,,! ,,LA/ ,,T[N ,,ON ,,E>?
               ,A ,NOVEL

            ,,?OMAS ,,MULL5

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,R&OM ,H\SE1 ,NEW ,YORK
      ,COPY"R #BJJF 0,?OMAS ,MULL5
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4


      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,%>ON VON ,SEE & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-IF


          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJG
                                     ;II











                ,= ,J5NY












                                    ;III
  ,P]H ! EASIE/ WAY ( MAK+ A T[N'S AC-
QUA9T.E IS 6ASC]TA9 H[ ! P 9 X "W1 H[ !Y
LOVE1 & H[ !Y DIE4
    --,ALB]T ,CAMUS1
    .,! .,PLAGUE

  ,AN 9JURY 6"O IS AN 9JURY 6ALL4
      --..,9DU/RIAL ,"W]S (! ,_W .SLOGAN
















                                     ;IV
























       ,,! ,,LA/ ,,T[N ,,ON ,,E>?     #A

  ,! SUN POK$ \ BRIEFLY1 EVID;E (A UNI-
V]SE ABV !M1 ( WAT*;L ?+S--PLANETS & />S
& VA/ GALAXIES ( 9F9ITE K--& J Z SU45LY
X RETR1T$ 2H ! CL\DS4
  ,! DOCTOR PASS$ ONLY TWO O!R AUTOS
DUR+ ! FIFTE5-M9UTE DRIVE1 SAW B A L"O
P$E/RIAN EV5 ?\< X 0 NOON ON ,SUN"D1 A
"T :5 P NORM,Y WD 2 RETURN+ HOME F *UR*1
VISIT+ ) FRS & FAMILY4 ,! FLU _H BE5 9
,TIMB] ,FALLS = ?REE WEEKS N[1 0! DOC-
TOR'S BE/ E/IM,N1 & NE>LY ALL TRA6IC ON
! /REETS _H VANI%$4 ,! SICK 7 3DEMN$ 6_!
HOMES1 &! H1L?Y W]5'T V5TUR+ \TSIDE4
  8,NO "O'S BE5 D[N ? /REET YET80 HE
ASK$ ! TWO NURSES HE 0 TRAVEL+ )1 BO? (
:OM _H HUSB&S FI<T+ 9 ,FR.E4 ,HE 0 A ?91
OLD] MAN ) SPECTACLES T _H BE5 DIRTI$ 0!
WET C\<S ( C.T.S PATI5TS4
  8,NO10 "O (! NURSES SD1 %AK+ H] H1D4
,AMID ! SWELL+ VOLUME (! SICK & DY+1 !Y
_HN'T YET R1*$ ^? ? F> \TSIDE ( T[N1 A
L"OLY /REET ": ! POORE/ D]ELICTS & MO/
REC5T IMMIGRANTS LIV$4
  ,NEI<BORS _H REPORT$ UNN]V+ S.DS    #B
-+ F )9 "O (! H\SES1 B NO "O _H BE5
WILL+ 6G 9SIDE & *ECK ON ! FAMILY4
  ,! DOCTOR P>K$ 2S ! H\SE1 A TWO-/ORY
/RUCTURE AT ! BASE (A SL[LY ROLL+ HILL4
,! GR.D 0 ALL MUD1 ! :EELS S9K+ A FEW
9*ES4 ,X EV5 LOOK$ Z IF ! H\SE 7 S9K+
96! E>?1 XS RO( SLOP+ 6! "R4 ,! H\SE 0 !
LA/ ( FIVE N>R[ BUILD+S T SEEM$ 6L1N AG/
EA* O!R 9 _! GRIEF4
  ,2F L1V+ ! C>1 ! VISITORS FA/5$ GAUZE
MASKS 6_! FACES1 COV]+ _! NOSES & M\?S1
& PULL$ ON ?9 RU2] GLOVES4
  ,! DOCTOR KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR4 ,"! 0 NO
REPLY S HE KNOCK$ AG1 H>D] ? "T1 & ID5-
TIFI$ HMF4
  8,LOOK10 "O (! NURSES SD4 ,9 ! W9D[ 6!
LEFT (! DOOR !Y SAW A FACE PE]+ "? ! %E]
CURTA91 A * NO M ?AN F\R YE>S OLD4 ,H]
EYES 7 L>GE & %E APPE>$ <O/LIKE1 NEI
F"R5$ (! MASK$ /RANG]S NOR "PICUL>LY IN-
T]E/$ 9 !M4 ,! NURSE LIFT$ A H& 6WAVE B
! * MADE NO REPLY4 ,! DOCTOR KNOCK$ AG1
MO;N+ 6! DOOR1 B ! * J /OOD "!4
  ,F9,Y ! DOCTOR TURN$ ! KNOB & WALK$
9SIDE4 ,ALL ! W9D[S 7 %UT1 &! DOOR    #C
CLE>LY _H N BE5 OP5$ 9 "DS4 ,HE NOTIC$ !
SMELL IMMLY4
  ,! LL GIRL AT ! W9D[ TURN$ 6WAT* !M4
,%E 0 WE>+ AN ADULT'S FLANNEL %IRT OV]
H] DIRTY NI<TG[N1 & H] ?ICK BLOND HAIR 0
UNCOMB$4 ,%E 0 F"R5+LY ?94
  ,! P>LOR 0 A 4A/]1 CLO!S & TOYS &
BOOKS /REWN "EY":4 ,A ROCK+ *AIR 0 LY+
ON XS SIDE1 &A LAMP _H %ATT]$ ON !
FLOOR4 ,Z ! VISITORS /EPP$ 96! ROOM TWO
O!R GIRLS EM]G$ F ! *AOS1 "O "Y] & "O
SLI<TLY OLD] ?AN ! GIRL 9 ! W9D[4 ,!Y1
TOO1 7 O4LY DRESS$1 DIRTY1 WRAI?LIKE4
  ,! DOCTOR 0 AB 6ASK ": _! P>5TS 7 :5
HE HE>D C\<+1 DRY & HO>SE4 ,HE & "O (!
NURSES FOLL[$ ! S.D D[N A %ORT HALLWAY &
96A B$ROOM4
  ,! O!R NURSE /AY$ 9 ! P>LOR )! *N4 ,%E
KNELT ON ! FLOOR & TOOK "S SLICES ( RYE
BR1D F H] BAG4 ,! GIRLS RAC$ T[>D H]1
H&S EXT5D$1 F+]NAILS RIPP+ 96! FOOD4 ,9
SECONDS "! 0 NO?+ LEFT1 & ALL SIX EYES 7
AG GAZ+ AT H] EXPECTANTLY4
  ,9 ! B$ROOM1 D>K CURTA9S 7 PULL$ OV] !
W9D[4 ,! DOCTOR CD SEE ! TWO B$S1     #D
BO? O3UPI$4 ,9T]MITT5T C\<S CAME F !
FIGURE ON ! "R1 ^: H1D RE/$ ON A PILL[
/A9$ A D>K R$4 ,! E>LOBES1 NO/RILS1 &
UPP] LIP 7 BLACK5$ ) DRI$ BLOOD2 ! EYES
7 %UT &! LIDS 7 A D>K BLUE1 Z 0 ! SK9
>.D !M4 ,! DOCTOR SAW A H& LY+ ON TOP (!
%EETS1 ! F+]S ! COLOR ( WET 9K4 ,! SMALL
TA# 2S ! B$ 0 /R1K$ ) BLOOD1 Z 0 ! ,BI#
RE/+ ^U X4
  ,! MAN C\<$ AG & 8 EYES OP5$1 UNFO-
CUS$1 = NO M ?AN A SECOND4 ,! NURSE
KNELT 2S HM 6P]=M ! M1G] DUTIES H] TRA9+
DICTAT$1 EV5 ?\< %E KNEW !Y 7 WOR?.S N[4
,X 0 BETT] ?AN LOOK+ AT ! FIGURE 9 ! O!R
B$4
  ,! WOMAN LAY ON H] SIDE1 FAC+ H] HUS-
B&1 H] LIPS FROZ5 9 A RICTUS ( PA94 ,H]
?9 BLOND HAIR SPILL$ ACR ! PILL[1 "S
FALL+ OV] ! SIDE (! B$ & "S CAK$ 9 !
DRI$ BLOOD ON H] FACE4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# TO
TELL H[ L;G %E _H BE5 D1D1 Z ! ,SPANI%
FLU'S CORPSES LOOK$ UNLIKE ANY ! DOCTOR
_H SE54 ,! BLUE;S T D>K5$ H] HUSB& _H
FULLY 3SUM$ H]1 MAK+ X IMPOSSI# 6GUESS
H] AGE OR EV5 H] RACE4 ,%E RESEM#D    #E
! BURN VICTIMS ! DOCTOR _H SE5 AF A HOR-
RIFIC MILL FIRE YE>S AGO4
  ,%E 0 PROBABLY AB ! AGE (! NURSES1 !
DOCTOR WAG]$1 =! FLU SEEM$ 6BE TAK+ ONLY
^? :O 7 9 ! PRIME ( _! LIVES4 ,! *N MAY
ALR H BE5 RECOV]+1 B ! FLU _H S"M$ _!
P>5TS4 ,? 0 5TIRELY ! OPPOSITE PATT]N (
MO/ 9FLU5ZAS4
  ,!Y HE>D M C\<+1 F ANO!R ROOM4 ,! DOC-
TOR & NURSE LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1 SURPRIS$1
!N FOLL[$ ! S.D 96A B$ROOM ON ! OPPOSITE
SIDE (! HALL4 ,"H ! W9D[ 0 CURTA9.S1 & Z
SOON Z !Y 5T]$ !Y SAW TWO BODIES LY+ ON
A L>GE B$1 BO? ( !M C\<+4 ,!Y 7 "Y
ADULTS1 ! %EETS BLOODY NE> _! H1DS4 ,!Y
S.D$ EXACTLY L :AT !Y W]E3 TWO P SL[LY
SU6OCAT+ 6D1?4
  ,"! 0 A SU45 MOVE;T 2T ! BODIES1 T9Y
H&S4 ,A RAV5-HAIR$ * NO M ?AN ?REE YE>S
OLD _H BE5 NAPP+ 2T H] DY+ P>5TS4 ,%E
APPE>$ TRANQUIL =A MO;T1 B ! 9/ANT !
GIRL OP5$ H] BR[N EYES1 %E />T$ 6SCR1M4
,:E!R T]RIFI$ 0! /RANG]S 9 ! MASKS OR H]
NE>LY MO;N.S P>5TS1 ! NURSE WASN'T SURE4
,! GIRL KEPT SCR1M+4 ,X 0 Z ?\< !     #F
?REE SIL5T *N 9 ! O!R ROOM _H F.D A
VOICE 9 ? "O GIRL'S HORROR4
  ,! DOCTOR 0 ALR 9 ! P>LOR1 TELEPHON+
"O (! EXHAU/$ "UTAK]S1 ?\< HE KNEW X WD
2 H\RS 2F "O CD >RIVE4 ,EV5 ! OP]ATORS 7
SICK1 & HE /OOD "! = :AT SEEM$ AN ET]NI-
TY1 SIL;E ON ! L9E1 WAIT+ =A VOICE 6AID
HM1 WAIT+ = AN ANSW]4 ,! D1D SECONDS
/RET*$ \ 2F HM L ! >MS (! />V$ LL GIRLS1
2SEE*+ HM4














                ,"P ,"O               #G
               ,-MONW1L?

                   ,I

  ,! ROAD 6,-MONW1L? 0 L;G & =BI4+1
/RET*+ = MILES 2Y ,TIMB] ,FALLS & L1D+
DEEP 96! "EGRE5 WOODS1 ": ! TREES GREW
TALL] / Z IF TRY+ 6R1* ! SUN T T1S$ !M )
! PAUC;Y ( XS RAYS4 ,D\GLAS FIR LOOM$
OV] ! ROCK-/REWN ROAD L TWO W>R+ >MIES
P]*$ ON OPPOS+ CLI6S4 ,EV5 ^? TRAVEL]S
:O ALL _! LIVES _H BE5 REM9D$ ( _! 9SIG-
NIFIC.E FELT "PICUL>LY HUM#D 0T /RET* (
ROAD &! PRET]NATURAL D>K;S T %AD[$ X4
  ,"S NUMB] ( MILES 96! WOODS1 ! ROAD
CURV$ 6! "R &! TREES BACK$ (F A BIT1 !
BR[N DIRT & O3A.NAL /UMPS EVID;E T !
WOODS _H BE5 CLE>$ \ ONLY REC5TLY1 & ON-
LY ) EXTREME T5AC;Y4 ,! CLE>+ ROSE AL;G
A GRADUAL 9CL9E2 AT ! BASE (! HILL1 A
TREE T _H REC5TLY BE5 *OPP$ D[N BLOCK$ !
ROAD4 ,96XS ?ICK B>K A SIGN 0 NAIL$3 A
W>N+ 6TRAVEL]S :O DIDN'T EXI/1 A SIL5T
CRY 96D1F WOODS4
  ,A CRISP W9D PICK$ UP ATOP ! B>E    #H
HILL1 C>RY+ ! -B9$ EXHAL,NS ( MILLIONS (
FIR & P9E4 ,PHILIP SUCK$ 9 8 BR1?4
  8,COLD80 ,GRAHAM ASK$4
  8,I'M F9E40
  ,GRAHAM MO;N$ BACK 6! T[N4 8,Y NE$ TO
6GET YRF A W>M] JACKET1 G AH1D40
  8,I'LL /AY40
  8,SUIT YRF40 ,PHILIP DID LOOK COLD 9 8
?9 JACKET & KHAKI PANTS--P5CIL-PU%] AT-
TIRE--":AS ,GRAHAM 0 CLAD 9 8 USUAL BLUE
OV]ALLS &A ?ICK WOOL COAT4
  8,LOOK L X'S GONNA SN[ 6Y80 ,PHILIP
,WOR?Y 0 SIXTE51 TALL DESPITE ! LIMP T
MADE P ?9K HE 0 %ORT]1 B N Z BRAWNY Z
MO/ (! M5 9 T T[N ( LUMB]JACKS & MILL"W-
]S4
  8,X'S N GO+ 6SN[40
  ,GRAHAM1 TW5TY-FIVE1 0 :AT 9 _M WAYS
,PHILIP ASPIR$ 6BE3 /R;G1 QUIETLY WISE1
! MAN ( 8 H\SE4 ,:ILE ,PHILIP FELT HE
NE$$ 6BE POLITE & 3V]S,NAL 69GRATIATE
HMF ) P1 ,GRAHAM SEEM$ 6SAY ! M9IMUM NEC
& ALW WON RESPECT4 ,PHILIP _H "KN HM =
TWO YE>S1 & HE / WANT$ 6FIGURE \ H[ A
FELL[ DID T4                          #I
  8,COLD]'N ,I ?"\ X'D BE10 ,PHILIP SD4
8,"S"TS T M1NS SN[40
  ,GRAHAM "U/OOD 8 -PANION'S DR1D ( SN[4
,HE %OOK 8 H1D4 8,X'S COLD1 B X A9'T GO+
6SN[4 ,X'S ,OCTOB]40
  ,PHILIP NO4$1 %\LD]S HUN*$ AG/ ! COLD4
  ,GRAHAM LAID 8 RIFLE ON ! GR.D1 !N
TOOK (F 8 COAT4 8,"H1 PUT X ON40
  8,NO1 RE,Y1 ,I'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,I DON'T
WANT Y 6GET--0
  8,PUT ! DAMN COAT ON40 ,GRAHAM SMIL$4
8,I'VE GOT M M1T ON MY B"OS ANYWAY40
  8,?ANKS40 ,PHILIP PLAC$ 8 RIFLE 2S
,GRAHAM'S4 ,! JACKET 0 BIG ON HM1 !
SLEEVES EXT5D+ 2Y 8 H&S4 ,HE KNEW HE
LOOK$ FOOLI%1 B X 0 Z GD Z WE>+ GLOVES4
,HE WDN'T 2 A# 6HOLD ! RIFLE1 B T SEEM$
F9E1 S9CE HE DIDN'T EXPECT HE'D NE$ TO4
  8,:O D Y ?9K T 0 9 ! ,MODEL ;,T ON
,SUN"D80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,DON'T "K40 ,NEI ( !M _H BE5 AT ! PO/
ON ,SUN"D1 :5 TWO O!R GU>DS _H SE5 A %9Y
NEW ,=D DRIVE Z F> Z ! FALL5 TREE WD AL-
L[4 ,! GU>D PO/ 0 TOO F> AWAY 6GET A GD
LOOK AT ! DRIV]1 :O N"E EM]G$ F 8    #AJ
AUTOMOBILE4 ,! F$ORA TOLD !M X 0 A MAN1
B T 0 ALL4 ,! MAN _H APP>5TLY R1D !
SIGN1 /OPP$ 6?9K = NO L;G] ?AN A MO;T1
!N TURN$ >.D & DRIV5 AWAY4 ,X 0 ! ONLY
SI<T+ ( AN \TSID] S9CE ! T[N _H CLOS$ XF
(F4
  ,-MONW1L? SAT AB FIFTY MILES NOR?EA/ (
,S1TTLE1 OR MAYBE A HUNDR$--NO "O SEEM$
6"K EXCEPT ! T[N'S F.D]1 ,*>LES ,WOR?Y1
& ^? :O TRANSPORT$ ! T[N'S TIMB]4 ,6!
EA/ 7 ! JA7$ P1KS (! ,CASCADES1 CLOSE 5
6BE SE5 ON A CLE> "D B F> 5 64APPE> :5 !
CL\DS 7 L[ & ?ICK4 ,ON ^? "DS1 ! T[N
SEEM$ 6BE CUT (F F ! RE/ (! E>?4 ,MILES
6! WE/ 0 ! OP5 SEA1 ! 3FLU;E ( ,PUGET
,S.D 6! S\?1 ! ,/RAIT ( ,GEORGIA 6!
NOR?1 &! ,/RAIT ( ,JUAN DE ,FUCA 6! WE/1
! PO9T ": ALL ?REE -B9$ & WRAPP$ _! COLD
EMBRACE >.D ! ,SAN ,JUAN ,ISL&S4 ,B !
SEA 0 J F> 5 AWAY1 BLOCK$ 0! ?ICK =E/1 T
X MI<T Z WELL N H BE5 "! AT ALL4
  ,-MONW1L? 0 NO ORD9>Y T[N1 & T HELP$
EXPLA9 :Y X APPE>$ ON NO MAPS1 Z IF !
RE/ (! CIVILIZ$ _W PREF]R$ 6IGNORE XS
EXI/;E4 ,X _H NO MAYOR1 NO PO/MAS-   #AA
T]1 NO %]IFF4 ,X _H NO PRISON1 NO TAX-
MAN1 NO TRA9 /,N1 NO RAIL L9ES4 ,NO
*UR*1 NO TELEPH"OS1 NO HOSPITAL4 ,NO
SALOON1 NO NICKELODEON4 ,-MONW1L? _H
PRETTY M* NO?+ B A TIMB] MILL1 HOMES =!
"W]S1 PL5TY ( L& F : 6TE> D[N M TREES1 &
! FEW TRAPP+S NEC 6SUPPORT ! MILL1 S* Z
A G5]AL /ORE &A DOCTOR'S (FICE4 ,6%OP =
ITEMS ! /ORE DIDN'T SELL1 6VISIT ! MOV+
PICTURES1 OR 6ATT5D TRADI;NAL *UR* S]V-
ICES1 P W5T 6,TIMB] ,FALLS1 FIFTE5 MILES
6! S\?WE/4 ,B NO "O F T[N 0 ALL[$ 6L1VE
ANYMORE1 & NO "O 0 ALL[$ 6-E IN4
  8,?9K ! DRIV] W -E BACK80 ,PHILIP
ASK$4 ,! W9D BLEW 8 ?9 BR[N HAIR ACR 8
=EH1D4
  ,GRAHAM ?"\ =A MO;T1 8 FACE APPE>+ IM-
MOVA# Z 8 BLUE-GRE5 EYES FOCUS$ ON !
BASE (! HILL4 8,NO1 N AF HE SAW ! SIGN4
,IF X 0 "S"O :O RE,Y WANT$ 6-E IN1 HE
WD'VE TRI$4 ,PROBABLY J "SBODY ON MILL
BUSI;S :O DIDN'T "K AB ! QU>ANT9E40
  ,PHILIP NO4$1 APPRECIAT+ ,GRAHAM'S C]-
TA9TY4
  ,PHILIP _H GR[N UP ) NEI "F NOR    #AB
SIBL+S1 DRA7$ "?\T ! ,WE/ 0AN IT9]ANT "M
UNTIL ! A3ID5T T LEFT HM 9 ! ,WOR?YS'
C>E4 ,& :5 8 NEW FAMILY _H MOV$ 6,-MON-
W1L? TWO YE>S AGO 6/>T ? BOLD EXP]I;T1
HE _H QKLY 2FRI5D$ ,GRAHAM1 :O _HN'T RE-
ALIZ$ H[ M* HE'D MISS$ 8 [N "Y] BRO!RS
UNTIL HE MET ,PHILIP4
  ,GRAHAM1 L _M MILL"W]S1 _H RUN AWAY F
8 HOME TOO "Y1 *AS$ (F 0A DRUNK "F ) :OM
HE _H VIOL5TLY CLA%$ "O "T TOO _M4 ,HE
_H BE5 AB ,PHILIP'S AGE :5 HE'D LEFT 8
HOME 9 ,KANSAS1 & "S"TS :5 HE LOOK$ AT
,PHILIP1 HE 0 AMAZ$ T HE HMF _H BE5 S
H1D/R;G1 S FOOLI%1 6V5TURE \ 96! _W AT
S* AN OV]:ELM$ AGE4 ,"SH[ HE _H SURVIV$1
SURVIV$ BLOODY /RIKES & /9TS 9 JAIL &
FI<TS ) COPS1 & "H HE WAS1 A =EMAN AT A
RESPECTA# MILL4 ,?\< HE _H 8 [N FAMILY
6C>E = N[1 HE LIK$ T1*+ ,PHILIP ! ?+S
HE'D LE>N$ F 8 OLD] BRO!R1 6HUNT 8 F/
DE]1 CAT* 8 F/ FI%1 NAVIGATE ! TRAILS T
CUT "? ! 5D.S =E/4
  ,9 TRU?1 ,GRAHAM DIDN'T FEEL S C]TA9 T
! MAN 9 ! AUTOMOBILE WDN'T RETURN1 B !
M]E S.D ( 8 [N CALM VOICE 0 REAS-    #AC
SUR+4 ,? 0 :Y ,GRAHAM _H MISS$ HAV+ "Y]
BRO!RS1 HE R1LIZ$--!Y MADE Y FEEL ALM Z
/R;G Z ! IMAGE !Y LOOK$ UP TO4
  ,PHILIP & ,GRAHAM'S F/ /9T Z GU>DS1
F\R "DS E>LI]1 _H BE5 UNEV5T;L4 ,!Y _H
/OOD "! =! T5 L;G H\RS1 SIL5T = /RET*ES
& *ATT+ :5 ! BOREDOM 2CAME TOO GRT4
,WOND]+ AL\D H[ L;G ! FLU WD LA/1 SWAPP+
/ORIES ( PA/ ILL;SES & AIL;TS4 ,PHILIP
_H EV5 PROPOS$ A SMALL WAG] Z 6H[ L;G !
QU>ANT9E WD LA/1 B ,GRAHAM _H LI<TLY
*A/IS$ HM = 2+ 9DELICATE4 ,PHILIP RE-
GRETT$ ! -;T1 FELT "Y & /UPID4 ,B O!R
?AN T ! "T _H PASS$ SL[LY1 ! SKY GRADU,Y
D>K5+1 ! MI/S DESC5D+ F ! =M.S CL\DS
ABV1 L1V+ ! TWO WAT*M5 DAMP & TIR$ &
L;G+ = _! W>M HOMES1 ": !Y WD H NO?+ IN-
T]E/+ 6%>E ) _! FAMILIES OV] ! SUPP] TA-
#4

  8,S H['S ,8CLASS0' -+80 ,GRAHAM ASK$1
M9UTES OR H\RS LAT]4
  8,CLASS IS F9E4 ,ASK ME ANY?+ Y'D L TO
"K AB 9T]E/ PAY;TS40
  8,I WD L 6"K NO?+ AT ALL1 ?ANK Y   #AD
V M*40
  ,PHILIP 0 ,*>LES ,WOR?Y'S APPR5TICE1
2+ TRA9$ 9 ! BUSI;S SIDE (! MILL1 BR$ =!
SAME JOB T ,*>LES HMF _H HELD 9 8 "F'S
MILL1 ! "O HE _H 4GU/$LY TURN$ 8 BACK ON
ONLY TWO YE>S AGO4
  8,Y H"O/LY L SITT9' 9 A *AIR ALL "D80
,GRAHAM ASK$4
  8,WDN'T "K :AT ELSE 6-P>E X TO40
  ,PHILIP WOND]$ IF ,GRAHAM LOOK$ D[N ON
8 DESK "W1 B ) 8 DAMAG$ BODY1 ,PHILIP 0
A BAD C&IDATE = LABOR (A M PHYSICAL NA-
TURE4 ,HE GAVE A SURREPTITI\S GL.E AT
,GRAHAM'S MISS+ F+]1 ! "O HE'D LO/ 9 A
MILL A3ID5T "S YE>S AGO1 & FIGUR$ 8
WASN'T S* A BAD LOT 6DRAW4
  ,J ! O!R "D1 ,PHILIP _H HELP$ CALCU-
LATE :AT ! MILL WD SAVE IF X SWIT*$ OV]
F GANG SAWS 6B& SAWS1 ^: ?9N] BLADES WD
M1N LOS+ LESS (! TIMB] 6SAWDU/4 ,X _H
BE5 *ALL5G+ "W1 B :5 HE 0 F9I%$1 HE FELT
HE'D 3TRIBUT$ "S?+ ( VALUE 6! MILL1 & 8
"F'S S(T-SPOK5 -PLI;T 0 / R++ 9 8 E>S4
  8,H['S YR LL GIRL DO+80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,%E'S GRT10 ,GRAHAM SD )A SLI<T   #AE
SMILE4 8,BE5 CRAWL9' ALL OV] ! H\SE
LATELY4 ,AMELIA'S GOTTA KEEP H] EYES ON
H] ALL ! "T N[40
  8,H[ L;G TILL %E TALKS80
  8,A FEW MON?S YET1 AT L1/40
  8,H[ L;G TILL %E *OPS D[N TREES L H]
OLD MAN80
  8,TILL HELL FREEZES OV]40
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,PHILIP SD1 8%E'S GOT T
LUMB]JACK LOOK 6H]40
  8,T LUMB]JACK LOOK8 ,:AT'S T80
  ,PHILIP %RU7$4 8,%E DROOLS A LOT4
,BURPS4 ,K9DA SMELLS "S"TS40
  ,GRAHAM NO4$1 SMIRK+4
  8,S Y GET ANY SLEEP1 OR IS %E / UP ALL
NI<T80
  8,I SLEEP :5 ,I C40
  8,L :5 Y'RE \ "H /&+ GU>D40
  8,I 0 N ASLEEP LA/ "T4 ,I 0 RE/+ MY
EYES & IGNOR+ Y4 ,X'S AN IMPORTANT SKILL
A MAN DEVELOPS AF HE HAS A WIFE & KID4
,TRU/ ME ON ?4
  8,SP1K+ ( :10 ,GRAHAM 3T9U$ AF A BRIEF
PAUSE1 LOOK+ AT ,PHILIP F ! CORN] ( 8
EYE1 8,I KEEP SEE+ Y TALK+ ) T       #AF
,METZG] GIRL40
  ,PHILIP %RU7$ UNCONV9C+LY4 8,%E'S MY
SI/]'S FR40
  8,S H[ -E ,I KEEP SEE+ Y & H] & NO
SI/]80
  ,X TOOK AN EXTRA SECOND = ,PHILIP 6-E
UP )A RETORT4 8,:AT1 A GUY C'T TALK 6A
GIRL80
  ,GRAHAM SMIL$4 8,BOY1 ,I HOPE Y'RE
LESS OBVI\S ) H] ?AN Y >E ) ME40

  ,M9UTES ( SIL;E _H PASS$ 2F !Y SAW "S-
"O AT ! BASE (! HILL4
  ,!Y SAW HM "? ! TREE TRUNKS F/1 H9TS (
LI<T BR[N & TAN FLA%+ E O!R SECOND "? T
TANGLE ( B>K4 ,EA* ( !M /I65$1 BR1?
HELD1 Z !Y WAIT$ 6SEE IF A FIGURE WD
EM]GE OR IF !Y _H IMAG9$ X1 IF X 0 "S
TRICK ( LI<T4
  ,! FIGURE TURN$ ! CORN] & LOOK$ UP !
HILL1 SAW ! T[N 9 ! 4T.E4 ,2T HM &! T[N
/OOD ,PHILIP & ,GRAHAM1 ?\< HE SEEM$ N
6NOTICE !M4
  8,Y SEE T1 TOO1 "R80 ,PHILIP ASK$4
  8,I SEE X40                        #AG
  ,! FIGURE />T$ WALK+ T[>D !M4
  8,R1D ! SIGN10 ,GRAHAM QUIETLY -M&$ !
/RANG]4 8,R1D ! SIGN40
  ,9DE$1 AF A C\PLE ( SECONDS1 ! FIGURE
R1*$ ! SIGN & /OPP$4 ,/OPP$ = AN UNUSU,Y
L;G "T1 Z IF HE CD B>ELY R1D & "! 7 "O
TOO _M BIG ^WS WRITT5 "!4 ,!N ! MAN
LOOK$ UP AT !M4 ,GRAHAM MADE SURE 8 RI-
FLE 0 VISI#1 /&+ UP 2S HM1 8 H& "U ! B>-
REL S T X 0 PO9T+ AWAY F HM4
  ,PHILIP _HN'T LOOK$ AT ! SIGN 9 "DS
YET HE _H MEMORIZ$ :AT X SD4

               ,,QU>ANT9E
   ,,ABSOLUTELY ,,NO ,,5TRY ,,ALL[$6
    ,ON ,A3.T (! ,\TBR1K ( ,,9FLU5ZA
     ,? ,T[N ,"U ,/RICT ,,QU>ANT9E4
        ,? ,>EA ,"U ,3/ANT ,WAT*
            ( ,,>M$ ,GU>DS4
      ,NEI ,,/RANG] ,NOR ,,FR ,MAY
          ,PASS ,2Y ,? ,M>K]4
         ,MAY ,GOD ,PROTECT ,Y4

  ,AF R1D+ ! SIGN ! MAN _H "S SORT (
BRIEF SPASM1 "O ( 8 H&S R1*+ 6HIS    #AH
FACE4 ,!N HE /EPP$ UP 6! FALL5 TREE &
/>T$ CLIMB+ OV] X4 ,X 0 AN IMPRESSIVE
TREE1 & X TOOK HM A MO;T 6ASC5D XS ?ICK
TRUNK4 ,!N HE 0 PA/ X & WALK+ T[>D !M
AG4
  8,HE'S / -+10 ,PHILIP SD HELP.SLY1
TRY+ N 6PANIC4 ,HE HURRI$LY ROLL$ UP !
SLEEVES ( ,GRAHAM'S COAT1 WOND]+ :Y HE
FELT FIDGETY & N]V\S :5 ,GRAHAM SEEM$ TO
2COME EV5 M / ?AN USUAL4
  ,! MAN WALK$ )A SLI<T LIMP1 W9C+ :5 HE
MOV$ 8 "R LEG4 ,X MADE 8 PROGRESS SL[] B
"SH[ M DEF9ITE4 ,8 CLO!S SU7E/$ A UNI=M
( "S K9D1 ) /RIPES ON "O SLEEVE4 ,Z !
MAN APPROA*$1 ,PHILIP & ,GRAHAM SAW !
BACK 5D (A RIFLE POK+ UP OV] 8 "R %\LD]4
  ,HE'S A SOLDI]1 ,PHILIP ?"\1 3FUS$4
  ,HE 0 NE>LY HALFWAY 6!M4 ,NO M ?AN
EI<TY Y>DS AWAY4
  8,/OP "R "!60 ,GRAHAM %\T$4 8,? T[N IS
"U QU>ANT9E6 ,Y C'T -E ANY CLOS]60
  ,! MAN DID Z HE 0 TOLD4 ,HE _H D>K &
UNCOMB$ HAIR T APPE>$ "S:AT L;G] ?AN A
TYPICAL SOLDI]'S4 ,HE LOOK$ L HE _HN'T
%AV$ 9 A C\PLE ( "DS1 & "! 0 A       #AI
PIECE ( CLO? TI$ >.D 8 "R ?I<1 COLOR$
BLACK F :AT MI<T H BE5 DRI$ BLOOD4 ,8
UNI=M 0 DIRTY ALL OV] ! LEGS & 0 SME>$ )
MUD ACR "PS (! *E/4
  ,!N ! SOLDI] SNEEZ$4
  8,PL1SE60 ,! MAN NE$$ 6RAISE 8 VOICE 9
ORD] 6BE HE>D OV] ! 4T.E1 B ! EF=T ( DO+
S SEEM$ ALM TOO M* = HM4 8,I'M />V+4 ,I
J NE$ A LL "S?+ 6EAT '''0
  ,:AT'S A SOLDI] DO+ \ "H1 ,PHILIP
WANT$ 6ASK1 B HE KEPT ! ?"\ 6HMF4
  8,Y C'T -E UP "H1 BU4Y10 ,GRAHAM RE-
PLI$4 8,! SIGN SD1 WE'RE "U A QU>ANT9E4
,WE C'T LET ANY"O IN40
  8,I DON'T C>E IF ,I GET SICK40 ,! MAN
%OOK 8 H1D AT !M4 ,HE 0 "Y1 CLOS] 9 AGE
6,PHILIP ?AN 6,GRAHAM4 ,HE _H "S SORT (
AN A35T1 N =EIGN B F "S O!R "P (! C.TRY4
,NEW ,5GL&1 OR MAYBE ,NEW ,YORK--,PHILIP
WASN'T SURE4 ,! MAN'S JAW 0 H>D & 8 FACE
BONY & ANGUL>1 ! TYPE ( FACE ,PHILIP'S
"M WD H TOLD HM Y CDN'T TRU/1 ?\< ,PHIL-
IP N"E KNEW :Y4
  8,I'M />V+--,I NE$ "S?+ 6EAT4 ,I'VE
BE5 \ 9 ! WOODS TWO "DS N[4 ,"! 0    #BJ
AN A3ID5T--0
  8,X'S N Y GETT+ SICK WE'RE WORRI$ AB40
,GRAHAM'S VOICE 0 / /R;G1 ALM BULLY+4
8,WE'RE ! ONLY T[N >.D "H T ISN'T SICK
YET1 & WE AIM 6KEEP X T WAY4 ,N[ H1D ON
BACK D[N T ROAD40
  ,! SOLDI] LOOK$ 2H HM HALFHE>T$LY1 !N
BACK AT ,GRAHAM4 8,H[ F>'S ! NEXT T[N80
  8',B\T FIFTE5 MILES10 ,GRAHAM REPLI$4
,-MONW1L? 0 N ON ! WAY 6OR F ANY O!R T[N
--! ROAD L$ 6,-MONW1L? & 5D$ "!4 ,S ":
_H ! SOLDI] -E F8
  8,FIFTE5 MILES8 ,I HAV5'T EAT5 9 TWO
"DS4 ,X'LL 2 D>K 9 A FEW H\RS40
  ,HE C\<$4 ,L\DLY1 ?ICKLY4 ,H[ F> DOES
BR1? TRAVEL8 ,PHILIP WOND]$4
  ,!N ! SOLDI] />T$ LIMP+ T[>D !M AG4
  ,PHILIP 0 RIGID )A NEW MIXTURE ( FE>1
APPREH5.N1 &A S5SE ( DUTY1 ! K T HE _H A
JOB 6D4 ,AL? 8 JOB _H SEEM$ P]FECTLY
CLE> & "U/&A# E>LI] 9 ! "D1 HE 0 R1LIZ+
H[ -PLETELY UNSURE HE 0 Z 6H[ X %D 2 C>-
RI$ \4
  ,GRAHAM EXHIBIT$ NO S* 3FU.N3 HE PICK$
UP 8 RIFLE & HELD X R1DY4            #BA
  ,PHILIP RELUCTANTLY DID ! SAME4
  8,/OP60 ,GRAHAM -M&$4 8,Y'VE -E CLOSE
5\<60
  ,X WDN'T 2 UNTIL LAT] T EV5+1 :5 HE 0
TRY+ 6FALL ASLEEP1 T ,PHILIP WD R1LIZE
HE CD H VOLUNTE]$ 6FET* "S FOOD F T[N &
?R[N X D[N ! HILL =! SOLDI]4 ,SURELY "!
CD H BE5 "S WAY 6HELP ! MAN )\T LETT+ HM
-E ANY CLOS]4
  ,! SOLDI] /OPP$ AG4 ,HE 0 AB =TY Y>DS
AWAY4
  8,I DON'T H ! FLU10 HE SD1 %AK+ 8 H1D4
8,I'M H1L?Y1 ALL "R8 ,I'M N GO+ 6GET
ANYBODY SICK4 ,PL1SE1 J LET ME SLEEP 9 A
B>N OR "S?+40
  8,=A H1L?Y MAN1 Y SURE >E SNEEZ+ &
C\<+ A LOT10 ,GRAHAM SD4
  ,! MAN TOOK ANO!R /EP Z HE OP5$ 8 M\?
6RESPOND1 B ,GRAHAM FROZE HM 9 PLACE BY
RAIS+ 8 GUN SLI<TLY4
  8,I SD T'S CLOSE 5\<60
  ,! SOLDI] LOOK$ AT ,PHILIP IMPLOR+LY4
8,I'M C\<+ & SNEEZ+ 2C MY %IP CAPSIZ$ &
,I'VE BE5 9 ! =E/ = TWO "DS40 ,HE S.D$
ALM ANGRY1 B N Q--HE SEEM$ 6"K       #BB
BETT] ?AN 6RAISE 8 VOICE ) TWO >M$ M54
,X 0 M EXASP],N1 FATIGUE4 8,I'M TELL+ Y1
,I D N H ANY FLU4 ,I'M N GO+ 6GET ANY"O
SICK40
  8,Y C'T 3TROL T4 ,IF Y CD1 ,I'D TRU/
Y1 B Y C'T4 ,S ,I DON'T40
  8,I'M AN ,AM]ICAN SOLDI]1 = ,GOD'S
SAKE40 ,HE EY$ ,GRAHAM A3US+LY4 8,I'M
ASK+ Y 6HELP ME40
  8,& ,I'M TELL+ Y T ,I WD IF ,I CD1 B
,I C'T40
  ,! SOLDI] HUNG 8 H1D4 ,!N HE C\<$ AG4
,X 0 ?ICK & PHLEGMY1 Z IF HE'D SWALL[$
"S?+ 9 ! ,S.D & 0 HAV+ TR\# 4LODG+ X4
  8,I DON'T SUPPOSE "!'S A %]IFF 9 ? T[N
,I CD TALK TO80
  8,NOPE40
  8,:AT T[N IS ?80
  8,QUIT /ALL+1 BU4Y4 ,HIT ! ROAD4 ,I'M
SORRY--,I AM--B MY BE/ ADVICE IS 6H1D
D[N T ROAD FIFTE5 MILES1 & :5 Y D GET 6!
NEXT T[N1 2 MI<TY C>E;L4 ,"EYBODY'S SICK
OV] "!40
  ,! SOLDI] C\<$ AG1 !N TURN$ >.D4
,F9,Y4 ,PHILIP CLOS$ 8 EYES =A MO-   #BC
;T1 ?ANK;L4 ,ALR HE _H />T$ IMAG9+ H[ HE
WD RETELL ? /ORY 6HIS FAMILY & FRS4
  ,B ! SOLDI] TURN$ BACK >.D & FAC$ !M
ONCE AG4 ,PHILIP'S /OMA* T5S$ AT ! LOOK
( FOCUS 9 ! SOLDI]'S EYE1 A FOCUS T M1NT
"S?+ _H BE5 SET 9 MO;N4 ,PHILIP TI<T5$ 8
GRIP ON ! RIFLE4
  8,S ,I GUESS Y DIDN'T GET DRAFT$10 !
SOLDI] SD 6,GRAHAM BITT]LY1 8 EYES N>R[4
  8,GUESS N10 ,GRAHAM REPLI$4
  ,! SOLDI] NO4$4 8,LUCKY BR1K = Y40
  8,GUESS S40
  ,! SOLDI] />T$ LIMP+ =W>D AG4
  ,PHILIP1 WIDE-EY$1 LOOK$ 6,GRAHAM4
  8,I SD Y'VE -E CLOSE 5\<60 ,GRAHAM
YELL$1 AIM+ ! RIFLE D1D AT ! SOLDI]'S
*E/4 8,/OP1 N[60
  ,! SOLDI] %OOK 8 H1D AWKW>DLY4 ,8 NECK
SEEM$ RIGID4 8,I'M N GONNA DIE 9 !
WOODS40
  ,PHILIP AIM$ 8 RIFLE1 TOO4 ,HE'D N"E
AIM$ AT A HUMAN 2+ 2F1 & X FELT :OLLY
UNNATURAL1 A =BI45 POSE4 ,HE HOP$ & HOP$
! SOLDI] WD TURN >.D4
  8,I AM N BLU6+60 ,GRAHAM SCR1M$4   #BD
,8 VOICE 0 DI6]5T1 M PANICK$4
  ,! SOLDI] 0 GETT+ CLOS]4 ,PHILIP ?"\
HE CD SMELL ! MAN'S /5*1 WAT]-SOAK$ &
PUTRID F SLEEP+ ON MOSSY LOGS1 LY+ ATOP
DAMP TWIGS & SLUGS4
  ,! SOLDI] %OOK 8 H1D AG1 8 EYES WET &
R$4 ,HE 9*$ CLOS] & CLOS] 6! TWO GU>DS1
6FOOD1 6A W>M PLACE 6RE/ 8 WE>Y B"OS1 TO
SALV,N4
  8,DON'T MAKE ME D ?60 ,GRAHAM CRI$4
  ,M /EPS4 ,! SOLDI] OP5$ 8 M\? & B>ELY
MU/]$ A 8PL1SE40
  ,GRAHAM %OT HM4 ,! S.D &! =CE (! %OT
MADE ,PHILIP JUMP1 ALM MADE HM PULL 8
TRI7] 9 A REDUNDANT VOLLEY4 ,HE SAW !
SOLDI]'S *E/ BUR/ OP51 CLO? & "S?+ !
COLOR ( NEWLY WA%$ SK9 FLY+ =W>D4 ,!
SOLDI] /A7]$ BACK A /EP & DROPP$ 6HIS
LEFT KNEE4
  ,!N TWO ?+S HAPP5$ SIMULTANE\SLY4 ,!
PLACE ": ! SOLDI]'S *E/ _H EXPLOD$--: =A
MO;T _H LOOK$ SLI<TLY BLACK5$--FILL$ 9 )
A D>K R$4 ,& 8 "R >M R1*$ UP OV] 8 %\LD]
& GRA2$ =! RIFLE SLUNG ON 8 BACK4
,PHILIP WD REMEMB] 9 8 HAUNT$        #BE
DR1MS ! /RANGELY ME*ANICAL MO;N (! MAN'S
>M1 Z IF 8 S\L.S BODY 7 SIMPLY EXECUT+
"O LA/ ORD]4
  ,GRAHAM %OT HM AG1 & ? "T ! SOLDI] 0
BL[N ONTO 8 BACK4 ,"O KNEE CROOK$ UP A
BIT1 B ! RE/ ( 8 BODY 0 FLAT ON ! GR.D1
FAC+ A SKY S BLANK 9 XS GRAY;S T 9 T LA/
MO;T ( LIFE HE MI<T H SE5 ANY?+ PROJECT$
^U X3 8 GOD1 8 "M1 A LO/ LOVE1 ! EYES (!
MAN :O _H KILL$ HM4 ,! GRAY;S 0 ANY?+ &
NO?+4
  ,PHILIP WASN'T SURE H[ L;G HE />$ AT !
MAN1 H[ L;G HE KEPT 8 GUN TRA9$ ON ! AIR
T ! MAN _H ONCE O3UPI$4 ,F9,Y1 AF S"EAL
SECONDS1 HE MANAG$ 6MOVE 8 H1D & LOOK$
6HIS LEFT1 AT ,GRAHAM4 ,GRAHAM'S EYES 7
WIDE1 FULL ( ELECTRIC;Y & LIFE4
  ,!Y 7 BO? BR1?+ L\DLY1 ,PHILIP R1LIZ$4
,B ,GRAHAM ESPECI,Y3 HE 0 SUCK+ 9 GULPS
( AIR1 EA* "O L>G] & L\D] ?AN ! LA/4
,PHILIP L[]$ 8 GUN1 WOND]+ IF HE %D T\*
8 FR'S %\LD]1 D "S?+4
  8,OH ,GOD10 ,GRAHAM MOAN$4 8,OH ,GOD40
  ,PHILIP DIDN'T "K IF ,GRAHAM _H "E %OT
A MAN4 ,HE'D HE>D AB :AT _H HAPP5$   #BF
6,GRAHAM 9 ! ,"EETT ,MASSACRE1 B HE
WASN'T SURE IF ,GRAHAM _H BE5 A VICTIM
ONLY1 OR AN A7RESSOR1 TOO4
  8,OH ,GOD40
  ,GRAHAM'S BR1?+ KEPT GETT+ L\D]1 & "R
:5 ,PHILIP 0 GO+ 6ASK IF HE 0 ALL "R1
,GRAHAM SWALL[$4 ,HELD 8 BR1? & !N SWAL-
L[$ T LA/ BIT ( AIR1 Z IF -PLETELY DI-
GE/+ ! SC5E 2F HM1 ! ACT HE _H J -MITT$4
,:5 HE />T$ BR1?+ AG1 HE S.D$ ALM NOR-
MAL4
  ,A FEW SECONDS PASS$4
  8,WE'RE GONNA H 6TALK 6,DOC ,BANES10
,GRAHAM SD4 ,SU45LY 8 VOICE 0 /1DY & SE-
RI\S1 UNLIKE 8 E>LI] CRIES4 ,HE MI<T Z
WELL H BE5 SP1K+ AB ! 3DI;N ( "S (! MA-
*9]Y 9 ! MILL4
  8,I ''' ,I ?9K HE'S D1D40 ,PHILIP'S
VOICE CRACK$4
  8,( C\RSE HE'S D1D60 ,GRAHAM SNAPP$1
TURN+ 6FACE ,PHILIP =! F/ "T4 ,8 EYES 7
FURI\S1 & ,PHILIP BACK$ (F A /EP4 ,!N
,GRAHAM'S EYES RETURN$ 6! BODY1 & HE
PAUS$ =A MO;T4
  8,WE %D F9D \ H[ L;G WE NE$ 6/AY   #BG
AWAY F ! BODY 2F WE C BURY X10 HE SD4
8,I DON'T "K IF D1D BODIES C / 2 3TA-
GI\S1 & IF S1 = H[ L;G4 ,WE'LL H 6ASK
,DOC ,BANES40
  ,PHILIP NO4$1 SL[LY4 ,DESPITE ! W9D1 !
RIFLE NO L;G] FELT COLD 9 8 DAMP H&S4


















                                     #BH
























                  ,,II               #BI

  ,! RESID5TS ( ,-MONW1L? _H BLOCK$ !
ROAD & PO/$ ! SIGN "O WEEK E>LI]1 !
MORN+ AF A T[N MEET+ AT : ,PHILIP ,WOR?Y
0 ! "YE/ ATT5DEE4
  ,HE _H SAT "! 2S 8 P>5TS 9 ! FRONT R[
(! FIR-SC5T$ T[N HALL1 A BUILD+ T _H
S]V$ _M ROLES 9 ! TWO YE>S S9CE XS CON-
/RUC;N3 A *UR* ON ,SUN"D AFNS2 A D.E
HALL ON ! F/ ,FRI"D NI<T ( EA* MON?2 A
BAZA> ": ! T[N LADIES SOLD OR TRAD$
QUILTS1 BLANKETS1 & O!R CRAFTS A FEW "TS
A YE>2 &A MAKE%IFT S*OOL UNTIL ! GR[+
NUMB] ( *N 9 ,-MONW1L? _H NECESSITAT$ !
3/RUC;N (A S*OOLH\SE NEXT DOOR4 ,PHIL-
IP'S "R KNEE B\NC$ N]V\SLY Z M M5 & WOM5
FIL$ 96! BUILD+4 ,X _H BE5 COLD :5 !Y _H
>RIV$ 9 ! E>LY-EV5+ D>K;S1 B ALR X _H
GR[N W>M 9 ! ROOM Z P TRAD$ RUMORS &
WORRIES1 ! %U6LE ( FEET &! TWIT*ES (
FE>4
  ,PHILIP FELT AWKW>D AT ? MEET+ (
ADULTS1 Z IF 8 PRES;E WD 2 "Q$4 ,B
,*>LES _H 9SI/$1 SAY+ T Z 8A MAN (!
MILL10 ,PHILIP _H AN OBLIG,N 6LET    #CJ
8 VOICE 2 HE>D ON S VITAL A MATT]4
,PHILIP TURN$ 8 H1D 6LOOK = ,GRAHAM 9 !
PACK$ HALL1 B HE CDN'T SEE 8 FR 9 ! ?ICK
=E/ ( FACES4
  ,AL? ,PHILIP FELT HONOR$ 6BE "W+ 9 !
MILL (FICE ) ,*>LES1 HE SUSPECT$ ! JACKS
& MILL"W]S RES5T$ 8 EASY ASC5.N & LOOK$
D[N ON HM = 8 LIMP1 =! WOOD5 BLOCK 9 8
LEFT BOOT4 ,HE ASSUM$ !Y ?"\ HE WASN'T
CUT \ =! >DU\S LABOR T KEPT ! T[N RUNN+1
T F$ "EY"O & KEPT !M ALIVE \ "H 9 ! WIL-
D];S4
  ,8 ADOPT$ "M1 ,REBE3A1 LOOK$ AT HM &
SMIL$ %ORTLY1 & HE R1LIZ$ HE M/ H BE5
%[+ 8 N]VES4 ,HE SAT A BIT TALL] 9 8
*AIR & /OPP$ B\NC+ 8 KNEE4 ,%E R1*$ \ &
SQUEEZ$ 8 H&1 !N LET X G4 ,H] SMILE
SEEM$ =C$4 ,! LOOK 9 H] LI<T BLUE EYES 0
WAT*;L1 Z "E4
  8,H[ D Y ?9K P >E GO+ 6REACT80 ,PHILIP
ASK$ H] QUIETLY4
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D1 "S GRAY T5DRILS FALL+
F H] HA/ILY >RANG$ BUN4 ,REBE3A _H BE5
6C.T.S SU6RAGE & POLITICAL MEET+S1 N
ONLY 9 ,-MONW1L? B AL 9 ,TIMB]       #CA
,FALLS1 9 ,S1TTLE1 & 9 DOZ5S ( T[NS &
CITIES AL;G ! COA/4 ,%E PRACTIC,Y _H BE5
RAIS$ ON S* GA!R+S1 A3OMPANY+ H] "F1
,JAY ,WOODSON1 A FECUND 9TELLECTUAL :O
_H WRITT5 TOMES LL R1D 0ANY B ! F>-LEFT
9TELLIG5TSIA1 PROVOCATIVE 4QUISI;NS ON !
C.TRY'S -+ ECONOMIC COLLAPSE4 ,REBE3A'S
"F _H PASS$ AWAY 2F %E M>RI$ ,*>LES1 B
%E _H D"O H] "P 6BUILD ^U H] "F'S LEGA-
CY1 SPE>H1D+ SU6RAGE GR\PS1 ANTIW> OR-
GANIZ,NS1 & N[ ?3 ! T[N ( ,-MONW1L?1 A
NEW HYBRID ( SOCIALI/ HAV5 & CAPITALI/
5T]PRISE4 ,& YET TN'S MEET+ 0 LESS AB
POLITICS ?AN SURVIVAL4
  8,I DON'T "K10 %E ADMITT$ 6,PHILIP4
8,WE'LL SEE40

  ,GRAHAM SAT S"EAL R[S 2H ! ,WOR?YS1
HAV+ >RIV$ ONLY A FEW M9UTES 2F ! MEET+
0 6/>T4 ,AMELIA _H /AY$ AT HOME )! BABY
--%E 0 M TIR$ ?AN USUAL ON A3.T ( H] 2+
TWO MON?S PREGNANT1 A FACT ! C\PLE _HN'T
YET REV1L$ 6_! FRS4 ,HE RU2$ AT 8 NECK1
! AIR TOO HOT N[ T ! ROOM 0 FILL$ TO
BUR/+1 ! MOVA# WOOD5 PEWS L9$ ) M5   #CB
& WOM51 ! WALLS COV]$ ) P L1N+1 %IFT+ _!
WEI<T F FOOT 6FOOT4

  ,F9,Y1 ,REBE3A :ISP]$ 6H] HUSB& T HE
%D GET ?+S />T$4 ,"S"TS ,*>LES / SEEM$
UNCOM=TA# 9 8 ROLE Z H1D (! MILL & DE
FACTO L1D] (! T[N1 %E NOTIC$4 ,ALL ^?
YE>S Z ! SIL5T BOOKKEEP] 9 8 FAMILY
MILL1 YE>S ( 2+ OV]%AD[$ 0HIS FA/-TALK+
OLD] BRO!RS &! DOM9E]+ PATRI>*1 _H BE5
DI6ICULT = HM 6OV]COME4 ,HE _H LE>N$ H[
6EM]GE F ! L[ EXPECT,NS ( O!RS1 _H 2COME
AN ELOQU5T SPOKESMAN1 R,Y+ ! FAI? (A
T[N1 B "S"TS HE NE$$ 8 WIFE 6REM9D HM (
?4 ,*>LES NO4$ )\T LOOK+ AT H] & /OOD
UP4
  ,*>LES'S HAIR & BE>D _H G"O -PLETELY
:ITE OV] ! LA/ FEW YE>S4 ,HE 0 TALL & _H
! BROAD %\LD]S (A LUMB]JACK DESPITE !
FACT T HE _H SP5T ALL 8 "DS 9SIDE AN (-
FICE4 ,ANY"O CD H LOOK$ AT 8 F+]S & SE5
T !Y 7 TOO FREE ( BLEMI%ES = HM 6BE A
JACK1 8 PALMS TOO S(T4 ,AT FIFTY-TWO1 HE
0 "O (! OLDE/ RESID5TS 9 ? T[N ( "W+M51
& 8 EYES 7 CALM & 2NEVOL5T4 ,8       #CC
:ITE COLL>$ %IRT & GRAY FLANNEL PANTS 7
SLI<TLY WORN 9 PLACES T HE _H EI FAIL$
6NOTICE OR *OS5 N 63C]N HMF )4
  ,HE 0 FOLL[$ 6! PODIUM 0,DR4 ,M>T9
,BANES1 ! T[N'S SOLE M$ICAL AU?OR;Y1 & Z
! TWO M5 LOOK$ \ AT ! PACK$ HALL1 VOICES
QUIET$ )\T A S+LE RAIS$ H& OR ?ROAT
CLE>+4 ,X O3URR$ 6,*>LES Z HE OP5$ 8 M\?
6SP1K T HE _H N"E HE>D S _M ADULTS S
QUIET4 ,HE /AY$ SIL5T = AN EXTRA SECOND
OR TWO1 ! F/ 9VISI# SYLLA# HID+ "S": 2N
8 T;GUE4
  ,*>LES 0 N ! T[N MAYOR OR XS PA/OR1 Z
,-MONW1L? LACK$ EI CIVIC OR RELIGI\S
L1D]S4 ,B ! T[N 0 9 _M WAYS 8 CRE,N1 !
R1LIZ,N (A DR1M HE & ,REBE3A _H %>$ YE>S
AGO :ILE SU6]+ "? ! ,"EETT G5]AL /RIKE1
XS VIOL;E & MAD;S4
  ,*>LES _H BE5 EI<TE5 :5 8 "F1 LUR$ 6!
GRT ,NOR?WE/ 0/ORIES ( 5D.S =E/S ( ,D\G-
LAS FIR1 _H UPROOT$ 8 FAMILY F _! HOME 9
,MA9E 9 #AHIJ4 ,*>LES'S "M & 8 "Y] BRO!R
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ANY?+4 ,%E _H SPOK5 2F L>G] CR[DS ?AN ?1
CR[DS BO? SUPPORTIVE & HO/ILE4 ,B ,*>LES
_H MADE 8 OP9IONS PLA91 &! IDEA ( MAK+ A
M>ITAL 4AGREE;T PUBLIC SEEM$ UNT[>D1 IF
N D[N"R WR;G4 ,%E FELT AN UN"*I/IC P>AL-
YSIS EV5 Z H] HE>T RAC$4
  ,PHILIP SAT 2S H] SIL5TLY Z ! MEET+
3T9U$1 M M5 & WOM5 VOIC+ _! 3C]NS1   #DI
B MO/ ( !M 9 FAVOR (A QU>ANT9E4 ,AF !
SIL;E 2T -;TS GREW L;G]1 ,*>LES SPOKE
AG4
  8,I CALL =A VOICE VOTE10 HE SD4
  ,REBE3A'S PALMS 7 SW1TY2 %E RU2$ "O (
!M ON H] WOOL SKIRT4 ,%E WANT$ 6/&4 ,%E
WANT$ 6/&4 ,%E /AY$ 9 H] S1T4
  8,ALL ^? 9 FAVOR (! T[N CLOS+ XS DOORS
UNTIL ! FLU HAS PASS$10 ,*>LES PRO-
CLAIM$1 8SAY ,8AYE40'0
  ,! HALL %OOK 9 RESPONSE4 ,2S ,REBE3A1
,PHILIP VOT$ QUIETLY4
  8,ALL AG/1 SAY ,8NAY40'0
  ,9 ! HALL 7 _M 4S5T]S1 B !Y REPRES5T$
ONLY A SMALL FRAC;N (! TOTAL 9 FAVOR4 ,!
S.D (! NAYS 0 H1VY ) DEF1TISM1 ^? VOT]S
HAV+ ALR R1LIZ$ T !Y 7 9 ! M9OR;Y4
  ,REBE3A VOT$ NAY1 ALM "U H] BR1?1 AW>E
T X B>ELY MATT]$4 ,! ONLY P]SON :O HE>D
H] 0 ,PHILIP1 :O EY$ H] ) 3C]N4
  ,H] HUSB& NO4$1 ! HALL GR[+ L\D] AG Z
P SPOKE 6"O ANO!R1 SEEM+LY 3GRATULAT+
!MVS ON _! DECISIVE;S4 ,6,REBE3A1 X 0 AN
EMPTY HAPPI;S1 = !Y _H SU3E$$ 9 AN ACT (
ONLY AMBIVAL5T C\RAGE1 "S MORAL      #EJ
-PROMISE ^: WEI<T1 %E FE>$1 WD 2G9 6FEEL
UNCOM=TA# ON _! %\LD]S4
  ,NEXT ,*>LES 4CUSS$ LOGI/ICS3 BLOCK+ !
ROAD & DEVIS+ A S*$ULE =! GU>DS4 ,AF !
MEET+ _H ADJ\RN$ & MO/ P 2GAN EXIT+ !
/U6Y BUILD+1 A L9E =M$ 9 ! LEFT-H& AISLE
Z M5 SIGN$ _! "NS 6VOLUNTE] = %IFTS4
,REBE3A WOND]$ IF Z _M M5 WD H -E =W>D
IF ,GRAHAM _HN'T ?R[N ! GAUNTLET AT _!
FEET4 ,P]H "S DID S \ (A S5SE ( ADV5-
TURE1 :ILE O!RS DID S \ ( FE> ( :AT WD
HAPP5 IF "S"O LESS TRU/WOR?Y 7 GIV5 S* A
RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,%E LOOK$ AT "S (! FACES
& GUESS$ T !Y 7 DRIV5 0A S5SE ( %AME T
!Y W]5'T FI<T+ 9 ,EUROPE4 ,"S _H 5LI/$ =
S]VICE B _H BE5 DESIGNAT$ 8ESS5TIAL W>
"W]S0 [+ 6_! DUTIES AT ! MILL2 O!RS _H
WILL;LLY TURN$ _! BACKS ON :AT !Y 3SID]$
A CROOK$ W>4 ,/&+ GU>D WD PROVE 6!M & _!
FAMILIES T !Y 7 9DE$ C\RAGE\S M54
  ,2S H]1 ,PHILIP /OOD1 & Z HE TOOK 8 F/
/EP T[>D ! L9E1 ,REBE3A />T$ 6RAISE H]
H& 9/9CTIVELY 6GRAB 8 %\LD]1 6PULL HM TO
8 S1T & TELL HM HE 0 MAK+ A MISTAKE4 ,HE
0 ONLY SIXTE56 ,HE %D N /& \ "! &    #EA
HOLD A GUN AG/ :O"E MI<T HAPP5 ^U ! T[N4
,B 2F %E CD GRAB HM1 HE _H /EPP$ 2Y H]1
96T L;G L9E1 SIDL+ UP 2S ,GRAHAM1 :O
NO4$ AT 8 UN(FICIAL BRO!R & PATT$ HM
TWICE ON ! %\LD]4
  ,= _M YE>S ,REBE3A WD REMEMB] T %\LD]
CLASP &! WAY ,PHILIP'S BACK SEEM$ TO
/RAI<T5 "U ! WEI<T ( ,GRAHAM'S H&4
















                                     #EB
























                 ,,III               #EC

  ,:AT _H ! SOLDI]'S "N BE58 ,H[ OLD 0
HE8 ,": DID 8 FAMILY LIVE1 & H[ REC5TLY
_H HE WRITT5 6!M8 ,7 !Y R1D+ 8 MO/ REC5T
LR N[1 TRY+ N 6TE> UP AT ! 5D ( X1 HOP+
T ANO!R WD SOON FOLL[8
  ,PHILIP'S M9D RAC$4 ,Z M* Z HE TRI$ N
6D ? 6HMF1 Z M* Z HE TRI$ 6FOCUS ON !
SUPP] ON 8 PLATE1 ON 8 /EP"M'S VOICE1 HE
CD N /OP HMF F WOND]+ AB ! MAN ^: LIFE
HE _H HELP$ BR+ 6A VIOL5T & -PLETELY UN-
EXPECT$ HALT4
  8,>E Y ALL "R80 ,REBE3A ASK$4
  ,IF "EY?+ 7 ALL "R1 ,PHILIP ?"\1 !N "!
WD 2 NO NE$ 6PO/ >M$ GU>DS 0! T[N 5TR.E4
,"! WD 2 NO NE$ =! RIFLES1 & "! WD H BE5
NO NE$ 6%OOT ! SOLDI]4 ,! SOLDI] WD 2
SITT+ 2S HM "R N[1 HAPPILY EAT+ ,REBEC-
CA'S COOK+ & TELL+ !M ALL =! T5? "T H[
?ANK;L HE 0 = _! HOSPITAL;Y4
  8,I'M F9E40
  ,!Y'D ASK ! SOLDI] AB ! W> & HE'D
%RUG1 ACT UNCOM=TA# ) ALL ! ATT5;N AT
F/1 B ONCE HE />T$ TALK+ AB X1 HE'D F9D
X DI6ICULT 6/OP4 ,HE'D TELL !M AB    #ED
8 TRA9+ &! RUMORS CIRCULAT+ "? ! CAMP AB
": !Y'D 2 DEPLOY$4 ,HE'D TELL !M HE
WASN'T 9 ANY HURRY 6GET 6! FRONT B T
ONCE HE GOT "!1 HE'D 2 HONOR$ 6D 8 DUTY
= ,GOD & C.TRY4
  ,REBE3A PUT H] H& ON ,PHILIP'S %\LD]4
8,TRY 6EAT "S40
  8,SORRY10 ,PHILIP SD4
  8,DON'T 2 SORRY4 ,J REMEMB] 6TAKE C>E
( YRF4 ,Y H 6EAT40
  ,HE ATE4 ,X TOOK EF=T AT F/1 B ! F/
FEW BITES AWAK5$ 8 /OMA*4 ,! /EW 0 W>M &
H1VILY SALT$1 & D>K 5 = ,PHILIP 6BE LESS
?AN SURE :E!R "! 0 ANY M1T 9 X OR IF X 0
J VEGETA#S4 ,:AT "D 0 TD8 ,0 X ,:1T.S
,MON"D1 ,M1T.S ,TUES"D1 ,PORK.S ,?URS"D8
,E GROC]Y /ORE 9 ,AM]ICA 4PLAY$ ^?
SIGNS4 ,SAVE FOOD =! SOLDI]S1 "EY"O SD4
8,:1T.S "DS 9 ,AM]ICA MAKE = SLEEP.S
NI<TS 9 ,G]_M40 ,N T ,PHILIP WD -PLA9--
HE ATE M* BETT] )! ,WOR?YS ?AN HE "E _H
) 8 [N "M4
  ,\TSIDE X 0 ALR D>K1 ! AUTUMN SUN *AS$
AWAY 0! COLD W9DS4
  ,PHILIP TRI$ N 6?9K (! SOLDI]4     #EE
,9/1D1 ?9K ( ? H\SE1 ! P 9SIDE X4 ,?9K (
TD4
  8,X'S ,W$NES"D10 HE BLURT$ \4
  8,YES80 ,REBE3A ANSW]$1 H] EYES WAT*;L
& W>M4
  ,HE ?"\ =A MO;T4 8,>E Y SORRY Y C'T 2
AT YR MEET+S80 ,TYPIC,Y1 ,W$NES"D EV5+S
7 :5 ,REBE3A WD 2 MEET+ ) FELL[ SU6RA-
GI/S 9 ,"EETT OR ,S1TTLE1 OR MAYBE 9 "S
(! SMALL] T[NS1 HOP+ 6BUILD UP ! MOVE;T
) NEW RECRUITS4
  ,%E NO4$4 8,I AM1 B WE'RE ALL MAK+
SACRIFICES N[40 ,!N %E F.D A WAY 6SMILE
AT ! SITU,N4 8,I'M SURE ! GR\PS C SUR-
VIVE )\T ME =A FEW WEEKS40

  ,X 0 ! SECOND ,W$NES"D S9CE ! QU>ANT9E
_H 2GUN1 S ? WD 2 ! SECOND WEEK ( MEET+S
,REBE3A _H MISS$4 ,%E DID N APPRECIATE !
=C$ 9ACTIV;Y2 %E SORELY MISS$ ^? SU6RAGE
MEET+S & RALLIES1 Z %E _H MISS$ ! RAL-
LIES =! ,WOMAN'S ,P1CE ,"PY1 RALLIES
!Y'D HELD 9 ! MON?S L1D+ UP 6,AM]ICA'S
JO9+ ! W>4 ,%E & O!R ,,WPP MEMB]S _H
MADE SPEE*ES & EXHORT$ P 6VOTE =!    #EF
P1CE C&IDATES1 6FI<T AG/ ! PRESSURES T !
,PREP>$;S ,MOVE;T 0 EX]T+1 ^? ?9LY DIS-
GUIS$ W>M;G]S :O WANT$ ! C.TRY 6BUILD M
W>%IPS & CANNONS & GUNS .J .9 .CASE4 ,%E
MISS$ ^? MEET+S ESPECI,Y1 SITT+ ) L-M9D$
M5 & WOM51 P :O FELT1 L H]1 T NO GD CD
-E ( W>1 ESPECI,Y .? W>1 F"\ = NO JU/I-
FIA# R1SONS 2Y ^? LIES SPR1D 0! PROPA-
G&I/S4 ,B ONCE ,WILSON _H DCLD W> &
,3GRESS PASS$ ! ,ESPIONAGE & ,SEDI;N
,ACTS1 SU45LY ! ,,WPP 0 ILLEGAL--,AM]I-
CANS W]5'T ALL[$ 6PR1* P1CE ANYMORE4 ,N[
"EY"O 0 SUPPOS$ 6S+ HAPPY S;GS AB FI<T]
PILOTS & D\<BOYS1 HATE ! KAIS] & LOVE _!
PRESID5T4
  ,PHILIP NO4$ AT H]4 8,HOPE;LLY Y'LL
GET 6BE \ "! AG SOON40
  8,IN ! M1N"T1 ,I C ALW WRITE PL5TY (
LRS10 %E SD1 SMIRK+ RUE;LLY4 8,I J C'T
MAIL !M YET40
  8,MAYBE Y'LL GET SU6RAGE ANYWAY10 HE
SD )A SLI<T SMILE4 8,MAYBE !Y'LL PASS !
LAW DUR+ ! FLU40
  ,%E LAU<$4 8,T'D 2 NICE1 B ,I D\BT X40
                                     #EG
  ,! DOOR OP5$1 & 9 WALK$ ,LAURA1 ,PHIL-
IP'S ADOPTIVE SI/]4 ,%E 0 TWO YE>S "Y]
?AN ,PHILIP1 ) /RAI<T AMB] HAIR T MI<T H
BE5 BLOND] _H %E LIV$ "SPLACE ) M SUN-
LI<T4 ,%E _H BR[N EYES T CD LOOK 9CR$I-
BLY M1N :5 %E WANT$ !M TO1 : !Y (T5 _H 9
,PHILIP'S F/ FEW YE>S )! FAMILY4 ,LAURA
WASN'T A BAD P]SON1 ,PHILIP EV5TU,Y
LE>N$1 %E 0 J US$ 62+ AN ONLY *4 ,HAV+
6A3EPT AN ADOPT$ BRO!R--AN .OLD] ADOPT$
BRO!R1 = GD;S' SAKE--AT ! AGE ( N9E _H
BE5 A DI6ICULT TASK4
  ,%E SAT D[N ON A *AIR OPPOSITE ,PHILIP
& LOOK$ AT HM C>E;LLY1 %[+ M -PAS.N ?AN
%E USU,Y P]MITT$ H]F4
  8,HI10 %E SD4
  8,HI40
  8,I 0 ?9K+ AB MAK+ A CAKE LAT]10 ,LAU-
RA SD4
  ,CAKE8 ,? 0 "S?+ %E DID ONLY ON 8
BIR?"D4 ,2C "EY"O 0 3S]V+ SUG> UNTIL !
W> 5D$1 ! ?"\ 0 D[N"R TR1SON\S4 8,GRT4
,:Y TD80
  ,%E LOOK$ AWAY1 Z IF UNCOM=TA# ) H] [N
ACT ( *>;Y4 8,I J WANT$ TO40 ,A      #EH
PAUSE4 8,I ?"\ Y'D WANT "S40
  8,?ANKS40
  ,LAURA _H N BE5 TOLD AB ! D1D SOLDI]4
,_! "M _H EXPLA9$ T A MAN _H TRI$ 65T] !
T[N B T ,GRAHAM & H] BRO!R _H P]SUAD$ HM
6L1VE1 & T ! 3FRONT,N _H LEFT ,PHILIP
EXHAU/$4
  8,WELCOME10 ,LAURA SD4 ,9 ! BACKGR.D1
,REBE3A TRI$ 6MAKE H]F 9VISI#4 8,Y DON'T
NE$ 6HELP ME ) MY MA? TN1 EI40
  8,NO1 ,I SD ,I WD40 ,PHILIP 0 AFRAID (
*ANG+ 8 R\T9E4 ,X 0 AWKW>D 5 EAT+ SUPP]
AL"O1 B 8 GU>D /9T _H LA/$ UNTIL EI<T1 &
,*>LES 0 AT AN EM]G5CY MEET+ )! RE/ (!
GU>DS AT ! T[N HALL4
  ,AF ,LAURA W5T BACK 6H] ROOM1 ,PHILIP
=C$ HMF 6F9I% 8 FOOD4 ,? /EW WD H SAV$ !
SOLDI]'S LIFE1 HE ?"\4 ,IF X _H BE5
PLAC$ AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL MO;TS 2F !
SOLDI]'S >RIVAL1 HE WD H EAT5 X & !N
3T9U$ D[N ! ROAD4 ,IF !Y _H "KN HE 0 -+1
IF !Y "SH[ CD H ANTICIPAT$ ! "D'S EV5TS1
HE WD 2 ALIVE & 8 /OMA* WD 2 FULL1 &
,PHILIP'S WDN'T 2 QU1SY4
  ,:5 HE F9I%$1 ,REBE3A TOLD HM      #EI
%E'D CL1N 8 B[L1 : HE POLITELY TRI$ 6RE-
SI/4 ,DESPITE _! YE>S TGR1 HE / FELT "S-
:AT AWKW>D >.D H]4 ,HE _H "KN T ! WAY 8
[N "M _H RAIS$ HM _H BE5 UNCONV5;NAL--
TAK+ HM F T[N 6T[N1 SCR\NG+ = M"OY1
BLAM+ HM = _! TR\#S--B HE'D GR[N US$ 6X
OV] TWELVE YE>S4 ,EV5 ! SMALLE/ ACTS (
K9D;S F ,REBE3A LEFT HM "S:AT UNSURE H[
6REACT1 H[ ?ANK;L 6BE & H[ W>Y4
  ,HE SAT BACK D[N AT ! D9+ ROOM TA# Z
,REBE3A CL1N$ ! KIT*54 ,! ROOM 0 COLD &
QUIET1 &! W9D[S /RA9$ AG/ ANO!R GU/ (
W9D4

  ,AF WAIT+ 0! FALL5 SOLDI] = NE>LY HALF
AN H\R--L;G 5 6DET]M9E T HE DIDN'T H ANY
A3OMPLICES LA7+ 2H--,GRAHAM _H TOLD
,PHILIP 6H1D BACK 6T[N & F9D ! DOCTOR1 B
N 6TELL ANY"O ELSE :AT _H HAPP5$4
  ,-MONW1L? 0 A SMALL T[N1 & MO/ P KNEW
EA* O!R--NE>LY "EY"O KNEW ,PHILIP & ^:
SON HE WAS--B =TUNATELY1 N _M R1LIZ$ HE
0 ON GU>D DUTY T "D4 ,! FEW P HE PASS$
M]ELY NO4$ 6HM1 & HE NO4$ BACK )\T MEET+
_! EYES4 ,= MO/ ( 8 QK WALK "?       #FJ
T[N1 HE SAW ONLY ! SOLDI]1 8 *E/ EXPLOD+
& 8 EMPTY BODY TOPPL+ BACK4
  ,PHILIP 0 RU%+ D[N UNPAV$ /REETS T 7 /
?ICK & MU4Y F ! PREVI\S EV5+'S RA91 PA/
ID5TICAL H\SES L9+ ! ROAD4 ,"EY?+ 9
,-MONW1L? 0 J>R+LY NEW4 ,DUE 6! HA/I;S )
: ! T[N _H BE5 3/RUCT$1 "S POR*ES L1N$ A
BIT TOO F> 6"O SIDE1 & "S BUILD+S BORE !
SPOTTY M>KS (A HA/Y PA9T JOB1 B "! 7 NO
DILAPIDAT$ /OREFRONTS OR VACANT LOTS1 NO
BROK5 W9D[S OR COLLAPS$ RO(S4 ,! T[N 0 S
FRE%LY 5SCONC$ 9 ! WOODS T X SMELL$
/R;GLY (! =E/1 ! ,D\GLAS FIR & R$ C$>1 !
SALAL & TOAD/OOLS DOTT+ ! NE>BY RIV]B$4
,MIX$ ) ? 0 ! SMELL ( S _M M5 SW1T+ 9 A
/U6Y MILL1 EM]G+ AT ! 5D (! "D BR1D$ )
SAWDU/1 ! SC5T ( TORN B>K & WET WOOL4
,MO;TS AGO ! CICADA-L ?RUM ( MILL SAWS
WD H E*O$ "? ! COLONNADES ( TREES1 B !
CLOS+ :I/LE _H ALR S.D$1 & ,-MONW1L? 0 S
QUIET ,PHILIP CD HE> ! RIV] DANC+ OV]
MOSS-COV]$ ROCKS4
  ,& S QUIET T ,PHILIP'S VOICE1 :5 HE
5T]$ ,BANES'S H\SE & F.D ! DOCTOR AL"O1
S.D$ D1F5+3 8,WE %OT A MAN TRY+ TO   #FA
-E 6T[N4 ,A SOLDI]4 ,HE 0 SICK4 ,HE'S
D1D40
  ,T 0 H[ X CAME \1 ! ^WS A JUM#1 ALL !
FACTS EXCEPT ! MA9 "O--WE KILL$ "S"O--
SEEM+ S UNIMPORTANT4 ,HE 0 A SOLDI]4 ,HE
0 "Y4 ,HE SNEEZ$ & C\<$ A LOT4 ,HE SD
PL1SE4 ,HE />T$ 6CRY "R 2F ,GRAHAM PULL$
! TRI7]4 ,HE _H A LIMP1 L ME4
  ,BANES FOLL[$ ,PHILIP BACK 6! GU>DS'
PO/1 A GD 4T.E 2Y ! FRONT (! T[N1 PA/ A
R[ ( FIR TREES T ALL B 3C1L$ ! BUILD+S F
VIEW4 ,! DOCTOR NO4$ :5 HE SAW H[ F>
AWAY ! BODY LAY4 ,ALL ( 8 EXP]I;E TOLD
HM 6G =W>D1 6KNEEL D[N 2S ! BODY1 B HE
KNEW HE CDN'T4 ,HE KNEW :AT ! O!R P 9 8
PROFES.N ALL ACR ! C.TRY 7 GO+ "? "R N[1
KNEW AB ! TIR$ REPETI;NS ( FUTILE ACTS1
& HE DIDN'T WANT ? 6HAPP5 6,-MONW1L?4
  8,WE'LL L1VE HM "! = TW5TY-F\R H\RS10
,BANES DECID$4 8,!N WE C BURY HM40
  ,PHILIP 0 DR1D+ ! IDEA ( BURY+ ! SOL-
DI]1 B AT ! SAME "T1 HE WANT$ 6BE "O (!
"OS 6D X4 ,HE [$ ! SOLDI] ! RESPECT (
"PICIPAT+ 9 A PROP] BURIAL4 ,PHILIP
LOOK$ 6HIS SIDE1 AT ! EMPTY *AIR T   #FB
! SOLDI] CD H BE5 O3UPY+1 & HE WOND]$
:AT ! MAN'S FAMILY WD H SD AT 8 FUN]AL4

  8,I GUESS Y 7 "R10 ,PHILIP SD Z HE
/OOD 6L1VE ! D9+ ROOM4 8,I GUESS X 0 A
MISTAKE 6G \ "!40
  8,I N"E SD T10 ,REBE3A ANSW]$ AF A
PAUSE4
  8,I "K4 ,I CD TELL Y ?"\ X1 ?\<40
  ,REBE3A DRI$ H] H&S ON H] APRON4 8,I
N"E ?"\ Y MADE A MISTAKE4 ,I ?"\ Y _H A
V H>D DECI.N 6MAKE--WE ALL D "R N[40
  ,PHILIP NO4$1 !N EXCUS$ HMF 6! BA?-
ROOM1 L1V+ H] AL"O 9 ! COLD KIT*54 ,%E
SI<$1 R1LIZ+ %E _HN'T RESPOND$ Z WELL Z
%E CD H4 ,B %E 0 ANGRY1 & WD X H BE5 "R
6TRY & 3C1L H] ANG]1 6COAT X ) MAT]NAL
SYMPA?Y & FALSE W>M?8
  ,%E _HN'T 2LIEV$ :AT ,*>LES _H TOLD H]
T AFN AB ! SOLDI]1 _H F.D X IMPOSSI# TO
VISUALIZE ,GRAHAM FIR+ ON ANO!R MAN--&)
"Y ,PHILIP /&+ 2S HM6 ,B !N :5 %E _H SE5
! LOOK 9 ,PHILIP'S EYES1 %E KNEW X 0 !
TRU?4
  ,H[ CD ? HAPP58 ,YE>S AGO H] TWO   #FC
ELD] SI/]S _H RUN (F 6JO9 A -MUNE1 &
,REBE3A _H HAT$ !M = RUNN+ AWAY1 = CUTT+
!MVS (F & N"E RESPOND+ 6H] LRS1 EV5 :5
%E WROTE 6!M ( _! "F'S ILL;S4 ,REBE3A &
H] "Y] SI/]1 ,MAURE51 _H C>$ = _! "F 9 8
DY+ "DS4 ,MAYBE _! LL -MUNE _H BE5 2Y !
R1* ( ANY PO/MA/]1 B T POSSIBIL;Y DID
NO?+ 6SALVE ! PA9 %E _H FELT1 ! L"OLI;S
%E _H SE5 9 H] "F'S EYES Z HE R1LIZ$ HE
WD N"E SEE 8 GIRLS AG4 ,REBE3A _H HAT$
!M = _! 49T]E/ 9 ! RE/ (! _W1 _! SIL5T
%RU7+ AT O!R P'S PLI<T4 ,& N[ H] [N -MU-
N;Y 0 DO+ ! SAME ?+4
  ,REBE3A WASN'T SURE IF %E 0 LETT+ H]
ANG] AT ! C.TRY--AT ,WILSON1 AT ? HORRI#
W>--TURN 96ANG] AB ! T[N2 %E WASN'T SURE
IF !Y 7 SEP>ATE ISSUES OR TWO SIDES (!
SAME CO94 ,%E & H] FELL[ SU6RAGI/S _H
"W$ S H>D1 -E S CLOSE1 B !Y _H FAIL$4
,IF ONLY !Y _H WON ! VOTE1 US$ X 9 !
#AIAF ELEC;NS1 MAYBE !Y CD H MADE ! DIF-
F];E4 ,WOM5 N"E WD H ALL[$ ? N,N 6TURN
6W>1 N"E WD H LET ! POLITICIANS TAKE _!
SONS AWAY = BATTLES ON ! O!R SIDE (!
E>?4 ,ALL ! LRS !Y _H WRITT51 !      #FD
M>*ES1 ! P>ADES D[N ! /REETS ( ,S1TTLE1
T FEEL+ ( ABSOLUTE C]TA9TY T ? 0 ."R4 ,T
9CR$I# NEW ^W1 .FEM9ISM1 / S.D$ /RANGE
6H] E>S B 9SPIR$ H]4 ,X 0 A ^W %E WANT$
H] DAU<T] 6HOLD CLOSE 6H] HE>T Z WELL4
,!Y _H -E S F> & D"O S M*1 B !Y _H /
FALL5 %ORT1 & N[ ?4 ,! "MS 7 VOTE.S &
CDN'T /OP _! SONS F 2+ F$ 96! M1T GR9D]S
( ,BELGIUM & ,FR.E4
  ,!N AG1 MAYBE _! VOTES WDN'T H MATT]$4
,AF ALL1 ,WILSON _H PROMIS$ N 6DRAG
,AM]ICA ONTO ,EUROPE'S BATTLEFIELDS1 YET
"H ! C.TRY 0 AT W>1 &! ADVOCATES = P1CE
7 2+ BR&$ UNPATRIOTIC1 RADICAL4 ,P 7 2+
JAIL$ SIMPLY = SP1K+ ! TRU?1 = PROCLAIM+
T ? 0 A RI* MAN'S W>1 A W> =! BANK]S :O
_H LOAN$ S _M MILLIONS 6! ,ALLIES T !Y
CDN'T /& 6SEE !M LOSE1 CDN'T RISK !
LOANS GO+ 96DEFAULT4 ,S FE$ U YR "W+M51
FE$ U YR "Y BOYS :O C B>ELY R1D & WRITE1
& LET U PLUG !M 96! TR5*ES1 LET !M DIE =
,J4 ,P4 ,MORGAN4
  ,REBE3A'S LA/ TRIP 6! PO/ (FICE 9
,TIMB] ,FALLS _H YIELD$ A LR F H] "Y]
SI/]1 & ,REBE3A / SEE!D 6?9K ( :AT   #FE
,MAURE5 _H WRITT54 ,MAURE5 MET TWICE
WEEKLY ) O!R LADIES 9 ,S1TTLE 6ROLL B&-
AGES & PREP>E -=T KITS =! SOLDI]S1 & %E
HELP$ )! ,LIB]TY ,LOAN DRIVES1 PO/+ 5?U-
SIA/IC SIGNS ALL OV] ! C;Y4 ,%E W5T TO
GROC]Y /ORES 6TELL P ! IMPORT.E ( FOOD
3S]V,N1 & J ! O!R "D !Y _H TOLD ! POLICE
AB A WOMAN :O 0 CLE>LY IGNOR+ ! CALL1
HO>D+ M1TS & SUG>4 ,MAURE5 & H] FRS MET
EA* WEEK & MADE LI/S ( NEI<BORS :O _HN'T
YET B"\ ANY ,LIB]TY ,BONDS1 NEI<BORS :O
MI<T POSSIBLY 2 ANTIW> AGITATORS1 &
TURN$ ! LI/S OV] 6! AU?ORITIES4 ,_! LI/S
_H ALR L$ 6SEV5 >RE/S1 %E HAPPILY RE-
PORT$4
  ,AH1 ,MAURE54 ,B.S$ ) ?REE DAU<T]S &A
SON N YET ?IRTE51 ?US SAFELY 9SULAT$ F !
W>4 ,( C\RSE ,MAURE5 0 MAK+ SURE H] FEL-
L[ LADIES 7 5?USIA/IC,Y 9 SUPPORT (! W>4
,P]H SU6RAGE WDN'T H *ANG$ A ?+4 ,MAYBE
! ,MAURE5S (! _W F> \TNUMB]$ ! ,REBE3AS1
& ? ,GRT ,W> WD L1D ONLY 6M W>S1 6BE RE-
P1T$ 9F9ITELY4
  ,REBE3A /OOD AT ! KIT*5 W9D[1 GAZ+ AT
H] [N REFLEC;N &! FA9T %APES (!      #FF
H\SES L9+ ! /REETS4 ,9 O!R H\SES ON
/REETS J L ?1 *N 7 SICK1 P>5TS 7 SICK1 &
B$S 2L;G+ 6"Y M5 7 EMPTY1 P]H P]MAN5TLY
S4 ,? 0 ,AM]ICA1 %E ?"\1 TE>S WELL+ UP 9
H] EYES4 ,? 0 :AT ,AM]ICA _H 2COME4 ,%E
DUG H] F+]NAILS 96H] PALMS1 WILL+ ! TE>S
AWAY4

  ,*>LES OP5$ ! FRONT DOOR1 UNBUTTON+ 8
COAT & L1N+ =W>D 6PECK 8 WIFE ON ! *EEK4
,PHILIP 5T]$ ! KIT*5 & SD HELLO Z ,*>LES
REMOV$ ! B[L] T _H ONCE BE5 BLACK B _H
FAD$ 6GRAY4 ,REBE3A LEFT ! ROOM1 "K+ T
,*>LES WD WANT 6TALK 6,PHILIP 9 PRIVATE4
  ,*>LES ASK$ ,PHILIP H[ HE 0 DO+ & RCVD
A %RUG 9 RESPONSE4
  8,I'M SORRY Y _H 6BE A "P ( T40 ,*>LES
_H ALW _H A S(T VOICE1 EV5 :5 HE 0
,PHILIP'S AGE4 ,X 0 Z IF ! RE/ ( 8 BODY
_H AG$ ALL ^! YE>S J S X CD CAT* UP 6HIS
VOICE1 XS CALM T5OR & W1!R$ HUE4
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,PHILIP SD1 ?\< HE
LOOK$ L HE 0 ?9K+1 ,X'S ALL WR;G4
  ,*>LES NO4$4 ,HE _HN'T SE5 ,PHILIP
LOOK S VULN]A# S9CE ! F/ "T HE'D     #FG
SE5 ,PHILIP'S EYES1 9 T HOSPITAL ROOM
NE>LY FIVE YE>S AGO4 ,PHILIP N[ SAT AT !
KIT*5 TA# ) 8 H&S AT 8 SIDES1 Z IF HE
?"\ HE MI<T NE$ 6DEF5D HMF4 ,8 FACE 0
:ITE & 8 EYES 7 SLI<TLY WID] ?AN USUAL1
EVID;E T ! %OCK ( T AFN _HN'T WORN (F4
,WD X "E8 ,*>LES 0 2COM+ AN OLD MAN2 HE
_H LO/ LOV$ "OS 641SE & SE5 MILL"W]S CUT
D[N 0GRISLY A3ID5TS1 _H SE5 S"E$ LIMBS &
_H T\*$ FROZ5 CORPSES & _H HE>D ! *OK+
LA/ BR1?S ( 8 [N "M & "Y] BRO!R1 B HE _H
N"E SE5 ANY"O MURD]$4 ,HE _H F"\ 9 NO
W>S1 _H N"E NE$$ 6DEF5D HMF F "S MALIG-
NANT A7RESSOR4 ,?\< 8 ASSOCI,N ) 8 "F'S
MILL _H CAUS$ HM 6FEEL "SH[ RESPONSI# =!
VIOL;E (! ,"EETT /RIKE1 HE _H N"E FELT !
PUNI%+ WEI<T ( AN 9DIVIDUAL'S D1? ON 8
3SCI;E4 ,"FS 7 N"E SUPPOS$ 6SAY T !Y
DIDN'T "K :AT _! SONS 7 GO+ "?1 B ,*>LES
0 ACUTELY AW>E (! FACT T 8 SON 0 /UMBL+
"? T]RA9 ": HE HMF _H N"E TROD4
  ,S HE NO4$1 CLOSELY WAT*+ ,PHILIP'S
EYES1 : 7 AVOID+ HIS4 ,_H ! QU>ANT9E BE5
A MISTAKE8 ,*>LES %D H "KN :5 HE HELP$
SWAY ! T[N 96? DECI.N T X WD S QK-   #FH
LY -E 6ROO/ "U 8 [N RO(4 ,X SEEM$ "S ODD
TYPE ( JU/ICE1 C5T]$ "! 9 ! MI4LE (A
SITU,N T UNTIL !N _H SEEM$ 6LACK ANY
S5SE ( JU/ICE OR IRONY OR SYMBOLISM :AT-
SO"E1 NO?+ B *AOS & D1?4
  8,Y TWO DID ! "R ?+10 ,*>LES SD4
  8,I RE,Y DIDN'T D ANY?+10 ,PHILIP RE-
PLI$4 8,GRAHAM DID "EY?+4 ,I 0 '''0 ,8
VOICE TRAIL$ (F4
  8,Y MAY ?9K S10 ,*>LES SD1 8B Y HELP$
02+ "!4 ,I'M SURE Y MADE X EASI] = ,GRA-
HAM40
  ,TOO LATE1 HE R1LIZ$ T 0 ! LA/ ?+
,PHILIP WANT$ 6HE>4
  8,Y DID ! "R ?+10 ,*>LES />T$ OV]4 8,!
MAN 0 SICK1 & IF Y'D LET HM IN1 HALF ?
T[N WD 2 SICK )9 "DS40
  8,HE CD'VE BE5 SICK J F SLEEP+ \TSIDE
ALL NI<T4 ,WE DON'T "K = SURE HE _H !
FLU40
  ,*>LES %OOK 8 H1D1 POLITELY B FIRMLY4
8,"R N[ NE>LY "EY"O 9 ? C.TRY :O'S SICK
HAS ! FLU4 ,ESPECI,Y 9 ,WA%+TON4 ,I'M
SURE HE _H X40
  .,I'M .SURE4 ,PHILIP LOOK$ L HE    #FI
CDN'T "U/& ! 3CEPT ( C]TA9TY "R !N4 8,I
HOPE HE DID10 HE SD4
  8,:AT Y _H 6D \ "! 0 H>D10 ,*>LES AC-
"KL$G$1 Z IF HE _H ANY IDEA4 8,I WI% X
_H BE5 ME 9/1D ( Y4 ,B J 2C X 0 H>D
DOESN'T M1N X 0 WR;G40
  ,PHILIP NO4$ AG4
  ,:5 ,*>LES OP5$ 8 M\? 6SAY "S?+ M1
,PHILIP /OOD UP TOO ABRUPTLY4 8,I %D G
6! /ORE--,REBE3A ASK$ ME 6FET* A FEW ?+S
= H]40
  ,PHILIP CLE>LY WANT$ 6BE AL"O4 ,*>LES
WAIT$ A MO;T1 FEEL+ T HE 0 ABDICAT+ "S
RESPONSIBIL;Y 0LETT+ 8 SON L1VE 2F PRO-
VID+ HM ) "S NU7ET ( PAT]NAL WISDOM4 ,B
HE LET HM G N"O!.S 2C1 ,GOD HELP HM1 HE
CD ?9K ( NO?+ ELSE 6SAY4







                                     #GJ
























                  ,,IV               #GA

  8,& H[ IS MY FAVORITE CU/OM] ? EV5+80
,T 0 H[ ,FLORA ,METZG] GREET$ "EY"O :O
WALK$ 96,METZG]'S ,G5]AL ,/ORE1 & %E
SMIL$ AT ! SAWY] :O DIDN'T LOOK A "D OV]
EI<TE54
  8,JUS' F9E10 HE SD4 ,HE GAVE ,FLORA 8
ORD]--MOLASSES1 CORNM1L1 POTATOES1 & ANY
FRUIT %E _H--& %E RUMMAG$ "? ! BACK
%ELVES1 :I/L+ 6H]F4
  8,Y LOOK ?9N]1 "Y MAN10 %E SD :5 %E
RETURN$4 8,YR WIFE A9'T FE$+ Y WELL80
,FLORA H]F 0 WELL F$1 ) CURLY GRAY HAIR
T HUNG D[N >.D H] FLE%Y *EEKS1 & MAT*+
GRAY EYES T SAW ALL T TRANSPIR$ )9 H]
/ORE4
  8,%E'S A F9E COOK10 ! MAN SD1 HOLD+
BACK A SMILE4
  8,I HOPE Y LIE BETT] 6H] ?AN Y LIE TO
ME40 ,FLORA *UCKL$ Z %E SCRIB#D A RE-
CEIPT4 8,H&"S MAN L Y0--%E W9K$ AT HM--
8,I'M SURE YR WIFE HAS O!R SKILLS40
  8,GD NI<T1 MA'AM10 ! MAN SD1 BLU%+ Z
HE %U6L$ (F4
  ,FLORA KNEW ! WAY MILL"W]S &       #GB
LUMB]JACKS SPOKE AM;G !MVS--Y CD OV]HE>
Q A LOT IF Y _H A M9D TO--& %E DELI<T$ 9
EMB>RASS+ !M )! SAME SORT ( TALK4 ,EV5 !
M5 :O'D BE5 %OPP+ AT H] /ORE = TWO YE>S
7 H>DLY US$ 6H] BANT]2 %E ALW SEEM$ 6F9D
! "R -;T = MAK+ ! T\<E/ ( T\<S TURN R$
2F HE F9I%$ 8 TRANSAC;N4
  ,UP 6! DESK /EPP$ ,LEON>D ,?IB1ULT4
,FLORA _H "KN :AT HE WANT$ Z SOON Z %E
SPOTT$ 8 H1D LOOM+ 2H ! O!R CU/OM]4
,LEON>D 0 A TALL MAN1 & HE SEEM$ 6ASSUME
8 HEI<T GAVE HM AN IMPRESSIVE AIR1 T NO
"O WD ?9K 6D\BT 8 /R5G? OR /1DFA/;S4 ,HE
_H A L;G OVAL FACE &A BU% ( BR[N HAIR T
A4$ A C\PLE ( 9*ES 6HIS /ATURE4
  8,H['S MY FAVORITE CU/OM] ? EV5+80 ,H]
VOICE 0 ?9N] ? "T4 ,8 WRY & "S:AT (F-
KILT] SMILE 0 ALL ! ANSW] %E NE$$4
  8,BOTTLE O' :ISKEY1 IF Y' DON'T M9E40
,HE _H A L[ & ROLL+ VOICE1 ! $GES ( 8
^WS DAMP5$ 0A ,FR5* ,CANADIAN A35T T
?IRTY YE>S 9 ! ,WE/ _H N ERAS$4
  ,%E NO4$ & W5T 6! BACK %ELVES4 ,:5 %E
RETURN$ )! BOTTLE1 %E NOTIC$ T ,LEON>D
WASN'T WE>+ A JACKET DESPITE !       #GC
COLD1 & T "O (! BUTTONS ON 8 BR[N FLAN-
NEL %IRT _H BE5 SKIPP$ S T ! %IRTTAILS
HUNG AT DI6]5T L5G?S4 ,S* A SI<T NORM,Y
WD H WON A GIBE F ,FLORA1 B ,LEON>D
SEEM$ 2N S* REM>KS4
  8,Y MI<T WANT 6SL[ D[N ! FREQU5CY ( ^!
PUR*ASES10 ,FLORA ADVIS$ Z %E FILL$ \ !
RECEIPT4 ,H] EYES 7 ON ! PAP]1 B %E FELT
HM SWAY+ L A L"O P9E ON A W9DY "D4 ,H[
HE MANAG$ 6DR9K ? M* )\T LOS+ A F+] OR
AN >M 6"O (! SAWS 0 A MY/]Y 6H]1 "S EN-
*ANT$ LUCK (! FOOLI%4 8,Y "K WE >5'T
GETT+ ANY NEW %IP;TS TILL ! FLU'S
PASS$40
  ,%E WD'VE EXPECT$ T "S"O :O LOV$ 8
LIQUOR WD LE>N 6USE X SP>+LY 9 "TS L ^!1
6PRES]VE ! SUPPLY4 ,B !N AG1 "S"O L
,LEON>D WD PROBABLY FIGURE A WAY 6MAKE
MOON%9E \ ( P9E NE$LES IF NEC4
  ,:5 %E LOOK$ BACK UP AT HM1 %E SAW HM
/>+ AT "O (! WALLS4 ,HE MI<T H BE5 R1D+
A GOV]N;T FLY] AB SUG> 3S]V,N IF 8 EYE-
BALLS _H BE5 MOV+4 ,HE _HN'T HE>D A ?+
%E'D SD4
  8,?ANKS1 ,FLORA10 HE SD1 POCKET+   #GD
! SLIP & CRADL+ ! BOTTLE Z HE SWAY$ 6!
DOOR4

  ,PHILIP SMELL$ ALCOHOL ON ! BR1? (!
TALL MAN :O NE>LY WALK$ 96HM Z HE LEFT !
/ORE4 ,! MAN DIDN'T APOLOGIZE OR EV5
SEEM 6NOTICE Z HE VE]$ (F1 BUSILY OP5+ A
BOTTLE4
  8,H[ IS MY FAVORITE CU/OM] ? EV5+80
,FLORA ASK$ Z ,PHILIP APPROA*$ ! C.T]4
,2H H]1 ,ALFR$ ,METZG] _H EM]G$ F ! CEL-
L> & 0 RUMMAG+ AB 9 ! AISLES4 ,HE 0 ALW
/OCK+ & RE/OCK+ & C.T+ & REC.T+ :AT 0
LEFT ON ! %ELVES :ILE ,FLORA PRESID$ OV]
! /ORE4 ,8 HEI<T & ?9 FRAME MADE HM 8
WIFE'S OPPOSITE4 ,MO/ CU/OM]S SAW 8 FACE
ONLY ON ! R>E O3A.NS :5 %E WASN'T MANN+
! PLACE4
  8,F9E1 MA'AM1 & Y80
  8,I'M TWO "DS OLD] ?AN :5 Y SAW ME
LA/4 ,T A9'T GD40
  8,B Y LOOK AT L1/ TWO "DS "Y]40 ,"S?+
AB ,FLORA ,METZG] BR"\ \ ,PHILIP'S BRA%
SIDE4
  ,%E SMIL$ & PUT H] H& 6H] BR1/ 9   #GE
MOCK FLATT]Y4 8,Y ALW "K H[ 6MAKE A FAT
LADY'S "D40 ,? 0 "P ( :Y ,PHILIP _H
WANT$ 6VISIT ! /ORE1 S ,FLORA'S =CE;L
P]SONAL;Y CD MAKE HM =GET AB ! SOLDI] =A
FEW MO;TS4
  8,Y LOOK TALL]10 %E SD4 8,Y GR[N 9 !
LA/ TWO "DS80
  8,HAV5'T *ECK$4 ,MY PANTS / FIT40
  8,WELL1 :5 !Y /OP FITT+1 Y -E 9 "H &
,I'LL GET Y FURNI%$ "R4 ,I WANT MY FA-
VORITE CU/OM] LOOK+ %>P1 Y HE>80
  8,YES1 MA'AM40
  8,N[1 :AT D Y WANT80
  ,PHILIP 5JOY$ ? BANT]4 ,"O ( 8 TASKS Z
MILL A3.TANT 0 6VISIT ! G5]AL /ORE 6COL-
LECT PRODUC;N NUMB]S & SALES SLIPS2
TRAD+ GDHE>T$ JABS ) ,FLORA C]TA9LY B1T
4CUSS+ VOLUME )! LACONIC =EM54
  8,FL\R & CORNM1L1 PL1SE40
  ,%E SI<$ MI<TILY Z %E LIFT$ H]F F H]
*AIR4 8,H[ _M80
  ,PHILIP ?"\4 ,!Y RE,Y NE$$ ONLY "O BAG
EA*1 B )! T[N CLOS$ (F1 ! /ORE WDN'T 2
REPL5I%+ XS %ELVES ANY"T SOON4 8,TWO
BAGS EA*1 PL1SE40                    #GF
  ,%E H1V$ ! BAGS ONTO ! DESK "O AT A
"T1 !N RECLAIM$ H] IMP]IAL POSI;N ON !
*AIR4 ,AF ,PHILIP SIGN$ 8 "N 0! CO/ 9 H]
BOOK1 %E EY$ HM4 8,Y PREO3UPI$ ) "S?+8
,Y'VE ALR BE5 9 MY /ORE A FULL TWO M9-
UTES1 & Y HAV5'T ASK$ AF MY DAU<T] YET40
  ,ELSIE ,METZG] 0 FIFTE5 YE>S OLD & "O
(! BE/-LOOK+ GIRLS 9 T[N1 Z F> Z ,PHILIP
0 3C]N$4 ,HE TRI$ 6MAKE 8 SMILE 4APPE>1
B X 0 IMPOSSI#4 8,I ''' DON'T ALW ASK AF
H]40
  8,OH1 %E'S N GD 5 = Y80
  8,NO1 T'S N :AT ,I--0 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D
AG1 R1LIZ+ HE CDN'T W94 8,S H['S ,EL-
SIE80
  8,LAZY4 ,%E NE$S FRE% AIR40 ,FLORA
L1N$ H] H1D BACK & CALL$ \1 8,ELSIE6 ,-E
HELP ,PHILIP ,WOR?Y C>RY 8 PUR*ASES
HOME60
  ,PHILIP %OOK 8 H1D4 8,NO1 PL1SE1 ,I'LL
2 F9E40 ,CD "! 2 ANY?+ M 9SULT+ ?AN NE$+
A GIRL'S HELP C>RY+ GROC]IES8 ,HE HE>D
MOVE;T F "O (! BACK ROOMS1 S HE />T$
/ACK+ ! BAGS ( FL\R & M1L4
  8,OH1 HU%4 ,%E'S J BACK "! TWID-   #GG
DL+ H] ?UMBS ANYWAY4 ,! WALK'LL D H] "S
GD40
  8,MRS4 ,METZG]1 RE,Y1 ,I DON'T NE$ ANY
HELP C>RY+ ?40
  ,FLORA RAIS$ "O EYEBR[4 8,I ?9K Y NE$
HELP 9 M WAYS ?AN Y R1LIZE40
  ,%E'D B>ELY F9I%$ SAY+ T :5 ,ELSIE
CAME "? ! SIDE DOOR4 ,PHILIP KNEW T MO/
(! O!R "Y M5 9 T[N DIDN'T %>E 8 HI< OP9-
ION (! TOMBOYI% ,ELSIE1 B T DIDN'T MAKE
HM "Q 8 JUDG;T 9 ! SLI<TE/4 ,HE KNEW H]
WELL 2C %E 0 ,LAURA'S BE/ FR4 ,HE KNEW
:AT TYPES ( JOKES %E F.D FUNNY & : MADE
H] BLU%2 HE KNEW T :5 %E 0 PLAY+ C>DS1
ANY FA9T WR9KLES ON H] =EH1D M1NT %E _H
A GD H& & T A /RANGELY S]5E EXPRES.N
M1NT %E 0 TRY+ 6MASK A BAD H&4 ,%E _HN'T
BE5 "O (! PRETTI] GIRLS :5 %E 0 "Y]1 H]
?ICK EYEBR[S CA/+ TOO D>K A %AD[ OV] H]
EYES1 H] CURLY BR[N HAIR TOO DI%EVEL$4
,B %E'D R1*$ ! AGE :5 "S (! =M]LY OV]-
LOOK$ 7 2G9N+ 6TAKE _! "R;L PLACES Z !
B1UTIES !Y'D ALW BE5 M1NT 6BE4 ,ELSIE'S
EYES GL[$ ) AN 9TELLIG5T1 MY/]I\S LI<T1
& %E 0 2COM+ VA9 5 6KEEP H] HAIR M   #GH
OR LESS "U 3TROL4 ,%E'D ALW _H AN UNCOM-
MONLY DEEP VOICE1 B N[A"DS X SEEM$ S(T]4
  ,PHILIP _H />T$ 6LIFT ! SACKS F ! C.T]
:5 ,FLORA CLAMP$ H] H&S ^U !M4 8,I SD
,ELSIE'S HELP+ Y1 & T'S F9AL4 ,I DON'T
WANT ANY?+ FALL+ & TE>+ OP5 & GO+ 6WA/E
--ESPECI,Y N :ILE WE'RE "U QU>ANT9E40
  ,HE _H ONCE DROPP$ A SACK ( FL\R1 M
?AN A YE> AGO1 & ,FLORA _H N"E =GOTT5 X4
,B ? 0 ! F/ "T %E'D G"O S F> Z MAK+ ,EL-
SIE HELP HM4
  ,HE F9,Y A3EPT$ ! 9EVITA#4 8,I'LL GET
! FL\R10 HE TOLD ,ELSIE1 :O LIFT$ ! M1L4
  8,TELL ,*>LES ,I SD HELLO1 & TELL ,RE-
BE3A %E'S N GIV+ MY DAU<T] 5 HOME"W10
,FLORA CALL$ AF !M4
  ,) H] BACK 6H] "M1 ,ELSIE ROLL$ H]
EYES AT ,PHILIP4
  ,AF ,PHILIP _H FOLL[$ H] \ ! DOOR1
,ALFR$'S VOICE ROSE F DEEP 9 ! AISLES4
8,Y PLAY+ MAT*MAK]1 ,FLORA80
  8,D Y H A PRO#M ) ,PHILIP ,WOR?Y80
  8,I ONLY H A PRO#M ) YR M$DL+40
  8,I DON'T M$DLE4 ,I 9/IGATE4 ,BIG
DI6];E40                             #GI

  8,MY MOM LIKES T1S+ Y10 ,ELSIE SD Z !Y
WALK$ AL;G ,-MONW1L?'S MA9 /REET1 D>K
EXCEPT =! LI<T EMANAT+ F P'S HOMES4
  8,%E LIKES T1S+ "EYBODY40
  ,ELSIE NO4$4 8,TRUE1 B Y ESPECI,Y40
  8,:Y'S T80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ',CAUSE Y >5'T A LUMB]-
JACK OR MILL"W]1 MAYBE4 ,Y'RE N L MO/ (!
O!R FELL[S 9 T[N40
  ,PHILIP'S F+]TIPS 7 ALR />T+ 6T+LE--!Y
DID T "S"TS1 A LEGACY ( 8 A3ID5T FIVE
YE>S AGO4 ,DAMAGE HE WD H 6LIVE )1 !
DOCTOR AT ! ,"EETT HOSPITAL _H SD 9 AN
UN9T]E/$ T"O4 ,AT L1/ ! T+L+ M1NT !Y 7 /
"!1 Z OPPOS$ 6HIS LEFT FOOT1 : _H BE5
AMPUTAT$4 ,! L;G] HE C>RI$ ! SACKS1 ! M
8 F+]TIPS T+L$2 SOON ! S5S,N WD SPR1D TO
8 H&S & UP 8 >MS1 R1*+ 8 ELB[S4 ,X
DIDN'T HAPP5 Z (T5 Z X US$ TO1 "PLY 2C
HE 0 /R;G] & "PLY 2C HE _H LE>N$ H[ TO
FUNC;N )9 8 NEW LIMIT,NS4 ,! FEEL+ 0 "S-
?+ 2T PA9 & NUMB;S1 B HE KNEW F EXP]I;E
T IF HE PU%$ HMF TOO F>1 8 >MS WD GR[
UNRESPONSIVE &! BAGS WD -E CRA%+     #HJ
D[N4
  8,I RE,Y C TAKE ^? SACKS = Y10 HE TOLD
H]4 8,Y C H1D BACK IF Y WANT40
  ,:5 _H HE />T$ GETT+ S N]V\S >.D H]8
,HE'D "KN H] = FIVE YE>S3 :5 HE'D F/ BE5
ADOPT$ 0! ,WOR?YS1 HE _H WA/$ _M AFNS )
,LAURA & ,ELSIE1 PLAY+ C>D GAMES & TAK+
BIKE RIDES1 W&]+ AL;G ! RIV] 6COLLECT
DRIFTWOOD4 ,! ?REE ( !M WD SIT ON ! /"OS
AT ! WAT]'S $GE1 WAT*+ ! RIV] DRIV]S
WALK ACR ! G5TLY B\NC+ LOGS Z !Y FLOAT$
D[N ! RIV]1 CALMLY RID+ !M L ,ALA49 ON 8
C>PET4
  8,HEY1 ? IS MY WAY 6GET AWAY F MY "M =
A FEW M9UTES4 ,DON'T DEPRIVE ME ( X40
  ,PHILIP NO4$4 8,S MY MOM'S N GIV+ Y 5
HOME"W80
  8,DON'T Y D>E TELL H] T4 ,MY "M CALLS
ME LAZY IF %E CAT*ES ME 2+ IDLE = TWO
SECONDS4 ,2T S*OOL &! /ORE1 ,I D M "W
?AN %E DOES1 SITT+ "! GOSSIP+ ) "EY"O :O
WALKS 9 H] DOOR40
  ,AL? HE LIK$ "W+ ) ,*>LES AT ! MILL1
,PHILIP MISS$ S*OOL1 2C HE MISS$ 2+ >.D
,ELSIE4 ,HE MISS$ TALK+ 6H]1 MISS$   #HA
LOOK+ AT H] :ILE %E 3C5TRAT$ ON A TE/ OR
/>$ \ ! W9D[1 LO/4 ,"! 7 FEW GIRLS H]
AGE 9 T[N1 B EV5 IF ,-MONW1L? _H BE5
OV]RUN ) "Y MAID5S HE / WD H PLOTT$ WAYS
6A3ID5T,Y CROSS PA?S ) ,ELSIE4
  8,S :AT HAPP5$ \ "! ? AFN80 ,= ALL H]
CRITICISM ( H] "M1 ,ELSIE DID %>E H]
"M'S HUNG] = GOSSIP4
  8,:AT H Y HE>D80 ,2C ,MRS4 ,METZG]
_HN'T ASK$ HM AB ! SOLDI]1 ,PHILIP _H
ASSUM$ ! NEWS _HN'T GOTT5 >.D4 ,B MAYBE
EV5 %E KNEW "! 7 "S ?+S Y %DN'T JOKE AB4
  8,I HE>D "S M5 SAY+ "S"O TRI$ 6GET 9TO
T[N40
  ,PHILIP NO4$4 8,"S"O DID4 ,HE 0 SICK1
S WE MADE HM L1VE--FIR$ A C\PLE W>N+
%OTS1 & HE GOT ! MESSAGE40
  ,T 0 :AT !Y'D BE5 TOLD 6SAY4 ,*>LES'S
IDEA1 &! DOCTOR _H AGRE$4 ,NO NE$ 6WORRY
"EY"O1 NO NE$ 6-PLICATE ?+S4 ,ONLY !
GU>DS NE$$ 6"K4 ,*>LES _H TOLD ,REBE3A1
S MAYBE X 0 ASSUM$ T ! M5 WD TELL _!
WIVES & T _! HU%$ & 3SPIRATORIAL :ISP]S
WD /AY 9 ! *AMB] ( MATRIMONIAL SECRETS4
,B ,PHILIP SURE WASN'T SUPPOS$ TO    #HB
TELL ANY"O4 ,T HE KNEW4
  8,H[ CLOSE DID HE GET80
  8,N CLOSE 5 6MAKE U SICK40 ,B ,PHILIP
WASN'T SURE--:AT IF HE 0 C>RY+ >.D A T9Y
PIECE (! SOLDI] "R N[1 9 8 LUNGS1 8
BLOOD1 8 HE>T8
  8,:AT 0 HE DO+ "H8 ,HE DIDN'T SAY IF
HE 0 GO+ 6-E BACK ) M SOLDI]S1 DID HE80
  ,PHILIP & ,GRAHAM _H ?"\ ? "Q MI<T
>ISE1 B ,*>LES & ,DOC ,BANES _H 4MISS$
X4 ,S ,PHILIP *OSE 62LL 8 [N 3C]N 0SMIL+
& LI<TLY *ID+ ,ELSIE4 8,I RE,Y DON'T ?9K
ANY SOLDI]S >E TRY+ 6TAKE OV] \R T[N4
,HE DIDN'T LOOK L A ,HE9IE40
  ,%E SMIL$1 EV5 ?\< H] GR&P>5TS _H -E
OV] F ,G]_M4 ,H] P>5TS _H ASSUR$ H] T !
9CESSANT ANTI-,G]MAN -;TS (! "D DIDN'T
APPLY 6!M4 8,S :O FIR$ ! %OTS80
  8,WE BO? DID--,GRAHAM %OT "O1 & ,I %OT
"O40 ,HE SD T QKLY1 TWIT*+ 8 H1D 2F HE
SD X4
  8,I'VE J N"E %OT AT ANY"O1 IS ALL40 ,L
_M GIRLS 9 ,-MONW1L?1 ,ELSIE _H FIR$ A
GUN A FEW "TS1 B %E SEEM$ 6F9D ! IDEA (
FIR+ AT ANO!R P]SON /RANGELY         #HC
?RILL+4
  ,PHILIP TRI$ 6CL>IFY ! LIE4 8,WE
DIDN'T %OOT .AT HM4 ,WE %OT 96! AIR4 ,J
Z A W>N+40
  8,DID HE H A GUN1 TOO8 ,HE 0 A SOLDI]1
"R80
  ,DAMN1 Y H A LOT ( "QS1 HE ?"\4
8,M/N'T'VE _H "O ) HM1 ,I GUESS40
  ,ELSIE NO4$4 ,%E PLANN$ ON 2COM+ A
T1*] 9 TWO YE>S1 :5 %E F9I%$ H] [N
S*OOL+1 & ,REBE3A _H 5C\RAG$ H] 6BE CU-
RI\S & 9QUISITIVE1 ESPECI,Y :5 ?+S
DIDN'T MAKE S5SE4
  ,!Y WALK$ ON 9 SIL;E4 ,PHILIP'S >MS 7
A*+1 B HE RESI/$ ! TEMPT,N 6RE>RANGE !
BAGS & LET ,ELSIE SEE HE 0 /RU7L+4
  8,I HE>D 9 ,S1TTLE !Y >5'T EV5 LETT+ P
G \TSIDE )\T MASKS ON10 ,ELSIE SD4 8,IF
Y DON'T H A MASK1 ! TROLLEY WON'T PICK Y
UP4 ,Y C EV5 GET >RE/$ = X40
  8,I HE>D T1 TOO4 ,N AB ! >RE/+1 B ,I
GUESS T MAKES S5SE40
  8,!Y'VE C.EL$ S*OOL 9 MO/ T[NS1 &
CLOS$ ANY O!R PLACES P GET TGR40
  ,PHILIP NO4$4 8,I WOND] :AT T1*-   #HD
]S >E DO+1 !N40
  8,GETT+ SICK1 MO/ LIKELY4 ,OR T5D+
SICK HUSB&S & *N40
  8,I GUESS WE'RE LUCKY1 HUH80 ,B Z 8
-;T HUNG 9 ! AIR1 ,PHILIP ?"\ H[ /RANGE
X S.D$4 ,HE'D M1NT LUCKY T ! FLU _HN'T
9VAD$ _! T[N YET1 B ! FLU 0 / LAY+ SIEGE
6X1 S T DIDN'T SEEM S LUCKY4 ,& :AT _H
HAPP5$ TD SURE Z HELL WASN'T LUCKY4
  ,%E SEEM$ 6"K :AT HE'D BE5 ?9K+4 8,X'S
PRETTY ROTT51 ISN'T X8 ,F/ W>1 & N[ "EY-
BODY SICK40
  8,!Y SAY WE'RE W9N+ ! W>40 ,B 0! "T !Y
CD GET ANO!R NEWSPAP]1 ,"L ONLY KNEW :AT
WD 2 HAPP5+ 9 ,EUROPE4 ,7 ! SOLDI]S
H1L?Y8 ,! "O F T AFN C]TA9LY 0 N4 ,PHIL-
IP _H A SU45 IMAGE (A GRAY BATTLEFIELD
2REFT ( EXPLO.NS OR GUNFIRE B FILL$ )!
WRI?+ BODIES (! SICK & DY+4
  8,I "K WE'LL W91 B /10 ,ELSIE SD4
8,TWO ROTT5 ?+S HAPP5+ AT ONCE4 ,MAKES Y
WI% Y CD RUN AWAY "SPLACE ": N"O ( ? IS
HAPP5+40
  8,X'S HAPP5+ PRETTY M* "EY":1 ,I ?9K40
  8,I "K4 ,I J WI% "! 0 "SPLACE TO   #HE
ESCAPE40
  ,B Z !Y WALK$ 9 SIL;E1 !Y CAME 6! SAME
/RANGE R1LIZ,N3 ! CLOS$-(F T[N ( ,-MON-
W1L? 0 PRECISELY ? PLACE4 ,"! 0 NO W>1
NO PE/IL;E4 ,P >.D ! GLOBE 7 DY+1 DY+ F
FLU & PNEUMONIA & AERIAL BOMB+S & BAYO-
NETS1 B 9 ,-MONW1L?1 ! LA/ T[N ON E>?1 P
7 SAFE4 ,? 0 ! PLACE 6RUN TO1 & !Y 7 ALR
"H4 ,ALL !Y CD D 0 WAIT4
  ,0! "T !Y R1*$ 8 H\SE1 ,PHILIP'S H&S 7
ALM -PLETELY NUMB4 8,WELL1 MY LADY1 ?ANK
Y = YR K9D ASSI/.E40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME40 ,HE LET H] PILE !
CORNM1L ATOP ! /ACK HE 0 B>ELY HOLD+ ON
TO4 ,AF A BRIEF PAUSE1 HE TOOK A QK /EP
T[>D ! DOOR "R Z %E DID ! SAME4 ,!Y
SMIL$ AT EA* O!R AWKW>DLY1 & HE /EPP$
BACK 6LET H] OP5 ! DOOR = HM4
  8,?ANKS10 HE SD4
  8,SURE4 ,2 C>E;L \ AT GU>D PO/1 OKAY80
  8,OKAY40 ,_! EYES LOCK$ = :AT FELT L
AN UNCOM=TA# AM.T ( "T4
  8,& IF "S?+ 9T]E/+ HAPP5S AG1 Y'D BET-
T] -E TELL ME AB X40 ,%E SMIL$ AG4 8,I
DON'T WANT 6H 6C>RY CORNM1L ACR      #HF
T[N J 6HE> ALL ! GD /ORIES40
  ,%E TURN$ & HURRI$ (F4
  ,PHILIP KICK$ ! DOOR %UT & RAN 6! D9+
ROOM TA#1 DROPP+ ! BAGS )A H1VY CRA%4
,HE SAT D[N & %OOK 8 H&S 6GET ! BLOOD
FL[+4
  ,X 0 QUIET 9 ! H\SE4 ,HE SAT "! =A
:ILE1 ?9K+ AB ,ELSIE B AL1 9ESCAPABLY1
AB :AT HE & ,GRAHAM _H D"O4 ,HE LOOK$ AT
8 H&S & ?"\ ( ,GRAHAM'S F\R-F+]$ H&1
WOND]+ IF ,GRAHAM "E /AY$ UP AT NI<T
WORRY+ T HE'D LOSE M F+]S ON ! JOB4 ,"O
LO/ F+] Y CD D1L )1 Y CD A3EPT4 ,C>RY
?+S )! O!R H&1 LE>N 6GIVE AN EXTRA #BE
P]C5T ( /R5G? & DEXT];Y 6! REMA9+ F\R
F+]S4 ,B LOS+ A SECOND OR ?IRD WD 2 T\<-
]1 SURELY4 ,PHILIP _H SE5 _M S* M5 9
,"EETT & ,-MONW1L?1 _H CAU<T GLIMPSES (
_! HORRI# CLAWS 9 ! R>E MO;TS :5 !Y LET
_! H&S \ ( _! POCKETS & EXPOS$ !M 6! _W
&! AMAZ$ GAZES ( *N4 ,HE WOND]$ IF "! 0
"S 5D PO9T1 "S L9E 9 ! DIRT1 "S AM.T (
PA9 & SU6]+ 2Y : "O CD N"E 3T9UE4
  ,PHILIP SAT "! & MASSAG$ 8 SORE >MS )
8 NUMB F+]S1 WAIT+ =! FEEL+ 6RE-     #HG
TURN4























                                     #HH
























                   ,V                #HI

  ,! BODY ONLY FELT LI<T 2C SIX ( !M 7
LIFT+ X4
  ,ON ! DOCTOR'S ORD]S1 !Y'D WAIT$ EX-
ACTLY TW5TY-F\R H\RS1 UNSURE :E!R ,BANES
_H COLD H>D SCI;E Z 8 R1SON OR IF HE 0 J
SUP]/ITI\S4 ,MAYBE ? 0 H[ Y 7 SUPPOS$ TO
BURY VAMPIRES OR ! POSSESS$ 6MAKE SURE
!Y WDN'T RISE AG4
  ,PHILIP _H LEFT ! MILL (FICE 6-E D[N
"!1 ?\< ,*>LES _H TOLD HM HE DIDN'T NE$
TO4 ,HE _H DR1M$ (! SOLDI] ! NI<T 2F &
_H BE5 ?9K+ ( HM ALL "D1 & HE KNEW X WD
H BE5 WR;G 6RUN F ? LA/ DUTY4
  ,! O!R GRAVEDI7]S 7 M5 :O1 9 A4I;N 6_!
JOBS Z MILL"W]S & LUMB]JACKS1 7 S]V+ !
T[N Z GU>DS3 ,RANKLE1 ,MO1 ,D1CON1 &
,GRAHAM4
  8,VULTURES DIDN'T GET 6X10 "S"O RE-
M>K$4
  8,D1CON WDN'T LET !M10 ,RANKLE SD S(T-
LY4
  ,D1CON J NO4$4
  8,Y %OOT AT ! VULTURES80 ASK$ ,MO4
  ,D1CON %OOK 8 H1D4 8,!Y /AY$       #IJ
AWAY10 HE SD 9 8 RASPY VOICE4
  ,9DE$1 ,D1CON1 ) 8 GAUNT *EEKS & FLIM-
SY LIMBS & COAL-BLACK EYES1 LOOK$ L A
SC>ECR[ BR"\ 6WICK$ LIFE4 ,PHILIP CD
EASILY IMAG9E WILD1 C>NIVOR\S BIRDS
KEEP+ _! 4T.E F HM--P DID ! SAME ?+4
,D1CON _H ONCE TRA9$ 6BE A ,CA?OLIC
PRIE/1 S ! /ORY W5T1 B HE'D DECID$ T
,GOD WASN'T CALL+ \ 6HM AF ALL4 ,HE 0 A
MAN :O USU,Y KEPT QUIET1 ALL[+ ! DEMONS
6FI<T \ _! >GU;TS 9 8 H1D4 ,O!RS NOTIC$
T :5 HE ?"\ HE 0 AL"O1 HE SWORE L A MAD-
MAN4
  ,PHILIP _H N"E DUG A GRAVE 2F1 ?\< HE
FIGUR$ ! O!RS _H4 ,? CDN'T 2 ! F/ BURIAL
= ,DOC ,BANES1 NOR CD X 2 = ,GRAHAM4 ,&
,D1CON ALL B LOOK$ L AN "UTAK]4
  ,J>R$ ,RANKLE AL _H ! AIR (A MAN :O _H
DUG 8 %>E ( GRAVES4 ,A %ORT B /R;G MAN
^: BR[N HAIR _H REC5TLY G"O GRAY1 HE _H
EYES T LOOK$ Z IF !Y _H BE5 C>V$ TOO
DEEP 96HIS GRANITE FACE1 & !Y SEEM$ ALL
! D>K] = HID+ 2N ^? CRA7Y BR[S4 ,RANKLE
0 "O ( ,*>LES'S FAVORITE =EM51 BO? = 8
E6ICI5CY &= 8 9TELLECT4 ,A =M]       #IA
,WO2LY ( HI< RANK1 HE (T5 VISIT$ ! ,WOR-
?Y RESID;E 6WRITE POLITICAL LRS ) ,RE-
BE3A OR R1D F H] "E-GR[+ PILE ( RADICAL
J\RNALS4 ,HE 0 AN UNCLE ( SORTS 6,PHILIP
& ,LAURA & AN IRREGUL> GUE/ = M1LS1 Z HE
_H NO WIFE ( 8 [N4 ,REBE3A _H TOLD
,PHILIP ONCE T ,RANKLE _H A FAMILY YE>S
AGO B _H 8LO/0 !M4 ,%E _H (F]$ NO FUR!R
EXPLAN,N & ,PHILIP _H N D>$ ASK1 B H]
-;T HELP$ EXPLA9 A C]TA9 LOOK T %AD[$ !
MAN'S FACE AT SUPP] "S"TS4
  ,! E>? 0 H>D] ?AN ,PHILIP _H FE>$4 ,!
F/ TWO %OVEL;LS 7 SMOO? & CL1N1 Z IF !
\T]MO/ LAY] ( E>? 7 A S(T CU%ION 6-=T
ALL M51 B AF T X 0 D5SE1 ! TI<TLY B.D
RECORD (A MILLION YE>S B>ELY HELD D[N 0!
TREES & ROCKS4 ,PHILIP'S MUSCLES WD 2
SORE ! NEXT "D2 8 W1K5$ H&S 7 ALR T+L+4
  ,NO "O ASK$ ,PHILIP OR ,GRAHAM ANY "QS
AB ! SOLDI]4 ,PHILIP DIDN'T "K IF !Y 7
AFRAID ( LOOK+ RUDE OR IF !Y SIMPLY
DIDN'T WANT 6"K1 B HE 0 GLAD !Y DIDN'T
ASK4
  ,! PREVI\S NI<T1 ,*>LES & ,DOC ,BANES
_H CALL$ ALL ! TW5TY-ODD GU>DS EX-   #IB
CEPT = ,PHILIP 6AN EM]G5CY MEET+ AT !
T[N HALL4 ,!Y _H TOLD ! GU>DS AB ! SOL-
DI] & ASK$ T "EY"O KEEP QUIET AB X1 B
EV5 !Y KNEW T "S M5 7 BETT] AT KEEP+ SE-
CRETS ?AN O!RS4 ,GRAHAM WD C]TA9LY TELL
NO "O1 EXCEPT POSSIBLY 8 WIFE4 ,B ,MO1 A
TALKATIVE =M] BOX] F ,*ICAGO1 WD PROBA-
BLY F9D X DI6ICULT 6KEEP QUIET1 Z WD "S
(! O!RS4
  ,MO/ (! GU>DS 7 ! SAME M5 :O S]V$ Z
T[N MAGI/RATES1 ELECT$ = "O-YE> T]MS Z
MEMB]S (A BO>D T 0 ! CLOSE/ ?+ ! T[N _H
6A POLICE =CE4 ,F\R MON?S AGO ! MAGIS-
TRATES _H MET & VOT$ 6EXPEL F ! T[N TWO
M5 :O _H BE5 F.D 6BE ?IEVES--! ONLY EX-
PUL.NS 9 ! T[N'S %ORT HI/ORY4 ,O!R ?AN
T1 ! MAGI/RATES--:O CURR5TLY 9CLUD$
,GRAHAM1 ,RANKLE1 & ,*>LES1 )A LIFE"T
APPO9T;T Z ! MILL'S [N]--_H SPOK5 6A C\-
PLE ( VIOL5T HUSB&S &! P>5TS ( "S *N :O
_H PILF]$ F ! G5]AL /ORE1 B NO?+ M4
,"EY"O 9 ,-MONW1L? SEEM$ 6WANT 6BE "!
BADLY 5 T !Y DID _! BE/ 6LIVE P1CE;LLY4
  ,B N[ ! GU>DS 7 UPHOLD+ AN EV5 GRT]
RESPONSIBIL;Y1 &! SECRETIVE;S SUR-   #IC
R.D+ ! KILL+ (! SOLDI] /RUCK "S Z WR;G4
,-MONW1L? WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6H SECRETS4
  ,! GRAVEDI7]S *OSE A SPOT F> 5 AWAY F
! ROAD 6BE UNSE54 ,!Y DIDN'T WANT ANY"O
6/UM# ^U ! GRAVE4 ,N"O %D "K4 ,NO "O
NE$$ 6BE KILL$ 6PROTECT ! T[N4 ,ALL 0
WELL4
  ,! TREES "H 7 CLOSE 5 TGR 6ALM -PLETE-
LY BLOCK ! SUN1 B ,RANKLE _H MANAG$ 6F9D
A SPOT ": !Y _H 5 ROOM 6DIG )\T HITT+
UNBR1KA# ROOTS4 ,9 ANO!R HUNDR$ OR ?\S&
YE>S1 ?\<1 ! SURR.D+ ROOTS WD WRAP !MVS
96! SOLDI]'S REMA9S1 FE$+ & "SH[ DRAW+
LIFE F ? D1D HUSK4
  ,! BODY DIDN'T SMELL YET1 MAYBE 2C (!
NI<T'S COLD4 ,= T ,PHILIP 0 GRATE;L4
,DOC ,BANES _H BE5 ! F/ 6APPROA*1 _H
L1N$ OV] ! BODY & D"O "S?+ ! RE/ CDN'T
SEE4 ,! BODY'S "R KNEE 0 / /ICK+ UP1
FROZ5 9 ! POSI;N X _H F/ FALL54 ,T AMAZ$
,PHILIP4 ,HE WOND]$ IF X M1NT ! EYES 7 /
OP51 TOO1 / PL1D+ )! SKY4
  ,!N ,DOC ,BANES _H ?R[N A BLANKET OV]
! BODY & NO4$ 6!M1 & !Y _H PROCE$$ 6!
SPOT ": ,RANKLE _H />T$ DI7+ !       #ID
GRAVE4 ,PHILIP WANT$ 6SAY "S?+ 6,GRAHAM
B HE WASN'T SURE :AT4 ,HE /OLE Z _M
GL.ES Z HE CD AT ,GRAHAM'S TIRE.S FACE1
B ,GRAHAM N"E LOOK$ BACK4 ,9/1D ,GRAHAM
DUG FA/] & DEEP] ?AN ANY"O4 ,! RE/ (! M5
TOOK AN O3A.NAL BR1K 6UNCL5* _! F+]S &
ROLL _! %\LD]S1 B ,GRAHAM KEPT DI7+1 A
MAN POSSESS$4
  ,! PREVI\S "D1 AF !Y _H %OT ! SOLDI] &
,PHILIP _H RUN = ,DOC ,BANES1 ,PHILIP &
,GRAHAM _H -PLET$ _! %IFT 9 NE>-TOTAL
SIL;E4 ,X _H PASS$ 9 A /RANGE BLUR1 P]H
! ADR5AL9E F ! 5C.T] ACT+ ) "S K9D ( AM-
NESIAC =CE4 ,Z F> Z !Y 7 3C]N$1 ! F9AL
?+ !Y _H D"O \ "! 0 %OOT "S"O4
  ,! M5 C>RI$ ! /IFF BODY1 EA* SURPRIS$
AT H[ LI<T X FELT1 & PLAC$ X 9 ! GRAVE4
,! BLANKET N"E SLID (F & ,PHILIP N"E _H
6LOOK AT ! SOLDI]'S FACE AG4
  ,NO "O *ECK$ ! BODY'S POCKETS = ANY
ID5TIFIC,N OR O!R TR9KETS4 ,NO "O WANT$
6"K 8 "N1 & "! 0 NO WAY !Y CD REPORT 8
D1? 6HIS FAMILY4 ,! GRAVEDI7]S CDN'T AF-
=D 6C>E AB :O ! MAN WAS4
  ,MO1 :O NORM,Y F.D X DI6ICULT N    #IE
6MAKE 3V]S,N1 :I/L$ =A BIT 6BR1K ! SI-
L;E4 ,B EV5 HE SEEM$ 6R1LIZE X S.D$ 4RE-
SPECT;L1 & SOON /OPP$4
  ,M1N:ILE1 ,D1CON "W$ ON ! SPOT ": !
MAN _H FALL51 HACK+ AT ! E>? ) 8 %OVEL &
TURN+ X OV] & SPR1D+ ! DIRT >.D 6COV] !
SPOTS ": BLOOD _H LEFT XS /A94
  ,AF ! "T-3SUM+ & >DU\S DI7+1 X 0 SOB]+
H[ QKLY !Y 7 A# 6FILL ! GRAVE BACK UP4
8,ALL "R10 ,RANKLE SD :5 ! LA/ %OVEL;L
_H BE5 MOV$ BACK 96PLACE4
  ,E MAN ?"\ 6HMF AB F9D+ A ROCK OR A
L>GE BRAN* 6M>K ! SPOT1 A TALISMAN T WD
/& 9 Z A GRAVE M>K]4 ,& E "O ( !M RE-
JECT$ ! IDEA )\T VOIC+ X4
  ,GRAHAM TURN$ >.D F/1 )\T BI4+ ANY"O
GD "D4 ,HE KEPT 8 BACK 6! RE/ ( !M &
WALK$ T[>D ! T[N1 L1V+ ! %OVEL 2H S NO
"O WD ASK HM AB X4 ,PHILIP R1LIZ$ HE
_HN'T HE>D ,GRAHAM SP1K A ^W ALL "D4 ,HE
FOLL[$ ,GRAHAM BACK 6! MILL1 B F A 4T.E4
  ,RANKLE JO9$ ,MO AT ! PO/1 Z !Y 7 ON
GU>D DUTY T "D4 ,:5 ! O!RS LEFT &! TWO
WAT*M5 />$ D[N ! G5TLE SLOPE (! ROAD1 !
VIEW 2F !M 0 DI6]5T ?AN X _H BE5     #IF
2F4 ,"EY?+ 9 _! L9E ( VI.N--! S(TLY
SLOP+ HILL &! DIRT ROAD &! ?ICK =E/ 2Y--
0 N[ ="E DEF9$ 0! FACT T X 0 J A BIT (F
6! LEFT (! D1D MAN'S GRAVE4