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I shrug "Most people do"

He takes another bite "You ga his bite "The way I gaotta try and tip the odds in your favor Load the dice, weight the wheel, count the cards But after you play your hand--if you lose, it’s over You cut your losses, walk away fro around to take out the dealer only pisses off the casino Brings unneeded attention, you knohat I’m sayin’?"

And I’arding me "Soafter Gino’s hand plays out, you irl, have lots of blue-eyed lawyer babies--and don’t bother looking over her shoulder We’re not gonna be there"

• • •

Three weeks later, the verdict is in I’ht behind Kennedy when the fores after Gino Moriotti is found guilty on all counts

Kennedy and I go out and celebrate with the prosecutors and agents orked the case with her She drinks vodka A lot of it It’s a great fucking night

And then I pack up ue

Six months later

"Welcoh school reunion: one of theexperiences ever invented You have to get all dressed up to see people you didn’t actually like enough to keep in touch with over the past fifteen years Men worry if anyone will notice how bald they’re going--and the answer is yes Wohteen News flash--you don’t Or, if you do, that’s so into your veins, so you should stop right away

Vicki and Brian begged off, using the ulti Kennedy was reluctant too But after ave in

I think it will be good for her to face those ghosts, so she can see that even bullies grow up, and et old She says she doesn’t need that, but I think deep down, she still carries a tiny open wound froht finally scab it over completely