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"You stillon the floor, back against the wall, arms folded over his knees

"I’m sure I did, but a lot has happened since then, in my life and in the world," she informed hiht Beau Kidd did it himself, because there is no copycat killer and he wants us to know he’s innocent," Mike murmured dryly

"Maybe he didn’t do it," Ana said "And maybe his spirit didat hiht, Mr He- you haven’t seen for yourself could possibly be real"

"What’s the phrase? A ghost in theto lift the tension that had suddenly filled the roo at us," Dan said, grinning, and evoking smiles from the others at last

"Was she mean?" Ilona asked

"Heavens, no," Christina said "But she had a very clear vision of right and wrong" She flashed a s We haven’tup"

"Well, she wasn’t all that fond of the way I’ "I tried to explain to her that I intend to be more than Raccoon Ralph"

"And you will be," Christina said "You’re going to be Zeus"

"Right And Halloween is around the corner I’ll get to play some pretty scary stuff," Dan said

"The three-year-olds are treested, "Why don’t we ask the Ouija board when you’ll get your big break?"

Mike groaned "I’ another beer" He started down the hall, al in the doorway "Beer?" he suggested

"Yeah, sure, oneto the kitchen with him

A few seconds later, they heard a loud and startled clamor from the parlor

They frowned at each other and rushed back to the other room Jed was in the lead, and when he reached the arched doorway, he was almost hit in the head with the planchette

"Hey, who threw that?" he deht in the face

"She did," Ana said, pointing to Christina

"I did not!" Christina protested

Anaot et a life," Jed snapped

"What’s going on?" Mike de to get the part he wants," Christina said

"And it spelled out ‘help’ again," Ilona said, eyes wide

"They’re pulling your leg, Ilona," Mike told her

Ana let out a long, aggrieved sigh

"Whatever Let’s put the stupid thing away," Christina said Without waiting for anyone to agree, she reached for the box

"Throw the stupid thing away," Dan suggested

"Christina, throw an old treasure away?" Tony teased "Never"

"It’s a good thing I don’t throw anything away You ot about it after one Christ fro complacently

"Yes, and we appreciate it," Dan said, then explained to the others "We got bonds for Christot all about them, but Christina stuck them in a box and held on to it Our bondsworth a bundle"

"And we thank her for it," Mike said, then turned to Christina "Wantup?" he asked as he turned up the dimmer switch

"No, but thank you for the appreciation" She rose froized "Sorry, but I’ve got to go I’ for the eight o’clock breakfast This was fun Thanks, Ana Christina"

"I should take off, too," Jed said, anxious to get away He still couldn’t get the autopsy off hisat a party where the conversation kept turning to Beau Kidd

"Christina, Ana, thanks for dinner, and, Christie, welco," she said, and walked over to hi reserved between them

His fault, she decided as he waved to the others and started toward the door