Thomas F. Monteleone

Tony considered what Aickman said. He was taking a gamble, of course, but it was worth it. He was tired of living a too safe existence. The paper could grow with Conora. If the jobs and the money came, Conora could be the cultural and economic center for the whole northwest quadrant of the state. And the Gazette would be its spokesman, its interpreter, its herald.

Tony spent another fifteen minutes discussing the operation of the office with Aickman. Much of the procedure was a catalogue of habits, started by Alfonso Cavella, which had eventually become traditions that were too taboo to attempt breaking. The session was informative, but Tony saw many areas which would need change or improvement. The publica