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shots.”
    â€œMost?”
    â€œMost.”
    â€œBut not all?”
    He winked. “Not all.”
    I nodded. “So, I take it that this collection includes at least one bondage shot?”
    â€œDamn,” he said, “you’re good. Score one point for the girl with the All-World Tush.”
    I felt a chill. “A bondage shot of Sally?”
    â€œCorrect again,” he said, slipping into his game-show host voice. “Don Pardo, tell her what she’s won.”
    I let the information sink in. “Benny, how in the world do you get access to this kind of stuff?”
    â€œVee haf our sources, Meez Gold.”
    â€œA cop?”
    â€œMaybe, maybe not.”
    â€œReliable?”
    â€œTotally.”
    I sat back. “I am impressed.”
    â€œMe, too. Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to confirm I’m for real.”
    â€œStill,” I said, contemplating his information, “it doesn’t prove he killed her.”
    â€œTrue, but it hurts like hell.”
    â€œYes and no. All it proves for sure is that he or she or both of them happened to enjoy bondage. Bondage is more common than you think. There’s even a section on it in The Joy of Sex .”
    â€œThe Joy of Sex?” He stood up, feigning shock. “Good grief, Rachel Gold, what are you doing reading up on bondage in The Joy of Sex ?” He paused, placing his hand on his chest, as if deeply moved. “Oh, my. Are you finally preparing yourself to become my bride?”
    â€œRight,” I said, blushing despite myself.
    â€œExcellent, dude.” He sat back down with a satisfied grin. “But be sure to study the section on oral sex, although, alas, I’m sure it’s missing from your copy.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    He shook his head sadly. “I have this theory that somehow, through the wonders of modern technology and pursuant to a secret pact with the rabbinical council, the publishers of sex manuals have excised all references to blow jobs from every volume sold to Jewish women and replaced them with an inflammatory and wholly inaccurate essay on oral hygiene.”
    â€œVery funny, Benny. Look, my point is that lots of normal people are involved in bondage, and they don’t die. It’s just a harmless sexual game.”
    â€œMaybe, but according to my source, one of the photos has her trussed up in pretty much the way she was when they found her.”
    I let that one sink in. “Wow,” I said softly.
    â€œAnd his alibi bites. He says he was home alone that night. He says he watched Monday Night Football , which ended around eleven-thirty, and then he went to bed. Pretty lame.”
    I nodded. “That doesn’t do much for him.”
    â€œAnd then there’s your lawsuit. Talk about a mortal blow. What did the cops think?”
    â€œTwo detectives from the Major Case Squad came by last night around eight to take my statement. They wanted to know all about her injuries, about what she told me about him, about anything and everything I could recall about her. They were extremely interested in her comment about how he liked to tie her up and masturbate.”
    Benny crossed his arms over his chest. “You realize that if it really was him you’re going to end up as a witness at the murder trial.”
    I sighed. “Probably.”
    â€œWhich means you’ll get to experience the thrill of being cross-examined by the Wolf Man.”
    My eyes widened. “Really?”
    Benny nodded. “I’ve heard that McBride has already retained him.”
    The Wolf Man was Jonathan Wolf, a rising star in the criminal defense bar.
    â€œOne word of advice, Rachel,” he said solemnly. “You better not let the Wolf Man find out about your obsession with sex manuals.”
    â€œBenny,” I said, exasperated, “why is it that it takes the average woman four years to get through puberty and it takes the