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An hour later, still at the ,

The name that popped up on the LCD screen said it was Sara Benson, Kingsley&039;s receptionist "Mr Kingsley Fulcruht at the Don Grill in Fullerton at ten thirty"

"Oh, really?" I said, rolling sley Fulcrusley Fulcrum I mean, who has their secretary set up dates for the for a ith aat the moment"

I checked my watch Geez, defense attorneys kept weird hours Talk about the pot calling the kettle black

"Fine," I said "Tell Kingsley I&039;ll be there"

"I&039;m sure he will be pleased"

More than likely this was a business ht, who knows,dressed for what ain

"Funny how you only call when you need so," said the deep voice immediately It was Chad

"Would you prefer I called if I didn&039;t need soe"

"I&039;ll think about it"

"How&039;s that skin disease working out for you?" he asked

"Very well, thanks for asking"

"Anytime," he said "You want the name and address for that cell number?"

"Would be nice," I said, very aware that the naive ave me the name and address I used the hotel stationery and pen By the ti

I clicked off and stared at the name

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I parked in the half full parking lot Ever the opti flats, which slapped loudly on the swath of cobblestones that led up to the rear entrance of the restaurant The night was clear and inviting, and I had a sudden surge of hope, and love of life I felt that all was right in the world, or would be, and for the first time I actually believed it Hell, I almost felt sorry for people ere not vaht I was lonely, sure, but that could always change Loneliness is not permanent

The cobblestone path ended in a short alley The alley was kept immaculately clean, for it provided convenient access to the many shops and restaurants At the hts were out Or broken I illing to bet broken I had long ago lost h walls of the surrounding businesses I passed behind the back entrance to a used bookstore, a comic book shop, a stationary store and a pet store The Don Grill was the only establishment open at this hour Music pumped from the restaurant&039;s open door Fire escapes crowded the air space above the alley like oversized cobwebs

Sitting on the fire escape was a woun at me

There was a flash, followed i exploded in ered backward I kept my balance and looked down Dark blood trickled from a hole in my dress Next came two more muffled shots�Dand the impact of two more bullets turned me almost completely around The bullets had been neatly placed inMy red dress was ruined

The woman walked casually down the fire escape I saw that there was a silencer on the gun No one would have heard thefroht

Frosley&039;s receptionist She paused in the alley and held the gun in both hands like a pro Her hair was pulled back tightly, revealing every inch of her beautiful face Her eyes ide and lustful, and tonight she appeared particularly radiant Her shapely legs were spaced evenly at shoulder width A good shooting stance Any attorney should be so lucky to have such a beautiful receptionist

Except this receptionist had gone over the edge

"How could you help that ani, as if her words had been planned well in advance I could hear again the undercurrent of rage and hatred, and now I understood fully who that anger was directed toward