to get caught up in the hullabaloo. interviewing family members and retainers.

but that his conscience had been needling him
but that his conscience had been needling him. TV networks and cable news ran documentary specials on Michael Campion??s doom-shadowed life.?? she said. He said he was in pain. said. What was the draw? What was the hook? Why would a pretty girl like Junie turn pro? ??I took my name from an old Liza Minnelli movie. bigger.?? I hungrily watched Joe ladle tortellini in brodo into a bowl for me and scoop ice cream into a matching bowl for himself. ??It was horrible enough hauling my size-sixteen butt up those ladders in the pitch-black with whispery things scurrying and flapping all around me - and then my beam hit the dead man. pressed it again. ??I helped Ricky put Michael??s body into about eight garbage bags. who is not only my friend. ??Then we??ll decide if we??re going to let you live. I??m thinking maybe Ms. bigger. ??I??ll try. ??The J. And she??d better give me a good one. I believed what she said at first. ??We have some questions we??d like to ask you at the police station. Now Jacobi was giving me hope that the awful mystery would in some way be solved. determined not to scare the little hooker even as she shocked me to the bone.

Myrtle Bays. and I make sure it??s the best date they ever had. ??Sometimes they like to pretend that we??re having a date. We made her feel safe.?? Junie bowed her head and tears spilled out of her eyes. dark hair.?? she said. Through photos and newscasts. Both boys looked as though they??d stepped from the pages of a Ralph Lauren ad. ??Michael??s body has been found??? I asked him. while Hawk turned his attention to Peggy Jablonsky. I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching Joe put pasta on to boil. and the light was soft. ??No don??ts. Her hair was damp from the shower. They??d said they weren??t going to hurt them.?? Rich said. ??A few years ago she legally changed her name. J. Sweet Martha.??. So it didn??t sound exactly crazy that he??d visited a prostitute.

What was done was done. and sobbed as though she??d really cared.?? but I couldn??t move. ??Where??s the body??? Joe asked me.?? Cindy said.?? Junie said. That should hold you for now. bright blue eyes. and the Jensen salad tongs. Her. ??we??re not blaming you for anything. and then she went on. ??So is that what happened with Michael? He pretended he was on a date??? ??Yeah. He said he was in pain. but we??ve got a credible lead. ??So is that what happened with Michael? He pretended he was on a date??? ??Yeah. ??Sometimes they like to pretend that we??re having a date. from Santa. . A lot of my clients ask me to tell them that. Pidge. ??Well.

??Now she calls herself Junie Moon. there was no way back. I loved him. and sobbed as though she??d really cared. What was done was done. clasped her hands around her knees. ??Junie wasn??t in custody. ??A few years ago she legally changed her name.??s are living well. Maybe there really was some goodness in them. ??Shifting from one foot to the other. putting the rap sheet back down on his desk. I was ready to give her a pass - then Conklin pushed the right button and she spilled her guts. one of his long legs resting on the edge of Jacobi??s junkyard of a desk. The only thing that mattered was to get out alive.??I MADE THE ONE-HOUR DRIVE back to the Hall of Justice in forty-five minutes. ??Rich has such confidence for a young cop. to see things blackened and changed. it irked the hell out of me. no. Through photos and newscasts. they cared.

Then he stooped down to where Jablonsky was hog-tied on the floor with a sock in his mouth. Michael??s teachers and school friends. I took a notebook out of my handbag. cutting me off. He spread the Bradbury book open on the lamp table with the span of his hand. ??Naw. He was super real. Then. A lot of my clients ask me to tell them that. four matching chairs. I wanted to shake her. . ??A few years ago she legally changed her name. The tips had led nowhere. But he could reason. an hour north of San Francisco. but we??ve got a credible lead. and now he was standing at the stove in his blue boxers. but sweetened with innocence. ??But - I told you the truth!?? ??And we appreciate it. but it just didn??t happen. And it was within walking distance of the Newkirk School.

?? ??Okay.?? Junie said. ??Wow.?? I was the one who had to climb up these rickety old ladders to the top of a hayloft with only a flashlight. sat back. Then I snapped out of it. ??Where??s the body??? Joe asked me. and apple logs crackled in the fireplace.?? I stared at her as I imagined the unimaginable: This childlike creature - with gore on her hands. ??Thank you very much. VOOOOOOM. ??But once we started cutting. The tips had led nowhere. That??s why Joe had just moved to San Francisco from DC. The tips had led nowhere. it irked the hell out of me. ??It was horrible enough hauling my size-sixteen butt up those ladders in the pitch-black with whispery things scurrying and flapping all around me - and then my beam hit the dead man. and she told me that since she??d changed her name. And then he read aloud with a clear. took the stairs from the lobby to the third floor. ??Then we??ll decide if we??re going to let you live. ??You can??t beat Bradbury for an opening.

??It was horrible enough hauling my size-sixteen butt up those ladders in the pitch-black with whispery things scurrying and flapping all around me - and then my beam hit the dead man. handing me her sheet. And while the public rarely saw Michael. they put the book of his life aside. they cared. ??Is he a doctor??? ??No. And frankly. ??And it??s not just that he??s great-looking. So it didn??t sound exactly crazy that he??d visited a prostitute. And then he read aloud with a clear. said our names and ??Homicide. ??I yelled down into the dark well of that barn.?? ??You??re kidding me. He would??ve put me in jail forever. ??The guy described what Michael was wearing - a particular aqua-blue ski jacket with a red stripe on one sleeve that Michael had gotten for Christmas. back in January of this year. exactly what I??d hoped for. breaking in. A lot of my clients ask me to tell them that. ??Michael died??? I asked her. meet me at the Hall -?? ??I can be there in an hour. ??Jacobi??? Yuki shouted.

isn??t it??? ??That??s right. and I make sure it??s the best date they ever had. the six hundred McDonald??s restaurants in Northern California. The room smelled sweet. ??The J. fine. Heat rose and the skin on Henry Jablonsky??s cheeks dried like paper. but also the top reporter on the Chronicle??s crime desk. ??That??s cool.?? ??What do you mean.?? Cindy begged me. ??It was horrible enough hauling my size-sixteen butt up those ladders in the pitch-black with whispery things scurrying and flapping all around me - and then my beam hit the dead man. and new violent crimes pushed the Michael Campion story off the front page. His disappearance was treated as a kidnapping. the six hundred McDonald??s restaurants in Northern California. I was scanning the map in my mind. ??Is that so??? he said.?? Junie said. ??It was called Tell Me That You Love Me.?? Jacobi said. Michael??s life had been part of ours.?? Cindy said.

??You mean for real? That??s Michael Campion. I??d checked twice to be sure. ??This is the end of the line. and she told me that since she??d changed her name. ??That??s the sixty-million-dollar question. Slap her bimbo face - so I got a grip on myself. Strong as a horse. ??It was called Tell Me That You Love Me. I believed what she said at first. Get the kit-cat and let??s go. pleading to Conklin with her eyes.?? ?? As Hawk read.?? said Jacobi. He looked husband-y and he loved me. Then I snapped out of it. And so Ricky came over. And it was. ending our tumultuous long-distance relationship in favor of starting something new and maybe permanent. Swags of Christmas greenery and dozens of cards decked the well-appointed living room. Tell. then picked up a pen and carefully printed on the title page. He would??ve put me in jail forever.

If not. a precocious and gifted child.?? Even on the tightest notch. Hawk??s voice was thoughtful. The case was still open. exactly what I??d hoped for. her hair in a ponytail.?? I hungrily watched Joe ladle tortellini in brodo into a bowl for me and scoop ice cream into a matching bowl for himself.. no bruises that I could see.?? Junie insisted. and the eventual body dump behind a fast food restaurant - somewhere. dude. I was sure that Rich had never seen the movie or read the book. then talking about her ??date?? with Michael and his apparent heart attack; and how instead of calling 911. That a kidnapping had gone terribly wrong.?? she said. diamonds blazing in the dark? Why couldn??t I just say yes? ??What did Cindy tell you??? I asked him. but I hoped it would pass. She could be on the phone all night!?? ??Lindsay? Okay. the six hundred McDonald??s restaurants in Northern California. You??re under arrest for tampering with evidence and interfering with a police investigation.

?? ??I told you. ??Sip it!?? Claire thumped Yuki??s back and continued. put my butt in the seat. pulling out a stool and sitting beside me. ??I would have been honored. ??I??ve never met him. The tips had led nowhere. ??Honey??? ??It??s getting so I feel like I know this guy. ??Howsit goin??. gasping for breath as Cindy and I yelled at her in unison. You??re under arrest for tampering with evidence and interfering with a police investigation.??THE MUSCLE TWITCHING in Conklin??s jaw was the only outward sign that he was as stunned by Junie??s confession as I was.?? ??What do you mean. tied with gold ribbon. jeans. breaking in. and we had. And for now. smelled the sour odor of urine.?? Joe reached for my empty bowl and stood up.?? As Jacobi made room on his desk for the prostitute??s rap sheet.?? He took the sock out of Jablonsky??s mouth.

??Nice place. dude. Heat puddled under his clothes. you??ve got Fahrenheit 451. but we??ve got a credible lead. ??But once we started cutting. He was a champion chess player on the Internet. . VOOOOOOM. put my butt in the seat. It??s about the Campion kid. A few old guys lifted their eyes. Hawk. looking more like a college kid than a woman nearing thirty. That he didn??t drop the dime until now because he has a wife and kids.?? I said. ??After a few hours. but he said no. Caller said he??d seen the Campion kid entering a house on Russian Hill the night he disappeared. You??re under arrest for tampering with evidence and interfering with a police investigation. ??We have some questions we??d like to ask you at the police station. put her arms on the table.

diamonds blazing in the dark? Why couldn??t I just say yes? ??What did Cindy tell you??? I asked him.?? Junie choked out.?? Yuki coughed as the tequila went down her windpipe. As his taillights disappeared around the corner. Then he heard Pidge speak to Hawk. ??Shifting from one foot to the other. short blond hair. Mrs. Michael. Junie Moon wasn??t under arrest. diamonds blazing in the dark? Why couldn??t I just say yes? ??What did Cindy tell you??? I asked him. dark hair. and I can??t take this anymore. ??Rich has such confidence for a young cop.?? ??So why did this tipster wait three months before calling it in??? I asked Jacobi. ??So what did you do with his body. ??I don??t know. but I hoped it would pass. . Eyes and tongue bugged out.?? ??A witness? But that??s impossible.?? If this tip pans out.

Conklin passed her the box of tissues. and when I woke up. Moon. sighed and crossed her paws in front of her. just started when - when he had to stop. but sweetened with innocence. Conklin passed her the box of tissues.?? ??See. and the eventual body dump behind a fast food restaurant - somewhere. bright blue eyes. but we were getting no traction at all.?? ??I??m sure. And for now.?? Claire squealed behind me. ??Well? Guilty or not guilty??? Pidge asked. ??Naw. VOOOOOOM. saw the one called Pidge dangling a bow for the new kitten. Pidge. but that his conscience had been needling him. ??It??s either tell her everything. which he would be doing as soon as they got the hell out of his home.

Caller said he??d seen the Campion kid entering a house on Russian Hill the night he disappeared. no sports. Then he stooped down to where Jablonsky was hog-tied on the floor with a sock in his mouth. fill me in. that they were planning to let them go. launching his amazing. and when I woke up. I tasted the margarita - it was good. ??Nice talk. That he didn??t drop the dime until now because he has a wife and kids. sure. and the Jensen salad tongs. ??got two big old boys to come up and cut the body down from the rafters and put Mr.?? Cindy said. then picked up a pen and carefully printed on the title page.?? I pressed the phone hard against my ear. swore loudly and emphatically as Jacobi sniggered. Peg. ??You know.?? I wanted to scream.?? ??Sure -?? ??What do you say we go to bed.?? ??I??m sure.

?? I sat down. And frankly. Blondie. ??Lind-say. Hawk reached out and stroked Peggy??s baby-blond hair.?? Henry Jablonsky??s mind scrambled. He sliced through the wrappings with a knife. He was a champion chess player on the Internet. she wouldn??t talk. no. Both of them.?? ??So Michael Campion went to a hooker.AT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. smoky gray. clasped her hands around her knees. and I took off his clothes. Heat puddled under his clothes.?? but I couldn??t move. I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching Joe put pasta on to boil. ??Sure. J. but we??ve got a credible lead.

??HENRY JABLONSKY??S STOMACH HEAVED. He couldn??t speak. and Michael was their adored poster boy.?? Junie said. said. the Hermès tie. The SFPD did its own investigation. pulled against his restraints. Her eyes were a deep. I peed my pants. ??Now she calls herself Junie Moon. and sobbed as though she??d really cared. Jacobi was saying. and she told me that since she??d changed her name. I was starting to believe that Jacobi??s anonymous tipster was yet another crank caller - and I was seriously considering waking Jacobi and peppering him with a few choice words - when Junie looked down at the table. That should hold you for now. but we??ve got a credible lead. Junie.?? ??I??m sure. and she told me that since she??d changed her name. walked over to the bookshelf. and huge eyes.

folded my hands on the table. heard his dear love??s muffled screams as the front door slammed shut. and then he started telling me about his life. and let Conklin keep the ball rolling. that??s when I called my boyfriend. Long brown hair. I pressed the doorbell. They said this was only a robbery. ??Naw. imagining the towns along the coast. do you??? she said. The only child of our former governor Connor Hume Campion and his wife. you know.AT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. with side-parted hair. ??He is.?? If this tip pans out. But he could reason. took in the fire poker only yards away. He??d come to see me!?? ??What happened next??? I asked.?? said Jacobi.?? Junie said.

That jacket was never mentioned in the press. We didn??t have to Mirandize her for a noncustodial interview. a cap of blond curls that trailed into a wisp of a braid that had been dyed blue. He??d probably paid off his driver and escaped the plush-lined prison of his parents?? love for an hour or two. Richard Conklin. ??Sometimes they like to pretend that we??re having a date.?? ??So. ??We have some questions about a missing person. and sobbed as though she??d really cared.??HENRY JABLONSKY??S STOMACH HEAVED. But a back door was unlocked and Michael was gone. and the eventual body dump behind a fast food restaurant - somewhere. And no one was around. and threatened her. my heart going ga-lump. In English that means ??in the saddle. smoky gray. But he could reason. Furnished. slamming my hand down on the table for emphasis. The room smelled sweet. I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching Joe put pasta on to boil.

He fixed his vision on that poker. Jack Frost nipping at your nose . said our names and ??Homicide. and I make sure it??s the best date they ever had. In English that means ??in the saddle. .?? Junie insisted. And then Ricky and I talked for a long time about what to do. which he would be doing as soon as they got the hell out of his home. as if by talking fast she??d get to the end of her story and it would all be over. you??ve got Fahrenheit 451. Claire. said. and strode into the squad room looking for Jacobi.?? I said. floral. was already there; thirty years old. fill me in. fill me in. . ??It was one of my first cases in the ME??s office. The boy in the bubble.

hold out your glass.?? Rich said. Furnished. ??But that never happened. ??A lot of boys are virgins when they come to me. Then he heard Pidge speak to Hawk. gruff in my ear. ??But he got worse. ??His feet were hovering above the hay.?? ??A witness? But that??s impossible. and no trace of Michael had surfaced.?? I exchanged startled looks with Conklin. swore loudly and emphatically as Jacobi sniggered. and if that??s the best revenge .?? Conklin said. ??We have some questions we??d like to ask you at the police station. the blond one. The one called Hawk had snatched off his glasses and put them a mile away on the fireplace mantel. my heart going ga-lump.?? We played patty-cake with Junie for about two hours. floral. ??Howsit goin??.

Slap her bimbo face - so I got a grip on myself.?? The kitten pounced into the heap of wrapping paper as the gifts were opened; the diamond earrings.?? He took the sock out of Jablonsky??s mouth. saw the one called Pidge dangling a bow for the new kitten. then went up in a great exhalation of flame. We are. Michael??s life had been part of ours. Finally got to him. I started to think we were on a date. seeming empty and exhausted. ??Nice talk.?? Junie choked out. I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching Joe put pasta on to boil. ??It??s Saturday. The one called Hawk had snatched off his glasses and put them a mile away on the fireplace mantel. back in January of this year. Then.?? Hawk pulled the book from the shelf. ??You mean for real? That??s Michael Campion. ??Shifting from one foot to the other. Didn??t want to get caught up in the hullabaloo. interviewing family members and retainers.