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I tried the Ocean Street Cafe for breakfast, downing cups of black coffee with the local paper propped up in front ofto look fa at the counter, next to Ace, as getting ragged again about his ex-wife, Betty, seated on his other side There were two other nized fro the plate-glass ith a view of the beach Joggers were trotting along the wet-packed sand I was too tired to do a run ht have perked ether as they probably had every day for years

"Where you think he’s at?"

"Lord only knows I hope he’s left the state He’s dangerous"

"They better catch him quick is all I can say I’ll shoot his ass if I see hiot you peekin’ under your bed at night"

"I peek every night ’At’s the only thrill I get I keep hopin’ to find sohter was shrill, underscored with anxiety

"I’ll co help you’d be"

"I would I got me a pistol," Ace said

" ’At’s not what Betty says"

"Yeah, he’s loaded half the time, but that don’t mean his pistol works"

"Bailey Fowler shows his face, you’ll see different," Ace said

"Not if I get hie of the local newspaper was a rehash of the case to date, but the tone of the coverage was picking up heat Photographs of Bailey Photographs of Jean An old news photo of the criround The faces in the croere blurred and indistinct, seventeen years younger than they looked today Jean’s body, barely visible, was covered with a blanket Traht There was a quote fro for sheriff since he joined the department He seemed like the type

I wolfed down my breakfast and went back to the motel

As I went up the outside stairs, I saw one of theon the door of room 20 Her cart was parked nearby, loaded with fresh linens, vacuum cleaner mounted on the back

"Maid service," she called No answer