Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen

This time, they don't need to let the advertisements be exposed in the global media like before. All the small advertisements want to attract is the attention of other reborns.To do what they do now, they no longer need to be vague and anonymous. The New York Times declined to run the one-off full-page ad, but it did run in the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times. In the coming year: ．The US nuclear submarine Superstar Scorpius will sink in the Atlantic Ocean at the end of May. ．In June there will be a major tragedy that will disrupt the US presidential election.

．Assassinate Martin.Luther.King's killer will be arrested outside the United States. ．Chief Justice Earl Warren will resign on June 26 and be replaced by Abe.Fortas succeeded. ．The Soviet Union will tear up the Warsaw Pact and invade the Czech Republic on August 31. ．The earthquake that hit Iran on September 1st will kill 15,000 people. ．The unmanned space shuttle launched by the Soviet Union will orbit the moon and crash into the Indian Ocean on September 22. ．Both Peru and Panama are slated for military coups in October. ．Nixon would narrowly beat Humphrey for the presidency.

．Three American astronauts will orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth during Christmas week. ．In January 1969, Soviet leader Brizhnev would narrowly escape assassination. ．In February, a massive oil spill will pollute the Southern California coast. ．At the end of April, French President Charles de Gaulle will resign. We will not comment on these forecasts until May 1, 1969, when we expect to meet with the press and the location will be announced a year later today. Jeff.Winston, Pamela.phillips April 19, 1968, New York City The large conference room they rented in New York's Hilton Hotel was packed, and those who couldn't find a seat impatiently scrambled around the aisles and sides, while being careful not to get caught in the twisting microphone and TV cables. foot.

At exactly three o'clock, Jeff and Pamela walked into the meeting room on time and stood side by side on the podium.Pamela smiled nervously under the bright light for the TV cameras, and Jeff rubbed her hand as an encouragement.From the moment they walked in, the room was filled with yelling questions, with all the reporters jostling for their attention.Jeff asked for silence several times before finally letting the volume drop to a muffled growl. We will answer all your questions, Jeff told the reporters present, but we have to establish order.From the back row first, each person asks a question from left to right.After the round, change to the next row, also from left to right.

What about people who can't find a seat?A man standing aside shouted. The latecomer asks questions first, starting from the left side first, and then going from the back to the front.Now, Jeff pointed to a guy, let's answer the lady in blue first.No self-reporting required, just asking questions. The lady stood up, pen and binder in hand.The most obvious question is: how can you make accurate predictions about such a wide range of events?Are you going to claim psychic abilities? Jeff took a deep breath, keeping his tone as calm as possible.One question at a time, thanks, but I can answer both at once.No, we don't pretend to be mediums in general.Miss Phillips and I, we are both the beneficiaries or the victims of a recurrence which, at first, we found in disbelief, as you will undoubtedly react next.Simply put, we have been reliving our lives, to be precise, a certain part of our lives.We all died or will die in October 1988, come back to life, and die again, and the process repeats itself.

The sound that greeted them on entry was nothing compared to the chaos that followed the announcement, and the mockery of the noise was all the more impossible to ignore.The staff of a TV station directly turned off the lights and began to pack up the equipment. A few reporters stalked out of the venue under the fury of feeling humiliated, but there were still many people waiting to accept the vacant seats.Jeff signaled for silence again, pointing to the next reporter ready to hear his questions. That's a no-brainer too, said a fat, stern-faced man, how do you expect people here to believe such nonsense?

Jeff kept his composure, smiled encouragingly at Pamela, and began to speak calmly to the sniffing crowd.I've told you before that what we've said sounds unbelievable.I can only point out the fact that the predictions we announced a year ago are 100% hit rate for us, and please don't judge until you have heard what we have to say. Will you be making more predictions today?asked the next reporter. Yes.Jeff said the commotion at the venue seemed to be on the verge of a comeback.But it won't be announced until we've answered all the questions and feel we've spoken our minds.

They spent nearly an hour sketching out a basic sketch of their past, including who they were originally, what was notable in each life, how they knew each other, and the disturbing fact that the starting date gradually drifted away.As they had previously agreed, the answer left out most of their personal lives, and things they thought might be dangerous or unwise.But the next question is one they've been anticipating for a long time, but haven't been able to decide on the answer for a long time: Do you know any other people who you call reborn?asked a sarcastic voice in the third row.

Pamela glanced at Jeff, and spoke decisively before he had time to answer.Yes, she said, a man named Stewart.McGowan, who lives in Seattle, Washington. Hundreds of pens scribbled down names on the notebook, and the question and answer paused for a while.Jeff frowned at Pamela warningly, but she pretended not to see it. He's the only other rebirth we know of, she went on, and we've spent the better part of one rebirth searching for others, and McGowan is the only one we've verified.But I have to tell you that we strongly disagree with his point of view on the whole thing, so he is not standing here with us today.But I think you'd think it would be interesting to interview him, and even follow him up close, to see how he copes with the three of us.In the most understated terms, he was no ordinary man.

She looked back at Jeff, who gave her a satisfied smile in approval.She didn't slander or imply that McGowan was guilty, but what she said would certainly make his background clear and every public action from today onwards would be scrutinized.He couldn't kill again, at least not this time. What do you want out of all this?another reporter asked.Is this a money-making ruse or ritual planned by you? Absolutely not.Jeff said firmly.We can earn the money we need or want through legitimate investment channels. I hope that your reports can include our clear request, that is, no matter how much or small, please do not send money to us for any purpose. All gifts received will be returned.The only thing we want is information, a possible explanation for what we've been through and how it can end.We hope that the scientific establishment, especially physicists and cosmologists, will notice what happened to us and contact us to explain their views on this matter. This is the only way for us to make this abnormal situation public. Purpose.Before this, we have never revealed our identity, and if it were not for the concerns just stated, we would not do it.

Suspicious whispers filled the room.Everyone is selling stuff to make money, as Pamela once pointed out; the fact that Jeff and Pamela are not cheating is too much for this already insensitive group of reporters to accept, despite the couple's attitude Very sincere, and their incredible ability to predict correctly is unbelievable. What the hell are you trying to do if you're not trying to make money off of these claims?asked another. It depends on what results we get after making public in this way.Jeff answered.We'll wait and see for now to see what happens when you report this.Now, any further questions?If not, I have some photocopied information here, which is our latest set of forecasts based on your views. People scrambled to the front, and as many hands scrambled to grab a photocopy, a new wave of more pointed questions popped up. Will nuclear war break out? Can America beat the Soviet Union in the race to the moon? Can we find a cure for cancer? Sorry, shouted Jeff, we don't answer questions about the future.Everything that needs to be said is written in this document. last question.exclaimed a man in glasses and a fedora that looked like someone had just sat on his ass.Which horse will win this Saturday's KFC Derby? A smile appeared on Jeff's face, and for the first time since the beginning of this tense press conference, he felt more relaxed.I will make an exception to answer the gentleman's question once, and he said that His Royal Highness will win Derby and Preakness, but Art and Letters will beat it for the Triple Crown.I think I've seriously undervalued my own bet by telling you this. His Royal Highness rushed out of the horse gate at the odds of 10 to 10, and the winner could only get a bonus of 2.1 for each bet, which is the minimum return amount allowed according to the lottery-style gambling regulations.After the story of Geoff and Pamela dominated news networks and wire agencies, few bets were placed on the other horses at the Derby.The Kentucky State Racing Commission ordered a full investigation into the matter, and there were rumors in both Maryland and New York that the upcoming Preakness and Belmont races would be cancelled. The Monday after the game, in their new offices in the Pan Am Building, the phone has been ringing non-stop since six in the morning.By noon they had hired two work-students from Kelly Girls Manpower to deal with calls and telegrams and curious people who dropped by without prior appointments. Sir, I have made a list of calls and telegrams made in the past hour.The speaker was a young woman in a pleated, knee-length skirt with an awed expression on her face, nervously fingering a long beaded chain across her bosom. Could you please make a summary for me?Jeff set aside that day's New York Times editorial page, wearily demanding; the editorial called for rational skepticism in the face of a possible modern descendant of Nostradamus and his manipulation of coincidental events manner. OKForty-two people requested private consultations, including seriously ill patients, parents of missing children, and more.Nine stock brokerage companies are calling and are willing to reduce commissions to try to get you to become a customer.Twelve telephone calls and eight telegrams were from people willing to throw their money at all kinds of gambling.Eleven messages from other psychics they want to share We're not Miss Candle, the psychic, is that the name? Yes, sir.You can call me Elena if you like. very good.Eleanor, I want you to be clear that Pamela and I have never said we have psychic powers, other than that, and you should take it upon yourself to say so to anyone who assumes so.It makes a big difference, and if you're going to work here, you have to know how we choose to face the public. I understand, sir.only Of course, this is a bit hard for you to accept.I'm not saying you have to trust us; I just want to make sure that when you speak out, the main points we've said won't be misinterpreted.Now, please continue to report. The girl straightened her blouse, looked at her shorthand book and began to read.There were eleven I guess you could call them hate calls, some of them were pretty nasty. You don't need to put up with this.Tell the other girls that it's okay to hang up when someone starts being abusive.If someone continues to harass, call the police. thank you.There were also several calls from a group of future researchers in California.They want you to go there and talk to them. Jeff raised an eyebrow in interest.Rand Corporation? She glanced back at her notebook.No, it's a group called the Vision Society. Pass this message on to the lawyer.Ask him to do a review to see if it's a legitimate organization. Eleanor jotted down instructions in a shorthand pad and went back to the list. Sir, whenever I speak to Mr. Wade, I have to report to him the airlines that are threatening to sue us, Aeromexico, Allegheny, Philippine Airlines, Air France, Olympic Air, etc., and Mississippi And the tourism bureau of Uhia State, their lawyers also called.They were all very angry.I just thought you should be reminded about this. Jeff nodded distractedly.that's all?he asks. Yes, all but a few magazines would like to arrange an exclusive interview with you or Miss Phillips, or both. Are there any scholarly journals? She shook her head. "National Enquirer" and "On Fate", I think you may say that the most serious magazine is "Gentleman". Still no news from the university?Haven't any research foundations approached other than that group in California? No.That's all. Well, he sighed, thank you Elena.Keep me informed anytime. I will, sir.She closed the book and was about to leave but stopped. mr winston i was thinking of something What's up? Do you think I should get married?I mean, I've been thinking about this for a while, and my boyfriend has asked me twice, but I'm dying to know um, I wonder if this marriage will work out. Jeff smiled indulgently, seeing the young woman's desperate desire to see the future in her eyes.Wish I knew, he told her, but you'll have to figure it out on your own. Aeromexico withdrew its lawsuit on June 15, the day after one of its jets crashed into a mountain wall near Montreal, as Jeff and Pamela had predicted.Mexican political leader CarlosMadrazo and tennis star Rafael.Osner didn't board the plane that killed them five times.Only eleven people were on the fatal flight, not seventy-nine. After this incident, among all the airlines that predicted the catastrophe, only Air Algérie and Royal Nepal Airlines decided to ignore the warning and insist on not flying the mentioned flights.For the remainder of 1969, they were the only airlines in the world to be hit by fatal accidents in commercial aviation. The U.S. Navy refused to give in to Defense Secretary Laird's so-called superstition, so the destroyer USS Evans continued to sail in the South China Sea; but the Australian government quietly ordered the aircraft carrier HMS Melbourne to ground in the first week of June, putting the USS Evans on hold. The collision in which the Vance broke in two was never repeated. The death toll from the Fourth of July flooding on Lake Erie in northern Urhiah fell from 41 to five as residents heeded these highly reported warnings and retreated to higher ground before floodwaters struck.The same is true in Mississippi; in mid-August, the Gulf Coast and Bayshore resorts in Bay Harbor and Byloxi City had few tourists booking rooms, and local residents fled inland at an unprecedented rate.When Hurricane Camille hit, the entire coastline was almost deserted, and 138 of the previous 149 victims survived. People's destinies are changed, and their lives continue where they couldn't in the past.The whole world took notice. Michelle, I'm getting a restraining order now!This week if possible, next week at the latest. The lawyer was cleaning his glasses intently, polishing the thick lenses with the precision of an expensive telescope.I don't know, Jeff, he said, I'm not sure it's possible. So how long will it take us to get it?asked Pamela. Maybe not.Wade confessed to them. Are you saying there's nothing we can do?These people are free to spread their ridiculous fantasies everywhere, and we can do nothing about it? The lawyer found another invisible spot on one of the glasses, which he was carefully wiping with a small sheepskin cloth.They are exercising their First Amendment rights. This horde of parasites is squeezing us!Jeff explodes, waving the pamphlet that prompted him to call the meeting.His photo was prominently featured on the cover, alongside a smaller photo of Pamela.They are making money off of our name and predictions without authorization, and by doing so they have made all our efforts for naught. They are non-profit organizations.Wade reminded him. And they have applied for tax-exempt status in the name of religious institutions.It is very difficult for us to oppose this kind of thing. Not only will it take several years, but the chance of defeating it is very slim. What about citing defamation laws?Pamela doesn't give up. You are already public figures, which means you don't have much protection.And anyway, I'm not sure if their criticism would qualify as defamation.Some judges may even think the exact opposite.These people regard you as gods and believe that you are the reincarnation of gods.I think you'd better ignore it, the legal action will just do more publicity for them. Jeff didn't say anything, just let out a gagging sound, crumpled the booklet with one hand and tossed it to a far corner of the office.That's what we're trying to avoid, he said angrily, and even if we ignore or deny it, our reputations will stink if we have anything to do with it.No reputable scientific organization will ever want to work with us again. The lawyer put his glasses back on and adjusted the position of the glasses on the bridge of his nose with his thin forefinger.I understand the plight you face, he told them, but I can't The intercom on Jeff's desk beeped two short and one long beeps, which was a signal for Jeff to indicate that there was an urgent message to be notified. Hello Elena? A man wants to see you and he says he represents the federal government. which unit?Civil Defense?National Science Council? It's the State Department, sir.He said he had to see you in person, you and Miss Phillips. Jeff?Wade frowned.Should I handle it for you? Maybe, Jeff told him, to see what he wanted first.Jeff picked up the walkie-talkie again.Bring him in, Eleanor.The man Elena brought into the office was a man in his forties, bald, with alert blue eyes and fingers yellowed by nicotine.He took a quick look at Jeff with sharp eyes, then at Pamela, and finally at Michelle.Wade. I would like to speak privately.the man said. Wade got up and began to introduce himself.I am Mr. Winston's solicitor, he said, also representing Miss Phillips.The man took out a thin wallet from his coat pocket and handed Wade and Jeff his business card.I'm Luso.Hedges, from the U.S. State Department.I'm afraid the confidential nature of this discussion precludes your participation.Mr. Wade, would you mind leaving? yes i mind.my clients have the right Legal advice is not required in this situation.said Hedges.A matter of national security. The lawyer opened his mouth to protest again, but Jeff stopped him.It's okay, Michelle.I want to hear what he has to say.Please think about what we have just discussed and if you come up with any viable alternatives let me know and I will call you tomorrow. Call me anytime you need.Wei De showed displeasure to the government representative while talking. I'll be back in the office later, and I'll be there until six or six-thirty. Thanks.We will contact you if necessary. Mind if I smoke a cigarette?asked Hedges after the lawyer had left, pulling out a pack of Camels. please.Jeff motioned for him to find a chair across from the desk and slide the ashtray within reach of him.Hedges took out a matchbox and lit a cigarette.He let the match slowly burn to a blackened stub, then threw the smoldering match into the glass soot. Of course, we have been watching you.Hedges finally spoke.It's hard to ignore what you've been doing in the media spotlight over the past four months.Although I must admit that most of my colleagues have been inclined to not take your announcements seriously until this week. Libya?Jeff asked, already knowing the answer in his mind. Hedges nodded and took a deep breath. Everyone in charge of the Middle East is still in shock; our best intelligence assessment shows that King Idris's regime is extremely secure.And you not only stated the date of the coup, but even pointed out that the military junta of the coup was a mid-level officer from the Libyan army.I want you to tell me how I learned all this. I have explained the matter to the best of my ability. His grim eyes turned to Pamela about your constant reliving of your life, should I say your life.You don't want me to believe that, do you? You have no other choice.Jeff said in a matter-of-fact tone.Neither do we.It just happened, that's all we know.The only reason we're making this big show of ourselves is to unearth more of the truth.I have stated this quite frankly before. I expected you to say that. Pamela leaned forward eagerly.There must be government researchers who can investigate this phenomenon and help us find the answers we've been looking for. That's not my department's responsibility. But you can introduce us and let them know you take what we have to say seriously.Physicists might be able to What is the quid pro quo?asked Hedges, flicking a long trail of ash off the cigarette. I don't understand, can you explain? You just asked me to promise to provide you with funds, manpower, and experimental equipment. What good will it do us? Pamela pursed her lips and looked at Jeff.Information, after a while, she said, we can be a step ahead and tell you about events that are about to hit the world economy or kill thousands of innocent people. Hedges extinguished the cigarette, his piercing blue eyes fixed on hers.Like? She glanced at Jeff again; his face was impassive, neither approving nor surprised.There was a coup in Libya, she told Hedges, and the consequences would be catastrophic and far-reaching.Colonna, the leader of the military coup.Guddafi will become Prime Minister himself early next year; that man is a madman, the representative of evil for the next twenty years.He will make Libya bloody and a safe haven for terrorists.Many terrible and unimaginable evils will be done because of him. Hedges shrugged.It's so vague, he said, that it could take years for something you're claiming to be proven true or false.Moreover, we are more interested in Southeast Asia than in the rise and fall of regimes in small Arab states. Pamela shook her head decisively.You are wrong here.Vietnam's defeat is set, and the Middle East will be the pivotal zone for the next two decades. Hedges watched her thoughtfully, and took another cigarette from the crumpled case.There is a small group of people in the State Council who hold this view. He said, however, what do you say we didn’t see Ho Chi Minh’s death the year before last in Vietnam?Wouldn't this weaken the resolve of the Viet Cong?our analyst says Jeff Hongsheng said that even if it worked, it would only strengthen their determination.Ho Chi Minh will only be regarded as a saint and a martyr.They'll rename Saigon after him, right after they take that city. You almost gave the date just now.said Hedges, squinting at him through the haze of smoke. I think we should have a choice about what we reveal to you.Jeff spoke cautiously, giving Pamela a warning look.We don't want to add to the troubles of the world, just to help it avoid some definite mishaps. I don't know that the State Department still has a bunch of people who don't see evidence and don't give up. If you can only give some vague and general information Ko Sikkim and Zhou Enlai, Jeff said forcefully, will meet next week in Beijing.And early next month the Soviet Union and China will agree to formal talks on the territorial dispute. Hedges frowned, looking disbelieving.Ko Sikkim will not visit China. He can.Jeff asserted, with an unnatural smile on his face, that it wouldn't be long before Nixon would visit China, too. The March wind blows from the Chesapeake Bay, turning the light rain into thin cold mist, ending the torrential rain. The wind beats the raindrops from all directions, making the rain and mist hazy like billowing white waves in a turbulent harbor.Jeff's hooded raincoat had a dull sheen against the enveloping humidity, and the cold, clear drops slapped and ran down his cheeks, cheering him up. What about Ayed?Hedges asked, trying in vain to light a rain-soaked Camel.Does he have a chance to succeed? Are you saying that no matter how your people mess up Chilean politics?The relationship between Hedges and the State Department was probably minimal, as Jeff and Pamela had already seen.They didn't know if he was the CIA, or the NSA, or something else out of reach.But it doesn't matter, the ending is the same. Hedges showed his habitual expression of not smiling, and wanted to light the cigarette.You don't have to tell me whether he will be selected, just tell me whether he has a chance. If I say yes, then what's the problem?Will he go the way of Gaddafi? This country has nothing to do with the Gaddafi assassination, I have told you several times.It is entirely an internal Libyan issue.You know how these third world powers fight. There's no point in arguing this with this guy anymore, Jeff knows fucking well that Gaddafi was killed before he even came to power, it's him and Pamela telling Hedges what future policies this dictator will put out and immediate results after action.Jeff is not saddened by the death of the bloodthirsty maniac. He is sad that public opinion generally believes that this incident has something to do with the CIA, and these convincing rumors have created a group called November Squad that never existed before. The leader of the terrorist organization is Gaddafi's younger brother.The group vowed to devote their lives to avenging the slain leader.In the desert south of Tripoli, the November squad set fire to a Mobil oil rig three months ago, killing eleven Americans and twenty-three Libyan employees. Severe spread out of control. Ayed of Chile is not like Guddafi. He is upright and kind-hearted. He is the first president in history who adheres to Marxism but was elected through free elections.He will die soon, and abetment from the United States may have played a role in fueling it.Jeff didn't want to hasten this shameful day. Anyway, I have nothing to say about Ayed, he is not a threat to America.Let Chile maintain the status quo and not intervene. Hedges took a sip of the damp cigarette, but the flame went out again, and the wet paper began to crack.Discouraged, he threw the smoke into the pier, letting it sink into the never-ending sea.When you told us that Heath was going to be Prime Minister of the UK this summer, there was no such depth of guilt. Jeff shot him a cool look.Maybe I just want to make sure you don't decide to kill Harold.Wilson. Damn it, Hedges uttered a swear word, who wants you to be the moral judge of American foreign policy?Your job is to provide us with information one step ahead, and that's it.What is important, what is not important, and how to deal with it, just let the person in charge decide. I already know the consequences of certain decisions, said Jeff, and I prefer to be selective about what I reveal.Besides, he added.This should be a fair trade.How are your negotiations going, any progress? Hedges coughed and turned his back to the wind from the sea.Why don't we go inside and have something warm to drink? I like it here, Jeff says defiantly, and it lifts my spirits. Well, if we stay here, I will probably die of pneumonia.Come on, let's go inside and I'll tell you what the scientists have said so far. Jeff relented, and they started walking to the old government-owned house south of Annapolis on Maryland's west shore.They have been here for six weeks, debating the implications of Rhodesia's declaration of independence and the impending overthrow of Cambodian prince Sihanouk.Jeff and Pamela initially thought that staying here would be as relaxing and fun as a game or a vacation, but Jeff became more and more worried about the meticulous questioning of Hedges, who was apparently assigned to them as a permanent liaison people.They are careful not to say anything that could be used for harmful purposes by the Nixon administration, but the lines between what to say and what not to say are increasingly blurred.Even Jeff's noncommittal ambiguity about the outcome of next fall's Chilean election could be correctly interpreted by Hedges and his superiors as a hint that Ayed would win the presidency.What actions will such a presupposition prompt the United States to take secretly?They were walking a dangerous tightrope, and Jeff began to regret that they should never have agreed to these meetings. so what?asked Jeff, as they approached the closed house with its red-brick chimneys belching tantalizing white smoke.What's the final word? Bethesda (Annotation: Located in Maryland, this area is headed by the S State Institute of Health gathered many important research institutions in the United States.) There has not been a conclusion yet, Hedges said vaguely from under the turned-up collar of the raincoat, They also want multiple points of testing. We've been through every medical test imaginable, Jeff said impatiently, even before your guys started joining.This is not the crux of the matter, this is some kind of force beyond us, some kind of cosmic or subatomic level.Have physicists come to any conclusions? Hedges stepped onto the wooden porch, shaking the water off his hat and coat like an overgrown dog.They were working on it, and he told Jeff a vague answer that Burgett and Kempana at Caltech thought it might have something to do with neutron stars, some kind of large neutrino pattern or something but they needed more information. Pamela was waiting in the oak-beamed living room, huddled on the sofa in front of the blazing fire.How about some mulled cider?She raised her glass and tilted her head in a questioning expression. I want a cup.Jeff said, and Hedges nodded in agreement. I'm here to serve, Miss Phillips.Some of the young men dressed in black who had been standing and monitoring the hidden building spoke.Pamela shrugged, rolled the oversized sleeves of her sweater over her wrists, and took a small sip from the smoking cup. Russo says physicists may be on to something.Jeff told her.Her spirits lifted, her fire-red cheeks glowing against the wrinkled blue sweater and flaxen lustrous hair. What about deviations?she asked.Any inferences? With a fresh dry cigarette in his mouth, Hedges lowered his eyelids and cast a sneering sideways glance.Jeff read the look, he knew the man still didn't quite believe that they had lived and would continue to be reborn.unimportant.Hedges and the others are free to think as they please, as long as sharp minded, hard-working scientists continue to focus on phenomena that Jeff knows are absolutely true. They said the data points were too vague, and Hedges said they could only come up with a range of possibilities. What is the range?Pamela asked softly, fingers clasping the cup pale. Jeff is two to five years, in your case five to ten years.They told me it couldn't be smaller than that, but if the curve continues to steepen, the top could be bigger. How big is bigger?Jeff got to the bottom of it. unpredictable. Pamela sighed, her breath rising and falling with the wind outside the window.It's just guesswork, she said, and we can do it ourselves. some more testing maybe Damn test!Jeff roared.The test results would just be inconclusive, like everything else, wouldn't it? The taciturn young man in black returned to the living room with two thick cups.Jeff took a glass and stirred angrily with a wafting cinnamon stick. Bethesda needs more tissue samples, said Hedges over a careful sip of hot cider, and a team there thinks your cellular structure might We will not be going to Bethesda again.Jeff said firmly.They already have enough to study. You don't need to go back to the hospital, Hedges explained, all they need is a little scraping off the skin.They send a kit and we can do it right here. We're going back to New York.I haven't even looked at the messages I've accumulated for a month, and there may be some useful information in them.Can you help us arrange our flight from Andrews Airport tonight? I'm so sorry, I Well, if we can't get government transportation, we'll take a commercial flight.Pamela, call Eastern Airlines.ask them when The man with the cider stepped forward, one hand hanging over his open coat.As if at a signal, a second guard entered through the front door, and a third appeared on the stairs. That's not what I mean.Hedges said cautiously.What I'm trying to say is that I'm afraid we can't let you go.