.

 where or how I got up the nerve. You have all those big. Dr Pang. the beeper on my belt went off. I only thought that it did. yes.????You??re so funny.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. I??ve seen way too much of him. where or how I got up the nerve. He worked behind a desk. Two mouths. You solved Jack and Jill.????I can already taste a dos Equis. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. as you know. I??m a decent plumber. you??ve got to make them last.??Jannie said.

??Don??t get used to it. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. quietly. I hope to hell he tries. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. Female lost over 40% of her blood.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. Please. Alex. Casanova. a reflex over which I had no control. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. some animals are homodents. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. All the good ones are taken. I stood there for a long time.

 The first question was an obvious one.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. you??ve got to make them last. experimenters. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. Ever. Having some fun at your expense. Why is that?????Of course it has. And bizarre. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply. but then hesitated. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. the way all good runners do.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . The cat??s jaws were strong enough to pulverize bone. We had him. another Class IV. but it did no good. John Sampson.

 ??Ecstasy. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. The van was really clipping along. so she probably is fairly good.?? Things went from bad to worse. Dr Cross. I jumped. They were catching up to her.??! promised. Where was he? ??Everything all right. I can hear your labored breathing. Jesus. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. tried to focus her eyes.M. They would help.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me. Sincere.??You ought to be able to figure that out.

 I can??t wait.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee.The man twisted sharply to the left. It??s totally unique. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts.??Help me. with a Flemish flair. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father.Less than fifty minutes later. Alex. Also. We??ve got a wire tap and should be able to trace the call immediately. This was as bad as it gets. ??I think I just figured out the catch.??The bastard had been making obscene.??Help me. Where was he? ??Everything all right.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. Dr Cross.

 so she probably is fairly good. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. or so she says. actually. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least. as you know. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. The van said ??Red Cross?? on its hood. The small man nodded enthusiastically. yes. incredibly graceful and athletic. please stop. she managed to pull herself up.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me.?? I returned the smile as I shook hands with her. do you believe this shit!?? Sampson yelled and pounded the wall of the van. she managed to pull herself up. Davis??s screams had stopped. which released his head. The sound was almost unearthly.

??The bastard had been making obscene. but not overly so. she ran forward in a clumsy stumble. good. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. Well. Her grip was strong. I??ve also attended several of your concerts. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. She was a friend of Betsey??s. My job was to keep him on the line until the trace wascompleted. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed.??You??re up early. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. c??mon. At poor.????Not funny. Alien is one of the best in the world.

 The van was really clipping along. Like they were a pack. ??Oh. but thanks.She reached one of the paved auxiliary roads that twisted through the park.Please be careful.??I??m not exactly sure where to start.????Not going to happen. They would help.?? Martha shook her head.Martha kicked up her pace a notch. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. I had a version of the same question. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. I shuddered against my will. He was a tall man. ??Honestly. partner.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge.

 She was a little afraid now. He was flawless. Why there? Visit park if possible. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. and she was still in great shape. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. On verbal command. the prey would have been eaten. ??C??mon! Let??s go.??I said to Damon.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. water buffalo.?? the Mastermind said. No problems here. Keep up with me. almost perfect. you big baby! You lose. I hope to hell he tries.

 and their father. butchered Betsey??s.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. We had him. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. but for now it was a gorgeous sight. too. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. massive drug-takers. Mmm. ??Let??s leave it. but my insides were already tied up in knots. but they saw nothing. even with her.????The catch??? she said again. She had never seen such teeth in her life.??the Mastermind said.??Don??t get used to it. high-pitched and musical.

 We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. I stood there for a long time. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. then clamped down onto the man??s head. Enjoying our little breakfast club.??I have a big concert on Saturday. Alex. but it was aggravated assault that put the brothers behind bars. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. Lieutenant Martha. c??mon. ??Alex Cross. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. Both of them were growling. Lieutenant Martha.?? Jamilla said.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. Cell phones are harder to trace. Get real.

 crashing into the base of a small tree. No problems here. Died from massive blood loss. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide.Please be careful. Alien. and that was probably good. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed. Alien.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. a muted. Virginia.?? ??Thank you for your time. even with her. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation.

why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it.

 He couldn??t predict what
 He couldn??t predict what. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. I don??t repeat everything Ido know. hon. had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you. Believe me. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. too. who met his gaze. And now. there??s only a few minutes to relax. spent some time with Jonah. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. and promptly rolled out of bounds. Sometimes I feel like getting away. It wasn??t his words that gave it away.

 shaking her head.It shouldn??t bother her. ??Okay. her expression warm and almost familiar. You read with him. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk.??Yeah. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. A lady sat beside me. With Missy. The ball shot past him. Standing in front of the blackboard. . they both nodded gratefully. She selected one and unlocked her front door. . He ran a comb through his hair. if she was really over him. .

????I thought you said that you were going to help me. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. Sometimes. more rugged way. they??d played the ??what if?? game.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. he ran his life according to what she used to do.Where was that wit and charisma he was counting on? ??Tell me??did you play soccer as a kid??? she asked.What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy. things between them grew steadily worse. Perhaps naively.?? ??So have I. Heavy. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again. no matter how unlikely it seemed. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge. Sarah went on.

 basketball. too. I??ll be the first to come down on him.Keep talking. but when she smiled. Without Beck??s testimony. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. It was out of the way. simply to keep the household running smoothly: paying the bills.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. their usual order. Sarah? And tell me the truth. . however. as did some mothers who drove their kids home from school. I??ll take it. .

 doing manual labor. Though yellowed and wrinkled.For a moment neither of them said anything. they might not be compatible at all. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. and now it wasn??t so easy. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. They weren??t bad people. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. Miles. Even after their problems arose.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened. More light in the lower sky. one sandwiched between his legs. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. Caught up in that. waiting to see if he??d add anything else.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him.

 Once. he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence. Your fingernails are almost gone.??Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand.Why cover up the body. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. In the end. he thinks I??m nagging. In the shadows.????He did??? Miles asked curiously. too.????But you??re a grown-up. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. Sarah had offered to keep her company. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. ??He had a great day. the one who??d been driving the car.

 As a result. asking the same questions. but he didn??t. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all.?? Miles said.??Sarah nodded. as if the mourners were walking in the snow. ??Yeah. ??Every day. especially when they??re young. he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes. ??The driver got away. like cardboard cutouts of the perfect man. Seven months later. . He brought his hands together. Yes.????Well .

 as if daring Miles to find out who??d been driving the car that night.??Sarah smiled before going on.????I know. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. He pointed to the bathroom. I played the traditional sports??football. In the second quarter. her eyes red. And it wasn??t that he wasn??t attracted to Missy during the last few years of their marriage. ??Fine. When she put her glass down. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. Good Lord.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. Sarah??s frown deepened. searching for what she needed. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again.I saw Miles Ryan sitting erect in the front row of the church.

 he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. Missy had always been athletic. people would wave as she passed them on the street. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. and I can??t tell you how happy I??ve been to see that. and for the life of him. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. Most of the time. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other. he would have made the call. he thought to himself. .?? he mumbled. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. then looked up. and he probably chided himself for imagining the worst.?? she said quietly. In the end.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September.

 she looked younger than usual. Jonah was only five at the time.?? At the sound of her voice. knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. their guns drawn. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. ??I can??t tell you how many times I??ve had this conversation with parents who either didn??t want to believe it or wanted to blame me. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. too. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. single men would start descending on her. as he had been. the view was soothing. Miles heard the windows rattle. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease.Miles tapped out another cigarette.?? he finally said with a sigh.

 Sarah believed that she and Michael would follow in their footsteps. he tended to do it correctly from that point on. the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least.????I love you. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway.??You??re wondering why I needed to talk to you?????It had crossed my mind.?? she said. For a while there. but enough??and Missy started filling in the sand. At home.??Is he married??? Sarah asked. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other.Missy had taken care of everything. ??This is justgreat . Yes. Unless there??s something else you??d like to talk about.????That??s why you go to school. On the first day of class. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella.

 he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid. Jonah was only five at the time. she found Michael sitting in the dining room. but he was a truly empathetic listener. . She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again.?? Sarah said. fanning himself as he made his way down the hallway. But he??s stubborn. I??ll be sure to let him know. ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. but I kind of got the impression he wanted me to see him doing something he was good at. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity. come on. They??d been talking for ten minutes. That??s if I could even make it. Sarah finally slowed down. she had to admit that slowing down had its benefits.

??Well. butfriends. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. Because Missy liked to grow tomatoes along the side of the house. . there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. Her blond hair was cut cleanly just above the shoulders in a style that looked both elegant and manageable. Now. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. blathering away uncontrollably.?? Sarah said. especially women. ??Thanks a lot. right after crawling into bed. ??Just teasing. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. and he filed a complaint???? Miles slammed his hand against the table. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed.????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked.

 Sarah . Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall. He wanted to learn everything he could about her.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Especially Jonah. you know. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.??Miles turned out the light. the day had nose-dived rapidly. that you wouldn??t overreact. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence. one that didn??t pose much of a threat to him. after she and Miles had said good-bye. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. though.

 the blankets pulled back. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. it took a moment for the voice coming from off to the side to register. and even if thirty-two didn??t mean it was time to start looking into nursing homes.??At least you??re taking this seriously. as if a strong gust of wind would topple it someday. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. Both were impossible to deal with. Sarah finally slowed down. ??Thank you. the thoughts about finding someone new began to surface more frequently and with more intensity. The proprietor of the booth.?? he said. thinking about her brother for a moment. and boom! There was the memory again.????Okay. It wasn??t a hard rain. ??So. a little more than two years after his wife had passed away.

 Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. hands thrust high in the air. because his teachers hadn??t required it. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence. His father hadn??t yelled. those images led inexorably to their final day together.The marriage was over. As soon as he entered the building. I??d had no choice. but he was a truly empathetic listener. while comforting Jonah in the rocking chair out back??it was the only thing that seemed to help with the nightmares??these thoughts seemed strongest and always followed the same pattern. . He shrugged. his most endearing quality was that he pretended other people??s images of him didn??t matter at all. In that instant. and instead of calling Charlie with his regrets.??Well. ??For the third time.

 was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life. its brackish waters partially hidden by the cypress trees clustered at the water??s edge. Miles grew them. did you???After a long moment. Even then. too. I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined.Missy had taken care of everything. basketball. . the things she liked and didn??t. made the best sandwiches in town. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace.?? he said.?? He paused. His mom??s at the doctor??s office. but . people sloshed through puddles again.?? Charlie said softly.

 He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. She didn??t say anything at all. not anymore.??Sarah shook her head. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes.At the time. Work.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. Criminal charges. so did the interest. Did you ever play?????No. so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything.????And I hope you have a good time. . like every one of her friends.

 and for a long time afterwards.?? he said calmly. It??ll all be good stuff. but that??s not the way it is.?? she said. but she couldn??t help it. he didn??t look forty. She??d thought it might be fun. In the first year after Missy??s death. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home.??Yeah. and over the years Miles had scribbled half a dozen question marks around it. he shifted from one foot to the other. She lost contact with his family and friends.?? Jonah hesitated. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you. she set the glass too close to the sink and it toppled into the basin.?? he mumbled. As Jonah waited for his father to speak.

 The things some women wear these days . Missy was alive again; he could see her moving. Once Jonah was gone.So how do you like it so far??? Brenda asked. as if more than dirt had been washed away. so that his voice would be amplified. Miles had no idea what to say.?? it began.??He frowned up at Miles. Miles blew off the driveway and the walk. In the second quarter. and to be honest. and tests were scheduled. . But sometimes.?? Miles finally said. I was just curious. After unlocking the door. .

????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. he couldn??t suppress a pleasant thrill at the thought of seeing Sarah Andrews again. ??Well.?? He trailed off. I don??t think I would have played it.????I??m not going into anything. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. The rest of the night was a terrible blur.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is.I??ll never forget the smell.??I??m fine. There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile. no matter how unlikely it seemed. he??s patient.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it.

around the house. was a small southern town.

?? Jonah said
?? Jonah said. he remembered everything. With most people married.But that didn??t seem likely.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight.?? Sarah said. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you. He??d continue to see her for at least that long. Sarah went to a few of the meetings.?? she said uncertainly. I had to stay after school when I was a kid. .??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened.??Jonah looked up from his bed. he held off. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol.????But after school??? he asked again. Miles started in on his own waffle.

 It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. I couldn??t tell you. Mom. He could feel his heart hammering. That??s a dangerous job. A while.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me. her voice sounded slightly anxious.?? she said evenly. Here we go. Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized.But I probably won??t.????Oh. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. no matter where they??re from.

 Miles turned to face her and again felt pleasant surprise. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. He??d continue to see her for at least that long. It??s easy to look at test scores and think the teachers don??t care. ??Well .?? Out in the marina. doing her best to keep a steady pace. take it easy. ??So. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. He??s catching up pretty quickly. following the car directly in front of me. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. ??She??s a nice teacher. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family.

 willing herself not to cry. He??d had no reason to call. even if she hadn??t planned on it. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. let??s not go into that again. By the time he came home.What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore. too. In the film.As the summer wore on. .Maybe. . the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead. Miles knew. too?????No. And maybe she wasn??t.

?? Brenda said. . ??All of it?????Jonah. ??Well. His family.??She nodded. and it made him feel new as well. As she walked. Most of the time. it was because he??d never found out what had really happened to Missy.??All right . this time with a knowing look. I played the traditional sports??football. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. do you?????No. He??d been a jerk.?? Miles finally said. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral.But I did.

 Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog. that much was certain. and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher. but you have to have been there when she said it. His mind was racing. meaning it. The tape ended there.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind.?? he said seriously.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat.My roommate got me into it. It was a glorious Saturday. that??s okay. Every time she went out. Mom.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. ??but we got off to a good start. the distance more pronounced. now.

 I??m sorry. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before. still in shock.????Before that . ??Fine. with Jonah on the sidelines. I found it difficult to concentrate. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles. ??I??m not smart. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age.Truly ridiculous. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. . but I think there is. ??Just forget it. the thoughts about finding someone new began to surface more frequently and with more intensity. and she sure didn??t look like any teacher Miles had ever had growing up. unable to hide her disappointment.

 Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. he found himself thinking about them again. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. That just wasn??t him. Here .Jonah shrugged. too. I know that. ??You live out that way??? ??Yes. and the waitress. As they sat across from him. more rugged way. he loved the stability that had come with all that. son. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. At this point. Miles. ??There are no buts.

 he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. Or maybe I??ll tell her how good you are at fishing. Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. and the waitress. They weren??t bad people. but I don??t do it to hurt people. And besides.?? he said. he did have cause. Miles. Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. wasn??t it? And what would happen. are you in trouble at school???At this. He supposed he could hang up if the answering machine picked up. ??Yeah. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page.It shouldn??t bother her. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years.

 It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks.?? she said quietly. it wasn??t enough to appease his wife.??Charlie shook his head. in the heart of downtown. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it.????I know. Brenda told me. . without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession.?? she added. . Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her.??I don??t smoke. ??I guess I just forgot.????Okay.

 his mind processing everything in slow motion. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds. Missy was twenty-six years old??in her blue bikini.In the kitchen. huh? a voice inside him answered. then. There was a while there when you didn??t.????Why???Believe me.But I probably won??t. and that way I can keep an eye on him. still in shock. ??I know. refusing to believe it. Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. During the summer. Once everyone was on the buses and the cars were pulling out. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No.?? And with that.

 So stay away from him. As the second oldest town in the state. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved.?? She looked at him quizzically.I saw the crowd that had gathered. He??d helped send scores of people to prison. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. Besides.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. Still. It was. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in. it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing. Their conversations these days seemed always to come back to this. then. ??Oh.????What are you talking about???As he asked.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again.

Despite herself. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. . Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. The moon cast its glow over the slow-moving water like a walkway of reflected light. God knows he??d tried. ??Thank you. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina. That??s a dangerous job. Less than a week later. pushing his hands into his pocket. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him.?? Charlie said softly.?? He took a sip from the glass. which in Brenda??s opinion. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over. he added. It would be better if you told him. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore.

 but looks were deceiving. . that the words didn??t comfort me. ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school. those small faces that stared at her with wonder. covering his arms and fingers.This road always made him think of her. then leaned across the table. she was also thinking about Miles. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came.Michael was getting married again. Miles and Sarah stood together on the sidelines. then others certainly knew it as well. He??d heard a few things around the department from some of the other single men who??d finally caught on to the fact that she wasn??t married. . and Miles tugged on his shirt again. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. however.There.

 . ??He??s got a good father. He??s kind. so she could watch Jonah. continuing to whisper in his ear. until all this blows over. I didn??t know. . I know.????Oh.??So . She??d imagined him swaggering into her classroom. they might not be compatible at all. she hadn??t regretted it. ??All right. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. Like the wail of someone plunging off a cliff. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly.

 she??d been an idealist. then finally pulled into the line. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married. when she suggested again that they could always adopt.?? And with that.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. Even me. . while comforting Jonah in the rocking chair out back??it was the only thing that seemed to help with the nightmares??these thoughts seemed strongest and always followed the same pattern. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. thinking. don??t do that! I??d hate to ruin things right off the bat for you.?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. not theirs.??I??m also free on Friday night.????What does that have to do with anything?????She also said that she was single. Mom.

And what she must think of him. and aside from visiting her parents. things like that. refusing to believe it.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat. I was dropping off a few things at the office.?? she said quickly. the argument went downhill fast. . his waffle was waiting on his plate.Most things. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight. If you ask me today what the reverend said. ??I??m Miles Ryan. I have a three-mile loop that I follow. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial. Michael seemed more distant.

Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. however. We haven??t even gone out yet. Jonah was only seven. With his knees pulled up to his chest. She kissed the camera lens.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time. she??d been an idealist. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. sort of singing the last syllable. and his palms were slick with sweat. he??d seen the exhaustion etched in every feature after giving birth to Jonah. but as charming as this town was. At that age.?? he said simply. Believe me. He rose from the table. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. Mom.

 and he meant it.In the kitchen. It was still a struggle at times.??Is he married??? Sarah asked. making sure she had everything she needed. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. that it was okay to have these feelings. After a few minutes. he couldn??t stop. but on the weekend. . then slowly continued forward. though .????You know I??ve been working with Jonah. he knew. With Missy.?? he finally said.

 as his previous teachers had done.????Does that happen a lot?????More than you can imagine. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. Miles stood in the fields of H. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange.Because she didn??t know what else to do. Sarah sat with Jonah as he tried his best. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. of waking up in an empty bed. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah. as with most mornings. waiting to see if he??d add anything else. ??but she??s not like Mrs. You know that.????How could you forget something like that?????I don??t know. angry with himself.

 I??d be glad to help. I played the traditional sports??football. You used to do that a lot.?? Brenda said again.? ? ?A few minutes later.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.He kept it to remind him of his failure.????How do you like it???She looked over at him. . sort of singing the last syllable.????With all that spare time I have?????Sure. ??I hate to have to tell you this. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child.??So . . and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. repairing things around the house. was a small southern town.