CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part six)
“Yeah, Dad told us about the baby and she freaked out,” Nash said. “She’s been crying for hours.”
“Why?” Sandy asked.
“She’s just like that,” Nash said. “I mean, I’m not thrilled at being replaced by a new kid but it’s not like I can do anything about it.”
“Replaced?” Aden and Sandy said in unison.
“You [...]

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CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part four)
Friday evening – 5:27 P.M.
Waking from her nap, Sandy rolled over to pet Cleo. In her half-awake state, Sandy was grateful for Cleo’s reassuring presence. Cleo and Sandy had been through a lot together. They would get through this as well. She was about to fall back asleep when she heard a soft [...]

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CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part four)
Friday afternoon – 3:30 P.M.
Jill reached over to hold Honey’s hand. The lawyers had just presented the twelve jurors and three alternates to the judge. If the judge agreed, they would start the trial on Monday.
Seeming almost to enjoy the sound of their own voices, the lawyers talked endlessly. Jill wished she had [...]

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CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part three)
Zack pushed Aden out of the room.  Before Zack closed the principal’s office door, Aden said, “You’ll hear from us.”
Aden shook his head. The men walked down the hall in silence
“I’ll buy you a beer,” Zack said as they reached the entry hall.
“Sober,” Aden said.
“Coffee?” Zack laughed.
“Pie?” Aden smiled.
The men walked out the [...]

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CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part two)
Friday afternoon — 2:11 P.M.
Aden cursed himself. He’d been so sure Nash would be able to return to school. After all, the assistant principal was in jail. The boy who Nash fought with all year was arrested for sexually assaulting at least four girls at school. Nash and his friend Teddy should get [...]

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CHAPTER 77
(part one)
Friday midday — 11:45 A.M.
Valerie skipped over to the limousine and slipped in the back. She threw her arms around Mike. Laughing, Mike kissed her cheek.
“You seem very happy and very dirty,” he said.
“I happen to be very happy and dirty.” She beamed at him. “Guess what my master secret plan was?”
“Tearing down [...]

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