Page 10 (1/2)

"Fair enough So?"

I’inally from out east, but I decided to try the West Coast for a while"

"Why not farther south? California’s nice"

Valid question One I can ansith a half-truth "Would you believe me if I told you I love the rain?"

"You lance up in tiuess you’re well suited to your name then"

That’s the reason I chose it, I want to say As part of the cover design, I get to pick ue, that I’d answer to without hesitation Noro with your real first name and your mother’s maiden name, but I’ve used it so many times, I chose my mother’s nickname for me instead She used to call me Rainy when I was little, because I’d be the kid who threw on her pink rubber boots and grabbed her un of showers I’d spend hours outside, fascinated by the feel of cold drops splattering against h mud, much toup under a blanket afterward all the

"So you just decided tonew because you love the rain, Rain"

When he says it like that, in that tone, it sounds suspicious "And because I needed to get away" I pause before adding, "Bad breakup" That confir like he understands a bad breakup I wonder if he does "How are you liking Portland so far?"

"It’s nice, butyou kno city It’s hard to meet people and uise Becoet It’s a deceptive term because we all knohat that truly means I’ive him too much Therein lies the ethical dilemma that so many undercover operations face Where do I draw the line? If et places his hand on my knee, do I let him? Or do I push his hand away? If he tries to kiss me, how do I refuse him? How many times can I refuse hio? There was no official rulebook of "can" and "can’t" handed to ut

And ues

And concern for my safety

And the reputability ofPortland’s full of nice people"