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Becks runs the Irwins now; I meant it when I said I didn’t have the stoh excitedalene are doing fine with their departdalene is better at staying focused than Buffy ever was, even if she doesn’t have a flair for technical things or espionage And ood, too We’ve been down that road before

Mahir’s flight from London landed at eleven the day of the funeral I drove to the passenger collection zone at the edge of the airport’s quarantine border, hoping I’d be able to pick him out of the crowd I didn’t really need to worry His plane had been almost empty, and I would’ve known hi him on video screens for years He had the same empty confusion in his eyes that I saw in , that odd sort of denial that only seems to co you first

“Shaun,” he said, and took lad to finally meet you I just wish it could have been under better circue,” I said, and pulled hiedon each other’s shoulders, until airport security told us to clear out or be held in conteulations We left

“What news?” Mahir asked, as we pulled onto the freeway “I’ve been incoht”

“Mail from Rick—Senator Ryman’s plane touched down about the sa us at the funeral horets” I shook my head “She sent a pie last week An actual pie That wo the transition?”

“He’s taking it pretty well I mean, he quit when the senator asked him to be the new VP candidate, and it doesn’t see him crazy Who knows? Maybe they’ll win They’re definitely bread and circuses enough for the general populace”

“American politics” Mahir shook his head “Bloody bizarre”

“We hat we’ve got”

“I suppose that’s the way of the world” He hesitated, looking at me as I turned off the freeway and onto the surface streets “I’ I can say that says how sorry I am You know that, don’t you?”

“I know you cared about her a lot,” I said, shrugging “She was your friend You were hers One of the best ones she ever had”

“She said that?” he asked, wonderingly

“Actually, yeah All the time”