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“Tell me, how late was Tina there?”

Beaufort held his face in his hands “It was a little before nine when they lef’,” he said

“Are you sure of the time?” I asked

“Yeah They said their ride would be there at nine They all come wit’ some friend o’ Rochelle”

I breathed a sigh That was an hour after the neighbor thought she’d seen Tina leave her house She had an alibi

“So as the friend?” I asked

“I dunno” He saw the look on my face and his voice cracked “Look, I really dunno All I know is it was some friend, see?”

Little D looked at me, ready to have at him I held him back with a raised hand He scowled, but stayed where he was

“So how did you get hooked up with the guys at Kozmik Games?”

“Say what? What guys?”

“The guys paying you for the porn”

“I dunno about no guys,” he said, in a loud, exasperated voice

“Well, ere you in Philadelphia looking for Cooper?”

I sucker-punched Beaufort with that question His eyes widened and he stuttered “Ph-Ph-Philadelphia? I ain’t been there”

“Don’t bother to deny it There’s a witness who can identify you” I didn’t ht all black people looked alike For another twenty bucks she’d probably identify hinize him