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"God," I said, erous when I saw her at O'Riley's but I never would have thought she'd actually try to kill someone, let alone me"

"I should have quit right away," Drake said, his voice regretful He sighed "Maybe none of this would have happened"

"You couldn't know None of us could know she was crazy"

"Couldn't we? Maybe Derek didn't know her as well as he should have Maybe I shouldn't have blithely agreed to top her, not knowing anything about her background and history Usually, I relied on Lara to vet the subs I topped or signed a contract with I didn't because I assuuy, would have done so I wonder if he knew about her past If I had known, I wouldn't have beco real abuse should probably approach the lifestyle very cautiously For soht just screw theuys in the lifestyle who prey on women like Lisa"

"Usually they don't get murdered by those women," I added "She was a piece of work, Drake Probably only sonize her behavior and be worried"

"I should have been," Drake said softly "There's no excuse, considering I studied psychiatry I even considered psychiatry as a specialty"

"Don't blame yourself" I reached over to squeeze his bicep Sophie put her head down on Drake's shoulder, sucking away on her pacifier and Drake turned to me, his eyebrows raised

"Looks like somebody is ready for a nap," he said softly

"Looks like it Do you want to take her or should I?"

"I will," he said and stood up carefully, carrying her up the stairs to the bedroo on the television to watch the headlines Luckily, there was nothing on the news about the case I didn't relish seeing any pics of me or Drake on the screen Reporters often referenced my case when they first talked about Lisa, since she had been convicted of attempted murder Luckily, the reporters all used an old photo of me fro Lisa's first trial and had a few pics taken ofthe lead-up to her new trial I wanted to keep it that way I'd taken to wearing my hair up in a bun rather than down, and when I went out in public, I dressed down as much as I could so I blended in with the rest of the crowd

I didn't want anyone sticking a h Once it was done, there was yet another trial on charges of reckless endanger Jones to commit suicide

Drake ca me closer to him "She went down easy," he said "We are so lucky"

"We are," I said and smiled up at him

"Are you going to the studio?"

I nodded and stretched "I want to finish this piece I' on That way, the series is done and I can send soallery and see if they're interested in an exhibition"