“I ... Is Ed okay?” Caleb asked.“They lost contact with him when he entered the Van Allen Belt,” JJ answered. “They’re trying to raise him...now.”“Al? Are you still with me?” Caleb mentally asked his Companion.“I’m here, but I’m not sure I want to be,” Al replied, his thoughts sounding strained.“Do you know what happened?” Caleb asked.“No, but as soon as I find out, it will be off-limits for all future activities,” Al answered blearily. “That hurt!”“That makes it unanimous!” Caleb assured. "Not since yesterday evening," Adam answered. He didn't think his living arrangements were anyone's business and he didn't count the brief conversation they'd had this morning."Do you know why she won't even consider what we've offered?" Tate asked. "Her rep said she decided the deal was absolutely out of the question. I, we, thought it was a pretty good offer. We decided we would be honest right from the start. Ashley didn't really seem like the type to try to haggle or hold us hostage." Guys,. "They could have got 8-1 with Franklin's Bookies there on Mr Dogsbody ifthey'd have shopped around," she noted. "Mind you, you'd have only got10-1 on Butterfly Queen."Theresa shrugged. "The bookies can charge what odds they want on thetrack. Back in the day they'd be sending runners to check the prices atthe tote and their rivals. The runners would also have chits thatrecorded the bets on the ground up until the Second World War. Now it'sall online so the bookie can see all the different rivals. When they arrived at his parent's home, Tom steeled himself for what he would find when he saw his father. He had conjured up some horrific scenarios in his mind, and was fearful of how he would react. Instead, he found his father sitting in his favorite chair in the living room, watching TV. He walked tentatively to his father and took his offered hand, bent to one knee and embraced him for what seemed a long time."How are you Dad?" he said quietly, tears forming in the corners of his eyes."Hi.