IT''S NOT HARD TO LOSE THE TAIL. I can''t believe Williams actually assigned a mortal to watch me, but I guess he figured if I wasn''t with him, I''d be spending the day in the hospital with Max and David.


    I take off down Sixth Avenue on foot. Straight down to the city, where I lose myself in the midday shopping crowd. From there I follow Broadway to the waterfront and head for Seaport Village. When I''m sure no one has spotted me, I hail a cab.


    I have the driver drop me off in front of Mission Cafe. It''s crowded as usual, and I simply walk in and straight through to the rear. I take the alley and wait until I can lose myself in a group at a crosswalk to scoot across Mission and head for home.


    I use the back entrance, through the garage. The code lets me into the garage and the spare key I keep hidden behind a tool chest lets me into the house.


    Only when the door is closed and locked behind me do I breathe a sigh of relief.


    Then I change into my own clothes-a sweat suit and socks-and climb into my own bed.


    I unplug the telephone because I''m sure it will dawn on Williams eventually that I might have come home. If he has a clue about me, he won''t send a cop to check or come himself. I''m fairly sure he knows me well enough by now to realize what a mistake that would be.


    For the first time in a week, I have no one to answer to, no one to fight, no one to save. I don''t have to guard my thoughts. I pull the covers up around my neck and cry. My simple life has gotten so complicated. I don''t know how to make things right.


    I only know I''ve got to make some changes.