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"In ay?"

"In any way possible You’d be astonished, Mr McKenzie, at what ood news and we have bad news," I said

G K said, "Start with the bad news, but "

I switched ht ear to my left "Merodie had means and opportunity to kill Eli," I said "Turns out she also had a strong motive I found at least titnesses who claiood news?"

"We can place Priscilla St Ana at the scene Her brother was the father of Merodie’s daughter, the brother who died in a car accident sixteen years ago Priscilla has been raising the girl"

"The girl that you told me about? Silk?"

"Yes St Ana admits that she was at the house, says she dropped off Merodie’s check, says she saw nothing ainal statement, Merodie claiht with Eli, a man with blond hair Priscilla St Ana has short blond hair"

"Could she be confused with a man?"

"Not by anyone who’s sober"

"Merodie wasn’t sober Or maybe she was It would certainly explain why Merodie insisted we leave St Ana alone She’s protecting her"

"So to open her considerable checkbook if it’ll help Merodie’s cause"

"Why?"

"Could be guilt Could be she wants to stay close to the investigation in case it turns her way Could be she wants to shield Silk against bad publicity"

"Which ht be the reason Merodie wants us to lay off Priscilla--to protect Silk"

"Could be Oneto build a case against Merodie Well, if he is, he’s doing a damn poor job of it"

"What do youquestions about Merodie are us"

"That doesn’t make sense"

"I don’t knohat to tell you, Gen Maybe your infor"

"No No, my sources are solid"