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That’s because I look so good in it

"Nuts," I said

15

By ray tiles on the roof of Priscilla St Ana’s estate in Woodbury--and off the tiny black-cherry sports car parked in the long driveway I spent a good deal of ti G K Bonalay had said--was it just yesterday?

God is in the details

My inner voice scolded me So much arage, it said

Yeah, but there are no s in the garage

Excuses, excuses

The way I looked, I didn’t think I hadpast the maid, Caroline Besides, I didn’t want to speak with Cilia So I ignored the front door andhouse to the backyard patio I heard the ru into the water as I turned the corner I watched her pull herself froray swimsuit with some pale blue splattered here and there The sun touched droplets on her face and shoulders and the top of her breasts, turning the white beach towel from the back of a chair and brushed away the droplets

"Mr McKenzie," she said as if it were the answer to a question

"Ms St Ana," I said

She seemed amused by my appearance--bruised, unshaven face; flat, disheveled hair; dirty jeans and shirt; damp, shapeless sports jacket

"You look like you fell into so," she said

"I suppose you could say that"

I sat in an iron chair next to the glass table without asking pers out in front of me I hid a yawn behind "

"Must have been an interesting night"

"It had its moments"

"Are you here to see Aunt Cil?" she asked

"No I’m here to see you"

"Me?"

Suddenly, Silk seeht the huge white towel in front of her, concealing her body

I set a heel on the seat of a chair and launched it forward It slid across the tile and came to a rest next to Silk

"Take a seat," I said

Silk did what I told her, an obedient child listening to the voice of authority, holding the towel in front of her as if it were a life preserver

"What do you want?" she said Her voiceto do whatever I requested Where was her confidence? I wondered Where was her audacity?

I said, "The clock is striking ht, Cinderella It’s pumpkin time"