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Show 108 that's what you mean. But always with this older guy. And for sure, not since . . . since Simpson's class." "How come the Parkers got so lucky? There must be a thousand other houses to rip off between yours and mine." "Okay, dammit! I went to your place because I was scared to go anywhere else. I'd been there onee, remember7 And those latches you guys have . . . Frog calls them "burglars' friends," they're so easy. Besides . . . I never went alone before. I was scared! I'm not a professional, no matter what you think." "You knew I'd be at Timber line tonight-" Parker was seeing it all clearly, "-and my folks were in Hawaii. What a set-up! Me and my big mouth!" Dyna exhaled sharply. "If only you'd got home sooner. Why didn't you scare me off before I did it?" "God, why didn't I?" he answered truthfully, feeling strangely responsible. At a red light, Dyna reached out but never quite touched him. "Parker, you'll hate yourself tomorrow if you don't turn me in." "That's my problem," he said, gunning the engine. It was all black and white for her, he realized, all clear-cut, like it was with his dad. Break the law, you get zapped! He was the one jellyfishing around, his spine suddenly missing altogether. But whether it was right or wrong, he couldn't turn her over to the police. He wasn't about to set her up for detention or a foster home or any of the things you hear about. Another ten minutes, driving in silence. It suited Parker. He couldn't make her explain. Given time and space, she might volunteer. If only he could reconcile his Dyna with Dyna the Fugitive! She, least of all, fit his notion of a juvenile delinquent. She and her Gram weren't even hard-scrabble poor, were they? They had a house of their own, with furniture and pictures on the wall and food on the table. She's probably habitual, Parker concluded darkly, so why can't I face the truth when it barges right in on me? Why am I looking for excuses for her? He knew why. He liked Dyna Suggs. She held this indisputably electric attraction for him. She was absolutely the last person he'd want |