He was now tight-lipped and impatient with the confusion of orders and the tangled capital-city chain of command while General McCook seemed relaxed a...d jovial by comparison.After the introductions and the usual pleasantries, McCook put his big hand on Seth's shoulder and began with, "Ah, so you are the inspector general. I knew Meade was taking in young ones, but this is a bit much."Seth stood dumfounded, mouth agape, but McCook went on with a laugh. "Haven't you heard of General Seth. I know to do whatever he says.Bill’s turn:I knew that a battle was looming. Hell, make that multiple battles – one with the legal system when Deena elected to press charges against her assailant, that one was expected. And when Laney found out that Deena was legally emancipated. Okay, that one was expected, too, because, well, Laney likes being able to jerk my chain a bit ever since Deena moved out of her house.“Civil law ain’t my strong suit,” Andre’ had said, “but there’s a lot of pluses. Max was the first one to move in with Tracey and Vanessa coming along once they were discharged from the University Medical Centre in Las Vegas.That fateful Friday night seemed like a distant memory now and both Vanessa and Tracey had healed up beautifully. Vanessa’s lovely hair was all growing back again nicely having been totally burned off in the fire and her skin was almost as good as new again as was Tracey’s too. The only scarring of any kind was on the soles of their feet - particularly. ForGod's sake, he's our friend -" Well, at least we can agree on that," Joanne said.Danny was aware he might have spoken too harshly to her. "Look, I'msorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm just worried about him."Joanne shrugged. "Me too. I'll call you." All right. See you."Pete showed little sign of improvement, and as his debility continued itbegan to expose elements of his personality that most of his friends hadnever seen before: he became withdrawn and uncommunicative and hishabitual optimism.