There are Strange Things Done in the

Toronto Sun by the Writers Who

Moil for Alliance

by K. S. Nicholas

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"And I kept saying, I originally came to Chicago on the trail of my father's
killer.'"

"So, you did, didn't you?"

"Yes, Ray, but I don't tell it to everyone within thirty seconds of meeting
them. And your car--"

"What about my car?"

"It was destroyed, Ray. Set on fire by a performance arsonist."

"A performance *artist*?"

"Arsonist, don't ask."

"Benny, you destroy the Riv again. I don't believe it. I musta been pissed."

"Well, actually, you weren't you, Ray."

"Run that one by me again Fraser."

"You were undercover so another Ray was undercover as you. I had not
been informed of this and everyone was acting like you were you except
me." 

"So, you let this imitation Ray destroy my car? I knew you had something
against the Riv." He pulled up to the curb in front of the consulate,
"Get out Fraser."

"It was only a dream, Ray."

"You on guard duty again?"

"Yes, Inspector Thatcher is still upset about the amnesia incident."

"Did the Dragon Lady make an appearance?"

"Oh, yes, Ray, and her hair, it was, well--" he grimaced with distaste.
"Francesca was there as well. She was working at the 27th as a civilian
aid."

"It was a nightmare," Ray groaned.

"And the other Ray was well, strange."

"Strange?"

"He asked if I thought he was attractive."

"I that's queer, Benny, not strange. So was he?"

"Was he what?"

"Attractive."

"I wouldn't know. But he did seem rather vain about it. He wouldn't put
on his glasses unless he had to shoot someone."

"Some cop," Ray snorted. "You been sleeping with the window open again
Fraser? I keep tellin' ya, the smog, it'll do things to your brain."

* * *

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