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Lila had her back toover to re-table drawers The polyester pantsuit she as not very flattering Fro foaht of ht it was Moza What can I do for you?"

"I heard you were leaving I thought maybe I could help"

Uncertainty flickered in her eyes Her abrupt departure was probably at the urging of her cohorts in Las Cruces, alerted by ht have suspected it was me, but she couldn’t be sure Forto stall until the cops showed up I had no intention of confronting her For all I knew, she er or fly at me with soht out

She checked her watch It was now alet to the airport and she’d have to be there by 4:30 or risk losing her seat That gave her ten minutes "Oh dear Well, I don’t knohy ht need a ride to the airport, if you could do that," she said

"No probleht down the street Henry said you’d be stopping by his place anyway to say good-bye"

"Of course I am, if I have ti in the armload of clothes and I could see her look around the roo

"Did you leave anything in the bathroom? Shaht back" Shefor the bathroom

I waited until she rounded the corner and then reached over and opened her purse Inside was a fat manila envelope with Henry’s name penciled on the front I took off the rubber band and checked the contents Cash I closed her purse again and tucked the envelope into the waistband of oing to press charges and I hated to see his savings confiscated and iteet it back I was just adjustingshampoo, shower cap, hand lotion She tucked them in around the sides of her folded clothes and closed up the suitcase, snapping the locks shut

"Here, I’ll get it," I said I hauled that suitcase off the bed and picked up the other one,there, wringing out an iinary dish towel in her anxiety

"I can take one of those," she said

"I got it"