Self-Defence читать онлайн

as a Balkanized smog-blinded armed camp with no more substance than a sitcom and no more altruism than a politician. It's not any closer to the truth than a lot of the other stuff in the papers.Sherrell Best was packing along with his parishioners, distinguishable as the leader only because he had to break to take frequent phone calls.He came over to us. "This is a wonderful person."Lucy blushed. "Saint Lucretia.""The kind of good she's created has to come from a beautiful soul, Dr. Delaware.""I know.""Please," said Lucy, placing a packet of cookies into the box."Wonderful," said Best. "Can I steal the good doctor from you for a second, Lucy?""Only if you bring him back."He took me into a cubbyhole office and closed a particle-board door that didn't cut out much of the noise. On the wall were some of the same type of biblical pictures he'd had in his kitchen."I just wanted to thank you for all you've done," he said."It was my pleas-""It was exceptional, the way you stuck by her. She's blessed to have met you and so am I." He gave me a troubled look."What is it, Reverend?""You know, for a time I thought if I ever found what happened I'd take the law into my own hands. The Bible exhorts against revenge, but it also permits the Blood Redeemer his due. There were times I thought I'd do something terrible. My faith was lacking."Tears filled his eyes."I could have been a better father. I could have given her money so she didn't need to-""Stop," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm no Solomon, but I know the difference between a good father and a bad one."He cried some more, softly, then snapped out of it. Drying his eyes, he took my hand in both of his. "How selfish of me- so much work to be done. Always hunger."***I r