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“Knew him, certainly, but ere never chulittering as happily as his bracelet “I despised him Loathed him Found him a particularly vile form of l

ife”

“For any particular reason?”

“For any number of very particular reasons” Stiles leaned forward, as if iant All of those traits I could forgive, even appreciate as ho act require a certain sheen of vanity to do e do But under Richard’s sheen was a sheer nastiness of spirit He was a user, Lieutenant, one who not so quietly rejoiced at crushing hearts and souls I’ret the method of his oh-so-timely demise”

“Why?”

“The play was brilliant, and my part one I relished This incident will postpone if not cancel the rest of the run It’s very inconvenient”

“It’s going to get a lot of publicity That won’t hurt you”

Stiles ran a fingertip down his chin “Naturally not”

“And when the play resuht”

“There is that”

“So his death, in so drae”

“Clever,” he ht out We have a play within a play here, Lieutenant, and you’re writing it well”

“You had access to the prop knife And enough time to make the switch”

“I suppose I did What a thought” He blinked several ti new data “I’! I had seen myself as a witness Well, well Yes, I suppose I had opportunity, but no real motive”

“You’ve stated, on record, you hated Richard Draco”