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"Merodie," I said "We’ve been speaking to Priscilla St Ana--"

She was off her chair and across the room in an instant Her fists were clenched, and I was sure that she was going to hit me

"I told you to stay away from her," she said

"Remember when I told you I was your friend?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"So shut up and sit down" I was pointing at the chair "Iat the chair "I’m in a real bad mood," I said

"Your cold is better," Merodie said "Did you use the Vicks like I said?"

I nearly began to laugh If they were going to strap her in the electric chair, Merodie would be warning her executioner not to stand too close

When she was seated, I asked, "Why didn’t your tell us about your daughter?"

"Look at me, McKenzie What do you see? You don’t have to say it, I’ll say it You see a pathetic drunk If I didn’t know it before, I know it noith writing my history on a chalkboard all week Silk, she shouldn’t have to suffer cuz of that That’s why I gave her to Cilia, so she wouldn’t have to suffer She’s got a good life with Cilia My life has been just one thing after another, and sohter, she ain’t gonna suffer cuz of that So you, you just shut up now about Silk I’lanced froain "You have to do what I say, and I say you don’t talk about Silk and you don’t talk about Cilia I don’t want no one pointing at theo away than let that happen"

"Go to prison," I said

"Yes"

"Merodie," said G K "I think we have an opportunity to ht her hands together in a way thatto the deity and said, "There’s so I want to say, but I don’t want you to interrupt until I’m finished Okay?"

Merodie nodded

"Now bear with ets a little coain

"It would be extremely valuable to us if we could furnish the county attorney with a second suspect in Eli’s death Noouldn’t need to prove this second suspect actually co Jefferson on the head with the bat," Merodie said

"Yes, exactly But, please, don’t--"

"I won’t"