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.'She's right, it iscomplicated, kitten.I should get down there ''Downwhere?'Moreland blinked.Pam said, 'Who's she to tell you what to do, Daddy?'No answer.'Who are you, Jo?'Jo flashed her badge.Pam stared at it.Page 275ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html'Long story,' said Jo.'Come with me for a sec'She put her arm around Pam just as she'd done a few hours ago.Pam shook heroff angrily.'I'm not leaving him alone.''It's.fine,' said Moreland.'Thank you for taking care of me.Go withher.Please.For my sake.''I don'tunderstand, Daddy.''Robin,' said Moreland, 'could you go along and help explain things?'Robin said, 'Sure.''Why can'tyou tell me, Daddy?''I will, kitten, all in due time.But right now I need some rest.Go withthem.Please, darling.'The three women left and Moreland beckoned me closer.The rain was hittingthe picture windows sharply, like buckshot on metal.He stared up at me.Chewed his lip.Blinked.'Your questions down there,about what Hoffman had over me.the things Creedman said about me downthere.There's some truth to them.'Moving with difficulty, he faced the back of the sofa.'I was a different man back then, Alex.Women  having them  meant so much tome.'Forcing himself to face me, he said, 'I've made mistakes.Big ones.''I know.Dennis thinks the man who died at sea was his father, but he'swrong.'He tried to speak, couldn't.'I'm not judging you, Bill.'Though the room was dim, I could see dark spots on the white couch.Spots ofhis blood.His eyes were sunken and dry.'When did you figure it out?''You paid for Dennis's schooling  Ben's too, but Ben gave you something inreturn.And you got upset about Dennis and Pam getting close.So upset youspoke to Jacqui about it and she called Dennis off.I didn't think you were aracist.Then, after what Creedman said, it made sense.It must have been hardsince Pam came back.''Oh,' he said, more exhalation than word.'As a father, I'm a disgrace.They've both turned out better than I deserve.I sent Pamela away because Ididn't  couldn't cope after Barbara died.'Propping himself up.Page 276ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html'No, that's not all of it.I sent her away because of the guilt.''About Jacqui?''And the others.Many others.Idid serve as my own abortionist.Barbara hadnever been a happy woman, I made her miserable.'He sank back down again.'The bastard was right, Iwas a repugnant lecher.Lecher with surgicaltraining.but Jacqui refused to terminate.Barbara's death made merealize.how could I hope to raise a daughter?''And you already had kids.'He closed his eyes.'I put the needle in their arms.my life sincethen's been a quest for redemption, but I doubt I'm redeemable.Jacquiwas such abeautiful thing.Barely eighteen, but mature.I was always.hungry  not that it's an excuse, but Barbara was.alady.She had.different drives.'A woman alone on the sand, the day before she died.'It was the baby that drove her to it,' he said.'The fact that I'd actuallylet it get that far.''How did she find out?''Someone told her.''Hoffman?''Had to be.He and Barbara were chums  bridge partners.A young man payingher attention.''So Barbara went along with his cheating.'He smiled.'I suppose she can be forgiven that tiny revenge.''Did their playing go beyond bridge?''I truly don't know  anything's possible.But as I said, Barbara wasn'tinclined to the physical.toward the end, she hated me fiercely.And shealways likedhim  found his interest in cuisine and tailoringcharming''Then why did he tell her about Jacqui?''To wound me.After our dinner at the base, we spoke of several things.Including the fact that he'd seen Barbara inHonolulu the day before shedied.He took the picture I showed you.I'd never known.It was mailed from herhotel, compliments of the manager, I'd always thought it a courtesy.''Did she go toHonolulu to be with him?''He claimed not, that their running into each other was a coincidence.At thehotel bar, he was there on Navy business [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]