"Jeanie London - Retrieval" - читать интересную книгу автора (London Jeanie)

Roman had run simulations and hadn't been satisfied with the results. One possible scenario: arming third world regimes could create a shift in the global power base.
The scenario was wildly ambitious, so ambitious in fact that prior to Roman's death he hadn't given the idea much credence, unable to see how anyone man--no


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matter how well--funded his organization-could expect to pull off such a coup beneath the watchful eyes of the media.
The media never stopped watching Nathanial Rush.
The man was news-worthy. Not only did his unceasing humanitarianism offer segues for networks to present situations happening all over the globe, Nathanial Rush's good looks and charm made him a celebrity.
But Roman had always trusted his instincts, and debriefing a captured terrorist inside a Maryland safe house had made his instincts go live. Before he'd had a chance to implement an investigation, he'd been assassinated.
Game over.
Returning his attention to the scene playing out in the living world, Roman heard Katie McGuire ask the secretary, "And you think Shea will sign these papers ?" "Trust me on this." The secretary smiled reassuringly. "Our lawyers will contact his counsel. This is pretty standard stuff in cases like these. Once Fairwinds becomes involved, your husband is up against pretty stiff charges. He'll fare much better with the judge if he cooperates with us. His counsel will explain all this. 1 don't foresee any problems."
Katie looked eager to be convinced. "I wonder how responsible Ms. de Lacy is for the changes happening in Katie McGuire's life," he said.
"Are you wondering why she's suddenly filing for divorce?" Gray asked.
"I am indeed, Lord Westbury." Damian cocked a head, considering. "Well, 1 don't

RETRIEVAL 39

know a damn thing about Katie, but I do know Nina wouldn't sit by and let anyone bully her."
Gray nodded.
Three hundred years was a long time to be involved with a man. Or two men as appeared to be the case. .
These men would surely know Nina well enough to speculate on her actions. How well remained a question Roman was surprised by how much he wanted to answer.
He simply had no knowledge of what would constitute a relationship in the afterlife. Obviously not a physical one. So who were these men to Nina? Friends? Protectors?
Who had they been to her in life?
"You'll call me when the divorce is final?" Katie asked, drawing his wandering thoughts back to the here and now.
The secretary nodded. "Do you want me to leave a message or call you at work?"
"At work. The girls check the recorder when they get home from school. I'd rather tell them."
Roman watched Katie fold her arms across her chest and lean against the desk as the secretary stopped their conversation to answer the ringing phone.
He wanted to know why Katie McGuire was involved with Humanity United. He wanted to know if he stood a better chance of making contact with Nina if they were together in the same realm. And he couldn't answer either of these questions from the afterlife.
"How do you shift into the living world?" he asked.
Damian gave a harsh laugh. "Planning to give it a go?"
"Yes."



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Gray met his gaze, surprised. "What makes you think you can shift? Or can't you explain that, either."
"I won't know if I can until I try."
"Jumping in feet first. I admire that trait, Barrymore." Damian smirked. "Good luck. You'll need it."
"What do I do?"
"Have you ever prayed?" Gray asked.
Roman wouldn't have won any man-of-God awards, but he'd been educated in parochial schools. "I get the concept." .
"You surrender your will," Gray explained. "When you believe in your ability to bridge the realms, faith moves you--"
"Naturally, there's a downside." Damian braced himself on his hands and leaned casually across the desk.
"Lose faith. for an instant, and your ass belongs to the demons. For ever and ever, amen."
"Remember that battle that happened after you died?" Gray asked, and at a nod from Roman, he continued. "It happens every time you travel between life and death. Only no one's around to help you fight this time, Mr. Barrymore. Not another soul. Not even your angels."
Roman hadn't expected that. "Why not?"
"Other souls will be busy shifting thelllSelves. The angels fought for you the first go around. If you're given the chance to move on to the threshold, you're supposed to go. If you hang around then you're on your own. Angels respect free will."
"Makes the passage an interesting place," Damian agreed. "Bet no one told you death has a bunch of new rules and a lot more interesting ways to cause trouble." "No, Mr. Hart. No one mentioned that." And Roman had to respect the fact that these men had been