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How they goggled at hinorance, overawed by his godlike power

Raising his ar them wide, Victor said, "I understand the awe in which you hold your maker, but always reently to his work, give of yourselves as never before, co to the fulfillment of his vision"

As they cah and bear hihout history so h streets to halls of honor Previously, he would have chastised the his ti the momentous nature of the day’s events and of his ascendance to the coe the the thereater efforts on his behalf

CHAPTER 68

JOCKO IN DESPAIR Rain-soaked Feet pulled up on the passenger seat Thin ars Baseball cap turned backward

Erika behind the wheel Not driving Staring at the night

Victor not dead Should be but not

Jocko not dead Should be but not Total screwup

"Jocko is never gonna eat another bug," Jocko said

She just stared at the night Said nothing

Jocko wished she would say so Beat Jocko to death He deserved it But no She was too nice Typical Jocko luck

There were things he could do Put down the po Stick his head out Power theup Cut off his head

Erika said, "I’s I kneouldn’t approve of--but I haven’t actively disobeyed him"

Jocko could take off his T-shirt Tear it in strips Pack strips in his nose Roll up his cap Stuff it down his throat Suffocate

"Soht," she said "I don’t know Maybe I could drive right by the faro into woods Prick a thus to smell blood, co brake and drive What if I can’t pass the place? What if I pull in there? What if I’o free on your own?"

Jocko raised one hand "May I say?"

"What is it?"

"Jocko wonders if you have an ice pick"

"Why do you need an ice pick?"

"Do you have one?"

"No"

"Neverwheel Closed her eyes Made a thin, sad sound

Should be possible to commit suicide with a tire jack Think about it Think Think

"May I say?"

"Say what?"

"See Jocko’s ear?"

"Yes"

"Is ear hole big enough, he could fit in the end of your tire jack?"

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"Neverbrake Put the 550 in gear, drove out of the rest area

"Are we going soh cliff?"

"No Not on this road"

"Will we cross any train tracks?"

"I’m not sure Why?"

"Never mind"

CHAPTER 69

AS VICTOR CONSENTED to the attentions of the adoring crowd, he realized that in addition to the staff of the tank farm, Deucalion was also present, and Detectives O’Connor and Maddison, as well

How brilliant he had been to foresee that very soon synchronicity would restore balance to his world, correct all errors by thecoincidence The very presence of his first-made and the detectives confirmed his elevation to the status of an iful coincidence they would be killed