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“Oh, Lady Cop, do you really think I’ll just give up and let you put me away? I’ve been locked up for h?”

We were in a freaking standoff from hell Adrenaline had red-lined my heart rate I was fully aware that Neddie could puun out my holster

I said in the calmest tone I could muster, “I hear you, Neddie, and here’s o My partner and I ith the DA and tell your side of the story The abuse you’ve suffered The extenuating circuht you to this point He’ll listen to us”

Neddie re well for Larry He whi to you”

Neddie said, “Shut up, Larry” It looked tomine Could I dive onto him? Knock the needle out of his hand?

I was gauging the distance when Neddie spoke

“If I give up,” he said, “you have to tell the media in your oords Make sure they understand that I’enius who fooled everyone You have to make it clear that in your professional opinion, Edward Lahini is one of the most brilliant serial killers—of this century Do that Give me your word”

I didn’t trust him, but I needed him to trust me

I said, “Okay, Neddie That’s a deal I can live with You have my word Noly toss the needle down”

A drea? He locked his eyes on er

At the same time I heard the shot

Conklin!

Neddie shouted and the needle jued, rolled off Lawrence and the s, and lay still

Conklin went to Lawrence, who clasped the side of his neck and gasped, “He … stabbed me”

I grabbed the keys off the floor and jammed one after the other into the lock in the basement door On the third try the key twisted easily and the door creaked open I ran into the cavernous and well-traveled basement corridor