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Haggerty hurried by hiust, theirritation sweep over hi to follow in Tom Garfield’s footsteps A loner

And yet,alive wasn’t always an easy thing to do Especially for an FBI man Still…

Griuy Adam would be able to help him And they would be forewarned in the future, should Harrison Investigations co off the unpleasant encounter with Haggerty, Brent jogged to catch a trolley andat his watch, he was amazed to see that it was only eleven-thirty

He hesitated, winced and decided it was ti for, Mitch? Can you vote? Did we give the vote to Yankees yet?" Patricia said teasingly

Mitch made a face "Of course I can vote! I’ for?" Nathan pressed

"Hell, I don’t know On the one hand, we’ve got an old liar On the other hand, we’ve got a young liar," Mitch said

"That’s pretty cynical," Nikki said as they walked idly down the street The area was, beyond a doubt, even busier than usual And there were cops on every corner as crowds headed toward Jackson Square

"How h with a promise after he’s been elected?" Mitch asked

"Maybe it’s harder to carry out a proested

"But that’s the thing--someone out there should be an honest politician Tell the truth No, I can’t change the world, but I can take a few little steps," Mitch said

Nikki laughed "Well, if you acted as if you couldn’t change much, no one would vote for you at all, probably"

She stopped to look at a flyer that had been pasted to a light pole It was for Billy Banks Nice looking, good smile, lots of charisma

Mitch slipped an arm around her shoulders "He’s a cutie, huh? That’llI’ for the best ed "I don’t know yet"

"I don’t, either And I’m not here to listen to the debate There’s Contessa Moodoo’s Hoodoo Voodoo I’ had it with politics for thein the crowd had distracted her So that she’d seen with her peripheral vision that had caused a little jump somewhere in the back of her mind

But she didn’t knohat it was She watched as people strea women in halter tops, others in T-shirts Men in business attire

What could have bothered her about the group that had just passed?

Soave her head a shake, grateful that at least it hadn’t been Andy, and followed the others into the shop

While her friends chatted, looking over Contessa’s wares, Nikki realized that she was uneasy

And that Contessa atching her

While the others were checking out the potions, Nikki wandered into the part of the shop dedicated to the history of voodoo and those who currently practiced the art She felt sooing to see someone who couldn’t possibly be there, and that sooner or later she would simply scream, fall down and be committed to an asylum

But it was Contessa, her marbled eyes deeply concerned "She died, yes? Your friend, she is no longer with us"

"Yes, she died And you knew she was going to die," Nikki said It was an accusation

Contessa shook her head "There was a color around her, and it was dark It boded great danger I didn’t know she was going to die She did not die by her own hand"

"Most believe that she did"

"That was not a question I was telling you what is so"

Nikki nodded "Well, I agree with you on that I think she was rimaced "You don’t happen to knoho or why, do you?" she queried

Contessa shook her head "But--"

"Nikki," Patricia called "We’ve got to get going"

Nikki nodded "But what?"

Contessa hesitated, just briefly The others were heading for the door, calling out their thanks and waving for Nikki to follow

"But what?" Nikki persisted