Vancouver, B.C., Mon. June 26, 1100 hrs.
Julie Sullivan was worried.She was also very pissed off. As she pulled her car into the underground lot of her boyfriend's apartment complex, she rehashed the argument they'd had on the phone last night. It was a stupid and childish fight over who had left the apartment door unlocked when they went out for dinner. It was not, however, something Buddy should have broken their brunch date over this morning. Julie had been trying to call him all morning, to make up, and was unable to reach him.

Buddy was supposed to be at home working on a computer program he was testing and should have answered his phone. He always answered his phone. This was so infantile, Julie thought, as she took the elevator to the top floor and turned toward Buddy's door. Well, she'd make sure he'd understand just how damn stupid he was being.

She took the keys Buddy had given her from her purse and grasped the door handle. It turned. She pushed slightly and the door swung open easily. Buddy never left the door unlocked. That's what this whole damn fight was about, Julie thought, as she called out "Buddy!" She turned down the hall toward the living room. "Buddy? Alright, lets stop this nonsense right now!" Her frustration was beginning to show in her voice. "Buddy?"

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She could see him sitting in his easy chair, his back to her, looking out the full length window. "Buddy, what the hell is wrong with you?! BUDDY!!," Julie shouted as she approached the chair.

That's when Julie noticed the twin trails of dried blood that had run down the back of Buddy's neck from the two, dark, dime size holes behind his left ear.

It took Julie a few moments to realize the hysterical screaming she was hearing was her own. Julie had no doubt Buddy was dead. His skin was a ghastly color of blue. She stumbled back from the body and grabbed for the phone.


* * *
Cortez, Florida 0800 hrs edt.

The jangling phone knocked the sleep out of Roy Gallagher's head incrementally with each successive ring. The volume of his muttering rose until he said aloud, "OK, OK". His hand stabbed out and grabbed the phone up to his ear. "Hello."

"Roy, oh my God, Roy."

Roy immediately recognized Julie's voice and her obvious panic. "Jewels, what is it?"

"B B Buddy's d-d-dead, Roy. He's dead. He's shot. He's just sitting here in his chair and he's dead."

Roy's mind reeled. He was at once totally awake and in combat mode. "Alright, Jewels, calm down.

"C?c?calm down??," Julie was beginning to shriek."Buddy's been goddamn murdered, Roy!"

Roy realized he had to do something before Julie lost it entirely. "Where are you?"

"I'm at Buddy's. He didn't answer the phone so I came over. "

"How long have you been there?"

"I don't know, not long, a few minutes maybe. What should I do, Roy?"

"Have you phoned the police yet?"

"No. I called you first," Julie said sheepishly.

Roy looked at the bedside clock. "OK, call 911. Tell them a man's been shot. Then give them the address and phone number. They're going to want you to stay on the line. Just put the phone down, don't hang it up, and go directly to the stairway. Run, don't walk, to the street exit and call for help. Out loud. Stand where you can be seen by neighbors and passers by. Wait there for the police. Do you understand?"

"Y?yes Roy." She was very quiet now. "Do you think whoever did this could still be here?"

"I don't think so, but you need to get out of there right now, Ok?"

"Ok, Roy."

"I'll book a flight right away and be there tonight. Now hang up and dial 911. And Julie?"

"Yes Roy?" she sounded like a little girl now.

"Everything's going to be Ok. Now hurry."