"I've done some research on him since I saw him talking with you at the murder scene the other day. I

spoke to some of his old friends, people who knew his family. You knew he grew up in this town, didn't

you?"

"I've done some research on him since I saw him talking with you at the murder scene the other day. I

spoke to some of his old friends, people who knew his family. You knew he grew up in this town, didn't

you?"

"Well, it seems that as a boy, he used to read other people's minds. His mother apparently had the gift as

well. She used to be acurandera . Some people back then claimed she was a witch."

"Is this on the level?"

"Ask Ramirez. I wonder why he didn't tell you. You'd think his talent would make him the perfect man to

find the killer."

"Yes, I suppose it would," said Loomis thoughtfully.

"Unless, of course, Ramirez is the killer himself."

Loomis shook his head. "No, he's got an alibi. I checked it out."

She smiled. "Same old Joe."

Loomis grimaced. "Same old Ginny. You've been pretty busy, haven't you? Look, I can't control what

you write, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd work with me on this. Don't go printing any wild

speculations. At least check 'em out with me first."

"Will you level with me?"

"If you use a certain amount of journalistic restraint and don't go off the deep end, yes."

"All right, I can live with that. Up to a point. But the first time you hold out on me, all bets are off."

"Fair enough."

"Okay. Deal."

"How about letting me have that film?" asked Loomis.

"Absolutely not. And if you try to take it, Joe, I'll—"

"I won't try to take it, Ginny, I don't work that way. You know that. But let's be practical about this.

Things have a way of getting out. I wouldn't want to see that picture circulated. You give me the film and

I'll stipulate to what you photographed. For the record. I'll let you take photographs of the body covered

by a sheet, so you'll have something your photo editor can use."

"Yeah, right."

"You have my word, Ginny. I'll go on the record about the nature of the wounds and you can quote me.

I'm not going to try to cover anything up. But a couple of kids just found that body. Nobody should have

to see anything like that."