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single and hot to go?” Despite a dispiriting string of Mr. Wrongs, she is ever optimistic.
    She insisted we celebrate our magazine assignment. So Bitsy and I took a quick walk, Billy Boots trailing at a distance, so he could pretend not to know us if we did something embarrassing. Then Lottie picked me up.
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    We settled at an umbrella table between the pool and the docks at the Fifth Street Marina. Lottie, the paper’s best breaking-news shooter, bitched bitterly about the day’s assignments from Gretchen, all local politicians “presenting the plaque.”
    â€œIsn’t this premature?” I asked Lottie, as I ordered a Painkiller Number One. The sneaky concoction of rum, coconut cream, pineapple, and orange juice is smooth and guaranteed to numb the senses. It’s available in various strengths, depending on the severity of your pain. “Shouldn’t we finish the project, then celebrate?”
    She ordered a lime margarita. “We kin party then too, and again when it’s published. Didn’t the President say we all should go back to our normal lives?”
    â€œSure. He also said, ‘Watch out, because we don’t know when or how but somebody’s trying to kill you. Now go on out there and live normally, but stay alert.’”
    â€œNot bad advice whenever,” she said, “especially in Miami. I tell that to myself every time I get behind the wheel, especially when I drive the Palmetto Expressway. You ever been to Xochimilco, Mejico?”
    â€œI wouldn’t even try to spell it, much less find it. What is it?”
    â€œLittle town where they celebrate four hundred twenty-two official fiestas a year!” She wrinkled her freckled nose and grinned. “Them Mexicans sure know how to live.”
    â€œMaybe there’s nothing to celebrate around here.” I sighed, watching night creep along the western horizon. “Lately, Lottie, especially after what happened in New York and DC, life feels like a long winter with no Christmas.” I told her about Sunny Hartley and Ricky Chance.
    She shook her head at the terrible details. “Gonna talk to the poor little gal?”
    â€œSure. But Burch has to break the news first, find out if the dead guy really was one of her attackers. No point in me intruding on her if he wasn’t.”
    â€œWe’re gonna be working with Riley on the Cold Case gig,” Lottie said cheerfully. “Still suspect she and McDonald have the hots for each other?”
    I took a healthy swallow of my Painkiller and shrugged. “Nothing I can do about it if they do.” The lack of trust, the misunderstandings and regrets all came back to me. I stared in dismay at my drink. So far it wasn’t doing its job. “I don’t even know if he’s back from New York yet,” I said. “Haven’t heard a thing since he left with the contingent of Miami cops who volunteered for the assistance mission. Isn’t it strange that he’d find Riley attractive? You’d think she’d be the last woman he’d lust after. We’re nothing alike. She’s such an obnoxious bitch.”
    Lottie squinted and cupped her ear, as though shehadn’t heard right. “Sure. And you’re a real little Miss Congeniality, so shy and sweet.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I asked, incredulous. “Riley is a superbitch.”
    â€œAnd what are you like when some fool gets in your way on deadline?”
    â€œThat is so different,” I said. “You do what you have to on deadline. All that matters is the story. So you do things you’d never do normally. You know how it is. The job gives you tunnel vision. But I’m not really like that, am I?”
    â€œThen why do some people swear you have a tail and horns?”
    â€œHow can you say that?” I snapped, irritated. “I’m in no mood—”
    â€œWhat I’m saying,” she said earnestly,