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Her mother was silent for just a heartbeat, then she said, with affection, "Your father was always very efficient Did he call you shortly after the man was dead to tell you that you were safe?"

Molly stared at the phone "Yes, that’s exactly what he did The police still haven’t located the person who shot potassium into Dickerson’s IV"

"They won’t either Not a chance Your father always hires reliable help"

"Yes, I suppose so But I’m still very worried for him He’s been nearly killed, twice That Rule Shaker doesn’t seeive up"

"No, he never was I doubt he’s changed"

Molly ju the phone off the wall "What do you mean, Mom? Do you know Rule Shaker?"

"Certainly, dear I knew hio, when both he and your father were just getting started in their businesses They were excellent friends, way back when Our two faether I very much enjoyed his wife, Lorna, poor woo I always believed Rule Shaker was responsible for that"

"But, Mom, they’re bitter enemies now It was Rule Shaker who blew up Louey, when Raets It was Rule Shaker who murdered a fanner in Colorado He’s tried twice to kill Father"

"These things happen, Molly Just a moment" Molly heard her mother switch to her musical Italian "What, Maria? Oh yes, just put o to bed" Her lish "Yes, dear? What e speaking about?"

The good Lord giveabout the fact thatto kill each other Why didn’t I ever know about this? Why don’t the police know about this? What happened between them?"

"I don’t know about the police, dear Surely they know The split was no secret As for you, ould you have ever known? The split happened when you were a little girl Just before I left your father, actually It was only a year later that Rule’s wife left him"

"Do you knohat happened?"