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"i'm sorry." "you said something about another job?"

"yes," the voice said.

"i want you to eliminate another... person."

"i'm listening."

"is someone else with you?"

"no."

"i hear voices." "it's the television," george explained.

"newsflash is about to go on. sara lowell's debut."

the voice on the phone sounded startled.

"why... why did you say that?" a strange reaction, george thought.

"you asked about the voices," he replied.

"oh, right." the voice tried to steady itself, but the strain was unmistakable.

"i want you to eliminate someone else."

"when?"

"tonight."

"this is very short notice. it will cost you."

"don't worry about that."

"tine," george said.

"where?"

"at dr. john lowell's house. he's having a large charity formal tonight."

george almost laughed out loud. his eyes swerved back toward the television. dr. lowell. former surgeon general. sara lowell's father. that explained the bizarre reaction. he wondered if sara would be at the party.

"the same method as the first two?" george asked.

"yes."

george took his stiletto out of his pocket, snapped it open, and examined the long, sleek blade. it would be messy, no question about that. he considered his wardrobe and settled on the green ralph lauren polo shirt he had picked up in chicago.

it was a little too tight around the shoulders anyway.