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“Depends” As she began to waken fully, Nadine’s senses sharpened “You have so for me”

“Prosecuting Attorney Cicely ToasNadine’s yelp, Eve continued briskly, “Her throat was slashed, and her body was discovered on the sidewalk of Hundred and forty-fourth between Ninth and Tenth”

“Towers Jesus wept I had a one-on-one with her two o after the DeBlass case Hundred and forty-fourth?” The wheels were already turning “Mugging?”

“No She still had her jewelry and credit tokens A hborhood wouldn’t have left her shoes behind”

“No” Nadine closed her eyes a moment “Damn She was a hell of a woman You’re primary?”

“Right the first time”

“Okay” Nadine let out a long breath “So, why is the pri me?”

“The devil you know, Nadine Your illustrious associate Morse is drooling down my neck”

“Asshole,” Nadine arette in quick, jerky buet word of it He’d have blocked me out”

“You play square with me, Nadine, I play square with you”

Nadine’s eyes sharpened, her nostrils all but quivered “Exclusive?”

“We’ll discuss teret back Make it fast”

“I’m practically on planet”

Eve sreedy craw, C J, sheas she pushed away from her desk She had people to see

By nine AM, Eve was cooling her heels in the plush living area of George Hammett’s uptown aparte squares of cri rae of the tropics The silver cushions of the long, low sofa glittered, and when she pushed a finger into one, it gave like silken flesh