“But I was naturally suspicious; it comes from working too closely with the police for too long. Cynicism is so contagious.”

“I didn't want to understand. Bert had been thrilled that the police wanted to put me on retainer. He told me I would gain valuable experience working with the police. All I had gained so far was a wider variety of nightmares.”

“Great." I didn't say thank you, because it seemed wrong. I wanted to call her a bitch and shoot her between the eyes, but then I would have had to shoot Enzo, too. And how would I explain that to the police? She was breaking no laws. Dammit.”

“I could probably have made the head shot from the railing, but with an unfamiliar gun, it was too risky. I didn't want to accidentally shoot the woman in the head. Killing the hostage is always frowned upon.”

“You can never have too much coffee”, I saidHe turned and smiled at me. “You think so, but the rest of us get a little OD’ed on your level of caffeine.”

“A girl could never have too much jewelry or too much weaponry.”

“You are an abomination before God.Jesus loves you too, I said smiling.”