[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

activate the fibrin-fibrinogen clotting mechanism. It is this mechanism, which is a very complex series of
protein triggers and feedback loops, which is devastated by the HF virus.
 Of course, Gray said,  Most people have an aversion to drinking blood. Even though it means their life.
And so, along with the valves and reservoirs, I install an incentive. Ah! One pint already. Gray clamped
forceps onto the tube, and removed it from the bottle, exchanging it for an empty one and putting the full
bottle back onto the counter. Danny s fingers were starting to tingle. Gray checked his pulse.  Starting to
quicken, he said. Then he released the clamp.  Things will be getting a bit vague for you soon, I m
afraid. The blood was filling the second jar.
 You operated on Selena Crockett, didn t you? Danny said. Gray looked down on him with a surprised
expression.
 My compliments, Mr. Constantine. I must admit I ve developed a grudging respect for you. And that
tenacious policeman who imagines himself to be my nemesis. Both of you have acted, and acted well.
You ve both uncovered part of the truth about me. Gray leaned closer.  But the tragedy is that neither
one of you understands what it is you ve found. Do you know why? Because you are blinded by
idealism. You oppose me because I do not conform to your ideal of the way things ought to be. But in
the end, that ideal filters out much of the world so that you are no closer to the truth than the cynic would
be. Yes! You and Sergeant Willson are idealists in an age where idealism is the most incredible luxury.
And luxuries must be paid for. You, Mr. Constantine, are paying in blood. And Willson will pay in kind
as well!
 What about & what about the cure? Danny said. He felt light-headed now, and it was an effort to talk,
to concentrate. He needed to concentrate. If he could concentrate, he could replace the blood he was
losing with willpower.
 That is an entirely separate line of inquiry, of course. But after nearly six years of research I have
succeeding in making a preparation that repairs and regenerates the mechanism in the liver responsible for
manufacturing the missing blood factors. Of course, it requires a great deal of, shall we say, raw material,
presently, to prepare enough extract to restore a single person to health. A pity, really, you took it upon
yourself to remove your young friend from the ward, since I intended to test my latest batch on her.
 You re & lying.&  Danny managed to say.
 Console yourself with that thought! Although, if you had only left well enough alone, at the very least,
your life would have been safe. I had no intention of doing anything with the girl other than treating her.
And here you come bursting in, intent on saving her! As though that would make any difference. It s all
vanity for you, isn t it, Mr. Constantine? Feeding your egotistic vision of yourself as the Noble Crusader,
the man who can live in the age of plague and maintain his humanity, treating everyone with kindness and
love. A man who with his vast, invulnerable heart will take on the burdens of the world and ease the pain
of all those who suffer. And how? By scribbling articles. Hounding me, as though you thought you might
actually disturb me. How could you? Nobody can! Certainly not the people of Milltown. Because I am
the cold, secret heart of this city! And if I must take a life in order to save two, then let it be so!
 The people here are polite, Mr. Constantine. They understand why it is better to be silent. They mask
their true feelings. They let things happen to them and console themselves with the nobility of resignation.
It s the old pioneer fatalism, dressed up to look like the modern world. But it s the same: if one child
dies, have another. If the flood washes out the fields, plant again when they dry. Keep taking it and taking
it, until, of course, you go mad! Yes, and when your neighbor explodes in a bloody burst, thank God it
did not happen to you, and paint over the stains on the sidewalk! Oh, yes! This place is perfect for my
work! If I had built my institute where people were less sure of themselves, I would never have been able [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]