,,! ,,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
     ,3NIE ,WOODS & ,NANCY ,S*LOSS]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #G ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #G
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #FDC-GCD


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                                     ;II
























                  ,,IV              #FDC

  ,! FLU _H LAID SIEGE 6,-MONW1L? = M
?AN TWO WEEKS :5 ,DOC ,BANES 2GAN 6BE-
LIEVE1 CAUTI\SLY1 T ! 41SE 0 ABAT+4 ,!
NUMB] ( NEW CASES _H SEEM$ 6BE ON ! DE-
CL9E = F\R "DS1 ?\< ,BANES CD N 2 C]TA91
Z "! 0 NO (FICIAL WAY 6T,Y ! SICK 2Y !
SCRAWL$ & DECR1S+LY LEGI# NOTES 9 8 J\R-
NAL4 ,! D1?S1 TOO1 SEEM$ 6BE SL[+3
FIFTY-TWO P _H DI$1 B ONLY SEV5 9 ! LA/
FIVE "DS4 ,? A3ORD$ ) :AT HE KNEW ( PA/
EPIDEMICS1 T !Y T5D$ 6BE D1DLIE/ 9 _!
E>LIE/ "DS1 T ^? :O 7 EXPOS$ 641SE F/ _H
! MO/ SEV]E CASES4 ,IF ! FLU 0 9DE$ ON !
WANE1 T WD 2 ! F/ H9T ( GD NEWS S9CE !Y
PO/$ GU>DS4
  ,BANES'S H1D HURT T MORN+ Z HE VISIT$
! SICK 9 _! %UT-IN HOMES4 ,AF TOO _M
SLEEP.S NI<TS--TOO _M NI<TS ( >RIV+ HOME
AT ?REE ,,A4,M4 & 2+ UNA# 6LET 8 M9D
DRIFT--HE _H PLAC$ 8 BOTTLE ( ,SCOT* BY
8 B$SIDE1 _H SIPP$ AT X UNTIL ! W>M?
TOOK HM4 ,HE _H WOK5 UP T MORN+ AMAZ$ AT
H[ LL 0 REMA9+ 9 8 BOTTLE1 A DULL & DRY
H1DA*E MAK+ X EV5 M DI6ICULT ?AN    #FDD
USUAL = HM 6RISE F 8 COLD B$4
  ,BANES 0 JO9$ T "D 0,D1CON1 Z HE _H
BE5 = NE>LY A WEEK4 ,D1CON _H -E D[N )!
FLU ! "D AF ,PHILIP2 = TWO "DS HE _H BE5
Z SICK Z ! MO/ WRET*$ MAN 9 ,-MONW1L?4
,& UTT]LY AL"O1 Z NO "O _H "KN HE 0 ILL1
NO "O _H KNOCK$ ON 8 DOOR1 NO "O _H
MISS$ 8 PRES;E AT ! PLACES HE _H ALW
HAUNT$ M L A _S ?AN A MAN4 ,B ON T ?IRD
"D 9 B$1 Z ,D1CON LAY "! FEV]I% & W1K1
,GOD F9,Y SPOKE 6HM4 ,:5 HE HE>D ! VOICE
F 8 SICKB$ "! 0 NO MISTAK+ X4 ,! ,"L
TOLD HM 6RISE F 8 B$1 6AID ! DOCTOR 9
TR1T+ ! A6LICT$4 ,SU45LY ! /R5G? RETURN$
6,D1CON'S BODY & HE FELT Z Y\?;L & LI! Z
A TE5AG]4 ,! ,"L WANT$ HM 6HELP ,DOC
,BANES1 & ,D1CON WD OBEY4 ,! TIMBRE (
,GOD'S VOICE &! S.D (! W9D 9 ! H1VY
BRAN*ES ABV &! G5TLE ROLL (! DOCTOR'S
C>RIAGE 7 ALL D1F5+1 & ,D1CON M>VEL$ AT
"EY?+ T HE _H N"E HE>D 2F4
  ,D1CON JO9$ ,DOC ,BANES ! NEXT MORN+1
?\< HE KEPT 8 REVEL,NS 6HMF1 Z HE 0 /
"S:AT DAZ$ 0_! P[]4 ,DOC ,BANES 0 LEFT
6WOND] H[ ? =M]LY TACITURN MAN _H   #FDE
2COME ! MO/ EAG] NURSE ,BANES _H "E "KN1
H[ HE CD SIT "! 2S ! DY+ & LOOK 96_!
EYES ) AN "U/&+ T ,BANES D>$ N ATTEMPT1
) AN EMPA?Y T ,BANES & 8 YE>S ( H>D5$
EXP]I;E KNEW 5 6RUN F4 ,D1CON HELD H&S1
ADM9I/]$ COLD T[ELS & PILLS1 CL1N$ B$-
PANS1 & HELP$ /RIP B$S Z IF DO+ S 7 A
SUPREME HONOR4 ,A FEV] DOES ?+S 6P1
,BANES _H NOTIC$1 & R ?AN "Q ,D1CON'S
TRANS=M,N1 HE SIMPLY FELT ?ANK;L T =
ONCE ! FLU _H *ANG$ "S"O =! BETT]4
  ,"EY"O ELSE REMA9$ A %UT-IN1 :E!R
H1L?Y OR N4 ,& EV5 ?\< ,BANES 0 ! "O
:O'D TOLD P 6/AY 9 _! HOMES1 HE 0 2G9N+
6R1LIZE H[ BADLY HE MISS$ ! SI<T ( WOM5
WALK+ ON ! /REET1 BASKETS 9 H&1 DRESSES
SWAY+4 ,H[ M* HE YE>N$ =! S.DS ( *N
PLAY+1 EV5 IF !Y WD ="E REM9D HM (! *N
HE'D N"E _H4 ,H[ M* HE NE$$--DESP]ATELY
NE$$--6SEE EV5 S MUNDANE A SI<T Z TWO M5
APPROA*+ F OPPOSITE 5DS (A ROAD1 NO4+ Z
!Y NE>$ EA* O!R & %AK+ H&S4 ,J T SIMPLE
T\*+1 ! CLASP ( TWO UNFAMILI> H&S4 ,OV]
^? PA/ TWO WEEKS ,M>T9 ,BANES _H SE5 P
DIE & P M\RN & P SU6] 6UNIMAG9A#    #FDF
DEGREES1 B HE KNEW Z HE RODE 6! NEXT
H\SE T IF HE 7 6SEE TWO /RANG]S %AKE
H&S1 HE WD COLLAPSE 96TE>S4
  ,BANES DROVE 8 C>RIAGE UP 6! HOME (A
"Y C\PLE :O _H ALR LO/ _! TWO-YE>-OLD &
N[ _H A SICK F\R-YE>-OLD4 ,! "M _H 2COME
ILL ! "D 2F4 ,BANES _H ALR SE5 ?REE FAM-
ILIES -PLETELY WIP$ \1 L "*S 9 A ,BI#
/ORY MO/ P SKIPP$ OV]1 B Z HE & ,D1CON
APPROA*$ ! DOOR1 ,BANES D>$ 6HOPE4

  ,! F/ 6SEE ! SPECT]S 0 A LL BOY4 ,8 "N
0 ,H>MON1 & HE KNEW T HE WASN'T SUPPOS$
6BE \TSIDE4 ,NO LL BOYS C G \1 8 "M _H
BE5 TELL+ HM4 ,:Y N8 ,! FLU4 ,B ,H>MON
_H BE5 TOLD T ! FLU CDN'T -E 6? T[N1 T
"! 7 /R;G M5 /&+ GU>D & MAK+ SURE NO?+
5T]$4 ,H[ DID ! FLU GET IN8 HE ASK$4
,SPECT]S1 8 "M SD4 ,! FLU 0 BR"\ 9 BY
SPECT]S T ! GU>DS CDN'T SEE1 SPECT]S T
CD SLIP 2T TREES & MOVE ONLY DUR+ ! SEC-
OND :5 ! GU>DS' EYES 7 BL9K+4
  ,H>MON _H /AY$ 9SIDE = :AT SEEM$ L
YE>S4 ,F9,Y1 :ILE 8 P>5TS SLEPT1 HE
SLIPP$ \4 ,HE _HN'T ?"\ 6WE> A      #FDG
COAT & HE %IV]$ 9 ! BIT+LY COLD AIR4 ,HE
SAW T ! 5TIRE T[N 0 FROZ5 ) 9ACTIV;Y1 T
E /REET 0 EMPTY1 E DOOR %UT1 E W9D[ COV-
]$4 ,2+ \TSIDE WASN'T ANY M 9T]E/+ ?AN
2+ 9SIDE1 HE R1LIZ$ 6HIS 4APPO9T;T4
  ,HE PASS$ ! LA/ H\SES & WALK$ 6! PLACE
": ! /R;G M5 _H GU>D$ ! T[N4 ,H>MON
CLIMB$ ON A BIG TREE /UMP AT ! $GE (!
HILL1 LOOK+ D[N AT ! L"O ROAD &! HUGE =-
E/ 2Y4
  ,HE _H BE5 SITT+ "! = J A M9UTE :5 HE
SAW ! SPECT]S4 ,"! 7 F\R ( !M AT F/1
GA!R$ AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL4 ,!N "! 7
EI<T4 ,!N HE LO/ C.T4 ,! TREES D[N "!
%AD$ !M S !Y 7 D>K1 B>ELY M ?AN %AD[S4
,T 0 J H[ HE'D IMAG9$ SPECT]S LOOK$4 ,!Y
SEEM$ 6BE TALK+ 6"O ANO!R1 B HE CDN'T
HE> !M1 : AL MADE S5SE1 Z HE'D ASSUM$ T
SPECT]S ONLY :ISP]$1 OR MAYBE HISS$4
  ,_H !Y SE5 HM8 ,H>MON 0 LL1 S MAYBE !Y
_HN'T4 ,SC>$1 HE CLIMB$ (F ! /UMP & HID
2H X4
  ,HE _H N ?"\ SPECT]S WIELD$ SAWS1 B "!
!Y W]E1 SAW+ 96! BIG TREE T LAY ON XS
SIDE1 BLOCK+ ! ROAD 96T[N4 ,!Y      #FDH
US$ TWO BIG CROSSCUT SAWS1 & SOON !Y 7
PU%+ ! CUT TREE (F 6! SIDE1 CLE>+ !
ROAD4 ,!N ! SPECT]S 4APPE>$4
  ,H>MON 0 / SC>$1 S HE />T$ WALK+ HOME4
,HE DIDN'T "U/& :Y EVIL SPECT]S WD -E TO
CLE> A ROAD IF !Y CD SLIP "? TREES4
  ,HE 0 ALM AT ! B5D 9 ! ROAD :5 HE HE>D
! SPECT]S RO>4 ,A :ITE *ILL RAN UP 8
FRAME AT ! H[L+ Z !Y /AMP$$ T[>D HM4
,H>MON TURN$ >.D & SAW ! AUTOS & TRUCKS
PULL+ UP ! HILL1 !N HE RAN HOME Z FA/ Z
HE CD1 ! SPECT]S LICK+ AT 8 HEELS4

  ,"! 7 NO M BOOKS = ,AMELIA 6R1D1 NO M
J\RNALS4 ,"! 0 NO EXTRA FOOD 6C1 & X 0
TOO LATE 9 ! YE> 6D ANY "W 9 ! BACK G>-
D54 ,%E _H US$ UP ALL ( H] Y>N & _H RE-
PAIR$ E DAMAG$ G>;T %E CD F9D4 ,AF TWO
WEEKS ( 2+ TRAPP$1 %E FELT %E _H L;G AGO
EXHAU/$ ANY POT5TIAL AV5UES = 5JOY;T4
  ,EXCEPT H] DAU<T]4 ,MILLIE _H A SUNNI]
4POSI;N ?AN ,AMELIA _H EXPECT$1 SEEM$ S
M* HAPPI] ?AN ! VI.N ( SCR1M+1 COLICKY
MALCONT5T T H] "F _H PUT 9 H] H1D4
,HORACE _H ALW -PLA9$ AB H[ DI6I-   #FDI
CULT X 0 6RAISE ,AMELIA & H] BRO!RS1 N"E
FAIL+ 6M5;N ANY (! 9CONV5I;ES T _! EXI/-
;E _H CAUS$ = HM & _! DE>LY DE"P$ "M4
  ,MILLIE DIDN'T SEEM 6M9D T %E _HN'T
BE5 TAK5 \TSIDE 9 "DS1 B AF TWO WEEKS (
X1 ,AMELIA 0 DESP]ATE4 ,! PREVI\S NI<T
%E _H D>$ 6VOICE ! SU7ES;N T GO+ =A %ORT
WALK MI<T D !M ALL "S GD1 B ,GRAHAM _H
/]NLY REM9D$ H] T !Y CD RUN \ = VITAL ]-
R&S ONLY1 & C]TA9LY N J =! SAKE ( 5JOY+
! FRE% AIR4 ,! FLU 0 / \ "!4
  ,S9CE ,GRAHAM'S /RANGE ALT]C,N )
,PHILIP1 HE _H LEFT ! H\SE ONLY A C\PLE
( "TS1 Z _H ,AMELIA--= QK ]R&S1 = EM]G5-
CY TRIPS 6BORR[ NE$$ ITEMS F FRS4 ,!Y
KNEW T _M FRS1 S* Z ,J>R$ ,RANKLE1 7
ILL4 ,!Y _H SE5 ,DOC ,BANES WALK 96& \ (
H\SES ACR ! /REET1 _H SE5 ! "UTAK] FOL-
L[4 ,!Y _H SE5 ! CRAPE HANG+ 9 S _M W9-
D[S1 ! V H\SES !MVS 9 M\RN+4
  ,AMELIA _H NOTIC$ T ,GRAHAM _H BE5 EV5
QUIET] ?AN USUAL ! PA/ FEW "DS4 ,E "T %E
TRI$ 6BROA* ! SUBJECT ( ,PHILIP1 HE WD
D>K51 TURN SIL5T4
  ,AMELIA DESP]ATELY WANT$ 6TAKE    #FEJ
A WALK1 6FEEL ! COLD AIR ON H] FACE1 TO
HE> ! W9D4 ,B Z M* Z ! 3F9E;T PA9$ H]1
%E TOLD H]F T ? %E CD 5DURE4 ,%E _H EN-
DUR$ H] MISC>RIAGE &! D1? ( H] "M1 &
,GRAHAM _H LIV$ "? ! LOSS ( 8 F+] &!
LOSS ( FRS 9 ! ,"EETT ,MASSACRE1 _H SUR-
VIV$ %OOT+ T SOLDI]4 ,:5 ALL 0 WELL1 Y
ASSUM$ T 6SU6] S* A /A7]+ BL[ WD BR1K Y1
B :5 S* ILLS ACTU,Y 2FELL Y1 Y "SH[ P]-
SEV]$4 ,Y DIDN'T SURVIVE 6PROVE "S?+ TO
ANY"O1 Y DIDN'T PRESS ON SIMPLY 2C Y
WI%$ TO1 & Y DIDN'T 5DURE 2C ( :AT !
PR1*] 9 *UR* SD4 ,Y SURVIV$ 2C DEEP IN-
SIDE "EY"O 0 ! SIMPLE1 9DEFATIGA# NE$ TO
PRESS ON1 :AT"E ! CO/S4 ,& EV5 IF S M* 0
/RIPP$ AWAY T Y NO L;G] RECOGNIZ$ YRF1 !
?+ LEFT 0 ! "P ( Y T Y N"E "U/OOD1 T Y
ALW "UE/IMAT$1 T Y 7 ALW AFRAID 6LOOK
AT4 ,Y 7 AFRAID Y'D NE$ X "O "D & X
WDN'T 2 "! = Y1 B 9 FACT 0 ! "O ?+ T
CDN'T 2 TAK5 AWAY4

  ,AF ,PHILIP _H C\<$ ON HM ^? _M "DS
AGO1 ,GRAHAM _H /OOD \ ON ! POR* =A L;G
:ILE1 S AFRAID HE 0 3TAM9AT$ T HE   #FEA
CDN'T BR+ HMF 6OP5 ! DOOR & 5T] 8 WIFE'S
EMBRACE4 ,HE _H 9/1D SWALL[$ 8 PRIDE BY
SEEK+ \ ,DOC ,BANE'S OP9ION4 ,BANES _H
%AK5 8 H1D AT ,GRAHAM4 ,GRAHAM CDN'T RE-
MEMB] ! LA/ "T HE _H FELT S 2LLD4
,BANES'S EYES1 ! BAGS 2N !M1 &! BIT (
BLOOD ON 8 %IRT COLL> 2SPOKE R1L FE>1
TRUE T]ROR4 ,! DOCTOR SIMPLY TOLD ,GRA-
HAM 6G 6HIS FAMILY2 "! 0 NO?+ T CD 2
D"O4 ,& ?\< ,GRAHAM / 0 N IMPRESS$ )!
DOCTOR'S EXP]TISE1 HE R1LIZ$ HE _H NO
ALT]NATIVE4
  ,GRAHAM 0 HAUNT$ 0,PHILIP'S A3US,N4
,NO MATT] :AT HE DID 6TRY 64TRACT HMF1
HE KEPT HE>+ ! ^W .MURD]] & FEEL+ X 9 !
MO/ TI<TLY GU>D$ QU>T]S ( 8 2+4 ,X 0 "!
:5 HE SLEPT1 X 0 "! :5 HE OP5$ 8 EYES1 X
0 "! :5 HE LOOK$ AT 8 WIFE4
  ,! SECOND SOLDI] _H BE5 A SACRIFICE1
,GRAHAM R1SON$4 ,! MAN'S LIFE 0 SACRI-
FIC$1 B ,GRAHAM1 TOO1 _H SACRIFIC$ A "P
( HMF4 ,) EA* PASS+ "D1 ! CO/ ( T SACRI-
FICE SEEM$ 6GR[ 2Y 8 RECKON+4 ,E "T HE
SAW ! "UTAK] EM]GE F A H\SE )A BODY
CLOAK$ 9 BLANKETS1 X LOOK$ J L !    #FEB
BLOODY SOLDI] LY+ AT ! BOTTOM ( 8 GRAVE4
,GRAHAM _H KILL$ T MAN 6PRES]VE "EY"O
ELSE1 B X _HN'T "W$4 ,EA* D1? 0 PIL$ ON
TOP ( ,PHILIP'S A3US,N1 GIV+ X ! HORRI#
WEI<T ( TRU?4

  ,MILLIE 0 TAK+ H] MORN+ NAP :ILE
,AMELIA SAT 9 H] *AIR1 />+ \ 96! /REET4
,X _H />T$ 6SN[ =! F/ "T T S1SON1 &! />-
TL+ NEW;S (! SN[1 ! B1UTY ( X1 DAZ$ H]4
,H] "R H& 0 ON H] BELLY1 RE/+ NE> H] UN-
BORN *4
  ,GRAHAM WALK$ 96! ROOM & SAT 2S H]1
TAK+ H] LEFT H& 9 HIS4 ,%E WANT$ 6ASK IF
HE'D "E SE5 S* A MAGNIFIC5T SI<T1 ! UN-
USU,Y L>GE :ITE FLAKES FALL+ S SL[LY &
/RAI<T X 0 Z IF !Y 7 2+ C>E;LLY L[]$ F
/R+S4 ,B %E F.D %E CDN'T SP1K4 ,%E J
/>$4
  8,"!'S CRAPE 9 ! ,WA9W"RS' W9D[S40
,GRAHAM PO9T$ AT "O (! H\SES D[N ! ROAD4
,! CRAPE _HN'T BE5 "! ! PREVI\S "D4 8,I
WOND] :O X WAS40

                   ,V               #FEC

  ,!Y KNOCK$ ON ! F/ DOOR 9 T[N1 TAK+ A
ME?ODICAL APPROA*4 ,B>TRUM _H TOLD ! M5
!Y WD NE$ 6BE C>E;L N 6SKIP OV] ANY H\S-
ES1 S9CE !Y ALL LOOK$ ALIKE4 ,J4 ,B4
,M]RI:E!R %IFT$ N]V\SLY ON 8 HEELS1 /&+
9 ! BACK ) 8 H&S AT 8 SIDES4
  ,! WOMAN :O ANSW]$ ! DOOR 0 ?9 & "Y1
P]H TW5TY1 & APPE>$ 6BE A FEW MON?S ) *4
,H] FACE _H A NE>-<O/LY PALLOR1 & H]
EYES WID5$ AT ! SI<T 2F H]3 SIX M5 ON H]
DOOR/OP1 ALL ( !M ) BADGES %9+ ON _! LA-
PELS4
  8,MORN+1 MA'AM10 ,B>TRUM SD )A BRUSQUE
NOD4 8,C WE SEE ! G5TLEMAN (! H\SE80
  ,%E NO4$ )\T SP1K+ & W5T 6FET* H] HUS-
B&4 ,S9CE %E _H LEFT ! DOOR OP51 ,B>TRUM
CASU,Y /ROLL$ 9SIDE4 ,F\R ( 8 COHORTS
FOLL[$1 B ,J4,B41 Z 9/RUCT$1 /AY$ AT !
$GE (! POR*1 KEEP+ WAT* 9 CASE ANY"O
TRI$ 6CLIMB \ A W9D[4
  ,! "Y MISSUS RETURN$ )A MAN :O LOOK$
EV5 "Y] ?AN %E1 ?\< HE 0 AT L1/ EI<TE51
( T ,J4,B4 0 C]TA94 ,! HUSB&'S EYES1
TOO1 7 BLUE1 & 8 HAIR 0 A LI<T      #FED
BLOND4
  8,MORN+10 SD ! "Y MAN4 8,"N'S ,ILS4
,:AT C ,I D = Y80
  8,WE'D L 6SEE YR 5LI/;T PAP]S40 ,B>-
TRUM TRI$ 6SAY X )\T SMIL+1 & HE 0 ALM
SU3ESS;L4 ,HE KNEW ? WD 2 A L;G "D1 KNEW
! SLACK]S WD (F] D5IALS & PL1S & P]H EV5
?R1TS4
  ,B ? MAN 0 NO SLACK]1 APP>5TLY4 ,HE
%[$ MILD SURPRISE AT ! REQUE/1 B HE
TURN$ 6HIS WIFE & ASK$ H] 6RETRIEVE !
PAP]S F 8 BUR1U4 ,AF %E 0 G"O1 ,B>TRUM
TOLD HM1 8,Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6KEEP ^? ON Y1
SON40
  8,I D1 SIR1 :5"E ,I L1VE ! H\SE4
,WE'VE J BE5 %UT 9 F ! FLU = S L;G N[1
,I HAV5'T G"O \ 9 A :ILE40
  8,X'S ,%]IFF1 N SIR4 ,%]IFF ,B>TRUM40
  ,ILS NO4$1 APPE>+ M WORRI$4 8,MY APOL-
OGIES1 ,%]IFF4 ,I DIDN'T R1LIZE WE _H A
%]IFF "H 9 T[N40
  8,I'M SURE Y FOLKS >E US$ 6LIV+ LAW.S-
LY1 SON1 B ^? "TS >E *ANG+40
  ,ILS'S WIFE RETURN$ )! PAP]S1 : ,ILS
QKLY %U6L$ "?1 8 H&S 2G9N+ 6%AKE1   #FEE
2F F9D+ ! "R "OS4 ,HE H&$ !M 6,B>TRUM
N]V\SLY4
  ,! %]IFF TOOK 8 "T LOOK+ !M OV]1 B X 0
OBVI\S !Y 7 LEGITIMATE4 ,MR4 ,ILS ,B]G-
MAN _H 9DE$ 5LI/$ MON?S AGO1 ^U 8 EI<T-
E5? BIR?"D1 & _H BE5 DEF]R$ Z AN ESS5-
TIAL W> "W]4
  ,B>TRUM H&$ !M BACK4 8,ALL "R1 SON4 ,Y
REMEMB] 6KEEP ^! ON Y AT ALL "TS1 "U/&80
,ILS NO4$4 8,& IF ? W> LA/S M* L;G]1 !Y
SAY !Y'RE GO+ 6DROP ALL ^? "W] DEF];TS1
S Y'D BE/ 2 R1DY40
  ,0! "T ,ILS _H SD1 8,YES SIR1 ,%]IFF10
,B>TRUM _H ALR TURN$ >.D1 ,J4,B4 &! O!RS
FOLL[+4

  ,MILL] /OOD 9 ! MI4LE (! ROAD1 L1N+
AG/ "O (! F\R TRUCKS !Y _H DRIV5 96T[N
AL;G ) _! ,=DS4 ,X _H TAK5 A :ILE 6PRO-
CURE ! TRUCKS F NE>BY T[NS & MUNICIPALI-
TIES1 6IMPRESS ^U ! LOCAL MAYORS & AS-
SORT$ PANJ&RUMS ! NE$ = !M1 ! DANG]S (
HAV+ SLACK] T[NS HID+ 9 ! WOODS4 ,"O
MAYOR 0 "PICUL>LY RELUCTANT UNTIL ,MILL]
M5;N$ ! POSSIBIL;Y T ,-MONW1L? 0    #FEF
H>BOR+ SPIES1 ! SAME SPIES :O _H KILL$
^? BOYS AT ,=T ,J5K9S4 ,!N ! MAYOR N ON-
LY L5T HM A TRUCK B ! USE ( ?REE (FIC]S
=! RAID4
  ,!Y 7 TW5TY M5 ALL TOLD1 "S ( !M F
,B>TRUM'S =CE B MO/ ( !M VOLUNTE]S :O _H
BE5 DEPUTIZ$ =! O3A.N4 ,"! 7 ,W9SL[ &
,J4 ,B4 ,M]RI:E!R & O!R UP/&+ BUSI;SM5
AL;GSIDE BRAWNY T\<S L ,HI<T[]1 ! MUSCLE
T WD 2 NEC :5 "S (! SLACK]S RESI/$4
,MILL] & ,W9SL[ /OOD \ 0! TRUCKS !Y _H
P>K$ 9 ! MI4LE (! MA9 /REET1 OBS]V+ !
?REE GR\PS ( SIX M5 Z !Y 2GAN KNOCK+ ON
DOORS4 ,B>TRUM'S GANG CAME AWAY F ! F/
H\SE EMPTY-H&$1 B X WASN'T 5 6MAKE ,MIL-
L] WORRY4 ,HE'D P\R$ OV] ! 5LI/;T REC-
ORDS & _H SE5 ONLY A PALTRY NUMB] ( M5
:O CLAIM$ 6BE F ,-MONW1L?4 ,YET HE KNEW
! T[N _H A VIA# MILL & "!=E _H A FEW
HUNDR$ A#-BODI$ "W]S1 KNEW T ! T[N M/ 2
*OCK-FULL ( SLACK]S4 ,! TRUCKS WD N 2
EMPTY = L;G4
  ,ONCE ! M5 7 9 JAIL1 ": !Y 2L;G$1 !Y
CD 2 "Q$ ON ! SUBJECT ( SPIES4 ,MILL] _H
HOP$ 6GET 9=M,N ON T MATT] F        #FEG
,*>LES ,WOR?Y1 B S9CE ! HAU<TY MILL [N]
_H BE5 LESS ?AN =?COM+ ! PREVI\S VISIT1
X _H 6BE D"O ? WAY4 ,MILL] DIDN'T L GET-
T+ 8 H&S DIRTY1 B NEI 0 HE "O 6%Y AWAY F
A FI<T4
  ,! SN[ 0 FALL+ M H1VILY1 & ?\< ! F/
FEW FLAKES _H MELT$ ! MO;T !Y HIT ,MIL-
L]'S JACKET1 !Y 7 2G9N+ 6/ICK Z ! SN[-
FALL ?ICK5$4 ,8 HAT & JACKET 7 DU/$ )
:ITE1 ! PICTURE (A MAN BL5D+ 9 ) SURR.D-
+S HE WANT$ NO?+ 6D )4 ,HE US$ 8 GLOV$
H& 6WIPE AWAY "S (! SN[1 A BLACK SLA%
CUTT+ ACR 8 *E/4 ,T 0 :5 ! YELL+ />T$4

  ,J4,B4'S GR\P F.D XS F/ SLACK] 9 !
NEXT H\SE4
  ,! MAN :O OP5$ ! DOOR 0 P]H A DECADE
OLD] ?AN ,ILLS1 "R 9 ! MI4LE (! AGE
RANGE = 5LI/;T4 ,HE _H A D5SE MAT ( ?ICK
HAIR &A PROM95T W>T /OOD TWO 9*ES S\? (
8 "R EYE4 ,! TYPE ( FACE POLICEM5 PROBA-
BLY WI%$ ALL CRIM9ALS _H1 ,J4,B4 ?"\3
UGLY & FULL ( 4T+UI%+ "*I/ICS4 ,! MAN1
,G]RY ,TIML91 MOV$ )A ROPY MUSCUL>;Y T
SURELY S]V$ HM WELL Z A RIV]        #FEH
DRIV]4
  8,MAY ,I SEE YR 5LI/;T PAP]S1 PL1SE80
,B>TRUM SD Z 8 M5 HUNG >.D HM1 SN[ DRAP+
! AIR 2H !M4
  ,G]RY %OOK 8 H1D1 3FUS$4 8,:AT PAP]S80
,8 VOICE 0 SCRAT*Y & W1K1 L T (A MAN :O
_H N SPOK5 9 "DS4 ,!N HE C\<$ 96"O ( 8
H&S1 & ,J4,B4 R1LIZ$ HE WASN'T J UGLY1
HE 0 SICK4
  ,! FLU _H ABAT$ "S:AT 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS1
AT L;G LA/4 ,_M 7 / SICK1 B D1? 0 NO
L;G] -MONPLACE1 : 0 H[ ,MILL] _H BE5 A#
6WRANGLE 5 H1L?Y & /R;G-WILL$ PATRIOTS =
! RAID4 ,IF N =! FLU1 !Y WD H D"O ? TWO
WEEKS AGO4
  ,B "H 9 ,-MONW1L?1 ,J4,B4 0 LE>N+1 !
FLU 0 / /R;G4
  ,B>TRUM MADE A L\D EXHAL,N1 FEIGN+ AN-
NOY.E ) AN AIR ( PRACTICE4 8,DID Y 5LI/
=! >MY1 SIR80
  ,G]RY /OOD SPEE*.S4 ,HE LOOK$ AT ,B>T-
RUM'S BADGE & 3SID]$1 B HE CLE>LY WASN'T
US$ 62+ SPOK5 6? WAY4 8,:O'S ASK+80
  8,SKIP ,B>TRUM1 ,TIMB] ,FALLS %]IFF40
  ,G]RY'S EYEBR[S %IFT$4 8,Y A9'T   #FEI
%]IFF ( MY T[N40
  ,B>TRUM'S EXPRES.N 0 UN*ANG$4 8,WE'RE
)! ,AM]ICAN ,PROTECTIVE ,L1GUE1 SM>T
GUY1 & T MAKES U DEPUTIZ$ :]"E \R BOOTS
%D TAKE U4 ,& UN.S Y H "S PAP]S 6%[ U1 Y
>E "U >RE/ = FAIL+ 65LI/1 = %IRK+ YR OB-
LIG,N 6YR C.TRY1 &= 2+ A YELL[-BELLI$
BA/>D40
  ,G]RY F9,Y SEEM$ 6"U/& ! TR\# HE 0 9
:5 TWO (! M5 SIDL$ UP 2S HM4 ,!Y 7 BO? Z
BIG Z HE WAS1 & HE 0 N AT 8 BE/4 ,J4,B4
/AY$ \TSIDE1 N]V\S AT ! ESCALAT+ T"O4
  8,G]RY80
  ,! M5 LOOK$ 96! H\SE & SAW A WOMAN
NE>LY Z TALL Z H] HUSB&4 ,%E _H BROAD
%\LD]S1 A FULL BOSOM1 &A M1N FACE T MADE
! DEPUTIES GRATE;L !Y 7 "! = H] HUSB& &
N H]4
  ,G]RY DIDN'T REPLY1 S %E WALK$ UP 2S
HM4 ,%E GL>$ AT ,B>TRUM--IF 8 BADGE IM-
PRESS$ H]1 %E DIDN'T %[ X4 8,:AT'S GO+
ON80
  8,I'M SORRY 6SAY1 MA'AM1 YR HUSB& DID
N 5LI/ =! DRAFT10 ,B>TRUM REPLI$4 8,HE
IS "U >RE/40                        #FFJ
  ,HE NO4$ 6! TWO M51 :O CLAMP$ _! H&S
ON ,G]RY'S =E>MS & />T$ L1D+ HM (F !
POR*4 ,G]RY 0 / TOO /UNN$ 6D ANY?+ B
FOLL[1 & HE C\<$ AG1 ? "T UNA# 6CAT* X )
8 H&S & 9/1D SPRAY+ X ON ,B>TRUM'S *E/4
  8,Y C'T D ?60 ,PAUL9E ,TIML9 SCR1M$ \
AT !M AF A MO;T'S %OCK4 8,HE'S A SICK
MAN6 ,HE'S BE5 9 B$ ALL WEEK60
  8,RE/ ASSUR$1 "! >E COTS 9 ! ,TIMB]
,FALLS JAIL10 ,B>TRUM SD )A SMILE Z HE
FOLL[$ 8 M5 & _! CAPTIVE4
  ,! SMILE REM9D$ ,J4,B4 T HE 0 SUPPOS$
6FEEL GD AB ?4 ,AF ALL ^? "DS ( M\RN+1 (
2+ HELP.S 6/OP ! FLU F RAVAG+ 8 FAMILY &
8 T[N1 F9,Y "! 0 "S?+ HE CD D1 A WR;G HE
CD "R4 ,"! 7 SLACK]S 9 ? T[N1 & HE WD
DAMN WELL HELP JAIL E LA/ "O ( !M4
  ,9SIDE ! H\SE1 ! ?REE ,TIML9 BOYS1 AG$
?REE 6N9E1 >RAY$ !MVS 9 ! DOORWAY 9 DIF-
F]+ DEGREES ( UNDRESS4 ,!N _! "M SCR1M$
& *AS$ AF ,B>TRUM1 SLU7+ HM 9 ! >M4
  8,T'S 5\<60 ! %]IFF %\T$ AT H]1 RU2+ 8
SURPRIS+LY SORE =E>M4 8,GET BACK ) YR
FAMILY1 MA'AM1 OR WE'LL C>T Y (F1 TOO60
  ,B AF HE TURN$ BACK >.D 6WAT* !   #FFA
M5 LOAD ,G]RY 96"O (! TRUCKS1 ! BACK
DOOR ( : ,MILL] _H HELP;LLY OP5$1 ,PAUL-
9E LET LOOSE A ^W.S H[L & *>G$ =W>D1 H]
\T/RET*$ H&S AIM$ AT ! BACK ( ,B>TRUM'S
%\LD]S4 ,Z ,J4,B4 /OOD 9 AMAZE;T1 "O (!
O!R M5 9T]C$$1 CAT*+ H] MIDWAY1 US+ ALL
8 /R5G? 6BLOCK H] *>GE4 ,HE MANAG$ 6/EP
=W>D1 SL++ H] ONTO ! GR.D4 ,PAUL9E L&$
R\<LY ON H] BACKSIDE1 CU%ION$ ONLY
SLI<TLY 0! GR[+ PILL[ ( SN[4
  ,! "Y] ,TIML9 BOYS />T$ CRY+4
  ,G]RY1 5RAG$ AT SEE+ 8 WIFE S MIS-
TR1T$1 LA%$ \ AT 8 CAPTORS4 ,HE MANAG$
6%AKE (F ! TWO M5 :O _H BE5 L1D+ HM T[>D
! TRUCK1 B 2F HE CD GET ANY F>!R1 ,HI<-
T[] SOCK$ HM 9 ! GUT4 ,! PUN* SEEM$ 6C>-
RY ALL ! WEI<T ( ,HI<T[]'S REC5T PA91
ALL (! AGONY ( 8 D1D SONS4 ,G]RY D\#D
OV]1 GASP+ & DROPP+ 6"O KNEE4 ,)9 A FEW
SECONDS HE _H BE5 ?R[N 96! BACK (!
TRUCK1 :EEZ+4
  ,B>TRUM UNHOL/]$ 8 REVOLV]4 ,! GUN 0
PO9T$ ONLY AT ! GR.D1 B X 0 ?R1T5+ N"O!-
.S4 8,TIE 8 H&S10 HE TOLD ! M54
  ,J4,B4 DIDN'T L VIOL;E B HE RE-   #FFB
MEMB]$ ,B>TRUM'S 9/RUC;NS3 !Y WD NE$ TO
QUA% ANY RESI/.E Z R\<LY Z POSSI# 64C\R-
AGE ANY"O F FOLL[+ SUIT4 ,"! 7 _M M H\S-
ES 6*ECK4
  ,! OLDE/ ,TIML9 BOY1 ,DONNY1 RAN 6HELP
8 "M UP4 ,Z ! M5 TI$ UP ,G]RY1 ,B>TRUM
GAVE ,PAUL9E A CALM & /1DY LOOK1 !N
WALK$ 6! TRUCK4
  8,G RUN 6,MR4 ,WOR?Y'S10 ,PAUL9E :IS-
P]$ 96H] SON'S E>4 8,TELL HM HE NE$S
6GET OV] "H--N[40
  ,DONNY RAN4

  ,N E H\SE 9 T[N 0 O3UPI$4 ,Z ! FLU _H
/RET*$ ON & FOOD SUPPLIES _H DW9DL$1 A
NUMB] ( FAMILIES & S+LE M5 _H AB&ON$ !
T[N1 RUNN+ F />V,N & F ! FLU4 ,!Y LEFT
DESPITE ! FACT T ,*>LES ,WOR?Y / [$ !M =
_! LABOR ! PA/ FEW WEEKS1 DESPITE ! FACT
T !Y _H ONCE WILL+LY FL$ F ! SAME T[NS
": !Y 7 N[ RETURN+4 ,B ? EXODUS _H N BE5
Z L>GE Z MI<T H BE5 EXPECT$1 Z S _M _H
2COME TOO /RICK5 6TRAVEL4 ,AL? _M KNOCKS
7 ANSW]$ 0SIL;E1 "! 7 / PL5TY ( H\SES =
,B>TRUM'S M5 6RAID4                 #FFC

  ,"! 0 LESS C\<+ 9 ! ,WOR?Y H\SE T
MORN+4 ,REBE3A 0 PUTT+ WAT] ON ! /OVE =
TEA :5 %E SAW AN UNUSUAL SI<T3 ,PHILIP
WALK+ 96! KIT*54
  8,WELL1 HELLO "!10 %E SD1 SMIL+4 ,? 0
! F>!/ ,PHILIP _H WALK$ S9CE 8 F/ "D )!
FLU1 :5 HE _H W&]$ OV] 6,GRAHAM'S 9 A
DELIRIUM4
  ,HE SMIL$ BACK1 LOOK+ W1K B OV]JOY$ TO
2 /&+ "!1 6BE -+ BACK 6LIFE4 ,%E ASK$ HM
H[ HE FELT1 & HE SD HUNGRY4 ,AN AUSPI-
CI\S SIGN4 ,%E 2GAN 6H1T OATM1L = HM1 &
HE SAT D[N AT ! TA#4
  8,X FEELS GD 6MOVE >.D10 HE SD SL[LY4
,HE SEEM$ 6BE REMEMB]+ H[ 6TALK1 8 T;GUE
AWKW>D1 8 BODY /UMBL+ XS WAY "? ! MO/
BASIC MOVE;TS4 ,HE _H BE5 9 B$ = T5 "DS1
!Y'D TOLD HM ! PREVI\S NI<T1 :5 HE'D BE5
WELL 5 6SIT UP & C>RY ON A 3V]S,N4
  ,HE _H WANT$ 6WALK >.D ! H\SE !N1 B 8
P>5TS _H ASK$ HM 6/AY 9 B$ A BIT M1 TO
3T9UE RE/+4 ,!Y DID N TELL HM T 8 RECOV-
]Y 0 UNEXPECT$4 ,DOC ,BANES _H LEVEL$ )
,*>LES & ,REBE3A HALFWAY "? !       #FFD
ILL;S3 HE DID N ?9K ,PHILIP WD SURVIVE4
,! SYMPTOMS & _! SEV];Y 7 FOLL[+ ! SAME
PATT]N Z ^? (! M5 & WOM5 :O _H ALR SUC-
CUMB$4 ,PHILIP'S FLU _H 2GOTT5 PNEUMO-
NIA1 & HE 0 HAV+ TR\# BR1?+4 ,:5 ,BANES
GAVE 8 4MAL DIAGNOSIS 6,*>LES1 HE 0 EX-
PECT+ T ,PHILIP'S LIPS & F+]S WD 2 BLUE
! NEXT "D & T HE'D 2 A CORPSE ! "D AF T4
  ,B ! GD DOCTOR _H BE5 WR;G4 ,PHILIP
HUNG AT ! ?RE%OLD = S L;G T 8 P>5TS
W]5'T SURE IF ? 0 J ! DEVIL TRY+ 6WR+ E
LA/ DROP ( SU6]+ F 8 VICTIM1 OR IF
,PHILIP 0 ACTU,Y RECOV]+1 ALBEIT GRADU-
,Y4 ,"DS LAT]1 "H ,PHILIP WAS1 SITT+ AT
! KIT*5 TA#1 EAT+ OATM1L4 ,REBE3A DIDN'T
2LIEVE 9 MIRACLES1 B ! VI.N 2F H] LEFT
H] WOND]+ H[ 6CLASSIFY S* AN EV5T4
  ,PHILIP _H N"E BE5 H1VY1 B HE'D LO/
EV5 M WEI<T1 8 JAW & *EEKB"OS M PROM95T
?AN 2F1 8 SK9 ! COLOR ( /"OS AT ! BOTTOM
(A RIV]4 ,HE LOOK$ L HE _H EM]G$ F A
GRAVE1 N A SICKB$4
  ,REBE3A C>RI$ ANO!R B[L ( OATM1L PA/
HM1 H1D+ T[>D ! /AIRS4 8,I'LL 2 "R BACK4
,I H 6TAKE ? 6,LAURA40              #FFE
  8,IS ,LAURA / SICK80 ,8 VOICE 0 GA9+
/R5G?1 B X S.D$ SMALL 2S ! HUGE;S ( ?
"Q4
  8,%E'S M* BETT]10 ,REBE3A SD4 8,%E'S
WORRI$ AB ,ELSIE40
  ,REBE3A /OPP$1 WOND]+ H[ BLUNT 6BE4
,%E _H SE5 H[ HE ACT$ >.D ,ELSIE1 _H SE5
H] WRIT+ A LR 6HM 9 S*OOL ONCE4 ,B AF S
_M NE>-SLEEP.S NI<TS1 AF SEE+ ! T[N COL-
LAPSE >.D H]1 %E LACK$ ! /R5G? 6S(T5 !
BL[ = HM4 8,ELSIE'S V SICK10 %E SD4 8,!
DOCTOR DOESN'T ?9K %E'S GO+ 6MAKE X40

  ,L;G AF ,REBE3A _H ASC5D$ ! /AIRS1
,PHILIP SAT AT ! TA#1 />+ (F 96! SPACE J
ABV 8 EMPTY B[L4
  ,! _W LOOK$ DI6]5T4 ,HE CDN'T 2LIEVE
H[ L;G HE'D BE5 ILL4 ,ONLY TWELVE "DS _H
PASS$ 2T %OOT+ ! F/ SOLDI] & !N 2COM+
SICK2 AN 5TIRE LIFE"T _H BE5 CRAMM$ 96^?
FEW "DS1 OR S X SEEM$4 ,& N[ T5 "DS M _H
PASS$ ) NO RELIA# RECORD EXCEPT 4TURB+
DR1MS1 3V]S,NS HE WASN'T SURE 7 R1L OR
IMAG9$4
  ..,ELSIE'S N GO+ 6MAKE .X4 ,8     #FFF
H1D DIDN'T HURT ANYMORE2 X FELT L A TOO-
TI<T HELMET _H BE5 UNSCREW$ F 8 SKULL4
,? S5S,N ( NEW;S1 ( SPACE1 ( FREEDOM1
LEFT HM FEEL+ ALM DIZZY1 MADE ! AIR >.D
8 EYES FEEL FUZZY1 GL[+4 ,ELSIE'S SICK4
,HE TRI$ 6FOCUS ON T ?"\ B F.D X /RANGE-
LY ELUSIVE4 ,ELSIE4 ,HE _H SE5 H] 9 8
DR1MS1 VI.NS ( H]1 & AL? ! TRA9 HE _H
RI45 ON _H N BE5 R1L1 ,ELSIE 0 R1L4 ,%E
WASN'T A FIG;T ( 8 IMAG9,N1 A HI45 L;G+
T 0 9COMPATI# )! _W >.D HM4 ,%E 0 R1L1
%E EXI/$4 ,ELSIE4 ,%E 0 SICK8
  ,HE SAT "! =A GD L;G :ILE1 2G9N+ 6"U-
/&4 ,! OATM1L FELT GD 9 8 /OMA*1 /R5G!N+
HM1 B A NEW N]V\S;S UNH+$ HM1 />T+ 9 8
GUT & "W+ XS WAY "? 8 DEPLET$ FRAME4 ,HE
ANXI\SLY />T$ SCRAP+ 8 F+]NAILS--!Y _H
2COME S L;G :ILE HE 0 9 B$--AG/ ! WOOD
TA#4 ,HE 0 GETT+ BETT]1 HE _H SURVIV$1
HE _H RETURN$ 6! _W T _H 3T9U$ )\T HM1 B
": 0 ,ELSIE8
  ,!N "! 0 A FRANTIC KNOCK+ ON ! DOOR1 &
A *'S VOICE1 SCR1M+4

                  ,,VI              #FFG

  ,! F/ TRUCK 0 FULL 9 LESS ?AN AN H\R4
  ,M ?AN A DOZ5 _H BE5 >RE/$ S F>1 ,MIL-
L] NOT$4 ,AT ? RATE !Y WD NE$ 6S5D !
FULL TRUCKS BACK 6! ,TIMB] ,FALLS JAIL &
!N RETURN =A SECOND BAT*1 EV5 A ?IRD OR
A F\R?4
  8,I'D L 6SEE H[ HE'S GO+ 6RUN 8 MILL
N[10 ,W9SL[ SD 6HM )A %ORT LAU<4
  8,T HAS NO?+ 6D ) ?40 ,MILL]'S FACE
S\R$ Z IF HE'D BE5 (F5D$ 0A DIRTY JOKE4
8,I TOLD Y ? ISN'T AB ,WOR?Y'S MILL--?
IS AB PROTECT+ \R C.TRY1 MAK+ SURE M5 >E
FOLL[+ ! LAW4 ,I DON'T GIVE A DAMN :AT ?
M1NS = 8 MILL OR YRS40
  ,W9SL['S SMILE CD N 2 ERAS$4 8,Y H YR
R1SONS1 ,MR4 ,MILL]1 & ,I H M9E40
  ,MILL] SAW ! MAN'S PO9T3 IF ! FLU
_HN'T ALR CRIPPL$ ,WOR?Y'S MILL1 LOS+
EI<T OR TWELVE TRUCKLOADS ( M5 SURELY
WD4 ,! ,W9SL[S WD D Q A BIT BETT] )\T
,WOR?Y'S MILL "UCUTT+ _! PRICES & (F]+
HI<] WAGES 6LURE AWAY "W]S4
  ,& SP1K (! DEVIL1 "! HE WAS3 ,*>LES
,WOR?Y1 LOOK+ F> LESS -M&+ & PR\D   #FFH
?AN HE'D APPE>$ T "D 0! ROAD 96T[N4 ,HE
0 SW1T+ 9 ! SN[1 8 HAIR DI%EVEL$ & 8
NORM,Y PALE FACE G"O R$ ) FE> OR RAGE OR
COLD4

  ,*>LES _H DRIV5 ! OLD ,=D HE USU,Y RE-
S]V$ = L;G] 4T.ES2 ? MATT] 0 TOO URG5T =
WALK+4 ,AF /OPP+ NE> ! CR[D$ SPOT ": !
TRUCKS & AUTOS 7 BLOCK+ ! /REET1 HE
KICK$ OP5 8 DOOR1 NE>LY =GETT+ 6TURN (F
! 5G9E4
  ,HE _H WANT$ 6BR+ M M5 ) HM1 B IF ?
VISIT 0 :AT HE ?"\ X WAS1 T WDN'T H BE5
WISE4
  ,*>LES %D H D"O M 65SURE T "EY"O _H
5LI/$1 HE N[ R1LIZ$--HE %D H REQUIR$ E
MAN 6PROVE T HE _H SECUR$ AN ESS5TIAL-
"W] DEF];T4 ,9/1D1 HE _H LET 8 [N AMBIV-
AL;E AB ! W>1 -B9$ ) 8 WIFE'S HATR$ = X1
ALL[ HM 6MAKE A POOR DECI.N4 ,& ? 0 !
RESULT4
  ,*>LES CDN'T 2LIEVE ! SI<T 2F HM4 ,HE
KNEW ALL ! M5 LOCK$ 9 ! TRUCKS4 ,"S ( !M
LOOK$ 6BE 9 %OCK1 B _M ( !M 7 CLE>LY
SC>$4 ,_M 7 / SICK1 _! FACES HOL-   #FFI
L[$ F ! "T ,*>LES _H LA/ SE5 !M1 _! C\<S
POLLUT+ ! TRUCKS4 ,"S (! M5 7 "Y1 B>ELY
OLD] ?AN ,PHILIP1 B AN EQUAL NUMB] 7 9
_! LATE TW5TIES OR ?IRTIES & _H WIVES1
FAMILIES4
  ,& "! ! FAMILIES W]E1 AT L1/ "S ( !M3
A SMALL CR[D _H GA!R$ >.D ! TRUCKS1 WOM5
SCR1M+ OR CRY+ OR PL1D+1 "S ( !M ) BA-
BIES 9 _! >MS OR *N AT _! SIDE4 ,!Y /OOD
"! 9 ! SN[1 MO/ HAV+ RU%$ \ ( _! H\SES
)\T WRAPS1 IMPLOR+ ?REE L>GE M5 ) BADGES
& HOL/]$ PI/OLS 6LET _! HUSB&S G4 ,!
,,APL M5 /OOD "! EXPRES.N.S Z /ATUES1
H&S AT _! SIDES 9 CASE !Y NE$$ 6UNHOL/]
_! W1PONS4

  8,:AT 9 ! "N ( ,GOD IS GO+ ON "H80
,WOR?Y YELL$4
  ,MILL] WAIT$ = ,WOR?Y 6R1* HM--HE
WANT$ 6EXPLA9 ! SITU,N1 N HOLL] X D[N !
/REET4 ,WOR?Y 0 IRATE B AL"O1 NO >M$
GU>DS ? "T1 & ,MILL] 0 -=TA# )! FACT T
HE & 8 COLL1GUES 7 FIRMLY 9 *>GE4
  8,^! M5 >E "U >RE/ = FAIL+ 65LI/1 ,MR4
,WOR?Y10 ,MILL] SD4 8,WE'RE         #FGJ
KNOCK+ ON E DOOR 9 T[N & W SEE ! PAP]S (
E MAN ( DRAFT AGE4 ,ANY MAN :O DOESN'T H
S* PAP]S W 2 S5T 6JAIL 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS
6AWAIT TRIAL40
  8,^! M5 >E ESS5TIAL W> "W]S1 Y "K T60
,MILL] CD TELL ,WOR?Y 0 N US$ 6BELL[+ L
?4 ,X MADE 8 [N CALM;S FEEL L A =M ( P[-
]4
  8,& Y "K T ALL M5 ( AGE1 REG>D.S ( _!
O3UP,N1 >E REQUIR$ 65LI/4 .,!N1 & ONLY
!N1 ! 5LI/;T BO>DS DECIDE :O IS & IS N
AN ESS5TIAL "W]4 ,IF YR M5 ASSUM$ !Y WD
2 PROTECT$1 T ASSUMP;N WASN'T _!S TO
MAKE40
  8,? IS RIDICUL\S6 ,:Y >RE/ M5 Y "K WD
2 DCLD EXEMPT IF !Y _H--0
  8,2C !Y'RE BR1K+ ! LAW10 ,MILL] 9T]-
RUPT$1 RAIS+ 8 VOICE4 8,2C O!R M5 ALL
OV] ! C.TRY H 5LI/$ & BE5 S5T 6,FR.E &
>E DO+ _! DUTY1 & NO "O "H HAS ANY "R TO
%IRK ^? OBLIG,NS40
  ,2S ,MILL]1 ,W9SL[ BROKE 96A SMILE AT
SEE+ ! POMP\S ,WOR?Y 9 S* A /ATE4 ,WOR?Y
SAW ! SMILE1 : SEEM$ 69CR1SE ! FIRE 9
HM4                                 #FGA
  8,H[ M* >E ! ,W9SL[S PAY+ Y = ?80
,WOR?Y ASK$ ,MILL]4 8,H[ M* >E !Y PAY+ Y
6C>T (F MY--0
  8,I AM NO "O'S LACKEY60 ,MILL] /UCK A
F+] 9 ,WOR?Y'S FACE1 F9,Y %AK5 F 8 CALM4
8,I AM DO+ ? = \R C.TRY1 ,MR4 ,WOR?Y1 =
\R .C.TRY4 ,I'M 9 DEBT 6NO "O & NO?+ B
T4 ,I DON'T "K H[ ^! M5 ( YRS C LOOK
!MVS 9 ! FACE :ILE O!R BOYS >E \ "!
RISK+ _! LIVES1 B !Y'LL H PL5TY ( "T TO
ASK T "Q ( !MVS F 2H B>S4 ,D N GET 9 \R
WAY40
  ,) T1 ,MILL] TURN$ >.D & /RODE T[>D "O
(! TRUCKS1 Z IF 6ASSI/ ! ?REE >M$ M5 9
KEEP+ BACK ! %RIEK+ FAMILIES4 ,RE,Y1 ALL
,MILL] WANT$ 6D 0 PUT 8 BACK 6,WOR?Y1 TO
%[ T _! DEBATE 0 OV] & T ,WOR?Y'S PRES;E
"H 0 USE.S4
  ,*>LES LOOK$ AT ,W9SL[1 :O 0 C]TA9LY (
DRAFT AGE B LIKELY _H RCVD 8 EXEMP;N
ALR4 ,M5 L HM DIDN'T FI<T 9 W>S4
  8,Y C BLAME ME & MY FAMILY ALL Y WANT1
,WOR?Y10 ,W9SL[ SD1 / UNA# 63TROL 8
GLEE4 8,Y'RE ! "O :O *OSE 6HIRE
RAPSCALLIONS & R$S4 ,? IS :AT       #FGB
HAPP5S40
  ,HE TOO LEFT ,WOR?Y 6/& "!1 IMPOT5T 9
! SWIRL ( EV5TS L>G] ?AN HMF1 L>G] ?AN 8
LOVE =! MILL1 L>G] ?AN ? T[N & XS DR1MS4

  ,RANKLE RESI/$4
  ,HE _H BE5 SICK = SIX "DS B _H BE5 RE-
COV]+1 SL[LY1 =! PA/ =TY-EI<T H\RS4 ,8
NEI<BOR1 A MAN "ND ,HUNT ) :OM HE _H
*ATT$ AMIABLY ON _M O3A.NS B N"E "KN
WELL1 _H DI$ E>LY ON 9 ! EPIDEMIC1 &
,HUNT'S WIFE1 ,COR9NE1 R ?AN SUBSUM+ H]F
9 GRIEF1 _H D$ICAT$ H]F 6KEEP+ ,RANKLE
ALIVE4
  ,COR9NE _H HUNG CRAPE 9 H] W9D[S !
MORN+ AF ! "UTAK] _H RETRIEV$ H] HUSB&'S
BODY4 ,"! CD 2 NO FUN]AL1 ! DOCTOR _H
9=M$ H]1 2C "! CD 2 NO PUBLIC GA!R+S--A
S]VICE WD H 6WAIT UNTIL ! FLU _H PASS$4
,T EV5+ ,COR9NE _H SE5 ! DOCTOR L1V+ !
H\SE ( ,J>R$ ,RANKLE4 ,S ! NEXT MORN+1
H] HUSB& B>ELY TW5TY-F\R H\RS D1D1 %E _H
KNOCK$ ON ,RANKLE'S DOOR &1 HE>+ NO RE-
PLY1 _H OP5$ X H]F & BR"\ HM HOT TEA &
PUT EXTRA BLANKETS ON 8 B$2 %E      #FGC
SPOKE 6HM :ILE HE LAY "!1 FLAY$ 0! FE-
V]'S LA%4 ,%E DID ALL ! ?+S %E _H BE5
UNA# 6D = H] HUSB&1 :O _H DI$ AF ONLY "O
"D ( SICK;S--"O "D6 ,%E _H B>ELY _H "T
6PUT A COOL T[EL ON H] HUSB&'S =EH1D1 TO
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0 HELP+ _! NEI<BORS ? WAY1 TOO T]RIFI$ (
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MAN :O %E ?"\ WD EV5TU,Y SPR1D ! 41SE TO
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! %]IFF'S FACE4
  8,I H NO PAP]S10 ,RANKLE REPLI$ 6,B>-
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  8,!N Y'RE GO+ 6JAIL1 SON40
  8,DON'T ACT L Y DON'T "K :O ,I AM10
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8,I SURE Z HELL REMEMB] Y40
  8,ALL Y SLACK]S LOOK ALIKE 6ME40
  8,Y US$ 6LIVE 9 ,"EETT4 ,Y RAN ) ,MC-
,RAE'S BOYS40 ,RANKLE /EPP$ UP A BIT1 Z
IF 6A35TUATE ! FACT T HE 0 A FEW 9*ES
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  8,I SUPPOSE Y BOYS ?9K ? IS R1L BIG (
Y4 ,Y'RE ALL A BUN* ( FOOLS IF Y ?9K ?
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  ,B>TRUM %UT HM UP 0SOCK+ HM 9 ! GUT4
,RANKLE _H BE5 BRAC+ HMF = "S?+1 S EV5
?\< HE D\#D OV] & FELT 8 BR1? ESCAPE HM1
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M5 PULL$ HM UP"R1 R1DY 6DRAG HM     #FGF
6! TRUCKS1 B ,RANKLE /EPP$ =W>D & BROKE
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HM4
  ,RANKLE DIDN'T "K :O HIT HM NEXT1 B
SOON HE 0 ON ! FLOOR4 ,8 FACE _H BE5
/RUCK & LIKEWISE 8 NECK & !N 8 RIBS4 ,R
?AN ROLL+ HMF 96A BALL1 HE TRI$ 6GET
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  8,I .AM TALL :5 ,I'M KICK+ M5 ON !
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,RANKLE A SECOND "T4 ,HE 0 GE>+ UP =A
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%\LD]4
  8,SKIP10 ! MAN SD4 8,LET'S J C>RY HM
IN40
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,HI<T[] GRA2$ H] >MS4 ,%E ?RA%$ & WAIL$
& 6ALL ^! M5 X 0 OBVI\S T %E 0 ! MAN'S
WIFE4
  ,HI<T[] N ONLY HE>D H] SCR1MS B FELT
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  ,AF ,B>TRUM _H PUT A H&K]*IEF 6HIS
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K5 & UNCONSCI\S ,RANKLE \ ( 8 H\SE1
,HI<T[] REL1S$ ,COR9NE'S >MS & %E DROPP$
6! GR.D Z IF %E _H BE5 D1D ALL AL;G4

  ,PHILIP SAT ON 8 B$1 />+ \ ! W9D[4 ,"E
S9CE ! A3ID5T1 HE _H HAT$ SN[1 HAT$ H[ !
_W GREW QUIET Z ! SN[ FELL >.D HM4
  ,HE CD / SEE ,ELSIE'S ^WS WRITT5 9 !
FOG ON ! W9D[1 DIM & FAD$ B LEGI# IF "O
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TALL] & BOLD] LRS1 .,,LOVE .,,Y4 ,/ HE
FELT UNWELL4 ,8 ?ROAT DID N BURN1 B HE
FELT COLD 9SIDE 8 H1D1 Z IF "S?+ 7 MISS+
9 "!1 Z IF X 7 ALL AIR &! W9T] *ILL 7
FREEZ+ 8 SKULL F ! 9SIDE4 ,HE F.D X DIF-
FICULT EV5 6?9K AB ,ELSIE1 DI6ICULT TO
FULLY GRASP LOVE & XS M1N+1 IMPOSSI# TO
GRAPPLE )! 3CEPT ( LOSS OR D1?4 ,HE J
SAT "! DAZ$1 ! _W 2F HM %IMM]+4     #FGH
  ,"T PASS$4 ,HE HE>D ,REBE3A ANGRILY
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6D :5 %E NE$$ 64TRACT H]F4
  8,:AT'S WR;G80 HE ASK$4
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SW1T /R1K$ H] =EH1D4
  8,!Y'RE >RE/+ M5 :O DIDN'T 5LI/4 ,"R
N[4 ,J C>T+ !M (F40
  ,PHILIP SAT D[N4 ,DONNY ,TIML9'S PAN-
ICK$ VISIT _H SEEM$ 6PASS L A DR1M4 ,!
MO;T ,*>LES & ,DONNY _H LEFT E>LI]1 X _H
BE5 L !Y N"E EXI/$4
  ,REBE3A SLAMM$ H] H& AG/ ! C.T]1 B !
S.D DIDN'T HIT ,PHILIP =A C\PLE ( SEC-
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,PHILIP CDN'T Q 4C]N1 EI A %ORT5$ CRY OR
A 2R1V$ SI< OR A M9OR SCR1M1 ! S.D (A
FI/ TI<T5+ >.D "S"O'S HE>T4
  8,:O >E !Y >RE/+80 ,PHILIP ASK$1 FOLD+
8 >MS AG/ ! COLD4
  8.,"EY"O4 ,"EY"O :O DIDN'T 5LI/40
  ,PHILIP IMAG9$ !M DRA7+ ,GRAHAM & ?R[+
HM 9 A DANK PRISON1 "S?+ F> D>K]    #FGI
& F\L] ?AN ! LA/ PLACE ,FRANK _H LAID
EYES ON4 ,HE SAW !M HANG+ ,GRAHAM AF A
QK TRIAL1 SAW ,GRAHAM'S BODY 2+ ?R[N 9TO
AN EMPTY & "N.S DIT*1 SAW ,AMELIA 9
BLACK4 ,PHILIP TRI$ 6REMEMB] ! 3V]S,N
HE'D _H ) ,GRAHAM AB ! W> ^? _M MON?S
AGO1 B X FELT L T "P ( 8 BRA9 _H BE5
SCRU2$ AWAY 0"S?+ S ABRASIVE T EV5 TRY+
6?9K AB X HURT4
  ,S HE FOCUS$ ON ! PRES5T3 ,GRAHAM 0 2+
>RE/$4 ,PHILIP 3C5TRAT$ S H>D HE _H TO
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! WAY HE KNEW X CD4 ,! ,TIML9S LIV$ 9 "O
(! H\SES CLOSE/ 6! T[N 5TR.E4 ,B ,GRAHM
& ,AMELIA LIV$ F> 6! O!R SIDE (! ,WOR?Y
H\SE1 CLOS] 6! MILL4 ,IF ! M5 _HN'T
KNOCK$ ON ! ,WOR?YS' DOOR YET1 !N P]H !Y
_HN'T YET KNOCK$ ON ,GRAHAM'S4
  ,PHILIP SL[LY MADE 8 WAY "? ! P>LOR4
,HE GAZ$ \ ! W9D[1 ? "O ADORN$ N ) ,EL-
SIE'S ?"\S B ) SN[Y PAT*ES 9 ! BOTTOM
CORN]S1 ! :ITE;S CL++ "!4 ,HE LOOK$ \ &
SAW1 F> 6HIS "R1 A GR\P ( M5 KNOCK+ ON A
NEI<BOR'S FRONT DOOR3 ,JAY ,WA*[SKI1 !
MAN :O'D BROK5 BO? 8 H&S 9 A MILL   #FHJ
A3ID5T A FEW WEEKS AGO4 ,PHILIP DIDN'T
"K IF ,WA*[SKI _H 5LI/$1 DIDN'T "K IF
,DOC ,BANES _H CUT OP5 ! MAN'S CA/S YET4
,WD HE 2 C>T$ (F 6PRISON ) 8 H&S / B.D 9
PLA/]8
  ,PHILIP TAPP$ AT ! COLD GLASS1 REMEM-
B]+ ! "T 8 H&S _H BE5 COV]$ 9 B&AGES TO
SAVE !M F FRO/BITE4 ,HE REMEMB]$ 2+ UNA#
6T\* 8 [N BR[1 2+ UNA# 6FE$ HMF1 UNA# 6S
M* Z C.T ON 8 F+]S 2C !Y 7 ALL BALL$ TGR
9 ! SAME HIDE\S MA% ( :ITE4 ,! SN[ 0
FALL+ M H1VILY1 GR[+ ?ICK ON ! ROADS1 :
WD SOON 2 DANG]\S1 IMPASSA#4
  ,B 8 ?"\S RETURN$ 6,GRAHAM4 ,GRAHAM _H
BE5 ! "O :O PULL$ ! TRI7] :ILE ,PHILIP
_H J /OOD "!4 ,HE _H BE5 GRANT$ ! LUXURY
( SEE+ :AT HAPP5$ 6,GRAHAM Z A RESULT1 &
T 0 :Y HE _HN'T BE5 A# 6REP1T ,GRAHAM'S
ACT :5 ,FRANK CAME WALK+ UP T HILL4 ,:5
,PHILIP ?"\ ( ALL T ,GRAHAM _H D"O1 HE
CD N ESCAPE ! FACT T HE TOO MI<T H BE5
=C$ D[N ! SAME PA? IF HE'D BE5 ! "O :O
PULL$ ! TRI7]4 ,HE HAT$ & FE>$ :AT ,GRA-
HAM _H TURN$ 9TO1 B ,GRAHAM'S AC;NS _H
SAV$ HM F A SIMIL> FATE4            #FHA
  ,REBE3A _H G"O BACK UP/AIRS1 S ,PHILIP
WALK$ 6! CLOSET 0! FRONT DOOR4 ,HE GRA2$
8 BOOTS & 8 COAT1 8 HAT & GLOVES4 ,!N HE
GRA2$ ! RIFLE4

  ,? 0 ALR TOO R\< = ,J4,B4 ,?\< ,MILL]
_H SD "! 0 A *.E ?+S WD GET \ ( H&1 HE
_H AL SD ^! 7 W1KL+ SLACK]S &! VA/ MA-
JOR;Y WD G WILL+LY4 ,HE _H SD T TW5TY
M51 A %[ ( S* =CE1 WD C[ ! SLACK]S 9TO
SURR5D]+1 WD S5D !M S+LE-FILE1 H1DS
HUNG1 96! BACKS ( ^? TRUCKS4 ,M5 L
,J4,B4 7 DO+ :AT !Y CD = _! C.TRY1 ,MIL-
L] _H SD3 ..,WE MAY 2 TOO OLD 6BE \ ON !
FRONT L9ES1 B WE'RE DO+ \R "P 6KEEP !
HOME FRONT .PROTECT$4
  ,B SEE+ T F/ MAN GET SLU7$ 0,HI<T[]1 )
! MAN'S WIFE & *N CRY+ 9 ! BACKGR.D1 _H
TURN$ ,J4,B4'S /OMA*4 ,! SI<T (! SU6]+
FAMILY REM9D$ HM EV5 M ( 8 [N WIFE & 8
LO/ *N4 ,HE DID N WANT 6BE "H4 ,HE _H
MADE A MISTAKE4 ,HE %D 2 BACK HOME1
KNOCK+ ON 8 WIFE'S DOOR1 AG & AG1 2SEE*+
H] 6LET HM 9 S !Y CD WRAP _! >MS >.D EA*
O!R & TRY 6KEEP ! _W AT BAY4        #FHB
  ,_M (! ,,APL M5 ) HM 7 "Y 5 6S]VE 9 !
>MY B _H BE5 DEF]R$ = V>I\S R1SONS4 ,"S
7 ESS5TIAL W> "W]S1 "S 7 POLICEM5 ^: AB-
S;E _! T[NS CD N AF=D4 ,! RE/ (! M51 L
,HI<T[]1 7 OLD] B / /R;G 5 6DEF1T ANY "Y
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,MILL]1 :O _H GIV5 HMF ! LI<TWEI<T ROLE
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6RESI/4
  8,KICK ! SONUVABIT*10 ,HI<T[] TOLD
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FACE & GRAZ$ ,HI<T[] ) AN 9EPT PUN*4 ,E
O!R MAN 9 ! CREW _H KICK$ HM AT L1/ ONCE
EXCEPT ,J4,B41 ^: LACK ( GU/O _H F9,Y1 Z
HE'D FE>$1 2COME SUSPECT4
  ,J4,B4 DIDN'T LOOK AT ,HI<T[]1 LOOK$
9/1D AT ! MAN ON ! GR.D1 COV]$ 9 SN[4
,AN OLD] *1 RE,Y1 A KID :O PROBABLY _H
TURN$ EI<TE5 ONLY A FEW MON?S AGO4
  8,KICK HM = \R SONS10 ,HI<T[]     #FHC
SD4
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WAIT+1 ASSESS+4 ,:AT 0 HE DO+ "H8 ,8
SON1 ,JAMES1 WDN'T WANT HM 6KICK ? W1K-
L+4 ,JAMES WASN'T L ,HI<T[] OR 8 R\<NECK
SONS4 ,JAMES WD WANT 6HELP ? BOY UP4 ,B
,JAMES 0 G"O1 8 %ATT]$ BODY A MILLION
MILES AWAY & 8 S\L ACR ! IMPASSA# VOID4
,W> *ANGES A MAN1 & ,J4,B4 %U4]$ 6?9K
:AT ,JAMES MAY H 2COME 0! "D HE DI$4
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FACE1 WD H L1P$ ^U HM ) T]RIFY+ 5?USI-
ASM4
  ,HI<T[] &! O!RS 7 / WAIT+4 ,J4,B4
KICK$ ! BOY 9 ! BACK4 ,N TOO H>D B 5\<4
,HE EXHAL$4 ,HE WD KICK ! NEXT "O H>D]4

  ,GRAHAM /OOD UP :5 HE HE>D ! %OTS4 ,HE
_H BE5 SITT+ 2S ,AMELIA1 />+ AT ! SN[1
:5 !Y HE>D ! F/ POP FOLL[$ 0?REE M VOL-
LEYS4 ,X 0 A HUNDR$ "TS L\D] ?AN ANY S.D
! T[N _H MU/]$ 9 "DS4
  ,AMELIA /AY$ 9 H] *AIR1 LOOK+ UP AT HM
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NO?+ B A NEI<BORHOOD 2+ BURI$ BY    #FHD
W9T]'S F/ ACT1 B ,GRAHAM RECOGNIZ$ GUN-
%OTS4 ,HE W5T 6! FRONT DOOR & /OOD 2H X
=A MO;T1 AFRAID 6OP5 X1 AFRAID ( :AT HE
MI<T LET IN4
  ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR & /EPP$ ONTO ! POR*1
%IV]+ 9 ! BIT+ W9D4 ,AB TWO BLOCKS 6HIS
LEFT1 HE SAW A PILE ( M51 A SCRUM1 AT !
BOTTOM ( : 0 "S :IT5$ ROD5T FLAIL+ AB4
,B X WASN'T A ROD5T1 X 0 A MAN LY+ "! 9
! SN[1 A MAN 2+ KICK$ & HIT 0! SURR.D+
M51 AT L1/ "O ( :OM HELD A GUN PO9T$ 6!
H1V5S4
  ,!N A TRUCK />T$ DRIV+ T[>D !M4 ,X
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(! ,TIMB] ,FALLS M5 :O _H TRI$ 65T]
,-MONW1L?1 ! MAN :O _H CALL$ !M SLACK]S
& _H RANT$ AB 8 D1D SONS 9 ,FR.E4 ,!
SI<T (! MAN GRADU,Y ME%$ ) T PA/ EXP]I-
;E1 2CAME B.D 9 A TI<T NET ,GRAHAM FELT
CLOS+ >.D HM4
  ,! M5 DU/$ ! SN[ F _! COATS &     #FHE
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!Y 7 5T]+ A D1? H\SE4 ,!Y KNOCK$ ON !
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LU/ 6NOTICE ! TELLTALE SIGNS SURR.D+ !M4

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2C HE & 8 WIFE _H RAIS$ _! BOYS "R1 _H
PRODUC$ TWO /R;G & "R-?9K+ "Y M5 :O W5T
6*UR* & _H ADOR+ ,*RI/IAN SWEETHE>TS4
,HE 0 DO+ X 2C !Y _H PROCE$$ 6! 5LI/;T
BO>D ON ! ALLOTT$ DATE1 _H 5T]$ _! "NS &
A3EPT$ _! NUMB]S ) DIGN;Y4 ,HE DID N "K
:AT _H TRANSPIR$ 9 _! ROOMS 2H ^? %UT
DOORS ON ! LA/ NI<T 2F !Y REPORT$ AT ,=T
,J5K9S1 DID N "K :AT !Y _H ASK$ ( ,GOD 9
_! PRAY]S ON _! LA/ NI<T AT HOME1 DID N
"K IF FE> _H YIELD$ 6TE>S OR IF !Y _H
BE5 CALM 2F SLEEP TOOK !M4 ,HE KNEW :AT
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_H SE5 !M1 DECK$ \ 9 MILIT>Y FATIGUES &
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CD BE4
  ,MAYBE IF E O!R "Y MAN 9 !        #FHF
C.TRY _H RESPOND$ Z 8 SONS _H1 "! WD H
BE5 M D\<BOYS AT ! FRONT4 ,MAYBE ! ,EX-
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HOME AG1 ANN\NC+ _! W$D+ 5GAGE;TS4 ,MAY-
BE IF ? DAMN /ATE _HN'T BE5 OV]RUN BY
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?AN FACE X1 ,HI<T[]'S SONS WD 2 ALIVE4
  ,8 SONS 7 S UNLIKE ? W1K "Y MAN1 :O'D
CLIMB$ \ ( 8 SIDE W9D[ & L1P$ D[N 96!
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SL[$ ! KID A BIT1 LEFT HM DEBAT+ :E!R ?
TACTIC 0 ! "R "O4 ,2F HE CD RESUME 8
FLI<T1 ,HI<T[] _H TACKL$ HM F 2H4 ,! KID
_H TRI$ 6WRE/LE FREE & _H L&$ A BOOT
SQU>E ACR ,HI<T[]'S JAW1 B 0!N ! O!RS 7
^U HM4 ,HE WASN'T EV5 MOAN+ ANYMORE 0!
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_HN'T YET FILL$4
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  8,"!'S / PL5TY SLACK]S LEFT10     #FHG
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8 H1D4 ,! SK9 >.D 8 EYES 0 AL D>K5+--T
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YET40
  8,WE'LL NE$ 6-E BACK10 ,HI<T[] SD4
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WE C 2F H1D+ \40
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ES 2Y1 A MAN /&+ ON A POR*1 WAT*+ !M4
8,SONUVABIT*10 HE SD4 8,"! HE IS40
  8,:O80 ,B>TRUM ASK$4
  ,"E S9CE ! F/ "D !Y'D -E 6,-MONW1L?1
,HI<T[] _H BE5 HAUNT$ 0^? EYES4 ,EV5 ?\<
! MAN _H PULL$ A MASK OV] HALF 8 FACE :5
,WOR?Y _H %[N UP1 ,HI<T[] WD N"E =GET ^?
9SOL5T EYES4 ,HE DIDN'T "K ! MAN'S "N1 B
HE'D BE5 HOP+ HE'D 2 ! "O :O GOT 6KNOCK
ON 8 DOOR4                          #FHH
  8,LET'S SKIP ! NEXT FEW H\SES10 ,HI<-
T[] SD4 8,I WANT 6MAKE SURE WE TAKE T
BA/>D 9 TD40

  ,:5 ,*>LES SAW !M C>RY+ AN UNCONSCI\S
MAN T[>D "O (! TRUCKS1 HE LUNG$ =W>D4
,HE 0 HORRIFI$ 0ALL T BLOOD1 0! FACT T A
MAN _H BE5 B1T5 S BADLY HE CD N WALK4 ,Z
!Y BR"\ ! MAN CLOS]1 ,RANKLE'S H1D ROLL$
6! SIDE & ,*>LES RECOGNIZ$ 8 FR4
  ,B Z ,*>LES RAN1 TWO O!R M5 /EPP$ UP &
BLOCK$ 8 PA?4 ,!Y TOLD HM HE'D -E F>
5\<1 & Z HE TRI$ 6PRESS PA/ !M1 !Y PU%$
HM BACK UNTIL HE FELL 96! SN[4
  ,RANKLE 0 TOSS$ 96! BACK (! TRUCK
AL;GSIDE ,D1CON4 ,D1CON _H BE5 L1V+ A
SICK H\SE )! DOCTOR :5 ! ,,APL _H CON-
FRONT$ HM & C>T$ HM AWAY4 ,HE DIDN'T "U-
/& :Y ! ,"L WD SP1K 6HM & !N CA/ HM (F L
?1 B HE _H FELT NO FE> Z HE ALL[$ HMF TO
2 C>RI$ 0,GOD'S W4 ,8 FAI? 0 %AK51 H["E1
0! W.DS HE SAW ON ,RANKLE'S FACE4 ,HE
SQUEEZ$ PA/ ! O!R CAPTUR$ M5 & TOOK (F 8
JACKET1 FOLD+ X 96A MAKE%IFT PILL[ &
/U6+ X "U ,RANKLE'S H1D4 ,HE        #FHI
BRU%$ "S (! HAIR F ,RANKLE'S =EH1D &
SOPP$ UP 8 BLOOD )A SLEEVE4
  8,ALL "R1 "!1 ,J>R$10 ,D1CON RASP$4
8,Y'LL 2 F9E4 ,WE'LL GET Y 6A DOCTOR
SOON4 ,WE'LL 2 OKAY40

  ,DOC ,BANES HELP$ ,*>LES 6HIS FEET4
,ALL >.D !M1 T1MS ( ,,APL M5 7 KNOCK+ ON
M DOORS1 EM]G+ ) M "W]S4 ,_M (! "W]S 7
SICK1 B ! M5 F ,TIMB] ,FALLS DIDN'T SEEM
6C>E4
  ,BANES 0 TOO TIR$ 6RAIL AG/ !M1 Z
,*>LES _H4 ,HE KNEW T ^! M5 _H LIV$ "? !
FLU 9 ,TIMB] ,FALLS1 S P]H !Y WD SURVIVE
ANY?+ ! SICK P ( ,-MONW1L? CD BR1? ^U
!M4 ,^! 7 ! LUCKY "OS1 ! "OS *OS5 0,GOD
OR BIOLOGY 6BE IMMUNE1 OR P]H !Y _H ALR
SU6]$ & SURVIV$4
  8,:AT C ,I D80 ,*>LES SD EMPTILY1
LOOK+ AT ! TRUCKS4 ,"O 0"O1 M5 :O _H IG-
NOR$ ,*>LES'S ADVICE AB 5LI/+ 7 2+ L$
AWAY4 ,0! "T ! ,,APL 0 F9I%$1 ! T[N WD 2
EMPTI$ ( MO/ M54
  ,! FEW :O TRI$ 6FI<T 7 EASILY SUBDU$1
N ONLY \TNUMB]$ B AL W1K F 41SE     #FIJ
OR HUNG]4 ,EV5 ,*>LES _H LO/ WEI<T4 ,P
_H /RET*$ _! M1G] PROVI.NS Z F> Z !Y CD1
& _M _H BE5 TOO SICK 6V5TURE \ 6O!R T[NS
= FOOD :5 ! QU>ANT9E _H BE5 LIFT$4 ,"EY-
"O LOOK$ HALF />V$1 UNA# 6DEF5D !MVS4



















                 ,,VII              #FIA

  ,! ?REE KNOCKS 7 S /R;G T ,GRAHAM'S
DOOR %OOK ON XS H+ES4
  ,:5 HE'D SE5 ! M5 -+1 ,GRAHAM _H S5T
,AMELIA UP/AIRS )! BABY4 ,HE _H POND]$ 8
OP;NS & F.D !M FEW & UNAPP1L+4 ,!
KNOCKS1 :5 !Y CAME1 7 M ( AN ASSAULT1 !
DOOR NE>LY GIV+ WAY 6! WEI<T (! M5 2H X4
  ,"! 7 ?REE M5 ON ! POR*1 ALL ( :OM
,GRAHAM RECOGNIZ$ F ! E>LI] 3FRONT,N4 ,!
R$H1D$ "O 0 EY+ HM ESPECI,Y CLOSELY4
  8,LET'S SEE YR 5LI/;T PAP]S10 ! %]IFF
SD4
  8,Y'VE GOT NO "R 6BE DO+ ?10 ,GRAHAM
TOLD ! %]IFF1 ^: EYES SEEM$ 6BE 4APPE>+
2N ! PU6Y BLACK;S BILL[+ F ! BRIDGE ( 8
NOSE4 8,Y BOYS H ALR CAUS$ 5 TR\#--G
BACK 6,TIMB] ,FALLS 2F ? GETS ANY M \ (
H&40
  ,GRAHAM'S "R H& 0 PRESS$ UP AG/ !
DOORJAMB4 ,HE _H OP5$ ! DOOR ONLY HALF-
WAY1 & 9 8 ?REE-F+]$ LEFT H&1 2H ! DOOR
& \ (! M5'S VIEW1 HE 0 HOLD+ 8 RIFLE4
  8,WE >E DEPUTIZ$ 0! F$]AL GOV]N;T10 !
%]IFF REPLI$1 8S WE H E "R40        #FIB
  8,F$]AL GOV]N;T'S GOT NO?+ 6D ) U4 ,WE
BUILT ? T[N1 NO HELP F ANY ( Y40 ,! V
DOORJAMB ,GRAHAM'S H& 0 RE/+ AG/1 HE _H
PLAC$ "! HMF2 "! 0 NO WAY HE WD LET "S
TWO-BIT ?UGS DRAG HM F X4
  ,! R$H1D /EPP$ =W>D 6PU% ! DOOR OP5
F>!R1 B ,GRAHAM'S HOLD 0 FIRM1 ! $GE (!
DOOR DI7+ 96HIS =E>M4 ,HE _H ELECT$ N TO
BR&I% 8 W1PON :5 HE OP5$ ! DOOR1 ?9K+ HE
CD TALK !M 96L1V+4 ,N[ HE 0 REGRETT+ !
DECI.N4

  ,:5 ,HI<T[] _H PO9T$ ,GRAHAM \ 6,B>-
TRUM1 ! %]IFF _HN'T WANT$ 6SKIP ! O!R
H\SES1 S HE S5T ?REE (! M5 F 8 GR\P TO
KNOCK ON ! NEI<BORS' DOORS4 ,HE KEPT
,HI<T[] & ,J4,B4 ) HM4 ,M1N:ILE1 ,MILL]
_H WALK$ BACK 6TELL ,W9SL[ & ANO!R MAN
6DRIVE TWO (! TRUCKS1 FILL$ 2Y ANY PO9T
": M M5 CD 2 %OV$ 9SIDE1 BACK 6,TIMB]
,FALLS4 ,9 ONLY A FEW M9UTES1 !Y'D FILL
! LA/ TWO TRUCKS & H1D BACK4
  ,B>TRUM KNEW H[ M* ,HI<T[] _H BE5
YE>N+ 6BR+ ? MAN IN4 ,! SLACK] _H 4P>AG$
,HI<T[]'S D1D SONS1 & 9 S DO+ _H    #FIC
4P>AG$ ,J4,B4'S D1D SON1 4P>AG$ ,B>T-
RUM'S [N SON1 / (F FI<T+ "S": 9 ,FR.E4
,B>TRUM DID N H ! WEI<T (A *'S D1? ON 8
S\L1 B HE SAW H[ S* WEI<T PULL$ D[N EV5
/R;G] M5 ?AN HE4 ,HE WASN'T GO+ 6LET "S
YELL[ SON (A BIT* KEEP !M F EX]CIS+ _!
PATRIOTIC DUTIES4
  ,B>TRUM R1*$ = 8 PI/OL1 REMOV$ X F !
HOL/] AT 8 SIDE4 ,HE HELD X "!1 PO9T$ AT
! GR.D1 & MADE SURE ,GRAHAM SAW X4
8,SON1 WE BR+ Y 9 ALIVE OR WE BR+ Y 9
D1D4 ,X DOESN'T MATT] 6U40

  ,GRAHAM WASN'T LEFT-H&$4 ,HE WD NE$ TO
BACK UP1 LET ! DOOR SW+ OP51 & SWIT* !
RIFLE 96HIS "R H&4 ,%OOT ! MAN )! GUN
F/1 !N ! R$H1D4 ,! F\R-EY$ GUY 9 ! BUSI-
;S SUIT WD PROBABLY RUN AWAY4 ,GRAHAM
LOOK$ AT ALL ?REE ( !M1 GAUG$ H[ QKLY !Y
WD ACT4

  ,B ,HI<T[] SURPRIS$ ,GRAHAM 0/EPP+ 9
FRONT ( ,B>TRUM & DRIV+ 8 %\LD] 96!
DOOR1 =C+ X OP54 ,X SMACK$ AG/ ,GRAHAM'S
LEFT WRI/ S H>D HE NE>LY DROPP$ !   #FID
RIFLE1 N[ PLA9LY VISI#4 ,GRAHAM SWIT*$ X
6HIS "R H&1 B ,HI<T[] 0 S CLOSE ,GRAHAM
CDN'T EV5 PO9T ! GUN AT HM4 ,HI<T[] PU%$
! RIFLE ASIDE1 !N PUN*$ ,GRAHAM 9 ! SIDE
(! FACE4
  ,GRAHAM /UM#D BACK1 ! RIFLE HITT+ !
GR.D1 & WASN'T A# 6/1DY HMF 2F ,HI<T[]
*>G$ 96HM AG4 ,GRAHAM 0 "Y] & /R;G]1 B
HE 0 BACK ON 8 HEELS & (F BAL.E4 ,HE US$
8 RAIS$ >MS 6DEFLECT "S ( ,HI<T[]'S
BL[S2 ! "OS T /RUCK HM LEFT HM DIZZY4
,HI<T[] 0 L1N+ HM BACK AG/ ! C\*1 &
,GRAHAM 0 AB 6FALL :5 HE L&$ A PUN* J 6!
"R (! MAN'S *91 FEEL+ ! CRUN* ( BR1K+
B"O4 ,B ,GRAHAM FELL BACKW>D AF L&+ T
BL[1 & ,HI<T[]1 GRIPP+ 8 A*+ JAW1 /EPP$
=W>D & KICK$ HM ! SECOND HE HIT ! FLOOR4
  8,JESUS1 ,J4,B40 ,HI<T[] W9C$ "? 8
BROK5 JAW4 ,F9,Y1 ,J4,B4 JO9$ 9 KICK+
,GRAHAM'S RIBS & ABDOM54
  ,B>TRUM _H LEVEL$ 8 GUN AT ,GRAHAM1
R1DY 6%OOT IF ! SLACK] TRI$ 6ATTACK AG4
,B T CLE>LY 0 N GO+ 6HAPP54
  ,HI<T[] HELD BACK ONCE HE KNEW ! FI<T
0 WON4 ,Z M* Z HE HAT$ ? MAN1 HE    #FIE
0 ALR LOS+ 8 TA/E = FI<T+4 ,HE R1*$ D[N
& PICK$ ,GRAHAM UP1 HOLD+ HM >.D ! NECK
F 2H4
  8,GRAHAM60 ,AMELIA SCR1M$4 ,GRAHAM'S
NOSE 0 BLE$+1 8 LEFT EYEBR[ 0 BADLY CUT1
& 8 FACE 0 2COM+ R$D] & R$D] F ! ?ICK >M
>.D 8 NECK4 ,:5 ,AMELIA R1*$ ! BOTTOM
CROOK$ /AIR1 %E /OPP$1 H] FACE 3TORT$ BY
FE> & FURY4 8,/OP X1 PL1SE60
  8,WE >E /OPP+40 ,B>TRUM SIL5TLY CURS$
! FACT T E "O ( ^! MILL"W]S SEEM$ 6H
WIVES4
  8,:Y >E Y DO+ ?80 %E ASK$1 H] EYES
FILL+ ) TE>S Z %E SLUMP$ AT ! FOOT (!
/AIRS4 ,%E LOOK$ /RAI<T 96H] HUSB&'S
EYES1 &! SI<T ( H] CAUS$ ,GRAHAM 6/RU7LE
AG1 8 F+]S DI7+ 96,HI<T[]'S >MS4 ,HI<T[]
TI<T5$ 8 GRIP4
  8,YR HUSB& IS A YELL[-BELLI$ C[>D1 "Y
MADAM10 ,B>TRUM 9=M$ H]1 8& HE'S GO+ TO
ROT 9 JAIL TILL L;G AF \R BOYS H WON ?
W>40 ,! %]IFF NO4$ 6,J4,B4 & ,HI<T[]4
8,LET'S G40
  ,B Z HE TURN$ T[>D ! DOOR AG "S?+ NEW
CAU<T 8 EYE4 ,EM]G+ F ! KIT*5 0     #FIF
ANO!R FIGURE4 ,& HE 0 HOLD+ A RIFLE
PO9T$ AT ,B>TRUM'S HE>T4

  8,LET HM G10 ,PHILIP SD1 WALK+ SL[LY B
/1DILY "? ! KIT*5 & 96! D9+ ROOM4 ,! RI-
FLE FELT S H1VY 6HIS ATROPHI$ MUSCLES &
HOLL[-SEEM+ B"OS1 B HE WD N L[] X4
  ,PHILIP _H R1*$ ,GRAHAM'S H\SE TOO
LATE1 _H SE5 ! M5 /&+ ON ! POR* :5 HE
TURN$ ! CORN]4 ,HE _H /OOD "! A MO;T1
UNSURE :AT 6D1 ! ?"\S E*O+ 9 8 CAV]N\S
H1D4 ,! M5 WD TAKE ,GRAHAM AWAY1 WD /UFF
HM 96"O ( ^? TRUCKS4 ,PHILIP _H C>RI$ !
RIFLE ) HM Z IF H1D+ BACK 6GU>D DUTY AT
! T[N 5TR.E1 Z IF ! FLU _H N -E 6,-MON-
W1L?4 ,B X _H -E1 ( C\RSE1 & HE / FELT X
9SIDE HM4 ,8 H1D 0 WR;G1 8 ?"\S 7 WR;G &
8 FEEL+S 7 WR;G4 ,HE F.D X H>D 63C5-
TRATE1 H>D 6DELIB]ATE4 ,X 0 S M* EASI] J
6ACT1 & S HE _H WALK$ "? ! SN[ 6! ,/"OS'
BACK DOOR4 ,DESPITE 8 W1K;S1 8 BODY
SEEM$ LI<T]1 Z IF X 7 2+ PROPELL$ 0!
W9D1 0"S"O'S BR1?1 0?"\ AL"O4
  ,HE _H OP5$ ! BACK DOOR SIL5TLY4 ,HE
_H HE>D ! S.DS ( FI<T+ B _H 3C5-    #FIG
TRAT$ ON /1L?1 ON GLID+ "? ! H\SE & AIM+
! RIFLE P]FECTLY4 ,8 BR1?S 7 QK & HE F"\
! URGE 6C\<4 ,HE GL.ED AT ,GRAHAM J L;G
5 6SEE 8 FACE 3TORT$ F ! GRIP (! MAN
HOLD+ HM1 !N ,PHILIP TRA9$ 8 EYES ON !
MIDSEC;N (! MAN )! PI/OL4 ,! PI/OL 0
PO9T$ AT ! FLOOR1 / AIM$ AT ": ,GRAHAM
_H LA94
  8,SON1 Y'D BE/ PUT T RIFLE--0
  8,LET HM G10 ,PHILIP CUT ,B>TRUM (F1
REP1T+ 8 -M& ) A4$ =CE4 8.,Y PUT D[N YR
GUN1 & !N GET \ ( ? H\SE40
  ,HI<T[] & ,GRAHAM 7 /4 ,HI<T[] _H
LOOS5$ 8 GRIP1 APP>5TLY AFRAID T FUR!R
/RU7LE WD CAUSE ,PHILIP 6FIRE _! WAY4 ,!
MAN'S >M 0 / >.D ,GRAHAM'S NECK B N[ X 0
ALM AN EMBRACE4
  ,PHILIP C\<$ DESPITE 8 ATTEMPTS 6*OKE
X BACK4 ,! RIFLE WAV]$ B !N RETURN$ 6XS
T>GET3 ! *E/ (! MAN 2F HM1 ! MAN )! B1T5
FACE1 ) CRU/$ BLOOD & PUS POOL$ 2N 8
TRAMPL$ SN\T4
  8,SON1 Y'RE PO9T+ A W1PON AT AN (FIC]
(! LAW10 ,B>TRUM SD1 8 VOICE CALM B
S]I\S4 8,I'M SURE Y'RE A SICK BOY   #FIH
& Y >5'T ACT+ YRF1 B Y NE$ 6PUT T D[N "R
N[40 ,HE 2GAN 6RAISE 8 [N PI/OL4
  8,IF Y EV5 TWIT* YR >M AG--0 ,PHILIP
W>N$1 & ,B>TRUM /OPP$4
  ,PHILIP IMAG9$ HMF FIR+ AT ! MAN4
,%OOT+ ! ,C4,O4 _H BE5 WR;G1 & %OOT+
,FRANK WD H BE5 WR;G4 ,GRAHAM1 TOO1 _H
D"O "S?+ S WR;G ,PHILIP / CD B>ELY "U/&
X--WD PROBABLY N"E "U/& X4 ,B ?1 ? 0 N
WR;G4 ,^! M5 %D N 2 "H4 ,PHILIP WD F9,Y
2 A# 6D "S?+ UNIMP1*A#4 ,HE WD PULL !
TRI7] IF HE _H TO4
  ,AMELIA 0 / AT ! FOOT (! /AIRS1 P>A-
LYZ$ & MUTE4 ,GRAHAM 0 />+ AT H] Z IF HE
DESP]ATELY WANT$ 6COV] H] BODY ) HIS1 B
%E 0 S F> AWAY4
  ,! W9D[S &! OP5 DOORWAY 2H ! M5 7 AN
EXPLO.N ( :ITE1 ! SN[ FALL+ EV5 ?ICK]
?AN 2F4
  8,PHILIP10 ,GRAHAM MANAG$ 6SQUEEZE \ (
8 DRY ?ROAT1 B T 0 ALL4
  ,NO?+ FELT R1L 6,PHILIP--! SC5E 0 EV5
M DR1MLIKE ?AN 8 3V]S,N ) ,FIONA ON !
TRA94 ,HE FELT SURR.D$ 0D1?1 FELT T
,FIONA & ,FRANK &! ,C4,O4 7 NE>-    #FII
BY1 FELT ! H1VY _SS ( ALL ! P 9 ,-MON-
W1L? :O _H BE5 TAK5 0! FLU4 ,! M5 /&+ 9
FRONT ( HM 7 PROBABLY D1D1 TOO4 ,ALL
,PHILIP _H 6D 0 KNOCK !M D[N4
  8,SON0--E "T ,B>TRUM SPOKE1 8 ^WS CAME
EV5 SL[]--8,I'M SURE Y ?9K Y'RE DO+ ! "R
?+4 ,B ^! M5 H D"O WR;G1 & X'S \R JOB TO
SET ?+S "R4 ,N[ WE'RE GO+ 6WALK \ ? DOOR
) ? MAN1 & !N--0
  ,PHILIP %OOK 8 H1D1 &! 5D (! RIFLE
B\NC$4 8,NO4 ,Y'RE L1V+ AL"O40
  ,! PI/OL 9 ,B>TRUM'S H& MOV$ AG4 ,:E!R
HE 0 AIM+ X OR MOV+ X AWAY1 ,PHILIP
WASN'T SURE1 B HE SQUEEZ$ ! RIFLE'S
TRI7]4
  ,B>TRUM 4APPE>$4 ,! %OT ?REW HM S F>
"? ! OP5 DOORWAY & 96! DESC5D+ LAY]S (
SN[ T HE SEEM$ ERAS$ 96:ITE;S4 ,GRAHAM
DROVE BO? ( 8 ELB[S 96,HI<T[]'S /OMA*1
LESS /UNN$ 0! GUN%OT ?AN 8 ADV]S>Y _H
BE51 &! >M FELL F >.D 8 NECK4 ,GRAHAM
TURN$ >.D & SLU7$ HM TWICE 9 ! FACE1 !
SECOND BL[ B>ELY GLANC+ (F ,HI<T[]'S E>
2C HE 0 FALL+ S FA/4
  ,PHILIP HA/ILY RELOAD$ 8 RIFLE1   #GJJ
!N TURN$ X T[>D ,GRAHAM & ,HI<T[]1 B
,HI<T[] 0 ALR ON ! GR.D1 MO;N.S4 ,PHILIP
LOOK$ AT ,GRAHAM1 AT 8 BLOODY FACE &!
SW1T T COV]$ 8 =EH1D1 DRIPP+ F 8 BR[4

  ,B>TRUM'S PI/OL _H L&$ ON ! FLOOR 2T
,J4,B4 & ,GRAHAM4 ,J4,B4 _H J SE5 "O ( 8
-PANIONS %OT D1D &! O!R KNOCK$ \1 & HE 0
N[ \TNUMB]$1 & "! 0 ! PI/OL "R 9 FRONT (
HM4 ,X 0 \ ( NEI COLD CALCUL,N NOR BOLD
DECISIVE;S B %E] SELF-PRES]V,N T HE L1P$
ONTO ! H>D FLOOR1 LUNG+ =! PI/OL4

  ,GRAHAM1 TOO1 SAW ! GUN1 & HE LUNG$ =-
W>D4 ,HE 0 FA/] & LESS F"R5$ ?AN ,J4,B41
& J Z ! BANK]'S F+]S T\*$ ! H&LE (! GUN1
,GRAHAM'S L>G] H& TOOK X F HM4 ,!Y 7 BO?
ON _! KNEES Z ,GRAHAM GRASP$ ! REVOLV]1
AIM+ AT ,J4,B4'S =EH1D4 ,GRAHAM'S N]VES
7 ALL FIR+1 SP>KS RUNN+ UP 8 LIMBS & 8
F+] T5S$ ON ! TRI7]1 R1DY 6PULL1 R1DY TO
PULL4 ,HE NE$$ 6PUT ? 9TRUD] D[N4
  ,J4,B4 0 S CLOSE T ,GRAHAM CD SEE
CLE>LY ! LOOK ( T]ROR & SURVIVAL 9 !
MAN'S EYES1 EYES T P]FECTLY MIR-    #GJA
ROR$ ,GRAHAM'S4 ,DESPITE ! ADR5AL9E &!
FE>1 ,GRAHAM HE>D ,PHILIP'S A3US,N E*O+
9 8 M9D ONCE M4 ,T &! LOOK 9 ,J4,B4'S
EYES MADE ,GRAHAM HESITATE4
  8,GRAHAM1 DON'T60 ,AMELIA %\T$4
  ,GRAHAM /A7]$ 6HIS FEET1 L[]+ ! PI/OL
:ILE KEEP+ 8 EYES ON ,J4,B4
  ,PHILIP WALK$ =W>D1 ! RIFLE PO9T$ AH1D
UNTIL HE SAW ,HI<T[] LY+ 2H ! S(A1 CON-
SCI\S B 4ORI5T$1 BL9K+ AG & AG4 ,PHILIP
TOLD HM 6GET UP4
  ,GRAHAM PO9T$ ! PI/OL AT ! OP5 DOOR-
WAY4 ,HI<T[] & ,J4,B4 ROSE1 />+ AT ! TWO
M5 & !N AT ! FEET (! %]IFF1 B>ELY VISI#
AT ! $GE (! POR*4 ,HI<T[]'S EYES 7 ALR
SWELL+ & HE 0 SIL5T4 ,HE & ,J4,B4 WALK$
"? ! DOORWAY T[>D _! VEHICLES1 _! FOOT-
FALLS UN/1DY Z _! LEGS %IV]$ ) ADR5AL9E4

  ,PHILIP FOLL[$ !M A FEW /EPS & LOOK$
D[N AT ! FALL5 %]IFF1 ! MAN'S EYES WIDE
OP51 8 EYEBR[S / >*$ ) SURPRISE4 ,!
BLOOD 0 2G9N+ 6SEEP EV5 "? 8 ?ICK COAT4
,?+S FELT FLUID1 "O AC;N L1D+ 6! NEXT )
UNUSUAL SPE$1 & ,PHILIP FELT HE     #GJB
CD NO L;G] PAUSE 2T EV5TS 6TRY & "U/&
!M4
  ,AMELIA & ,GRAHAM 7 HOLD+ EA* O!R1 !
%]IFF'S PI/OL SITT+ ON ! TA#4 ,!Y 7 CRY-
+1 & ,GRAHAM'S >MS SEEM$ 6BE %AK+4
  8,GRAHAM10 ,PHILIP 9T]RUPT$ !M1 8
VOICE TR.ELIKE4 8,"! >E M5 \TSIDE40
  ,GRAHAM /1DI$ HMF1 !N /EPP$ AWAY F 8
WIFE4 8,DON'T G10 ,AMELIA SD1 MAK+ X M (
A -M& ?AN A PLEA1 B HE %OOK 8 H1D1 WIP+
AT 8 TE>S4
  ,HE GRA2$ ! PI/OL4 8,PL1SE10 HE TOLD
H]4
  ,PHILIP & ,GRAHAM W5T ONTO ! POR* &
SAW ,MILL] & TWO O!R M5 /&+ \TSIDE TWO
TRUCKS &A ,=D HALF A BLOCK AWAY4 ,GRAHAM
L$ ! WAY & ,PHILIP FOLL[$4 ,2F ! ,,APL
M5 _H "T 6REACT 6! SI<T1 ,GRAHAM FIR$ A
%OT 96! :ITE SKY T 0 49TEGRAT+ ALL >.D
!M4
  8,GET \ ( \R T[N60 ,GRAHAM SCR1M$1 8
EYES NO L;G] TE>+ UP B / %9+1 / WILD4
,MILL] FROZE4 ,HE _H NO W1PON1 NOR DID !
MAN 2S HM4
  ,2H ,GRAHAM & ,PHILIP1 F\R O!R    #GJC
,-MONW1L? M5--Z IF !Y _H BE5 WAIT+ ALL
"D =! OPPORTUN;Y--EM]G$ F _! HOMES1 RI-
FLES 9 H&4
  ,MILL] _H ALR S5T TWO TRUCKS & MO/ (!
M5 BACK 6,TIMB] ,FALLS4 ,HE 0 \TNUMB]$ &
\TGUNN$1 B HE TRI$ 6REMA9 CALM4 ,HE SAW
! BODY ON ! POR*1 SAW ,HI<T[]'S B1T5
FACE &! LOOK 9 ,J4,B4'S EYES4 ,J4,B4
/EPP$ UP 6HM & SPOKE L[ 9 8 E>3 8,!Y
KILL$ ,B>TRUM40
  ,MILL] SWALL[$4 8,WE'LL 2 BACK1 G5TLE-
M510 HE SD 6,GRAHAM1 TRY+ 6BITE BACK 8
FE>4 8,I PROMISE Y T40
  8,Y 7 "R AB ! SPY10 ,GRAHAM TOLD ,MIL-
L]1 8 VOICE ?ICK ) EMO;N4 ,8 H1D A*$ F
,HI<T[]'S BL[S1 8 RIBS P9*$ 8 9SIDES ) E
BR1?1 & 8 TRAMPL$ ABDOM5 SCR1M$ AT HM TO
B5D OV] R ?AN /&+ S TALL4 8,HE DID -E "H
AF Y LEFT1 & ,I KILL$ HM4 ,& ,I'LL KILL
Y NEXT IF Y "E -E BACK40
  ,MILL] KEPT 8 EYES ON ! GUNM5 Z HE
WALK$ T[>D "O (! TRUCKS1 FILL$ ) CAPTUR$
M54 ,HE JUMP$ :5 HE HE>D ! POP1 & "O (!
TIRES 2F HM EXPLOD$4
  ,GRAHAM %OT ANO!R :EEL1 !N TWO    #GJD
ON ! O!R TRUCK4 8,! TRUCKS /AY10 HE -M&-
$4 8,! M5 /AY40 ,HE 0 LESS ?AN T5 FEET F
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  ,PHILIP KEPT 8 RIFLE AIM$ AT ,MILL]'S
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  8,Y'VE MADE A T]RI# MISTAKE1 SON40
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!N SL[LY TURN$ X >.D4 ,S"EAL BLOCKS AH1D
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CD =! "D4 ,!Y DIDN'T "K ,B>TRUM _H BE5
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HOME4
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WOM5 & *N (! M5 :O _H ALR BE5 TRUCK$ \ (
T[N1 ,RANKLE & ,D1CON & ALL ! O!RS1 "S (
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WOODS T WD 2 ALL B IMP5ETRA# AF ANO!R
H\R ( SN[FALL4

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S(T SN[ NE> ! AB&ON$ TRUCKS1 ! M5 / IN-
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D[S HE _H RECOGNIZ$3 ,ALFR$ ,METZG]1 :O1
AT =TY-TWO1 0 / ?REE YE>S "Y] ?AN ! CUT-
(F =! MO/ REC5T1 EXP&$ DRAFT4 ,PHILIP
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SWUNG CLE>4
  ,! M5 BUR/ \1 DESP]ATE 6BE FREE1 B
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OR RAN 6_! WIVES1 OR SWORE V5GE.E ^U ^?
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WALK$ AWAY BRISKLY4 ,PHILIP SAW ! LOOK 9
! MAN'S EYES & R1LIZ$ T IMPRISON;T WD H
BE5 A M PL1SANT FATE ?AN ! HORRORS T
AWAIT$ HM AT HOME4















  ,X DID N SEEM AT ALL ODD T        #GJG
,PHILIP N[ /OOD 9 A TRA9 /,N4 ,X 0 L AN
9EXORA# FATE1 "S?+ T _H BE5 P]PETU,Y ON
8 HORIZON1 "S?+ HE CD N RUN F4 ,HE ?"\
AB T1 H[ RUNN+ AWAY 0 "S?+ HE CDN'T RUN
AWAY F4
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9 SN[1 ! RIFLE 0,PHILIP'S FEET SMELL+
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(! _W1 ?AN ! QU>ANT9E _H D"O4 ,! H1VY
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H[ L;G8
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2 "PICUL>LY DI6ICULT 6%AKE1 B %AKE X
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WEEKS4
  ,ELSIE DI$ LATE ! NI<T (! RAID4 ,%E
N"E KNEW T H] "F _H BE5 >RE/$1 NOR DID
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N"E SU6]$ ! SLI<TE/ FEV] OR C\< DESPITE
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  ,X N"E O3URR$ 6,*>LES OR ,REBE3A T !
NEWS ( ,ELSIE'S D1? MAY H 3TRIBUT$ TO
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2S ^? ( ,LAURA1 :O CRI$ H]F 6SLEEP !
NEXT TWO NI<TS4 ,PHILIP _H />$ \ ! W9D[
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"O4
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( M5 :O _H 5LI/$ & SECUR$ DEF];TS MON?S
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BUY1 Z WELL Z NEWSPAP]S ^: EMPHATIC H1D-
L9ES 4PLAY$1 F9,Y1 "S?+ WELCOME3 AN >MI-
/ICE _H BE5 SIGN$1 &! GUNS ( ,EUROPE 7
SIL5T4 ,! >MI/ICE _H BE5 DCLD ! SAME "D
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JAIL]S TR1T !M FAIRLY--A WOMAN'S PRES;E
CD G A L;G WAY T[>D GETT+ ! M5 HUMANE
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NECESSITIES >OSE F ! VACUUM ( ^! VIOL5T
& FE>-A4L$ YE>S4                    #GAJ
  ,AF ! RAID1 ,*>LES & ,REBE3A _H KNOCK$
ON E DOOR 9 T[N--!Y NO L;G] C>$ IF X PUT
!M AT RISK--& F.D \ :O _H BE5 TAK5 0!
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,! LOOKS ON P'S FACES &! /ORIES T ,*>LES
& ,REBE3A HE>D _H KEPT !M UP ! LA/ FEW
NI<TS1 LY+ 2S EA* O!R4 ,! ,WOR?YS _H LL
FOOD LEFT1 B !Y _H %>$ ) ^? TOO ILL TO
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  ,*>LES & ,REBE3A _H SE5 ! DEP?S 6: "S
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FAIL4 ,"SH[ ! T[N WD SURVIVE1 HE 2LIEV$4
,"SH[4

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#BEJ P 9 ,-MONW1L?--OV] HALF ! T[N'S
POPUL,N--_H 3TRACT$ ! FLU4 ,( ^!1 FIFTY-
SIX M51 WOM51 & *N _H DI$4 ,MO/ (! D1D 7
ADULTS "Y] ?AN ?IRTY1 ^? :O %D H BE5
H>DY 5 6SURVIVE ! 9FEC;N4 ,BANES DIDN'T
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PRIME ( LIFE1 B X MADE ! AFT]E6ECTS ALL
! WORSE1 Z "! 7 N[ S _M WID[$ P>-   #GAA
5TS1 S _M ORPHANS4
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,O',H>E1 :O _H KEPT 8 4T.E F ,PHILIP1
"SH[ 2CAME 9FECT$ DESPITE 8 VIGIL.E2 HE
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:O "W$ AL;GSIDE HM4 ,LAURA _H RECOV]$ B
_H LO/ H] BE/ FR & TWO O!R CLASSMATES4
  ,DOC ,BANES N"E TOOK ILL1 DESPITE 8
L;G H\RS 2S ! SICK & DY+4 ,L ,D1CON1 HE
2GAN 6FEEL SPECI,Y *OS51 Z IF ,GOD _H
3SCRIPT$ HM Z A WAT*MAN =! D1D1 A SCRIV-
5] 6M>K ! PASSAGE ( _! LIVES4 ,B ^? MEM-
ORIES 7 ABOM9A#1 & ,BANES WANT$ ONLY 6BE
RID ( !M4 ,EA* NI<T 8 BOTTLES ( ALCOHOL
BECKON$1 & HE F.D NO R1SON 6RESI/ _!
CALL4

  ,! ,/"O FAMILY _H BE5 SP>$ 0! FLU--
,AMELIA &! BABY 7 H1L?Y1 Z 0 ,GRAHAM4
,HE DIDN'T "K H[ X 0 T ,PHILIP CD C\< 9
8 FACE )\T PASS+ ON ! 9FEC;N1 B "! 0 M*
HE DID N "U/&4 ,HE _H B>ELY BE5 A# TO
SLEEP ! LA/ TWO NI<TS & _H TWICE HID 9
ANO!R ROOM S ,AMELIA WDN'T SEE X :5 HE
BROKE D[N4                          #GAB
  ,! %OCK (! RAID &! WAN+ (! FLU BR"\ P
\ ( _! HOMES1 & FRS CD TELL _! /ORIES
AG4 ,^W ( H[ ,LEON>D & O!RS _H BE5 SN1K+
\ ( ,-MONW1L? = BOOZE & WOM5 SPR1D "? !
AWAK5+ T[N4 ,^? :O HE>D ! NEWS1 ESPECI,Y
^? :O _H LO/ LOV$ "OS1 7 3SUM$ 0V5GE;L
DESIRES4 ,A "PY ( ANGRY M5 _H G"O KNOCK+
ON ! SN1KS' DOORS ONLY 6F9D ! P]PETRA-
TORS D1D (! FLU4 ,! VIGILANTES 7 ALL ! M
5RAG$ :5 !Y R1LIZ$ "! 0 NO POSSIBIL;Y =
RETRIBU;N2 ! FLU 0 AN EVIL ) NO BODY TO
B1T1 NO FACE 6SPIT ^U1 NO NECK 6/R+ UP4
  ,B P _H HE>D :AT ,GRAHAM SD 6,MILL] AB
KILL+ ! SPY1 & ?\< "S ?"\ ,GRAHAM _H SD
X ONLY 6SC>E ! ,,APL AWAY1 O!RS SAW A
GL9T ( TRU?4 ,X FIT ALL TOO N1TLY )! O!R
/ORIES CIRCULAT+ "? ,-MONW1L?1 /ORIES (
ANO!R SOLDI] :O _H TRI$ 65T] T[N WEEKS
AGO & :O _H BE5 %OT 0,GRAHAM & BURI$ 0!
T[N 5TR.E4 ,:5 ! ,/"OS WALK$ "? T[N ! "D
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LOOKS T ,AMELIA ASSUM$ 7 J REAC;NS 6HIS
UGLY BRUISES4
  ,! FOLL[+ "D1 ,AMELIA _H REFUS$ TO
2LIEVE X :5 A FR M5;N$ ! /ORIES     #GAC
AB ,GRAHAM &! SPY1 & T NI<T %E "Q$ HM4
,S HE TOLD H] :AT HE _H D"O1 B HE DIDN'T
EXPLA9 :Y4 ,HE ONCE _H HOP$ T 8 PURE MO-
TIVES WD EXCUSE :AT"E HELL & MUCK HE'D
_H 6WADE "?1 B 8 R1SONS NO L;G] SEEM$
RELEVANT OR JU/IFI$1 EV5 6HMF4 ,ALL T
MATT]$ 0 T HE _H KILL$ "S"O1 S T 0 ALL
HE SD 6HIS WIFE4
  ,& IF %E _H RECOIL$ F HM AT F/ & !N
PR(F]$ H] [N DESP]ATE EXPLAN,NS T HE WD
NEI AGREE ) NOR D5Y1 & IF %E _H BROK5
D[N CRY+ & !N APOLOGIZ$ & WALK$ \ (!
H\SE1 RETURN+ ONLY H\RS LAT]1 & IF %E _H
ACT$ W>Y ( H] [N HUSB&1 N EV5 ASK+ HM TO
HOLD ! BABY :5 H] >MS 7 TIR$1 & IF "EY"O
9 T[N 0 LOOK+ AT HM Z ?\< HE 7 "S "P (
!MVS !Y WI%$ WD SIMPLY 4APPE>1 !N ?1
TOO1 0 "S?+ ,GRAHAM WD H 6A3EPT4

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TRA9 /,N 9 ,PAUL+4 ,AF SAY+ GDBYE 6,RE-
BE3A & ,LAURA1 HE _H -E "H ) ,*>LES 9 !
FAMILY'S ,=D4 ,9 ! BACKS1T 0 ,GRAHAM1 :O
_H ASK$ 6JO9 !M4
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NE$ = ? J\RNEY1 B ,*>LES _H 9SI/$1 EX-
PLA9+ T X 0 ! SAFE/ ?+ 6D 9 LI<T ( :AT
_H HAPP5$ ! "D (! SN[/ORM4 ,*>LES DIDN'T
"K :E!R ^? M5 WD RETURN1 B IF !Y DID1 !Y
WD 2 LOOK+ = ,PHILIP4 ,REG>D.S (! CIR-
CUM/.ES1 ,PHILIP _H %OT A POLICEMAN4
,REG>D.S ( H[ SICK OR 3FUS$ ,PHILIP _H
BE51 REG>D.S ( :AT MI<T H HAPP5$ 6,GRA-
HAM IF ,PHILIP _HN'T 9T]V5$1 ,*>LES KNEW
H[ ,PHILIP'S ACT M/ H LOOK$ 6,MILL]4
,:E!R ! ,EUROP1N >MI/ICE WD L1D 6AN >MI-
/ICE "H 9 ! ,WA%+TON =E/ REMA9$ 6BE SE54
  ,! PREVI\S "D1 ,*>LES _H MADE A QK
CALL 6A C\S9 9 ,PORTL& F A PH"O 9 ,PAUL-
+4 ,! C\S9'S FAMILY _H ALR SU6]$ "? !
FLU1 ! *N SICK 9 B$ = "DS1 B ALL 0 N[
WELL4 ,*>LES _H EXPLA9$ 6HIS C\S9 ONLY T
HE FE>$ = ,PHILIP'S SAFETY DUE 6AN ESCA-
LAT$ RIVALRY ) ANO!R MILL1 & HE GAVE
,PHILIP A S]IES ( HALF-LIES HE CD FE$ 8
NEW C>ETAK]S ^U >RIVAL4
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SON4 ..,PROBABLY ONLY A .=TNI<T4 ,J 5 "T
= ,*>LES 6-MUNICATE )! LOCAL P[]S 9
,TIMB] ,FALLS1 = ,REBE3A 6R,Y H]    #GAE
-RADES1 = P ACR ! /ATE 6FULLY APPRECIATE
! FACT T ! ,GRT ,W> 0 F9,Y OV]1 T !Y 7
FREE 6REIMAG9E ! LIVES !Y _H PURSU$ 2F X
2GAN4 ,*>LES 0 3FID5T "! WD 2 A WAY TO
JU/IFY ,PHILIP'S AC;NS4
  ,*>LES ALW US$ S* DETA*$ LANGUAGE :5
4CUSS+ ! SITU,N1 ,PHILIP NOTIC$4 ,HE N"E
SD T ,PHILIP _H %OT "S"O1 KILL$ "S"O4 ,&
/RANGELY1 Z M* Z ,PHILIP _H BE5 HAUNT$
0! F/ SOLDI]1 HE 0 N SIMIL>LY TORTUR$ BY
8 MEMORIES (! %]IFF4 ,6,PHILIP1 ! MAN )!
BROK5 NOSE &! BLACK EYES _H PLAY$ ! ROLE
( VILLA9 9 A WAY ! F/ SOLDI] _H N4 ,!
%]IFF _H 9VAD$ ,GRAHAM'S HOME1 _H B1T5
O!R M51 & 2C ( ?1 ,PHILIP _H FELT A C]-
TA9TY 6HIS [N AC;NS4 ,?\< 8 M9D _H BE5
MU4L$ T AFN1 HE _HN'T ?"\ ( X Z TAK+ A
LIFE1 B Z SAV+ LIVES4
  ,/1 HE WOND]$ IF ! IMAGE ( HMF %OOT+ !
LAWMAN WD MAKE "S NEF>I\S RETURN1 WD
GRADU,Y OR SU45LY 9S9UATE XF 96HIS E
?"\4 ,P]H ONCE 8 M9D 0 FREE (! FLU'S
GRASP1 HE WD 2 =C$ 6WE> ! SAME YOKE
,GRAHAM 0 SU6]+ "U4
  ,! RIDE 0 MO/LY SIL5T1 & X FELT   #GAF
9T]M9ABLY L;G4 ,! QUIET 0 BROK5 ONLY BY
,*>LES'S 9T]JEC;NS T ALL WD 2 F9E4
,PHILIP F.D EV5 ^? BRIEF -;TS GRAT+1 SAW
F 8 %ELT]$ VANTAGE PO9T ! AWKW>D WAY
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ALL ! EVID;E SURR.D+ !M4 ,PHILIP 0 C]TA9
,GRAHAM SAW X Z WELL1 & E "T 8 "F WAX$
OPTIMI/IC1 HE CR+$4
  ,AT LA/ !Y R1*$ ! TRA9 /,N1 NO M ?AN
AN \TDOOR PLAT=M 2S A SMALL KIOSK ": !
H1VILY BUNDL$ ATT5DANT BR1!D ON 8 H&S4
,*>LES B"\ ! TICKET :ILE ,PHILIP & ,GRA-
HAM WAIT$ 0! TRACKS4
  8,?ANK Y = -+ = ME10 ,GRAHAM SD4 ,X 0
! F/ ?+ HE'D SD 6,PHILIP T "D1 8 F/ AC-
"KL$G;T ( :AT ,PHILIP _H D"O4 ,8 FACE 0
A D>K5$ BLUE 9 ! SPOTS ": HE'D BE5 /RUCK
0! ,,APL M51 & HE TOOK C>E;L1 %ALL[
BR1?S DUE 6! /A2+ PA9 ( 8 BROK5 RIBS4
8,?ANK Y = HELP+ ME40
  ,PHILIP NO4$4 8,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D N[80
,IF HE 0 9 S* DANG] T HE NE$$ 6BE S5T
AWAY1 !N ! SAME PROBABLY APPLI$ 6,GRA-
HAM4 ,YET ,PHILIP CDN'T IMAG9E ,GRAHAM
RUNN+ F ANY?+4                      #GAG
  8,I DON'T "K40 ,GRAHAM LOOK$ D[N ! L;G
TRA9 TRACKS T CUT 96! ?ICK =E/1 ! PROD-
UCT ( S _M H\RS ( H>D LABOR T _! CRE,N
SEEM$ 9COMPREH5SI#4 ,"EY?+ "H 0 ! RESULT
( SACRIFICE & PA94 ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT
,PHILIP & 8 FACE SEEM$ 3/RICT$1 ! MUS-
CLES AL;G 8 =EH1D & TEMPLES TAUT4
  8,I'LL 2 BACK SOON1 MY "F SAYS10
,PHILIP SD4
  8,I HOPE ! T[N'S / /&+40 ,_! EYES MET1
& !Y HELD ! GAZE1 !N ,PHILIP NO4$4
  ,GRAHAM KNEW F 8 "DS ( RID+ ! RAILS H[
QKLY A PLACE L ,-MONW1L? CD 4APPE>4 ,_M
"TS HE _H J\RNEY$ PA/ AB&ON$ /REETS T _H
BE5 ?RIV+ /ORYVILLES1 & HE _H SE5 T VIL-
LAGES ": HE'D ONCE LAID 8 H1D 7 NO L;G]
M>K$ ON ANY MAPS4 ,HE KNEW H[ VIOL;E CD
N ONLY TE> A T[N 9 TWO B TE> X S _M "TS
T "! 0 NO?+ LEFT 6BUILD ^U1 NO?+ LEFT TO
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YR SCANT 2L;G+S & H1D$ "SPLACE NEW4
  ,*>LES 0 WALK+ T[>D !M1 TICKET 9 H&1 B
N YET 9 E>%OT4
  ,PHILIP LOOK$ D[N AT ! GR.D4 8,I "K Y
WANT ME 6APOLOGIZE = LETT+ ,FRANK   #GAH
96T[N4 ,B ,I C'T40 ,HE DIDN'T "K IF
,GRAHAM _H BE5 TOLD AB ! M5 :O 7 SN1K+ \
( ,-MONW1L? = LIQUOR OR 6VISIT _! SWEET-
HE>TS4 ,NOR DID HE "K :E!R ^? FACTS MAT-
T]$ AT ALL1 OR IF !Y 7 J S _M M FLAKES (
SN[ TOSS$ 9 AM;G ! BLIZZ>D ( CO9CID;ES &
O3URR;ES & A3ID5TS OV] ! LA/ MON?1 "S?+
S 4CRETE & T9Y T Y CDN'T FOCUS ON !M NO
MATT] H[ H>D Y TRI$4 ,FOLL[+ !M ) YR
EYES 0 IMPOSSI# AMID ! SWIRL4 8,I'M N
SORRY ,I DID X40
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C>E;LLY ON :AT HE 0 AB 6SAY4 8,I "K Y
WANT ME 6APOLOGIZE10 ,GRAHAM SD1 BORR[+
,PHILIP'S L9E4 ,HE PAUS$1 8 EYES SU45LY
R$ & GLASSY4 ,HE WASN'T EV5 LOOK+ ,PHIL-
IP 9 ! EYE4 ,:AT HE MANAG$ 6SAY1 2T LA-
BOR$ & PA9;L BR1?S1 0 8,& ,I "K T ,I
%D40
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TICKET & "S M"OY1 N SEE+ ! LOOK 9 ,GRA-
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HE'D ALR GIV51 & ,PHILIP NO4$1 LOOK+ AT
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T !Y N WAIT =! TRA9 ) HM4           #GAI
  8,X'LL FEEL M L A GDBYE IF Y /AY40 ,HE
/U6$ ! TICKET 9 8 POCKET4 ,HE WASN'T Q
RECOV]$1 B HE 0 WELL 5 6/& "!1 BOOTS ON
! TI<TLY PACK$ SN[4
  ,*>LES EMBRAC$ HM4 ,PHILIP =GOT ! ANG]
& 4APPO9T;T HE _H FELT OV] ! LA/ FEW
WEEKS1 &=A MO;T HE HELD ON 6HIS "F TI<T-
LY4
  ,*>LES /EPP$ BACK & PROMIS$ 6S5D
,PHILIP A TELEGRAM 9 TWO "DS ) NEWS4
  ,GRAHAM & ,PHILIP LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1 &
,GRAHAM NO4$ ABRUPTLY1 CLAPP+ HM ON !
%\LD] A LL TOO H>D4 ,!N !Y 7 G"O4

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NEY HOME4 ,GRAHAM SAW T ,*>LES 0 A6ECT$
0S5D+ AWAY 8 SON1 S M* T HE DIDN'T NO-
TICE H[ CLOSE ,GRAHAM _H -E 6BR1K+ D[N4
,"T PASS$ SL[LY Z ! C>'S TIRES /RU7L$
OV] ! SLU%Y ROADS1 ! H1VY BRAN*ES (!
:ITE-&-GRE5-/RIP$ TREES SWAY+ ABV4
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AF=D$ ,GRAHAM "T 6?9K1 6DELIB]ATE1 B N[
HE NO L;G] _H T LUXURY4 ,M5 B5T ON AV5G+
,B>TRUM'S D1? 7 FREE 6RETURN2 !     #GBJ
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WD N"E =GET ,GRAHAM'S FACE4 ,GRAHAM _H
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/AY+ 9 ,-MONW1L? 6AWAIT POSSI# >RE/ WD
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CL\DS M1NT4
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LEFT ONLY ?REE F+]S 2C ,GRAHAM _H HAT$ !
WAY ! EMPTY F+] ( 8 OLD GLOVES _H DANGL$
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  ,6TAKE 8 BABY & 8 PREGNANT WIFE & RUN
F ,-MONW1L? 6"S O!R T[N WD 2 6/>T ) NO?-
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,HE WD 2 Z VULN]A# Z HE _H ONCE BE51 B A
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2F A3OMPANY+ ,PHILIP 6! TRA9 /,N T MORN-
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HE> ANY OBJEC;NS4 ,B %E'D _H N"O1 SIMPLY
EXPRESS+ ! HOPE T _! SOJ\RN WD 2 ONLY
TEMPOR>Y4
  ,\TSIDE1 ! TREES %OOK 9 ! W9D4 ,! ROAD
CURV$ DEEP] 96! WOODS & 2S !M 0 !   #GBB
RIV]1 H>% & COLD1 B / RUNN+4

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?"\ AB H[ BACK 9 ,-MONW1L? ! RECOV]+ M5
7 TE/+ _! /R5G? 0*OPP+ FIREWOOD1 & WOM5
7 VISIT+ NEI<BORS !Y _H N SE5 9 "DS1
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^? KNOCKS G UNANSW]$4 ,! "UTAK] 0 3SULT+
8 LI/ ( 9T]N$ BODIES & WRIT+ A LR 6,IN-
/ON1 REQUE/+ ! M9I/]'S PRES;E =A MEMORI-
AL S]VICE1 & ,DOC ,BANES 0 T5D+ 6^? /
TOO SICK 6L1VE _! B$S4 ,-MONW1L? 0 /A7]+
6XS FEET1 & ,PHILIP 0 L1V+ YET ANO!R
T[N4
  ,AF YE>S ( FE>+ AB&ON;T1 HE R1LIZ$ HE
_H N"E BE5 TRULY AL"O UNTIL T MO;T4 ,YET
Z HE /OOD "! 9 ! /UNN$ SIL;E (! \TSIDE
_W--A _W HE _HN'T SE5 9 WEEKS--HE FELT
CURI\SLY UNAFRAID4 ,P]H X 0 ! FLU CL\D+
8 M9D2 P]H HE 0 TOO DAZ$ 6APPRECIATE !
UNC]TA9;S ( 8 FATE4 ,B "S?+ AB :AT
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4A/]S T XS FAIL$ DECI.NS _H WR"\4
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FEEL "R1 B "P ( HM WANT$ T N"E 6HAPP54
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ANO!R _W1 "SPLACE :OLLY SEP>ATE F ,-MON-
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DRIFT AWAY1 0 "S?+ HE WD "SH[ H ! /R5G?
6A3EPT1 & BUILD "S?+ ANEW4









             ,AU?OR'S ,NOTE         #GBD

  ,NE>LY A DECADE AGO ,I R1D A MAGAZ9E
>TICLE AB AN 9FECTI\S 41SE EXP]T T
BRIEFLY M5;N$ ! #AIAH 9FLU5ZA EPIDEMIC4
,! >TICLE AL MADE REF];E 6! FACT T "S
UN9FECT$ T[NS 9 ! WE/]N ,UNIT$ ,/ATES 7
S T]RIFI$ (! FLU T !Y BLOCK$ ALL ROADS
L1D+ 96T[N & PO/$ >M$ GU>DS 6PREV5T ANY-
"O F 5T]+4 ,I IMMLY IMAG9$ A SC5E T WD
2COME ! SE$ (A NOVEL3 TWO GU>DS 3FRONT$
)! DILEMMA (A COLD1 HUNGRY \TSID] SEEK+
%ELT]4
  ,I R1D :AT BOOKS ,I CD F9D ON ! #AIAH
EPIDEMIC B DIDN'T F9D _M4 ,& ,I CD F9D
NO 9=M,N AB ANY (! H1L?Y T[NS T _H SUP-
POS$LY IMPOS$ REV]SE QU>ANT9ES4 ,F9,Y1
2C ,I AM A FIC;N WRIT] & N A HI/ORIAN1
,I DECID$ 6/OP SE>*+ = M AB ! MY/]I\S
T[NS4 ,! FACT T ,I 0 UNA# 6UNE>? ANY?+ 0
PROBABLY =! BE/1 Z X REL1S$ MY IMAG9,N F
ANY HI/ORICAL %ACKLES4
  ,ONLY Z ,I 0 NE>LY F9I%$ ) MY R\<
DRAFT 0 ,JOHN ,M4 ,B>RY'S DEF9ITIVE "W1
.,! .,GRT .,9FLU5ZA1 PUBLI%$4 ,HE
REPORTS T ,GUNNISON1 ,COLORADO1 0   #GBE
"O S* T[N T EM]G$ UNSCA!D F ! EPIDEMIC
0-PLETELY ISOLAT+ XF F NEI<BOR+ T[NS 9 !
,SAN ,JUAN ,M.TA9S4 ,"S O!R T[NS' SIMIL>
ATTEMPTS 7 N S SU3ESS;L1 HE NOTES4
  ,AL? ,-MONW1L? IS A FIC;NAL CRE,N1 _H
X BE5 R1L1 X WD N H BE5 5TIRELY UNIQUE 9
XS PROGRESSIVE MIS.N4 ,! VA/ =E/S (
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TIVES1 & O!R GA!R+ PLACES (! RADIC,Y IN-
CL9$4 ,HALF A ?\S& SOCIALI/S LIV$ AT !
,EQUAL;Y ,COLONY1 F.D$ 9 #AHIF ON !
BANKS (! ,SKAGIT ,RIV]2 ,:IDBEY ,ISL& 0
HOME 6A F>M]'S COOP]ATIVE "KN Z ,FREEL&2
& ACR ! ,S.D F ,TACOMA'S PAP] MILLS 0
,HOME1 AN AN>*I/ -MUN;Y GLEE;LLY PRAC-
TIC+ FREE LOVE4
  ,GRAHAM'S "* 0 FLE%$ \ 0RESE>* 96! LA-
BOR VIOL;E (! ]A4 ,! T5.NS 2T BUSI;S [N-
]S TRY+ 6C>VE \ AN EXI/;E 9 ! =BI4+ ,WE/
& "W]S TRY+ 6E>N A SOLID 5 LIV+ 6SETTLE
P]MAN5TLY CR1T$ AN (T5 -BU/I# 5VIRON;T4
,?\< ! LABOR NE$S ( W>"T &! -+ R$ SC>E
WD SOON PUT MO/ UNIONS ON ! DEF5SIVE1 !
PREW> ]A 0 RIFE ) VIOL5T /RIKES4 ,! S-
CALL$ ,"EETT ,MASSACRE ( #AIAF 0    #GBF
! APOGEE (A BITT] TIMB] /RIKE1 Z A GUN-
FI<T BROKE \ :5 TWO VESSELS C>RY+ /RIK]S
& SYMPA?IZ]S F ,S1TTLE ATTEMPT$ 6DOCK AT
AN ,"EETT H>BOR4 ,AL? _M MEMB]S (! ,IN-
DU/RIAL ,"W]S (! ,_W 7 PUT ON TRIAL1 !Y
7 ULTIMATELY ACQUITT$1 & HI/ORIANS H BE5
UNA# 6E/ABLI% :O FIR$ ! F/ %OTS3 ,WOB-
BLIES1 /RIK]S1 ,MC,RAE'S DEPUTIES1 OR
T[N VIGILANTES4 ,AT L1/ SEV5 P 7FIVE
/RIK]S & TWO DEPUTIES7 DI$ 9 ! MASSACRE1
?\< "S S\RCES 2LIEVE AN EV5 HI<] NUMB] (
/RIK]S MAY H P]I%$4
  ,FEW P TD R1LIZE X1 B ,_W ,W> ,I _H XS
[N /R;G ANTIW> MOVE;T4 ,PRESID5T ,WILSON
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NE>LY "O QU>T] (! CITIZ5S 7 ( ,G]MAN AN-
CE/RY4 ,6T 5D1 HE =M$ ! ,-MITTEE ON
,PUBLIC ,9=M,N1 : LAUN*$ A PROPAG&A CAM-
PAIGN UNPREC$5T$ 9 SIZE & SCOPE4 ,! "* (
,UNCLE ,SAM 0 BORN1 & C.T.S PATRIOTIC
TUNES HIT ! AIRWAVES 78,SAVE ,YR ,KISSES
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,M9UTE ,M5 UNL1%$ _! IMPAS.N$ ORATORY 9
MOVIE !AT]S & TAV]NS4               #GBG
  ,_M ON ! POLITICAL LEFT FELT 2TRAY$ BY
,PRESID5T ,WILSON--:O _H CAMPAIGN$ ON AN
ANTIW> PLAT=M--:5 HE DECID$ 65T] ! ,GRT
,W>4 ,UNIONI/S CALL$ X A RI* MAN'S W>1
>GU+ T ,AM]ICA 0 ONLY FI<T+ 2C XS W1L?Y
BANK]S _H L5T S M* M"OY 6,BRITA9 & ,FR.E
T1 IF ^? C.TRIES FELL1 ,AM]ICA'S F9AN-
CIAL M>KETS WD 2 9 P]IL4 ,6SIL;E S*
CRITICS1 ,3GRESS TURN$ XS BACK ON ! ,F/
,AM5D;T 05ACT+ LAWS T CRIM9ALIZ$ CRITI-
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ALL2 SURELY ! CITIZ5S WDN'T M9D GIV+ UP
A FEW CIVIL LIB]TIES Z !Y SACRIFIC$ =
VICTORY4 ,REBE3A /&S 9 =! ?\S&S ( ,AM]I-
CANS :O FELT MUZZL$ DUR+ T "T1 :O LOV$
_! C.TRY B FELT UNA# 6DEBATE OR RECTIFY
XS POLICIES = FE> ( IMPRISON;T4
  8,"EYBODY IS EI LOYAL OR N LOYAL AT A
"T L ?10 "O GOV]N;T ANN\NCE;T EXPLA9$4
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PATRIOTIC CIVILIANS :O R.D$ UP DRAFT
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SURE _! FELL[ CITIZ5S 7 ACT+ ) SU6ICI5T
LOYALTY4 ,,APL BRAN*ES SPR1D ACR    #GBH
! C.TRY1 5COMPASS+ A MEMB]%IP (
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7 "KN 6BR1K 96IMMIGRANTS' HOMES & DEM&
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  ,SECRET>Y ( ,W> ,NEWTON ,BAK] DID ALL[
M5 6DCL !MVS 3SCI5TI\S OBJECTORS IF !Y
_H 8P]SONAL SCRUPLES AG/ W>10 & APPROXI-
MATELY SIXTY-FIVE ?\S& M5 REQUE/$ NON-
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S]V+ Z ORD]LIES1 & P]=M+ ELECTRICAL OR
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TR1T;T !Y RCVD = EXPRESS+ _! 2LIEFS4
  ,! #AIAH 9FLU5ZA EPIDEMIC KILL$ Z _M Z
#AJJ MILLION P _WWIDE 9 "O YE>4 ,X WD
ULTIMATELY KILL M P--& FIVE "TS Z _M
,AM]ICANS--?AN ! ,GRT ,W>1 : DREW 6XS
CLOSE 9 ,NOVEMB] #AIAH1 :ILE ! FLU 0 /
RAG+4
  ,! FLU _H AN AMAZ+LY 4ABL+ E6ECT ON
NE>LY ALL SOCIETIES T SU6]$ X1 & X LEFT
XS M>K ON ! \TCOME (! W>4 ,"S       #GBI
HI/ORIANS 2LIEVE T _H ! FLU N 9FECT$ S
_M ,G]MAN SOLDI]S1 A MASSIVE ,G]MAN (F5-
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CAPITULATE 2F ,AM]ICAN AID >RIV$ 6TURN !
TIDE4 ,O!RS 2LIEVE T ,PRESID5T ,WILSON1
SICK 2F ! 3F];E AT ,V]SAILLES1 0 SL[$ 0!
CURI\SLY L+]+ M5TAL AFT]E6ECTS (! FLU4
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! ,EUROP1N ,ALLIES WDN'T H IMPOS$ ! H>%
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CITIZ5S 6! ,NAZI "PY4
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LIFE 0 "U ATTACK -B9$ 6=M A VOLATILE EN-
VIRON;T4 ,96? T5SE MIX ! FLU APPE>$4
,NEWSPAP]S C[$ 0! GOV]N;T 96REPORT+ ONLY
GD NEWS 9ITI,Y D5I$ OR D[NPLAY$ ! FLU'S
EXI/;E1 YET CITIZ5S CD SEE _! NEI<BORS'
BODIES 2+ C>T$ (F1 CD HE> ! BALE;L *UR*
BELLS4 ,RADIO J+LES TOLD P 6BE BRAVE1
MAYORS REM9D$ "EY"O !Y NE$ ONLY WA% _!
H&S 6AVOID 9FEC;N1 YET ! CORPSES PIL$ UP
ON /REET CORN]S4
  ,? IS ! _W1 9 ALL XS T5.NS &
-PLEXITIES1 T SL[LY =M$ XF 9 MY     #GCJ
IMAG9,N Z ,I SAT D[N & 2GAN 6WRITE ..,!
,LA/ ,T[N ON .,E>?4
    ,?OMAS ,MULL5
    ,JANU>Y #BJJF




















              ,AC"KL$G;TS           #GCA

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T[NS DID 5D1VOR 6F5D (F ! #AIAH FLU PAN-
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              ,AB ! ,AU?OR          #GCD

  ,?OMAS ,MULL5 0 BORN & RAIS$ 9 ,RHODE
,ISL& & GRADUAT$ F ,OB]L9 ,COLLEGE4 ,HE
HAS LIV$ 9 ,BO/ON2 ,*APEL ,HILL1 ,NOR?
,C>OL9A2 & N[ LIVES 9 ,WA%+TON1 ,D4,C41
) 8 WIFE4 ,? IS 8 F/ NOVEL4