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“Maybe,” Eve said steadily “Maybe not You’re dead, either way Drop the knife, Morse, step away froo on fast overload”

“Bitch You think you’re going to beathimself from a clean shot, then shoved her forward

Eve caught Nadine with one arm while she aimed with her weapon hand, but he was already into the trees Seeing no choice, Eve slapped Nadine hard, front handed, then back “Snap out of it Goddamn it”

“He’s killing me” Nadine’s eyes rolled back, then forhen Eve hit her again

“Get , call this in Now”

“Call it in”

“That way” Eve gave Nadine a shove toward the path, hoped she’d stay on her feet, and dashed toward the trees

He’d said he had a plan, and she didn’t doubt it Even if hehim in, eventually But he was pri on the sidewalk, or so home from a late date

He’d use the knife on anyone now because he’d failed again

She stopped in the shadows, ears straining for sound, breath rigidly controlled Dimly, she could hear the sounds of street and air traffic, could see the lights of the city beyond the thick border of trees

A dozen paths spread out before her that would wind through the glade and the gardens so lovingly planted, so carefully designed

She heard so Perhaps a footstep, perhaps a bush rustled by so ready, she stepped deeper into the shadows

There was a fountain, its waters silent in the dark A ss, twisty slides, the foa shins and elbows

She scanned the area, cursing herself for not grabbing a search beaerously out of the trees Tooon the air like a shroud

Then she heard the scream