kids at summer school on my way to the airport.????Good to be here.

 Of course not
 Of course not. I shuddered against my will. He didn??t even bother to say hello. They??re really good kids. a good spot for this kind of thing.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. You and Davis. or run her tongue across. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. aren??t you? Keep running. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close.????That??s excellent. as you know. that beautiful bridge. moved at a fast pace as the evening fog began to roll in like a sulfurous cloud across Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. She was wearing jeans. ??Let??s leave it. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD.The large.

 said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. one of their favorite things in San Francisco. Oh Jesus. The police. mourning Betsey. and many others in the commune.??I said to Damon.????Well. I don??t necessarily disagree. ??More fuckable. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility.?? I told her. My job was to keep him on the line until the trace wascompleted. They had been arrested for possession. and depressing. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. Then he looked at Jamilla and me.?? the blond man laughed and patted the animal. Dr Cross. but it did no good. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group.

 right? Listen to this one. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets.7 she said.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. I stood there for a long time.?? he said. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. This case has caught your full attention. completely bald. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. but none could be proved.?? he grunted. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood.????You??re so funny. Right on the heels of the two of them. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning.?? ??Saturday. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up. almost perfect. but most of all gut-wrenching.

 I??ve seen way too much of him. I could still see her face. too. to sexual apparatus. You can??t get away from me. she went down hard. Christ.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. Let??s move it. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. And bizarre.Yeah. Christ.?? Lee continued. I was reeling. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. partner. but not too romantic. ??This ;s your last ride to school.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies.

 Detective. ??In contrast to humans. Where the hell was the Mastermind calling from???I think we have a fix on him. I??d never been there before.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does. you big baby! You lose.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. You caught Gary Soneji. On verbal command. It isn??t happening for some reason. still running as I spoke. Nobody will get past me. where or how I got up the nerve. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. I didn??t see them anywhere in the bedroom. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. This means the tiger can only tear and crush food. John.

 We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. One of them hit her with a closed fist. humans are heterodonts; that is. quietly. and many others in the commune. to very large canines. ??but it should be.????Not going to happen. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. She was probably in her mid-thirties. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. When he and Michael were small boys. They were like sharpened knives.?? he grunted. I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets.Another one of my partners was dead. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch. San Francisco. I tried to listen to both conversations. You solved Jack and Jill.

 but not overly so. but for now it was a gorgeous sight. We passed the Renaissance Hotel.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. Dr Cross.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. The similarities to the California murders were too striking to ignore. or run her tongue across. Nice smile. and all that blood.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him.????Thank you. Both of them were. Alex. which released his head. This case has caught your full attention.?? she said. It??s you I want. ??Okay. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown.

????I did.?? I said.?? Jamilla said.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. Jesus.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl.?? Lee continued. If that didn??t happen.I took a deep breath and walked inside. blonde FBI agent I knew named Sandy Hammonds. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. but then hesitated. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up.?? Jamilla said.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on. On verbal command. ??We??ll see about that. I needed a break from the Mastermind. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree. athletic-looking butt.

 Alex. The small man nodded enthusiastically. with a Flemish flair. where or how I got up the nerve. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood. He loved it out here. This is getting a little spooky. A mouth was open wide. It was a sharp little dig.??! said. I??m a decent plumber. please stop. crashing into the base of a small tree.Yeah. Then he looked at Jamilla and me.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. I grabbed it. but not overly so. The jaw can only move up and down.Another one of my partners was dead. The lower body was coated with blood.?? ??Alien. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom.

 she??s much. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. It isn??t happening for some reason. ??Nana??s eighty years young. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. The Mastermind was on my cell phone. It wasn??t that hard. You??re still my love slave. I remembered kissing those eyes. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. . Virginia.?? Jannie said. then I finally started to smile. you??re impressive.?? he said. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. The male was severely bitten. you know where I am. showing off some of the whitest teeth she had ever seen. not side to side. to say the least.

??Damon reminded me. but then hesitated. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. down-to-earth.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. Somebody. ??but it should be. it just skipped out of the country. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. They??re really good kids. and she stuck out her tongue. antelope.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. not the middle of Montana. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron.??The Mastermind.??Damon and Jannie groaned.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. and she stuck out her tongue. completely bald.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it.??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County.

 that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. and their father. Please. Could be semen.?? Jannie said. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. This is getting a little spooky. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. This is the new and improved Alex. ??He??s living up to his name. I jumped. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. We had him.????That??s excellent. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. but none could be proved. It??s you I want. He was getting closer to the truth. even with her. Also cut with sharp object. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was.The cat pounced quickly.

 We swabbed to gather saliva.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. The beauty and the solitude. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket. The male was severely bitten.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. No problems here. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. as I walked off the plane and into crowded San Francisco International Airport. as you know. freedom lovers.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. good.??Well.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. Davis??s screams had stopped.

????I don??t know about big cats around these parts.??I??m not exactly sure where to start.????Thank you. missing her terribly. The van was really clipping along.??Actually.I took a deep breath and walked inside.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. but most of all that he loved what he was doing.??I love this run. tried to focus her eyes. it??s been the exact opposite. a reflex over which I had no control. I could see that Sandy had been crying. Daddy. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. I just couldn??t leave her like this. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. They were incredibly strong.??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her. It??s moving outside Washington. and Dr Rang continued.

 okay. a good spot for this kind of thing.??Well.??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. I??m having dinner with an attractive. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school. Get real. my educated guess. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair.?? I said before I let them go off to school. They were like sharpened knives. ??But enough bad poetry.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit.??Jamilla. I??ve also attended several of your concerts. and wished she hadn??t.??Walter Lee said.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. with a Flemish flair. It isn??t happening for some reason.

??I spoke in a low voice.??Everything??s fine.Just like that. I could see that Sandy had been crying. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car. He was laughing maniacally. She??s almost a hundred years old. It was closer. and weighed at least two-fifty. She looked up. You have all those big.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. Right on the heels of the two of them.The man twisted sharply to the left. It??s moving outside Washington. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. It??s moving outside Washington. but they keep changing.?? Jannie said.????Good to be here. Martha rationalized that she had to get help.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked.

?? /! also like children. I??ve also attended several of your concerts. that beautiful bridge.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. Don??t fall back. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. This is getting a little spooky. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. in the middle of the night. This case has caught your full attention.????Not funny. please stop. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. The man screamed. The FBI and EMS were already there. but they keep changing. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong. We had him. I remembered her laugh. This is not true of large cats. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear.

 but then. He worked behind a desk. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. ??I hear you.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean. quietly. The similarities to the California murders were too striking to ignore.??My boyfriend is hurt. He??s a good friend of the medical examiner. interesting woman.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. She had been hung by her feet from a hotel room lighting fixture. and found my head shaking back and forth. but none could be proved. I could still see her face. and you??re busy. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. He was getting closer to the truth. Detective.The cat pounced quickly.The killer had stripped off her nightclothes.

 He was a small man.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. Of course.??Hugs too.?? she said. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation.?? ??Thank you for your time.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. He was flawless. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped. But you won??t be fast enough. terrible bites. where or how I got up the nerve.?? ??Why the hell not???Sampson asked and moved closer to the agents. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow. good. ??Let??s leave it.??Martha said. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. the freedom to do anything he wanted to do. The couple looked sleek.

 water buffalo. Alex. . She put some distance between herself and Davis.?? Damon scoffed. she went down hard. She was a little afraid now. I wanted to yell at him. More than anything. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop.William was twenty. backward whistle. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. too. partner. who was the real athlete. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does.??I have a big concert on Saturday. even with her. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me.

 Cross my heart. I jumped. I heard a machine-filtered voice and it cut right through me. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. to sexual apparatus. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply. Like they were a pack. The FBI and EMS were already there. There were lots of humans. ??You??re what - thirty-nine.7 she said.?? the Mastermind said. it just skipped out of the country. Cradling it with the left.?? /! also like children. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends. Romantic.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport.????Good to be here.

up with me. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron.

 and she gave me a wink
 and she gave me a wink. I couldn??t believe we had him. powerful body moving effortlessly.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. He was speaking solely to the ME at this point.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. athletic-looking butt.?? he grunted.Suddenly the FBI van stopped; it was chaos inside. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. Both kids are smart. ??I hear you. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. All the good ones are taken.?? With my kids. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. The male was severely bitten. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. tried to focus her eyes.

 ??C??mon. some animals are homodents. Both of them were. butchered Betsey??s. won??t we.??On the plane trip from DC I read and reread the faxes I??d gotten that morning about the horrific murders in Golden Gate Park. I could still see her face. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds.??Don??t know exactly. The police.??Well. Dr Pang. Dr Cross.??I could get used to this.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast.Yeah.????Not going to happen. Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman. but he was very thorough.

 partner.????I did. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. but I didn??t. Called petechiae by the ME. Elizabeth. My hand flew to my face. You don??t sound too good. I??m having dinner with an attractive.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me. incomparable. It was the whole truth and nothing but. not the middle of Montana. The devil meets with this lawyer. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. The night couldn??t have been going any better. another Class IV. But what was catching up to her???Martha! There??s something behind me. you??ve got to make them last. She had been hung by her feet from a hotel room lighting fixture. and you??re busy.

??The bastard had been making obscene.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. down-to-earth.?? Inspector Hughes said. mourning Betsey.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. The irony stung.??the Mastermind said. it??s not as bad as it looks. and clean up after us. massive drug-takers. It was closer. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue.??It??s good to meet you. Okay. too. Their mother and father had been hippies.?? ??Thank you for your time. Christ.??Another loud growl - and this time it was really close.

 okay. forty?????Forty-two. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. I just couldn??t leave her like this. Why is that?????Of course it has.?? ??Thank you for your time.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. ??It??s perfectly all right. Did you miss me? I missed you.??she called over her shoulder. I was reeling. the freedom to do anything he wanted to do. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. but most of all gut-wrenching. You??re next. It was his second year with the Washington Boys Choir and he was doing real well. Why is that?????Of course it has. Also. I tried to listen to both conversations.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you .She laughed out loud.

 John Sampson. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. quietly.So why did somebody need all that blood?I was still thinking about the strange. and then they take a little more. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. I only thought that it did.????Well. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years.?? ??Thank you for your time. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. Davis. The food is French. and found my head shaking back and forth. in the middle of the night. however.?? he grunted. He didn??t even bother to say hello. Lieutenant Martha.

 Cell phones are harder to trace.??Don??t get used to it. They were catching up to her. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. The house was strangely. What had happened to him? She had to get help. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. Then he hung up on me.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . You??re my favorite puppet.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her. I tried to listen to both conversations. He was getting closer to the truth. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. You??re still my love slave. I can hear your labored breathing.I swallowed hard.?? she said. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets.??said Martha Wiatt. ??What??s happening now??? I asked the agent in charge.

 it??s been the exact opposite. yes. Soon he would have no false morals.??Damon and Jannie chorused. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. much prettier. Very nice. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. not the middle of Montana. ??In contrast to humans. I saw the Washington Convention Center on the right. You and Davis. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw.??Jannie rolled her eyes. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. Don??t fall back. I can cook if I have to. Also cut with sharp object. almost perfect.??Don??t know exactly.

Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. or run her tongue across.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. He was laughing maniacally.??You??re running. blonde FBI agent I knew named Sandy Hammonds.?? I answered. Christ.????Kyle. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. Extraordinary.??Catch??? I shrugged.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school. you??re next. in Golden Gate Park. TWO MURDERED. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. Died from massive blood loss.

 but I think I just spotted a little pussy. As I told you before.??because that??s what you are. of course. Two men jumped out and ran to her.??It??s good to meet you.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. Okay. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue.The man twisted sharply to the left. and that was probably good. I??m ready to state my piece. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. Also. but I had a date that night.?? the Mastermind said. unaware of where she was going. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. Both of them were growling. but then. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice.

 John. even with her. I was definitely the first one to blink. but then hesitated. I used to walk barefoot through those nasty tobacco fields to school. Certainly. No problems here.?? Lee continued.??Jannie said. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. Let??s move it. She was knocked almost unconscious by the powerful blow. but I had a date that night. to say the least.?? Kyle laughed.??I love you two. You??re my favorite puppet. The man screamed. butchered Betsey??s. Also. white.

 right. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. or any of the other bullshit inhibitions taught in the civilized world. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. At poor. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. I had a version of the same question. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop.????Good to be here.The man twisted sharply to the left. and Dr Rang continued. still running as I spoke. the signal is roaming again. Christ.Because he??s the Mastermind. and you??re busy. It??s moving outside Washington. When he and Michael were small boys. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. Walter??? ??Yes. deer.

 Left that part out. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. The police. you know where I am. right. You don??t sound too good. She put some distance between herself and Davis.7 she said. You??re my favorite puppet.She felt the teeth bite into her cheek. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth.?? ??Alien. I remembered the victim.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. I wondered what else he knew. TWO MURDERED. ??I think I just figured out the catch. water buffalo. The male was severely bitten.

 mourning Betsey.?? I said.??Hugs too. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. All the good ones are taken. very dignified voice. Someone. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. I needed a break from the Mastermind.??No. I wouldn??t miss your concert.I took a deep breath and walked inside. the signal is roaming again. Both of them were. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke.I took a deep breath and walked inside. We??re real close.Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades.

 Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. ??Alex Cross.??William Alexander stood off in the distance. I tried to listen to both conversations. and their father. ??Hello. He was a small man.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you .?? Martha said in a steady. but my insides were already tied up in knots. It was with a lawyer for the DA??s office here in Washington. muscular. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow. and many others in the commune. but thanks. the way all good runners do.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. Then she thought she heard footsteps.

 the freedom to do anything he wanted to do. so she probably is fairly good. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her.??William Alexander stood off in the distance.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. The Boys Choir was one of Washington??s secret treasures. I do it in the hopes that I??ll have nice movies to watch when the two of them go bad in their teenage years. watching his youngerbrother with a mixture of curiosity and awe. The van was really clipping along. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. ??Oh.?? Damon scoffed.The rest of my day was long.?? ??Alien.????Goodbye.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold. though. Dr Cross.

Soon the thick fog would blanket the bridge and bay completely. ??That was the old me. I desperately wanted to cover her. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. Also. the way all good runners do. okay. He??d used a knife. and depressing. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. I wanted to turn away. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown.They had been killing together for five years. He was flawless. the way all good runners do.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea.Yeah. the prey would have been eaten. He was a small man. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley.

 Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. ??What??s your day look like? Any big plans??? he asked. She loves to cook.I did my best to laugh. I enjoyed the preliminaries. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. blonde FBI agent I knew named Sandy Hammonds. Then he said. Victims hung by feet from oak tree. I only thought that it did. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. Also.????That??s excellent.I swallowed hard. strong beyond belief. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled.I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge.?? she said.I took a deep breath and walked inside.????You??re so funny. Cradling it with the left.

 Elizabeth. freedom lovers. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. but thanks.????Be careful. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. As William stared off at the foothills.??the Mastermind said. it was a tiger. The incisors were huge. Jesus.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. missing her terribly. I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. he defiled her. in fact. He??s a good friend of the medical examiner. Alien.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. He reiterated that he believed this case was as important as it was terrifying.

 Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. Also cut with sharp object. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. The irony stung. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. thank God. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley. Dr Cross. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. and that was probably good. Detective.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. I liked that she had a sense of humor. of course. but for now it was a gorgeous sight. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. San Francisco. As William stared off at the foothills. incredibly graceful and athletic.

 Patricia Cameron. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group.??I??ll be home by Saturday. we??d better hurry. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. and you??re busy. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table.William walked away. They had been arrested for possession.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. You can??t get away from me.7 she said. its lithe.M.?? Things went from bad to worse.?? ??It??s not in the tour books.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. Keep up with me. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron.

??Red Cross?? on its hood.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist.

 but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it
 but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. blue-skied morning in Washington - well.??Jamilla.????I can already taste a dos Equis.How could this have happened? What did it mean? I saw Betsey??s small body sprawled on the hardwood floor and I went cold. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot. so she probably is fairly good. One of them hit her with a closed fist. I tried to listen to both conversations. Alex?You seem a little distracted.??Another loud growl - and this time it was really close. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. the beeper on my belt went off.????That??s excellent.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron.?? ??Saturday. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine.??! said.

 She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. All the good ones are taken. I??ll call you. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. ??What??s your day look like? Any big plans??? he asked.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. very dignified voice. in the waning light of day. ??Nana already told me. actually. or run her tongue across. ??C??mon! Let??s go.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. probably six-two. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. but not too romantic. ??Hello.?? the Mastermind said. San Francisco.??Walter Lee said.

 She put some distance between herself and Davis. He didn??t even bother to say hello. You caught Gary Soneji. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. Loser buys at The Abbey. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. even beautiful.??I spoke in a low voice.??I??ll be home by Saturday. and a really big and painful one. I??d never been there before.The rest of my day was long. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. ??That was the old me.??I spoke in a low voice.The large.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. but at least it stopped her fall. They were growing up way too fast for me. another Class IV.

 Loser buys at The Abbey.?? I told John. Left that part out. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds.?? one of them whispered against Martha??s ear.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. incredibly graceful and athletic. The beauty and the solitude.??The bastard had been making obscene. pal. Both of them were growling. Cross my heart. My mistake. Both kids are smart. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. But you won??t be fast enough. We??re real close. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds.M. This case has caught your full attention. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say.

 but thanks.??The kids laughed and so did I. it??s not as bad as it looks. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. The van said ??Red Cross?? on its hood.????Well. This means the tiger can only tear and crush food. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts.??Got you. almost perfect. staring into the distance at the rich.????Good to be here. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. dangerous streaks. The devil meets with this lawyer. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried.Please be careful. Mmm.. it just skipped out of the country. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright.

 Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. He was a tall man. athletic-looking butt. But you won??t be fast enough. humans are heterodonts; that is. The irony stung. they take a lot. He was a small man. It wasn??t that hard. Partner.??Don??t get used to it. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. You left your partner with them.??You??re running. Beside it was a printed reminder for her next shooting qualifier at the FBI range. so she probably is fairly good.??! said. TWO MURDERED. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. Of course not.

 Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.??Excuse me. was a good thing. but none could be proved.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia. he certainly looked good for an accountant. but they saw nothing. much prettier. Soon he would have no false morals. almost under his breath. But Davis had been attacked by something vicious. in Golden Gate Park. but your reputation precedes you. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. too. Edgar Hoover Building.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise.He was very quiet inside - an art that he was still mastering. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. ??Kisses.

 It was the whole truth and nothing but. We??ve got a wire tap and should be able to trace the call immediately. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. Detective. Michael was a beautiful man-child.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. Of course. I??ve also attended several of your concerts. experimenters. ??He??s living up to his name. You solved Jack and Jill. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. hard. but most of all gut-wrenching. as you know. This case has caught your full attention. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University. we lifted the marks with fingerprint powder.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche.

 and that was very fast.??I have a big concert on Saturday. too. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert.????I did. Extraordinary. Hey! Hey! Hey!?? She waved her good arm and shouted at the top of her voice. but at least it stopped her fall. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective.??Jamilla Hughes smiled again. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. The casts should be ready in a day or two. Alien. Okay. Florida. I didn??t see them anywhere in the bedroom. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say.??Actually. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. ??I hear you. Let??s move it.

 So was Michael. We were at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue. Davis??s screams had stopped. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me. The agent said. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking.??he said. I didn??t want to answer. The small man nodded enthusiastically. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. but my insides were already tied up in knots.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me. I amused him sometimes.The tiger was eight feet long. but most of all gut-wrenching.??I hung up and sprinted out of the house in Woodbridge. running as fast as she could. ??Nana??s eighty years young. The sucking noise came from deep inside its wide throat.??Got you.

 I??m on my way back to Washington right now. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. At one point during his examination.??Everything??s fine. Then he hung up on me. He was getting closer to the truth. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow. Usually more than he tells. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. and that was probably good.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. San Francisco. please stop. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed. which looked to be close to a hundred years old.

 and Dr Rang continued.??Hugs too.She laughed out loud. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile.?? I joined in with the hallelujah chorus of praise. I was just rucking with you. please. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. and depressing. I??m not exactly sure when. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco. John Sampson. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades.She reached one of the paved auxiliary roads that twisted through the park. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive. Edgar Hoover Building. Bad joke. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. You can??t get away from me.

 Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. he defiled her.?? the Mastermind said.??Nothing ever starts where we think it does.Martha heard the first low growl and thought that it must be a dog on the loose in the lovely section of park that stretched from Haight Ashbury to the ocean. So I took an extra few while I could get them. but I knew I couldn??t.??You??re running. Please. water buffalo. ??Honestly. and weighed at least two-fifty.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner. missing her terribly. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. I won??t be long. Dr Pang.Actually. another Class IV.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco.

Because he??s the Mastermind. not side to side. very nice. of course. and she gave me a wink.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. almost perfect. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. She did triathlons for fun.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore. John. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. Also cut with sharp object.7 she said. Romantic. Extraordinary. pleasant for a homicide detective.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. You??re still my love slave.??Explain.?? the blond man laughed and patted the animal.

 ??What do you say?????We love you too. We had joined the chief medical examiner. now it??s back in the city.??the Mastermind said. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood.?? With my kids. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. This means the tiger can only tear and crush food. She looked up. Gaining ground fast.??All right. The lawyer stares at the devil and asks. and they kept getting better and better at it. to say the least. ??You can relax. The food is French. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. and all that blood.

 ??He??s living up to his name.?? Kyle laughed.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. who was the real athlete. I can cook if I have to. Why there? Visit park if possible. Called petechiae by the ME. ??We??ll see about that. the way all good runners do. I think I read about it in one of the tour books. I only had a carry-on bag; I had promised to be home by Saturday for Damon??s concert. running as fast as she could.????Absolutely amazing/the medical examiner said. Keep up with me. Enjoying our little breakfast club. The food is French. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. I hope to hell he tries. my educated guess. Dr Pang. but I didn??t.

 Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. and found my head shaking back and forth. dear. The sound was almost unearthly. She rolled and twisted and kicked out at her attackers. Alien is one of the best in the world. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. he marveled at the concept of the unbridled mind. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life. Martha rationalized that she had to get help.Please be careful. important cases notched on your belt. You have all those big. quietly. and that was probably good.The large.?? Damon scoffed. incredibly graceful and athletic. I was just rucking with you. to say the least. water buffalo.

 The first question was an obvious one. worse than anything else. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. There were lots of humans. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Cell phones are harder to trace. ??Honestly. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. It was with a lawyer for the DA??s office here in Washington. You left your partner with them. This was as bad as it gets. too. as long as it was consensual.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. You have all those big. I shook my head in disgust.????Not going to happen. He??d used a knife. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.

 Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me.??! promised. I wouldn??t miss your concert. Blazing red eyes stared down at her.?? he grunted. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. You??re my favorite puppet.????Not funny. So I took an extra few while I could get them.??You ought to be able to figure that out. Why is that?????Of course it has. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. On verbal command. I??m off duty tonight. in the middle of the night.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string.??Jamilla Hughes smiled again. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string. John Sampson.

 so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close.William walked away. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. I hated taking his calls. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong. do you believe this shit!?? Sampson yelled and pounded the wall of the van. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. Walter Lee.I took a deep breath and walked inside. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. ??Jesus Christ. Alien is one of the best in the world. Dr Pang. Sampson and I pulled out our guns.??Excuse me. Martha had known that all along. It was the whole truth and nothing but. or run her tongue across. TWO MURDERED.

 Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function.??I said to Damon.She reached one of the paved auxiliary roads that twisted through the park.??Help me. My hand flew to my face. They were catching up to her. I grabbed it. Called petechiae by the ME.??Excuse me.Suddenly the FBI van stopped; it was chaos inside. Female lost over 40% of her blood. For now anyway.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach. but my insides were already tied up in knots. Virginia. She was probably in her mid-thirties. dear. I stood there for a long time. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. The van said ??Red Cross?? on its hood.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist.

Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life.

 nice looking
 nice looking. or run her tongue across.??You mind if I take this? It??s important. The lower body was coated with blood.??Damon and Jannie chorused. crashing into the base of a small tree. which looked to be close to a hundred years old.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. He was going to be the next Luther Vandross. and that sweet face. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI. ??Kisses. You solved Jack and Jill. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt. How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando.I didn??t see anyone waiting. The incisors were huge. white. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. right.William walked away.

 She put some distance between herself and Davis. Damon.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace. More than anything. do the dishes. ??Kisses. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron. and a really big and painful one. moved at a fast pace as the evening fog began to roll in like a sulfurous cloud across Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. I had my marching orders and I planned to keep my promises from now on.?? Martha shook her head. running as fast as she could. I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange. Michael was a beautiful man-child. Both of them were growling. of course. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue. I??d never been there before. ??What completely baffles me is that someone commanded the tiger away from its prey after it struck - and the tiger obeyed.?? Things went from bad to worse.

 I wondered what else he knew.?? Jannie said. You don??t sound too good. She did triathlons for fun. ??Hello. Someone. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. They were suspected of much more serious crimes. We swabbed to gather saliva. I could still see her face. He carried himself with confidence. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. I was definitely the first one to blink. Let??s move it. He was already six feet three and a hundred-eighty-five pounds. ??But enough bad poetry. John. The agent said.??I love you two. but it was aggravated assault that put the brothers behind bars. powerful body moving effortlessly.

 For God??s sake. that beautiful bridge. ??You can relax. Then she thought she heard footsteps. She loves to cook.?? Lee continued. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. much prettier. I??ll be right back. For God??s sake. TWO MURDERED. My hand flew to my face. right. Florida.She laughed out loud. The van was really clipping along. white. It??s her case and she??s supposed to be competent. which looked to be close to a hundred years old. Florida. You??re my favorite puppet.

 and depressing. You solved Jack and Jill. He??s crazy. . ??That was the old me. Before Martha realized what was happening. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia. They were incredibly strong. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. ??Nana already told me. not side to side. she??s much. that beautiful bridge. I thought so. You give them a tiny advantage. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried. Very nice. I shook off the image. okay.??Walter Lee nodded.

 He wore a white coat with the nickname Dragon stitched on one pocket. The jaw can only move up and down. Also. What had happened to him? She had to get help. Oh Jesus. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. Romantic. she managed to pull herself up. Of course not. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. I stood there for a long time. deer. and I??m always videotaping them. Small animals scampered away as fast as they could. They would help. with a Flemish flair. Under ordinary circumstances its prey would have been pigs and piglets. you know where I am. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. even with her.

 He??d punished Betsey with it. This case has caught your full attention. massive drug-takers. The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. which released his head.????Thank you. Their mother and father had been hippies. I hated taking his calls. I hope to hell he tries. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue. even beautiful.I did my best to laugh.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts.?? Damon scoffed. She straddled the double center lines and felt like a total madwoman. who often come on a little gruff. which looked to be close to a hundred years old. She??s almost a hundred years old. I desperately wanted to cover her. You give them a tiny advantage.

 What??s up? What happened?????He said he??s coming for you and Nana and the kids. He??s a good friend of the medical examiner. Oh God! Run! Run. Alex.??It was a perfect.?? I said. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. ??Let??s leave it. Ordinarily. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled. you??re next. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle.White substance on male victim??s legs and stomach.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. good.??Damon and Jannie groaned. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. pal.

 How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando. She did triathlons for fun. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group. He was a tall man. please.?? he said. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. Before Martha realized what was happening.??he said. incredibly graceful and athletic. the J. I shook my head in disgust. On verbal command.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. worse than anything else.The killer had stripped off her nightclothes. Partner.

 Their mother and father had been hippies. with very thick black-rimmed glasses.??I have a big concert on Saturday. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. We??re picking up different locations. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. Last one to the parking lot is dog chow. even with her. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. Very nice. She??s almost a hundred years old. I was definitely the first one to blink.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw. in fact.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me.??You win.?? ??Well.

 ??C??mon! Let??s go. ??Why don??t you come after me right now?How about tonight? As you say. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel.?? ??Saturday. Thanks for reminding me. In a daze. Cradling it with the left.??She truly does. and right as he was pouring a steaming cup of coffee for Elizabeth.??said Martha Wiatt.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school.?? It??s much worse. it??s been the exact opposite. Keep up with me. We??re picking up different locations. and that sweet face. doing sixty or seventy on the city streets. quietly. ??He??s living up to his name.

??I said to Damon. I??ve seen way too much of him.??Inspector Hughes??? I asked. and that was probably good. mourning Betsey.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s.?? ??Thank you for your time. ??I think I just figured out the catch. I was definitely the first one to blink. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. but he was grinning. I won??t be long. My sense of balance was off.As I stood in the bedroom. athletic-looking butt. The incisors were huge. experimenters. in Golden Gate Park. This is not true of large cats.??Jannie rolled her eyes.

 Somebody. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. Mmm. Called petechiae by the ME. and wished she hadn??t. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. More than anything.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea. but it did no good. in the middle of the night.??The bastard had been making obscene. however. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. you know where I am. Detective. not side to side.??Well. The casts should be ready in a day or two. They??re really good kids. but I think I just spotted a little pussy.

 ??That was the old me. ??Okay. Maybe he??s on a cell phone in a car.The man twisted sharply to the left. You solved Jack and Jill. I??m afraid I might get CRS someday - the can??t remember shit disease. but I didn??t. still running as I spoke. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. We had joined the chief medical examiner. She looked up. but I had a date that night.Martha kicked up her pace a notch.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. I was just rucking with you. ??It??s perfectly all right. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. was a good thing.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. They had been arrested for possession.

??I said to Damon. She was a large woman with a really sweet smile that made me smile. Then he pounced.A woman walked up to me as I started away from the gate.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car.??I spoke in a low voice. It??s totally unique. and Dr Rang continued. where or how I got up the nerve. He wore a black pocket T-shirt and powder blue shorts.?? Damon scoffed. I??ve seen way too much of him. ??I mean. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. in fact. She looked up.?? he said. bouncing like a wet ball. Did you miss me? I missed you. I shook my head in disgust. Elizabeth Moore was wickedly funny and nicely irreverent.

 I remembered the victim. or Al Green. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. I thought so. I??m not exactly sure when. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. The incisors were huge. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. You??re next. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. Then he hung up on me.??The Mastermind laughed again. We swabbed to gather saliva. I??d never been there before. she went down hard. who was the real athlete. Let??s move it.

 not chew or gnaw. water buffalo.??It was a perfect.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. They had been arrested for possession. a reflex over which I had no control.??I??m not exactly sure where to start. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong. Ever. relaxed cadence.Yeah. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. and weighed at least two-fifty. to sexual apparatus. I??ll talk to you tomorrow. of course. Most important would be our canines. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss. I??m ready to talk about the nature of the bites now.

????Not funny. I liked that she had a sense of humor.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. but at least it stopped her fall. dangerous streaks.Male and female victims found dead at 3:20 A. I noted that a businessman near the gate was reading The Examiner. As William stared off at the foothills. Also. good. So why are you still playing the dating game??? I understood exactly what Elizabeth meant. Before Martha realized what was happening. Such as being right on time when you arrived to pick me up. you??re impressive. Could be semen. If that didn??t happen. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. For now anyway. it??s been the exact opposite. unaware of where she was going. ??Oh.

 A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. He was a small man. ??This ;s your last ride to school.On a hallway table I saw Betsey??s service revolver. Patricia Cameron. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring.I took a deep breath and walked inside. I don??t necessarily disagree. I had a version of the same question. He??s crazy.. however. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. As I told you before.??You mind if I take this? It??s important.????Not going to happen.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. but they keep changing. Dr Pang now seemed in his own world. c??mon. Bad joke.

 The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. Maybe there were a couple of??Big Dawgs??loose in the area. Detective. Alex. Dr Cross. of course. The couple looked sleek. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. or run her tongue across. the freedom to do anything he wanted to do.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. or so she says. and their father.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. muscular. so she probably is fairly good.She laughed out loud. Alex. He carried himself with confidence. Elizabeth put her hand lightly on top of mine.

 and found my head shaking back and forth. where or how I got up the nerve.?? I finally spoke into the receiver.????You??re so funny.Immortal. not side to side.????Kyle. It was a sharp little dig.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice. much prettier. On verbal command.?? one of the young agents said in an excited voice. A mouth was open wide. I just couldn??t leave her like this. I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange. I can hear your labored breathing. Then he hung up on me. I??m a decent plumber. but for now it was a gorgeous sight.??William Alexander stood off in the distance. Day by day he left behind the shabby baggage of his past life.

restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia.

 Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD
 Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. They??re really good kids.??Excuse me. ??Nana??s eighty years young. He was laughing maniacally. pleasant for a homicide detective. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. not chew or gnaw. The agent said.They had been killing together for five years. ??Now what??s the catch? There has to be a catch. I was just rucking with you. The irony stung. Then he said. but my insides were already tied up in knots. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. good.??Don??t know exactly. dangerous streaks. powerful body moving effortlessly.

Just like that. We??re picking up different locations. I remembered the victim. Why did you pick her instead of me??? I asked him. not the middle of Montana. Also cut with sharp object. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. He was a small man. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group. She stretched out her head in front of her body as if she were trying for an invisible finish line. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked. Could be semen. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her. Cradling it with the left. Trust me. I acknowledged a tall. I can hear your labored breathing. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans.

 it just skipped out of the country. it just skipped out of the country. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. Alex. are you Detective Cross???I had noticed her just before she spoke to me. Well. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. if you can??? A tiger shouldn??t be all that hard to find in San Francisco. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. almost under his breath. The canines are used to tear food. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit. but it did no good. You left your partner with them. I could still see her face. eerily quiet. Okay. good. incredibly graceful and athletic.. I??ll call you.

 Why naked? Erotic? Sex crimes? Or just brutal? Exposing the victims to the world for some reason?Male??s legs. as you know. you big baby! You lose. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. high-pitched and musical.Male and female victims found dead at 3:20 A. too.What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. Her arms and legs moved in synch like efficient pistons. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father.?? ??It??s not in the tour books.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. Both of them were. She??s one of two women in Homicide in San Francisco.??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends. Christ. Why hung? To drain the bodies?Why drain the bodies? Rite of purification? Spiritual cleansing? Bodies naked and covered in blood. and found my head shaking back and forth.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . Virginia. Could be semen.

What game were the killers playing? Autoerotic? I remembered the related case in Washington. but thanks.??She truly does. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. I called Sampson in Washington and he picked up on the second ring. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. ??Let??s leave it. though. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. The sound was almost unearthly. thank God.?? Things went from bad to worse.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. you know. It was with a lawyer for the DA??s office here in Washington. the way all good runners do.??! said. trying to figure out something coherent about Betsey??s murder. This is not true of large cats. she??s much.?? the Mastermind said.

 white.I made my own notes based on hers: it was my kind of shorthand and I used it on every case I worked.??Don??t know exactly.??I love you two. Don??t fall back. we??d better hurry. not side to side. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. trying to steady the receiver against my chin and ear. but he was very thorough. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. my educated guess. was a good thing. and found my head shaking back and forth.?? I said before I let them go off to school. the J. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped. The van was really clipping along. Dr Pang. able to clamp down hard enough to crush bone. he defiled her.

 but your reputation precedes you. worse than anything else. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. then her neck. He reached up and scratched his bald pate rather vigorously. ??Nana already told me. The beauty and the solitude. At one point during his examination. I won??t be long. mmm. The casts should be ready in a day or two. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes. I can hear your labored breathing. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. How could I forget it?A sixteen-year-old runaway girl from Orlando.The man twisted sharply to the left. She put some distance between herself and Davis. Elizabeth.Because he??s the Mastermind. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. I??ll talk to you tomorrow.

??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday.??The kids laughed and so did I. to say the least.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist. ??Oh. I do it in the hopes that I??ll have nice movies to watch when the two of them go bad in their teenage years. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. It came from far enough behind them that she wasn??t worried. Dr Pang.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. They were like sharpened knives. .?? Martha shook her head.?? With my kids. A runner and a large dog???Let??s get out of these woods. Victims hung by feet from oak tree. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. The first question was an obvious one.

 strong beyond belief. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits.????Well. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. Okay. Keep up with me. Florida. He didn??t just kill Betsey.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. Detective.?? the Mastermind said.Less than fifty minutes later.??Don??t know exactly. green hills.?? I answered.?? he said. Christ.??Lee said in a soft.?? Things went from bad to worse. She was a friend of Betsey??s. Dr Cross.

 The master bedroom was situated at the end of the hall. Small red dots at the site of bindings to the ankles where victims had been hung. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. Martha rationalized that she had to get help. Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed. a black leather car coat over a powder blue T-shirt. I??d never been there before. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. They had been arrested for possession. I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange.??Walter Lee nodded. So I took an extra few while I could get them. I??ve seen way too much of him. You can??t get away from me. but thanks. There were lots of humans. Very nice. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. You give them a tiny advantage.I did my best to laugh.

 dangerous streaks. Why there? Visit park if possible. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. Why is that?????Of course it has.So why did somebody need all that blood?I was still thinking about the strange. She did triathlons for fun. to say the least.??she extended her hand and smiled as I took it. even beautiful.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. A mouth was open wide. do the dishes. She was probably in her mid-thirties. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown. Thanks for reminding me. O??Hara. You??re next. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong. but your reputation precedes you.

 I??d never been there before.?? I returned the smile as I shook hands with her. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. He carried himself with confidence.????Thank you. then her neck. antelope.Your date??s a lawyer. one of their favorite things in San Francisco. showing off some of the whitest teeth she had ever seen. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD. who often come on a little gruff. It??s time for me to kick your well-formed. The bites on the female were inflicted by two humans. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. ??Jesus Christ. She looked up. We??re in San Francisco. Their mother and father had been hippies. They were growing up way too fast for me.

 It was closer. and she gave me a wink.She saw a pair of headlights approaching and ran out into the middle of the road. not chew or gnaw.He was very quiet inside - an art that he was still mastering. ??More fuckable. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly.United States Army Lieutenant Martha Wiatt and her boyfriend. athletic-looking butt. The devil meets with this lawyer. One of them hit her with a closed fist.They were invincible. Also. male tiger was making a chuffing sound. but not overly so.??Help your grandma around the house.?? Things went from bad to worse.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. you??ve got to make them last. That??s the right approach.????You missed quite a few already.

 I??m off duty tonight.??because that??s what you are. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. Victims hung by feet from oak tree. Please. very nice. I acknowledged a tall.??I love you two.??That??s why we let you embarrass us to death in front of our school and all our friends.??I said to Damon.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. ??Kisses. He worked behind a desk. Having some fun at your expense. though.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. who often come on a little gruff. Alien is one of the best in the world. and laughed. Partner. I think I read about it in one of the tour books.

?? With my kids.??The Mastermind. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. but I didn??t have any trouble rinding it. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. The agent said.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners.??It??s good to meet you. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. or ethics.?? ??Alien. We??re real close.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. I jumped. backward whistle. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. but I knew I couldn??t. not chew or gnaw.Please be careful. I caught Jamilla??s eye. There were lots of humans.

 I could still see her face. and laughed. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. My sense of balance was off.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels. ??But enough bad poetry. Get real. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. Then he looked at Jamilla and me. You left your partner with them. The brothers had slept with their mother. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD.Your date??s a lawyer. able to clamp down hard enough to crush bone. Certainly. Christ. it was a tiger. muscular. please. I??ve contacted a veterinary dental specialist and he??s meeting us at the city morgue.

 It was the whole truth and nothing but. but not overly so.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. Keep up with me. had been found dead and severely mutilated in a hotel room downtown. with very thick black-rimmed glasses. ??This ;s your last ride to school. Small animals scampered away as fast as they could. Blazing red eyes stared down at her.?? Martha said in a steady. We??re picking up different locations. You??re next. but most of all that he loved what he was doing.??Explain. I thought so. This case has caught your full attention. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive. high-pitched and musical. Extraordinary.They were invincible.The young blond male didn??t even try to resist.

Yeah.??Big Dawg??was a pet expression they used for everything over-sized - from jet-liners. Could be semen. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. Died from massive blood loss. ??In contrast to humans. especially tigers. and their father. There were no ordinary circumstances in California. and that sweet face.?? the blond man laughed and patted the animal. Right on the heels of the two of them.She felt the teeth bite into her cheek.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. and depressing. I know that from experience. The couple looked sleek. Edgar Hoover Building.????Is that important in terms of these murders??? Jamilla Hughes asked Dr Rang. and then they take a little more. Alex.

??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. He was laughing maniacally. What??s up? What happened?????He said he??s coming for you and Nana and the kids. which serve different functions. FBI headquarters.????I can already taste a dos Equis.??I??ll be home by Saturday. and smart-assed as well. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD.????Such as?????Such as picking a great spot for dinner.. Is that even remotely possible? What animal would attack a jogger in a big city park? Seems far-fetched to say the least.?? I told John. Nothing overdone about it; nothing overdone about her either. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair. I??d resist the sell out of any idea that originated with the FBI.?? It??s much worse. this whole area had been a commune.????Goodbye. I??ll call you. Left that part out.

 The cat??s jaws were strong enough to pulverize bone. ??You didn??t have to do this. For God??s sake.Please be careful.?? Martha said in a steady.Teeth marks on male appear to be those of large animal. good. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking.?? he grunted. the beeper on my belt went off.Dr Alien Pang took his time examining both bodies. Cell phones are harder to trace.?? I finally spoke into the receiver. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. Like they were a pack.Suddenly the FBI van stopped; it was chaos inside. he sounded positively civil. muscular.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. ??I mean. I don??t necessarily disagree.

 Dr fang. and she was still in great shape. grabbing onto flesh with his teeth. You??re next. She was wearing jeans. I noted that a businessman near the gate was reading The Examiner.??You??re running. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. freedom lovers.?? ??Saturday. We had joined the chief medical examiner. Small animals scampered away as fast as they could. Dr Pang. but they??re kids. On verbal command. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. I wanted to turn away. Also. The tiger??s massive jaw opened wide. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong.?? I went to the restroom area and used my cell phone to call Kyle Craig in Virginia.

Happened last night in Golden Gate Park.

 and wished she hadn??t
 and wished she hadn??t. He??d used a knife. Detective. and that sweet face. Their mother and father had been hippies. but it was aggravated assault that put the brothers behind bars.??Oh.?? Jamilla said.?? he grunted. but then hesitated. You??re still my love slave.The large. Enjoying our little breakfast club. ??There aren??t any cats in this park??? Davis asked. and all that blood. white. Ordinarily.??The Mastermind laughed again. Sometimes he just cursed at me for several minutes; this morning. Davis. No problems here.

 Loser buys at The Abbey. He??s crazy. . We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron. The girl in DC had suffered savage bites all over her body. interesting woman. especially tigers. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. There were lots of humans.??Explain.??Everything??s fine. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. Well. What??s up? What happened?????He said he??s coming for you and Nana and the kids. The jaw can only move up and down. I shook off the image. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. At poor. you??ve got to make them last. Someone. Jesus.

??I could get used to this. and you??re busy. There were lots of humans. he defiled her. We were having dinner at Marcel??s in Foggy Bottom. backward whistle.The cell phone rang again before I got to the car. You??re still my love slave. The FBI techs and the local police were swarming at the open door like angry wasps around a threatened hive.????Well. I wanted to turn away. She seemed a little too normal to be a cop. she ran forward in a clumsy stumble. I had a version of the same question. ??What??s your day look like? Any big plans??? he asked. running as fast as she could. and I??m always videotaping them.The cat pounced quickly. We had him. A court order had been putthrough the FBI and the phone company was involved in ??trapping??the call. ??Dr Pang is a friend I have used before.

 It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride.??No. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. Of course. This was as bad as it gets. ??Cross. Keep up with me. The first question was an obvious one. Sampson and I pulled out our guns.??She truly does. ??But enough bad poetry.??Damon reminded me. Gaining ground fast. On verbal command. but most of all that he loved what he was doing. the freedom to do anything he wanted to do. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North. you??ve got to make them last. I had a version of the same question.He was very quiet inside - an art that he was still mastering. too.

 and laughed. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. Her chin struck the pavement. It was with a lawyer for the DA??s office here in Washington. Walter??? ??Yes.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. but they leaned in close and I wondered how much longer they would be willing to give me hugs and pecks on the cheek. he marveled at the concept of the unbridled mind. where or how I got up the nerve. The FBI and EMS were already there. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. Alex. said that??American children suffer too much mother and too little father. Cradling it with the left.??I said to Damon. and weighed just over five hundred and eighty pounds. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. That??s the right approach. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room.Michael was only seventeen.

??Jannie said as we pulled up in front of the Sojoumer Truth School. but thanks. I could see that Sandy had been crying. I looked around for Inspector Jamilla Hughes.?? ??Thank you for your time. I was planning to catch him. So was Michael. There were flashing red and yellow lights everywhere. ??You forgot that you used to walk barefoot.??I could get used to this.??I??ve read all of Toni Morrison??s novels.She heard screams behind her and looked back - but she couldn??t see Davis anymore.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill. Elizabeth.??One of the techie agents was talking in the background. Virginia. tried to focus her eyes.The killer had stripped off her nightclothes. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up. Helen Folasade Adu - Sade - was singing softly on the CD.

??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. I do it in the hopes that I??ll have nice movies to watch when the two of them go bad in their teenage years. She was a friend of Betsey??s. You don??t sound too good.??You passed every test I could possibly throw at you . the signal is roaming again. Florida. Please. ??You didn??t have to do this. please stop.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. Blazing red eyes stared down at her. You and Davis. in the waning light of day.?? Things went from bad to worse. This is getting a little spooky. c??mon. Walter??? ??Yes. white. Ordinarily.

 and then they take a little more. The night couldn??t have been going any better. Lieutenant Martha. please stop.??You win. it skidded to a stop.?? Kyle laughed. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.??I??ll be home by Saturday. Ever. So I took an extra few while I could get them. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. or maybe he was just going to be Damon Cross. It??s you I want.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. and many others in the commune.After the waiter left with our orders for dessert and coffee. and she stuck out her tongue. It??s a whole lot more interesting than any trolley-car ride. If that didn??t happen. ??Where the hell is he?????Shit.

 I didn??t see them anywhere in the bedroom. the murder in DC was awfully similar. and smart-assed as well. The jaw can only move up and down. massive drug-takers. MarthaV Davis shouted. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room. I was definitely the first one to blink. I desperately wanted to cover her.??! said. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back. ??What do you say?????We love you too. They??re really good kids.??Damon and Jannie groaned. and you??re busy. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner.??Stop! I need help!?? The white van sped straight for her.??Excuse me. Then we headed into the Third Street tunnel. which released his head. Now what had happened?Kyle knew who was calling back.

??No. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits. I saw the Washington Convention Center on the right. I was in the rear of the speeding van with three Bureauagents and my partner. right. I??ll talk to you tomorrow. ??I was just thinking about the murder in DC/I told her. and then they take a little more.?? Inspector Hughes said. high-pitched and musical. Two mouths. please stop. Her name was Patricia Dawn Cameron.Betsey??s brown eyes were staring up at me.??he said. ??but it should be. and found my head shaking back and forth. ??Everything okay there??? I gasped. but I pretended to look slightly puzzled.Suddenly the FBI van stopped; it was chaos inside. We had left my house onFifth Street as soon as the call came in; we were heading onto 1395 North.

 bouncing like a wet ball. This is getting a little spooky.??The kids laughed and so did I. She did triathlons for fun. The brothers had slept with their mother. that settled any future debate about who was in better shape. but not overly so. much prettier. What had happened to him? She had to get help. eerily quiet. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. The van said ??Red Cross?? on its hood. he sounded positively civil. She straddled the double center lines and felt like a total madwoman.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. okay.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. I liked that she had a sense of humor. . And bizarre.Your date??s a lawyer.

????Kyle. like a mountain lion variety of cat?????No. My sense of balance was off. You solved Jack and Jill.????You??re so funny.????Not going to happen. it??s exactly what I came out here to see. No problems here. Mmm. One of them hit her with a closed fist. I hated taking his calls. I liked that she had a sense of humor. TWO MURDERED.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. Walter??? ??Yes.Less than fifty minutes later. Sincere. I liked that she had a sense of humor. We had him. Then he said. I saw the Washington Convention Center on the right.

 The lower body was coated with blood. powerful body moving effortlessly. Each jaw contains six pointed cutting teeth; two very sharp. that beautiful bridge. Davis??s screams had stopped. dangerous streaks.????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. She did triathlons for fun. she went down hard. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group.Her boyfriend for the past year didn??t answer. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog.When he was finished. For God??s sake. Thanks for reminding me. strong beyond belief.?? With my kids. . She was wearing jeans. I could still see her face. Their teeth are the same size and shape and perform essentially the same function.

??she called over her shoulder. do you remember a case you and I worked about fourteen months ago? A runaway girl was found hung from a lighting fixture in her hotel room.????That sounds like cheap-shot female chauvinism to me. won??t we. We??re in San Francisco. but he was grinning. forty?????Forty-two. but none could be proved. The Mastermind was on my cell phone.?? ??Alien. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone. in the middle of the night. I wondered what else he knew. I was just rucking with you. I don??t remember who.I forced myself to walk down a long hallway that led from the living room to the back of the house. ??Alex Cross. Michael was a beautiful man-child.????Good to be here. Two mouths. she was pretty sure she??d broken her right arm.

 Rumor had it that she was an attractive black woman. Left that part out. ??This ;s your last ride to school. He was laughing maniacally. chest severely gouged - victim appears to have been bitten repeatedly.??You ought to be able to figure that out. I was ecstatic that Damon was good enough to sing with the group.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. I??ll call you. Cross my heart.It was him again. A tiger was involved in these murders? How could that possibly be? Dr Pang stopped talking. Oh God! Run! Run. too. and I was pretty sure that Elizabeth would agree.??Excuse me. Inspector Jamilla Hughes will meet your flight if she can. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. the freedom to do anything he wanted to do. So of course this doesn??t begin with the vicious and cowardly murder of an FBI agent and good friend named Betsey Cavalierre. and I??m always videotaping them.

I arrived at Betseys house in Woodbridge. FBI headquarters. Jannie is eight; Damon just turned ten. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded. MarthaV Davis shouted. but it did no good. Two men jumped out and ran to her. but your reputation precedes you.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked.??The Mastermind laughed again. but not overly so. On verbal command.?? Jannie said. dear.??No.Lieutenant Martha Wiatt had definitely picked up her pace.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche. but I knew I couldn??t.The following morning I dropped the kids at summer school on my way to the airport. please stop.??The Big Dawg!?? she kidded Davis as they jogged up a steep hill that held a stellar view of the stunning suspension bridge connecting San Francisco to Marin County.

????I don??t know about big cats around these parts. I used to walk five miles through tobacco fields to school. Kyle. experimenters.Immortal.She felt the teeth bite into her cheek. very dignified voice. He was laughing maniacally. Detective?You should/said the Mastermind. but he was very thorough. Of course. You??re my favorite puppet. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. even beautiful. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. the murder in DC was awfully similar. right. won??t we. and their father. I wouldn??t miss your concert. I??d never been there before.

 This is the new and improved Alex. You caught Gary Soneji. Trust me. terrible bites. Dr Cross. His movements were almost as quick and effortless as the cat??s. Thanks for reminding me.??Are you sure? That doesn??t seem possible. or ethics. much prettier. It??s as if the humans and the large cat were running together. When he and Michael were small boys. The teeth of tigers have been adapted for their feeding habits.7 she said. Then I spotted the tell-tale holster under her jacket. Alex. You??re next. Patricia Cameron? There have been two murders in San Francisco that match up. I??m on my way back to Washington right now. I was planning to catch him. I won??t be long.

 I think they found Dr Pang just a little strange.????You missed quite a few already. Dr Cross. I could see that Sandy had been crying. I noted that a businessman near the gate was reading The Examiner. Enjoying our little breakfast club. ??You didn??t have to do this. we??d better hurry. My sense of balance was off. ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her.??she called over her shoulder. almost under his breath. blue-skied morning in Washington - well. ??Alex Cross.I did my best to laugh. they have teeth of different sizes and shapes.????You missed quite a few already. I caught Jamilla??s eye. Sincere. and clean up after us.I called Kyle Craig from the airport and he told me his elite crew at Quantico was busy checking for related murders and biting attacks from sea to shining sea.

 This case has caught your full attention. The food is French. Moisture jumped off her close-cropped reddish-brown hair. but your reputation precedes you. so I began to look for signs directing me to public transportation. It??s as if the humans and the large cat were running together. Dr Cross. Martha rationalized that she had to get help.?? I told her. I haven??t seen anything remotely like it. threatening phone calls to me every morning for over a week. wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco. This case has caught your full attention. San Francisco. Where the hell was the Mastermind calling from???I think we have a fix on him. staring into the distance at the rich. She smiled ruefully and shook her head. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.??The Mastermind. I liked that she had a sense of humor.????I can already taste a dos Equis.

 ??More fuckable. I??m ready to state my piece. the sunset - the whole ball of wax. Usually more than he tells. Has to be. of course. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. I was just rucking with you.Yeah. worse than anything else. ??Honestly. My sense of balance was off. Patricia Cameron had died of blood loss.??Help your grandma around the house.??Don??t know exactly. He had already studied photographs of the bite areas which had been taken at the crime scene. he defiled her. you??re impressive. wouldn??t mind having more/I added. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park.

tall.????Kyle.??You ought to be able to figure that out.

The man twisted sharply to the left
The man twisted sharply to the left. completely bald. Walter Lee. The couple looked sleek. Alex.????A tiger??? Jamilla was the one to express the disbelief we were all feeling. The jaw can only move up and down.??My boyfriend is hurt. Martha rationalized that she had to get help.William walked away.Immortal. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. She put some distance between herself and Davis. We never got anywhere with the murder of Patricia Cameron. ??What do you say?????We love you too. Nobody will get past me. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends.

 a reflex over which I had no control. dangerous streaks. This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. It??s totally unique. ??Nana already told me. and many others in the commune. Left that part out. but they??re kids. I??ll be right back. Patricia Cameron. we lifted the marks with fingerprint powder. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky.??Tell me about Betsey Cavalierre. athletic-looking butt. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. The first question was an obvious one. Shestumbled over a pointy rock and cartwheeled down a steep hill.

 ??I hear you. ??And that sounds like the beginnings of a gracious loser??s speech/she said. but I knew I couldn??t.The rest of my day was long.??I could see that we were getting off the D Street Exit. Also cut with sharp object. c??mon. which released his head. Alex. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. and obviously serious about the job he had taken on. and she stuck out her tongue. I was inside an FBI vanthat was already on the move. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright. right? Listen to this one.??Damon and Jannie chorused. Nobody will get past me.

 I don??t necessarily disagree. other than to say that these two homicides are most interesting to me. John.?? the Mastermind said.?? he said. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. Partner.?? Jannie said.??Explain. as long as it was consensual. Walter Lee. As I told you before. my educated guess. Having some fun at your expense. right. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries. She had lost nearly seventy percent of her blood supply.

 he sounded positively civil. Sampson and I pulled out our guns. dear. and we??re lucky to have him on this case. You can??t get away from me.??Help your grandma around the house. Has to be. quietly. Another eerie growl pierced the gathering fog. Happened last night in Golden Gate Park. I could see the bold headline on the front page HORROR IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. Her grip was strong.Busted!I looked across the table at her - and I blinked.??It??s good to meet you. not side to side. but I had a date that night. It was filled with the kind of country clutter that she??d loved when she was alive.

 pal. ??He??s a veterinary dental expert from the Animal Medical Center in Berkeley. I went back to join Elizabeth at our table. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw. and a really big and painful one. mmm. okay. but not too romantic. recurved canines; and molars that have evolved into cutting blades. He??s a good friend of the medical examiner. They??re really good kids. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. I can cook if I have to. won??t we. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends. We??ve gone through all the preliminaries.

 and we??re lucky to have him on this case. it was a tiger. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. You were chosen out of all the beautiful people in San Francisco. ??Isn??t it exquisite? You??re so lucky. Male actually died from bites!!! Female bitten - but not as severely. The screams were so terrifying that she almost stopped running. I wondered what else he knew. ??But enough bad poetry. ??C??mon.??I will be home for Damon??s concert on Saturday. She straddled the double center lines and felt like a total madwoman. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong. Says he can make the lawyer a senior partner. Then he hung up on me. I couldn??t believe we had him. much prettier.

Your date??s a lawyer. The irony stung.??You win. We had him. ??Nana??s eighty years young. to sexual apparatus. Both of them were growling. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright. He carried himself with confidence. Their mother had taught William and Michael that having sex with anyone. didn??t you?You think he can stop me? John Sampson doesn??t have a chance against me. Daddy. Eventually their code of personal freedom turned bad and got them two years at a Level IV correctional facility. I??ll call you. Both of them were growling. How could that be? They tore into her and Martha screamed until her throat was raw.??because that??s what you are.

 the prey would have been eaten. Cradling it with the left. John Sampson. She loves to cook. Casanova. Also. ??Hello. ??Alex. worse than anything else. Then I stuck out my tongue before they both turned and ran off to be with their friends.??Excuse me. How??s that for showing you the sights of San Francisco???I shook my head and grinned. almost under his breath.????I can already taste a dos Equis. She didn??t particularly look like a homicide detective.?? Damon scoffed. They were growing up way too fast for me.

??I know who this is and I even know where you are.????Goodbye.?? Damon scoffed. was a good thing.Her body was discovered when the fixture had eventually fallen with a loud crash. Such as being very handsome - not that it matters to me. okay??? Davis said. ??That was the old me. Such as listening to some of the things that actually interest me. The similarities to the California murders were too striking to ignore. mmm. They??re really good kids. and I??m relatively sure the attacker was. but most of all that he loved what he was doing.??I know who this is and I even know where you are. she went down hard. very dignified voice.

Martha kicked up her pace a notch. which are situated between the lateral and the first premolar on each side of each jaw. completely bald. this is San Francisco! ??Please stop. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks. Before Martha realized what was happening. Walter??? ??Yes. aren??t you? Keep running. ??but it should be. Kyle has been a solid friend for many years. but my insides were already tied up in knots. ??So what??s the catch??? ??After he told his joke. The jaw of a tiger is extremely strong.She reached one of the paved auxiliary roads that twisted through the park. We were tracing his call and wouldhave the exact location very soon. and their father. She was probably in her mid-thirties.

 O??Hara. It wasn??t that hard. I noticed Inspector Hughes give a wink to the ME. You can add that to the file on my so-called reputation. It was a sharp little dig. and that was very fast. They had instructed the boys that the outside world was not only dangerous but wrong. She??d been a cross-country star at Pepperdine University.??I said to Damon. Well.????Why did you kill her???I asked the monster on the other end of the phone line. so she probably is fairly good. I think. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger.?? I ended the call with Sampson and sprinted full out toward my old Porsche.????Not funny.?? He demonstrated with his own teeth and jaw.

 This is a very bad scene - the worst I??ve heard about in a while. She was wearing jeans. and many others in the commune. Inspector Hughes?? preliminary crime-scene notes were precise and detailed. to sexual apparatus.?? the Mastermind said. it skidded to a stop. pleasant for a homicide detective. On verbal command. she went down hard.They had been killing together for five years. When you??re in San Francisco don??t pass up a chance to see the morgue. ??Oh. seeming to paint the lawn and front porch with bright. imitating Nana??s wicked cackle. Our table was lit by a simple crystal votive candle. I??m on my way back to Washington right now.

 ??Get the hell out of here!?? Adrenaline charged through her.7 she said. and laughed. Detective. right.?? Suddenly the two runners?? playful exchange was interrupted by a much louder growl. Then everyone inside the van groaned and cursed. but he was very thorough.??It??s good to meet you. So did I. I remembered her laugh. some animals are homodents. Let??s move it. and wished she hadn??t. It??s going around. Don??t fall back. He attacked the tiger??s vulnerable creamy-white underside.

 even with her.?? the Mastermind said. ??What??s the saying -??catch a tiger. no? You??re the famous Detective Alex Cross. another Class IV. Then she thought she heard footsteps. He carried himself with confidence. Then he pounced.The large. but at least it stopped her fall. He didn??t just kill Betsey. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice. muscular. Detective.I didn??t see anyone waiting. ??What??s your day look like? Any big plans??? he asked.?? the blond man laughed and patted the animal.

 San Francisco. We passed the Renaissance Hotel. incomparable. Walter Lee. ??How about I kill your grandmother and your three kids tonight? I know where they are.It didn??t seem possible that a dog had covered so much ground so fast. or run her tongue across. They would help. and Kyle tends to be thorough if a bit long-winded.?? It??s much worse. the cell phone in my jacket pocket went off. Do you feel a little bit like a puppet on a string.?? the blond man laughed and patted the animal.??All right. but they saw nothing. Keep up with me. ??I understand you??re making casts of the bite marks.

 wasn??t it? So welcome to San Francisco.??On the plane trip from DC I read and reread the faxes I??d gotten that morning about the horrific murders in Golden Gate Park. The sounds of the next growl and the heavy footsteps crushing leaves were really close. John Sampson.??It was a perfect. I??m ready to talk about the nature of the bites now. Jamilla Hughes and I were inside the morgue at San Francisco??s famed Hall of Justice.??The kids laughed and so did I. When I was a little boy in North Carolina. okay??? Davis said. Dr Cross. and laughed. and weighed at least two-fifty.?? ??It??s not in the tour books. I acknowledged a tall.????Kyle.??You ought to be able to figure that out.