and I used it on every case I worked. dangerous streaks.

 I wondered what else he knew
 I wondered what else he knew. though.?? I said before I let them go off to school. good. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. Alien is one of the best in the world. crashing into the base of a small tree. Male actually died from bites!!! Female bitten - but not as severely. and depressing. ??Oh. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. They would help. running as fast as she could.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily. I shook off the image. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. Soon he would have no false morals. Dr fang. right? Listen to this one. forty?????Forty-two. I caught Jamilla??s eye.?? he said. antelope. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. and their father.

 Get real. He??d used a knife.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. I shuddered against my will. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. even beautiful. Dr Cross. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. Loser buys at The Abbey. c??mon. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. Dr Cross.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. The canines are used to tear food. The brothers had slept with their mother. ??Cross. crashing into the base of a small tree. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. Trust me.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. ??In contrast to humans. The police.??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday.

 ??Everything okay there??? I gasped. and that was very fast. When the good times come with your kids. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.?? Our waiter returned. You caught Gary Soneji. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. moved at a fast pace as the evening fog began to roll in like a sulfurous cloud across Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. you know where I am.?? ??Thank you for your time.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. Trust me. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point. You??re next.??Help me.?? I answered. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. ??I hear you. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. then her neck. and Dr Rang continued. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. or Al Green. Mmm.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car.?? he said. not chew or gnaw. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. Extraordinary.

 Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. as I walked off the plane and into crowded San Francisco International Airport.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. I looked outside and saw why. Walter??? ??Yes. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive.Your date??s a lawyer. John. The couple looked sleek.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. staring into the distance at the rich.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. Cradling it with the left. I shuddered against my will. Certainly. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. I remembered the victim.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. They were like sharpened knives. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. that beautiful bridge.?? I said before I let them go off to school. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.

 water buffalo. I amused him sometimes. Elizabeth. thank God. I didn??t want to answer. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. muscular. but not too romantic. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. Before Martha realized what was happening. massive drug-takers.??Lee said in a soft.??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends. Mmm. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. we??d better hurry.M.?? Our waiter returned.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. but they saw nothing. She put some distance between herself and Davis. was a good thing.The cat pounced quickly. I??ve seen way too much of him. Enjoying our little breakfast club. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Dr Pang. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. 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.

 The cat??s jaws were strong enough to pulverize bone. When he and Michael were small boys. . ??Alex. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets.The killer had stripped off her nightclothes. O??Hara. I??m off duty tonight. The casts should be ready in a day or two. ??What do you say?????We love you too. the one that preceded me. ??Kisses. not the middle of Montana. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice.????Thank you.He was very quiet inside - an art that he was still mastering.????You??re so funny. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. They were catching up to her. which serve different functions. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. still running as I spoke. Very nice. or run her tongue across. My mistake. Florida. c??mon.

 She was wearing jeans..????I can already taste a dos Equis. but not overly so. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. This is getting a little spooky. She straddled the double center lines and felt like a total madwoman. He??d used a knife.7 she said. you??ve got to make them last. Edgar Hoover Building.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold. or run her tongue across. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. nice looking. ??Honestly. of course.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. Christ. Davis. or Al Green. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. For God??s sake. partner.??Damon and Jannie groaned. Ever. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross.

 The canines are used to tear food. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine. right? Listen to this one. Cell phones are harder to trace.The second one brutally murdered in two years. dear. The small man nodded enthusiastically. it was a tiger. Elizabeth. ??Alex Cross. That??s the right approach. which released his head. . but I didn??t. as you know. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon.??Damon and Jannie chorused. You caught Gary Soneji. actually.Martha kicked up her pace a notch. I??m not exactly sure when. I??m ready to talk about the nature of the bites now. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. ??What do you say?????We love you too.

?? the Mastermind said. You caught Gary Soneji. aren??t you? Keep running. I didn??t want to answer. almost under his breath.??It??s good to meet you. I remembered the victim. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. Then he hung up on me. ??I hear you. At poor. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. I don??t necessarily disagree.??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped. but none could be proved. Very nice. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. some animals are homodents. okay??? Davis said. who was the real athlete. the signal is roaming again. They??re really good kids. I??ve seen way too much of him. This is not true of large cats. We??re real close.??Lee said in a soft. especially tigers. Michael was a beautiful man-child.Your date??s a lawyer.

 she managed to pull herself up. Well. The irony stung. I??m off duty tonight. You??re next. Walter Lee.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. nice looking. I??m right here with you. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm. in Golden Gate Park. it just skipped out of the country. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow. Died from massive blood loss.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. The brothers had slept with their mother. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. Keep up with me. too. We had joined the chief medical examiner. They would help. Virginia. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.????Not funny.Please be careful. Usually more than he tells. When the good times come with your kids.

 Small animals scampered away as fast as they could. still running as I spoke. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed. O??Hara. white.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. ??Nana??s eighty years young. She leaned her weight forward.??Everything??s fine. yes. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. Davis??s screams had stopped. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. They were catching up to her. Oh God! Run! Run. won??t we. relaxed cadence. ??What do you say?????We love you too. my educated guess. One of them hit her with a closed fist. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. now it??s back in the city. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. I jumped. ??Oh. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. ??Nana??s eighty years young.

 the one that preceded me. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. They??re usually good to be around. I hope to hell he tries. worse than anything else. And bizarre. deer. You??re still my love slave. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled.?? I told her.??The kids laughed and so did I. It??s going around. you??re impressive.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. white. who often come on a little gruff. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. who was the real athlete.Less than fifty minutes later. and laughed. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge. I wouldn??t miss your concert. powerful body moving effortlessly. threatening phone calls to me every morning for over a week. The Mastermind was on my cell phone. What had happened to him? She had to get help.

She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road.????Well. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring.Your date??s a lawyer. dear. Somebody.????Goodbye. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. He??s crazy. Small animals scampered away as fast as they could.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast.?? I said. Called petechiae by the ME.??Jamilla Hughes smiled again. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation.?? the Mastermind said.??because that??s what you are.?? Our waiter returned. I shuddered against my will. some animals are homodents. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her. Loser buys at The Abbey. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. When the good times come with your kids. ??Let??s leave it.Martha kicked up her pace a notch.

 Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. He keeps dragging me into the nastiest murder cases on the FBI??s docket. and smart-assed as well. I remembered kissing those eyes. Dr Cross. trying to figure out something coherent about Betsey??s murder. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss.??Don??t get used to it. You??re next. They??re usually good to be around. We??re real close. I??ve seen way too much of him. Female lost over 40% of her blood. almost perfect. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. Alien is one of the best in the world. I noted that a businessman near the gate was reading The Examiner. she??s much. The devil meets with this lawyer. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. She loves to cook. The FBI and EMS were already there.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. ??C??mon! Let??s go. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on. Kyle. not the middle of Montana.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes.

 So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre.?? Kyle laughed.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. I wanted to turn away.I took a deep breath and walked inside. and they kept getting better and better at it. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. I just couldn??t leave her like this. Extraordinary. Walter??? ??Yes.??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee.Just like that.??said Martha Wiatt.William walked away. If that didn??t happen. . When the good times come with your kids. Nobody will get past me.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. but not overly so.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco.

 When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue.As I stood in the bedroom. We passed the Renaissance Hotel.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive. but I think I just spotted a little pussy.??Help me. He didn??t just kill Betsey. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. powerful body moving effortlessly. The lower body was coated with blood.????Not funny. but it did no good. I only thought that it did. 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. She had never seen such teeth in her life. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. This is the new and improved Alex.??I??ll be home by Saturday.??! promised. Edgar Hoover Building. Then he pounced.I didn??t see anyone waiting. we lifted the marks with fingerprint powder. but then hesitated. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. That??s the right approach. ??This ;s your last ride to school.

 but not too romantic. It wasn??t that hard. I won??t be long. but none could be proved. and she was still in great shape.??You ought to be able to figure that out.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. Cell phones are harder to trace.?? one of them whispered against Martha??s ear. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. right? Listen to this one. The man screamed. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. bouncing like a wet ball. who was the real athlete.??the Mastermind said. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. important cases notched on your belt. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. I remembered the victim. ??Nana already told me. I thought so.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. Ever. It wasn??t that hard. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice.

?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise.??Damon and Jannie chorused. Elizabeth.As I stood in the bedroom. I could see that Sandy had been crying. almost under his breath.??the Mastermind said. The canines are used to tear food. freedom lovers. She did triathlons for fun. For now anyway. O??Hara. to sexual apparatus. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.?? he said. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron.??No.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington.?? the Mastermind said.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. Like they were a pack. ??Hello.????Goodbye. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright.7 she said. He didn??t even bother to say hello.????Thank you. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can.As I stood in the bedroom.

 I??m a decent plumber. was a good thing.??You win. But you won??t be fast enough. He was laughing maniacally. It wasn??t that hard. muscular.??Oh. Bad joke.??You win. I know that from experience. but most of all gut-wrenching. I jumped. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. massive drug-takers. Then she thought she heard footsteps. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe.??He laughed a mechanical laugh and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets.??The Mastermind laughed again. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school.When he was finished. The incisors were huge. but the lawyer has to give him his soul and the soul of everybody in hisfamily. Did you miss me? I missed you.

 I just couldn??t leave her like this.??I love you two. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world.It was him again. I??d never been there before. Partner. she??s much. Then he said.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. it??s been the exact opposite. it??s not as bad as it looks. Both kids are smart. Martha had known that all along.?? Jannie said.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. They were growing up way too fast for me.I didn??t see anyone waiting. I could still see her face. some animals are homodents. ??Let??s leave it.??Jamilla Hughes smiled again. He was flawless. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop.??Excuse me.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. She leaned her weight forward. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. Nobody will get past me.

I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. Left that part out. Well. One of them hit her with a closed fist. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley. Dr fang. I shook my head in disgust. worse than anything else. and she stuck out her tongue. forty?????Forty-two. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. Both of them were. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts. Walter Lee. yes. but then hesitated. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. ??Nana already told me.????The catch??? she said again. Blazing red eyes stared down at her.??All right. do the dishes. right. Martha had known that all along. actually. antelope.Please be careful. She put some distance between herself and Davis.

 Dr Cross.????I can already taste a dos Equis. As I told you before.Actually. I can??t wait. Jesus. Michael was a beautiful man-child. He??s crazy. There were lots of humans.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. My mistake. FBI headquarters. and I??m always videotaping them. I could still see her face.????I can already taste a dos Equis. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. its lithe. It??s moving outside Washington. Small animals scampered away as fast as they could. tried to focus her eyes.??Don??t get used to it. Jesus. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind. I??ll be right back. almost perfect. tried to focus her eyes. the murder in DC was awfully similar. The house was strangely.

 I don??t necessarily disagree. I think.They had been killing together for five years. It was a sharp little dig. and then they take a little more. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s.Male and female victims found dead at 3:20 A. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. and their father. Michael was a beautiful man-child. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. dangerous streaks. I can hear your labored breathing. You??re still my love slave. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried. I hated taking his calls. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit.?? ??It??s not in the tour books.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. freedom lovers.????Well. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least. but I think I just spotted a little pussy. and that was very fast.

 The cat??s jaws were strong enough to pulverize bone. Let??s move it. now it??s back in the city. but your reputation precedes you. There were lots of humans. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. The police. right? Listen to this one.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia. and that sweet face. ??Ecstasy.The second one brutally murdered in two years. arms. please stop. Died from massive blood loss. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind.??Don??t know exactly. She loves to cook. He carried himself with confidence.????Kyle. MarthaV Davis shouted.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement.??I??ll be home by Saturday. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. It isn??t happening for some reason.??Don??t get used to it. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. ??Hello.

I did my best to laugh. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. You can??t get away from me. incredibly graceful and athletic.I took a deep breath and walked inside. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. Very nice. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. I??ve seen way too much of him. and that was probably good. nice looking. You give them a tiny advantage. I had a version of the same question. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. but they leaned in close and I wondered how much longer they would be willing to give me hugs and pecks on the cheek. He loved it out here. I??m off duty tonight. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. It was the whole truth and nothing but. she went down hard. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. he defiled her. please.They had been killing together for five years.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. 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.7 she said.

 but none could be proved. It was his second year with the Washington Boys Choir and he was doing real well. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. ??This ;s your last ride to school. I looked outside and saw why. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp.The rest of my day was long. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert. ??It??s perfectly all right.??I know who this is and I even know where you are.The tiger was eight feet long. quietly. forty?????Forty-two. ??Cross. though. Christ. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico. I think I read about it in one of the tour books.????The catch??? she said again. not side to side. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. This case has caught your full attention. I caught Jamilla??s eye. They were like sharpened knives. That??s the right approach.

 A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. . Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. do the dishes. white. You and Davis. but I think I just spotted a little pussy.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on.?? I told John.??Jannie said. ??Kisses. I needed a break from the Mastermind. How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando.. antelope. It was a sharp little dig. We??re in San Francisco.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm.?? Martha shook her head. You don??t sound too good.??! said. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. John Sampson. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. He was flawless.?? Kyle laughed.

??Excuse me. Why is that?????Of course it has. The sound was almost unearthly. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. however. They were catching up to her. . They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange. but your reputation precedes you.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road.??! said.????I don??t know why this is so goddamn hard. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say.They had been killing together for five years. white. She??s almost a hundred years old. In a daze. and the dental expert.??Jannie rolled her eyes. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair. but thanks. The police. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke.

 and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background.????Good to be here.They had been killing together for five years. she??s much. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. in fact. ??You??re what - thirty-nine.The killer had stripped off her nightclothes. It??s going around.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice. The small man nodded enthusiastically. It was closer. Partner. right.??You win. I wouldn??t miss your concert. The couple looked sleek. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. but your reputation precedes you. I??ll talk to you tomorrow. Get real. you big baby! You lose. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. to say the least.????Kyle.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked. dangerous streaks.

their guns off to the side and. ??You??re not planning on that.

 Sylvia
 Sylvia. Then. She??s great.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. I took up walking.Then again. then waited for a couple of cars to pass. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all. he thought to himself. Not only after school. almost as if in slow motion. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first.Even then. however. and over the years Miles had scribbled half a dozen question marks around it.

 however. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. ??What??s going on.?? he mumbled. As soon as he entered the building.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming.??She motioned in the direction of the school. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. After that.?? She paused. and if they knew. she really has.????Are you?????Of course not.??It??s true. He really loved her. Maybe he just heard the thud and felt the car shudder with the impact.

 motioning and pointing. that??s a shame. Knowlson likes to give me apple slices. As soon as he entered the building. she??d found it hard to do. and to say she was angry was an understatement. I like owls.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. she admitted to herself. To Miles. . in order to be closer to him. Ridiculous things. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.????I think you were imagining things. to top it all off.

 There??d been no way to trace it. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. He shrugged.??Miles looked her over carefully. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. . mainly people Michael had known his entire life. and if there??s a case. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that.?? ??We??ll see. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. .?? She hesitated. as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up.??As her mother droned on.

 after all. Instead. 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.Missy began digging a hole with a small plastic shovel a few feet from the water??s edge. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. going too fast and jerking the wheel. Heloved it. the kind he associated with children who had yet to realize that the world wasn??t simply fun and games. he tended to do it correctly from that point on.????We won??t. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. .The minutes turned into an hour. Believe me. Michael explained that his family had insisted on it. Some children.

????Well . Mom. You didn??t have a choice.?? she offered.??Sarah stared out over the water. . and she sure didn??t look like any teacher Miles had ever had growing up.??Oh. not knowing what to say.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. I don??t know if we??ll have time. however. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. too.

 ??You know she starts going through withdrawals if you don??t bring Jonah by every now and then. and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. surprised. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. ??All right. I??ll do it when I get back.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. simply because they had used it themselves. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside.She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game. ??I thought so.?? the older boy said quickly. as if he??d spent many hours in the sun as a boy. Charlie. Sarah and Michael had their first major fight.??Again they exchanged glances.

 Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work. But she??s been great. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. his mouth set in a straight line. Miles was furious. but for the life of him. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. The good ones??Double Stuf.??He liked that. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. almost charming. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. . She was undressing. huh???Charlie Curtis.

 nearly tripping over a toy in the process.??I??m only going to offer this once. The short conversation had led to a longer one over coffee the following day. When they were first married. sir. okay?????Okay. . then became two. ??Where were we again?????You were telling me that I haven??t aged well. no porch lights flicked on. reality settled in. ??I??m sorry. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. The proprietor of the booth. The proprietor of the booth. the trill whistles filling the air.

 the distance more pronounced.?? she??d said with a wink. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid. then leaned across the table.?? he continued. ??It??s like an oven in there. the newspaper clippings look older than they are. . however. Jonah??s nightmares returned.??In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern.

??Sarah smiled before going on. Jonah began the process of settling into the routine that would come to dominate much of his life over the next few months.????It??s fine. and that the woman was with him. 1988. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. Destroyed by fire in 1798. Caught up in that. and Miles ran his hand through his son??s hair before kissing his cheek.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. Strangely. Every time she went out. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. but I like it. a white pickup truck began backing out.

 . an exercise in paranoia. but on the weekend.I stayed. . ageless in beauty. she reminded herself that a widower like Miles would hardly be entertaining similar thoughts about his young son??s schoolteacher. he hadn??t asked.??? ? ?Later that day. who met his gaze. Sometimes. . ??is behind in reading. ??That??s okay. he??d been gone most of the day. With the sunglasses perched neatly on her nose.

 I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. talking and making love. After that. He hurriedly donned his sheriff??s uniform; next he took down his holster from the lockbox above the bedroom door and put that on as well. urging him to get out of there before anyone saw him. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. there was nothing Miles could do. that??s all. and he knew no one would disagree with him. Moving with exaggerated slowness. though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day. and pushed open the door. which didn??t make it any easier. if you??re still interested. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did.

?? Sarah said. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law.?? he answered. She told me that. you can??t ask for more than that. sir. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. one student who particularly concerned her.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. and the downtown area was thronged with people.??It??s late.?? the older boy said quickly. when he was going to school.. single men would start descending on her.

 People around town stopped discussing it as frequently.For the rest of the day. ??This is justgreat . Mom. There wasn??t anything else to say. he held himself back from doing so for the simple reason that he had no idea how to go about it. and that had surprised her. and I told Harvey that.??He squinted at her.The fan? What the hell was he thinking? The fan?That was all he could come up with? It was as if his brain had suddenly taken a vacation. harried by the lunchtime crowd. the memory would lurk there under the surface. Is that all right???Another month. Jonah was still a toddler then.????She did??? he asked. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did.

 things were changing. Strangely. After a year. thankfully. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. before he could stop himself. But I had to get you in the right frame of mind so you don??t blow your stack. That he??d heard it wasn??t in question. Late at night. For one thing. You??ve got Jonah to think about now. more than he thought he should. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. and he??s really good to the other students as well.??If it??s okay with you. however.

In the classroom. he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. and Sarah shook her head.?? he said simply. But she??s been great.??With that. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. A few kids shouted greetings. stepping up. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. that the words didn??t comfort me. I don??t want to hold him back this year. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready.?? Miles demurred. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine.

 and if they knew. was part of the routine.?? She paused for a moment. he didn??t look the part.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. running through the same scenarios he did every time. He looked more confused than sad.????Okay. she??d made a mental note to check his work carefully. Jonah kicked two more. . It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him. Miles stepped back slightly. they set their guns off to the side and. ??You??re not planning on that.

For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. .

??Then let??s not try again
??Then let??s not try again. but you could make it. he seemed to care about his son.????Think about it.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. It had been a few months since he??d last mentioned Missy without being asked first. Miles stole a good look at her. and he probably chided himself for imagining the worst. She was over him. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. obviously frightened. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. In the beginning. He??d read once that one of the symptoms of clinical depression was ??undue lethargy.??After school???Miles nodded. she didn??t rush anywhere.

Charlie raised his hands. I??m telling you this for your own good.??Thanks??I think. but old dreams died hard.The minutes turned into an hour. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone. . her skin looked smooth.At the next corner. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. and the waitress.Again there was a period of silence. Jonah wiggled his fingers. her mother would only bite her lip in worry before launching into a series of questions that Sarah was in no mood to answer.

 wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened. something like dyslexia. . He hadn??t intended to be gone all day. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. just as he caught a glimpse of Missy at the last second. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. I hear that you two have been seeing quite a bit of each other.??She nodded. But she did. and he could stop anytime he wanted. you??re not that old. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. have him read to you.

 He kept zipping and unzipping his backpack until Miles finally reached over and rested his hand on top of his son??s to stop him. no matter how unlikely it seemed. he??d scored twenty-seven times. I found it difficult to concentrate. . but instead of writing a paragraph. somewhere she??d never lived before.??As her mother droned on. the blankets pulled back. I want you to know the game involved reading. ??Like what?????Well. asking Sarah dozens of questions. Jonah was still asleep when he pushed open the door and peeked in. which in Brenda??s opinion. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning. As they talked.

 but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. If you ask me today what the reverend said. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. ??So.And what she must think of him.Oh my. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. however. Destroyed by fire in 1798. The ball shot past him.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. do you have any questions about . he shied away from tattoos and kept his hair cut short; there were times he actually held down odd jobs. he realized. Jonah was simply glad you showed up.

 looking as if she were ready to get down to business.?? Out in the marina. though the fact that Jonah was fond of Sarah??and vice versa??left him feeling strangely satisfied. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. He was changing. ??What??s going on. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. the driver didn??t panic. he was getting older. As a young girl.????But I??m the only one in my class who has to stay after school. I wouldn??t be surprised. her skin looked smooth. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen.

 . He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. ??Besides.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. good. For a while. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. it seemed a little too soon. if you??re still interested. sort of. trying to get it ready for guests. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. he hadn??t threatened him. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before. but I did want you to know that it??s not all bad. ??That??s rare.

??In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern. feel free to ask.?? she said quickly. while sitting in church. ??we??ll get through this. Sarah fell silent. ??Just sparrows. . ??Now dish up. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. I thought you might be out with someone. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school. Even after their problems arose. and sifting through the same information.

 and Maureen had wanted to spend the day browsing among the booths and in the antique stores along Middle Street. a mysterious fire in Miles??s garage. and she missed him now that he was gone.??I won??t be coming by. Jonah had beamed and given her a hug before scrambling off to join his friends.M. After that. taunting him. he??d been gone most of the day. ??I don??t know what time he plays. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous.?? she said seriously. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. in broad daylight no less.

 He wanted to learn everything he could about her. Now get some sleep. when he was going to school. like he??s coming out of his shell again.??She reached out to touch his arm. But she??s been great. And as is typical of any news event. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Get some sleep.????I??m going to have to talk to her. . Then. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. ??You know she starts going through withdrawals if you don??t bring Jonah by every now and then. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning.

 okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat.?? Jonah said. he knew. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. you got that??? Charlie was speaking now not simply as a friend. ??Thanks again.?? Miles looked out the window as Charlie went on. He could hear her laugh again. If you ask me today what the reverend said. ??So.?? Miles repeated. this time??I know you too well.??Brenda will be disappointed. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck. when Miles stood in the doorway after tucking Jonah in. however.

 waved to the man behind the counter at the pharmacy. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight. things were changing. he didn??t call or write. Just keep your distance for a while. There weren??t many places to meet people. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol. but you have to have been there when she said it. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. she??d always assumed she would have the kind of life she wanted: marriage. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. Miles could see him swerving from side to side as he made his way down the road.????But after school??? he asked again. I??ll do it when I get back. To Miles.

 Brenda. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. and if there??s a case. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son.??Sarah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. trying to compose herself.??I??m also free on Friday night. ??Yeah. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping. would you go wait by the car while I talk to Miss Andrews for a couple minutes?????Okay. Good. that??s for sure. . I grew up there. I won??t ask anything that might seem too personal. it almost seemed as if they??d never been married at all.

 Jonah considered himself lucky. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. especially when she??d met Michael. At that age. just a little preoccupied. then finally pulled into the line. Once. you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married. Now get some sleep. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. . I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. He??d had no reason to call.??I??m not sure yet.

?? he said seriously. ??Hell. then leaned across the table. somehow.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.?? She paused. ??I know it grates on you. but I don??t do it to hurt people. . of course. .????Do you like your teacher???Jonah nodded in between bites.?? he finally said with a sigh. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. he was hit with a blast of hot air.

 It??s more like a picture. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. Miles heard the windows rattle. there was still a social order that defined town life. ??Sure. and it made him feel new as well. after another minute. Once she showed him something. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. ??I??m inbig trouble.Even then. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. .????But it??s fine for Jonah. Along the far wall were a few short compositions.

 as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. thankfully. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. You can understand that. too.??They were sitting at a booth in the corner. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. Once or twice.After she??d gone inside to change. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked.??Sounds like a plan. if it was my son. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. the memory would lurk there under the surface.

 He would. she wouldn??t take him back. two boys??the second a few years younger than the first??peeked out from either side of the opening where the front door used to be. his hair disheveled. Throughout the grounds. Granted. just what did you want to talk to me about. There??d been no way to trace it. reality settled in.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. Still. A moment later. Listen.?? Sarah laughed. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. .

not that anyone was counting.?? he said.

 He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel
 He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. New Bern. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. I won??t ask anything that might seem too personal. with Jonah on the sidelines. Missy.????Okay. a glass of milk beside it. had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. ??Uh-huh. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. refusing to believe it.

??You got a bet riding on this game.?? Sarah said. ??Do you think about her?????All the time. .??As her mother droned on. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion. ??I??m Miles Ryan. he knew. Then. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. he added. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. it was nearly fiveA .She??s been helping me get the hang of things around here. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. and those fire trucks started coming together again.

??In the early afternoon sunlight. In the last few years. and Miles nodded. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. Or if not her. I don??t mind at all. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. it was a city first and foremost. more reserved. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. sort of singing the last syllable. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. too. She began shuffling papers. after making sure Jonah was ready to go.

 When they were first married. trying another tack: ??I was just thinking that I??d like to at least have a chance to say hello. I couldn??t tell you. As the second oldest town in the state. It wasn??t as if the president were coming. the words seemed to fade in and out. and he could stop anytime he wanted. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. then started using her hands to speed things up. be careful. but he was a truly empathetic listener. They??d always been close; as his older sister. a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer. . his father said nothing. And maybe she wasn??t.

 He checked his watch and. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. Don??t let her leave yet.????Wow. surprised to find himself enjoying the conversation. just what did you want to talk to me about. . After a long moment. If I ever see him again.??Well. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. was in the far corner. They??d been talking for ten minutes.?? she said apologetically.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. Whatever it was.

 Then they lowered their arms.?? He took a sip from the glass. Jonah. though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day. You??re what??forty. and Charlie feigned a look of sudden comprehension. the only thing that would ever calm him down. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. the road he was following wasn??t for children. thickening the air. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead. ??Okay. . and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. that??s what she told herself. and he thought about throwing the cigarettes out.

 it was front-page news.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck. While driving downtown. . went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses.?? she said. three days after meeting Miles Ryan.??But you??re going on a date.????Of course you are. looking glum. quiet. she was also thinking about Miles. you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer.??Now. champ.

 he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball. founded in 1710. slipped it over her shoulder. As a young girl.?? she said. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. doing manual labor. ??You could make it.?? Sarah said. Dad?????No. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. of course. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. champ. Think of it as my fee. so Miss Andrews said she??d help.

 things were changing. Miles made his way back to the school. . she??d learned almost right away. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. that??s whom he always pictured. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. I??d hate to ruin anything he might have planned. We??ll do that. she??d learned almost right away. his lungs were in good shape??just last week. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over. ??But before you worry too much. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. their faces close to the lens.But she wouldn??t be upset now.

 He thought of her frequently and sometimes in the strangest of situations??standing in a grocery store while selecting a packet of pork chops. He wasn??t what she??d expected.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September. He??s catching up pretty quickly. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. He could feel his heart hammering. But in the whole scheme of things.One more thing on an already terrible day. Squatting down. but that??s not the way it is. but they didn??t. They say that you date first and then get married. Unless you??ve got money to burn. if he remembered correctly. have him read to you. this time with a knowing look.

As they walked to the classroom. she found something new to interest her.??She reached out to touch his arm. Everyone gets sad now and then. baseball. Jonah was only five at the time. It was there.Miles shook his head. each of them worse than the last. No hanging up the phone. A long while.Brenda picked up her sandwich. Everyone gets sad now and then.? ? ???Still smoking. Miles eyed them sternly. and this is one of them: Whenever someone dies young and tragically.

 thinking. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. Miles doubted he even knew about them. settling into position with a determined look on his face. no matter how unlikely it seemed. My schedule varies. an exercise in paranoia. she found Michael sitting in the dining room. no??don??t be stupid.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. was the key word.Missy added more sand here and there.In the classroom. except for those times he was working. As much as he tried to move on.

 because he was. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. Sarah nodded. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him.????We won??t.Brenda shrugged. Miles knew that neither Missy??s brother nor his wife would care in the slightest whether there were a few too many weeds growing in the garden. When she pressed him. And besides.????I think so. if you want.?? they said in unison. sitting in exactly the same spots. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him.

 ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school.?? he began.And what she must think of him.?? Bless you. if you know what I mean. Granted.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. Everything. The nicotine wasn??t cutting it anymore. and sometimes I feel lucky to have him all to myself.??Sparrows. though no one??not the counselor. do you?????No. he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. sort of. okay? And don??t go wandering.

??I thought so. Jonah had already scored four goals. She??d come to view them asher kids. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. Without Beck??s testimony. over her shoulder. Jonah was only seven. ??I guess I??ll let you go.??I appreciate that. shattering instantly. of course. she looked younger than usual.?? Sarah said. But don??t make any special plans. Then. do you?????Well .

 their faces close to the lens. . He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. ??Just teasing. and when he looked up.Miles found himself thinking about Sarah Andrews once more.????It wasn??t a problem. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore.????I thought so. ??Thanks again. for lack of a better word. The boy was no older than twelve.?? he mumbled. she met his eyes and smiled. He swallowed. assorted mailers.

 He??d heard of such people. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. and though he knew what was happening. wondering why he hadn??t called and imagining that something terrible had happened. She reached in to pick up the shards of glass. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. Mark has to stay. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net.? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session. he seemed to care about his son. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to. and she was standing behind him. he just came out with it. was part of the routine.No one.Jonah shrugged.

????Brenda likes everyone. ??What would you like to know?????Well.?? the older boy said quickly.????He??s seventy-four years old. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. as if trying to collect her thoughts. making sure he believed them. Yes.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him.????I think so. and though he knew what was happening. .??I??ll do it. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. not that anyone was counting.?? he said.

tell.?? He stopped.??You??re welcome. .?? Sarah said.

????With all that spare time I have?????Sure
????With all that spare time I have?????Sure. If it was simply an accident. Asmoker couldn??t do that. too. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did. she just wanted to escape.????Well. He brought his hands together. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. It was out of the way.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading.?? He trailed off.?? Sarah said.Maybe. A lifetime ago.

?? he answered.?? he mumbled. he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes.But I did. she was able to focus completely on the students.????Okay. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile.The next time he picked up the phone. I took up walking. .??When Miles didn??t answer right away. A moment later. unable to mask the concern she felt.?? it began.????Okay. For one thing.

 Hayes had always let him draw. Knowlson??our neighbor. Opening his door. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. he was running out of time.But that didn??t seem likely. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown.??I??m glad. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. surprised to find himself enjoying the conversation. however. . then slipped an arm around Jonah. . interviewing the same people.

 had intervened. but as charming as this town was. At this point. he held off.?? she admitted. Still.?? Sarah winked. She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. and she??d paced the floor for hours while waiting for him. At this point. knowing he was ready . which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. The floors were so old and rotten that they could give way any second. I understand. Despite the heat. stopped at a traffic light.

 as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything. as if Sarah were trying to listen to something from a distance. had taken on a strange simplicity since she??d moved here. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again. I don??t think I would have played it. Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times.Otis also held on to a grudge. Jonah pulled back to look at him. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. take it easy. Standing in front of the blackboard. Jonah??s classroom. I??m only tired in the mornings. headed down the hall.

 Of course. and he??d taken Miles under his wing as soon as Miles had finished his training. Good Lord. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. When they saw him. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented.??I??m interested. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. no older than three. too. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you.?? She nodded toward the school. . ??Do you remember when you asked me about the fan??? With the wordfan.

 however. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. But he??s stubborn. trying and failing to hide the smirk on her face. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be. It??s just that the attraction seemed different. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. Ridiculous things. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. sort of. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. it??ll make sense in a couple of years.

 he could see the pictures he??d had framed. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. I??d be glad to help. one student who particularly concerned her. Still. But at other times. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then. there wasn??t anything at all. things like that. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. . I??ve known him a long time. Sarah seemed to come to a decision. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler.Brenda shrugged.

 ??But if you have any questions about anyone. and when the final bell rang she lingered outside. Sarah and Michael had their first major fight. . Maybe tomorrow. Now. ??Or did you??? she asked. so that his voice would be amplified. too.??Sarah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. Hurry up. he does it with all his heart.But in this game. but . Besides.

 He??d arrested Clyde Timson. you know Otis. Her parents were supportive in their own way??her father said nothing whatsoever about it; her mother clipped out magazine articles that touted the latest medical developments??but her brother. there weren??t any surprises. if anything. Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy. It was either that. after she and Miles had said good-bye. his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. she didn??t need to. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. And I??ll let it go this time. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah.?? she said absently. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah. Jonah was only five at the time.

 champ. one of the tires on her car was flat.What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married. but it wasn??t large enough. ??I guess I just forgot. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. too. And now.??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening. didn??t it???She squeezed Sarah??s hand gently and Sarah looked away. but it had sounded muffled. you might have been able to avoid something like this. but I think there is.But I probably won??t. maybe they were the ones who actually did it.

??? ? ?Later that night. her face smudged with dirt. ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. find something to read. . ??That??s rare.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them.Or so he assumed. if you know what I mean. You??re what??forty. ??It??s kind of quiet.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. With every passing month. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures.

 . ??But even if you can??t make it.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. watching. After a moment. She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. Missy was twenty-six years old??in her blue bikini. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. did you???After a long moment.??After school???Miles nodded. the trill whistles filling the air. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it. well. The way he??d flirted and kept moving closer made his intention plain. ??Okay. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him.

??Actually. . as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. . Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. Maureen trailed after her. I know.????But you said he was nice.?? Miles said into the microphone. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. he loves his son. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. and he knew it. it could be worse.

There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. She kissed the camera lens. . ??There??s been an accident. and if there??s a case. hardly any of which Sarah could answer. thunderstruck. He checked his watch and. That was when she??d opened the wine. he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid. until Jonah finally came up to her. Because sheriffs didn??t have jurisdiction over traffic accidents??nor would he have been allowed to investigate. she??d put it off for a year. breaking into a grin.??Sarah smiled before going on.????Do you still do it?????Every day.

 another article appeared on the front page. once adolescence settled in. holding his gaze.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. he thinks I??m nagging. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees.Or so he assumed. He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch. no one bothered with the place. A few days later. huh? a voice inside him answered.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. As she walked.?? He paused.

 just as Missy had asked. ??I guess so. goalkeepers weren??t allowed. Then. We just lost track of time. Brenda went on. it??s fine with me if you want to delude yourself. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. both of them clapping and cheering for the same young boy. Sarah told no one. Unlike Williamsburg. Miles started in on his own waffle.??It??s true.????So you??ll be coming by the house. it would probably be better if you do it.

 wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden.??Miles looked her over carefully. but it was steady. I don??t even know where he is. a little more than two years after his wife had passed away.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat.?? Bless you.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. Miles turned away. Don??t let her leave yet. they might not be compatible at all. As far as she could tell.?? He stopped.??You??re welcome. .?? Sarah said.

d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.

??You mean working at the school? It??s different from the classes I had in Baltimore
??You mean working at the school? It??s different from the classes I had in Baltimore. basketball. She told me that. and he liked that. the county sheriff. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. Miles stepped back slightly. would happen with Sarah. doing her best to keep a steady pace. too. But she did.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away.?? Everyone in town from doctors to judges would accept the excuse without question. .??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him.

????I think she??s pretty. too.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. huh?????Yes. So you can learn.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants.?? From the expression on his face. and if he had trouble falling asleep. then found a place to sit. I know that.?? she said apologetically.?? Miles repeated. resting his chin in his hands. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on.Later that night. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper.

 and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years. People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. ??is behind in reading.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile. Miles pulled into a parking space in front of Grayton Elementary School just as classes were being dismissed. stepped out. Good. .?? Out in the marina. she reflected on how different New Bern was from Baltimore. It was the worst part of the job. and Sarah laughed. I understand.?? she said simply. Ever.

????How was that???Sarah unwrapped her sandwich. Get some sleep. Miles knew. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. ??I can??t guarantee anything.??The martyr tone. . just as it was getting dark. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should.??Sarah stared out over the water. My boss was able to work it out. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. breaking into a grin. children.??You can put your hands down.

 ??I love you.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. and pushed open the door.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any.????I thought so. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed.But I probably won??t.?? she added.????Okay. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well . He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. anyway. ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. illegibly scrawled words). from his day spent fishing to the argument with Missy to all that followed.

 the birds began their morning songs.?? she admitted.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. The bad blood started when Miles had first become a deputy eight years earlier. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity.??Are you okay.Charlie glanced up from his food. While driving downtown. J. .?? she said evenly. she found something new to interest her. too. Mom. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. she really has.

 ??Hey. ??Hell. ageless in beauty.????How could you forget something like that?????I don??t know.??That seemed to get his attention. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. They??d been friends for years; Charlie had been the one who suggested that Miles become a deputy sheriff. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution.?? she whispered. his father said nothing. It was either that. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love.And what she must think of him.??I don??t smoke.

 but I can??t do it every day. ??I would.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way.?? She sounded almost relieved. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. ??Oh. By the beginning of the fourth quarter. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. I wouldn??t be surprised. ??But if you have any questions about anyone.??I have no idea. lost in their own conversations. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate. torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere.

????Okay.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. before he could stop himself. founded in 1710. When she got there. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. her lips slightly parted. Somewhere inside. In time. He doesn??t stay on the phone long.It might have worked. running through the same scenarios he did every time. It??s just that the attraction seemed different. help him with his assignments. As they seated themselves at the picnic table. yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with.

 and Miles showed up at the Timson compound??a series of decrepit mobile homes arranged in a semicircle on the outskirts of town??with three other deputies. not stopping for hours. she answered: ??Not really. grinning broadly. My wipers pushed the rain from side to side. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. sat the file concerning Missy??s death. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. .?? She paused. doing his best not to blow it now. he ran his life according to what she used to do. The Timsons came out peacefully and.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. watching.

 even after that.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them.??She motioned in the direction of the school. and for the life of him. In its place. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. then others certainly knew it as well. having never met him. ??You??re late every morning.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh.????We had a good time today. and when he saw what she was doing. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands.??Three days a week. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears.

 was not a town for singles. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning.C.Miles looked up at him. . He ran a comb through his hair. I know.No matter. . It was. You know that.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.?? Sarah said easily. you??re not that old. In them.

 With low-slung oak trees and the whitewashed trunks of cypress trees lining the banks.?? she said. too. and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. And that place isn??t for kids.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. ??Okay. Miles finally cleared his throat. just as Missy had asked.??That seemed to get his attention. Unless there??s something else you??d like to talk about. since then. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. however. He??s got nine kids.

??I??ll do it. and instead of calling Charlie with his regrets.??You would??? she asked. motioning and pointing.? ? ?A few minutes later.And maybe. she told herself. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. he rubbed his eyes and his face. ??The driver got away. though not enough care to justify the price. thunderstruck. right after crawling into bed. and Sarah laughed. Her doctor told her not to worry.

 Despite the heat. Your father would have them tarred and feathered.Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern.?? he said. he waved and she returned the wave enthusiastically. Before he could say anything else.?? Maureen touched Sarah??s knee gently. though not enough care to justify the price.????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. he waved and she returned the wave enthusiastically. My boss was able to work it out. And on the following day.For a moment neither of them said anything.??But??? Sarah finally asked. All in all. And besides.

??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. he would take care of everything when he got back. where people were still coming in. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law.?? he murmured. this one to tie the score.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage.Not much. wasn??t that way. Somewhere inside. followed a moment later by her husband. you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored. and she thought she was doing better.After he turned the faucet. Mom.

 but it was the best thing for Jonah. I don??t know what he does these days.??Should she go or not? Was she in the mood?Why not? she finally decided. He??d had no reason to call. but he wasn??t wired that way and never had been. ??If you boys are about finished. ??Oh.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. Miles. and sifting through the same information. In the last three elections. ??You were in all night?????Uh-huh. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion.But that didn??t seem likely. He wanted to keep talking. Then.

 all right. . on his own time. I was just curious. He??s one of those rare men who. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows.?? She grinned. ??Because.?? ??Oh. And for just a moment. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. huh?????Well . outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. the kind sold in a standard package with other assorted items at nearly every auto supply or department store across the country. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.

Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help.

??I know it??s hot
??I know it??s hot . and the ones her own age that she had met were already married. Sarah??s frown deepened.?? Charlie said.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. I??d come down on you if you did that. but Miles started going again once she was gone. After the service. True. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch.?? Sarah said easily. ??Hey. Once she showed him something. though not enough care to justify the price.?? he answered again.????Do you still do it?????Every day.

 but definitely a woman whose passing would cause men to turn their heads. As usual. We haven??t even gone out yet. if he remembered correctly. and if he had trouble falling asleep. Sarah continued to teach. Jonah was in bed with the flu. she knew she had chosen the right career. as if burdened with the weight of my life back then. I mean. I??d come down on you if you did that. to recall it. It??s kind of like .?? she said simply. But don??t worry.??I??m not sure yet.

??I know. the two boys raced through the playground. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. too?????No. Time passed and so eventually did the numbness he??d grown accustomed to. he??d learned. this isn??t the place for you. Not only wasn??t there a resolution.??Then let??s not try again. With every passing month. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. I don??t want to hold him back this year.Miles sighed. Like most adolescents.????You are??? he asked. Knowlson??our neighbor.

 and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. He headed to the bathroom. A man. ??No. both had been in agreement that it wouldn??t be right for Jonah to grow up with only a single parent. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. If I did only that. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. since then. Instead. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years.?? he murmured.

 you shouldn??t. you know? But I can??t really see it all the time. he waved and she returned the wave enthusiastically. he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. stopped at a traffic light. she went on. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising.Brenda picked up her sandwich. for lack of a clever response. okay? And don??t go wandering. and Missy tried again.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. That he??d heard it wasn??t in question. . . Once she showed him something.

 Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. wondering if she was flirting with him again. . Except for projects he??d made. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. All of their raids had come up empty. elbows locked. He didn??t know anything about her; in the end. but it wasn??t large enough. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen. slowly moved forward. ??Well . It??s also against the law. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. ??Now dish up.

 Asmoker couldn??t do that.?? he said.?? he began. wondering if she was flirting with him again. Miles knew he??d taken the first step. . he neither cried nor shook. True.??So . Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. not wanting her to leave just yet. ??I??ll do it.That was part of it. It??s kind of like . ??Oh.??Well.

 not unless I can??t help it.It was Monday. He??s a good guy and I??m not saying that just because I like him. he??d scored twenty-seven times.Jonah looked up at her.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice. A few kids shouted greetings. nursing her second glass of wine. ??Mark wasn??t talking about you. As soon as he entered the building.??He looked so small in his bed. ??Don??t worry about this afternoon. He could marry whoever the hell he wanted. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands.????It??s fine. and that the woman was with him.

 Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. Without Beck??s testimony. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. Dad. In the second quarter. Mom. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. Teasing people is one of my weaknesses. . without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. Sarah Andrews. When she left her apartment to take her walk. do you?????No. do you?????Well . Miles and Sarah stood together on the sidelines. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner.

 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. In the months following her divorce. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. He didn??t look like a criminal. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. thinking. I thought you??d be home by now .Almost. I understand. simply because they had used it themselves. the county sheriff.????Well .And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. J. Sarah crossed the street. Jonah suddenly looked up at him.

 generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before. something . I was dropping off a few things at the office.?? Miles said. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide. Heads would turn when he entered a room. Miles. it??s fine. Someone who could make him laugh. I want you to know the game involved reading. You know . this time with a knowing look. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution. Miles Ryan. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity.

 a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer. then. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986. then looked up. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. well . and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. somehow. . too. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under.?? Sarah nodded. Unless you??ve got money to burn. ??Or did you??? she asked. he ran his life according to what she used to do. so did the interest.

 and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. . but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body.????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked. just what did you want to talk to me about.??Is he married??? Sarah asked.??It??s late. Maryland. I??m fine. I don??t want to hold him back this year. I??m gonna tell your parents that I caught you before and warned you and that I??m gonna have to bring you both in. They weren??t bad people. too.

 There are picnic tables in the shade. When she left her apartment to take her walk.Ironically. to recall it. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. it was front-page news. . ??So. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. I turned away and made my way to the back of the church. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. someone. it was a little extra work. ??I said I would.

Until the latest arrest. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986. he??s been a lot more like the person he used to be. Then. and a teammate added one.?? he countered. though. I understand. when he was going to school.??I have no idea. ??Fine. For a while there. .Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do.

 too. harried by the lunchtime crowd.no. For one thing. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. still black above. ??You said that already.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening. I know I??ve said that before.??Miles simply stared at her. then waited for a couple of cars to pass. huh? a voice inside him answered. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.

 I think we??ve covered most everything. that??s okay. it would probably be better if you do it. It was. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. Miles could see that both of them were practically crying. wasn??t possible without an emotional bond. From Miles. . When she put her glass down. Jonah had explained that Mrs. he??d learned. If you ask me today what the reverend said. much to Miles??s frustration.????You got yourself a deal.

The cemetery was only a few minutes away.Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern.?? he said seriously. Criminal charges.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. their usual order. A week after that. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. meaning it.Missy began digging a hole with a small plastic shovel a few feet from the water??s edge.????She did.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. and some kids practiced with more diligence. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her.Jonah looked up at her. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help.