The_AT Jeffery_NP1 Deaver_NP1 Suspense_NN1 Collection_NN1 The_AT woods_NN2 around_II Lake_NNL1 Mondac_NP1 were_VBDR as_RG quiet_JJ as_CSA could_VM be_VBI ,_, a_AT1 world_NN1 of_IO difference_NN1 from_II the_AT churning_NN1 ,_, chaotic_JJ city_NN1 where_CS the_AT couple_NN1 spent_VVD their_APPGE weekdays_NNT2 ._. 
Silence_NN1 ,_, broken_VVN only_RR by_II an_AT1 occasional_JJ a-hoo-ah_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 distant_JJ bird_NN1 ,_, the_AT hollow_JJ siren_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 frog_NN1 ._. 
And_CC now_RT :_: another_DD1 sound_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 shuffle_NN1 of_IO leaves_NN2 ,_, two_MC impatient_JJ snaps_NN2 of_IO branch_NN1 or_CC twig_NN1 ._. 
Footsteps_NN2 ?_? 
No_UH ,_, that_DD1 could_VM n't_XX be_VBI ._. 
The_AT other_JJ vacation_NN1 houses_NN2 beside_II the_AT lake_NN1 were_VBDR deserted_VVN on_II this_DD1 cool_JJ Friday_NPD1 afternoon_NNT1 in_II April_NPM1 ._. 
Emma_NP1 Feldman_NP1 ,_, in_II her_APPGE early_JJ thirties_MC2 ,_, set_VVD down_RP her_APPGE martini_NN1 on_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 table_NN1 ,_, where_CS she_PPHS1 sat_VVD across_RL from_II her_APPGE husband_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 tucked_VVD a_AT1 strand_NN1 of_IO curly_JJ black_JJ hair_NN1 behind_II her_APPGE ear_NN1 and_CC walked_VVD to_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT grimy_JJ kitchen_NN1 windows_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 saw_VVD nothing_PN1 but_II dense_JJ clusters_NN2 of_IO cedar_NN1 ,_, juniper_NN1 and_CC black_JJ spruce_NN1 rising_VVG up_II a_AT1 steep_JJ hill_NN1 ,_, whose_DDQGE rocks_NN2 resembled_VVD cracked_JJ yellow_JJ bone_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE husband_NN1 lifted_VVD an_AT1 eyebrow_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ was_VBDZ it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 shrugged_VVD and_CC returned_VVN to_II her_APPGE chair_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ._. 
Did_VDD n't_XX see_VVI anything_PN1 ._. "_" 
Outside_RL ,_, silence_NN1 again_RT ._. 
Emma_NP1 ,_, lean_VV0 as_CSA any_DD stark_JJ ,_, white_JJ birch_NN1 outside_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT many_DA2 windows_NN2 of_IO the_AT vacation_NN1 house_NN1 ,_, shook_VVD off_RP her_APPGE blue_JJ jacket_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ wearing_VVG the_AT matching_JJ skirt_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 white_JJ blouse_NN1 ._. 
Lawyer_NN1 clothes_NN2 ._. 
Hair_NN1 in_II a_AT1 bun_NN1 ._. 
Lawyer_NN1 hair_NN1 ._. 
Stockings_NN2 but_CCB shoeless_JJ ._. 
Steven_NP1 ,_, turning_VVG his_APPGE attention_NN1 to_II the_AT bar_NN1 ,_, had_VHD abandoned_VVN his_APPGE jacket_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 wrinkled_JJ striped_JJ tie_NN1 ._. 
The_AT thirty-six-year-old_JJ ,_, with_IW a_AT1 full_JJ head_NN1 of_IO unruly_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 blue_JJ shirt_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE belly_NN1 protruded_VVD inexorably_RR over_II the_AT belt_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE navy_NN1 slacks_NN2 ._. 
Emma_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX care_VVI ;_; she_PPHS1 thought_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ cute_JJ and_CC always_RR would_VM ._. 
"_" And_CC look_VV0 what_DDQ I_PPIS1 got_VVD ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, nodding_VVG toward_II the_AT upstairs_NN1 guest_NN1 room_NN1 and_CC unbagging_VVG a_AT1 large_JJ bottle_NN1 of_IO pulpy_JJ organic_JJ vegetable_NN1 juice_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE friend_NN1 ,_, visiting_VVG from_II Chicago_NP1 this_DD1 weekend_NNT1 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN flirting_VVG with_IW liquid_JJ diets_NN2 lately_RR ,_, drinking_VVG the_AT most_RGT disgusting_JJ things_NN2 ._. 
Emma_NP1 read_VVD the_AT ingredients_NN2 and_CC wrinkled_VVD her_APPGE nose_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ all_DB hers_PPGE ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM stick_VVI with_IW vodka_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Why_RRQ I_PPIS1 love_VV0 you_PPY ._. "_" 
The_AT house_NN1 creaked_VVD ,_, as_CSA it_PPH1 often_RR did_VDD ._. 
The_AT place_NN1 was_VBDZ seventy-six_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 featured_VVD an_AT1 abundance_NN1 of_IO wood_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 scarcity_NN1 of_IO steel_NN1 and_CC stone_NN1 ._. 
The_AT kitchen_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 stood_VVD ,_, was_VBDZ angular_JJ and_CC paneled_VVD in_II glowing_VVG yellow_JJ pine_NN1 ._. 
The_AT floor_NN1 was_VBDZ lumpy_JJ ._. 
The_AT colonial_JJ structure_NN1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO three_MC houses_NN2 on_II this_DD1 private_JJ road_NN1 ,_, each_DD1 squatting_VVG on_II ten_MC acres_NNU2 ._. 
It_PPH1 could_VM be_VBI called_VVN lakefront_NN1 property_NN1 but_CCB only_RR because_CS the_AT lake_NN1 lapped_VVN at_II a_AT1 rocky_JJ shore_NN1 two_MC hundred_NNO yards_NN2 from_II the_AT front_JJ door_NN1 ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ plopped_VVN down_RP in_II a_AT1 small_JJ clearing_NN1 on_II the_AT east_ND1 side_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 substantial_JJ elevation_NN1 ._. 
Midwest_NP1 reserve_NN1 kept_VVD people_NN from_II labeling_VVG these_DD2 hills_NN2 "_" mountains_NN2 "_" here_RL in_II Wisconsin_NP1 ,_, though_CS it_PPH1 rose_VVD easily_RR seven_MC or_CC eight_MC hundred_NNO feet_NN2 into_II the_AT air_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT moment_NN1 the_AT big_JJ house_NN1 was_VBDZ bathed_VVN in_II blue_JJ late-afternoon_JJ shadows_NN2 ._. 
Emma_NP1 gazed_VVD out_RP at_II rippling_JJ Lake_NNL1 Mondac_NP1 ,_, far_RR enough_RR from_II the_AT hill_NN1 to_TO catch_VVI some_DD descending_JJ sun_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT ,_, in_II early_JJ spring_NN1 ,_, the_AT surrounding_JJ area_NN1 was_VBDZ scruffy_JJ ,_, reminding_VVG of_IO wet_JJ hackles_NN2 rising_VVG from_II a_AT1 guard_NN1 dog_NN1 's_GE back_NN1 ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ much_RR nicer_JJR than_CSN they_PPHS2 could_VM otherwise_RR afford_VVI --_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD bought_VVN it_PPH1 through_RP foreclosure-and_CC she_PPHS1 knew_VVD from_II the_AT moment_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN it_PPH1 that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT perfect_JJ vacation_NN1 house_NN1 ._. 
Silence_NN1 ..._... 
The_AT colonial_JJ also_RR had_VHN a_AT1 pretty_RG colorful_JJ history_NN1 ._. 
The_AT owner_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 big_JJ meatpacking_JJ company_NN1 in_II Chicago_NP1 had_VHD built_VVN the_AT place_NN1 before_II World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ discovered_VVN years_NNT2 later_RRR that_RG much_DA1 of_IO his_APPGE fortune_NN1 had_VHD come_VVN from_II selling_VVG black-market_JJ meat_NN1 ,_, circumventing_VVG the_AT rationing_NN1 system_NN1 that_CST limited_JJ foods_NN2 here_RL at_II home_NN1 to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ the_AT troops_NN2 were_VBDR nourished_VVN ._. 
In_II 1956_MC the_AT man_NN1 's_GE body_NN1 was_VBDZ found_VVN floating_VVG in_II the_AT lake_NN1 ;_; he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ possibly_RR the_AT victim_NN1 of_IO veterans_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD learned_VVN of_IO his_APPGE scheme_NN1 and_CC killed_VVN him_PPHO1 ,_, then_RT searched_VVD the_AT house_NN1 ,_, looking_VVG for_IF the_AT illicit_JJ cash_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD hidden_VVN here_RL ._. 
No_AT ghosts_NN2 figured_VVN in_II any_DD version_NN1 of_IO the_AT death_NN1 ,_, though_CS Emma_NP1 and_CC Steven_NP1 could_VM n't_XX keep_VVI from_II embellishing_VVG ._. 
When_RRQ guests_NN2 were_VBDR staying_VVG here_RL they_PPHS2 'd_VM gleefully_RR take_VVI note_NN1 of_IO who_PNQS kept_VVD the_AT bathroom_NN1 lights_NN2 on_II and_CC who_PNQS braved_VVD the_AT dark_NN1 after_II hearing_VVG the_AT tales_NN2 ._. 
Two_MC more_DAR snaps_NN2 outside_RL ._. 
Then_RT a_AT1 third_MD ._. 
Rudy_NP1 was_VBDZ looking_VVG Brynn_VV0 over_RP carefully_RR with_IW a_AT1 disgusted_JJ visage_NN1 ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, fuck_VV0 me_PPIO1 ._. 
Police_NN2 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO burn_VVI this_DD1 place_NN1 too_RR ._. 
Fuck_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO do_VDI that_DD1 ._. 
After_II all_DB this_DD1 work_NN1 ._. "_" 
Brynn_NP1 muttered_VVD ,_, "_" There_EX are_VBR troopers_NN2 on_II the_AT way_NN1 --_NN1 "_" "_" Shut_VV0 up_RP ,_, "_" Gandy_NP1 said_VVD ,_, though_CS lethargically_RR ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 it_PPH1 would_VM take_VVI too_RG much_DA1 effort_NN1 to_TO hit_VVI her_PPHO1 again_RT ._. 
The_AT skinny_JJ one_PN1 ,_, obsessed_JJ with_IW her_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, picked_VVN at_II the_AT speed_NN1 bumps_NN2 on_II his_APPGE forearm_NN1 ._. 
Gandy_NN1 ,_, the_AT woman_NN1 and_CC Rudy_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO have_VHI been_VBN slamming_VVG their_APPGE own_DA product_NN1 ._. 
Which_DDQ did_VDD n't_XX put_VVI her_PPHO1 at_II ease_NN1 ;_; it_PPH1 meant_VVD they_PPHS2 'd_VM make_VVI rational_JJ decisions_NN2 about_II protecting_VVG their_APPGE operation_NN1 ._. 
And_CC that_CST meant_VVD killing_VVG her_PPHO1 and_CC finding_VVG Michelle_NP1 and_CC doing_VDG the_AT same_DA ._. 
She_PPHS1 remembered_VVD how_RGQ casually_RR Gandy_NP1 had_VHD offered_VVN his_APPGE ID_NN1 ;_; because_CS the_AT man_NN1 had_VHD known_VVN she_PPHS1 'd_VM be_VBI dead_RG soon_RR ._. 
"_" Mommy_NN1 ..._... "_" 
The_AT woman_NN1 slapped_VVD her_APPGE own_DA thigh_NN1 twice_RR ._. 
Apparently_RR a_AT1 command_NN1 meaning_NN1 :_: Be_VBI quiet_JJ ._. 
Amy_NP1 instantly_RR stopped_VVN speaking_VVG ._. 
This_DD1 infuriated_VVD Brynn_NP1 --_NN1 and_CC broke_VVD her_APPGE heart_NN1 ._. 
The_AT woman_NN1 's_GE fingers_NN2 were_VBDR stained_VVN yellow_JJ ._. 
Though_CS she_PPHS1 probably_RR was_VBDZ n't_XX a_AT1 tweaker_NN1 herself_PPX1 ,_, she_PPHS1 clearly_RR wanted_VVD a_AT1 cigarette_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB lighting_VVG up_RP in_II a_AT1 meth_VVZ lab_NN1 would_VM be_VBI like_II using_VVG a_AT1 match_NN1 to_TO find_VVI a_AT1 gas_NN1 pocket_NN1 in_II a_AT1 coal_NN1 mine_NN1 ._. 
Rudy_NP1 asked_VVD ,_, "_" Was_VBDZ she_PPHS1 alone_JJ ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. 
Somebody_PN1 was_VBDZ with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 got_VVD away_RL ._. 
They_PPHS2 claim_VV0 a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO guys_NN2 're_VBR after_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 saw_VVD 'em_PPHO2 ._. 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ 's_VBZ going_VVG on_RP ._. 
Something_PN1 about_II a_AT1 break-in_NN1 in_II Lake_NNL1 Mondac_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ about_RG five_MC miles_NNU2 --_JJ "_" "_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 where_RRQ it_PPH1 is_VBZ ._. "_" 
Rudy_NP1 walked_VVD close_JJ ._. 
Examined_VVD Brynn_NP1 's_GE wound_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 announced_VVD ,_, "_" 'S'a_NN1 setup_NN1 ._. 
Fletcher_NP1 called_VVD them_PPHO2 ,_, had_VHD that_DD1 ho_UH of_IO his_APPGE do_VD0 it_PPH1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM bet_VVI ._. 
The_AT skanky_JJ redhead_NN1 ._. 
Said_VVD we_PPIS2 were_VBDR here_RL ._. 
Did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI the_AT balls_NN2 to_TO come_VVI up_RP against_II us_PPIO2 himself_PPX1 ._. "_" 
Gandy_NP1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ._. 
How_RRQ the_AT hell_NN1 could_VM he_PPHS1 find_VVI us_PPIO2 here_RL ?_? 
We_PPIS2 covered_VVD all_DB the_AT tracks_NN2 ._. "_" 
Rudy_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 went_VVD mad_JJ for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 leaned_VVD into_II Brynn_NP1 's_GE face_NN1 ,_, raging_VVG ,_, "_" Talk_VV0 to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, bitch_NN1 ._. 
Talk_VV0 to_II me_PPIO1 !_! 
What_DDQ 's_VBZ going_VVG on_RP ?_? 
Who_PNQS the_AT fuck_NN1 are_VBR you_PPY ?_? "_" 
Brynn_NP1 had_VHD dealt_VVN with_IW the_AT emotionally_RR disturbed_VVN ._. 
Rudy_NP1 was_VBDZ out_II21 of_II22 control_NN1 ,_, running_VVG on_II pure_JJ anger_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE heart_NN1 beat_VVD fast_RR ,_, from_II both_DB2 present_JJ fear_NN1 and_CC past_JJ memory_NN1 of_IO Keith_NP1 's_GE fist_NN1 strafing_VVG her_APPGE jaw_NN1 ._. 
When_CS she_PPHS1 said_VVD nothing_PN1 he_PPHS1 screamed_VVD ,_, "_" Who_PNQS are_VBR you_PPY ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 pulled_VVD a_AT1 pistol_NN1 from_II his_APPGE taut_JJ waistband_NN1 and_CC pushed_VVD it_PPH1 against_II her_APPGE neck_NN1 ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, "_" Brynn_NP1 whispered_VVD and_CC turned_VVD away_RL ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 avoiding_VVG the_AT challenging_JJ eyes_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 mad_JJ dog_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 managed_VVD to_TO say_VVI evenly_RR ,_, "_" There_EX 'll_VM be_VBI state_NN1 troopers_NN2 and_CC county_NN1 deputies_NN2 and_CC tactical_JJ backup_NN1 in_II the_AT area_NN1 anytime_NNT1 now_RT ._. "_" 
The_AT woman_NN1 dropped_VVD the_AT club_NN1 on_II the_AT counter_NN1 ._. 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, no_UH ..._... "_" 
But_CCB Gandy_NP1 was_VBDZ laughing_VVG ._. 
"_" No_AT way_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 fucking_JJ spear_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ on_II the_AT run_NN1 from_II some_DD assholes_NN2 broke_VVD into_II a_AT1 house_NN1 around_RP here_RL ._. 
What_DDQ she_PPHS1 told_VVD me_PPIO1 's_VBZ the_AT truth_NN1 ._. 
No_AT police_NN2 ,_, no_AT troopers_NN2 ._. 
Oh_UH ,_, and_CC no_AT choppers_NN2 in_II the_AT county_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 told_VVD me_PPIO1 they_PPHS2 do_VD0 n't_XX use_VVI them_PPHO2 around_RP here_RL for_IF tactical_JJ work_NN1 ._. 
Only_RR medical_JJ ._. 
That_DD1 answers_VVZ one_MC1 of_IO our_APPGE questions_NN2 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 smiled_VVD at_II Brynn_NP1 ._. 
"_" Thanks_NN2 for_IF the_AT info_NN1 ,_, by_II the_AT way_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ true_JJ ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, speaking_VVG evenly_RR ,_, though_CS still_RR struggling_VVG to_TO breathe_VVI after_II the_AT blow_NN1 to_II her_APPGE belly_NN1 ._. 
The_AT pain_NN1 was_VBDZ making_VVG her_APPGE jaw_NN1 quiver_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 were_VBDR n't_XX part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 drug_NN1 operation_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT protocol_NN1 is_VBZ if_CS a_AT1 deputy_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX report_VVI in_II a_AT1 certain_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 'll_VM send_VVI backup_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 glared_VVD at_II Gandy_NP1 ._. 
"_" Tactical_JJ backup_NN1 ._. "_" 
Rudy_NP1 considered_VVD this_DD1 ,_, chewing_VVG his_APPGE wet_JJ bottom_JJ lip_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 put_VVD the_AT gun_NN1 away_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 continued_VVD ,_, "_" If_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR not_XX on_II their_APPGE way_NN1 by_RT21 now_RT22 ,_, they_PPHS2 will_VM be_VBI soon_RR ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX make_VVI this_DD1 worse_JJR on_II yourselves_PPX2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM way_RR overdue_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 state_NN1 park_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT woman_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 wo_VM n't_XX search_VVI here_RL ._. "_" 
Rudy_NP1 sneered_VVD ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, Susan_NP1 ,_, why_RRQ would_VM n't_XX they_PPHS2 search_VVI ?_? 
Can_VM you_PPY give_VVI me_PPIO1 a_AT1 reason_NN1 ?_? 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 not_XX ._. 
Jesus_NP1 ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX be_VBI stupid_JJ ...._... 
We_PPIS2 had_VHD a_RR31 good_RR32 deal_RR33 going_VVG and_CC now_RT it_PPH1 's_VBZ fucked_VVN up_RP ._. 
You_PPY understand_VV0 that_DD1 ?_? 
You_PPY understand_VV0 how_RRQ fucked_VVD we_PPIS2 are_VBR ?_? "_" 
"_" Sure_JJ ,_, Rudy_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 understand_VV0 ._. "_" 
Susan_NP1 looked_VVD away_II21 from_II22 him_PPHO1 ._. 
And_CC angrily_RR gestured_VVD to_II the_AT child_NN1 to_TO fill_VVI the_AT bags_NN2 faster_RRR ._. 
"_" And_CC Joey_NP1 's_VHZ been_VBN off_II skateboards_NN2 without_IW a_AT1 cop_NN1 present_NN1 ,_, hmm_UH ?_? 
Grandma_NN1 gave_VVD me_PPIO1 a_AT1 report_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ a_AT1 capital_NN1 crime_NN1 in_II the_AT house_NN1 now_RT ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 've_VH0 got_VVN spies_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 tell_VV0 me_PPIO1 he_PPHS1 's_VBZ clean_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 's_VBZ really_RR into_II lacrosse_NN1 now_RT ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 saw_VVD that_RG special_JJ ._. 
About_II Michelle_NP1 Kepler_NP1 and_CC the_AT murders_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" On_II WKSP_NP1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ right_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" There_EX were_VBDR some_DD cops_NN2 from_II Milwaukee_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 said_VVD they_PPHS2 'd_VHD arrested_VVN her_PPHO1 ._. 
You_PPY did_VDD n't_XX even_RR get_VVI mentioned_VVN ._. 
Not_XX by_II name_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX go_VVI along_RP for_IF the_AT party_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ off_II that_DD1 night_NNT1 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY ?_? "_" 
She_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ._. 
"_" Did_VDD n't_XX they_PPHS2 interview_VVI you_PPY ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 ?_? 
The_AT reporters_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" What_DDQ do_VD0 I_PPIS1 need_VVI publicity_NN1 for_IF ?_? "_" 
Brynn_NN1 was_VBDZ suddenly_RR awkward_JJ ;_; her_APPGE face_NN1 burned_VVN like_II that_DD1 of_IO a_AT1 middle-school_JJ girl_NN1 alone_RR at_II a_AT1 dance_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 thought_VVD back_RP to_II her_PPHO1 very_RG first_MD traffic_NN1 stop_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN so_RG nervous_JJ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD returned_VVN to_II her_APPGE squad_NN1 car_NN1 without_IW handing_VVG the_AT driver_NN1 his_APPGE copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT ticket_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD politely_RR called_VVN her_PPHO1 back_RP and_CC asked_VVN for_IF it_PPH1 ._. 
Nervous_JJ now_RT ,_, nervous_JJ all_DB last_MD night-after_JJ her_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD said_VVN she_PPHS1 'd_VHD "_" run_VVN into_II "_" Graham_NP1 at_II the_AT senior_JJ center_NN1 ,_, and_CC Brynn_NP1 had_VHD stopped_VVN her_APPGE cold_NN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, come_VV0 on_RP ,_, Mom_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ is_VBZ this_DD1 ,_, a_AT1 campaign_NN1 to_TO get_VVI us_PPIO2 back_RP together_RL ?_? "_" 
"_" Hell_NN1 ,_, yes_UH ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ one_PN1 I_PPIS1 aim_VV0 to_TO win_VVI ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX that_DD1 easy_JJ ,_, not_XX that_RG simple_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" When_RRQ 've_VH0 you_PPY ever_RR wanted_VVN easy_JJ ?_? 
Your_APPGE brother_NN1 and_CC sister_NN1 ,_, yes_UH ._. 
Not_XX you_PPY ._. "_" 
"_" Okay_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG about_II going_VVGK to_TO see_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
"_" Tomorrow_RT ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX ready_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Tomorrow_RT ._. "_" 
A_AT1 worker_NN1 stuck_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 in_II and_CC asked_VVD Graham_NP1 a_AT1 question_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 answered_VVD in_II Spanish_JJ ._. 
All_DB Brynn_NP1 caught_VVD were_VBDR the_AT words_NN2 for_IF "_" in_II the_AT middle_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD back_RP ,_, said_VVD nothing_PN1 ._. 
Okay_RR ._. 
Now_RT ._. 
"_" Just_RR wondering_VVG ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM on_II break_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY 've_VH0 been_VBN up_RP since_II six_MC ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM bet_VVI ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 've_VH0 been_VBN up_RP since_II six_MC ._. 
Just_RR wondered_VVD if_CS you_PPY wanted_VVD to_TO get_VVI coffee_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC something_PN1 ._. "_" 
And_CC ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG ,_, to_TO spend_VVI some_DD time_NNT1 talking_VVG ._. 
Telling_VVG him_PPHO1 more_DAR about_II what_DDQ happened_VVD that_DD1 night_NNT1 in_II April_NPM1 ._. 
And_CC telling_VVG him_PPHO1 a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO other_JJ things_NN2 too_RR ._. 
Whatever_DDQV he_PPHS1 'd_VM listen_VVI to_II ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VM tell_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Just_RR like_II a_AT1 few_DA2 weeks_NNT2 ago_RA when_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD sat_VVN in_II the_AT backyard_NN1 with_IW Keith_NP1 and_CC done_VDN the_AT same_DA ._. 
Part_NN1 confession_NN1 ,_, part_NN1 apology_NN1 ,_, part_NN1 just_RR plain_JJ talking_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE ex_NN1 ,_, though_CS cautious_JJ at_RR21 first_RR22 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN pleased_JJ to_TO listen_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 wondered_VVD if_CS her_APPGE present_JJ husband_NN1 would_VM ._. 
She_PPHS1 surely_RR hoped_VVD so_RR ._. 
Several_DA2 heartbeats_NN2 of_IO pause_NN1 ._. 
"_" Sure_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Let_VV0 me_PPIO1 finish_NN1 this_DD1 board_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Okay_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI at_II the_AT diner_NN1 ._. "_" 
Graham_NP1 turned_VVD away_RL ._. 
And_CC then_RT stopped_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD back_RP at_II her_PPHO1 ,_, shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, frowning_VVG ._. 
Brynn_VV0 McKenzie_NP1 found_VVD herself_PPX1 nodding_VVG ._. 
She_PPHS1 understood_VVD ._. 
Understood_VVN completely_RR ._. 
Graham_NP1 Boyd_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN flustered_VVN at_RR21 first_RR22 ,_, seeing_VVG her_PPHO1 just_RR appear_VV0 like_II this_DD1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD agreed_VVN impulsively_RR ,_, not_XX knowing_VVG what_DDQ to_TO make_VVI of_IO her_APPGE invitation_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT ,_, reality_NN1 had_VHD returned_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ recalling_VVG his_APPGE own_DA anger_NN1 and_CC pain_NN1 from_II that_DD1 night_NNT1 in_II April_NPM1 ._. 
And_CC from_II the_AT months_NNT2 leading_VVG up_II21 to_II22 it_PPH1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT interest_NN1 in_II whatever_DDQV she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ up_II21 to_II22 here_RL ._. 
Ah_UH ,_, well_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX blame_VVI him_PPHO1 one_MC1 bit_NN1 ._. 
The_AT moment_NN1 for_IF conversations_NN2 of_IO the_AT sort_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD planned_VVN had_VHD come_VVN and_CC gone_VVN long_RR ago_RA ._. 
Flawed_JJ jaw_NN1 set_NN1 and_CC fixed_JJ cheek_NN1 taut_JJ ,_, Brynn_NP1 gave_VVD a_AT1 wan_JJ smile_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB before_CS she_PPHS1 could_VM say_VVI ,_, "_" That_DD1 's_VBZ okay_JJ ,_, "_" Graham_NP1 was_VBDZ explaining_VVG ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX really_RR into_II the_AT diner_NN1 much_RR anymore_RR ._. 
There_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 new_JJ place_NN1 in_II the_AT mall_NN1 opened_VVD up_RP ._. 
Coffee_NN1 's_VBZ a_RR21@ lot_RR22 better_RRR ._. 
Pretty_RG good_JJ hot_JJ chocolate_NN1 too_RR ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 blinked_VVD ._. 
"_" Where_RRQ is_VBZ it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Downstairs_RL ,_, next_II21 to_II22 Sears_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI ten_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. "_" 
West_ND1 of_IO Embassy_NN1 Row_NN1 ,_, all_DB was_VBDZ silent_JJ again_RT inside_II the_AT walled_JJ garden_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE twelfth-century_JJ roses_NN2 and_CC Shadow_NN1 House_NN1 gazebo_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 entry_NN1 road_NN1 ,_, the_AT young_JJ man_NN1 was_VBDZ helping_VVG his_APPGE hunched_JJ superior_JJ walk_NN1 across_II an_AT1 expansive_JJ lawn_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 's_VBZ letting_VVG me_PPIO1 guide_VVI him_PPHO1 ?_? 
Normally_RR ,_, the_AT blind_JJ old_JJ man_NN1 refused_VVD help_NN1 ,_, preferring_VVG to_TO navigate_VVI by_II memory_NN1 alone_RR while_CS on_II the_AT grounds_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE sanctuary_NN1 ._. 
Tonight_RT ,_, however_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ apparently_RR in_II a_AT1 hurry_NN1 to_TO get_VVI inside_RL and_CC return_VVI Warren_NP1 Bellamy_NP1 's_GE phone_NN1 call_NN1 ._. 
"_" Thank_VV0 you_PPY ,_, "_" the_AT old_JJ man_NN1 said_VVD as_CSA they_PPHS2 entered_VVD the_AT building_NN1 that_CST held_VVD his_APPGE private_JJ study_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 can_VM find_VVI my_APPGE way_NN1 from_II here_RL ._. "_" 
