Research
Who: George and Alex What: Coffee and research When: Daytime, Friday Where: Coffee shop Rating: G Status: Complete
George sipped at her coffee as her eyes scanned the list of names she'd been given. Eight pages of names, some with small notes after them, many without. These were the people who'd been either killed or injured at the Westin-Bellevue in the bombing. The small asterisk indicated the fatalities, each of those followed by a few names of either spouses or family. Where known, their association with the University was indicated also.
George felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she read the names through. So much suffering inflicted on people who had done nothing to deserve it. Academics, spouses, staff, guests of the hotel had all had their lives shattered in a moment of madness. No-one had even come forward to claim responsibility, to give everyone at least some direction for their anger. No-one wanted it to be the House of Spades, the group it was being purported by pro-lottery proponents was responsible for the bombing.
She didn't believe it could be. Nothing she knew of the group had ever given any indication they were going down the path of violence. Mischief, disruption, yes. Violent, senseless destruction with no purpose? It just wasn't their 'thing'.
All violence was abhorrent to her. Rebellion and dissent was one thing, but it did not need to lead to violence, and she found it difficult to accept that a group who were pro-choice when it came to marriage would take away people's simple choice to feel safe in their city by carrying out this terrorist act.
She sighed as she lowered her cup, picking up a pen and starting to make some notes on a spiral-bound notebook, oblivious to the conversations and people around her.