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.Helping the homeless isn't a program that attracts support naturally.It isn't aprogram people flock to just because they believe in aiding the homeless.What happens to the homelessis a low priority in most people's lives.It isn't a glamorous cause.It isn't a compelling cause.It's balancedright on the edge of people's consciousness, and it could topple from view with just a nudge.It took meyears to bring it to people's attention and make it a cause they would choose to support over all theothers.But it can lose that same support in the blink of an eye'He sighed.`I know you're just doing your job, Andrew' he said after a moment.`I wouldn't ask you todo anything less.But be thorough, please.Be sure about this before you act.An awful lot rides on whatyou decide to do'Andrew Wren folded his hands in his lap and looked down at them.`I appreciate what's at stake betterthan you think, Simon.That's why I came to talk with you first.I wanted to hear what you had to say.Asfar as making any decisions, I have a lot more work to do first.I won't be rushing into anything'He rose and held out his hand.`I'm sorry about this.As I told you earlier, I admire the work you'vedone here.I'd hate to think it would suffer for any reason'Simon Lawrence took his hand and shook it firmly.`Thank you for coming to me about this.I'll do whatGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlI can to look into it from this end.Whatever I find, I'll pass along.'Andrew Wren opened the door and walked back down the hall to the reception area.There was nosign of Stefanie Winslow, who was probably out working on preparations for the press conference.Hepaused as he neared the front door, then turned back.The young woman working the intake desk looked up as he approached, smiling.'Can I help you?''I was wondering' he said, returning the smile, 'if you know where I could find John Ross'CHAPTER 21It was nearing two o'clock by the time Nest packed her bag, checked out of the Alexis, and caught ataxi to the airport.She rode south down 1-5 past Boeing Field on one side and lines of stalled trafficheading north on the other.She stared out the window, watching the city recede into the distance,wrestling with the feeling that her connection with John Ross was fading with it.She was riddled with doubt and plagued by a sense of uneasiness she could not explain.She had done everything she had come to do and a little more.She had found John Ross, she had givenhim the Lady's warning, she had persuaded him he was in danger, and she had extracted his solemnpromise he would take whatever steps were necessary to protect himself.She kept telling herself therewas really nothing else she could do-nothing else, in fact, that she could justify-but none of the monologseemed to help.Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Ariel and Audrey and Boot were still dead and somepart of the guilt for that was still hers.Maybe it had something to do with her discomfort at having doneso little to help them.She knew she was dissatisfied with the idea of leaving the demon who had killedthem loose in the city of Seattle.But what was she supposed to do? Track it down and exact revenge?How would she do that and what difference would it make now? It wouldn't bring back the forestcreatures.It wouldn't make things whole or right in any meaningful way.Maybe it would give her aGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlmeasure of satisfaction, but she wasn't even sure of that.Mostly, she decided, she was bothered by the prospect of leaving behind so many loose ends.She wasa runner, a competitor, and she was used to seeing things through to the finish, not giving up halfway.Andthat's what her leaving felt like.For a time she managed to put it aside and think about what waited at the other end of her flight.Northwestern University, with classes first thing in the morning, three days of homework waiting to bemade up, and her lapsed training regimen.Her grandparents' home, now hers, and the papers sitting onthe kitchen counter, which would permit its sale.Pick, with his incessant questions about her commitmentto Sinnissippi Park.Robert, waiting patiently for a phone call or letter telling him everything was all right.As she would wait for a phone call or a letter from John Ross telling her the same thing.Or would she never hear another word?The taxi took the airport exit, wound its way along a series of approaches, and pulled onto the ticketingramp.She looked over at the big airplanes parked at the boarding gates and contemplated the idea offlyng home.It didn't seem real to her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]