“Vee said," I'm trying to read the title he's holding…hang on…How to Be a Stalker." "He is not checking out a book with that title." But I wasn't so sure."It's either that or How to Radiate Sexy Without Trying.”

“I called Vee."How are you doing?" I asked."Good. How are you?""Good."Silence."Okay," Vee said in a rush, "I am still totally freaked out. You?""Totally.”

“If I asked you to do something for me, I don't suppose you'd listen?" When he had my attention, he continued, "I'm going to take you home. Try to forget tonight happened. Try to act normal, especially around Hank. Don't mention my name."By way of an answer, I shot him a black look and swung out of the Tahoe. He followed suit, coming around to my side. "What kind of answer is that?" He asked, but his voice wasn't nearly so gruff.”

“Okay, calm down, we'll pay,"said Vee, reaching into her back pocket. She stuffed a wad of cash into the bowl, but it was dark and I couldn´t tell how much. "You owe me big-time," she told me. "You're supposed to let me count the money first," Marcie said, digging through the bowl, trying to recapture Vee´s donation. "I just assumed twenty was too high for you to count," Vee said. "My apologies." Marcie's eyes went slitty again, then she turned on her heel and carted the bowl back into the house. "How much did you give her?" I asked Vee. "I didn't. I tossed in a condom." I lifted my eyebrows."Since when do you carry condoms?""I picked one up off the lawn on our way up the walk. Who knows, maybe Marcie'll use it. Then I'll have done my part to keep her genetic material out of the gene pool.”

“There was no sign of Jules.“Bad news,” said Elliot. “The man is sick. You’re going to have to settle for me.”“Sick?” Vee demanded. “How sick? What kind of excuse is sick?”“Sick as in it’s coming out both ends.”Vee scrunched her nose. “Too much information.”

“Something doesn't look right," Vee said. "Is the tire supposed to look like that?"I banged my head against the nearest tree trunk."So we've got a flat," Vee said. "What now?”

“We don't have an address," I said, "but we do know where he works.""Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Vee asked, eyes brightening briefly through the haze of chemical sedation."Based on past experience, I hope not.”