With the full sanction of governments, two of them at least, not counting our own. I was a private military contractor, a soldier of fortune,” I exp...ained to the Laniers now.“A mercenary,” Jacques finally broke his silence.“Yes, to be blunt, I was exactly that. A mercenary. I’m pretty sure that’s why she’s hurt, too. I’m not gonna lie to you about that. I should have sent a stronger message that I was inactive, as that might have stopped them trying to burn me alive in my own house or put a. .. uhh... that's, like, alittle complicated.***Whew, thanks for sending Grogg into the kitchen. I don't, like, want him tohear this. Hon, I'm - yeah, I said "Hon." I know I don't, like, look it,but I'm... Jack. Yeah, Jack, you know, your husband.No shit, I can, like, prove it. Your birthday? May 12; you were born in... ahh, what's the next question? Okay, we met when I tried to pick you upwhile we were in line to see... RETURN OF THE JEDI. We... uhh... can I,like, put something on? It is _soo_. It was never enough. So much so, that...There was no money for Cynthia once she was out of High School.She had understood, of course. They had done so much for her, to expect free college on top of it would be insane. She would always have a home with them, but...Violet began the trudge through the long grass towards the shelter. As always, she broke new ground, trying not to create a path. It was hard, as paths form naturally for a damned good reason, but if nothing else it made her feel like. " Your grandfather could write a series of children's books." Don't give him any ideas. I don't wanna be Harry Potter." Don't you mean Hermione?" Why does the hero always have to be a guy?"Whatever. "So the Smiths are a little mysterious," Alex said with a shrug. "So are a lot of religions." What if it's not a religion?" Like what, a business?" Illegal business." What, like drugs?" Yeah. Or stolen goods. What if the axe is some priceless artifact?" It looked new to me." What if the axe isn't.