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Jane stood watching him "Sloan, can all of this be related? A skull here, the bonesJennie andknocked out in the theater? These may be entirely separate No one was killed here"

"Jennie is in a coma, still unconscious Maybe one or both of you was uns She had to, she knew "Sloan, I stopped the duel today--"

"Yes, yes, I heard about it," he said "I’"

"I stopped it because of Sage McCormick--and I stopped it because I was afraid souns Which, as far as I can tell, turned out to be true"

He stiffened and scowled She hadn’t thought he could look any ed it

"You know this? You found cartridges that weren’t blank?"

She felt her cheeks burn "I’uns were different"

"Where are the guns now?"

"On my bed"

"No, they’re not"

"I left them on my bed!"

"I went into your roo for you," he said "There are no guns on your bed"

Lock your door Jennie had told her to do that

And she hadn’t

"I still have the bullets," she told him

"You do?"

"Unless someone ransacked my whole room They’re in the toe of one of my boots"

He still looked as if he could bite those bullets in half

"I know you’re worried about me, but you’ll have a heart attack if you don’t control your temper," she said mildly

He stared at her, incredulous, but he didn’t have a chance to respond Chet called down the stairs "Sloan? You okay?"

"Fine, Chet Stay there, will you? I’ for the county crime-scene people"

"Yes, sir"

But behind Chet, Henri had a different opinion on the ? This is one of our two biggest nights of the year! You’re going to have crime-scene people in the theater now?"

"Henri, soer with a cane--and then used it on a federal agent On Jane You’re da crime-scene people down here!" Sloan informed him

Henri was at the foot of the stairs now He shook his head "What are you talking about? This place is a mess! Jennie must’ve fallen--theevil was done here, it’s just--" He paused, turning to Jane "Oh, Jane, I’lad you’re okay I don’taround like a crazythis was done on purpose?" he asked

"Yes, Henri, someone purposely bashed Jennie and then Jane So cri down here You’re lucky I don’t close the whole theater But while we’re on the subject No "

"But the outlaere supposed to co it all up!" Henri protested

"Think of so"

"I’m the mayor, Sloan I can fire you!"

"Firein, and the county can trump you, Henri, and you know it," Sloan said "Henri, did you hear me? Jennie is really hurt She’s in the hospital, in a co his head

"And there’s been another h"