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           Andatthatmoment,althoughhecouldnevertellyouhowhehaddoneit,andhedoubtedthathecouldeverdoitagain,ShadowreachedintoChadMulligan’smind,easyasanything,andhepluckedtheeventsofthatafternoonfromitaspreciselyanddispassionatelyasaravenpickinganeyefromroadkill.

           ThecreasesinChad’sforeheadsmoothed,andheblinked,sleepily.

           "GoseeMargie,"saidShadow."It’sbeengoodseeingyou,Chad.Takecareofyourself."

           "Sure,"yawnedChadMulligan.

           Amessagecrackledoverthepoliceradio,andChadreachedoutforthehandset.Shadowgotoutofthecar.

           Shadowwalkedovertohisrentalcar.Hecouldseethegrayflatnessofthelakeatthecenterofthetown.Hethoughtofthedeadchildrenwhowaitedatthebottomofthewater.

           Soon,Alisonwouldfloattothesurface…

           AsShadowdrovepastHinzelmann’splacehecouldseetheplumeofsmokehadalreadyturnedintoablaze.Hecouldhearasirenwail.

           Hedrovesouth,headingforHighway51.Hewasonhiswaytokeephisfinalappointment.Butbeforethat,hethought,hewouldstopoffinMadison,foronelastgoodbye.

           Bestofeverything,SamanthaBlackCrowlikedclosinguptheCoffeeHouseatnight.Itwasaperfectlycalmingthingtodo:itgaveherafeelingthatshewasputtingorderbackintotheworld.