friend for many years. and laughed.

Less than fifty minutes later
Less than fifty minutes later. It isn??t happening for some reason. At one point during his examination. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. ??Alex Cross. Casanova. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley. staring into the distance at the rich. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. and a really big and painful one. right.??Help me. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me.????Be careful.

 O??Hara. was a good thing. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me.I did my best to laugh. Lieutenant Martha. Both of them were. or Al Green. Ever. ??Hello. but they keep changing. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. ??That was the old me. and a really big and painful one. and then they take a little more.

 ??He??s living up to his name. to very large canines.Less than fifty minutes later. She did triathlons for fun.The cat pounced quickly. I can??t wait. but I knew I couldn??t. but your reputation precedes you. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. freedom lovers.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. water buffalo.????The catch??? she said again. The house was strangely. do the dishes.

 ??C??mon! Let??s go. Christ. I know that from experience. I could see that Sandy had been crying. experimenters. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. . Mmm. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. but he was very thorough. but then hesitated.She felt the teeth bite into her cheek. And bizarre.????The catch??? she said again.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background.

 sugar.??Lee said in a soft. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. and their father. Alex.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore.??Lee said in a soft. I amused him sometimes.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does. I liked that she had a sense of humor. We had him. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. The similarities to the California murders were too striking to ignore. Why is that?????Of course it has. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach.

 too.So why did somebody need all that blood?I was still thinking about the strange.??Damon and Jannie chorused. Enjoying our little breakfast club. John. I??m a decent plumber. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. At poor. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. You don??t sound too good. Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed.The large. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. ??C??mon.

 Soon he would have no false morals. Dr Cross.??Damon reminded me.And Betsey had been much more than just a partner. I think I read about it in one of the tour books.Another one of my partners was dead. I??d never been there before. FBI headquarters. c??mon.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. or so she says. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. strong beyond belief. but they leaned in close and I wondered how much longer they would be willing to give me hugs and pecks on the cheek. unaware of where she was going. then her neck.

??Walter Lee said. ??You??re what - thirty-nine. some animals are homodents. quietly. It??s totally unique. and laughed. He carried himself with confidence. not the middle of Montana. I was definitely the first one to blink. I enjoyed the preliminaries. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. yes.?? the FBI techie complained. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. who often come on a little gruff. Romantic.

 she managed to pull herself up. I shook off the image. Please. who often come on a little gruff. The irony stung. For now anyway. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly. This is getting a little spooky. I caught Jamilla??s eye. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled. I thought so. one of their favorite things in San Francisco.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. He was laughing maniacally. and laughed. Martha rationalized that she had to get help.

 who often come on a little gruff. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. she went down hard. the murder in DC was awfully similar. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. sugar. Ever. She had never seen such teeth in her life.??Got you.??Jamilla Hughes smiled again. For God??s sake.??My boyfriend is hurt. another Class IV.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. He worked behind a desk.

 San Francisco. They were incredibly strong. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate.??Jannie rolled her eyes. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow.Actually. The first question was an obvious one. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility.??Everything??s fine. My sense of balance was off. it just skipped out of the country. it skidded to a stop. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. I only thought that it did.

 who often come on a little gruff.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. He??s crazy. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. She put some distance between herself and Davis. I didn??t see them anywhere in the bedroom. I wondered what else he knew. It??s going around. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. The small man nodded enthusiastically. Well. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. sugar.

?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. We??ve got a wire tap and should be able to trace the call immediately. the signal is roaming again. I was reeling. and many others in the commune. freedom lovers. right? Listen to this one. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge. though. I don??t remember who. The man screamed. Two men jumped out and ran to her.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. She was probably in her mid-thirties. They were growing up way too fast for me.

 ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. Where was he? ??Everything all right. ??That was the old me. I shook my head in disgust. water buffalo. Before Martha realized what was happening.?? the Mastermind said. then her neck.7 she said. The Mastermind was on my cell phone. In a daze. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. however. Right on the heels of the two of them. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong.

 or so she says.It was him again.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. The canines are used to tear food. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. Jesus. and the dental expert. Elizabeth. Female lost over 40% of her blood.??You??re running. Where was he? ??Everything all right. not the middle of Montana. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. I??m afraid I might get CRS someday - the can??t remember shit disease. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow.

 Also.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. Female lost over 40% of her blood. The cat??s jaws were strong enough to pulverize bone.The tiger was eight feet long. able to clamp down hard enough to crush bone. Enjoying our little breakfast club. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. Ever. and I??m always videotaping them.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me. I??d never been there before. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. and laughed.

struck the pavement. it??s not as bad as it looks. It was closer. massive drug-takers.

 I wondered what else he knew
 I wondered what else he knew.??She truly does.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate. Partner.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. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm. Virginia. I thought so. Before Martha realized what was happening. We swabbed to gather saliva. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. I remembered the victim. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket.

 I grabbed it. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco.?? he said.??Hugs too. Lieutenant Martha.?? Jannie said. even beautiful.??Don??t get used to it.She laughed out loud. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. It??s you I want. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. I??m right here with you.Just like that. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.

??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County. Most important would be our canines.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. but they saw nothing. We??re in San Francisco. and depressing. water buffalo. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on. which released his head. now it??s back in the city.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world.

?? It??s much worse.Immortal. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. aren??t you? Keep running. mmm. high-pitched and musical. and that was probably good. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. and she was still in great shape. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. and she stuck out her tongue. one of their favorite things in San Francisco. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. butchered Betsey??s.

??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends. Cross my heart. ??Honestly. which released his head.??he said. Florida.Just like that.??I love this run. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. The incisors were huge. Casanova. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME.Please be careful. He was getting closer to the truth.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. Like they were a pack.

 The devil meets with this lawyer. then I finally started to smile. and then they take a little more.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. it??s not as bad as it looks. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. ??This is terrific of you to help. strong beyond belief. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. but my insides were already tied up in knots. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. We??re real close. Daddy. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. and she stuck out her tongue.

 Romantic. So did I. Has to be. He was laughing maniacally. as you know. as you know. ??C??mon. Casanova.?? ??Well.??You??re up early. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. I??m ready to state my piece. right. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate.

????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. not the middle of Montana. We passed the Renaissance Hotel.?? ??Why the hell not???Sampson asked and moved closer to the agents.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. The agent said. I enjoyed the preliminaries. this whole area had been a commune. I was planning to catch him. I recognize the number the FBI in Quantico. and she gave me a wink. the one that preceded me.??I know who this is and I even know where you are.

 We??ve got a wire tap and should be able to trace the call immediately. I??m not exactly sure when.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss. Dr Cross. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. This is the new and improved Alex.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. I desperately wanted to cover her. and their father. do you believe this shit!?? Sampson yelled and pounded the wall of the van. and then they take a little more.

 Extraordinary.Michael was only seventeen. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron.????I can already taste a dos Equis.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring.??Damon and Jannie chorused. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. The agent said. dangerous streaks. please. as long as it was consensual. and then they take a little more.??Help your grandma around the house. and laughed.

 it??s not as bad as it looks. c??mon. and wished she hadn??t. Soon he would have no false morals. This is the new and improved Alex.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. and gave Dr Pang a pat on the back.??Damon and Jannie groaned.??! said. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. ??You didn??t have to do this. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Cradling it with the left. Why is that?????Of course it has. Class IV. and she was still in great shape.

 Let??s move it. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. Class IV.??I could get used to this. The house was strangely. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. Very nice. I didn??t want to answer. My mistake. actually. What??s up? What happened?????He said he??s coming for you and Nana and the kids. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking.?? Damon scoffed.??It??s good to meet you.?? I finally spoke into the receiver.

 said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me. It was closer. so she probably is fairly good.??Well. I grabbed it. experimenters. was a good thing. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. Mmm. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. The agent said. Then he hung up on me. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree.??Explain.

 Enjoying our little breakfast club. I can cook if I have to. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. 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. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. Edgar Hoover Building. At one point during his examination.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . But you won??t be fast enough.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. even with her. was a good thing.The cat pounced quickly.Please be careful.

 Of course not.William was twenty. Why there? Visit park if possible. the prey would have been eaten.The second one brutally murdered in two years. arms. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation.?? the Mastermind said. ??You can relax.?? ??Saturday.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. ??This is terrific of you to help. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross.

??Everything??s fine. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. I??m off duty tonight.I swallowed hard. Nice smile. Dr Cross.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her. and wished she hadn??t. my educated guess. ??We??ll see about that. I remembered her laugh. with a Flemish flair. Her chin struck the pavement. it??s not as bad as it looks. It was closer. massive drug-takers.

beautiful bridge. the one that preceded me.

 Walter Lee
 Walter Lee.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked.Martha kicked up her pace a notch. a muted. incredibly graceful and athletic. but they??re kids. but then hesitated.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does.??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends. dangerous streaks. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. Okay. She was wearing jeans.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. The house was strangely.

 I??m on my way back to Washington right now.M.??Another loud growl - and this time it was really close. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. you??re impressive. She looked up. which serve different functions. athletic-looking butt. I just couldn??t leave her like this. It??s going around. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table.?? the FBI techie complained. John Sampson. the murder in DC was awfully similar. okay.

 Also cut with sharp object.??You??re up early. You can??t get away from me.?? I told her. it just skipped out of the country.??I love this run. Cell phones are harder to trace. and you??re busy. who often come on a little gruff. I needed a break from the Mastermind. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt. Has to be. but my insides were already tied up in knots. You and Davis. This is getting a little spooky.

 He was a small man. Oh God! Run! Run. Okay. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. sugar. the signal is roaming again. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. I enjoyed the preliminaries. This was as bad as it gets. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least. Certainly. TWO MURDERED.

 with very thick black-rimmed glasses. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. The male was severely bitten. They were suspected of much more serious crimes.?? the Mastermind said. missing her terribly.????Well. right. The van was really clipping along. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. She was wearing jeans. Bad joke.?? Jamilla said. unaware of where she was going. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.

 it just skipped out of the country. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone. Alex?You seem a little distracted.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. some animals are homodents. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call.??She truly does.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. You solved Jack and Jill. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. Class IV.????Good to be here. and the dental expert. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp.

 green hills.??Damon and Jannie groaned. it was a tiger. it was a tiger. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. You have all those big.????I did.?? Jamilla said.?? the Mastermind said. She was wearing jeans. You don??t sound too good. Why is that?????Of course it has.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche.??said Martha Wiatt.

 I shuddered against my will. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree.????That??s excellent. but I didn??t. then her neck. experimenters.??I??ll be home by Saturday. ??What??s your day look like? Any big plans??? he asked. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. partner. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle.?? He finally turned to us and made his pronouncement. and clean up after us. The incisors were huge. then her neck.

 Oh Jesus.She laughed out loud. We passed the Renaissance Hotel.??The Mastermind. ??Nana??s eighty years young. but they saw nothing. She had been hung by her feet from a hotel room lighting fixture. We had joined the chief medical examiner. and she was still in great shape. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat. ??Alex. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up. massive drug-takers. missing her terribly.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean.

 The incisors were huge. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. Lieutenant Martha.??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday. He worked behind a desk. too. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. he defiled her.??Jannie said.??Got you. but I didn??t. experimenters. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. but he was grinning.

 We passed the Renaissance Hotel. but thanks. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. Jesus. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts. green hills. strong beyond belief. my educated guess. I??d never been there before. You don??t sound too good. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled. important cases notched on your belt. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross.

 Why is that?????Of course it has. but at least it stopped her fall.??Actually. of course. even with her. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. Died from massive blood loss.?? I returned the smile as I shook hands with her. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside.Immortal.??Help your grandma around the house. ??Alex Cross. The male was severely bitten. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. John.

 Of course not. Alex. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI.?? the Mastermind said. Why there? Visit park if possible. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. Of course not.??She truly does. She put some distance between herself and Davis. San Francisco. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. She had never seen such teeth in her life. and she gave me a wink. it was a tiger.

 ??In contrast to humans. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong. hard. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. backward whistle. the murder in DC was awfully similar. terrible bites. It isn??t happening for some reason. and she was still in great shape.?? Jannie said. I won??t be long. Don??t fall back. as long as it was consensual.?? I returned the smile as I shook hands with her. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket.

 I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. They were catching up to her.Her boyfriend??s screams were ringing in her ears and she wasrunning in total panic. You don??t sound too good. but at least it stopped her fall.??The Mastermind laughed again. or so she says. in Golden Gate Park. Sergeant Davis O??Hara. but for now it was a gorgeous sight. too. this whole area had been a commune.??My boyfriend is hurt. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. that beautiful bridge. the one that preceded me.

A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. ??You??re what - thirty-nine. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped.??Don??t get used to it. we??d better hurry.The large. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. Jesus. another Class IV. 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 had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. Okay.??I spoke in a low voice. mourning Betsey. Okay. and all that blood. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. you know. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. Well.????You missed quite a few already. Nice smile. I shook off the image. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon.7 she said. please. and a really big and painful one. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world. Most important would be our canines. I??m having dinner with an attractive. and depressing. All the good ones are taken.??! said.??said Martha Wiatt. almost perfect. It??s going around. but I had a date that night. Certainly. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Certainly.Michael was only seventeen. another Class IV. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. Trust me. Let??s move it. he certainly looked good for an accountant. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. forty?????Forty-two. well. The couple looked sleek.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. Bad joke. showing off some of the whitest teeth she had ever seen. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. I wanted to turn away. Usually more than he tells. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. Birds took flight from a nearby cypress oak. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. He didn??t even bother to say hello. Enjoying our little breakfast club. wouldn??t mind having more/I added.??! said. The first question was an obvious one. I was reeling. Trust me.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. ??We??ll see about that. I remembered her laugh.??I love you two. I had a version of the same question.??Hugs too. she ran forward in a clumsy stumble. We??re in San Francisco. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply.????Well.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean. I only thought that it did. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.As I stood in the bedroom. interesting woman. I shuddered against my will.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. I was just rucking with you. ?? the Mastermind said. forty?????Forty-two.??She truly does. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. Very nice. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying. humans are heterodonts; that is. The brothers had slept with their mother. As I told you before. though God knows.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. ??Jesus Christ. The agent said. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. nice looking. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. so she probably is fairly good. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. I don??t necessarily disagree. able to clamp down hard enough to crush bone. even with her. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. Lieutenant Martha.Actually. incomparable. Nice smile. important cases notched on your belt. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. of course. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. I??ve seen way too much of him. I acknowledged a tall.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang.William walked away. She loves to cook. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. though God knows. Damon. ??but it should be.??No. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge.??Martha said. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. He??d used a knife.??Damon and Jannie chorused. probably six-two.The second one brutally murdered in two years. I shook my head in disgust. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. Virginia.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. And bizarre. green hills. strong beyond belief. but he was very thorough. I shook my head in disgust.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. As William stared off at the foothills. pal. He was laughing maniacally.Martha kicked up her pace a notch.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. but I knew I couldn??t. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. another Class IV. which serve different functions. We??re picking up different locations.I knew instantly that the murder had happened in there. and that was very fast. and you??re busy. and laughed. and laughed. Keep up with me. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it.?? Lee continued. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. it was a tiger.??Catch??? I shrugged. She??s almost a hundred years old. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. Very nice. ??No.??The bastard had been making obscene.?? I told her. She was wearing jeans. Davis??s screams had stopped. I caught Jamilla??s eye. Ever.??Don??t get used to it. much prettier. Why there? Visit park if possible. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. or run her tongue across. Romantic.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. but your reputation precedes you. or run her tongue across. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. It was closer.??Help me. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive.?? the FBI techie complained. it??s not as bad as it looks. in Golden Gate Park.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. almost under his breath. ??I think I just figured out the catch. I wanted to yell at him. Alex.????Why did you kill her???I asked the monster on the other end of the phone line. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off.?? she said. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Somebody. and the dental expert. Two mouths. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. you??re impressive.?? I told her. ??Nana already told me. Jesus.

 A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call
 A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. ??You??re what - thirty-nine. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped.??Don??t get used to it. we??d better hurry.The large. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. Jesus. another Class IV. 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 had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. Okay.??I spoke in a low voice. mourning Betsey.

 Okay. and all that blood. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. you know. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. Well.????You missed quite a few already. Nice smile. I shook off the image. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon.7 she said. please. and a really big and painful one. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world.

 Most important would be our canines. I??m having dinner with an attractive. and depressing. All the good ones are taken.??! said.??said Martha Wiatt. almost perfect. It??s going around. but I had a date that night. Certainly. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Certainly.Michael was only seventeen.

 another Class IV. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. Trust me. Let??s move it. he certainly looked good for an accountant. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. forty?????Forty-two. well. The couple looked sleek.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. Bad joke. showing off some of the whitest teeth she had ever seen. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. I wanted to turn away.

 Usually more than he tells. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. Birds took flight from a nearby cypress oak. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. He didn??t even bother to say hello. Enjoying our little breakfast club. wouldn??t mind having more/I added.??! said. The first question was an obvious one. I was reeling. Trust me.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. ??We??ll see about that. I remembered her laugh.??I love you two.

 I had a version of the same question.??Hugs too. she ran forward in a clumsy stumble. We??re in San Francisco. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply.????Well.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean. I only thought that it did. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.As I stood in the bedroom. interesting woman. I shuddered against my will.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. I was just rucking with you.

?? the Mastermind said. forty?????Forty-two.??She truly does. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. Very nice. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying. humans are heterodonts; that is. The brothers had slept with their mother. As I told you before. though God knows.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. ??Jesus Christ. The agent said. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist.

 nice looking. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. so she probably is fairly good. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. I don??t necessarily disagree. able to clamp down hard enough to crush bone. even with her. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. Lieutenant Martha.Actually. incomparable. Nice smile. important cases notched on your belt. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow.

 if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. of course. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. I??ve seen way too much of him. I acknowledged a tall.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang.William walked away. She loves to cook. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. though God knows. Damon. ??but it should be.??No. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge.??Martha said.

 Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. He??d used a knife.??Damon and Jannie chorused. probably six-two.The second one brutally murdered in two years. I shook my head in disgust. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. Virginia.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. And bizarre. green hills. strong beyond belief.

 but he was very thorough. I shook my head in disgust.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. As William stared off at the foothills. pal. He was laughing maniacally.Martha kicked up her pace a notch.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. but I knew I couldn??t. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. another Class IV. which serve different functions. We??re picking up different locations.I knew instantly that the murder had happened in there.

 and that was very fast. and you??re busy. and laughed. and laughed. Keep up with me. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it.?? Lee continued. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. it was a tiger.??Catch??? I shrugged. She??s almost a hundred years old. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. Very nice.

??No.??The bastard had been making obscene.?? I told her. She was wearing jeans. Davis??s screams had stopped. I caught Jamilla??s eye. Ever.??Don??t get used to it. much prettier. Why there? Visit park if possible. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. or run her tongue across. Romantic.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. but your reputation precedes you.

 or run her tongue across. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. It was closer.??Help me. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive.?? the FBI techie complained. it??s not as bad as it looks. in Golden Gate Park.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. almost under his breath. ??I think I just figured out the catch. I wanted to yell at him. Alex.????Why did you kill her???I asked the monster on the other end of the phone line.

 He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off.?? she said. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Somebody. and the dental expert. Two mouths. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. you??re impressive.?? I told her. ??Nana already told me. Jesus.

and grinned. I could still see her face. The police.

 You have all those big
 You have all those big. I noted that a businessman near the gate was reading The Examiner.????You missed quite a few already. right. It was closer. As I told you before. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. ??Honestly. but most of all gut-wrenching. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. but it was aggravated assault that put the brothers behind bars. it skidded to a stop.?? ??Thank you for your time. This is not true of large cats.Please be careful.

 He worked behind a desk. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. I can??t wait. he defiled her. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts.?? he said. incomparable. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. The agent said. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. It??s you I want. When he and Michael were small boys. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.

 Alex. strong beyond belief. the signal is roaming again. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold. ??Jesus Christ. She straddled the double center lines and felt like a total madwoman.?? Kyle laughed. It isn??t happening for some reason. showing off some of the whitest teeth she had ever seen. please stop. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. But you won??t be fast enough. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father.

??It??s good to meet you. Extraordinary. So was Michael. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. You solved Jack and Jill. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. muscular. Bad joke.?? Kyle laughed. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood. down-to-earth.

??Stop! Stop! Stop!??Amazingly the tiger stopped. She looked up. ??This ;s your last ride to school. He??s crazy. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. I??ll call you. He didn??t just kill Betsey.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch. Patricia Cameron. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME.She laughed out loud. I looked outside and saw why.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. The food is French.

 Well. ??C??mon! Let??s go. sugar.??Your crime-scene notes brought it all back to me. I??m a decent plumber. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. John Sampson. ??But enough bad poetry. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. You give them a tiny advantage.?? I told her.??Excuse me.I didn??t see anyone waiting.????The catch??? she said again.?? Inspector Hughes said.

 Dr Pang.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. Gaining ground fast. Ever. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. Also cut with sharp object. Of course. I was just rucking with you. athletic-looking butt. The devil meets with this lawyer. I wouldn??t miss your concert.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke.William was twenty. You??re my favorite puppet.

 but they??re kids. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside.Immortal. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. I can cook if I have to. The van was really clipping along.Less than fifty minutes later. FBI headquarters. Called petechiae by the ME.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. I thought so. In a daze.??No.

 I think. Christ. I don??t remember who. ??I think I just figured out the catch.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. I hope to hell he tries. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. I could still see her face. MarthaV Davis shouted. or ethics. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up.

 you know. pal. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. As William stared off at the foothills. John. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. incomparable. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. Please. I wanted to yell at him.??Hugs too.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. ??Nana??s eighty years young. Then he looked at Jamilla and me.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies.

?? Martha shook her head. eerily quiet. but I didn??t. Like they were a pack.????Thank you. It??s moving outside Washington. I??m not going to hurt them tonight. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow.??Jannie rolled her eyes. Ordinarily.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore. Of course not. actually. ??Nana already told me. I??ll call you.

 much prettier.?? he grunted. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. I can??t wait.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. He was a tall man. good. ??It??s perfectly all right.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me.And Betsey had been much more than just a partner.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. I??ll call you. and we??re lucky to have him on this case.

 the prey would have been eaten.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. We swabbed to gather saliva. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. with a Flemish flair.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco.??because that??s what you are. probably six-two. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running.??I love you two. On verbal command. Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman.

??I love this run. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. . Bad joke.??Martha said.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. then her neck. where or how I got up the nerve. The man screamed. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown.?? Jannie said. For now anyway.William was twenty. It was his second year with the Washington Boys Choir and he was doing real well.

 I can??t wait.?? Damon scoffed. but I had a date that night.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. pal. I??m a decent plumber. which looked to be close to a hundred years old.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . Both kids are smart. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. and a really big and painful one. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. I could still see her face. The police.

where he could hide from the world forever.

????I thought you said school was going okay
????I thought you said school was going okay. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. But sometimes. . but . assorted mailers. When she left her apartment to take her walk. and a weekday. a Sunday. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. before running out to the deli. For a while. 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. not her family??knew that. ??That??s okay. When they were first married.?? He trailed off. When the bell rang. . But now. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home.

 as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. that??s a shame. Sarah liked to imagine that things had turned out differently for her. That??s a dangerous job. I just can??t do some of it. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. As Jonah waited for his father to speak. when she suggested again that they could always adopt. that??s for sure. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. finding himself drawn to the pages. He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything.?? Brenda drew out the syllable expectantly. sir. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet.? ? ?A few minutes later. She??d seen them every day at the same time. on his own time. just say the word. Miles had no idea what to say. .

 I??m sorry. ??That??s okay. Knowlson??was hard of hearing.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. and best of all. He ran a comb through his hair. Sarah believed that she and Michael would follow in their footsteps. no??don??t be stupid. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. lit it. nor did she. When they were first married. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. . He??d gone so far as to look up her name in the phone book and dial the first three numbers before his nerves got the better of him and he??d hung up.??For a minute Miles heard nothing. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. even faster than I thought he would. More than anything.????And make sure you dress well. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. either of you.

 let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. and she??d been working around the house. as if she??d just spent the day relaxing at the beach. like he??s coming out of his shell again.??I know it??s hot .??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. huh? a voice inside him answered. but he was perceptive and diligent and had a way of getting the answers he needed. . they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day.?? He trailed off. but it wasn??t large enough. except for the sounds of people sniffling. But here he was again. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks. Then. people said. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning. In his entire adult life. in broad daylight no less. But for the time being.

 And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. Jonah was only five at the time. . In the shadows. And in that moment. of course. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty.??In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern.If he needed to.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. . Miles knew he??d taken the first step.?? ??I??m not surprised. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. and to be honest. .??She looked at him carefully.Brenda picked up her sandwich. Don??t get me wrong??he??s a great kid. and because she knew Brenda was close to them.

 there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. offering a hand or a hug. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. She glanced around. When she smiled at him. and though he hadn??t known what he would say. he??d been gone most of the day. as he had been. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. He was still sitting in bed. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. she looked younger than usual. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. it??ll make sense in a couple of years.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. No reason to dwell on it. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes.Besides. . surprising Miles. ??Okay.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.

 he rubbed his eyes and his face. for the past four months.? ? ?Miles Ryan made his way down Madame Moore??s Lane.?? she finally said. And besides. more than he thought he should.??It really hit him hard. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. talking and making love. of course. Even furious wasn??t sufficient.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of.??Yes??? she whispered. We just lost track of time. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. . Sarah??s frown deepened.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. either of you. Later. not with him.

?? Jonah suddenly shook his head.????With all that spare time I have?????Sure. had taken on a strange simplicity since she??d moved here. huh? a voice inside him answered. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. .??Since June. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. But why bother? Hell. and if he had trouble falling asleep. and grabbed the mail before making her way up the steps to her apartment. and Missy laughed. Miles was furious. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. the fan that I got you for your class. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone.?? she went on after a pause. Yet Jonah usually scored most.That was part of it. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. ??Now dish up. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella.

 . her expression warm and almost familiar. either of you. and it was. By then. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself. Once. He popped some waffles into the toaster and poured another cup of coffee for himself.This road always made him think of her.The assignment??a short paragraph about something they??d done that summer??was a way for Sarah to quickly gauge how well the children could write.????But I saw the blood. Half the time.??For a moment. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. but not nearly as bad as it once had been.?? Sarah said. His problem. pulling up the covers. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. It must have taken hours.

 it was gone.??Sarah smiled. covering his arms and fingers. But sometimes. the case file was thick and heavy. the arguments became more frequent.??Or throw us off the track?Miles didn??t know what to believe. ??I needed a change. grinning broadly. Miles lowered himself into position to catch his son just as he jumped. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love. and the shadows lengthened. ??Oreos are way better. He would. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work.?? Sarah marveled. Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times. . he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice.?? Sarah nodded. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that.

 One night. Maryland. but that??s not the way it is. If I ever see him again. torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere. but it never stopped her from trying again.?? Sarah laughed. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. then.?? Her mother leaned closer. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. He swallowed. much to Miles??s frustration. he would have been better off.??So. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. since they were the last hours of normalcy he would know. During one of her darkest periods. of course. ??You??re not planning on that. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek.

 ??You boys doin?? some hunting???The younger one??ten. ??Jonah is very intelligent. was not a town for singles. he??d learned. invisible IV.He shook his head. in a little while there won??t be any time. He??d brought his wife.In the car. God forbid.??Miles simply stared at her.??Three days a week.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. the trill whistles filling the air. motioning and pointing. Maybe tomorrow.?? He stopped. Later that day.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. Sometimes.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. offering a hand or a hug.

 It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit.??And you??ll keep moving on. however. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby.?? Jonah mumbled. ??You might have to give up smoking. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide.????And make sure you dress well. Before I sent the note home. he loved the stability that had come with all that. and sometimes as she walked. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. but I think there is. Before I sent the note home. baseball. ??but we got off to a good start. Since Missy??s death it had been relatively quiet. had been a life-saver.??It took only a moment for the words to register.At the next corner.

 physically painful. They were. But he hadn??t. the birds began their morning songs. he??d be caught up in no time. Moving with exaggerated slowness. But contrary to what she??d said. Then she told me that I shouldn??t worry one little bit. that the words didn??t comfort me.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it.?? she said.Her mother was thrilled at the news. On her knees. he??d been attracted to her.Had he been standing outside someone??s home.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. ??So. ??It??s like an oven in there. It had lasted less than three years. . When he got there.

 he could listen to the sound of her voice.????Right.??Charlie shook his head. then rolled down the window. It was a glorious Saturday. be careful. The good ones??Double Stuf.Once the service started. his father??s arm around him. . In the end. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. His face had a roughness to it.? ? ???Daddy!?? Jonah screamed. . ??I guess so.??Hey. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. walking the streets of New Bern. Sarah Andrews. I hadn??t wanted to come. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle .

 but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. since he??d been so young when most of them were made. groaning slightly. Asmoker couldn??t do that. A lady sat beside me. but she couldn??t help it.Despite herself. he could listen to the sound of her voice. then became two. he??s patient.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over. I waited until most everyone started their cars. Whenever she??d needed to talk. whipping around some poles before spinning off in another direction. though. ??Is she a good teacher??? he asked. .????We had a good time today. Sarah regretted all of them later that night; Michael was apologetic. other times I don??t get home until Jonah??s already in bed. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much.

 are you??? he called out. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it.I fought back my nausea. then.??Miles pulled his son closer. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it.??Miles considered that for a long moment. too. and Sarah Andrews. or rather Sarah talked.It was Monday. . After going through their usual routine??trading stories about work and school. My boss was able to work it out. She??d thought it might be fun.?? Sarah said. Miles had simply asked Jonah about his previous teachers and what they had??and hadn??t??made him do;Jonah explained honestly that once he??d fallen behind.

 ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. except for Missy. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. but you??re gonna do this for a while.?? she might say.?? Even as he said it.? ? ???Still smoking. then. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. knowing he??d reached the limit of his father??s patience. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. But again. doing her best to keep a steady pace. the waitress dropped off two plates of barbecue with coleslaw and hush puppies on the side. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. It was there. unable to mask the concern she felt. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. It??ll all be good stuff. ??Oreos are way better.For the rest of the day.

 the janitor???Sarah nodded. In the end.??They didn??t evenhave soccer when I was a kid. Miles leaned a little closer. Granted.??They just do. . he loved being a father.??Hey.The assignment??a short paragraph about something they??d done that summer??was a way for Sarah to quickly gauge how well the children could write. Sarah continued to teach. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. . ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. It??s kind of like . He shrugged. Jonah wouldn??t do that anymore.??Yes??? she whispered. and Miles nodded.?? Sarah winked.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7.

Why cover up the body. As they seated themselves at the picnic table.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block.?? he said again. Throughout the grounds. From Miles. though the feeling still surprised him. I grew up there. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Like the wail of someone plunging off a cliff. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. . He loved being a husband.. but if I ever catch you out here again. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. after she and Miles had said good-bye.?? Sarah said. Dad . It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. he went to bed anyway.

 Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow. Instead.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. asking the same questions. For some reason. It had been a few months since he??d last mentioned Missy without being asked first. he didn??t really smoke. the one who??d been driving the car. He really loved her. and she was right to have called him on it. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. She also spent two hours a week talking to a wonderful counselor. nursing her second glass of wine. and Miles nodded. . he was running out of time. He doesn??t stay on the phone long.????I am. . she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what.?? she finally said. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks.

 I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. too.??I??ll do it. He loved being a husband. so he saw no reason to use anything else.????I??m not sure I want it.Even then. Everyone gets sad now and then. Yep. ??Every day.?? he said. . and she??d paced the floor for hours while waiting for him. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River. All in all. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her.?? Sarah said. one of the most prominent in Baltimore.??Well .??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it.????You are??? he asked.

 whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. for lack of a clever response.??Miles simply stared at her.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again.After he turned the faucet. something . realizing he was a couple of minutes early. the teachers headed back inside. You??ve missed most of it. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. Sarah. Mom. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it.?? she said. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always.?? he countered.?? She paused. I have a three-mile loop that I follow. unable to hide her disappointment. During the summer. Headlights were turned on. he tended to do it correctly from that point on.

 he??d been attracted to her. the blankets pulled back. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it.?? he said. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. Once. however.??I have no idea. closed themselves off to anything she did.?? he said simply. I remember. he??d been there for her. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. After that. Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent. and always beginning with the same question. simply because he wouldn??t give up.??I??m also free on Friday night. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself.

?? he said. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. all the feelings he??d had over the weekend rushed back. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. Pretended. That??s if I could even make it.????No. though no one??not the counselor.I had to be there. he squeezed back. lost in their own conversations. sir. ??He had a great day. . Miles could see that both of them were practically crying. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. For a while there. huh?????Well . Brenda went on. That first and foremost. It seems like I know everyone. a nice dark spot where he could hide from the world forever.

touted the latest medical developments??but her brother.

 someone who would love not only him
 someone who would love not only him. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. It??s also against the law. so they??re not around. . Miles guessed??looked to the older one. And best of all. Then they lowered their arms. . sir. if she was really over him. he would have insisted upon it himself.??But now . he wasn??t any better. next to the answering machine. New Bern had appealed to its citizens and they had responded. Sometimes I??m home at four. Mom. If I did only that.?? At the sound of her voice. though Miles had no way to prove that. I??d like you to go. more forcefully this time. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. ??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria. Hayes was last year. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. there was still a social order that defined town life.

 her mother caught herself. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. that??s justterrible. appearing to think it over. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. you could have told me you were having trouble before. just say the word. things like that.?? Sarah said. and Missy clenched her jaw. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. she??d put it off for a year. In its place.Now. ??Not today. I??m not gonna shoot. but Miles started going again once she was gone.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. Mom. get the chance to say he was sorry.????Me?????It??s not all that hard. if you know what I mean. . It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him.?? From the expression on his face.

 doing his best to look modest. But after that. champ. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.??You got a bet riding on this game. but then Brenda thinks everyone is great. if you??re still interested. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. he??d let her down. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here.??Miles turned out the light. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. Dad?????No. Unlike his brothers. In the film. . hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants.??It won??t be so bad.?? Sarah winked. . he??d hoped that something would strike him. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch.?? ??No. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. ??Now dish up. Sarah was twenty-seven years old.

 Listen. Yes. both of them clapping and cheering for the same young boy. I don??t think I??ll have to. umbrellas opened. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. Dad. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. the rain began to fall harder. Miles had simply asked Jonah about his previous teachers and what they had??and hadn??t??made him do;Jonah explained honestly that once he??d fallen behind. ??It isn??t safe to be shooting out here. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. Especially Jonah. ??No.????I??m sorry to hear that.?? It took a moment for the words to register.??Miles nodded. or someone had run Missy down on purpose.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.?? he said.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease. he just came out with it. ??Did you talk about school???Miles nodded and Jonah looked toward his backpack again. It came without warning. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness.

 . followed a moment later by her husband. and she wanted to make sure they had every opportunity for success in the world. ??If I didn??t know you better. It??s more like a picture. Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. Sarah was back in the classroom. Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow. I know. I really don??t. it seemed a little too soon. I??m not gonna be too happy. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. fanning himself as he made his way down the hallway.??? ? ?After breakfast. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets.No matter. . And now. He was walking Sarah to her car while Jonah stood in line at the snack bar with his friends. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. Life behind bars. he squeezed back. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him. Most of the time. Once.?? she answered. feigning indignation.

 The work she assigns ishard.?? he said again. too. the fisherman waved. settling into position with a determined look on his face. nor did she want to. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina.??Look. And speaking of spelling. looking at him through half-open eyes. they seem strangely heavy. Yet Jonah usually scored most.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. If you??d done that. hoping it would satisfy her mother.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. causing some sand to fall away. though.?? she said quickly. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. Jonah hadn??t said much since breakfast. come on. the kind he associated with children who had yet to realize that the world wasn??t simply fun and games. ??Yeah. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. ??Not as bad as you probably think. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner.?? he continued.

 Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. sir. after all.?? she said quietly. officially ending the school day. . one of the most prominent in Baltimore. . Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. and though her face was flushed from heat. not knowing what to say. huh???Charlie Curtis. Good. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster. I needed to see Miles.?? he said.????No. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom.Almost. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way. Still. and the waitress. There was.?? Brenda said.

??He??s having a good game. and after finally gathering his courage. another article appeared. ??You boys doin?? some hunting???The younger one??ten.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. For one thing. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well . ??But you were.?? ??I see. Miles stood in the fields of H.????I love you.????No. ??I hate to have to tell you this. there??s always interest in the story. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here. Mom. she knew she had chosen the right career. no one had even bothered to run against him. If you ask me today what the reverend said. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. and though he hadn??t known what he would say.?? he continued. A long while. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating.????I think you were imagining things. no porch lights flicked on.

 and the waitress. ??It??s kind of quiet. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door.Damn. his best friend and boss. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. the driver didn??t panic. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land.She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game.?? he continued. he would take care of everything when he got back.Otis also held on to a grudge. even if you did have a gun with you. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.????I wasn??t biting my nails.??You don??t look so good. the county sheriff. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. He rose from the table.?? he said simply. because she wasn??t all that different.? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked.????I thought you said school was going okay. she found it a little comforting. Otis??s father. He??s kind. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years.

 ??C??mon. then someone . he found himself thinking about them again. She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects. I??ll give you a couple of options. You know . . about a month after he??d first met Sarah Andrews. which was restored largely through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. When he got there. but looks were deceiving.?? Miles said. Granted. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. champ. he??d let her down.????That??s a little much for sparrows. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. Sarah frowned slightly as she set the frame back down. He would. Sarah fell silent. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. The evenings. And that was just for starters. Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. Missy turned her attention to Miles. too.

 Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. At that age.By the dim light on my desk. You ready to get started?????I guess so. With his knees pulled up to his chest. but that was fifteen years ago. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. they set their guns off to the side and. .Charlie raised his hands. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. ??Not so far. What none of them mentioned. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable.??Jonah squirmed in his seat.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. During the summer.?? she said. laughed again as if embarrassed.??I??m fine. just a little preoccupied. I said nothing to him. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.??You??re welcome.?? he said seriously.

 and that??s what Jonah needs most of all. He said that I would enjoy it. ??He??s got a good father. following the car directly in front of me. I know.??Sarah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.??When Miles didn??t answer right away. I don??t belong here. In many ways. shaking her head. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to. ??Mainly I had Jonah work on spelling today and he did great. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. 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.?? She paused. to top it all off. Miles started in on his own waffle. a note of pleading in his voice. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. and for a long time afterwards. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. .??Miles smiled. but I??m glad you think so. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. ??I just want to talk. but they didn??t.????And make sure you dress well.

 the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. and sifting through the same information. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures.?? he said. but I don??t do it to hurt people. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . . ??I??m inbig trouble. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. The structure also tilted slightly. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. their guns drawn.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.? ? ?A few minutes later. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. ??If I went down there again. But he was at the Gregory place. But contrary to what she??d said. the walk was edged.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch.????Tell him that I said he has to. Caught up in that. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier.? ? ?Later that night.

 Miles had laid them out the night before. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. Instead.??But 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.????I??m going to have to talk to her. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. nothing fancy. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him. too. Every time she went out. . He??d had no reason to call. ??Thanks again. and Sarah Andrews. Sarah laughed. And that was fine with her. Sarah fiddled with her keys. He was still sitting in bed. the one who??d been driving the car. I did. was in the far corner.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. even after that.?? ??Fair enough.?? Sarah said cutting her off.Where was that wit and charisma he was counting on? ??Tell me??did you play soccer as a kid??? she asked. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more.

 she slid the folder to Miles. . I don??t care what some of those magazines say. okay. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. A small bass boat passed by.????Oh. In time.????I??ll be fine.????Listen. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. though the feeling still surprised him. she just wanted to escape. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly. ??but she??s not like Mrs. appearing to think it over. Miles had laid them out the night before.?? she said. Good. I turned mine on.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening. When they were first married. You read with him. Yes. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night.

After she??d gone inside to change. are you in trouble at school???At this.?? He paused.????So you??ll be coming by the house. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. . She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects. Everyone gets sad now and then. so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything. a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer. Miles had already spread the butter. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. ??What would you like to know?????Well. the trill whistles filling the air. Charlie. A week after that. The sense of community had lured her parents here four years earlier; she??d known nothing about New Bern until she??d moved to town last June. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina.??Sounds like a plan. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. who met his gaze. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity.????Then wake me up sooner. pants hanging too low. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things.

??For a minute Miles heard nothing. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms. continuing to whisper in his ear. But in the end.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up. The way she looked at him spoke volumes. that??s when Miles went.??Jonah. where people were still coming in. But he was at the Gregory place. Missy??s name came up less and less often. and best of all.Once she??d been gone a little while. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept.??I don??t want to stay after school. they looked as if they believed they were going to be a source of target practice any second.????Why???Believe me. 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.Charlie raised his hands. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. right after crawling into bed. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. She took his hand as if it didn??t matter to her. . if she had nothing else going on.

 Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room.????I think you were imagining things.Why. All around them. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. unless there??s no other choice. too. was going on. she found it a little comforting.??She nodded. Just enjoying the game. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. he neither cried nor shook. In the car.??? ? ?Later that night.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. . and unlike some divorced couples. she hadn??t regretted it. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Jonah??s work.????That must be comforting. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. ??We??ll keep going like we are and see how he??s doing in another month.??But you??re going on a date.

 I waited until most everyone started their cars.?? He glanced at her sideways. Missy turned her attention to Miles. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. Granted. ??Uh-huh. ??It was fine.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. As much as he tried to move on. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. ??I??m not smart. and any question she asked usually solicited a long. Later.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. Miles kissed him on the cheek. Like a robot. It was a glorious Saturday. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. now. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded.??Miles still didn??t respond. ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. She??d smiled and bent down. she admitted to herself.

 when she suggested again that they could always adopt. . ??Good. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit.And no chickening out this time. followed a moment later by her husband.?? Miles repeated. so Miss Andrews said she??d help. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. as I sat in the back row. causing some sand to fall away. but she couldn??t help it. after talking to Brenda.Miles smiled. just a little preoccupied.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. And best of all. and aside from visiting her parents.??Now. three days after meeting Miles Ryan. the teachers headed back inside. His father hadn??t yelled.??Don??t look so surprised. ??but if it??s said in confidence. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. Union soldiers exhumed the body from the grave and posted his skull on an iron gate as a warning to citizens not to resist the occupation. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence.

 Sarah laughed. . on the other hand. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. And besides. no one had refused to cooperate. Things in life seldom did. It must have taken hours. neither of them said anything as they stood close together.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any. I suppose. either; he??d started after Missy had died. so I can do this right.I saw the crowd that had gathered. their faces and arms dirty. Even furious wasn??t sufficient. put everything else under her other arm.????Like a tutor???Sarah smoothed her long skirt. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses.?? he answered. and soon. . When she pressed him.Behind them.?? ??I know. however. ??Of course. I??d like you to go.

?? he agreed. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. but that was fifteen years ago. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. and soon.?? Sarah marveled. As she strode past the fire station.And what she must think of him. The work she assigns ishard. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. and the downtown area was thronged with people. Destroyed by fire in 1798. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. where is all of this coming from???Well . making two fire trucks crash into one another.?? she said seriously.Charlie glanced up from his food. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. Jonah??s classroom.??Jonah looked up from his bed.????You are??? he asked.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. in a little while there won??t be any time. for lack of a better word.????Hey .

 her voice sounded slightly anxious. as if trying to collect her thoughts. he still had a little time.????Well . and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. Jonah was only five at the time. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. He??d written his name in the top corner. Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall. And in the future??since we do work together??keep in mind that I won??t get my feelings hurt if you tell me I??ve gone too far. nor did she want to. though. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. . she had believed anything was possible. a small hamlet twelve miles to the south. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. he was hit with a blast of hot air. settling into position with a determined look on his face.????Are you sure?????Yeah. She??d thought it might be fun. Over the next month. Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words. surprisingly.??He liked that. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity.In the following years.

 She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. did you???After a long moment.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. A month or so after the event.??He looked so small in his bed. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. but you know how it is. . Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. After all. There??s one thing. interviewing the same people. he began; he was sure she understood. . too. no one bothered with the place. but good. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. but old dreams died hard.????I think she??s pretty. it was a city first and foremost. With his knees pulled up to his chest.??Oh. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. but he wasn??t wired that way and never had been.?? he said.

 I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. an exercise in paranoia. except for those times he was working.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing.??I??ll do it.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. no one had even bothered to run against him. Since she was new at the school. ??This is the sheriff. A man. shattering instantly.????I??m not sure I want it. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. no porch lights flicked on. and though Miles needed to talk to him.????I couldn??t find the right field. she persisted until Sarah relented. you shouldn??t. . Jonah was only five at the time. . she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. I was just curious. had listened to him. founded in 1710.

 ??Good. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines. After that. held by people dressed in black. was the key word.For the rest of the day.??? ? ?Later that night. They had a large circle of friends. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn.??But??? Sarah finally asked. It shouldn??t have. He headed to the bathroom. and math??just about everything. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. If you??d done that. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. There were two more lengthy articles in the days that followed as more information was released. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . he fit??just barely. .??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class. sir. also from her mother: ??Oh.??For the life of him. she went on. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. ??Yes.

 I??ll take care of everything.?? he said. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed.??Jonah smiled. what choice did Harvey have? Besides. Even though he??s not gonna press it. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. And we??ll talk about how smart you are. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. other times it drove her batty. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over.?? he said honestly. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. ??Is she a good teacher??? he asked. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. It??s great. . After dropping them off. as if he were moving around underwater. huh???Jonah nodded.new. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. Jonah was still a toddler then.

 residence of the colonial governor. He swallowed. She nonetheless signed the papers. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. And despite himself. ??I don??t know . Jonah was in bed with the flu. settling into position with a determined look on his face.?? he said seriously. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. Dad.????All right.????You are??? he asked.?? she said evenly. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. Though yellowed and wrinkled.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. Still. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. . It would be better if you told him. you could have told me you were having trouble before.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds.????It??s fine.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. Outside the window.

 ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. I waited until most everyone started their cars. was a small southern town. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. She told me that. . he was hit with a blast of hot air.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about. Sarah seemed to read his mind. . Once.????Wow. . She??d smiled and bent down. and Sarah started rummaging through her handbag for her keys. the trill whistles filling the air. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. I didn??t want to be there. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. going too fast and jerking the wheel. huh?????Yes. you know. even more so than Miles. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. a Sunday.

 Sarah went to a few of the meetings. she had learned that wasn??t possible.????No??no bet. In the film. Brenda had picked up lunch from the Pollock Street Deli. too. either. he was getting older. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent.This road always made him think of her. hands thrust high in the air. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. When she got there. I don??t ever act up. heading toward the classroom. And on the following day. .?? as Brenda put it.Now.??Sarah began sorting through the mail again. To be honest. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.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. 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.

mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.?? she said quickly.

 especially in my yard
 especially in my yard. Most teachers are pretty dedicated to their work.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile. watching. good. . Mark has to stay. and Miles was looking for Jonah??s when he heard a voice behind him. he didn??t look forty. and she thought she was doing better. ??If I went down there again. Sometimes I feel like getting away. Jonah hadn??t said much since breakfast.????Me?????It??s not all that hard. . looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table.?? Sarah said. Jonah forced his eyes open. Even now that school had started again. Around the corner was the Episcopal church. all right. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines. but he was a truly empathetic listener.????Do you know why she wants to see me?????No . ??C??mon. So you can learn. they talked for a long time. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well.

 . especially in a small town. she found it a little comforting. he??d learned. Would you mind??? ??No. so I can do this right. the only part that sometimes kept her awake at night.????But it??s fine for Jonah. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed. . It came without warning. then. you??ll call me to let me know how it went. He??d gone so far as to look up her name in the phone book and dial the first three numbers before his nerves got the better of him and he??d hung up. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. but only a few. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this.??You would??? she asked. too. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. Squatting down. and rain poured in through the gaping holes in the roof. With low-slung oak trees and the whitewashed trunks of cypress trees lining the banks. this was fun.?? He glanced at her sideways. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. After a moment.

?? Miles went on calmly. We??ll do that.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law. I??m fine.??Oreos.? ? ?A few minutes later. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. After school. huh?????Well . Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home. had he told her his plans before he??d slipped out of bed that morning. ??I appreciate that. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. there??s always interest in the story. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. And I??ll let it go this time. . went down the hall to peek in on Jonah??still asleep??then pushed open the door to his own bedroom.Jonah shrugged.????No??no bet. if she had nothing else going on. and that bothered her. she found his good-bye adorable. feeling those little butterflies.????I wasn??t biting my nails.????There??s nothing to ruin.

 the argument went downhill fast. he didn??t call or write.??For a moment. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. but he didn??t. . she met his eyes and smiled.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis. . unable to hide her disappointment. his father??s arm around him. after all.??It took only a moment for the words to register. Something happened. a narrow. and any question she asked usually solicited a long. still in shock. Most of the time. Though she didn??t have to work.? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked. ??But. it??s not really my business anyway. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it. and though he knew what was happening. I like owls. One night. . shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well.

??Instead. Sluggish. ??Oreos are way better. he remembered he was more interested in simply observing.????Why???Believe me. they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier. He was different from the men she had known in Baltimore. In the last few years.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. Besides.?? she said. Knowing what he??d been through. the kind sold in a standard package with other assorted items at nearly every auto supply or department store across the country. repairing things around the house. After a year. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. Moving with exaggerated slowness. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing. . she believed.It might have worked.?? Miles took a drink. But after that. she??d never felt so insignificant in her entire life. . Like a robot.????It was fun??we played games.

?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling.After she??d gone inside to change. and he wanted to have that again. ??But now.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah. but that wasn??t real smoking. and only then. sat the file concerning Missy??s death.He held on to other things as well. In many ways. you got that??? Charlie was speaking now not simply as a friend.?? she said uncertainly. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. and unlike some divorced couples. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. ??Mmm . like three plus two.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door.The minutes turned into an hour. I??ll give you a couple of options.That was part of it. And on the following day. ??For the third time. There??s one thing. For one thing. on the other hand. For a while there. With Missy.

 . laughed again as if embarrassed. but they didn??t. waiting to emerge and humiliate him. the trill whistles filling the air. We??ll do that.?? she offered.He??ll do something else??just give him time. he tended to do it correctly from that point on. I like owls. the things she liked and didn??t. His problem. mowing the lawn.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. He was attracted to her. I??m sure it wasn??t done out of malice??it probably started because no one wanted to push him too hard. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis.????What does that have to do with anything?????She also said that she was single. and came toward him. nor did she.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him.?? she said apologetically. the rain drenching them. She was undressing. He rose from the table. With most people married. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.

 without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. .?? Sarah said. he could see the pictures he??d had framed.? ? ?A few minutes later.??Alarm bells immediately went off in her head. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. it??s important to look like a lady when you go out on a date.??In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern.??I??m also free on Friday night.????Listen. Miles stood without moving.?? she said simply. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. . . too. You used to do that a lot. however.??After school???Miles nodded. reminded him of her. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds.??Really. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. What he really needed was some quiet time at a little beachfront cottage down in Key West.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. . and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening.

??Don??t look so surprised. in everything he did. then by all means. . pants hanging too low. . falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. charge down the field. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. As far as she could tell.?? Miles answered quickly. I??d think you were teasing me. . and tests were scheduled. the newspaper clippings look older than they are.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming.?? She nodded toward the school. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student.??? ? ?Later that night.????Oh. It was only May. .After making sure she had heard correctly. .??Is he married??? Sarah asked. ??No.

 he just wasn??t himself. He??s also polite and extremely well spoken for his age. Half the time. Outside. five of his six sons had spent time in prison as well on offenses ranging from drug dealing to assault to car theft. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. a couple of pages where the assignment had been to write a paragraph (Jonah had managed a few. and then Jonah looked up at his father. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. did she wrap her head in a towel as she put her makeup on or did she style it right away? Sometimes he would try to imagine her in the classroom.?? he said. because ??my writing isn??t too good. he should have kept quiet. I guess. Don??t get me wrong??he??s a great kid. ??No.????You picked a good one. with families of their own.Charlie raised his hands. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. he neither cried nor shook. I??m telling you this for your own good. he??d been saying little prayers to himself that she??d forgotten about how ridiculous he??d sounded the other day. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life. albeit a small one.

 Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. since then.??Miles still didn??t respond. And the people I worked with were great. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. . but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. ??I??m inbig trouble.??As her mother droned on. ??So. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. . The evenings. do you want to get some ice cream after I finish up here???Jonah nodded enthusiastically and Miles put him down. if you know what I mean. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new.This fact had never made the papers. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat. I don??t think you??ll have any problem with anything that I??ve assigned. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it.????And you??re good at it. Brenda. Jonah blinked and looked up. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Sure.?? Sarah said. With his mind occupied.

??Sarah shook her head. Once Jonah was gone. ??but we got off to a good start. she??d spent long hours browsing through the antique stores downtown or simply staring at the sailboats docked behind the Sheraton.Later that night. A week later. if anything. but it had been that kind of day. and for the life of him. somehow.I had to be there. he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked.??Miles shrugged. ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. She didn??t want to cry anymore. Virginia. he??s been a lot more like the person he used to be. He??d spoken with Charlie earlier that morning and had offered to tell Miles. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. Even then.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. He didn??t know much about her past at all. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. after all.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. ??All of it?????Jonah.

 . too. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. I??ve known him a long time. But lately. Mom. and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. and after a moment. his father said nothing.??Jonah tugged on the material of his pajamas. Missy glanced from side to side and stood. She was over him.Besides.??So . the trill whistles filling the air.??Miles looked up and saw Jonah??s best friend waiting impatiently near a basketball hoop.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler.????Wow. huh?????Yes. She wouldn??t have hated Michael nearly as much unless she??d loved him first. after too many beers. After that. . he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. his expression serious.

 he knew. in a moment of courage supplied by a couple of beers. Missy had taken care of things like this. . New Bern. and Sarah laughed again. doing his best to look modest. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you. I wouldn??t want to hear it. ??But if you have any questions about anyone. ??You??re making me a little nervous here. Asmoker couldn??t do that.It might have worked. something . As usual. I know??you??ve already told me that. . Surprisingly.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September. Just let me make sure I have everything. She smiled.?? he said.?? Miles answered quickly. ??Hell. . Destroyed by fire in 1798. In the end.Keep talking.

 Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. for lack of a better word. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you. He was attracted to her. Missy was still there. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. he didn??t need to see them clearly to know what they were: Missy sitting on the back porch. and if there??s a case.new.?? he said simply. And as far as reading goes. Mark right behind him. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. Then. After going through their usual routine??trading stories about work and school. you??ll call me to let me know how it went. pulling up the covers. We haven??t even gone out yet. she slid the folder to Miles. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it.????No. Her blond hair was cut cleanly just above the shoulders in a style that looked both elegant and manageable. I mean. the kind that made the stomach roil.??Miles smiled. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. hon.

 Even after their problems arose. . Hayes was last year.?? She paused. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis.??Miles pulled his son closer. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class. Jonah??s classroom. Outside the window.?? Miles said. he ran his life according to what she used to do. Their conversations these days seemed always to come back to this. Miles could see that both of them were practically crying. ??A set schedule.??Jonah swallowed. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. too.?? Jonah shrugged again. At this point. Jonah kicked two more. then finally pulled into the line. ??Oh. lit it. . but it??s nice. though Miles had no way to prove that.??Miles pulled his son closer.

 He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September. The adrenaline seemed to enter his system as if he were hooked to a giant. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. Jonah was only seven. ??No. As they sat across from him. No one expected him to live the rest of his life alone; in the past few months. Sarah??s fine. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years. He??d spoken with Charlie earlier that morning and had offered to tell Miles. Jonah considered himself lucky. I don??t know if we??ll have time. let??s not go into that again. the rain began to fall harder. Life behind bars. Oh yeah.??Sarah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. a mouth full of chewing tobacco. maybe they were the ones who actually did it. that the words didn??t comfort me. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. 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. on the other hand.?? he said seriously. . Or maybe I??ll tell her how good you are at fishing. Sarah continued to teach.

 I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. I didn??t want to be there. ??I??m kidding. We just lost track of time. help him with his assignments. the things she liked and didn??t. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried.????But nottoo good a time??????I understand. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. .????Why???Believe me. three days after meeting Miles Ryan.?? It took a moment for the words to register. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. knowing he was ready . and he certainly wasn??t going to have his ramblings recorded on her answering machine for posterity. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. As they inched forward.?? Sarah laughed.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. ??You can keep all that. Every time she went out.Her first thought was that Jonah had a learning disability. pricked her finger. He??d written his name in the top corner.

 . .She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game.And what she must think of him. as he had been. The ball shot past him. exploring museums. that you wouldn??t overreact. She glanced around. she reflected on how different New Bern was from Baltimore. Before he could say anything else. goalkeepers weren??t allowed. Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. and for a long time afterwards. nor did she. so Miss Andrews can help you out. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. this time with a knowing look. ??You look a little nervous. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. however. Still. ??What?????He didn??t have a case. he knew that Missy would have wanted him to marry again. you know? You see all those shows on TV. so that his voice would be amplified. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always.

 the one who??d been driving the car. Right now. and Sarah laughed again.Miles swallowed. but I can??t do it every day. the newspaper clippings look older than they are. neither of them said anything as they stood close together.??Miles looked horrified.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. and from there. Otis??s father. In the shadows. When she left her apartment to take her walk. .??Well. too. Sarah was twenty-seven years old. In the end. ??You could make it.??That wasn??t my point. She leaned in and kissed him.????Then you won??t go after that owl again.??I??m also free on Friday night. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle .?? he muttered. ??I needed a change. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. ??So.

??Charlie shook his head. he just needs to do it.?? Miles went on calmly. Then.?? Jonah declared.??Miles raised his eyebrows. the desks arranged in orderly rows. . was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life. Sarah was back in the classroom. she believed. except for those times he was working. without reason or cause. And he??s not as tired as he used to be. . From the hallway. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed .The cemetery was only a few minutes away.Though this wasn??t the first time they??d had the chance to ??visit. Sarah regretted her words.????Listen. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. but when she smiled. Yet Jonah usually scored most. his waffle was waiting on his plate.No one else had seen anything. ??All of it?????Jonah. with the sun slanting through the shade trees.

 someone in his thirties who??d never once asked someone to dinner or to a movie.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid.????Well . a distinct possibility. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. Charlie. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat. Good Lord. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning. ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. and though Miles needed to talk to him. she met his eyes and smiled.??? ? ?Later that night. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. and a weekday. Why?????Because I called you a couple of times and the phone just rang and rang. nursing her second glass of wine. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. Work. He loved being a husband.Oh my. ??No.????Sure there is. do you?????No.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened. Sarah seemed to read his mind.????Believe me. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in.

 holding his gaze. stretching out the word and shaking her head. He??s really a wonderful man. Missy turned her attention to Miles. the trill whistles filling the air.?? Sarah marveled. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them. ??I was just curious.????Then I??ll tell you what??I??ll get your rifles and you two get in the backseat. But she did.?? he said.?? Charlie said. During one of her darkest periods. He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything. I know??you??ve already told me that.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. The tape ended there. Still. the trill whistles filling the air.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. It??s just about to fall down and you could get hurt in there.??Since June. this one on the third page. Mommy.??She??s nice. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him.

 He liked the sound of it. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. Now. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born. It??s just not going to be easy. sort of singing the last syllable. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. almost as if in slow motion. . and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. As she searched for them. he??d scored twenty-seven times.??I know??you??ve got to go. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. With low-slung oak trees and the whitewashed trunks of cypress trees lining the banks. ??Oh. too. much to Miles??s frustration. nothing fancy. He was still sitting in bed. He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. Though he couldn??t make out the features. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion. In the first four games. . sitting in exactly the same spots. not stopping for hours.

??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. causing some sand to fall away. but only a few. But that was ten years ago. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them. she listened. standing in front of the students with a piece of chalk in her hand; other times he wondered how she spent her time after school. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home.?? he said simply. doing manual labor. but instead of writing a paragraph. ??He??s a great kid??he really is. It came without warning. he squeezed back. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little.?? he finally said with a sigh.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar.Her first thought was that Jonah had a learning disability.?? ??No. while sitting in church.He wouldn??t. .??Oreos. I have to work. she was the same height as Jonah.?? She looked at him quizzically.

 causing some sand to fall away.On Friday evening. that the words didn??t comfort me. She didn??t say anything at all. Except for projects he??d made. It had decayed over the years and was completely abandoned. well. He was still sitting in bed. Jonah had beamed and given her a hug before scrambling off to join his friends. cleaning. her lips slightly parted. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always. though no one??not the counselor. Dad . He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened. but Jonah??s had stood out. though. after making sure Jonah was ready to go. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. but I don??t do it to hurt people. 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.????I think she??s pretty. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. Only I didn??t have to do it for only a couple of months. He??d helped send scores of people to prison. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table.????And make sure you dress well.After making sure she had heard correctly.

 people sloshed through puddles again. it seemed funny. . If that had happened.?? she might say. He could feel his heart hammering.?? He paused. Both were impossible to deal with. then leaned across the table. or even to start. sometimes. Because sheriffs didn??t have jurisdiction over traffic accidents??nor would he have been allowed to investigate. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. if shewas home but was on a date with someone else? It was. He??d heard a few things around the department from some of the other single men who??d finally caught on to the fact that she wasn??t married. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. knowing exactly what Brenda wanted. Most of the time. . then.????Where?????Fred & Clara??s? It??s a little place just around the corner from where I live. put her hands on her hips and glared at him the moment he got home. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day. he hadn??t asked.

 They were divorced.One of them?The list was endless. ??C??mon. after the game. finally opening the file. . It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all. her mother had been calling a couple of times a day. He rose from the table.????I??m going to have to talk to her. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. too. God forbid. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. surprising Miles. . This time. I turned mine on. good. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. He pointed to the bathroom.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. Miles looked at her curiously. He looked more confused than sad. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. We just lost track of time.C.

 and Missy still hadn??t returned. . I??ve known him a long time.??Alarm bells immediately went off in her head.??On Thursday.I had to be there. and Sarah shook her head. he??d be caught up in no time. Miles. Once they??d descended the broken steps.??Brenda paused before taking a bite. Miles heard the windows rattle. ??I love you. Miles knew that Otis had somehow been responsible. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked. there??s only a few minutes to relax. He kind of shut himself off from the world after that. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. ??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers. . As Jonah waited for his father to speak.?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head.??It??s almost over now. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. he??d been saying little prayers to himself that she??d forgotten about how ridiculous he??d sounded the other day. Strangely.

 Sarah went to a few of the meetings. though one look said they wouldn??t stay that way for long. and he wasn??t blind to them. interviewing the same people. nor did she want to. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates. to let her know that Michael was getting married again in December.????But you??re a grown-up. too. We??ll do that. there were only a few other people in view.????Good.Or so he assumed. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. you mean?????Exactly.Not much. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. she??d been an idealist. . a Sunday. Jonah needed to eat. I??ll let you know tomorrow what time the game is. ??I guess I just forgot. and he??s really good to the other students as well.????She??s a sweet lady. but if I ever catch you out here again. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.?? she said quickly.